There is No Escaping the Hero
Chapter 7: The Kingdom of Andreia
Big, tall, amazing.
Situated in the center of the blue continent of Azul was the leader of the Grand Allied Forces, the Kingdom of Andreia. It was a great power possessing all the conditions for a flourishing civilization: enormous rivers, fertile land. Some even called it the center of the world. Naturally, its royal capital was more exceptional than any other city.
A white city shining under the blue sky and the sparkle of sunlight, its cityscape was a mass of artistry. With artificially constructed canals running through it, it was the world’s greatest city, combining beauty with functionality.
In the world’s greatest city, on its main artery, the waterway:
“Huuuge.”
『Huuuuuge.』
Solo, who called himself a city boy, and his partner Toro were surprised enough to dislocate their jaws. “A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean”—this was exactly it. The city he knew was no city at all.
This place was what “urban” meant.
“This is the White City, Andweiss.”
“Why do you sound so proud, Pops?”
“Because I am from here.”
“…Guh.”
Faced with Schutz, who hailed from this metropolis, Solo could only groan. Their group was currently moving along the waterway in a small boat. When they tried to aim for the castle boldly from the main street, Schutz stopped them, and for some reason, they were sneaking towards the castle like thieves.
“But the waterways are huge too.”
“Water transport is the key to logistics, after all. For a city of this scale, it is only natural.”
“Whoaaa.”
A grand canal with boats coming and going; since such things crisscrossed the city freely, there were no complaints to be made about this city.
If there was a complaint—
“Why have you been hunching down this whole time, Pops?”
“Because I stand out.”
“Is standing out bad?”
“Well, a little… Even so, Solo, your magic has improved remarkably lately. Even I am a little surprised.”
“Well, yeah.”
(I feel like he changed the subject… but well, it feels good so whatever.)
『As expected of a frivolous man.』
The subject was changed, but being praised felt good, so it was all okay. That was the frivolous man named Solo. He didn’t care about the details.
“Improvement in magic is a world of sensation, so there are individual differences and it varies, but clearly Solo’s improvement is more tremendous than others.”
“Not that much… no, maybe it is that much.”
“Just a little more until you can use it as combat magic.”
“Well, yeah.”
“Is there some trick to it?”
“…I-I wonder?”
Suddenly, Solo’s complexion changed. Schutz just asked a natural question with no particular ulterior motive, but Solo’s panic was quite something.
The reason was,
『Because I’m helping.』
(Shh! Be quiet.)
『He can’t hear my words.』
Because Toro was helping Solo during his training.
The details were as follows—
Before the encounter with the Demonic Tree Common Oak:
“Toro-suke~! I’m not making any progress!”
『That’s to be expected. Pops said it would take years, didn’t he?』
“I’ll be an old man by then!”
『Maybe.』
“Give me some wisdom. You’ve lived a long time, so you must have something, right? Hmm?”
『…I do have an idea, sort of.』
“Pleeeease! Think of it as saving your partner!”
『How convenient. Well, it won’t cost me anything so it’s fine… but the emotion from before is kinda fading, you know. What a drag.』
Solo’s heart was about to break because his training wasn’t progressing even a millimeter. Or rather, his heart did break, so he threw away shame and reputation and prostrated himself to rely on Toro’s wisdom.
This man was too light-headed.
『In short, you just need to grasp the sensation, right? Then—』
Summarizing Toro’s idea—
“O-Ooh!”
『Vroom.』
Toro operates Solo, manipulating the magic. At that time, Toro is drawing out his potential, and that sensation itself is faintly fed back to Solo. That is the key to this training method; he can grasp a sensation better than his current self, even if faintly.
With that sensation obtained, he performs his usual training. That’s all.
Then, the calculation was that he would grow and level up at a considerably faster pace than usual.
Of course, it didn’t mean he could climb the stairs effortlessly; it was strictly within the realm of assistance. In the end, he had to continue his efforts. Still, the fact that the realization of growth came faster brought a great effect to his motivation to continue training.
And that was,
“Hey, Toro-suke.”
『Yeah?』
“Can’t this be used for the sword too?”
『Yeah.』
Applicable to the sword as well. Toro moves his body, and Solo traces it afterward. Acquiring and mastering the form, which is the most important, most difficult, and deepest part of acquiring any skill—this accelerates it all at once. Well, regarding this, it’s Toro-style swordsmanship, frankly self-taught, and,
“I’m left-handed, though.”
『I’ve only ever imagined right-handed use.』
“…Left throw, right bat. Mastering the pervert batting style, huh.”
