Chapter 44: Reality Is Always Cruel

I’m stunned and just standing still. Deris is coming. That means he knows I’ve been working behind the scene. My best friend, Canon, also looked very nervous after receiving those words from Nell-danchō. This may be really bad.

And then, Deris arrived here.

「Oh, you’re here. Morning.」

「Morning. What’s up with the sudden call?」

‘What’s up with the sudden call?’ he said? What a shameless guy. I’m sure he saw this coming and then pulled the strings behind the scene. Still, this is bad. At worst, I might be erased here. No, it’s fine if it’s just me. What I want to avoid is if the sparks fall on Canon, who cooperated with me, and Nell-danchō, who will be held responsible for it. That must be avoided at all costs.

But, it seems that this Deris bastard is quite good. That Nell-danchō is talking differently than when I saw her at the graduation festival. How should I put it… there’s no sharpness, or perhaps hostility? Now that I think about it, even though it’s a holiday, it’s strange that she comes to the barracks wearing casual clothes. As a leader, setting a good example is important even in normal times. …… Ah! I see, she’s appealing to Deris with that fascinating appearance and attitude that she has no intention of opposing him!

「More or less, I’m in a position to lead. I’ll be troubled if someone dies against the small fry, so I’m thinking of understanding each ability of those I’m going to take along.」

She’s thinking about us even at a time like this…! It seems that the anecdote about the drastic decrease in casualties after she became the leader was true. Are there any other superiors who cares about the lives of their subordinates so much? Nope. I can assert that!

「N-Nell-danchō. You said small fry, but I heard that the target of this subjugation is a Demon King, though…」

「Don’t worry, it’s a self-proclaimed Demon King.」

To think that she soothed Canon’s nervousness with a smart joke. I didn’t know that Nell-danchō has such a unique side. She’s also beautiful inside, what a flawless person.

「Well, whatever. So, is that everyone? That’s not much for a knight’s expedition.」

「It’s an elite group, you know, an elite group. If I take many people, the movement will be slow, and in the end, I’ll be the one to beat the enemies. Also, I’m going to introduce my disciple. Chinatsu, Chinatsu~!」

I-I see, in for a penny, in for a pound. She’s taking along the fake disciple that was sent by Deris…! This is a surprise move that I could never think of. I’m sure she’s currently thinking of the next bold move in her mind. Damn it! Is there anything I can do to help her?

「Y-Yes, Shishou. What―― Haruna!?」

「Waah! It’s Chinatsu-chan!」

How should I put it… I don’t know how to react when they are so blatantly acting as if it’s a coincidence. The fact that this disciple is connected to Deris is well known. I won’t get fooled, but I’m overwhelmed by their acting abilities. It’s as if I’m witnessing girls rejoicing over a truly unexpected reunion, and my tears suddenly――

Ugh, not good! I was about to be deceived. As expected of the spy sent by Deris, she has extraordinary skills. I won’t be fooled, I won’t be fooled anymore! Harden my heart, wrinkle my eyebrows and stare at them. Alright, with this, I’m now perfect both physically and mentally.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

「Chinatsu, Deris is my companion when I was an adventurer. I can guarantee his ability. As for his personality, well, I can’t guarantee it.」

Ne-Nell-danchō has been put in check! I have to go on the offensive here, no, I have to draw Deris attention even a little and keep away his attention from everyone…. at least, I might die alone. Ah, that’s right. That’s the only thing I can do. I hope that someday Nell-danchō will be freed from Deris’s binding spell.

「Nell-danchō! I can’t accept this! Why are you taking girls to the expedition of noble knights! It’s obvious that they will get in the way!」

I feel sorry for those girls, but I abuse them so that the hostility will be directed toward me. Deris is staring at me blankly, he must be surprised by my remarks. I can’t read his mind from that gaze, but I guess he didn’t expect it. Still, what will come next is great anger. Yes, you can take that anger out on me!

「Chinatsu is my disciple and Haruna is Deris’s disciple. Isn’t that enough?」

「That’s not enough at all! To begin with, that man’s ability is also questionable!」

「… Hmm.」

Nell-danchō puts tremendous pressure on me as if to stop me. Kuh, what a pressure! I’m barely standing in front of her and I feel as if I’m about to be crushed. However, this heavy pressure, which at first glance seems to be a mass of murderous intent, is the kindness of thinking of the members when turned inside out. Danchō, I’m sorry. Although I’m a young bird who has just joined, I will rebel against your will.

「Mu-Muno? What are you doing…? C-Come on, apologize to her now…! You can apologize to Deris-san later, but you have to apologize to her for now! There’s a limit to being clueless, you know!?」

「…… I’m sorry, Danchō. Muno just joined this month and doesn’t know about Deris-dono. I beg your tolerance.」

Canon whispered so, he must be worried about me. Commander Daganov is also defending me. Ah, after all, the Magic Knight Order is a noble and warm place. I’ll be going ahead, please forgive me.

「Fufu, there’s no need for that since Muno has a point, right? Besides, I said it in the beginning, didn’t I? We are going to check each other’s abilities. Let’s have a mock battle for a bit. I’ll measure Haruna’s strength, so Muno will fight against Deris. If you are saying that far, you can check his strength yourself.」

T-This is―― a joint mission with Nell-danchō!? I unexpectedly received support from her. ‘Leave that Haruna girl to me and keep that Deris bastard in check!’ That’s what she meant, right!? Yes, I understand. I understand!

「Understood! This Muno will splendidly live up to your expectations!」

I feel like Deris is looking at me while looking somewhat displeased. Yes, a man who has resolved himself is strong. I’m sure Deris understands that.

Just when the opportunity to win opened up slightly…

「We can just let Haru do it instead of me, right? If the disciple can prove her strength, so can the master.」

「Ehh, no way! Shishō, my opponent is Nell-sa――」

It seems that Deris caught my intentions. Perhaps he was afraid of me, he tried to get the girl to fight me instead. Look, the girl is awfully shaken. If it’s the kind-hearted Nell-danchō, I’m sure she can hold back her power. But, I’ve hardened my heart. I can’t hold back even if my opponent is a girl. What a cowardly guy!

「…… Well, I guess that’s okay. Haruna, Muno. You can have a match here. Do it seriously, okay?」

Ne-Nell-danchō, to think that she trusts me that much…! Kuh, understood. This Muno will splendidly win this without hurting her!

I and the girl are facing each other and take a stance. The girl is not holding a staff, but barehanded. Then, let me show you the magic that I trained at the academy.

「Well then, begin!」

「Don’t worry, I will end this painless――」

「―― I’m sorry!」

My memory was cut off shortly after I heard Nell-danchō’s beautiful voice informing the start of the match.