kscans

Chapter 120 - To the Hobgoblin's Cave, Leaving Her Tears Behind

Deep in the forest, shrouded in mist, stood the Hobgoblin’s cave. It was the place where Hero Ares Scarlet had once begged for her life and fled, crying.

But there was no reason to run anymore.

Her days in Himeria village. Tiris, who taught her the sword. Defray, who cooked with her. Amy, who taught her weapon maintenance. And Koni-chan, who supported her heart and body through strength training.

She had a place to return to, and masters who had her back.

"…I’m going."

Ares murmured as she stepped into the cave. The air was damp. The wind made a low, groaning sound. The air was thick with the scent of battle.

She advanced deeper, and the door to the same great hall as that day appeared before her. She pushed open the heavy door to reveal the throne room.

"Boss! That crybaby hero girl is here again!"

A group of goblins waiting by the throne stirred.

And then, a shadow slowly rose from the throne.

A burly physique, sharp fangs, an arm gripping a heavy club. From the depths of the shadow, a low laugh echoed.

"Fufu… Well come, hero."

His voice seemed to hold a strange mix of composure and nostalgia.

"Your destiny ends here! Dieeee!!"

With a roar, the magic-infused club shattered the ground.

Fear and courage once again intersected in the throne room.

And at its center, the Hobgoblin boss, Mamoru, stood like a guardian king.

"Dieeee!!"

A heavy roar echoed through the throne room. The club slammed into the ground, making the stone floor tremble. But it was just an intimidation tactic. A performance of terror befitting a boss. It was Mamoru’s duty as the "opening act boss."

Ares readied her sword, planting her trembling feet firmly on the ground.

"I… I won’t cry anymore. I won’t run! I have four masters with me!"

She shouted as she ran forward. She swung her sword. Its trajectory was still unskilled and crude. But it was undeniably "straighter" than that day.

Mamoru made no attempt to dodge the sword. The clumsy thrust struck him in the chest.

(Ah… that didn’t hurt, but she pushed me. Alright, time to fall down.)

"Guah!!? Wh-why… could I… be defeated by such a little girl…!?" He recoiled dramatically and collapsed in something like slow motion. He fell theatrically, taking care not to hit the back of his head.

—Thud!

In the silence, Hero Ares stood frozen. The hand holding her sword was trembling finely.

"…D-did I… defeat him?"

"You did it, you’re amazing!!" Defray ran over to her. Tiris, Amy, and Koni-chan followed.

"Your stance was magnificent," Tiris said with a smile.

"That final blow, your blade was properly aligned," Amy nodded.

"The onigiri power worked!" Koni-chan bounced up and down.

Ares looked around at her masters in disbelief.

"D-did I… really defeat him…?"

"You certainly defeated the Hobgoblin!" her masters praised her in unison.

At the back of the throne room, the fallen Mamoru quietly opened his eyes, a slight smile on his lips.

(That crybaby, to come this far… in just a few days. Seriously, she’s something else.) (…But well, effort is only rewarded when there’s a stage for it, right?) (Yeah, I have to at least pretend to lose… or her masters will lose face.)

Muttering this in his heart, Mamoru quietly closed his eyes, as if his "role" was complete.

The throne room was filled with the laughter of his comrades. Hero Ares’s first step in this world had finally, truly begun.