Chapter 72: Two People in Trouble
A wave of change is sweeping through the hero candidates. The Luine Kingdom is more bitter about this than any other. And although they thought they were offering overwhelmingly favorable conditions, three people left.
"What's going on?"
Princess Grace blames her subjects who came to report.
"That's... I can only say that they suddenly had a change of heart."
The subjects did not have the answer to the question Princess Grace most wanted to know. In fact, what her subjects had said was true, and they had a change of heart.
"I am asking why."
"I am trying hard to find out, but nothing yet."
The trigger is in the church. But it is not something that can be easily looked into. No matter how much they search, the day will never come when they will have an answer.
"So how do we deal with it?"
"It can't be helped. So I thought of replenishing the ranks, even if it meant searching a few lower ranks."
It is a matter of prestige for the Luine Kingdom to have a hero candidate run away. In fact, it was too late because they had already escaped, but they still wanted to keep up some semblance of appearance.
"Are you saying it's no good?"
"Class B is pretty serious and unlikely to move."
"How about if we forcefully bring them along and try to conciliate with them?"
Anyway, as long as they bring them, it will work out somehow. They just need to use this hand to appease them. like they've been doing. Princess Grace thinks so.
"It seems all of them turn it down."
"Why?"
"There is a widespread opinion that the treatment our country offers is only for this occasion, and that Class B people cannot be expected to be treated well."
There's no way Ren would allow that. The Luine Kingdom's way of doing things had already spread among the candidates.
"...It's true."
"Yes. It's true."
The Luine Kingdom has no way out of this if they are aware of this. They can't and won't give them the same kindness that they promised like Yuya.
"Then you are going to give up, aren’t you?"
"I could say that would be enough."
Yuya with the title of hero and Shizuru with the title of saint. Having these two alone is enough for the Luine Kingdom. Trying to align the numbers is nothing more than showing off their country's financial strength to other countries. As long as they give up on that, Princess Grace has no complaints.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Yuya is not convinced. He says he's going to make those who left regret it."
"……I don't understand what you mean."
"He said it would seem like he was in trouble if he couldn't replenish it."
Rather than making those who left regret it, Yuya regrets the words he spat out.
"But it's impossible, right?"
"It's not like there's no one without a place to go."
"…Class C?"
Princess Grace showed a surprised expression. Princess Grace is surprised at Yuya who thought of it, not that he was going to recruit a Class C hero candidate.
"There's no way."
"He cut them off, right?"
"Yes. He told them that they are not suitable for him."
"Is he going to invite them again?"
Princess Grace often pushes things forward, but Yuya's is different. Princess Grace could not understand.
"That seems to be the intention."
"Should I call this courage?"
"There is a word for this. Shameless"
"...Is it worth it?"
If Yuya would do it, he should do it on his own accord. What Princess Grace is concerned about is whether it is worth feeding a Class C hero candidate.
"It would be better to have them than not have them."
"...Then let's allow within a certain range."
"Yes"
Princess Grace reluctantly agreed on the condition that the treatment be kept low, but she would soon learn that she was not wrong in widening the gap with the rest of the country.
The only other country that is thinking of having a similar number of people is the Lemberg Empire. The Lemberg Empire is doing just that.
◇◇◇
In the Lemberg Empire, Mei reported to Heinz about the results of her efforts to gather human resources.
"Four people including me. This is the limit."
Mei declares that this is the end of the recruiting process.
"Mages"
Heinz, however, has other people he wants to hire other than mages.
"I know."
Mei knows that too. And it's hard to persuade him.
"For the time being, you did a good job. I thought it was impossible to have four hero candidates, but it's within the budget."
The Lemberg Empire did not use money to attract people. It took the form of deciding on a budget and collecting as many hero candidates as possible within that budget. Mei solicited within the budget and gathered four people.
"I just matched their abilities with the right treatment."
"It's amazing that you were able to do that. How did you convince them?"
"It wasn't that difficult. There are many people who are overwhelmed by excessive expectations. It was very Japanese."
"Japanese?"
"The country where we were born and raised. They are not very assertive. In other words, they are humble."
"That one?"
Yuya showed in Heinz's mind. He is a man who is considered far from modest.
