I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 35

“Um, Lord Douglas… May I ask you something rather strange?”

Still shaken from the mysterious deep voice that had spoken directly into my mind, I hesitantly turned to Douglas.

“Hmm? What is it, Lord Patrick? You’re acting unusually serious.”

“Well… has a deep, incredibly dramatic voice been speaking directly into your head, by any chance?”

Douglas frowned, giving me a concerned look before leaning in as if to examine me.

“Are you feeling alright, Lord Patrick? When we fell, I made sure to protect your head as best as I could.”

…

…Douglas just expressed concern for my head.

I know he didn’t mean it that way, but that still stung a little.

Just as I was grappling with that unnecessary blow to my pride, the voice returned, resonating in my mind.

“Only the chosen may hear my voice. Now, come forth, O hero.”

IT’S RESPONDING IN REAL TIME!?

Also, hold on—when did I get promoted from “one who carries the hero’s bl00d” to just “hero”!?

I did not agree to this!

I had zero interest in following some cryptic divine summons, but this floor only had one way forward.

Ray and Max were surely worried, and Douglas might still be injured.

The fastest way out was to keep moving.

“Ugh… Wow…”

Dragging my feet, I reluctantly advanced through the corridor.

The narrow path suddenly opened up into a vast chamber—

One that looked exactly like a royal audience hall.

…Not that I’d ever been inside one before.

And at the far end, where a throne should have been, sat something completely out of place.

A massive, jagged boulder, rough and ancient, with an elaborately designed sword embedded deep into its core.

It practically radiated divinity.

…Yeah.

Yeah, I already know where this is going.

I don’t have psychic powers, but even I can see where this is heading.

Just as despair began creeping in, the voice in my head returned.

“This is the Holy Sword, which only one worthy of heroism may draw. Now, show me your strength and prove yourself—”

“Lord Douglas! Go for it!”

“Hmm? You want me to pull this sword?”

Douglas, who also had a particular weakness for rare weapons, had already made his way toward the Holy Sword with keen interest.

The sword didn’t budge at first.

But then—

It moved.

Slightly.

“STOP! STOP IMMEDIATELY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU BRUTE!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU ACTUALLY PULL IT OUT!?”

Uh… wouldn’t that just mean Douglas gets the hero title instead of me?

Also—

THE HOLY SWORD CAN BE REMOVED THROUGH SHEER PHYSICAL STRENGTH!?

“You’ve got this, Lord Douglas! Wow, look at those muscles in action!”

“HNNNGH!!”

“NOOO! THE PROTAGONIST’S CHEERING GIVES THE LOVE INTEREST A BUFF!!”

…Excuse me?

Wait.

Did he just say “protagonist” and “love interest”!?

“Hold on! Excuse me!”

“…Are you talking to me?”

Since the voice was speaking directly into my head, I had no idea where to direct my question, so I simply looked up and called out.

“Yes, you! Who are you!?”

“Ah… um… I’d really rather not answer that directly…”

Was he seriously flustered by my direct questioning?

His deep, commanding tone suddenly wavered, filled with obvious panic.

“What do you mean, ‘protagonist’ and ‘love interest’—”

“OH LOOK! MUSCLE GUY IS IN TROUBLE!!”

“Huh!?”

I spun around—

And saw Douglas collapsed in front of the Holy Sword.

“Lord Douglas!”

Damn it. I had been so caught up in my own confusion that I completely forgot—

Douglas was already injured before this.

I rushed to his side, my heart pounding.

“I’m so sorry, Lord Douglas! You were already hurt, and I made you push yourself even further!”

Douglas turned to me with a strained but confident smile.

“It’s nothing, Lord Patrick. I think I might have strained my shoulder and leg a bit more than I thought, but I just got too caught up in the moment.”

He was definitely downplaying it.

There was a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, and the tension in his expression made it obvious—

He was in a lot of pain.

“This is my fault. I knew you might have been hurt and still pushed you to try it…”

“Even if you had stopped me, I still would have done the same thing.”

…That was probably true.

Douglas made a sharp, determined expression as he spoke, his words carrying an undeniable weight.

“Regardless, we need to get out of this dungeon as soon as possible! You need treatment!”

“But the sword—”

“The sword doesn’t matter! Your health is more important, Lord Douglas!!”

“Lord Patrick…!”

For a brief moment, the atmosphere turned emotional—

Until the deep voice suddenly cut in, sounding distinctly flustered.

“No, no, no! The sword does matter! This is a Holy Sword! Also, hey, listen—if you pull it out, you can instantly leave the dungeon! It’ll warp you straight to the surface!”

Warp to the surface!?

I had absolutely no desire to claim ownership of some overpowered weapon,

But an instant escape was tempting.

We had no idea if there was another way out of here…

Would this really be our best option?

As I hesitated, my gaze drifted back toward the Holy Sword—

And that’s when I saw something unexpected.

It had moved.

The sword was now about ten centimeters higher than when I first saw it.

…Wait.

If Douglas had been in perfect condition,

Would he have actually pulled it out!?

We could have had “Hero Douglas” instead!?

…What a missed opportunity.

“Come on, hurry up and pull the sword! Take your muscle-bound friend and head back home!”

As if rubbing salt into my wound, the voice continued urging me forward.

“Nnngh…!”

I hated this.

I hated this.

But I had no choice.

Gritting my teeth, I reached for the hilt of the sword.

The moment my hand touched it, a strange sensation spread through my palm—

Like the sword was molding itself to fit perfectly in my grasp.

Ah.

So this is how it is.

I suddenly understood.

This was my sword to pull.

**I’m sorry for throwing you under the bus, Lord Douglas.

I’ll get us out of here soon.**

With that thought, I tightened my grip—

And the sword slid free without the slightest resistance.

A dazzling light burst forth from the rock, illuminating everything around us.

“The hero chosen by the Holy Sword… The Demon Kin—”

“Wh-what the!? How did you pull that out so easily, Lord Patrick!?”

“W-wait, let me see! Let me hold the sword just for a second!”

Douglas, utterly stunned that I had pulled out the sword so effortlessly, grabbed my shoulders and shook me violently.

Ahh—!!

The light is too bright!!

And Douglas is way too strong!!

“Just for a moment! Let me touch it for just a moment!!”

“N-not now, Lord Douglas! It’s dangerous—ah, hey! I said no—!!”

**”The Demon King… is awakening… the seal is…

…Hello? Are you even listening?”**

When the light finally faded,

I found myself and Douglas sitting outside the dungeon entrance, tangled in a clumsy scuffle.

And in both of our hands—

Was the Holy Sword, which we were still gripping tightly.

…

Wait.

While being blinded by the light and manhandled by Douglas,

Did the deep voice say something important just now…?

…

…Probably just my imagination.