CH 19

――Therefore,

"Hypno-san, what in the hell happened…? What did you talk about with that man… Kurou-san?"

The question slipped out of Vita's mouth, directed at the dog that she had never been particularly interested in before. She had an insatiable curiosity about what that man had done to Hypno and what he had brought to her.

"Hehe, I knew you'd ask, so I've already taken care of the distractions. Alright, I'll tell you," Hypno said with a slow, deliberate tone. With a face that looked like that of an infatuated teenage girl, she began to speak. "The first thing he said was, ‘remember what justice is.’"

The stories that followed were unbelievable to Vita. That, he had no hesitation in slapping the corrupt Hypno. That, although Hypno is a high-ranking member and a somewhat important figure in society, the man was not afraid of her.

Furthermore, Kurou-san was not outraged by her atrocity, but hugged Hypno in a comforting manner and tried to understand all the circumstances.

That he forgave Hypno, who was supposed to protect Vita, and refused to take the dirty money of the Camblor family. That he told Hypno, who couldn't escape her position as a dog, to sharpen her fangs as a dog. And then…

"What... to raise me into a proper knight and strike the Camblor family from within...!?"

Vita trembled involuntarily. What kind of plan is that man proposing to Hypno, whom he had just met? It’s terrifying. He is too reckless and foolish.

"Ah, when he told me that his eyes were completely serious," Hypno replied.

"What nonsense is he spouting?!"

If that kind of thinking became known to anyone in the household, not only Hypno, but that man will also be executed. The valiant heroes of the Camblor family will be dispatched immediately, and it will inevitably become a deadly battle.

‘Did that man named Kurou really say that, knowing the consequences?! He is so reckless…’

――Corrupt wealthy families have always existed, and if they are left alone, it's fine for commoners, but it's too foolish! Vita was filled with curses against Kurou in her heart. But…

"It would be 'cool', wouldn't it...!? Kurou-kun has proposed to condemn the samurai clan with justice and a solid plan...! That's really, really hot! So exciting!"

It is like a knight story. The story of a knight who ran out with only a sword, burned with courage and justice, gathered comrades, and challenged the powerful villains. Such a cheap but exciting story was played out in Vita's mind, with Kurou as the lead.

"Um... can I tell anyone about this?"

"No, you can't. It'll be the end of you if you tell anyone," Hypno said seriously, placing her white hands on Vita's shoulders. Even though she had dark circles under her eyes, she had a charming beauty that could attract anyone regardless of gender.

"H-Hypno-san...!?"

"Listen, Vita. This is how I show my determination. Thanks to Kurou-kun, I feel like living on the path of justice again. He asked me to 'straighten you out even if it means risking my life.' So I will really entrust my life to you. To break away from my rotten self,"

Hypno's eyes were filled with fiery determination. In front of that passion, Vita remembered ‘the great hero whose body was broken and forced to retire, Hypno – the Destroyer!’.

Over twenty years ago, this person, who has now completely rotted away, used to be a ruthless knight of justice.

"Now, Vita. If you report me to your shitty family, it's over. ...Oh, wait. Kurou-kun will be finished too. Well, he must have prepared himself for that, so it's okay. So what are you going to do?"

"Eh, w-what!?"

"I'm asking you what you're going to do. ――Will you continue to live as a slave of this evil family, and rot like me? ――Or will you aim to be a knight of justice and strive for the light

with me?"

"Eh, wha-what!?" asked Vita, trembling.

The young girl couldn't decide easily, even though she wished she could choose the latter decisively. However, the various education she received from the Camblor family since childhood prevented her from opposing them. She once again felt the pain of the whip all over her body.

"I... I..." her voice quivered. She felt pathetic.

――If it had been that man Kurou, he would have chosen the path of light without hesitation. Compared to him, I... Vita stood there stunned and tears overflowed naturally.

Hypno gently embraced her. "It's okay, Vita. That's enough for now," she said as she stroked her head. It was the first time she had ever received such kindness from an adult.

"Give me ten... ten minutes..." asked Vita.

"Yeah, you struggled well, Vita. You feel ashamed of not being able to choose the latter, shed tears for it. If you had completely become a slave to your family, you wouldn't have even hesitated."

"What――?"

With widened eyes, Vīta realized something. Ah, that's right. She was able to truly struggle with her decision now. Postponing a decision was also a kind of decision.

For the first time this day, Vīta stood up against the malice of the Camblor family. Hypno gave her a smile from the bottom of her heart for accomplishing such a feat.

"Congratulations. And thank you, Vita. Thanks to you, I managed to survive. It would have been difficult to fight the Camblor family head-on, after all."

"Yes...my family is a scary one. I might not be of any use in crushing them."

"Maybe that's true for now. But as you rank up as a knight, your influence will grow. At that time, just saying, ‘The Camblor family is a bunch of trash,’ will cause quite a bit of chaos on their end, don't you think?"

"I-I'm too scared to say something like that!"

"That's where I'll come in and teach you. I'll give you the courage you need. So, Vita. Let's aim for the light together from now on, okay?"

Hypno released her embrace and reached out her hand to Vita once again. She hesitated for a moment, but then firmly took her hand.

"Hmph... if you don't teach me properly, I'll report you to my family. And my goal to surpass Iris-senpai hasn't changed.

"I can't stand that woman with her huge boobs who thinks she's the strongest and tells me to take down the family. I don't like her as a woman even before that. I'll keep training hard and become the strongest!"

"Hahaha, that's the spirit! If you become strong and even become the head of the family, everything will be resolved," Hypno replied with a grin.

――Thus, the covenant was made. The two who had only fallen into evil had started a completely different life thanks to one man. Whether it will turn out well or not was uncertain. It may be a journey towards destruction. But...

"Hehe...!"

"Haha...!"

The two of them laughed heartily, aiming to break free from their respective restraints and sharing genuine smiles with each other. And thus, the existence of Kurou gradually began to shake the authority of the Camblor family.

――At the same time, Kurou was writhing in agony in his bed at the inn. ‘Aaaahhh, what do I dooooo?! I thought this was just a skit, but I accidentally made a statement about crushing a noble family! Gyaahhh?!’

He was in a state of confusion, thinking that it was all part of a prank set up by the unseen branch chief. Later only did he realize that he was in deep trouble.

But he couldn't admit to his mistake and say, ‘Oops, I misunderstood.’ Instead, he thought, ‘This must be a dream! If I sleep and wake up, none of this will have happened!’

So, he half-consciously tried to escape reality and began to snore loudly. This is the worst.