"With some exceptions. And they like to act in groups. They feel safe when they're with people."
"...I see. I understand a little."
"But not with four people."
"If it's the core, that's fine. If it's just the numbers, even if all the mages who are hero candidates are collected, it's about ten. You can't call it a Mage Corps then."
This is one of the treatments promised to Mei by the Lemberg Empire. Establishment of a newly established group of mages with Mei as the leader. It will be the only mage order in the empire centered on the knight order.
"How is the formation coming along?"
"Don't be hasty. We are going to establish a new Mage Order. It is not an easy thing to do. Besides, it will be some time before Mei, who will be the leader, leaves for the country. There is no point in rushing."
"Well, that's right."
She knew. However, Mei couldn't help but be happy that she could have her own order. She wants to do something for herself anyway.
"If you say that, I will also urge you. Is the persuasion progressing?"
"I hate to ask. I think it would be much more difficult than building a single Mage Order."
"I know. But I have to do it."
◇◇◇
The person that Heinz strongly desires to hire. That, of course, is Ren. They were not expecting Heinz of the Lemberg Empire to make such a move.
In front of Ren is someone who is not a good candidate for persuasion by any means. Ren is speaking to Manami in a slightly dazed manner.
"You left Takamiya's place and moved under Katsuragi-san. That much is good. But I don't understand what you're talking about beyond that point."
"Won't Ren come to Mei's place too?"
"Why?"
Straightforward solicitation without any unnecessary tactics. But not only tactics but also explanations are omitted. It does not mean that the person will change their mind but this is not the way to proceed. If it doesn't move forward, it doesn't end.
"They would love for Ren to come with them."
"Katsuragi-san?"
"Mei is the same, but the people of the Lemberg Empire are more enthusiastic"
"...By the way, who?"
Who sent her? Ren is a little concerned about this. The fact that they are soliciting him means that they are paying attention to him in their own way. That doesn't make Ren happy.
"Heinz-san."
"Ah, I've heard of him."
"You two talked before."
"I know. I don't care about anyone."
If it's Heinz's name, it's not particularly new information. he doesn't know if it's true or if it's just that Manami doesn't know about it, but either way, he doesn't want to hear any more about it.
"Why? I think it's okay if you listen to what he has to say before you respond."
"I don't need to listen. I have no intention of becoming a hero."
"Neither am I. I'm going to the Lemberg Empire as a mage, not as a hero."
Manami has no desire to be a hero. She simply chose to become a mage as a way to live in this world and decided to go to the Lemberg Empire as a country where she could do so.
"Then let me restate. I have no intention of serving a country."
"The church country is also a country."
"Oops. That's right."
Ren, who has only a mild impression of Manami, is a bit puzzled by the unexpected counterattack.
"I don't think it's a good idea to deny possibilities from the very beginning."
"I don't mean to deny it."
"You deny it. You denied going to the Lemberg Empire from the beginning."
"Is that what you call a possibility?"
Going to the Lemberg Empire is not an option for Ren. He doesn't think he will gain anything by going to the Lemberg Empire. He's not denying the possibility, he's just saying it's not possible.
"There could be something new in a new place."
But Manami pushes something that Ren thinks is impossible. This is not persuasive.
"I see. Hasegawa-san is a bit more persistent than I thought."
"That's right"
"And you're admitting it."
Furthermore, Ren changes his impression of Manami. In this case, he felt that talking to her was a hassle. He can't get through to her. For Ren, it was a waste of time.
"Kazuki didn't say anything. That's why I think I was wrong for not asking anything."
"How can the conversation go to that extent?"
Even Kazuki's name came up. He knew that there was some thought in Manami that had brought her to solicit him, but that was all. Ren's feelings were never swayed.
"From now on, I will listen to what I want to hear and say what I want to say."
"With a close one."
"I can become close to Ren!"
"...Um?"
Ren doesn't know why Manami is getting so worked up here.
"I'm not trying to replace Kazuki or anything. I'm not looking at Ren with those feelings."
"I understand so you don't have to try hard to deny it. It seems that some people will be in a bad mood if they get angry and deny it, so let's leave it there."
"...Who's in a bad mood?"
"The person standing behind"
"Eh?"
Looking back, Manami saw Shizuru glaring at her with her arms crossed.
