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“Oh~…!”
Eisuke and the others exclaimed in unison.
The wide street was lined with food stalls on both sides. Here and there, the high-pitched voices of vendors could be heard, and many people were coming and going all along the street. The scene was like the bustling streets of an Asian center.
“This is Balletta, a city that serves as a hub where products from all over the world are gathered, partly because of its proximity to the imperial capital. It is a bustling city with many migrant workers.”
“Thank you, Rukipedia.”
“What do you mean Rukipedia!?”
“Rather, it’s very quiet. Hey, is there really a Hero here?
Listening to Serika’s opinion with narrowed eyes, Eisuke remembered the words he heard yesterday.
“A Hero of justice, huh…”
“…? What’s wrong?”
Marielle looked at Eisuke as he muttered under his breath. Eisuke and Rukino looked at each other.
“Well, it’s just that we heard something strange yesterday… something about the person who rules this city being a Hero of Justice who protects the citizens or something…”
“Well, I guess a Hero would inherently be a vigilante.”
Serika replied. Marielle threw a somewhat relieved look.
“Isn’t that wonderful!? If so, we might not even have to fight, and we could easily head to the imperial capital!”
“Stupid, moronic, imbecile. Nothing but flowers on your head, huh?”
“What was it you said?!”
Marielle was indignant at the abusive words he hurled at her. Eisuke glared at her.
“You have to learn to distrust people. You’re already talking as if there’s no evil, even with yesterday.”
“Uhhh…”
Marielle’s mood turned gray. Just yesterday they had repelled Hiroto, the Hero, who had approached them calling himself Marc. Marielle, a good person, honest to the core, had a tendency to believe what people told her.
“And even if they were a Hero of Justice, I wouldn’t care. I’m going to crush every one of them.”
“A-Aside crushing… if we can solve problems by discussing them, it would be better that way.
“What a brute you are. If we decide to talk with our fists, there’s no way there’s going to be any communication.”
“That’s not arguing anymore, that’s just making the other party give up! If we start fighting, it won’t be an argument anymore!”
Marielle was terribly annoyed by Eisuke’s bloodlust. She exhaled giving up.
“Huh… Regardless of what Mister Eisuke says, it’s necessary to take a look at the Hero of this city, isn’t it? There are a lot of people here, but let’s try not to get sidetracked and look for them.”
“Yes, sure. Eisuke, please refrain from acting arbitrarily…”
…When Rukino and Marielle tried to talk some sense into Eisuke… neither him nor the other two girls were near them.
“And I was just about to tell them to stay close!”
“Thi-This is bad, Rukino! If Mr. Eisuke does something reckless again…!”
The image of Eisuke behaving provocatively and causing unnecessary trouble easily appeared in Marielle and Rukino’s minds, and the blood drained from their faces.
“Le-Let’s find him quickly!”
“Bu-But…”
The two, dismayed, saw that countless people were spreading out in front of them like a flood…
The goods lining the streets were truly varied. Fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs, clothes and other necessities of daily use. There were also metal parts and other items of unknown use. Serika stared at Eisuke and Yui’s backs as they walked, observing the stalls and carts that lined the street.
“Hey, wait, is it really okay that we got separated from Marielle and Rukino?”
“Lalala, I’m not hearing you. Until I kick Hero’s ass, I can’t hear you.”
“This guy is really…” Serika was sick of Eisuke covering his ears. He was a troublesome brat who, as long as he could fight, everything was fine with him. She exhaled in disgust and withdrew her gaze from his back. …And then her vision drifted to something else.
One of the items being sold at a peddler’s stall selling accessories and knick-knacks was an adorable-looking bear-shaped stuffed animal. It was made of felt fabric and its eyes were inlaid with translucent glass beads. Serika swallowed hard.
It’s… so… cute…!!
Serika’s eyes were riveted on it. Just looking at it made her feel so excited that she almost let out a scream. The more she looked at it, the more she realized that the stuffed animal was just the way she liked it.
“What are you doing?”
“…Ah.”
Serika came back to herself at the question from the quizzical Eisuke. She unconsciously stared at the stuffed animal, which was several inches from her nose before she realized it. She struggled to remain in that position and calmly returned the question.
“What is it?”
“Well, don’t play dumb. Do you want that?”
“What? Why? Why would I want it? What’s the matter with you? What do you want?”
“Don’t get so defensive… and do me a favor and turn your face away, which is so close to me, before you say it. If you want it, just buy it.”
As Eisuke said this with a frown, Serika looked at him with somewhat reproachful eyes.
“…If I buy it, won’t you make fun of me?”
“What?”
“I mean… this kind of thing doesn’t go with my character.”
