Chapter 193 - The 7 Deadly Sins

We found and searched the bandit’s hideout, but Ren was nowhere to be found.

He will probably take up a cowardly tactic such as dividing us and picking us off one at a time.

Naofumi: “Now then… What should we do?”

Female Knight: “I never thought the Hero of the Sword would be the boss…”

Naofumi: “I wish it weren’t so. He should have Witch backing him right now.”

Female Knight: “The former princess… There’s been an order issued to arrest her, but how long will she continue this idiotic cycle.”

We didn’t find any signs of Witch in the hideout either.

She may be waiting to ambush us somewhere.

Naofumi: “Hey, you.”

I approach the bandit that seems to be managing the place.

It’s quite a familiar face.

One that I’ve seen quite recently… Wait, isn’t he the one who was apprehended by Ren, and embezzled by me?

Why is he in a place like this?

Naofumi: “Oy… Didn’t you get captured?”

These are the thieves that I always threaten with Firo.

It seems they’ve been left to manage this hideout.

They had an arrogant atmosphere around them, but as soon as they see me, they start shaking in their boots.

Naofumi: “Ah, this time we don’t have Firo with us.”

Bandit: “S-shut up! I don’t care about that!”

Naofumi: “Instead, we have…”

Gaelion: “KYUA!”

And Gaelion steps forward in a fighting stance.

Naofumi: “Your opponent is this guy.”

Bandit: “Wha!? He seems even more menacing than that man-eating bird!”

Naofumi: “I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Well Dragons give off more of a man-eating vibe than Filo Rials.

I guess my arsenal is improving. The Bandits’ faces are blue.

I think I can easily draw out some info on Ren.

Naofumi: “Ha. Ha. Ha. Now then, Gaelion.”

Gaelion: “Kyua?”

Naofumi: “Dinner is ser-”

Bandit: “We surrender!”

The bandit surrenders immediately.

Some of the people around him also have looks of resignation. The people who don’t know me are whispering among themselves.

Naofumi: “Hm? If you want to fight then come at me.”

I provoke them.

And some of the bandits lift their weapons and rush at me while yelling.

Gaelion: “KYUA!”

Taniko: “Earth Break!”

Atlas: “Tei!”

Female Knight: “What is your relation with these bandits, Iwatani-dono?”

Rishia: “These people’s movements are too poor.”

We have quite a few people with us, so it was extremely easy.

Bandit: “W-what are these people!? Are they monsters!?”

Bandit: “T-that’s right. This one is a monster stronger than that oppressive leader.”

Naofumi: “Flattery will get you nowhere, now pay up.”

Bandit: “Ku…”

Naofumi: “Anyways, why are you still running rampant after getting captured?”

It’s weird that they got out so quickly.

They should be in this country’s equivalent of a prison.

Bandit: “… The carriage we were transported in was attacked by robbers, and we escaped.”

Naofumi: “I see…”

What a messy reason.

So the carriage was attacked… That sounds really cliché.

This country’s security is surprisingly unreliable.

Bandit: “With the help of the leader.”

Naofumi: “Reeeeeeeen!”

I unintentionally shout out.

So that idiot saved the bandits.

He released the bandits he apprehended himself.

Naofumi: “How long ago was that?”

Bandit: “Um… Around 2 weeks ago.”

That means… Right after Witch invited him, he made a Bandit Organization.

That was around the time when Gaelion was born I think.

I met Witch when I was still carrying his egg.

Naofumi: “I see, then Ren… wait. Did your leader have a gaudy redheaded woman with him?”

Bandit: “Woman? The Leader was always alone.”

Well, he did always act alone.

In a Net Game, he would be a so-called Solo Player.

It doesn’t appear that these Bandits are covering for her.

They really don’t know. They really haven’t seen her.

So Witch isn’t with Ren?

Now that I think about it, Ren’s equipment was quite rusted.

Assaulting adventurers seems to be quite profitable. But he hasn’t been able to sell and live off these and profits.

Is he earning money for the Witch?

Yeah, the treasures that the thieves have saved up is quite large.

Could the hidden leader have already been cast away?

… There are a lot of possibilities, but I can’t jump to any conclusions now.

He had a sword that seemed to be from the Curse Series.

From its skills and power, it’s definitely related.

But I don’t know what sort of curse it is.

Wrath… I think the series relates to the Seven Deadly Sins.

The skill he used was… Guillotine I think.

Like Blutofer, it summoned a torture or execution device. It had similarities, but the skill was clearly a different one.

If it’s a sin besides Wrath, it probably summons a different weapon.

I think the Sins were…

-Pride Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, Lust.

I think.

For me, my hatred towards Witch, Trash and the people of this world awakened Wrath.

I don’t think Ren… awakened Sloth or Lust.

But all the others seem plausible.

I don’t think I will be able to identify it.