『It’s individuality, individuality. Diversity, you know.』
“Right.”
He would have to learn with the opposite of his dominant hand, but either way, he was a complete amateur with both right and left, so correcting it at this point wasn’t particularly a problem.
And so, like this—
“E-Ehehehe, maybe I have talent.”
During the long two-month journey from a certain village to the Kingdom of Andreia, Solo had grown from a complete amateur to growing a little hair on his chest.
Well, if asked whether Solo could fight monsters without Toro, he would need to select from the weakest class. Setting aside whether such things existed on the front lines—
“Umu, even to my eyes, I think you have talent.”
“R-Right?”
“You are working hard.”
(I-I feel a little guilty… being praised so straightforwardly.)
『It’s not like we’re cheating, so it’s fine. If you say that, the very concept of fighting the Demon King’s Army with a Goddess’s weapon is cheating.』
(T-True.)
Solo accepted Toro’s opinion; goodbye guilt.
He returned to his usual tone.
“Therefore, I have also steeled myself. …Solo.”
“Hmm?”
“We are about to enter the castle, but I want you to promise me something when we do.”
“…Well, that depends on the promise.”
“It is not difficult. I just want you to not open your mouth at all.”
“Huh?”
“I will protect your person no matter what happens. I promise you that too. However, no matter what happens to me, no matter what is said, I want you to keep your mouth shut.”
“…What’s going to happen in the castle?”
“…You will understand soon.”
Seeing Schutz’s grim expression, Solo’s anxiety grew.
However, the boat did not stop, proceeding through the waterway and entering the castle through the water gate guarded by castle soldiers.
***
Schutz’s words; the meaning was understood immediately.
“Luna is… dead?”
In the throne room, Schutz reported the events so far to everyone, to the King. On the northern front lines, Luna and Schutz, along with the knights there, joined the human army as a mobile force and clashed with the army led by ‘Black Heavens’ Fernig. They engaged in battle many times, and while producing numerous sacrifices, they took one eye and repelled him, but Luna also broke the sword blessed by the Goddess, the national treasure.
Seeking a replacement, a stronger weapon, relying on rumors, they came to that village. And as everyone knows, Fernig’s army chased Luna over an unbelievable distance, far from the front lines, and launched a surprise attack from the sky. Although it couldn’t be confirmed, everyone who remained there died in battle. There was no need to confirm. Against an opponent that even the national treasure couldn’t reach, a lower-ranked sub-weapon wouldn’t reach either. Because no one there possessed an effective hit to slay the Black Dragon.
Therefore, he could declare that they were wiped out.
And that report—
“…My… beloved… dearest Luna is… dead? Impossible, Schutz. That is impossible. That child is our country’s… no, humanity’s hope.”
“I have no excuse.”
“It is a joke, right? No?”
“…Unfortunately.”
It knocked the throne room into the depths of despair. Because the brilliant dignitaries worthy of the gorgeous room Solo had never seen before were stunned.
Some collapsed, some choked back sobs.
Above all,
“…”
The King, who was supposed to lead the world’s greatest nation, looked up at the heavens with a soulless expression, crushed by despair.
As if to say everything was over.
“Oh… ooh… I can no longer meet that beautiful silver hair, that fragrant, beautiful maiden, my dearest? Are you telling me to accept that, Schutz?”
“…Ha.”
“Not ‘Ha’!”
The King snatched his own staff from an attendant and threw it at Schutz. Schutz, hit by the staff, said nothing and kept his head bowed. Solo flinched but kept his mouth shut as promised. Or rather, the atmosphere wasn’t one where he could say anything.
Not satisfied with just that,
“What are you? Speak!”
He left the throne and marched towards Schutz. He picked up the staff and began beating Schutz with it.
It looked like full force no matter how you looked at it. Solo was about to open his mouth, but,
“…”
“Tch.”
While keeping his face down, Schutz’s eyes met his for a moment. That strong color sealed Solo’s mouth. This is what he was talking about.
“I am a knight.”
“A knight failed to protect the Princess… no, was protected by the Princess, and then shamelessly came back to expose his living shame? Is that what you say!?”
“…Ha.”
“Incompetent, incompetent, incompetent, incompetent, incompetent!”
The King’s anger did not subside. With bloodshot eyes, he continued to beat him with the force to kill. During that time, Schutz accepted it without saying anything.
As if to say it was a deserved punishment.
“A knight’s role is to die for the Princess! Die! Die right here and now! Atone with your death! A fool unworthy of being called a knight, just big for nothing and useless! The other knights fell, and you and that filthy man there survived? Don’t make me laugh!”
