Vol 2 Chapter 52 – The Hidden Ace【Vol 2 – The Condemned Knight Edition】

“Ah…”

After Erik left, Miriam let out a vulnerable sound.

She had been with Erik ever since leaving her hometown… no, ever since being driven out.

Miriam herself wasn’t strong.

That was why she had joined forces with Erik to survive, and she was certain it would be that way from now on, too.

Now, separated from her partner, Miriam felt utterly helpless.

“Heh heh, don’t look so lonely. You’ve got us, after all.”

That feeling was only amplified by the Gray Guild members surrounding her.

They flashed dirty, leering grins, their gazes foul.

She was aware that she had a decent figure, so she was used to men looking at her that way.

She had never shown much of a reaction.

However, that was due to her innate difficulty with expressing emotion, and the fact that Erik was always by her side.

Whenever those gazes were directed at Miriam, he would subtly step between them.

How many times had that kindness saved her?

…Of course, she had no idea his real reason was the pleasure he got from being the target of those dark stares.

Just as Miriam was realizing once again how much she relied on Erik…

“Eleonora-san…?”

The one who moved smoothly to her side to support her was Eleonora.

Though she was also the target of those vile looks, she showed none of Miriam’s fear, instead maintaining a dignified and imposing posture.

“I am no substitute for Erik-san, but…”

“…No, I’m glad you’re here.”

It was true; she couldn’t replace Erik.

To Miriam, he was irreplaceable.

But Eleonora, a woman herself, was now using her own body to shield her from those unpleasant gazes.

There was no way Miriam couldn’t be grateful.

“Oh? You wanna go first? Play nice, and I’ll be gentle with ya.”

chuckle, chuckle

The Gray Guild man’s words were vulgar as he laughed.

Miriam flared up at that, but Eleonora held a hand out to stop her, and she swallowed her retort.

“I cannot replace Erik-san. I cannot comfort you with words or a smile as he does.”

“Eleonora-san…?”

“Hey, hey, what’re you mumblin’ about over there?”

Miriam felt a sense of suspicion at Eleonora’s words… which sounded almost like a private monologue.

It was as if she couldn’t even hear the taunts from the Gray Guild members.

“Yes, what I can do is—”

As she spoke, a magical light gathered around Eleonora’s arms.

It gradually took shape, until finally…

“—massacre every last person here and put your mind at ease.”

The light burst, and what leaped into Miriam’s vision was a grotesque armament covering Eleonora’s fists and arms.

Gauntlets. She had seen them in weapon shops before, but the ones Eleonora wore were bigger, heavier-looking, and harder-looking than any of them.

And what was most bizarre of all were the spikes scattered across them.

They were like pin cushions, gauntlets that looked capable of inflicting a grievous wound with a single touch.

“Th-Those are…”

Miriam couldn’t help but cry out at the sight of a weapon she never would have imagined a woman with Eleonora’s personality using.

And she wasn’t the only one who was distraught.

The members of the Gray Guild surrounding them had also lost their earlier composure, their faces twisted in panic.

“For Miriam-san’s sake, I will enact justice.”

With those words, Eleonora charged the Gray Guild bodyguards.

◆

“Wait!”

“Hah… hah…!”

Even as I desperately yell for him to stop, Klet pays me no mind.

Well, of course he wouldn’t. If he gets caught, his life is over.

He’ll be thrown in prison… no, for something like the slave trade, he could even be executed.

…Though if that’s the case, he shouldn’t have gotten into the slave trade to begin with.

I thought all this as I ran, my own breathing perfectly even.

I could already see Klet, who had fled long before I did, and his breathing was a complete mess.

This is the difference between me, who has been beaten to a pulp by people and monsters, and Klet, who has been living a comfortable life off his illegal business!

…More importantly, I need him to use his hidden ace or trump card already.

After I’ve savored that, I have to hurry back to where I left Miriam and Eleonora-san and get lynched by the Gray Guild bodyguards.

There’s no time to spare. If he doesn’t use it soon…

“Hah… hah…!”

As I ran with that thought, Klet finally came to a stop.

It wasn’t a dead end or anything, so he must have simply exhausted his stamina to the point where he could no longer run.

Hmph… I’ve cornered him nicely.

Now, let’s have that hidden ace!

“Give it up, Klet Laboy. If you surrender quietly, I won’t get rough. Besides, it will be considered as a sign of remorse. If you’re thinking of yourself, you should let me take you in.”

I say, not meaning a single word of it.

No you don’t, Klet. You have to struggle to the very end and use your trump card.

As if my thoughts reached him, Klet let out a low, mocking chuckle.

“Hmph! Who’d be fooled by that! There’s no way they’d spare the life of someone running a slave trade in the Royal Capital, where regulations are so strict! Awaiting me if I’m caught is either the gallows or the chopping block!”

Hanging and beheading… I wonder which one is more painful.

When it’s my turn to be executed… hmm, it’s a tough choice.

…Since I have my skill, I can just experience both!

Maybe I should get into the slave trade, too, once my duty as the Hero is over.

“But what will you do by running now? If Eleonora-san and I report this, you’ll be captured for sure.”

“That’s probably true. That’s why I have to get as far away as possible before this is discovered. And to do that…”

Klet turns his sweat-drenched face to me.

That confident, smirking face is exactly what I’ve been waiting for…

“I will slaughter all of you to delay the discovery for as long as possible.”

With those words, Klet snaps his fingers again.

————Gah!?

The next moment, an incredible force slammed into me from the side, sending me flying.