Vol 1 Chapter 28 – Reunion with Leonhardt【Vol 1: The Beastkin Hero Arc】

It seemed Leonhardt had been saving five towns all by herself. Because it would take time for her to arrive, Allen was treated to hospitality in a prepared guest room.

First up was a meal. Asmodeus’s eyes sparkled at the food set out on the table.

Pickled wild vegetables and mushrooms served as preserved foods alongside a piping hot stew made with the meat of a wild beast called a snow boar, said to be a local specialty. There was also toast topped with plenty of melty cheese.

Allen had thought he was too nervous about meeting Leonhardt to eat. However, seeing Asmodeus standing on her chair and stretching the cheese from her toast all the way up to the ceiling as she ate sparked a massive wave of irritation in him—which somehow also sparked his appetite.

“What is it? Are you going to eat too?”

“…Back in Log Village, it was right after Flavorus went on a rampage, so we didn’t have time to be entertained. Now that I think about it, I’m starving. Or rather, why do you have an appetite when you’re a sword?”

“I keep telling you, I’m not a sword; this is my true form!”

With a hand on her cheek, Asmodeus happily stuffed her mouth with toast. Her carefree attitude was quite enviable.

“…I wonder what Leonhardt will say if my true identity is exposed… On top of fighting together, I practically have to fight without your power—<Bewitching Purple Lightning, Luxnils>.”

“It’s a good opportunity for you to learn to appreciate me.”

“Worry about my safety, please.”

“…Who would worry about you? Besides, you can’t use it anymore anyway. The sexual arousal generated by hugging and kissing the back of the hand of that married woman in Log Village was completely used up against the Artificial Hero you encountered on the snowy mountain. You’re empty.”

“…That’s true, but…”

Allen had shrewdly gotten aroused during that bit of fan service. She had come on to him, so it wasn’t sexual harassment, and it was a consensual act to begin with. Still, feeling somewhat awkward about the topic, he decided to focus on his meal.

Tilting his mask to expose only his mouth, he brought the stew to his lips. The warm, smooth flavor spread gently through his mouth and seeped into the core of his body.

Delicious.

“In the first place, you should just use your Brave Skill. Until now, there were too many enemies you could handle with my power alone, so you haven’t even used it in front of your allies. Even if you use it now, they won’t realize it’s you.”

“…No, but that’s so overpowered it almost feels like cheating. I’d feel bad…”

“Allen.”

Stopping her play with the cheese, Asmodeus continued with a terribly serious expression.

“The chief of this town said three Artificial Heroes are invading the royal capital, but the Empire’s goal isn’t the capital. It’s Leonhardt. They’re likely planning to lure her out by attacking it.”

“…Meaning, if things stay like this, we’re playing right into the Empire’s hands?”

“Indeed. Even if you defeat the three of them, absolutely do not let your guard down. The knight from Lig-Aqua said it, didn’t he? The leader of the subjugation force is Helmis. We don’t know where he is or what he’s doing right now, but at the very least, the Beast Kingdom’s crisis won’t end until you defeat him.”

Allen slipped a hand under his mask and scratched his cheek.

Defeating him was probably possible. If Helmis hadn’t become a World Knight, there might have been a chance Allen would lose, but the moment he became one, Allen’s victory was assured. It might not make sense, but that was just the kind of ability his Brave Skill was.

If he did defeat him, however, it would technically mean he saved the royal capital. He would probably have to meet the Beast King and end up coming face-to-face with the princesses and princes too.

Allen let out a sigh. Somehow, he felt like the frequency of these events had been increasing lately—almost returning to the same degree as back during his World Knight days.

When would he be able to become a NEET? When would he be able to quit the “Hero” profession?

If he kept raising his fame as Noir like this, his mercenary persona might end up getting chosen as a World Knight next.

Imagining such a future, Allen let out another heavy sigh. But no matter how much he lamented, the flow of time would not stop.

Night fell, and a sky full of stars spread out above.

What the townspeople had turned out in full force to welcome was a regal beast with the body of a lion covered in golden fur, and the wings and head of an eagle—a griffon. The moment it became visible through a gap in the clouds, illuminated by the moonlight, cheers erupted. Just the flapping of its wings sent wind pressure all the way down to the ground.

