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Defiled Hero Chapter 045

Defiled Hero

Endless Journey

I was led by the handsome blond Grey and cat-eared miniskirt-clad Tsuyuha. I walked slightly behind them.

Although I went along with the flow and came to the castle, I wonder if this is alright.

What should I do when I meet Zenesys? I can't do anything underhanded in my current state. If I'm revealed to be the hero, I'll have to do something about it forcefully.

He's of the legendary Saint rank. Even if all of the Emperor-rank people fought against him, they have no chance of winning.

If I fight him straight on as I am right now, I most likely won't win.

If I seriously want to defeat him, and have everything prepared, with the best possible chance of a surprise attack, if I don't kill him in one hit, it'll be my loss.

Swordmaster Tsuyuha and spearmaster Grey will be there as well. Grey is on Zenesys' side, and Tsuyuha respects her master, so if I attack Zenesys, she will turn her sword on me.

For now, I just pray that he doesn't recognize me as the hero.

I've gotten taller in the past five years, growing from a child into an adult. My voice has changed, and I have an eye patch. Above all, my personality has changed.

Zenesys' magical perception isn't that sharp. He probably won't realize Fiere is a fairy. It should be fine to act as I normally do.

(Hey, Astrea. It's your turn.) (Izayoi)

『What do you want?』 (Astrea)

(Why are you angry?) (Izayoi)

『You know, Izayoi. Lately, you've forgotten all about about Astrea-chan.』 (Astrea)

(I didn't forget. You're at the edge of my thoughts.) (Izayoi)

『Liar. You completely forgot. It's been a long time since I showed up.』 (Astrea)

(Aren't you happy showing up again? Your job this time is to observe the flow of magic in the area.) (Izayoi)

『Don't want to! I don't want to work when you ask so coldly like that, but my body is doing it on its own! *s.h.i.+ver* *twitch*』 (Astrea)

(TN: Remember, she likes the cold treatment.)

『I've observed the magic flow. Magic power seems to be gathering in the castle after all.』 (Astrea)

(This castle? Where, specifically?) (Izayoi)

『Something is interfering so I don't know. But it's probably underground.』 (Astrea)

(Underground, is it.) (Izayoi)

Was there something below the castle? I'm not sure. It can't be seen normally. I'll have to sneak in later to take a look.

「We've arrived. Zenesys is relaxing in this room. Please don't be impolite.」 (Grey)

The king's office. Zenesys is inside.

「When I think about it, I suddenly get nervous...」 (Tsuyuha)

「Relax. Your excitation will soon turn into despair.」 (Izayoi)

「Of course it won't. If you're wrong Izayoi, properly apologize to me, alright?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Sure, if what I said was wrong, I'll apologize or whatever. But if I'm right, you know what, right?」 (Izayoi)

「Sure. I'll do anything.」 (Tsuyuha)

She pointed her ears and pushed her chest out in pride.

「You two, did you hear what I said?」 (Grey)

「I was listening. It's alright. Shall we go?」 (Tsuyuha)

As Grey heard her say that, he let out a sigh, then stiffened his expression. He then knocked on the door.

「It's Grey. I've brought guests.」 (Grey)

It became silent for a bit due to the tense atmosphere. Tsuyuha and Grey's shallow breathing could be heard. The two of them were nervous, but I'm not bothered at all.

Putting my hand in my pocket, and gathering strength in a natural stance, I watched the door.

「...Enter.」 (Zenesys)

From behind the door, a low grunt could be heard.

「Pardon the intrusion.」 (Grey)

Opening the doors, we went inside. At the back of the room was a figure, wholly uninterested in us as it stared out the window.

The man had long white hair, collected behind his back.

「...I didn't think, there were plans for any visitors.」 (Zenesys)

Having said that, he turned around and walked towards us.

I'm taller than before, and my body has grown as well. Even though I became an adult, it feels as though my power hasn't changed that much..

A sharp glance was sent my way.

「Alright. Tsuyuha is here to report that she has finished her training. And this is the man Tsuyuha brought with her.」 (Tsuyuha)

「...Tr, training.」 (Zenesys)

Zenesys' eyes glazed over.

「Zenesys-sama! I finally finished the training! I've become an adult now, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

Zenesys avoided her gaze.

「Well done. Because you have completed your training, you are an adult. I have nothing else to teach you.」 (Zenesys)

He said she has no reason to be related to him anymore. It's my victory after all.

At that moment, I was. .h.i.t lightly.

「I did it Izayoi! I'm an adult now! What you said is wrong after all!」 (Tsuyuha)

「Y, yeah... That's right.」 (Izayoi)

Shoving her face in my chest, Tsuyuha hopped around in glee.

(TN: I have no idea how you even do that.)

What an easily deceived girl.

When she's this happy, I'm hesitating to tell her to the truth. Even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me.

「...I was wrong, my bad.」 (Izayoi)

「It's alright. Don't worry about it at all.」 (Tsuyuha)

Cat ears twitching, she frantically changed her grin back to normal. Tsuyuha turned to Zenesys and Grey who had no idea what to say.

「Ahem, now that you said I've become an adult, I can be by Zenesys-sama from now on, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

「......」 (Zenesys, Grey, Izayoi)

As he heard what Tsuyuha said, Zenesys went silent.

「Ah, um, Tsuyuha. Does that mean you want to enter the knight order?」 (Zenesys)

「I don't mind joining the knight order. I want to be useful to Zenesys-sama and use my strength to protect the people.」 (Tsuyuha)

「That is... what to do.」 (Zenesys)

Looking back and forth between the silent Zenesys and Tsuyuha, Grey was at a loss.

「If I remember correctly, Tsuyuha's home country is on the western continent is it not? Your parents must be worried. You are still young, what do you think of helping the people of your country?」 (Grey)