“This person is the Hero who pulled out the Holy Sword Saintroll blessed by the Goddess. His aptitude was recognized by me, and by the Princess—”
“Do not open your mouth, you disloyal wretch!”
He attacked further,
“Then, are you saying that man there, one who doesn’t even have a surname, possesses power surpassing Luna? Do you claim this is equal to the strongest warrior of this great nation of Andreia!?”
He screamed and scattered his rage. Solo could only say I am not worthy regarding that matter, but—
『I wonder what this King intends to do if my Partner really was an amazing Hero.』
(I dunno.)
However, no matter how you thought about it, he was going too far.
Solo, who was all alone in the world and didn’t even know his parents’ faces, didn’t understand a parent’s feelings. But no matter how hurt he was, no matter how great he was, there was no reason for Schutz to be bullied to this extent.
Solo didn’t know the King’s personality or his relationship with Luna.
He didn’t know, but he didn’t think he could ever like this King.
“Not yet. However, eventually—”
“Impossible!”
Breathing heavily, the King looked down at Schutz with eyes full of anger.
“Y-Your Majesty. Any more than this is… Schutz-dono is a knight among knights who has served the kingdom for a long time, indispensable to our country—”
A person dressed in grand clothes called out, but it didn’t reach the King’s ears.
“Never appear before me again.”
“…Tch.”
“Your Majesty, that is too—”
“Be grateful I’m letting you leave alive! Well, you no longer have a home to return to…”
“Your Majesty!”
Everyone was speechless. Judging by the situation, the man named ‘Iron Knight’ Schutz Eisenbahn was a rare talent even in this great nation.
Even after committing the blunder of losing the Princess and returning, his banishment was unbelievable to both civil and military officials. Even if they didn’t voice it, their faces said, That is not the correct judgment.
“Get lost!”
“…As you wish.”
Bloodied, Schutz stood up, bowed deeply to the King, and then urged Solo to leave the throne room with him.
“…My beloved Luna. Why, why… If it was going to be like this, no matter how talented she was, I should not have let her outside. Under me, forever—”
Leaving behind the King, crushed by despair, thinking of the deceased with a vacant look—
***
“What the hell was that old man! He snapped way too much!”
The moment he was told he could open his mouth, Solo unleashed a torrent of abuse with furious momentum. It was a scene that left him with nothing but opinions.
What kind of King is that, you idiot, was the feeling.
“…Don’t say it. Losing family is that painful. You must have some idea too, Solo?”
“…I don’t know. Never had a family.”
“I-Is that so. Forgive me.”
“No need to apologize. More importantly, are you okay? You’re covered in blood.”
“Tis but a scratch. My redeeming feature is my durability.”
“If you say so, but still.”
Schutz struck a muscular pose. Well, it was obvious to anyone that he was durable; his physique was too different from the King’s.
Nevertheless, it didn’t change the fact that it was excessive.
“But hey, what are we going to do now?”
In the end, the only thing accomplished by this return was the report. They were told to get lost without any time or atmosphere to discuss the future.
“From the start, I did not expect to be forgiven. I merely came to report to do things properly. I anticipated this result.”
“…Was I dragged along just for the report? It was quite a long journey.”
“It will be even longer from now on.”
“Eh? From now on means—”
Just as he was about to ask about the future—
“Schutz!”
A girl with red hair appeared in front of the two.
(Pops’ kid?)
『Doesn’t look like him. Also, would she call her own father by name?』
(Ah, right.)
By the looks of it, she appeared to be a young lady from a good family. Her hair was bright red, and in contrast, her eyes were blue like gems, powerful and cat-like. However, since the outfit she wore was a dress full of lace, the “young lady” vibe was intense.
Either way, Solo couldn’t possibly know her.
“It has been a long time, Princess.”
“Never mind that. Um, where is Elder Sister?”
Schutz lowered his eyes sorrowfully.
It was a somber atmosphere, but—
“Ehh!? Princess means she’s Luna’s sister? They don’t look alike!”
Here, Solo, due to not knowing various things and his careless personality,
“Ah?”
Touched her reverse scale.
“S-Solo!”
Her name was Soare Andreia. She was Luna Andreia’s half-sister, and because she adored her sister Luna from the bottom of her heart, touching on that subject—
“Schutz. What is this filthy thing?”
(W-What is…)
『Doesn’t even treat you like a person, Partner.』
She snapped, even though it was their first meeting.
This was the comparatively worst-case-scenario first encounter between Solo and Soare.
