Chapter 78 - 94: Being Companions to the Hero of the Bow (2/2)

This place seems to be full of hunting grounds

Seven people is a lot.

Naofumi:”Well then, the question now is, how do you guys usually fight with Itsuki?”

Armour:”Hero of the Shield-san. Can you do something about how you call Itsuki-sama?”

The guy who the flashy armour has an attitude and asks me.

This guy again?

Naofumi:”Wha?”

Armour:”Please, at least add some honorics when saying his name.”

...What did you just say?

Whatever I call Itsuki is up to me to decide. To think someone wants to correct me and tell me to add honorifics?

It seems that they are extremely loyal.

Naofumi:”Let me warn you, I am the Hero of the Shield, and I will be treated the same as the other heroes. Why should I have to address him like that?”

Armour:”Incorrect, Hero of the Shield-san you are not as active Itsuki-sama, therefore Hero of the Shield-san must show respect to Itsuki-sama.”

What a complaint.

It's an irrational argument. What this guy is getting at...When looking around I see that, excluding one person, everyone has the same opinion.

Furthermore, that one person is the child-like Rishia.

I don't know what their real intentions are, but this is quite problematic.

Naofumi:”...What do you think you're saying?”

In respect to activity...Since Itsuki is operating under cover all the time, wouldn't his activities not be recognized?

He's been going on a journey of social reforms, but there are bȧrėly any rumors.

Naofumi:”Activity? Isn't Itsuki's reputation as a hero the plainest? I haven't heard anything about the Hero of the Bow's activities anywhere.”

Armour:”Bastard...You're just a criminal.”

In an instant, Shadow appears behind him with a dagger to his throat.

Shadow:”Hero of the Shield-dono is not guilty degozaru. By the authority of the queen, anyone ridiculing Hero of the Shield-dono will be punished accordingly degozaru.”

Armour's face is full of surprise from the sudden events.

Just like Bitch, his eyes are swimming.

He's just being warned for slandering though.

Shadow:”Especially since denouncing Hero of the Shield-dono is a felony degozaru. The act of betraying a hero's trust is something that must never be done degozaru.”

It's fine to think it, but don't say it.

Oh well, did Itsuki's companions not believe in my innocence yet?

Itsuki's sense of justice is unusually strong. Did his narrow-mindedness infect his companions as well?

Armour:”Gu...”

Armour glares at me bitterly.

Naofumi:”Hey, I think this guy wants to return first.”

Shadow:”Hero of the Shield-dono saying something like that is troublesome degozaruga.”

Naofumi:”Well...”

It's just one person not raising his level.

I think it would be better for our hunting as well.

It seems I have become a synonym for evil somehow.

This guy has probably been with Itsuki for too long, he has been brainwashed.

Shadow:”At any rate, I expect you to answer properly when asked degozaruyo!”

Armour:”Tch!”

After Shadow disappeared, Armour clicked his tongue in vexation.

Naofumi:”Hey, let's talk for now.”

Armour:”...When we fight, Itsuki-sama is always defending us from the rear.”

Naofumi:”I see-...”

Well, he does fight with a bow after all.

Do the people in this world even understand the advantage of Long-ranged combat?

When anything life-threatening happens, Itsuki will always save them.

Though I think he's only attack at long-distances when he gains favour, I'll refrain from asking now.

Rishia:”L-Let's just go defeat some demons for now!”

Rishia said aloud shyly, we began to talk one after another.

And then, we encounter a demon.

Armour jumps in front, and his companions follow him.

Armour:”Now! Hero of the Shield-san. Attack it.”

Naofumi:”Why are you depending on me suddenly?”

Would Itsuki nock his bow here?...

Naofumi:”Use your head a little, think about my job.”

Armour takes some damage from the demon's attack to buy time for his companions.

Meanwhile, his companions are attacking the demon.

I get that they have co-operation, but with me here the strategy is wrong.

Naofumi:”You, stand back.”

I tell Armour to get back, and I stand in front of the demon.

It's still small fry. It's not even itchy.

Armour:”Gu...”

Armour voices his vexation.

Are you envious at how calm I am?

I think you being able to use a weapon is even more enviable.

Naofumi:”And then, Itsuki would get the final attack with the bow.”

Armour:”Right, even a little of his power does major damage.”

Well...It's just an average way of fighting.

However, it feels like these guys are a human wall.

No Name2:”Itsuki-sama has the most outstanding offensive power among us all. Our role is to maximize his power.”

A different warrior in armour answers.

There is no reason to approach if he can attack from long-distance though.

In short, wouldn't this make Itsuki have to be careful of friendly fire by mistake?

Rishia:”Afterwards, I ȧssist in recovery.”

Naofumi:”What about magic support?”

They can't be just dealing with Itsuki alone.

Naofumi:”I guess I'll do it if the occasion demands it.”

Rishia:”M-Me too!”

Well, that's about it.

Their co-operation with me isn't the same as Ren's part, but at least it works.

...Though the degree of co-operation from Ren's party is unnecessary.

Naofumi:”Alright, since the defence can be taken care of by me, you guys in armour just focus on attacking.”

Armour:”Can you take it all?”

Armour declares with a provoking feeling.

This guy again?

Does Armour have a grudge against me or something?

Naofumi:”Of course, I don't have to act like I'm uninjured, unlike you.”

There is no need to be cautious against small fry of this level.

In the first place, I could fully block the pope's all out attack.

This guy was there too, so he should understand.

Armour:”Bastard...”

For some reason this guy in flashy armour has quite a lot of pride.

He complains whenever I do anything.

Though I say that, our hunt proceeded without problems...Not.

Random Adventurer:”You bastard! To kill-steal the demon that I knocked down! Your right to live is forfeit–”

Rishia:”Hii!?”

Armour dealt the finishing blow to a demon that a random adventurer was fighting.

No Name:”Don't break the rules of the island! Our bad, This guy just had a slight misunderstanding.”

Enough already, I just want to return soon!

This is as difficult as Motoyasu's party.

The lecture on our first day here was completely forgotten about.

We were warned to never steal a kill on a demon that another adventurer is fighting.

This guy seems to be convinced that he is a special existence.

What the hell did Itsuki teach...

Naofumi:”My head feels heavy...”

And then, after fighting a while, I noticed that the child-like Rishia fights very clumsily.

When I think she would stab the enemy with a sword, she recites magic and casts recovery on someone who is injured.

Though, it was already too late.

It feels like she doesn't have a grasp on her own role. I should pay close attention...

Armour:”Rishia, Move forward more!”

Armour:”Rishia, Fall back!”

Armour:”Rishia, Recovery. Hurry up!

Armour:”Rishia, Recite magic!”

Rishia:”O-Okay!”

I gave up thinking about it, since her bumbling about was always late.