"...Um?"
"You are Hasegawa-san, aren't you?"
Shizuru speaks to Manami. She looks down with her chin slightly lifted.
"Y-yeah."
Manami was slightly frightened by Shizuru's intimidating attitude. But Shizuru's pursuit has only just begun.
"Do you know where this place is?"
"Library"
"Yes, the library. Then you must know. The library is a place to study, not a place to seduce men."
Now Shizuru has none of her usual charm and amiability. She is about to question Manami with words that show her meanness, which is sometimes her true character.
"I didn't do anything like that."
"Then what were you doing?"
"...Talking to Ren."
"Talking... what kind of conversation is that?"
"...It's only for the two of us."
However, Manami tries to dodge Shizuru's nasty pursuit.
"You're saying that it's a secret between the two of you?"
"Such a thing……"
"Tell me then. What were you talking about?"
Shizuru's pursuit only increases its pressure. Manami was pushed by that momentum and could no longer fool around.
"...To act together with Ren."
"Did you invite him?"
"Yes"
"Did you invite a man out of your ulterior motives?"
"……Eh?"
Manami doesn't have the kind of feeling that Shizuru said. It is a completely false accusation, but Shizuru knows what she is doing. The final stage is at its climax. That's what it means.
"What are you thinking, asking a man out in the library?"
"What are you talking about? I didn't do that."
"But you said you invited him."
"That's……"
She did say [invited]. However, the meaning of Shizuru's [invited] is different.
"Did you invite him?"
"The meaning is different."
"But you invited him."
"...What do you want, Tojo-san?"
Shizuru's aggressive words. Manami doesn't know what it means. It's too unreasonable to say so.
"If you don't want strange rumors to spread, get out of my sight."
"Eh?"
The threat is too straightforward, and a surprised voice leaks out from Manami's mouth.
"You should know. I am the kind of woman who can do such things."
"...You're crazy."
"Say what you want. What are you going to do now? Are you going to disappear? Are you gonna stay?"
"...Ren, I'll come to talk to you again."
If it was Shizuru, she would spread really strange rumors. Manami thought so, and decided to give up for today.
"I think it's useless though?"
Regardless of what Shizuru's methods are, Ren should be done with this. The time it takes to convince him is a waste.
"I'll still come."
After somehow telling Ren about it, Manami left the library while being frightened by Shizuru. Relieved by this, Ren turns his face in amazement at Shizuru.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I only helped Ren because you are involved with a strange woman."
"Help... well, have I been released?"
It is a fact that Shizuru drove away Manami. Her help is an exaggeration, but it's not entirely ungrateful.
"Are you willing to go to the Lemberg Empire?"
"No way"
"If you have even the slightest intention of doing so, you should go to the Luine Kingdom."
"What?"
Shizuru, who has criticized others so much, tries to invite Ren in the same way. Ren was a little surprised, not expecting that even Shizuru would say something like this.
"Let's do that. I will ask you to do so."
"No need. You know that much, right?"
Shizuru knows that Ren has no intention of going anywhere. If they lived together, she would realize it unless she was too stupid.
"But in the Luine Kingdom, your life is not in danger."
"Danger?"
"You can live in a much safer place in a large country. You don't have to do dangerous things. Let's take the children too. Let's all live in peace."
"You..."
Ren doesn't want a safe life. On the contrary, he tries to live the exact opposite.
"Come on, let's go together."
"I'm not going."
"...You can do more things."
"Yes?"
"...I won't complain even in places like this. Even outside is fine. If Ren wants to do it, I'll do it anywhere. You can set me free. So come with me."
Shizuru is willing to do anything to be with Ren. The only thing is, if this is the price to pay, it's a bit of a question.
"...Then I'll do it for the time being."
"For the time being?"
"How can you blame someone? You're the one who invites me to the library, aren't you?"
"Eh? That is, if you come with me."
"It's the same as before, right?"
"Same..."
When this happens, Ren won't listen anymore. As usual.
"Or do you want to change it?"
"Change?"
"Like standing on the bookshelf."
"...Ah, that's what it is."
And as usual, Shizuru was carried away by Ren's pace.
"Do you want something different?"
"Uh...... not like that!"
