Chapter 814: Freabell Lidzveld ③ (2/2)

[……Fill your belly first, then we'll talk about your situation.]

The man looked puzzled at Frea-san's words, and after exchanging glances between the basket and Frea-san several times, he then slowly reached out to the basket and started eating. Perhaps, he was too hungry, as once he started eating, all of his attention became directed to it.

[I'm sorry, comrade.]

[No, don't worry about it.]

I could understand why Frea-san had brought the man here as if he was protecting him. Somehow, this man didn't seem to be an evil person at heart.

From my Sympathy Magic, the first emotions I felt were anguish and conflict, followed by frustration, and when he lowered his head, resignation and regret…… and now, I can feel confusion and deep remorse. I could guess that they had some kind of situation.

After a while, the man finished his meal and began to talk…… about why he had tried to commit theft.

To sum it up, the man was an entrepreneur. He started a business a few years ago, and at first, his business was doing quite well. But one day, he made a big mistake, which led to the eventual failure of his business…… crashing him down until he was almost penniless.

Since then, he had been working as a laborer to make ends meet. However, his luck had been bad lately and he hadn't been able to get a job, and he was so hungry that he decided to steal.

Finished listening to him, Frea-san puffed on her kiseru pipe before quietly speaking.

[……So? What are you going to do now?]

[I'm going to look for another job.]

[Fumu, but then, it'd just end up all the same, right?]

[……I guess I hadn't quite let go of my pride. I hadn't been able to contact my parents because I didn't want them to know how miserable I was. But because of my pride, I was about to make an irreversible mistake. I'm really grateful that you stopped me.]

[I see. You'll look for a job, and if you can't find one, you'll ask your relatives to help you out…… So? And then, what?]

[……I don't know when it will be, but someday, when I save up enough money…… I'm going to try all over again.]

As he talked with Frea-san, the hesitation disappeared from the man's eyes. It's just a hunch, but I could feel that no matter what troubles he faced, he would never commit a crime again.

Seeing the man's face, Frea-san slightly smiled and taking a huge burlap bag out of nowhere, she placed it in front of the man.

[If that's the case, you can do it now.]

[……Eh?]

[I'll give you the money. Use these, and try again.]

[……Why……]

Seeing the burlap sack containing a large amount of money, the man looked as if his thoughts couldn't keep up, and dumbfoundedly muttered.

[You tried once, and you failed. However…… You have also gained the experience of failure. I'm sure that in your mind right now, thoughts like ”What if I had done this?” smoldering in your mind. If that's the case, don't just let that smoldering thought burn out. If you need money for you to try again, and you don't possess such money, I'll give it to you.]

[……!? Ahh…… Uuuu…… Thank you…… very much.]

Hearing Frea-san's words, I could see a lot of emotions appearing on his face, but he still received the burlap bag with trembling hands.

Even though he looked puzzled, I could see a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

[This is your second attempt. You have the know-how and the experience of failure, which you gained from the first attempt. If you fail again, then it simply means your abilities are lacking.]

[……Yes.]

[When such a thing happens, come and visit me. I will train you, so that you could try again for the ”third time”.]

[……Ehh? Eh?]

[For challengers, failure does not mean defeat. Defeat is ”when you lose the will to challenge again”. No matter how many times you fail, no matter how you are defeated, as long as the flame continues to live in your heart, you are not a loser, but a challenger. And I will always be on the side of the challenger. As long as the light in your eyes doesn't extinguish, I will not abandon you. I will push you as many times as possible, and send you back into the battlefield. So, don't be afraid and challenge with all your might!]

[ ~ ~ ~ ~ ! ? ]

As he listened to Frea-san's words, telling him that she wouldn't abandon him no matter how many times he failed, the man was overcome with emotion, weeping where he sat.

[It takes courage to take on a challenge. It takes even more courage to try again after your first failure. However…… You dared turn your blade on I, Freabell Nidzveld, one of Dragon King-sama's executive subordinates, the Four Great Demon Dragons. Compared to that, it should be easy for you to muster such a level of courage, right?]

[……Yes!]

After Frea-san told her such, sounding somewhat happy, the man wiped away his tears and vigorously replied. Then, holding up the burlap sack he received, he spoke without any hesitation.

[Thank you very much. I will gratefully ”borrow this money”.]

[……I did tell you that I'm giving it to you, right?]

[No, doing such a thing wouldn't make me satisfied. I will definitely return all of the money you have entrusted me…… No, I will double it!]

[Hoohhh…… Now that's the look of a challenger.]

After saying that, sounding somewhat impressed, Frea-san continued with a smile on her face, looking as if she was having fun.

[You don't have to double the money. But yes, if you really want to return more than you received…… when you visit me with the money…… bring along your favorite drink, whether it's alcohol or juice. At that time, we will celebrate your triumph.]

[……Yes!]

[……It seems like you wouldn't be needing a ”third time” huh.]

The man who vigorously nodded had a strong light, and just as Frea-san said, I could see that he indeed had the face worthy of being called a challenger.

And upon seeing this, Frea-san nodded her head, looking like she was really delighted.

<Afterword>

< The rough character draft of Shea is available in Activity Report>

Nidzveld

She is actually the richest among Dragon King's subordinates. She basically carries around money to give those who were just like in this chapter, challengers that don't have money…… Even when she tells them that she doesn't need them returned, she's still getting more and more money back, and was often doubled or multiplied several times.

She is basically a caring person, and like shown in this chapter, she often helps and encourages challengers, so she is well-liked anywhere and is well known in the Human Realm. The red claw pattern isn't the emblem of the ”Scarlet Fang”, and was instead the emblem that Nidzveld personally likes to use, and those who adore her often have the same pattern on their clothes.