"――Alright, Kouhai, let's go to the next shop!"
"Ah, sure."
Tiana-san took my hand, and we walk through the streets of Sirius. Yesterday, it was just a casual introduction to the shops, but today we're stopping by various places, shopping and having meals.
"Oh, that Troll Ice over there, it stretches all funny! It's got Troll muscle fibers mixed in!"
"Is it tasty?"
"No, it's awful!"
Tiana-senpai laughed heartily. Her slightly visible crooked tooth is cute.
‘Hmm, she really is a good person. Inviting me to hang out and have fun. I've never been invited by a girl my age before.’
It happened early in the morning. I was hunting outside the city to satisfy Muramasa and the others when Tiana-senpai came after me and ordered, "No hunting today! Play with me instead!" I was incredibly moved. I had never been invited to play by a girl my age before.
"Come on, come on, Kurou, let's go to the next place! Or maybe you've run out of money? With the amount I and Mama gave you, you should be able to play for three days…"
"No, I'm fine with the funds. I've received money from Iris, Vita, and Hypno before, after all."
"What's up with that lineup!? The Deputy Commander, the genius knight, and the former top-ranking knight!"
Oh, everyone keeps giving me spending money. Do I really look that financially deprived? Well, in reality, I don't have much... The payment for yesterday's mission will be transferred in a few days, apparently...
‘Kurou, the man who smells like a woman's wallet. In society, they call that being a dependent...!’
"Oh, right. Mama is the Branch Chief too, so when I think about it, everyone else is seriously impressive…"
While I was feeling down inside, Tiana-senpai put on a serious expression. She then ate grilled skewers from a street vendor and asked me, out of the blue, "Hey, Kurou. Do you think there's meaning in being a weak knight?"
"What?"
What's gotten into you all of a sudden, senpai?
"You see, unlike you and the people around you, I'm just a weak Fifth Grade knight. I know myself well. I don't have much potential left," Tiana continued nonchalantly. "The only thing I can do is to disturb diligent juniors who voluntarily go hunting and take them out to eat. If it were anyone else, they could have helped you with hunting, right?"
You were slicing through monsters at an incomprehensible speed. I can't keep up with that, Tiana shrugged in exasperation. She stood in front of me and looked directly into my eyes.
"Hey, Kurou. If you think I'm a hindrance, feel free to say it."
"Why would I say such a thing?"
"Well, you know. When I think that a woman who doesn't seem capable of protecting anyone is taking away your time to protect everyone... I might be doing something wrong." Tiana smiled sadly. Ah, I see... She was concerned about that.
"Oh, if you're going back to hunting, make sure to pick up recovery potions at the branch! And it's a good idea to have bandages and such…"
"Tiana." I tightly grasped her hands.
"Huh!?"
"Listen, Tiana. I'm really grateful to you... to my senpai." That's right. I never thought she was a hindrance. It's quite the opposite.
"You see, I can't stop fighting because of circumstances beyond my control. I've become a despicable person who relentlessly searches for monsters and dark mages whenever I have free time."
"T-That's... out of a desire for revenge for your destroyed hometown…"
"That's right (no, it's not)."
It's because my magical equipment is so noisy. Even if I feed them to a certain extent, they keep screaming. It's seriously annoying because they shout within my soul.
So, when I have the energy, it's easier to let them obediently fill their bellies rather than resisting. Naturally, I end up being influenced by them in my daily life.
"That's why, Tiana. I truly appreciate you for forcefully dragging me out of the battle and making my everyday life enjoyable for me."
"Huh? R-Really, you're not joking!?"
"I'm
not."
No, I'm dead serious. First of all, by inviting me to have fun when I was going through a dreary youth, Tiana senpai deserves a hundred gratitude points.
You can exchange them for a Kurou-kun body pillow set. Also, I'd like to grant you the title of Angel No. 2, second only to Iris-san.
"You referred to yourself as a weak knight and a woman who can't protect anyone, but that's not true. Just by reaching out to someone like me, you are strong. And you... you protected my heart as it was becoming more ruthless."
"Huh!"
"Tiana senpai, I admire you." The moment I said that, tears streamed down her face. She held back for a brief moment, but it was in vain. The large tears kept pouring and wouldn't stop.
"W-What... what's with you! You never smile, so I was worried deep down, you know?! I thought maybe you were annoyed with me!"
"Ah... I apologize. I was just nervous. I've never had any connection with girls of the same age until now…"
"You're lying! A guy like you with a mysterious aura would have been popular, right?!"
No, I'm seriously not lying. I wasn't popular at all, and what kind of theory is it that being dark actually makes you more popular?
Fukashi-kun from the same village (probably dead) also said, "Kurou-kun, women ultimately gravitate towards men like me who never lose their smiles." Well, his smile was more creepy than charming, to be honest.
"Sigh... Well, whatever. If you enjoyed it, that's fine. And thanks for complimenting someone like me," Tiana senpai said with a bright smile. Hmm... Yes, indeed. This person's cheerful smile is the best. It soothes my heart~
"Heh... I feel calm when I'm with Tiana."
"Huh, haaa?! Why are you suddenly trying to flirt with me?! Stupid, stupid!" For some reason, senpai's face turned red. No, I'm not trying to flirt at all. What is she talking about?
"I just expressed my honest feelings…"
"Mmm?!?!?!"
Tiana senpai let out a bizarre scream. Iris-san sometimes acted like this too. Is this kind of reaction trendy among girls?
――It was during the time when I was getting along with her like this. Suddenly, Muramasa at my waist stirred. At the same time, I heard a slick voice saying, "Oh my, enjoying your youth, I see~"
I turned to look at the source of the voice along with Tiana. Standing there was a middle-aged man dressed in extravagant attire. Who is this person?
"Hey, Kurou, stand up straight!" Tiana-san sharply exclaimed. Her smile from earlier dispersed, and she stared at the man with a tense expression. Following her lead, I also straightened my posture.
"Oh ho, I heard you were from a foreign land, but you seem to have some manners," the man observed me as if appraising, then elegantly introduced himself with a bow. "My name is Spellbios. I hold the position of the Prime Minister in this country."
Oh... Prime Minister-sama?! I don't really understand, but that's a really high position, isn't it?! Huh? Why is someone like him here?! Oh no, what should I do? I'm getting nervous! I'm a man weak against authority
"Well then, Kurou-kun. I've heard various rumors about you. Being Iris's disciple and a 'Legend Conqueror.' Oh my, you are truly chosen by the heavens. I've become a big fan and even came to meet you like this."
Oh, is that so?! You came to meet me?! Wowwwwwww—- I'm honored! Even though being Iris's disciple and a legend conqueror are all lies, I unconditionally love those who love me! So what about it?! Should I shake hands or something?!
"Now, Kurou-kun, I wanted to add more splendor to your legend..." Prime Minister Spellbios fumbled in his pocket. Huh, what is it? Is he going to give me some sweets? Betraying my expectations—what he pulled out was a mission document. What?
"To Knight Kurou Titus, I hereby order you. Would you be so kind as to hunt down the strongest monster, 'Dragon,' all by yourself?♡"
Wha... Whaaattttttttttttttttt?! Hunt down a dragon all by myself? What's with this guyyyyy――?!