Shizuru managed to hold back the feeling that she was about to be swept away. That doesn't mean it will last.
"What?"
"If you want to set me free, go with me to Luine."
"I'll do what I want with you even if I don't make that promise, though?"
"……Why?"
"Because it feels good. It feels good to you, too, right?"
"……Yes"
If asked if it feels good, the act with Ren feels so good. Shizuru honestly replied affirmatively.
"Then, no problem."
"Yes..."
That's why Shizuru let Ren do whatever he wanted.
◇◇◇
After the affair, Shizuru unusually stayed in the library. Shizuru was aware of her own feelings, but she had no idea how Ren felt about her.
He refused to live with her. It is clear that Ren's feelings are not for her. And yet, whenever they had a chance to meet, Ren would embrace her without hesitation. Not just once or twice. Whenever they see each other, it's always the same.
She is treated as a convenient woman whose only goal is her body. It is normal to think so. However, Shizuru wonders if Ren really needs such an existence. On Ren's side, there is a woman who will definitely respond to Ren's requests. A beautiful woman with a sex appeal that, regrettably, even she herself is horrified by.
Ren has not touched this woman. Rin thinks that she is being cherished and that Shizuru is just being treated poorly. Still, somewhere in her mind, she can't shake the feeling that that's not all there is to it.
She tries to dismiss it as a fleeting hope, but it won't go away.
"It's because you're a comforter."
"Eh? Ah, Luna-chan."
Luna suddenly appeared in front of Shizuru who was absentmindedly thinking.
"The reason why Ren holds you is because you are the woman who exists for that purpose."
"...Why did you bring that up?"
"I was muttering to myself."
"No way?"
"Why does Ren always hold you? Aren't you ashamed of yourself, mumbling like that?"
"……I'm sorry"
Luna's attack on Shizuru is the same as Ren's. Shizuru's attitude toward Luna is naturally similar to that toward Ren.
"Don't think about unnecessary things, just be held as many times as you want."
"Luna-chan, you shouldn't say such things."
"Why?"
"Because Luna-chan is a girl."
"...Luna is not a girl."
"Ah, I'm sorry. You're a woman."
She hates being treated like a child. Shizuru thought so, but it was wrong.
"Luna isn't even a woman. Luna doesn't have a gender in the first place."
"Eh?"
"Luna is a spirit. Spirits have no gender."
"No way!?"
This is the first time Shizuru learns that Luna is a spirit. Shizuru was taught at the academy what that means. Ren is able to do something that no one else among the hero candidates has been able to do.
"Why should I lie to you?"
"…I’m sorry. But, being a spirit, did you make a contract with Ren?"
"It's not a contract, it's a marriage."
"Ah, I see...... What do you mean by a spirit's marriage?"
She just said that she has no gender. So Shizuru wonders what it means to be married.
"We are together forever"
"......Marriage, huh?"
Shizuru seemed taken aback by Luna's answer, but in fact, the meaning of "being together" in Luna's words is profound. The two of them, who always share their thoughts and feelings, are two different personalities, but at the same time, they are one and the same.
"Then what about Rin-san?"
"She is his mistress."
"Ah, that's right... and me?"
His legal wife is Luna and Rin is his mistress. Then Shizuru wonders what she is.
"You are a comforter."
"...I'm in a low position."
As far as she knew, she is the lowest among the three. In the first place, she is not even in a romantic relationship with him.
"Since Rin's status as a mistress has risen, I can no longer call her a mistress."
"...I don't really understand, but is Luna-chan okay with it?"
"Okay with what?"
"There are women around Ren. Luna-chan is his wife."
"Wife……fufufu."
Luna's face is completely joyful at being called his wife.
"Luna-chan?"
"It's quite a good consideration. As expected, I will officially recognize you as a candidate."
"Candidate?"
A position other than a comforter. That's what Shizuru wants.
"You're a candidate for Ren's harem."
"Yes?"
"Speaking of another world, it is a harem. Ren will create a harem."
"Ren is doing that?"
There are actually multiple women around Ren, including her. But when it comes to calling it a harem, Shizuru doesn't think so. She doesn't think Ren has that kind of awareness.
"Ren didn't say that."
"Um... Luna-chan is doing it selfishly?"
"Selfishly... well, that's right."
