Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 30

 

Chapter 30: Unwanted Solicitation

 The day after the dinner party with the four of them. Jin, who had no way of knowing Kazuki's feelings, came to Class C again.

 The two of them are conversing in a friendly manner. Even if Kazuki's feelings are not for love, it is clear that the two are growing closer.

"I'm glad you liked it"

"That sounds a little harsh. That's not the kind of place Jin is familiar with, is it?"

 The restaurant Jin took her to was his mentor's favorite restaurant.

"Well, I guess so. I owe it to him. I thanked him when I got back."

"Ah, that's right. I have to thank him too."

"Ah, well, I'll take you to see him sometime."

"……If the opportunity arises."

 Meeting his master means going to visit Jin's homestay. Kazuki's heart sank a little when she thought of it this way.

“You can come visit me at my homestay."

 Without noticing Kazuki's feelings, Jin invited her to visit his house.

"...Um, with everyone."

 Kazuki cannot answer that invitation lightly.

"Ah, yes. Of course. Everyone..."

 Kazuki's reaction finally made Jin realize.

"...I'm sorry. You're self-conscious."

"No, I don't really care."

"I see……"

 The longer the conversation goes on, the more they become aware of each other in this strange way. If one listens to them, it is obvious that they are in a good mood.

"...Can you go on a date with just the two of you?"

 It was Ren who complained about it.

"Date. It's not like that."

"Yes. We're just talking about yesterday."

 Both Kazuki and Jin denied Ren's complaints. But that's not what Ren wants to say.

"Then, can you talk about that in your seat?"

 Jin and Kazuki were talking at Ren's desk.

"Isn't it fine? We were together, remember?"

"...Don't you remember what happened yesterday?"

"I remember. It was fun and delicious."

 Kazuki declares that she will ignore Ren's words of rejection.

"So that's how it came to be."

 Ren, who understands Kazuki's feelings, shows a dissatisfied face.

"What? Did something happen?"

 Jin, who was listening to the two people's suggestive conversation, asked if something had happened.

"Do you care?"

"A little"

"Yesterday, on the way home, we didn't see anyone.."

“…………”

"When we're walking alone, it feels kind of strange, it's just..."

"Just?"

"...Stop. It's not fun."

"Oi!?"

 Jin, who was interrupted in the middle of the conversation, complains in a loud voice. It's a story that he can't help but be curious about.

"It's boring because Kazuki doesn't get impatient."

"Because I was wondering what kind of lies you would tell."

 Kazuki smiles happily at the disgruntled Ren.

"Lies?"

"Nothing special. Just went home while we were chatting and said goodbye."

"I see. It's better to make it a little earlier this time. It's safer on the way home."

"Yes."

"When would be good?"

 Jin invites Kazuki to the next appointment.

"Hey, Jin. It isn't really Jin's treat, right?"

"Ah, well."

 All the food and drink bills are on Jin's master. Jin was not burdened at all.

"It's bad to keep relying on him."

"I see. Then let's do this. I'll treat you if I make money in the guild."

 Believing that Kazuki was right, Jin said that he would treat her with the money he earned.

"How many years will it be?"

"Eh?"

“The reward for an F-rank request is miniscule, even an E-rank would not be able to afford to eat at such a fancy restaurant."

 In the first place, it was impossible for him to treat her with his own money.

"I see. That's a problem."

"Let's stop paying for someone else's and split the bill."

"Ah, yes, that's right. I'm sure we can work something out then."

"It's fine. Ren is here."

 Thus, Kazuki tries to get Ren involved again. Jin doesn't learn, but neither does Kazuki.

"...What do you mean?"

“Ren actually earns a lot, right?”

"More than you guys. But I can't afford to be extravagant."

 Ren is a rank C adventurer. And most of the requests are nomination requests. Compared to Kazuki and the others, the earnings are quite good.

"Why? We don't have to pay for rent or food, so we can spend almost all of our money freely."

"I'm supporting my family."

"Ha?" "Yes?"

"Two dependents and one dog. If you include the old lady, three and one dog."

 The dependents are Luna and Rin, and one is Ron.

"...The people where you live?"

"Well, sort of."

 They live together. It is true.

"Hey, Ren. There's one more person?"

"It increased"

"I see……"

"Do you know Mike?"

"I've met one of the two. And the other is that dog, right?"

"Ah, Ron?"

 Kazuki met Ron when Ren taught them how to use the sword. He was the special instructor.

"Yes. That one."

"You've met the other one, Mike, you've been to Ren's house?"

"No, she used to come to the academy often, so I met her then."

