071. Present
We had an unexpected reunion in an unexpected place, and we both said to each other,
「「What are you doing here!?」」
According to what I heard, the old man Iru has been close to the Elders for a long time, especially an old woman by the name of Roselia, a spirit person, and he had been exploring this and that around Hanaria at her request.
(Come to think of it, when we first met, he said he was 'looking into a certain organization.')
By the looks of it, there is no doubt that there is some kind of connection. However,
「Speaking of, You. Of all people, you used this me for free, didn't you? What about my reward?」
I was at a loss for words when he stared at me.
「You were talking about your knowledge of other worlds, but ― well, it doesn't matter now. It's fate that we met here, and I want you to pay me one million Wen (100 million yen), including interest.」
「Haaahh!? No matter how you look at it, you're ripping me off, aren't you!?」
「Where's ripping you off, you little shit! When you were in danger, you cried and begged me to help you, so I had no choice but to save you, didn't I!?」
「I-I ain't crying, and you said 'I ain't interested in money' in the first place, didn't you!?」
「People are creatures that change!」
「I don't get what you mean!?」
In any case, we argued like that ― and with the intervention of the Elders and others, so when I told them everything from the beginning,
「Gyahahahaha! You, get that. For real!? Ahahahahaha!!!」
I half expected it, but when I told him about my "Gynophobia & ED," the old man Iru started laughing with his stomach like Grieve did.
「H-How funny! The first time I met you, you were caught in a badger game, and now you can't get a boner because of all the women abusing you. ......Hahahahaha!!!!」
「You're laughing too much, you fucking middle-aged man!」
I was indeed getting annoyed, but I couldn't say anything back about this even if I wanted to.
Iru had been laughing for a good five minutes or more, and he finally seemed to have calmed down.
「Really, you never bore me♪」
「Well, thank you. So? What about the results of your research so far?」
When I got to business, the old man's expression tightened as if he had read the air.
「......The truth is that, to be honest, we've barely scratched the surface of the matter.」
He says that although he has investigated various parts of Hanaria in his own way, he still 'doesn't really know'.
「Various things are happening in various places ― that's a fact. But it doesn't seem to be coherent. The roots are deep and distorted, and even the outlines are blurred.」
For an old man who is probably skilled to say this far...
「――Say, old man. What do you think is the "purpose of the enemy"? Do you think they are researching a "vessel to bring down the evil god"?」
「It's not unlikely. But the opponent is an evil God ― a God. It's not going to be that easy, and I'm also concerned about the "existence and movements of the Demon King".」
「I see――」
Come to think of it, there is such an existence, isn't there?
The king had originally told me something crazy like, "Go and exterminate the Demon King," but I'd been so focused on myself that I'd almost forgotten about it.
「Besides, the more I looked into it, the more I couldn't understand what was going on. The situation seems more complicated than I thought, and I'm having a hard time deciding what to do, so I came here to talk about it.」
When the old man said this, everyone, including me, thought about it.
「For the time being, I guess we have no choice but to check out the place where Danaf-sama said he had a good idea―Oh, right! If you're "short on hands," how about me and Yuuto checking out one of their hideouts?」
「Haaah!?」
I was taken aback by the sudden offer, but...
「Aha. I see. When I look at you, it seems that you're grown up a bit, and with Philly tagging along, I don't see the problem.」
「Oh, come on. I haven't said anything about――」
「Nope. Take it. You don't have a veto. And you owe me for saving your life before.」
「Grrrrrr」
I can't say no if he says that. However,.
「......I have no weapons now, and I'm ill. The enemy doesn't look like a half-baked, and I don't know how strong Philly is, but it's too dangerous.」
「I know it's dangerous, but I don't know what kind of disaster we could invite if we let leave it as it is.」
「Indeed. We are even being treated as "rebels" by the Hanarian」
「We have a tight cordon around our village, but I don't know how long it will hold...」
「At the very least, if the Hanarians find us, we will all be treated as nothing more than slaves.」
「Ugh...」
We have only known each other for a short time and I don't owe them anything in particular, but even so, I can't leave the people I have come to know in danger of being subjected to atrocities.
「However, it is also true that we need to make sure that we know how "useful" you are.」
The old man started to say something ominous. And then
「!?」
Just when I thought he grabbed my shoulders, he stared at me with his brown eyes.
(Guhh―――Wh-What the heck with those bottomless eyes!?)
I had the illusion that I was being stared at by chaos deeper than darkness.
「Hou. Your level is 21, your basic ability is not bad, either, and to be able to handle a degraded version of 【Soul Eater】...... Even though you are human, I can't underestimate you when it comes to "otherworlder", after all. Even taking into account your growth speed, there is a "good chance that you could turn into" something more.」
「............」
When I was released, I stared blankly at the old man Iru for a while.
「I looked into it, and it seems that they are making preparations on a very large scale. There may be a breather for a while――maybe. It's a tough call, but rather than rush into a suicide attack, it's better to bring this fool up to a "usable level" just in time. So, Yuuto. Rejoice. I'm going to train you myself.」
「Haaahhh!?」
I was surprised again by the suddenness of the event, but
「――G-got it」
Without further objection, I accepted the offer. Then...
「Hou? That's unexpected. I thought you'd be screaming like a little kid.」
The old man said so.
「I have my own "thoughts" about various things, too. I want to do something about my illness, and I also want to be strong. But most of all―Old man, you're pretty skilled, aren't you?」
When we met before, I couldn't tell.
――No. To be precise, even now I can't recognize the ability of the man with the stubble beard in front of me.
I really don't know who this old man is ― I don't know, and I'm willing to pursue the question. But.
「Whatever the reason or circumstances, if I'm going to be trained by someone as competent as Old man, I'm going to wish for it. But Old man, you're quite old, aren't you? Can you keep up with my young stamina?」
When I told him, he said, "Don't be so cocky, you little shit" with a vicious smile.
「Anyway, I'll borrow this kid for a while. The place is ― well, let's see. I'm thinking somewhere around the "foot of the mountain" area.」
Philly, who was listening, shouted, "Eh!?"
「B-But――Currently, at the foot of Mount Hanaria, a vicious demonic beast is ......」
「In addition to that, I have also heard that a demon race has apparently settled in the area.」
Even Roselia said anxiously, But...
「Are you for real? That's convenient♪」
Iru laughed happily ...... and I myself was fired up inside to make the best of the opportunity that had just presented itself
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