Naofumi: “Anyways, why did no one notice that the Bandit Leader was the Hero of the Sword?”

Bandit: “Most likely, no one would believe someone if they said it. The fact would merely remain as a rumor.”

He did hide his face with a mask. If I didn’t see his Sword, I might not have recognized him myself.

If they haven’t heard his voice before, they wouldn’t have been able to identify him…

If he was so easily recognizable, he would have been captured as soon as he was found out as the cause of the Spirit Turtle Incident.

If everyone could recognize a hero, there would be a problem.

Is that why he began wearing a mask and asking as an adventurer?

Also, the lower soldiers of this country probably don’t know the whole truth.

The Queen and other country leaders agreed to make Melromark the only country without restrictions on the Heroes movements, in order to gather them in one place.

It seems that that this method successfully drew in Ren and Motoyasu. Hidden Justice is acting as a mercenary in Zeltburg.

However… The residents of this world believe rumors very easily.

They try to act on their own sense of justice, and cause trouble for those who are said to be evil.

But in this vast world, it is difficult to tell what is justice and what is vice.

Some may arbitrarily believe that the cause of their misfortunes are the heroes.

But a ridiculous claim such as The Hero of the Sword being the Bandit Boss would never spread very far.

Naofumi: “Did none of the bandits here recognize the Hero of the Sword’s voice?”

Bandit: “He threatened to kill me if I told anyone else. He told me not to start a commotion.”

Ah, so Ren also has a habit of concealing himself.

And that’s the reason for his mask.

Bandit: “Honestly, I’m relieved. I can finally stop working here.”

Naofumi: “I see.”

What exactly is Ren doing?

I think as I tie up the bandits and collect the spoils.

Female Knight: “I guess I should report to the Queen later.”

Naofumi: “Go do so. I think I have sufficient Authority to take these thieves’ belongings, and no matter what you report, it is of no concern to me.”

Female Knight: “*Sigh*…”

Female Knight’s personality is troublesome.

Why must I make a compromise here?

These bandits have tried to swindle me and call me a fake. They’re a perfect example of the corruption that plagues this world.

Female Knight: “Really… Are all of the Heroes like this?”

Naofumi: “No Idea, but don’t compare me with that guy.”

Female Knight: “I am under the impression that Iwatani-dono is the most wicked of them all.”

Naofumi: “I’m more earnest than those guys that just do whatever they want.”

They’re always just living in a game. When things look bad for them, they’ll follow whoever offers them sweet words.

On the other hand, I distrust whoever tries to be kind to me.

Those people are the most suspicious.

It’s no concern to me whether or not they can get back up after their footholds are crushed.

Naofumi: “This world revolves on money.”

(Note: Unlock the Shield of Greed)

Female Knight: “*Sigh*…”

The Female Knight sighs deeply.

What is everyone else doing, anyways?

Gaelion: “KYUA!”

Taniko: “Gaelion! You can’t play with that!”

Child Gaelion is diving into the hoard of treasure.

Dragons are a race that loves treasure.

He seems delighted. Taniko is trying to calm him down.

Rishia is looking around with a very troubled expression. Atlas is facing me with a flirtatious pose.

Atlas: “As expected of Naofumi-sama. Your ability to instantly annihilate the bandits is amazing.”

Naofumi: “Really?”

I left it to Atlas and the others, and didn’t really do anything, though…

Though I am treating them as a harvestable crop.

How should we bring these back? The current Gaelion will probably happily carry them.

Naofumi: “And so, Taniko. You were listening, right?”

Taniko: “… What of it?”

Naofumi: “Ha?”

Taniko’s father’s enemy is hiding in the area, but she seems calm.

Taniko: “The one who killed my father is definitely the Hero of the Sword. But I am not the type of person who would enthusiastically vie for revenge.”

Naofumi: “I see. I thought it would motivate you.”

Taniko: “… No.”

Taniko tilts her head sideways.

Taniko: “After being killed by the Sword Hero, Father never came home… So I don’t want to fight him. I don’t want to see him, and I want him to die in a ditch somewhere. But I have decided that I won’t involve myself with him.”

Naofumi: “…I see…”

Her resolve is good. This is the first time I respect Taniko.

I always hold grudges. I want to see the people I hate suffer.

When I act as such, Rafatalia and the others get angry, but that’s just my personality.

I know I’ll have to get over it sooner or later if I want to be happy.

I somehow feel like I’ve lost.

“…”

Gaelion quietly stares at Taniko.

Female Knight: “So, what does Iwatani-dono plan to do? I think that reporting to the country is the best option.”

Naofumi: “Let’s see… It is quite a pain, but if we let the Hero of the Sword do as he pleases, it will most likely affect my social status.”

I don’t want people coming to the conclusion that all the summoned heroes are villains.

I’ve finally gotten a force to oppose the wave. I don’t need this sort of trouble now.