Serika fiddled with the ends of her hair. Indeed, given Serika’s more adult personality and lazy appearance, it was surprising that she preferred something so childish. But Eisuke was not the type to fuss over such trivial matters.
“I don’t know what kind of character you’ve developed so far. And besides, I don’t like it when people hide things from their friends, even if they are trivial things.”
Eisuke said indifferently. Serika blinked and looked at him, then relaxed her mouth happily.
“…Sigh, I see. I see…”
“Besides, there’s nothing weird about it.”
“Hmm?”
“The gap between a normally simple gal who likes nice things and is kind to children and animals is more appreciated and is called a pure-hearted girl overflowing with motherly love.”
“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?!” Serika said angrily to Yui while Yui said with a serious face.
“Miss, if you like it so much, please feel free to buy it.” The store owner, who was wearing a dark robe and lipstick, smiled thinly at Serika as she listened to this ridiculous series of exchanges. “That stuffed animal is also a good luck charm. It has a spell to protect you from evil spirits.”
“And of course, that’s not suspicious at all.”
Eisuke was that rude even though he was still standing in front of the store. Serika, however, broke into a smile and looked at Eisuke and Yui.
“Hehehe… well, if it’s a good luck charm, it wouldn’t be weird to buy it, would it?”
“I’m not sure what to say to that…. Do whatever you want.”
“I’ll buy it!”
“Thanks for your purchase, hehe.”
Serika raised her hand cheerfully, and the store owner smiled at her.
“…Hehehe, I’ll draw heart marks on your eyes when I get back to my room.”
Serika was overflowing with joy with her stuffed toy in her hand. Eisuke and Yui watched her with warm, half amused eyes.
“Serika, you’re cute.”
“This is the kind of thing that reminds me once again that she is a woman.”
“…You still lack finesse, Eisuke…”
Yui stared at Eisuke. He frowned, not understanding what she meant.
“I don’t know what you’re accusing me of, but I’m sure it’s something bad, right? But in my mind, more than a woman you’re a…”
That’s when it happened. With a thud, Yui bumped into an oncoming figure.
“Oh, sorry…” Yui quickly apologized… but then looked at the person and choked.
“…Haah? What are you up to, brat?”
Silver hair and eyes as fierce as a predator’s. His lean, muscular body, with sharp canine teeth peeking through his dentition. Above all… ears sprouted from the top of his head.
…A half wolf beastman. A werewolf, as one would say.
Balletta was a town of mixed cultures due to its thriving commercial district. Therefore, people who lived in other districts with the physical characteristics of animals lived their lives in the same way as ordinary humans. It was not that they were especially fierce or unable to communicate. They were almost the same as humans.
But Yui sensed it immediately. Perhaps this man was not a crook, but his eyes and the look of irritation on his face revealed a fierce personality.
“Hey, brat, do you know who you’ve run into…?”
“Hey, wolf, who are you trying to pick a fight with?”
Before the werewolf could even threaten her, Eisuke was on his heels with a terrifying look. Yui and Serika thought he was several times worse than the rough looking werewolf, but said nothing. The werewolf looked at Eisuke with the eyes of a true predator.
“I don’t know if it’s because you’re in front of her or what, but you’re getting cocky, kid.”
“You don’t want to fight me, do you? If you don’t trust your fists, then turn around and go home, or else I’m always ready to fight.”
“He-Hey you…!”
Serika was completely surprised. Eisuke, unsurprisingly, was trying to fight the werewolf.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious, I’m very serious. If we’re going to do this, let’s get down to it. The more you talk, the more boring the fight will be.”
Eisuke repeated his provocations. The werewolf sneered at the daring boy.
“Keh, then I’ll make sure you don’t open that mouth again. I’m a good wolf hunter, you know.”
Before they knew it, the surrounding bustle had moved away, sensing the tense atmosphere, and now there was plenty of room to move. The werewolf crouched down. When he opened his hand, his long claws gleamed. They were like blades. But Eisuke smiled and said:
“What a fool. I’m better at hunting than the wolves. I guess my reputation as the “Yankee Hunter” stayed in the other world.”
“You idiot, I don’t give a rat’s ass that you’re a party hunter!” The werewolf jumped. Immediately, he leaped towards Eisuke’s chest and swung his sharp claws vertically. Its speed was like that of a missile.
However, Eisuke observed it calmly and turned his body to the side. With minimal movement, he easily avoided the werewolf’s attack. Claws slashed the air.
“Tsk, s̲h̲i̲t̲!”