 Luna has been to the academy many times. But since she is only seen in the library, very few people know her.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. She was introduced as his sister."

"Sister... that's a lie, right?"

 The only people summoned are the teacher and the students in the same class.  His sister is not supposed to be in this world.

"I guess. If you think about it, there's no way Ren's sister was summoned. But they look so much alike that I believe it. They do look like each other, but she's an immensely beautiful girl kind of way."

"Mike, you don't have to go so far as to say that."

“Immensely beauty?”

“Yes. I can't explain it other than that. That's right, Shizuru-san either too."

"Tojo-san?"

"Yes. The first time she met her, she was very depressed. She might feel defeated?"

"...Tojo-san is?"

 It is the same word, but it has a different meaning. Kazuki could not imagine a situation where Shizuru, who is considered the most beautiful girl in the academy, would feel a sense of defeat.

“Yes. She's quite pretty, too, but when you put them side by side."

"Mike!"

 Ren raised his voice to control Mike, who was about to talk further about Luna.

"Oops."

"Forget it."

“Yes, yes. Well, that's it then."

 Feeling that Ren's atmosphere had clearly changed, Mike closed his mouth there.

 It was Kazuki and Jin who were troubled by having his mouth shut. They can't help but worry about that beauty, Luna. However, the two of them didn't open their mouths to Ren's oppressive atmosphere.

 The one who tried to continue the conversation without any pressure from Ren came from elsewhere.

"Fumu. If she is such a beautiful woman, I would love to meet her. Can you introduce me?"

 Heinz of the Lemberg Empire.

"Do you want to be told off by your fiancé?"

"I'm not trying to seduce her. I'm sure my beloved will forgive me."

"I don't know about that. A man can never guess what a woman is thinking."

 Although he says he is not interested in love, Ren talks about women's feelings. He is knowledgeable. And he's sick of it.

"I see. That's right."

"So who do you want?"

"You, of course."

"What do you want?"

“Regarding the swordsmanship tournament. I asked for the contestants, just like you said. No one is anonymous."

"……I see."

 Ren had completely erased the swordsmanship tournament from his mind.

"If that's the case, I thought I might be able to understand their strength."

"Do you want me to tell you that?"

"Yes. If there is someone strong enough, I'd like to participate."

"Why should I?"

"You are under no obligation to do so. That's why I'm expecting you to do me a favor."

"No, I don't."

"Well, just look at the roster. I'm not going to ask for all the details. I just want to know if any of them are strong enough to be dangerous."

“…………”

 A piece of paper was presented to him without question. Ren has no choice but to look at the names on the paper. When his eyes move away from the paper, Ren's eyebrows furrow.

"Is there someone there?"

"No."

"Are you sure? You must have something on your mind."

 Ren's expression indicates this.

"Not a single adventurer that I know of."

"I see……"

"In the first place, is there an adventurer among them? I think adventurers only give their registered names or street names at times like this."

"Wha!?"

 Hearing Ren's words, Heinz hurriedly took back the paper from Ren and began to check it. He had not noticed what Ren had told him.

"……It's true"

"Heinz. What do you mean?"

 Jin was curious about the exchange between the two, so he joined the conversation.

"Adventurers' registered names are shortened names of their given names. They don't register their last names. But every name on the roster has a family name."

"So there are no adventurers."

"That's right."

"Is the guild not interested?"

"But to not let anyone participate?"

 Even if there is no participation as a guild, there is participation by individual adventurers every year. It was unusual to find not a single person in the guild.

"What kind of people, other than adventurers, are participating?"

“They were either nobles from neighboring countries or knights in the employ of wealthy merchants. They probably want to make a name for themselves and work in better conditions."

"Is it possible that there is a strong one among them?"

“I can’t say for certain that there aren’t any, but it is someone who was only a hired knight, you know?”

 If he had the ability, he would have been recruited by a country long ago. There are not many knights who are strong but unknown.

“I see. It looks like it's going to be a very dull tournament."

"Yes. I can't tell Yuya."

"Ah, that's right. He is going to force Heinz and Hyde to participate in the tournament."

 Yuya wants to win and be praised by those around him. It is unacceptable that the competition will not be exciting.

"I don't want that. Now, how do we cover it up?"

"...Why don't you go back to class and talk about that?"

 Ren complained to Heinz, who was sitting on a nearby chair and trying to think about how to deal with Yuya.

"When I go back to class, Yuya will be there, you know?"

"Then in the hallway."

"Wherever I talk is my business."

"Yes. The arrogance of a great power. With this, the reputation of the Lemberg Empire fell to the ground at once."

"I wouldn't go that far, you know?"

"I don't know. Rumors have a way of getting trailed."

