"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 17: Liberation

Episode 17: Liberation

Early morning.

Today, before work, the boss was going to check my bread.

Apparently, if I passed this time, he would even allow it to be sold in the shop.

I put even more effort into baking than usual.

The bread I was assigned this time was—a croissant.

Making croissants requires a technique called folding. Which needs delicate control of force.

That’s probably exactly why the boss assigned it to me.

“…Alright.”

The scent of flour and fermented butter filled the kitchen.

Looking down at the dough placed on the counter, I let out a quiet breath.

—Folding. The real challenge starts here.

I spread out the dough that had been rested overnight at low temperature. I then placed a chunk of chilled butter in the center, folded it into a square, and slowly rolled it out with even pressure.

“Don’t rush. Keep the pressure even… If the dough tears, it’s over.”

I carefully folded it into thirds and placed it back in the fridge.

The battle of temperature control and timing had begun.

One fold, two folds, three folds.

Each time, I chilled it again and carefully rolled it out, as if soothing the dough.

Without even time to wipe my sweat, I continued working in silence.

Eventually, I cut the many-layered dough into long triangles and rolled them up from the tip.

The dough took on the small crescent shape safely.

—Then, baking.

Inside the oven, the croissants slowly began to rise.

The many layers puffed up and opened, turning golden—just like magic.

Looking at the baked croissants, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

“Boss. I’ve finished.”

“Oh.”

“……”

A moment of tension.

Next to me, Lisel also watched the boss’ reaction nervously.

Would my croissant pass?

“No good.”

“Ugh…”

“The shape is there, but the surface is still hard. The interior density is also too high. That hardness in the texture is a problem.”

“Guh…”

I hung my shoulders in disappointment.

I see… So it didn’t pass.

Even though I felt good about it, I still had a long way to go.

“But, it’s not bad. It’d probably be good enough to sell at another shop. But our shop’s standard is higher. Haru, for you to come this far in such a short time, you’ll reach that standard soon enough. Keep working hard.”

The boss had said many harsh things to me until now, 

But this was the first time he had praised me directly.

“Y-Yes!!”

—

Work started as usual, and now it was just before noon.

During a lull after the rush, Lisel and I talked at the counter.

“Haru-san, that was really close.”

“Yeah…”

“But it tasted really good. My dad’s just really strict, isn’t he?”

“He is. But today he praised me. So I’m going to work even harder.”

Even though I didn’t pass, I was filled with motivation.

Next time for sure—I’ll pass.

With that determination, I’d keep baking.

As I thought that, Lisel quietly stared at me.

“Haru-san, you’re… uh…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Ah, no—it’s nothing.”

“……”

It was clear she was about to ask something.

Maybe—she’s starting to notice I’m not exactly normal.

I had shown her my magic tool crafting. And maybe she’s picked up on other things too.

Lately, I’ve noticed she’s been looking at me differently.

But even so—I didn’t have the courage to reveal my past.

This place had become precious to me.

The thought of losing it again… was far too terrifying.

—

“Well, I’ll go deliver to Milda’s Place now.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll be right back, so I’ll leave the shop to you.”

“Got it.”

As for deliveries, I handle the distant ones, and Lisel handles the nearby ones.

She insisted it wouldn’t be fair to leave it all to me.

After that, customers came in and I tended to them.

Before I knew it, closing time was drawing near.

“She’s late…”

Lisel hadn’t returned.

What happened?

Milda’s Place isn’t far—she should’ve been back already…

“Haru. We’re about to close. What about Lisel?”

“She hasn’t come back. She went to deliver to Milda-san, but it’s been an hour…”

“…That’s strange. She’s not the type to slack off…”

“I’ll go check at Milda’s.”

“Yeah. Please.”

I had a bad feeling.

I hoped I was wrong, but I went to ask Milda-san.

“Milda-san!”

“Oh? What’s wrong? You look flustered.”

“Has Lisel come here?”

“Hm? No, she hasn’t.”

“…She hasn’t come?”

That’s strange.

That means—something must’ve happened on the way here.

“Sorry for the disturbance! I’ll be going now.”

“Ah! Wait, Haru—!”

I immediately returned to the shop and spoke to the boss.

“Boss. Lisel didn’t go to Milda’s.”

“What? Then something must’ve happened on her way there…?”

“Most likely.”

“…Lisel…”

The boss looked uncharacteristically drained. He was lacking his usual energy.

I’d never seen him this downhearted before.

Neither of us said it aloud,

but we were both thinking it:

Lisel—might’ve gotten involved in something bad.

