Chapter 7
The morning after the Martial Arts Tournament.
Waking up in a room in the mansion, I buried myself in the overly luxurious bed and clutched my head, recalling yesterday’s events.
“…Why did I win?”
The words I mumbled with sleepy eyes vanished into the air, unheard by anyone.
I just stumbled, got caught up in things, and was saved by chance—yet the people around me believed without question that I was “the return of a hero.”
The cheers from yesterday’s Martial Arts Tournament still echoed in my ears.
And at the same time, the complex gazes of the three heroines.
“…That atmosphere is definitely going to cause trouble later.”
As if to confirm that premonition, I was summoned immediately after breakfast.
I headed to the lavish audience chamber.
Lord Gardo, the lord of the territory, and his daughter, Christia, were waiting there.
“Thank you for coming, Yuma.”
“N-no, someone like me…”
As I felt embarrassed, Lord Gardo continued solemnly.
“I’ll get straight to the point. —I want you to vanquish the monsters that threaten my territory.”
“…Yes?”
Monster subjugation? Subjugation… no, no, no, there’s no way I have that kind of fighting prowess!?
I desperately denied it.
“I-I can’t! I’m an amateur with swords!”
But the lord nodded as if to say “Don’t be modest,” and Christia gazed at me rapturously.
“You saved the village, you won the Martial Arts Tournament, and you were chosen by the sacred sword. Who else could it be?”
“No, it was all by chance…”
“Humility is also proof of a hero…!”
“I’m telling you, it’s not like that!”
My shouted voice was completely ignored.
As if to add insult to injury, Lord Gardo continued.
“Worry not. I won’t send you alone. I will assign you skilled escorts.”
And the ones who were called were—
“It’s you again, isn’t it?” (Miria)
“I can’t leave Yuma-san alone.” (Serena)
“I… I want to support you too!” (Lisa)
The three girls.
“No, no! That will just make things more complicated!”
But the lord laughed, looking very satisfied.
My intentions were completely disregarded.
The target of subjugation was a monster that made its lair in the forest north of the territory.
According to eyewitness accounts, it resembled a giant wolf and was attacking livestock with its pack.
“…That sounds like a seriously dangerous one.”
I turned pale.
But the lord pressed his groundless confidence on me, saying, “It’s fine, you can do it.”
“You’ll somehow manage it again, won’t you?” (Miria)
“But… what if it’s really dangerous…” (Serena)
“I believe in Yuma!” (Lisa)
With their three differing reactions, my stomach began to ache again.
The subjugation is tomorrow.
As I was making preparations in the guest room of the mansion, the heroines visited one after another.
“Don’t overdo it tomorrow. …You might think you’re strong, but we’re different.” (Miria)
“If you get hurt, I’ll heal you. So don’t try to carry it all by yourself, okay?” (Serena)
“…Please, definitely come back.” (Lisa)
Their words pierced my heart, and I could only nod with a complex feeling.
Night.
Staring at the moonlight filtering through the window, I let out a deep sigh.
“…I just want to be a supporting character.”
Yet, I had been thrown into the center of the story once again.
Tomorrow, waiting in the forest, will it be monsters, or—a new misunderstanding?
With apprehension, my eyelids slowly closed.
