kscans

Chapter 31 - Finally, a Woman Who Understands! (Side: Shion ⑥)

"Hey, toilet! Where are you! It's useless to hide!"

I could hear Senji's shouting. After bolting from the forge, I had hidden behind a small storage shed. That irritating man was foolishly searching in the wrong direction. As if I'd let someone like you find me. The forest spread out behind me, so if it came to it, I could just escape into it.

"…Damn it! Where did that bastard go! I'll find you, you'll see!"

I held my breath, and eventually, Senji ran off. From here, I could see the soldiers training. In the slightly distant forge, I could also see the sight of Dareth flirting with a beautiful woman… Watching that, anger, for what felt like the hundredth time, welled up inside me.

"Why do I have to live a life like this! It’s impossible, impossible, impossible!"

Out of sheer rage, I kicked a small stone into the forest with all my might. I am a man who rose to become a guild master in Rieten. And yet, the idea that I have to train under Dareth is something I still cannot comprehend. If anything, he should be the one training under me. The stress I've been bottling up feels like it's about to make my head explode.

"Dareth, you bastard! Don't you dare have a good time without my permission!"

I still don't understand why he's so popular with beautiful women. What's so great about a dull old guy like him? He's unfashionable, worn out, and his conversation is boring. I'm obviously the better man. When we were in Rieten, our positions were the complete opposite. And yet… and yet! Now, by his side are three beautiful women (with one more added at night), and by my side is crap…

"Guaaaah!"

What is this difference! I pounded the wall of the shed over and over. If my hands didn't hurt, I would have smashed it to pieces. But what should I do now? If I stay here, I'll just spend my days training under that irritating Dareth. But if I run away, I'll be defying Her Majesty the Queen's orders and end up in prison. No matter which way I turn, it's nothing but hell.

"Damn you… This is all Dareth's fault. It all started with the fact that he exists."

That's right, it was wrong for Dareth to be in my guild in the first place. I gave him work, and he repaid my kindness with betrayal. Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable…

"You seem to be quite distressed."

As I was nursing my hatred for Dareth, I suddenly heard a voice from behind me. A woman's voice. It had a dignified beauty, yet it sounded as if it were completely devoid of emotional fluctuation. But the forest was dark, and I couldn't see her. Could she be a new acquaintance of Dareth's?

"Wh, who's there?"

"Please do not be so alarmed. My name is Agen."

As I glared into the darkness, a woman emerged from the shadows. She was a beauty with black hair tied up in a bun and matching black eyes. She had the air of a lifeless doll and wore clothes that resembled a maid's uniform. Seeing this woman made me even more irritated. Damn it! Why does he get all the beautiful acquaintances?

"What do you want with me! Dareth is over there! Go over there already!"

"With all due respect, I have come with business for Shion-sama, not Dareth."

"…What?"

I couldn't believe my ears at the words of the woman who called herself Agen. She had business with me, not Dareth? A beauty like this, with me… No, more importantly.

"Shion-sama, you say!?"

When was the last time I was called that? It was a name I hadn't heard in a long time. I thought I'd never be called that again for the rest of my life. Just that alone began to heal the damage to my soul…

"I am aware. I know that Shion-sama is the guild master of guild masters. And that you are a wonderful man who is more capable than anyone."

"Ah… ah…"

"By rights, someone like Dareth is not even worthy of standing at Shion-sama's feet. They do not understand something as simple as that."

…What is this woman? She's wonderful… wonderful! That's right! This is the kind of woman I've been waiting for! Finally, a woman who understands my true value has appeared. The suffering inflicted upon me by Dareth and Senji vanishes in an instant.

"Agen, you understand my worth, don't you!?"

"Yes, I understand it very well. The ones who do not understand Shion-sama's worth are the strange ones. Dareth, especially, is the height of foolishness. That man is the epitome of an idiot."

Ah… to think the day would come when I would hear such words… Tears of happiness stream down my face, my efforts have been rewarded. It was worth the struggle…

"So, what business do you have with me!?"

"I have come today with a request that only Shion-sama can fulfill. But first, please change your clothes. Your beautiful body is being ruined, you see."

Saying so, Agen took clothes out of a bag. A well-tailored jacket, pants, and shirt. She had even prepared socks and leather shoes. What's more, they were all from the brands I wore on heavy rotation.

"Well prepared! Right, I shall make you my secretary! You should be grateful!"

"I have also procured Shion-sama's favorite fragrances."

"Splendid! That's my secretary! You are a woman of endless capability!"

I changed out of the clothes that had been sullied by those bastards Senji and the soldiers. The moment I slipped my arms into the shirt, I felt my soul being filled. Ah, yes. This is it. This texture. I am a noble being who should be wearing such high-class clothes. The likes of Dareth will never understand. After changing, I became dazzlingly beautiful.

"Shion-sama, you are radiant."

"Of course, of course. And this isn't even me at my best. Hahaha."

"And about my request…"

I was about to teach her more about my sublimity, but Agen cut to the chase. Well, fine. I suppose I shall hear her out.

"What is it? You may ask anything of me."

"Yes. I would like Shion-sama to destroy the Sword of Calamity: Calamity."

"Hmm… what?"

Agen's request was far beyond anything I had expected.

"A, are you serious? But, Calamity is…"

"I am perfectly serious."

Sword of Calamity: Calamity, a sword said to be stored under heavy guard in a hidden room of the Royal Palace. It is the sword that is said to seal the evil spirit that attacked the Grossa Kingdom hundreds of years ago. Rumor has it that its durability has weakened over the long years, requiring strict management.

"D, destroy it, you say, but why ask such a thing? If I'm not careful, the evil spirit might attack me…"

"Shion-sama. As things are now, you will never receive the proper evaluation you deserve. I cannot help but worry about that."

"What's that? What do you mean?"

Me not being properly evaluated. That is a critical issue of national importance.

"Please think back. Consider the foolishness of the person who, without considering Shion-sama's potential and with no evidence, decided to assign Dareth as the exclusive blacksmith."

"Potential… evidence… assign…"

"With such a person as queen, the grand design for the future is surely mistaken. I cannot agree with it."

"Grand design… agree…"

I see… Agen was my comrade. That's why we get along so well. Everything clicked into place, and I understood from the bottom of my heart.

"For Shion-sama to receive a just evaluation, the world must first be broken. Let us release the evil spirit and build a correct world now."

"Yes! That's right!"

"I have already secured a route for infiltration. I will take care of the guards, so please follow me."

"Yes, of course! Let us build a correct world together!"

I followed Agen toward the Royal Palace. Dareth, you bastard, now is the time I will plunge you into the depths of despair. Your crime of looking down on me is grave. I will repay you a hundredfold. It's too late even if you grovel on the ground and apologize endlessly. The difference in our existential value is about to be made clear.