 The thought came to everyone's mind as to who would be the one to spread the rumor.

"...Can I ask you something?"

"If you just want to ask, go ahead."

"Give me an answer."

"If I can answer."

"...That's alright. Is there a strategist for an occupation? A strategist skill or more like a plotter."

"I don't know? I wouldn't know."

"I guess... it's hard to be sarcastic."

"You don't have to say it. Now, how much longer do you think we're going to have to waste time on this?"

 For Ren, it was a fruitless conversation. Because he's the one being asked.

"Knowing my position, is it a waste of time to talk to me?"

 No student other than Ren would say such a thing. On the contrary, most of them wish to have good relations with the great power that is the Lemberg Empire.

“I will never see you again after graduating from the academy. I don’t feel the need to deepen our friendship.”

"Not necessarily."

"I think so"

 The people around him reacted with surprise to Heinz's words, but the man himself didn't seem to think anything of it and immediately replied with a denial.

"...The empire is a power in its own right, don't you think?"

"I know that"

"Don't you think what I just said is an invitation to the empire?"

"I don't think so. Even if it is, it's just annoying."

"Is the empire unattractive?"

"I don't care about the empire, just being nominated is a nuisance"

"It's about buying your ability. Don't you think it's an honor?"

 Heinz asked many questions. He has the desire to use this opportunity to talk to Ren without being interrupted by Yuya or Shizuru.

"One does not have the power to completely see through a person's abilities."

"...I can't continue if you say that. Then what if one is not a hero?"

"Hmm?"

"What about serving as an ordinary officer instead of being a hero?"

 A commotion erupts in the classroom.

"……How's that?"

"I don't deny it completely. I mean, is it possible?"

"I didn't say it was possible."

“I don’t know why, but you are familiar with the rules of the church related to hero candidates. Did you just now muddle your answer because you couldn't say?"

"If it's something I can't say, I can't say the answer to it either."

"...I see. I'm beginning to understand some of your habits."

"Habit?"

“A habit of speaking. That's not something I'm going to explain right now. There are still many opportunities for us to speak."

"……What do you mean?"

 Ren wants this to be their last conversation. He doesn't even understand what Heinz wants to talk about.

“Let me be the first to say this. I am interested in you. I am not interested in you as a hero. But as a man who can gather information, analyze, and negotiate. I value those abilities."

"Thank you for that."

"If possible, I want to make you my vassal."

"""What!?"""

 Contrary to Jin and the others who were surprised, Ren kept his mouth straight and made a difficult face.

"I'm going to think carefully about how to do that. Let's talk again."

"...I'll pass."

"I'm sorry to say, but I'm a tenacious person. I won't give up on things so easily. Keep that in mind."

 With these final words, Heinz walked briskly out of the classroom.

 The atmosphere of Heinz at the end was something that even Jin, who had been in contact with him, had never seen before. Heinz's demeanor was full of dignity befitting a candidate for the Imperial Princess's fiancé and acting emperor.

 Both Jin and Kazuki were overwhelmed by the dignity of a high-ranking person whom they had never seen before, and were speechless. It was Mike who opened his mouth.

"...It's a tough one, but it's expected."

"It's a nuisance. What is he misunderstanding about?"

“Whether it is a misunderstanding or not, can he do it?”

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Even I, a fool, can see that if he can do it, the whole bidding thing will be pointless. I don't know how he can do it, but I'm interested."

"……I don't know"

 Ren pretended to think a little, but the answer that came out of his mouth was this.

"Really?"

"All I know is that it's up to the church."

"What does that mean?"

“The hero candidates who are not nominated for bidding will belong to the church, just as they do now. If the church wants to keep them, they will be hired, or rather forced to become employees of the church. Only when they are no longer wanted can they be free. I know this much."

 Right now, Ren's most promising path is this church employee. If nothing happens, he will continue to work as a grave keeper in the capital as Babaa's successor.

"If the candidate is someone that other countries want, there is no way that the church would let the candidate go. If they did, it would be the same as...... bidding. Money."

"So that's what you mean."

 Sending church workers to another country. It's not impossible. Only if the church approves.

"But wouldn't that allow you to go where you want to go?"

"I wonder if the church would allow such a rule-breaking? If you are approached by one country, the church is likely to call on other countries. In the end, that would be a bid."

"They could. But what about you?"

"I don't think a bid rejection would change my church affiliation. I do have a job, so I appreciate the church affiliation."

"If it doesn't work?"

"For the time being, I'll survive as an adventurer. If I can find something else I want to do, I will move on."

 The second path is also in the works. The people around him recommend this adventurer's path, albeit only for adventurers.

