The Story Where I, the Strongest Mercenary, Was Reincarnated as a Bullied Introverted High School Student ~ When I Was Freely Enjoying My School Life, for Some Reason the Girls Around Me Started Glancing at Me~

After marrying Shiori, I served as the captain of ‘SWORD’.

And then… ‘that mission’ came to us.

“Destroy the Intercontinental Stealth Ballistic Missile and prevent the attack on Japan.”

Our opponents were a mafia group of Soviet survivors. We’d lost many comrades against this powerful organization, and we still hadn’t been able to locate the missile launch site we were supposed to destroy.

Then one day…

“Ryuji! Dino’s returned! I annihilated his pursuers!”

Aaron said that while carrying the bloodied Italian, Dino. The mafia’s communications were encrypted, so Dino, who could decode them, had infiltrated as a spy.

After laying him on a bed, Dino reported to me with his dying breath.

“I found… the missile launch base location… Latitude: 60.7°, Longitude: 101.4° deep in the Gorason Forest…”

“Well done! I’ll seal your wounds now!”

However, I gasped when I saw where Dino’s wounds were. His lungs and liver had been shot through, it was a miracle he’d made it back alive in this condition. It must have been Dino’s sheer determination. And… the bullet that stopped just short of his heart had penetrated through the novel Dino always kept in his chest pocket.

Dino seemed to understand that he couldn’t be saved. He tore off the dog tag around his neck and gripped my hand firmly with his bloody hand.

“Ryuji, my dream was… to build a library. A place where anyone could read lots of books for free…”

Even while coughing up blood, he spoke with strong eyes.

“Everyone fights because they’re afraid… Fear begins with ignorance. If everyone read books and learned, there’d be no need for war. Knowledge is stronger than weapons…”

His dying words contained Dino’s fervent wish.

“Dino, don’t worry! I’ll make your dream come true! I’ll build a library bigger than the White House and fill it with the books you loved!”

“Ryuji, thank you. Hehe… I’m going ahead… I’ll write books in heaven. I’m looking forward to it…”

He saluted with trembling hands and smiled, then Dino’s body went limp. Aaron also saluted and shed quiet tears.

“…Bon voyage.”

Char cried while taking Dino’s hand, gently pressing it against her cheek.

◇◇◇

Relying on the information Dino had obtained with his life, I ran through the forest with Gilberto and Aaron toward the missile base. However, as expected, the mafia’s defenses were solid and we couldn’t break through easily.

“This is the last shot!”

Gilberto said that and fired the rocket launcher. Without Gilberto’s nearly 100kg frame, the shooter would be blown away. This weapon was our trump card.

“Alright! The path is open! Advance!”

The three of us, Aaron, Gilberto, and I, headed for the base. There was no retreat. The mafia had circled around behind us, so we could only advance toward the missile launch base.

“Damn, another ambush!”

However, we reached an impasse when Gilberto’s rocket launcher ran out of ammunition. The longer time passed, the more the enemy could regroup and gain advantage. To make this surprise attack succeed, we needed more chaos.

“…I’ll cause a ruckus. You guys break through while I distract them.”

Aaron said that and lightly tapped mine and Gilberto’s chests.

“I was originally an American soldier, you know. I joined ‘SWORD’ thinking I just needed to protect America.”

While visually confirming enemy positions, Aaron spoke.

“But living with you guys made me realize something. I love your countries too. I absolutely won’t let there be a war.”

Aaron removed the dog tag around his neck and put it around mine.

“Aaron…”

“Ryuji, Gilberto… you’re my brothers. Even if we’re not blood-related, we’re connected in heart and soul. So let me protect you.”

Aaron let out a war cry and charged while firing his machine gun.

“Wooooooh!”

All enemy gun barrels turned toward Aaron. Spraying red blood, Aaron never faltered and broke into a corner of the enemy position, disrupting their formation.

In that opening, Gilberto and I ran. Never looking back, never stopping, so that Aaron’s death wouldn’t be in vain.

BOOOOM!

We heard a massive explosion from behind. He must have caught many enemies in a grenade suicide attack. We couldn’t even see the final heroic figure of that brave mercenary.

“Advance! Advance!”

“Aaron…! Damn it!”

While running, we shot and killed the mafia members who were confused thanks to Aaron.

We ran while carrying the deaths, sorrows, and wishes of our comrades.

That was the only way to repay my best comrades.