“Boss. It’s okay. I’ll definitely bring Lisel back.”

With eyes full of resolve, I looked the boss straight on.

“Haru…”

“I always keep my promises. So please wait.”

“…Alright. I trust you.”

—

“—Search.”

Once outside, I began searching for Lisel’s magic.

It was still faintly lingering in the area. And I followed the traces.

They led from the edge of Rothen Town to the forest.

“…Bloodstains?”

Along the way, I found bloodstains.

And they continued intermittently deeper into the woods—almost as if beckoning me in.

The forest grew darker and heavier as evening approached.

The rustling trees hinted at a presence—not of animals, but something else.

“This way…”

Before I knew it, I had reached the depths of the forest.

Beyond a moss-covered rock crevice, a black, gaping cave opened up.

The bloodstains continued inside.

And as I entered the cave, a barrier unfolded.

“A barrier? So it was a trap after all…”

Cautiously, I proceeded further in—and there I saw—

Lisel, bound.

And Zephyr, with a thin, twisted smile.

“Lisel—!”

“Haru-san—!”

I rushed toward her. 

But Zephyr smoothly drew his black twin blades and held them to her neck.

Bl00d began to trickle down.

“Ugh…”

Lisel trembled in terror. She was letting out a faint whimper.

“Kukuku… You came.”

“What do you want?”

“You’ve been standing out too much. That barrier magic tool—it’s getting in the way of the plan. So I’m just removing the problem.”

“…”

A plan?

What the hell is he trying to do?

I shoved the question aside and focused on saving Lisel.

“You seem to have some skill in magic. But I’ll show you just how powerless that is against the real thing. Kukuku… though, it’d be a waste to kill this woman right away.”

He licked his lips and ran his tongue along Lisel’s cheek.

From his depraved expression, I immediately understood his intent.

“Guess I’ll kill you first—then violate her before I kill her too.”

“Haru-san! Run—!”

“Lisel…!”

“Kukuku… Oh, yes! This is perfect! This situation is delicious!”

Zephyr burst into mad laughter.

So… this is how far he’s fallen in five years.

“Stay there and watch, woman.”

“Ugh…!”

He roughly tossed Lisel aside and drew his twin blades from his waist.

“Dual Winged Sword: Eclipse—Activate.”

In an instant, pitch-black magic power erupted from the blades.

The air roared. The ground trembled.

The flowing darkness shaped itself along the sword’s arc. It winded around Zephyr like a serpent with a will of its own.

“…An Artifact-class magic tool, huh.”

“Bingo! Hahaha! I’m gonna enjoy tearing you apart with this!”

An Artifact—a magic tool engraved with a special magic formula.

Unlike normal tools, they evolve with the user’s magic and sometimes even gain sentience.

I didn’t know why he had something so powerful—but I had no hesitation left.

‘Good morning, Haru-san!’

‘As expected, Haru-san, you’re amazing!’

‘Haru-san, thanks for your hard work again today.’

The kind words Lisel had always spoken to me—

There was no way I could abandon her here.

So—there was no reason for me to hesitate in using the power of *Hero Haruto*.

Immediately, I activated the spell formula.

“First Anchor: Structure Formation.

Second Anchor: Mana Flow Control.

Third Anchor: Causal Linkage.

Fourth Anchor: Dual Attribute Fusion.

Fifth Anchor: Interference Field Expansion.

Sixth Anchor: Attribute Phase Shift.

Seventh Anchor: Effect Factor Fixation.

Eighth Anchor: Convergent Formula Reconstruction.

Ninth Anchor: Symbolic Connection Finalized—

Ninefold Anchor Nonacode: Phase Deployment.”

A surge of white and black magic burst forth.

It rose like a spiral centered on me.

“Haru-san…? You’re…”

My eyes met Lisel’s stunned, disbelieving gaze.

It’s okay, Lisel.

I’ll save you with everything I have.

After this, we could never go back to how we were.

Even so, I activated the spell I’d constructed.

In the next instant—

White and black swords appeared behind me.

The white sword is a pure white blade as clear as crystal──a light imbued with serenity and purity. It was as if moonlight had taken the form of an ice crystal.

The black sword is a deep black blade that melts into the darkness──wrapped in a heavy, oppressive shadow that rejects light. It was as if the night itself had been condensed and forged.

White and black. Light and darkness.

The slender silhouette without a guard is a symbol of serenity. It was fleeting yet sharpened.

And I, while quietly standing still, spin the name of my unique magic──

“Thousand Swords of the White Night: Arlia──Activate.”