Riding on the back of the sharply pointed, one-eyed griffon was a warrior clad entirely in armor. The hero had arrived.

Having been called over, Allen rushed to the front of the chief’s estate and quietly looked up at the sky next to Kohaku.

They were finally going to reunite, but he felt like he was going to throw up. Even so, he didn’t show the slightest hint of it, making sure not to let his inner nervousness be detected.

The griffon slowly landed, and a petite figure dismounted from its back. Seeing that figure up close, Kohaku and his subordinates completely forgot their words of welcome and stood frozen.

The armor, which should have been shining silver, was stained bright red with blood all over. The traces of fierce battles could be strongly felt.

“…L-Leonhardt-sama… Are you injured?”

“I’m not. It’s all blood splatter.”

Glared at from within the helmet, Kohaku hurriedly bowed his head. Her tone was rough, but her voice was still feminine and cute.

However, Allen keenly sensed the change in her atmosphere. She used to have a softer air about her; now, bloodlust was constantly leaking from her like an unsheathed blade.

“…So you’re the mercenary who took down the fake hero?”

Noticing Allen, Leonhardt came marching straight toward him. First impressions were crucial. Making up his mind, Allen opened his mouth.

“…Nice to meet you. My name is Noir. I’m a mercenary from the Lig-Aqua Kingdom. It’s reassuring to fight alongside the hero of the beast-kin. I look forward to—”

Leonhardt slapped away the hand he had raised for a handshake with the back of her own.

“I’m not counting on the likes of you. Like hell I’d entrust my back to some guy I barely know. But since I’m bringing you along, make yourself useful. At the very least, be my shield.”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Thanks to his voice-changing mask, she hadn’t realized who he was at all. As Allen replied immediately with a sense of relief, Leonhardt stared at him intently for a while. Because she was clad in full armor, it was hard to tell exactly where she was looking.

“…Leonhardt-sama, Noir-sama is someone worthy of your trust. This man defeated an Artificial Hero capable of blowing away an entire mountain without taking a single scratch. He also has the endorsement of the King of Lig-Aqua. He is our ally, and yours.”

Kohaku strung together words to mediate between them, but Leonhardt ignored him and turned her back.

“…I got a report from the royal capital a few minutes ago. The three fake heroes have drastically slowed their invasion speed. They might be stopping at a village near the capital. We’re going right now. However, Raisel only lets people she acknowledges ride on her back. Just cling to her legs or something.”

“Understood.”

The giant griffon—Leonhardt’s pet spirit beast—approached with heavy, thudding steps.

This was also a reunion with her for the first time in a while. The one-eyed griffon exuded the presence of a veteran of many battles and had quite a stern face.

It was certainly true that she was highly proud and only let those she acknowledged come near. There had been countless times she had intimidated children who tried to touch her, even bringing them to tears.

But back during his World Knight days, Allen used to pet Raisel all the time. Whenever he shared a mission with Leonhardt, he would bury his face in her fluffy feathers or use her lion body as a pillow for naps.

That very Raisel looked down at Allen and brought her face closer. A sharp eagle talon swung horizontally toward him.

“Hah, looks like she hates your guts… huh?”

“Wait, huh?”

The next moment, Allen was being hugged by Raisel. She wrapped her talons around Allen’s back and pressed her feathers tightly against him.

He was practically being crushed under her weight, but anyone could see it was a hug full of love. Large teardrops spilled one after another from Raisel’s single eye.

“Kru-ru-ru, Kru-ru-ru!”

I missed you. I really missed you. Hugging him so tightly it felt like he could hear those very words, Raisel began licking Allen’s mask and the nape of his neck with her tongue.

(I-I’m busted… My perfect disguise… is busted?!)

Internally, Allen was severely agitated. Could spirit beasts just tell? He didn’t really understand it, but his true identity had been spectacularly exposed to Raisel.

A frozen atmosphere fell over the group. Leonhardt was at a loss for words, while Kohaku and his subordinates were blinking in shock.

It was a situation where only Raisel was crying out happily. Was the fact that she couldn’t speak the only silver lining in this disaster?