Vol 1 Chapter 35 – Huh, who is this…?

Alvarado leisurely surveys the spacious interior.

Though it’s hardly a scene you should be leisurely gazing at.

A truly gruesome crime scene.

Not just one or two bodies—but many more are strewn about…

Blood spatters across the floor, walls, and windows make for a sickening sight.

I mean, there are even people crucified.

…Humans are terrifying.

“I followed the scent of villains here…”

“How can this guy casually do something like this? It’s insane, right? Even dog beastmen can’t track people by some abstract ‘evil scent,’ can they? What the hell is going on?”

“Don’t ask me.”

I have no idea about that kind of thing.

He’s basically a bizarre human mutant, after all.

I glare back at Ruru, who is glaring at me.

You humans need to take responsibility for this.

Since you lot created this monster, my comfy shut-in NEET life got forcibly cut short. I’m seriously going to beat you up.

“It looked like the lord’s manor, so I figured it was the perfect place to wipe them all out…”

“Do you realize how serious killing a noble is in this country? Could you not say you’ll casually kill them like it’s no big deal? It has absolutely nothing to do with me, okay?”

Ruru’s scolding probably won’t reach Alvarado.

And I won’t accept “it has nothing to do with me.” I’ll drag you into this no matter what.

When he stormed the lord’s manor as if it were nothing, Ruru’s eyes went cold.

Even gentle Spica had her face twitch with horror, so you can imagine how grave Alvarado’s actions were.

“I never thought someone would beat me to it. Huh, seems I still have room to improve. I need to train more…”

“Could you stop talking about killing more people?”

Alvarado chuckles sheepishly, and Ruru turns on him with dead eyes.

I look at her… and quietly applaud.

“That was a great put-down… It actually makes me feel better…”

“Who!? You better not be talking about me!? I’ll kill you!”

“Nya!”

Ruru lunges at me.

Hey, stop that!

Stay away, woman! You reek of cat!

As I desperately dodge Ruru’s attacks, Alvarado is inspecting the corpses.

“Hmmm”

“They’re quite skilled. Excellent cutting technique. It’s difficult to slice through flesh and bone…”

It takes immense strength and skill to neatly sever a human body with all its meat and bone.

Well, if you have a legendary sword like me, even a mediocre wielder can cut cleanly—but some skill is still required.

I don’t know what kind of sword the culprit used, but they must be a formidable opponent.

“Someone who can pull off something like this is seriously dangerous. Even wounded, they took down the Uzu branch leader and killed nobility. A reckless idiot who doesn’t think ahead—and they’re strong. The worst kind.”

Aside from skill, their mind seems completely broken.

As Ruru said, it’s an act that turns a huge underworld assassination syndicate into your enemy.

Normally, even if you wanted to, you couldn’t do that.

On top of that, killing a noble.

In the underworld, you might still have an excuse.

If you claim it’s for justice, surface society might not harshly condemn you.

Well, murder is murder, so you’ll still get hauled in.

But since this kingdom heavily favors nobility, they’ll definitely investigate.

Whether they understood all that before they struck or not.

It’s a fine distinction, but an important one.

If the former, they’re strong and fully resolved—maybe it’s Alvarado?

If the latter, then they’re just a bit crazy—maybe it’s Alvarado?

“Hmm. I really need to return and report this. A missing lord is a serious problem.”

Spica shakes her head in exasperation.

“I’m heading back to the capital.”

“Sigh… This’ll probably come up at the heroes’ council too…”

Spica and Ruru both look annoyed.

Among them, only Alvarado seems to be having fun.

…His enjoyment is infuriating.

“Al?”

“I was thinking there’s someone rather worth keeping an eye on.”

“There’s nothing worth seeing.”

Probably only Alvarado could call a mass murderer “worth watching.”

Brushing off my accusing gaze, Alvarado murmurs, “I’d like to meet him in person someday.”

◆

After the Taris murder incident, an investigation team arrives.

What they uncover will be reported to the kingdom along with Spica.

A few days later, Ruru comes to say her goodbyes to Alvarado and the others.

“Alright, let’s get going, nya.”

“Oh, is that so? You’re moving too.”

“Yeah. Spica’s gone back, and I need to head off or I’ll be late.”

For someone who does whatever she pleases, scheduled events are pure torture.

Besides, it’s not fun at all—the people waiting aren’t ones she gets along with—the worst.

It’s seriously awful. I want to quit being a hero.

“The heroes’ council, right?”

“It’s not some grand conference. Since we basically do what we want, it’s more like a check-in meeting. Still, confirming we’re alive is important.”

“I see.”

If there were pompous obligations, Ruru would’ve bolted for real.

But the so-called heroes’ council is really just a once-a-year meetup of the five heroes.

By the way, it wasn’t proposed by any hero; it’s a long-standing tradition.

Thinking about how old heroes got along makes current hero relationships hard to believe, Ruru thinks.

“Well then, I’ll be off here. I pray we never meet again, nya.”

“Fluttering”

Ruru waves her hand.

Although the man named Alvarado has suffered a lot of stress, thinking this is the last time makes it a bit entertaining.

“Soft chuckle”

She starts walking toward the city where the heroes’ council will convene.

“Briskly”

And, for some reason, Alvarado walks right beside her.

“Huh, who is this…?”

Stunned, I look at him, and he nods silently.

“Right—let’s travel well together.”

“…Haah!?”

“What the hell is he saying!?”