"You've secured your course properly."

"Somehow. I've also secured a job at a merchant's house, just in case things get out of hand."

"Merchant?"

"Why do you think I, who hate people, treat Mike normally?"

 Mike's family is a merchant family. In other words, it is a course to get hired at Mike's parents' house.

"Are you going to openly talk about your calculations?"

"Don't worry about it. Relationships are all about calculation."

"...Well, it's fine. It's not bad to make a man who a high-ranking person of the empire called a vassal a servant."

"At first. Eventually, I'll take full control, and eventually, everything will be mine."

"You're fired!"

"I was joking."

"It doesn't sound like a joke when you say it."

 Their exchange changed from serious talk to jokes at once. Seeing this, Kazuki's tension seemed to have eased. She interrupted their conversation.

"Hey, how can you normally talk nonsense like that?"

"That's rude. You don't talk nonsense to us who are talking about your dreams for the future, do you?"

“Ren is the one who was invited, right? Don't you think anything of it?"

"I think it's a nuisance"

"The empire is a great power. A vassal of that empire."

 There are many hero candidates who want to be nominated by the empire. Even if they know it's impossible.

“Then, Kazuki, do you want to become a vassal of the Empire?”

“I have a dream of becoming a nursery teacher… I see. Sorry, I guess I was kind of surprised."

 Serving the country is not everything. Kazuki herself has something she wants to prioritize more than that right now.

“Because people have different values.”

"You're so arrogant. In your case, you just don't want to serve people, right?"

 Mike interrupted again at this point.

"Ha?"

"Honestly, I can't imagine Ren serving people."

"When you put it that way, neither can I."

 Kazuki agrees with Mike.

"What is that? If you don't work, you can't eat."

"That's not it... Not good. I just thought of something amazing."

"……Me too."

"What are you two...?"

"You know, you. You're the same kind as that guy who was just here, right?

“Same kind?”

 Ren had no idea what Mike was trying to say.

"In other words, a person who stands above other people."

"...Are you an idiot? What part of me is that? Standing above people I hate? You've got to be kidding me. I don't want to be in that position."

 Mike's opinion was completely unacceptable to Ren. He thinks that if he put himself on top of someone he doesn't trust, he's going to hate living in that moment.

“Well, I don’t want to be your subordinate either. Sounds like a lot of work."

"……What do you mean?"

"It's nothing. King Ren."

"Idiot. And King Ren doesn't sound good. It just doesn't fit."

"Then what name do you think would be good?"

“What… if I dare say it, it’s Kaiser?”

"King Kaiser, His Majesty Kaiser... not bad. Why don't you change your name?"

 Mike doesn't know what the word Kaiser means.

“Kaiser means emperor, right?”

 It was Kazuki who told him the meaning.

"Emperor?"

"A word in our original world. Kaiser is the word for emperor."

"Emperor. Ren is not satisfied with being king?"

"No. Kaiser is commonly used as a name."

"...It doesn't matter"

 It doesn't really matter what they call him.

"It's because Mike keeps spreading weird stories. It was a waste of time."

"Wait a minute, don't talk about it like it's my fault."

"It was Mike, wasn't it?"

"Me?"

"You."

 The two of them were about to get into another silly conversation. Seeing that, this time Jin interjected in amazement.

"...You guys are amazing."

""Yes?""

''No, I realized that I've been on my toes these past few days. I haven't talked about this kind of nonsense for quite a while."

"Nonsense?"

 Ren lightly glares at Jin when he calls their conversation nonsense. He doesn't really mean it. Ren also thinks it is nonsense.

"Ah, no, it's not that. I wondered how I could act so naturally after coming to a different world."

"...Mike, explain."

 Ren is getting tired of answering so many questions. But he turned to the wrong person.

"I am a human of this world"

"That's right... you don't have an answer for that. I'm not even aware of it."

"I see."

"This world is better for Ren."

 While refusing to answer, Mike says something that seems to be the reason.

"Why?"

“Because in your original world, you only have dark eyes and dark hair, right? Ren would stand out if he were mixed in there."

"Not that there are only black eyes and black hair,...... but now that you mention it, Ren was hiding it."

"You mean the hair and eye color?"

"Yes"

 It's pretty much a new thing. Jin also knows that Ren did not have dark eyes and dark hair when he entered the academy.

"Because it's troublesome. Students get involved, teachers look at me with disgust. Dying hair is prohibited by school rules, but it's okay if it's black, isn't it strange?"

"Indeed."

"Colored contacts are also forbidden, but if they are black, they don't get angry."

"Well, that's true."

