Vol 1 Chapter 27 – Too Bad!

“What’s a cult?”

Hannah took a step back, but asked with genuine curiosity.

I’m not all that clear on the details either.

It’s not as if I worship Alvarado or anything.

But I do know a little.

It’s not my business, and secretly I’d be happy if he ended up suffering even a bit.

“See, he’s the classic type—hated by those above and adored by those below. The higher-ups probably want to kill him at any cost, but the common folk trust him so blindly it’s unreal.”

“People oppressed by nobles or the state basically die with no hope of rescue. If someone you thought would never help you comes crashing in with raw power to free you, you can’t really blame them for falling in love, can you?”

Spica chimed in.

Indeed. Most of the people Alvarado saved were up against some pretty big oppressors.

And we’re not just talking about powerful nobles; sometimes it’s the whole state.

No one they could turn to would lift a finger to help.

That’s how brutally cruel this world is.

If you can’t be saved, you’re never going to be saved in your whole life.

If you stand up to a noble, even if the noble’s in the wrong, ordinary citizens get hauled off.

Not to mention, torture and execution are everyday occurrences in this kingdom.

Things like massive arenas and slavery are run by the state, so ordinary people can do nothing about them.

But Alvarado pulls it off.

Without using any of my power—just overwhelming force.

Of course, one guy can’t spark a revolution by himself.

But if you wield that kind of sheer violence, the ruling class gets terrified that it might be turned on them.

So even if the system doesn’t completely change, things end up improving a bit.

Strength is power—no, strength is everything.

And Alvarado embodied that to the letter.

“Given what he’s done, the scale makes sense… but whatever, I don’t really care.”

“You really don’t care…?”

I don’t care. After all, I’m not the one who’s going to be in trouble.

“Hmmm, what should I do… I was thinking of just bringing back the ‘Pleasure-Driven Human-Experiment Alchemist,’ but some way more complicated person has shown up.”

Spica stared at Alvarado, frowning in thought.

Well, he’s not exactly the kind of guy you can just ignore, is he?

He’s an internationally wanted criminal, and even without that, having repelled one of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings is something they’ll have to report to the kingdom.

Hannah’s pretty bad news too, but she’s no match for Alvarado.

…No, it’s more accurate to say she’s beneath Alvarado.

She’s at the bottom of the barrel.

“You’re going to arrest him? Then you’d better disarm him first.”

I’m pointing that out because it’s really important.

“The Beloved Sword and I are literally one, nothing will ever separate us.”

“Stop it!!”

“We’ve never been one and the same, not even once!”

I’d love to break away over the tiniest thing!

My little hope that maybe they’d haul Alvarado off was dashed by Spica’s ambiguous smile.

“No way can I bring someone who can beat a Heavenly King back by myself.”

“There’s that other hero, right? Let’s have them help.”

“Why’s the Beloved Sword the most pumped about this…?”

Don’t call me ‘Beloved Sword,’ or I’ll kill you.

I laid a ferocious killing intent on Hannah.

You sure? I’ll spread every lie about Alvarado and claim you’re the worst criminal ever.

You’d charge at me, wouldn’t you…? When I said that, Hannah’s face twitched and she went silent.

Gotcha!

“We have no clue where she is right now. She’s completely unpredictable.”

“Tsk”

She’s one of the five heroes capable of taking on the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings straight-up.

If we throw her at Alvarado, maybe… maybe…

…No, that’s impossible. If he were the type a single hero could defeat, he’d have died at some point given all the crazy things he’s done.

“Sigh…”

“For now, I’m heading back to the capital. I need to get instructions from His Highness, and I have to report that someone defeated one of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings.”

“All right!!”

Hannah, who’d somehow been saved, threw a triumphant fist pump.

I wonder if this is really okay?

After she reports it, won’t we be in the same situation all over again?

And she’s already been turned down once, so there’s a chance she could be dragged away by force this time…

Well, even if Hannah’s in trouble, it’s not like I’d be the one suffering, so I’m not going to say anything.

“Well then, see you, Hero-sama.”

“Swoosh”

Spica edged closer.

She leaned forward, getting uncomfortably close.

Then her ample chest—something I’d almost never witnessed in all my years—jiggled heavily.

Th-this girl…! She completely knows the power of her charms…!

She acts all “I don’t understand a thing!” with that fluffy act!

In the end, she’s nothing more than a woman. Ugh, disgusting.

How many men has she seduced with that chest? Tell me!

“Heh…”

But, too bad! Alvarado doesn’t even have sexual desire!

He’s all smiles, utterly pleased to be called a hero.

Gross.

…Well, there’s someone else who fits ‘gross’ more than Alvarado does.

It’s that woman over there, glaring at us from the shadows, breathing heavily.

“Pant, pant…!”

“Hannah’s with Alvarado-san again…!”

Isn’t that Rasha, the girl who’s all twisted up about something?