"Why!?"
Luna's answer to this question was a surprisingly serious reason beyond Shizuru's imagination.
"Ren has to be loved by many people in this world because he wasn't loved in his original world."
"Luna-chan..."
"I will give you a special mission. This is an important mission that has been passed down from generation to generation."
"From generation to generation?"
"Rin, next is Kazuki."
"...Kazuki-san too."
Kazuki's name creates jealousy in Shizuru's heart. Luna sensed it.
"You don't like the fact that you seem to be a substitute?"
"……A bit"
"It's all right. This is something only you can do now."
"Just me?"
Special. Luna speaks the words that Shizuru likes above all else.
"That is right"
"What is it?"
"Using that naughty body, let Ren enjoy as much pleasure as possible."
"……Eh?"
Raising her feelings and dropping down. Same with Ren.
"A physical body is good for Ren. It makes him feel like he doesn't want to die."
"For that reason?"
"You give him the will to live. That's your role."
"Ah……"
With her last words, Shizuru finally understood what Luna was saying. Ren isn't afraid to die. He hates living.
Shizuru felt like she was finally able to learn a little bit about Ren.
◇◇◇
Like Shizuru, there is someone who is worried about Ren. Shizuru's problem is the exact opposite. Why won't Ren do anything? This is Rin's problem.
"Welcome home"
"Yeah, I'm home."
"Again, today……"
The scent of a woman emanated from Ren's body. Rin knows the owner of that scent.
"What?"
"Have you been seeing her?"
She is not in a position to get angry. Even if she knew, Rin couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah. In the library again."
Without knowing Rin's feelings, Ren answered.
"I see... um?"
"What?"
"Can I ask you something strange?"
"You can ask me anything you want."
"Then... why are you holding her?"
"Yes?"
Ren didn't expect such a question to come out of Rin's mouth at all.
"After all, it's fine."
"When you say holding her, do you mean Shizuru?"
"How do you know only at a time like this?"
"Because if you ask that, there's only one person I'm holding."
Besides Shizuru, Ren still has a relationship with no other woman.
"...Why is she the only one?"
It was also strange to Rin. It's not about how he treats her, but about why Shizuru.
"There's no one else, right?"
"Yes, but... you don't like her, right?"
"Of course."
"Then why are you holding her?"
And why don't you embrace me? She doesn't feel loved by Ren. But she is the same as the unloved Shizuru who was being held by Ren.
"Because it pleases her"
"Yes?"
Ren's answer came as a surprise to Rin.
"She's a pervert, so she's happy to be held."
"Do you want to please her?"
"Well, yes, but what do you call it? The reaction was honest and at that moment it felt very pure. Can I say that I don't feel people's dirtiness? That's why it's easier when I'm doing that than when we're talking normally."
"......Is that why you did it?"
It seems like a Ren-like reason, but Rin thinks that it would not be the same for anyone else. There must be some reason why he did it, but she didn't feel like asking that much.
"...Do you possibly hate it?"
"Ah, no, that's not it..."
She can't tell him not to hold Shizuru. There is no such thing as whether or not such feelings really exist, but Rin does not think that it will reduce the distance between her and Ren.
"If Rin doesn't like it..."
Ren begins to worry seriously.
"Um... I don't mind it."
"Is that so? But you seem to care."
"That's... a little bit... of jealousy..."
Rin hesitated to express her honest feelings.
"Ah... I see..."
Receiving this, Ren is a little shaken.
"Ah, um, don't worry about it. I'm fine."
"...You know"
"Yes"
"...If you don't like it, say so. Ah, you don't have to put it into words..."
Ren clumsily hugs Rin's shoulder while saying something like that. Ren's attitude confuses Rin. It's not that he loves her. If he did, Ren would have held her. He must not be used to it. He overlapped his body with Shizuru many times.
So where does Ren's awkwardness come from? Rin doesn't understand it at all. What she does know is why her feelings are shaken by Ren's attitude. The fact that she loves Ren.
"Ren-sama..."
Muttering as a signal, Ren's arms wrapped around Rin. The sunlight coming in through the window casts a shadow on the floor. The two shadows slowly overlapped and eventually became one.
The first kiss was awkward and showed the innocence of the two.
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