Elfaria Chapter 16

016. The Abandoned One

　I never knew what my parents looked like, nor did I want to know.

　It wasn't just me, and I didn't think, I'm unhappy! I never thought of it that way.

　......How can one find peace of mind in a world where there are so many demonic beasts that attack people once they step outside of the city?

　In fact, I was almost starving to death when I was saved.

　Even if it was a mysterious group, I didn't mind at all.

　――For me. Compared to those who abandoned us, I didn't care if it was the Demon King or the Evil God.

　The only thing that matters is the fact that I was saved.

　And if they ask me to give everything in return, there is no way I can say no.

(But......)

　If I could only wish for one thing...

　◇◆◆◆◆

　A sword and leather armor. And then, to get back the guard vote and get out of a tight spot, I started to work with Iru.

「Kaaah! You! You're really useless! You're too much of a loser!」

　The "living bones" attacked me, but to tell the truth, I was too busy defending myself.

　Meanwhile, Iru was trying to advance onward, exterminating one enemy after another as if he were dealing with a scarecrow. But, 

「Your level is only 5! You have no special skills or folia―and you barely know anything about the "Force"!? How dare you even think of becoming a fixer...... a buster! Huuuhhh!?」

　I was heckled and cursed, and I was just whimpering.

「I can't help it!? It's only been a few days since I moved to this world! I had to live in Elfaria, where everything is different from my original world, and I could only manage to understand the language!」

「Then why don't you just make some money for the time being by moving stuff around and looking for lost items! You'll get used to a life that way, and if you're willing to learn, you'll be able to read and write in a couple of months!」

　You're absolutely right.

「But I heard that you can make more money as a "Buster," and I'd love to be one, and more importantly, I'm sure I'd be popular with the girls!」

　When I told him how I really felt, he was taken aback to the bottom of his heart and said, "You are too stupiiiiid!"

「......Well, whatever. It's too late to dwell on it now―But if you intend to continue to live as a buster, you must do something about your Force beyond your level. And acquire as many Folia and Skills as possible. Otherwise, you will die without a second thought, you know?」

　He gave me a rather serious look, and I simply replied, "Thanks for the advice". And then...

「All right. We're going our separate ways from here. As we discussed beforehand, I'm leaving the decoy role to you.」

　I replied, "Oh, okay," but to be honest, my mind was a mess.

(This is just an old man's guess, but...)

　Since I can't refute the logically laid out explanation, I have to admit it.

(But that doesn't mean ......)

　I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it.

　Having such feelings,

「......I'll only offer you one service. Don't hesitate. You know what I mean?」

　I gasped as he gave me a piercing look, but then he said,

「Well, if you die, you'll be dead, and that will save me a lot of trouble.」

　With these words, Iru went away.

　And then――

「Ah♪ Yuuto-san. You came back after all.」

　When I returned to the original place, Yume was standing alone.

「What happened to the others?」

「Everyone has gone to be with the Lord God one step ahead of us, you know? We are the only ones left.」

「......What about those dark elves?」

「The followers left in a hurry a little while ago. Probably chasing other rats.」

「I see.」

　I let out a deep breath, then slowly drew the sword hanging from my waist and pointed the blade at Yume.

「Yume. What do I have to do to get out of here? Tell me.」

「......I don't think that's a line you say with a sword pointed at your opponent, though?」

「I suppose.」

　I understand that it is 100% a threat. but...

「Sorry, but I don't intend to die here, nor do I intend to be killed. And ...... Yume. I don't want you to die here either. I want you to drop everything and run away with me if possible.」

「Do you think I would say 'yes' to that? You don't think so, which is why you're pointing your sword at me, aren't you?」

「...... Well, yeah.」

　If there was room for negotiation from the start, I wouldn't be doing this. Besides.

「By the looks of it, you must have come to some understanding of the situation and circumstances, right? There were some clues lying around that a person with good intuition would have noticed.」

「............」

　I responded to her words with silence. However.

「Tell me one thing. What is Yume's 'true purpose'? If she was going to give everything to the evil god, she didn't have to choose me as her partner.」

　The only reason I was chosen as the partner was because I happened to accept her invitation yesterday.

　That day, that time, that place.

　If we had never met, none of this would have happened.　

　I was holding my sword with a strong will on it.

「It's not really a big wish, you know? My true wish ― the destruction of this world. And that wish will surely be fulfilled by the Demon King or the Evil God "Orr-Go-Gruesu"-sama. I'm just saying that I believe that.」

　Without hesitation, Yume said with a clear color in her eyes.

「I am, you see. I've been abandoned by this world. ...... No, it's not just me, but many people continue to discard various things with their own justifications and reasons―Yuuto-san, surely you have at least heard the words "The Survival of the Fittest" and "The Strong is the Absolute", right? It may be the "truth of the world," but is being "weak" really such a bad thing?」

　I could only maintain my wordless silence.

「In other words, this world is a world "only for the strong," and abandoned or weak beings like us are not wanted from the beginning. Isn't that too harsh? We didn't want to be abandoned――Even though we didn't want to be born weak.」

「.....Then let this world be destroyed――huh. I don't know how you feel, but that's a bit too shortsighted, don't you think? And to throw it all on an entity like an Evil God, that's just insane.」

「Fufu, you're probably right. But there is nothing else we can do, and according to what I have heard, "the plan is now in motion" and "will never stop". Sooner or later, the world will surely collapse. I just want to be a part of it ― that's my real wish and purpose.」

「Do you think I'm just going to stand by and watch that happen?」

「I don't think so, and it contradicts what I said earlier, but if you really don't want to be with me, then be prepared for a little "punishment".」

「!」

　Suddenly, Yume's entire body felt a powerful, oppressive "force". And then...

「Come, Yuuto-san! I will play with you to your heart's content until you feel like it! Please don't die, okay!」

　With a maniacal smile on her face, Yume attacked.

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