… Yeah, the Hero of the Sword is a problem that we have to deal with.

I never thought he would commit crimes of his own accord.

He needs to feel the pressure of being pursued.

Like what I had to face during the time with that Second Princess assassination attempt.

He helped me during that pope incident, so I thought I would leave him be for now, but I never forget.

Naofumi: “In the end, my workload will just increase after this, right?”

Female Knight: “R-right. The 7 star heroes will probably send you requests after this.”

Naofumi: “Then we better take care of this while we can.”

If it’s something I’ll have to do eventually, then there’s no helping it.

I’ll have to enhance the Wrath Shield.

Recently I’ve been having nothing but failures. My ingredients aren’t going to hold up.

Naofumi: “Atlas, can you sense Ren’s location?”

She can sense something outside of human perception. She should be able to find him.

My Hate Reaction has a cooldown time, so I can’t use it consecutively .It’s range is large, but I don’t think I’ll be able to approach Ren so easily.

Atlas: “Yes, I think I can, but… He has a teleporting power similar to Naofumi-sama, right?”

Naofumi: “… yeah.”

That’s right.

Even if Atlas manages to find him, if he finds himself at a disadvantage, then he’ll run away.

To capture him, we’ll have to take him out in one blow.

He’s a hero that has something like the Curse Series. This will be difficult.

Gaelion: “GYAU!”

Gaelion runs at me and puts me on his back.

He puts his head near my ear.

Gaelion: “I have an idea. Will you not leave it to me?”

He speaks in a small voice so Taniko doesn’t hear.

Naofumi: “Do you have a reason?”

Gaelion: “Yeah, I have a desire to broil his entrails, so I would like to have a rematch with him.”

Naofumi: “Understood.”

And in whispers, we discuss a plan.

Naofumi: “I’m putting Gaelion in charge of drawing him out. Everyone else is on standby until he gives the signal.”

Taniko: “What are you deciding by yourself!?”

Taniko raises an objection. Well, it’s her beloved dragon. I guess she doesn’t want him to face the same fate as her father.

Rishia… is as nervous as always.

It’s as if she hasn’t grown as all.

Female Knight: “Can we leave it to you?”

Female Knight looks troubled.

Gaelion: “GYAU!”

Gaelion makes a confident pose.

However, Gaelion.

Remember this. Child Gaelion says Kyua.

Naofumi: “Rishia, go with Taniko and keep watch outside.”

Taniko: “Listen to me!”

Naofumi: “Gaelion says he wants to do it.”

Gaelion: “GYAU!”

Taniko: “Gaelion can’t do it!”

Gaelion: “GYAUGYAU!”

Gaelion makes several gestures in protest.

If only he would speak…

Gaelion: “KYUA!”

He returns his mind to the child one.

This one gestures as well.

It seems both dragons want to duke it out with the Sword.

Taniko: “Mu… I don’t care anymore!”

Taniko pouts and walks off.

Rishia rushes after her.

Gaelion: “Now then, Wyndia is away.”

Female Knight: “It Spoke-!?”

Female Knight jumps back in surprise.

Ah, she didn’t know.

I never told anyone, so the people who know that he can speak are quite few.

Gaelion: “Let me introduce myself once more. My name is Gaelion. I am the Dragon Emperor Fragment that acted as Wyndia’s father.”

Female Knight points at Gaelion.

Gaelion: “I have a grudge against the Sword Hero, so I want to be the one to lure him out. Also, I have an idea.”

Naofumi: “What sort of idea?”

Gaelion: “I haven’t tested if it was possible yet… and the time between shots is quite long, but…”

Gaelion begins explaining his idea to us.

Naofumi: “I see… That might work well. I’ll leave it to you.”

Gaelion: “Much appreciated.”

Female Knight: “Somehow… I was surprised with Firo-dono, but it seems that strange monsters do gather around you, Iwatani-dono.”

Female knight scratches her head as she speaks.

Why does she seem so amazed?

With that attitude, you won’t survive in that village.

Everyone there grows quite weirdly.

Gaelion: “Fufufu… I’ll let that brat taste the true terror of the reincarnated me.”

Naofumi: “Watch out for his surprise attacks from his concealed state.”

Gaelion: “Who the hell do you think I am? I’ll never let such low class attacks effect me.”

His concealment skill isn’t that high in level.

My Hate Reaction is unable to lift the current Rafatalia’s invisibility magic.

Gaelion’ll probably notice him.

Though I didn’t notice him, and took a critical to the back.

Without the Shield’s protection, I am but an ordinary person.

I don’t know exactly how it works, but I’m merely using its power.

I can’t call this power my own.

The only thing I can really brag about since coming to this world is my knowledge of the language.

But that’s common sense to a large part of the population, so it’s nothing special.

To draw the Hero of the sword out, Gaelion became the bait.