“However, once you step out of the school, blondes with blue eyes are envied by everyone. I have silver hair, but people are still envious that I'm half Japanese. That's not right either."

 One sees oneself differently inside and outside of school. This is also one of the things Ren can't trust.

"Japanese people are like that."

"It's not just Japanese people. It's the same in other countries that change the way people see things based on their appearance. Appearance is nothing more than a vessel."

"I try to look inside."

“…Are you saying that Kazuki isn’t beautiful?”

“Ha? No, wrong. I didn't mean it that way. I'm not saying that."

 Jin was caught off guard by Ren and fell right into his trap.

"Heh. You call her beautiful, huh? What do you think of the compliment, Kazuki-san?"

“…Ren. Come on, that's enough."

"Even though I'm just being careful to try to relieve the tension."

“It's already broken! Ren is just using me as a diversion!"

 By getting angry like this, she was falling right into Ren's trap, but even though she knew it, she was having fun and went along with it.

 As for Jin, he had a bit of mixed feelings as he felt that the two were showing how well they got along, but more than that, he was having a lot of fun in this kind of mood.

 As he had said himself, he had been so tense all the time, thinking that he had to live up to the title of the "Four Heavenly Kings".

 Daily life as a student. Jin felt like he had experienced that for the first time since he came to this world.

"I love it. It's youth."

"Eh? Ah, you are"

 He suddenly heard a voice behind him, and when Jin turned around, he saw a familiar woman standing there.

“Mion-san!?”

 Even Ren was surprised to see Mion in the classroom.

"Hello. This class is full of young people."

"Yes. Why are you here, Mion-san?"

"I was summoned to the academy. By the guild leader."

"The guild leader?"

“The guild leader backed out, and I will go to the meeting instead.”

"Haa. So that's why you're dressed like that."

"How do I look?"

 Mion's attire was very different from when she was in the guild cafeteria. She was dressed in the formal attire of a knight, a perfect example of a woman dressed as a man.

"It suits you well"

"Thank you"

"So you came all the way to the classroom."

"Because I had something to do."

"Do?"

"A message from the guild. Adventurers are not to participate in the swordsmanship tournament held at the Academy."

"What!? Why is that?"

 Jin was the first to react. Only Jin is affected.

"Oh, are you entering?"

"Yes"

"......Well, it's not mandatory. I've notified you. The rest is your responsibility."

"Responsibility? Why can't I participate?"

 There was nothing concrete in Mion's explanation. Jin, who did not understand the situation, was not convinced.

"If you were an adventurer, you wouldn't be asking me that. I gave you the information I could. It's up to the adventurers to decide what they want to do."

"...I don't understand what you mean by that."

"Okay, Ren-kun."

"Ha?"

"Can you explain it to him so he understands?

"Why me?"

 Ren complains, as he often does when it becomes troublesome.

"P-l-e-a-s-e."

"Is that supposed to trick me?"

"...I won't give you a bonus anymore"

"I understand. The guild has a duty to protect adventurers. But that's the bare minimum."

"Why?"

 He can't say that the explanation of Ren, who took over, was polite. Surprisingly, Ren and Mion are similar.

“Requests are dangerous. The adventurer must check the contents of the request and make a judgment on whether or not they can complete it. The guild can't tell them what is safe and what is not, and there is no point in telling them."

"So it's your own responsibility."

"Yes. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, but why can't you tell me why?"

 Jin, who is entering the tournament, would rather ask this question.

"I imagine it's because they don't have any proof. The guild can't release vague information. It would only create confusion."

"As expected, Ren-kun. Jin-kun, that's what I mean. I told you. The rest is up to you."

"……Yes"

 Jin felt like he had somehow been pushed away. This is influenced by Jin's first impression of the guild.

“Notifying everyone is over. Ren-kun is the one remaining.”

"What?"

"Come to headquarters by tomorrow. It can be any time."

"...How about now?"

"Then let's go together."

 With this, Mion turned her back and started walking. Ren followed suit. And questions remain among those left behind.

“That guy Ren, he ran away.”

 Mike muttered.

"I thought so"

 Kazuki thought the same way.

"What do you mean he ran away?"

 The only one who doesn't understand is Jin.

"If he stayed, we'll ask him a lot of questions, right? He doesn't like that."

"But we can do that tomorrow."

"Right..."

"Tomorrow, he can make an excuse that he can't leak information about the guild."

 Mike answered Jin's question.

"...Is that necessary?"

"Isn't it necessary for Ren? I think so."

"I see."

 He replied, but Jin did not understand what Mike meant. Jin was still unaware of Ren's commitment to not lying as much as possible.