Chapter 24 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

〈 Chapter 24 〉 Episode 24. Sidestory: Helena, Yuta, and Isfa. * * * ** For adventurers, there is no tale more grim and desperate, yet also more common. Death. And sacrifice. Where once there had been two lives at peril's end, only one survived. The other saved someone else. Every adventurer carries within them a tragedy unique to their own tale. "The life of an adventurer is, in itself, a tragedy." ** The sun had not yet shown its face in the early morning. But for adventurers, who detest moving under the blazing sun, this moment was their most active time. ".....So much. Too much, really." A mountain of paperwork stood before me. As our accomplishments grew, so too did the reports that needed writing. Should I find joy in this, or not? When we first staked out our territory within the royal capital, there was reason enough to celebrate, but had I known it would be like this, perhaps settling in some quiet countryside would've been wiser. The endless parade of papers seemed eternal, and though profanities brewed in my mouth, I swallowed them down with a sip of tea. Bitter. Was it fatigue? The flavor of the tea I normally adore eluded me. It was simply hot and bitter. Just as I was cooling my tongue after a sip, an intruder made their presence known. ㅡThud, thud, thud. "....What now... This is driving me crazy, seriously." The sound of hurried footsteps approached, even beyond the tightly closed door. What news do they bring this time? In the past, those sounds would cause my heart to lurch with unease, but now they only stirred up annoyance. With a loud crash, the door slammed into the wall, either out of ignorance or disregard for courtesy. The expensive red wallpaper bore the mark of the collision, leaving a noticeable dent. Oh. "ㅡCaptain Helena!! Breaking news, breaking news!!" "Is that your last testament?" What a pity. Swish. The sword I wielded flew straight for my lieutenant's neck. Thanks to her quick reflexes and her kneeling posture, it only snipped a few strands of hair. Barging in with a defiant stride, the sinner who raised her voice, then pointed at me accusingly while her large bosom seemed to bounce with each finger jab. Impertinent. Should I cut those off? Let's cut them. I swung again. "W-w-were you trying to kill me just now!?" "Yes." "An immediate answer!?" "What if I cut just one of them?" "One of what!?" What do you think? Your breasts. Judging by how large they've grown, they'll likely grow back even if I cut them. Though I raised my sword again, I put it down when I saw her kneeling with her head bowed. Love you! Get lost. I kicked her away, shaking off my clingy lieutenant. Even though I had much to do, wanted to nap, felt like chopping things, and was generally annoyed, I decided to listen to her story. Her ample bosom wasn't to my taste, but she was efficient at her work. Visa. She might seem clueless on the outside, and to some extent actually be so, but for reasons unknown, she was my lieutenant. Should I really cut her? She stood there, a bit dazed, before finally getting to the point. "Ugh... really!? Ah! Right, right! 'Ruins' have been discovered!" "...'Ruins'? Not another false report from those wanting to make a quick buck?" "No! This is verified by our own scouting team! You know, the place where you sent them!" "Oh." Ruins. Among dungeons, adventurers consider these to be the most prestigious finds. Different mercenary companies have their own varied criteria for classifying a dungeon as a ruin — like being a natural dungeon untouched by humans for ages — but there's one thing everyone agrees on. It must be filled with treasures worth money. The difference between regular honey and the rare mountain honey sealed deep in the forest. Naturally, the latter is akin to ruins. Many companies offer rewards for reporting ruins, but most of them turn out to be nonsense or fabrications from fools mistaking caves for such places. This time, however, it was a discovery made by our reliable company's scouting team. Not bad. I compiled data about local fauna and flora, the area's ecosystem, geological structure, and the surrounding rumors, then dispatched teams to three suspicious locations. This must be the one. Truly— "Not bad." "ㅡShall we prepare, then?" "Yes. Inform Vice-Captain Yuta that he's going with us." "Got it!" Visa quickly exited, carefully closing the door behind her. The wall showed clear marks where the door handle had hit it, and I briefly reconsidered breaking a finger or two, but let it go. Time to prepare. I always wore the minimum protection, so it took less than ten minutes to fully gear up. After inspecting my equipment and gripping my helmet, I gave in to a slight bitterness. Now, I could don my gear as naturally as putting on clothes, yet I remembered struggling over an hour the first time I wore armor. Not knowing where my arms should go, nor the proper order to put things on. I put it on and took it off over and over. In the end, I remember getting entangled in the straps, leaving me bound as if tied with rope. 'Really, you're hopeless, Helena.' 'Isfa!' 'Come on, stay still.' Isfa, who saw me fumbling, had smiled and helped me with each step, patiently guiding me. "Am I doing well, Isfa?" When setting out on a journey, I'd always remember her charming, smiling face. As an older, seasoned adventurer now, I realized there was no one as mysterious as Isfa. The mature child, or perhaps the childish adult. That summed up our assessment of her. From their time at the orphanage, she always drew everyone's attention. Kind to all, she lent a hand in times of need, quietly standing by until we could solve our problems on our own. Perhaps it was her radiant presence that drew both me and Yuta, now my vice-captain, toward her. Isfa would never know how ecstatic Yuta was the day we succeeded in recruiting her. Now, it's a memory too distant to return to. After Isfa's death, Yuta and I struggled to find our place again, but eventually settled into a mercenary company, choosing to continue our journey as adventurers. Though the urge to quit gnawed at us, for Isfa, who sacrificed herself for us, it was a path we couldn't abandon. Particularly for Yuta, who developed a phobia of enclosed spaces and dungeons, rendering her unable to work, yet she overcame it all with her formidable will and mental strength. If Isfa could see her now, she'd be so proud. Since then, Yuta has garnered respect with her exemplary physical prowess and skills, ascending to the prestigious role of vice-captain. While I worked as a strategist, drafting plans, I unexpectedly found myself as captain. Why am I here, I often pondered. If not for that cunning old man, things might have been different. The members said I suited this position best, but honestly, it didn't feel real. There must be someone better suited for this than me. If only she was in this position instead of me. If at that moment, I'd stopped Yuta from pressing forward. If instead of her, it had been me caught in the trap— "........" Every act I perform mimics hers. Much like a child following in a parent's footsteps, Yuta and I tread the path of Isfa, who no longer walks among us. Yuta may not like it, but to me, she was akin to a parental figure. Firmly scolding us when wrong. Praising us warmly when we did well. When danger loomed, she was the first to step forward— "—Isfa." With a sharp sound, a small dagger was drawn. The sword Isfa gifted me on the day of our first dungeon exploration. The same sword that delivered her last breath. In my youth, it was too big and heavy to hold with one hand comfortably. Have I grown so much? Both Yuta and I, we all have grown into adults. We've grown taller, stronger. We've earned enough wealth to make anyone envious. We're of the age where talk of marriage is incessant. The orphanage where we grew up has vanished, transformed into a grand building thanks to our support. Everything has changed, Isfa. Yet you remain unchanged. While everyone moved forward, she alone was left behind, forever a child in our memories. With those sky-blue eyes that seemed to embrace all, her ever-charming smile. She never grew, forever a child living on in our memories. That truth weighs heavily on my heart. "Yes, it's time to go. Time to move forward." The girl I killed with this very sword. I cannot let her death be in vain. We've worked hard. So, Isfa, cheer us on. As we tread this path ahead. Leaving you behind, with no other choice. "Let's go." I opened the door. *** Helena, who has grown well. With a slight tendency towards S. Where did she learn that...(distant gaze) Anyway, she was intended to be a supporting character, but she has grown into the position of captain. I'm sure Aris is smiling from above. Isn't that right? "Very happy." She says she's pleased. *** * * *