The werewolf quickly changed direction and lunged at Eisuke again. The latter dodged it again with no trouble. Sometimes by bending his upper body, sometimes by backing away to distance himself, and sometimes he ducked diagonally. He avoided all of the werewolf’s attacks by moving in all directions.
“What, wha-what the hell is that guy…?”
“He’s not even sweating! Is he really human!?”
The astonished voices of the crowd echoed in Eisuke’s ears. But to him, this was like wringing a baby’s hand. After all, he used to be the “Yankee Hunter”, who came to face a dozen criminals with cardboard knives attacking him at once, and defeated them unharmed. Even if he were lucky, the werewolf’s claws could hopefully take out a little piece of his tooth.
“Hey, hey, weren’t you a great hunter? Be more serious!”
“Shut. Up!”
The werewolf became enraged at Eisuke’s provocation, and backed away from him. Then, it began to run in circles around him. His speed gradually increasing, and Eisuke was surrounded by the residual images of the werewolf.
“Ha, are you trying to trick me?!”
Eisuke joked and as he wondered where the werewolf was coming from towards him. The werewolf jumped on his back.
“I got you…”
“There you go!”
“Gugyah!”
…But his surprise attack was completely read. Eisuke launched a kick to the back with his whole body. The counter kick accurately hit the werewolf in the face and kicked him to the side.
“Gug, gah, ha…”
Eisuke walked over and crouched down next to the werewolf, whose consciousness was clouded by the painful kick. With an evil grin, Eisuke sneered at him.
“Too bad, I win the fight. Then, don’t ever talk to us again…”
“He-Hey, you, what are you doing? Let go of the man!”
“Haah?”
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out. It was definitely directed at him. Eisuke, who had grabbed the werewolf by the ear, turned around with a gloomy look. But as soon as he saw the woman calling out to him, his eyes widened.
Flaming red pigtails. Armor of warm colors. Piercing eyes that burned with the flames of justice. And… the magnificent sword she wore at her waist. There was no doubt.
“I am Kyoko, the Heroine! If you resist, I will show no mercy!” She, Kyoko, the Heroine, spoke to Eisuke in a dignified voice.
“I-It’s the Heroine!”
The crowd applauded Kyoko’s appearance. Their eyes were full of anticipation and admiration as they looked at her. Eisuke twisted the edges of his mouth provocatively.
“He, you’re the Hero of Justice of this city, aren’t you? I warn you, he was the one who threatened us first.”
“You’re the one to blame here, no matter who you are!”
“I expected as much…”
Serika had been left alone, as if it didn’t matter what happened to her. Eisuke was also glad to see Serika, and laughed flippantly at Kyoko, snapping his fingers.
“Ha, then why don’t you take a swing and try to catch me?”
“…Okay. If you want to do that, I accept it.”
Kyoko accepted Eisuke’s declaration of war and stuck her hand into the ground.
ÂĄGoooooooooooo!
Flames erupted from her hand and surrounded her and Eisuke in a circle with a radius of about five meters. The wall of flames rose so high that it hid them both from the outside. The crowd erupted in a roar of excitement.
“Here it comes! It’s Lady Kyoko’s flame formation!”
“Flame formation?”
Serika asked one of the onlookers as Yui stood erect beside her, trying to catch a glimpse of Eisuke’s heroic figure.
“That’s right, Lady Kyoko always fights inside that ring of flames to keep us out of it!”
…In the ring of flames, Kyoko raised her sword. The flames also covered the blade of the sword, which burned red.
“…Heh, so that’s your power, huh?”
Eisuke’s mouth dropped open. Her Hero skill was evident. …The power to manipulate flames at will. A simple, yet striking and powerful skill.
“Who the hell are you? Are you from my hometown in that uniform?”
“Good answer. I was summoned to defeat you, I’m just a high…”
“Stoooooooop it!”
“What is it!?”
Rukino suddenly rushed from behind and threw herself against the wall of flames, and Eisuke was hit in the back of the head! Eisuke bared his teeth, resentfully.
“Hey, you! What the hell are you doing, you clumsy knight?”
“What are you doing fighting in a place like this? She’s a Hero of Justice, isn’t she?!”
“I don’t give a damn! We’re already in a fight! I can’t just turn back!”
“Wa-Wait, please! S-Stop fighting!”
Kyoko was startled by the suddenness of the situation and extinguished the flame formation. Outside stood Marielle, gasping for air. She was wearing a hood and was frantically trying to get to Eisuke.
“What are you doing, Mr. Eisuke? I told you we’d discuss it!”
“Yes, that’s why, to discuss it with our fists?”
“That’s enough!”
“Pri-Princess Marielle!?”
Kyoko’s eyes widened and she stared with bated breath at the argument between Eisuke and Marielle.