Vol 1 Chapter 21 – There’s Someone Here Who Looks Like Their Heart Has Stopped…

Soft, meticulously maintained chestnut hair.

That hair color suits her gentle, Niko Niko smile.

And above all…

“I-it’s huge…!”

The chest armor was so enormous it made me shudder.

Impossible… She’s on par with Hannah… No, perhaps even surpasses her?

I never expected such a human to exist, and I panicked completely.

No, wait. Could she be some kind of cow beastkin?

There are cat beastmen, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Though I don’t actually know.

However, she has none of the animal ears or tail that are typical of beastmen, so she must be just a normal human.

…Scary.

“So, and who is this person?”

“Um… I didn’t ask her name.”

Ruru turned her face toward Alvarado.

“My name is Alvarado. I am Hero.”

“Huh? Hero…?”

Spica tilted her head curiously.

She looked at Ruru to verify.

“Everyone should have shown up by now, but they won’t listen when I say ‘Hero,’ nya…”

“A crazy person who thinks he’s Hero…”

That’s exactly right.

“I thought so too, but he actually has the power to defeat the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings, and he even wields something like a Holy Sword…”

“‘Something like’? What do you mean?”

I felt like snapping at Ruru, who was staring right at me.

Al might be a self-proclaimed Hero, but I’m the real Holy Sword!

I’m not some self-proclaimed Holy Sword!

“You defeated the Four Heavenly Kings!? That’s unbelievably awesome!”

“Heh… It’s not that big of a deal.”

He acts nonchalant, but it truly is incredible.

I’ve been holed up so I’m not up to date, but back when I was unwillingly used, the Four Heavenly Kings were a serious threat to humanity.

They were a lineup of individuals each capable of destroying a small kingdom on their own.

Part of the reason was that I let him use my power, but Al still mystifies me…

“We can’t say for sure there are any bodies to prove it, but it seems they were truly driven back. With Ruru here, there’s no doubt we’re honest, so I think you’ll get a reward.”

“No, that’s unnecessary. I’m not doing this for praise.”

“…You really do act like a Hero, and it annoys me.”

Ruru twisted her face in disgust.

If he were someone who’d prioritize selfish gain, I don’t think I’d be drawn to him this strongly!

My instincts as the Holy Sword are utterly captivated by Al’s goodness.

“Your aptitude is perfect. Your aptitude…”

Yes, there’s no doubt his aptitude surpasses any Hero we’ve had so far.

And that is what troubles me…

“So, why are you two here? Did you come because you realized the Four Heavenly Kings were here?”

“Nope, that’s not it. There’s no way we could’ve known that.”

“Then did you come to help a village under bandit attack?”

“That’s not it either. Of course, we’d help if asked, but ultimately it’s the role of the lord governing that village. Helping without being asked would be overstepping.”

“Then why?”

When I asked, Spica nodded.

“We came to capture a first-class criminal said to be hiding in this area.”

“First-class criminal…?”

Al reacted with a twitch.

Well, “criminal” is probably one of the words he hates most.

While watching that reaction, my eyes were fixed on a certain woman at the edge of my vision.

Man… I really can’t take my eyes off her…

“Her real name isn’t known, but her epithet is legendary.”

Spica spoke with a Niko Niko smile.

I don’t think that’s something to be smiling about…

Truly, she’s strange too.