To Me, Who Was Single-Handedly Holding The Front Line, You Call Me A "Useless Piece of Trash"? Fine. I'll Live as I Please And Set Out On A Journey To Find A Cute Wife. - This time, I'll Become A Hero In The Enemy Country And Bare My Fangs At My Homeland - Episode 13

“What do you mean by ‘cursed’?”

Early morning. Bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, Fern frowned more than ever before.

If I say, “You have an interesting expression,” I might get scolded.

“It’s exactly as it is. — Mmm, this sandwich is delicious. Where did you buy it?”

“Huh? Um, I woke up early to make it. This place has a really nice kitchen despite being cheap. It’s healthier than ready-made food, so I bought eggs, bacon, and bread at a nearby market and fried them up. Well, I just toasted them together, though.”

“Wow, this is incredibly delicious. I want to eat this every day. No, every meal would be great!”

“That’s impossible. But I’m happy to hear you say that.”

When I chuckle, my ears move.

Yesterday, since Fern was tired, we booked a room and went to sleep right away.

The private room was more expensive than the dormitory, but when I booked the private room thinking Fern would be able to sleep peacefully, she seemed really happy.

I don’t understand people’s feelings. But maybe I’m starting to understand them little by little.

So, when I woke up, they had prepared a sandwich for me. Along with cold, fresh water.

Fern is really kind, isn’t she? She’s considerate and cat-like too.

Right now, I’m kind of being put off.

“More importantly, could you tell me more about what you were saying earlier? What do you mean by the giant sword being cursed?”

“Well, it’s a long story, but you know, there are things like that.”

“Is that like a cursed tool or something? I’ve heard of weapons and armor, but…”

“Maybe it’s something like that. Nothing happens when I’m nearby, but it might be dangerous if I leave. It feels like it’s overflowing. The curse.”

“…What happens when the curse overflows?”

While munching on a delicious sandwich, I think of my giant sword partner.

“First, it indiscriminately corrodes the surroundings. Like how trees and grass wither.”

“…I’m going to wither…”

“When a human comes into contact with magical power, they feel an incredible pain. If it’s strong enough, they can endure it, but it feels like being pierced by needles all over their body. When a monster comes into contact with it, they fall into a state of excitement and start killing anything that comes into their line of sight indiscriminately.”

“………”

“Well, I think it’ll be fine. It has a tendency to become heavy as soon as I’m not around, so I don’t think anyone will be able to move it. If you just sleep peacefully, it should be fine for a few months.”

“Uh, um, why was Yamagishi-san carrying such a special-grade cursed object?”

“Well, it’s not so much that I carried it around, but more like we were like brothers, so we’ve been together since we were little.”

“……Kyo, brother……”

“But it’s super strong. If you swing it, most guys die just from getting hit, and it even pierces magical defenses. Then, if you feed it a human heart, it grows. The sword starts to pulse with a heartbeat, and its magical power increases. And it even grows during battles, which is really cool—”

When I was talking excitedly, Fern’s face turned pale.

Ah, this is the one that’s scared.

Wow, I’m really growing! I understand Fern’s feelings!

“Well, that’s about it! I said a lot of things, but it’s just a big sword!”

“It’s already too late.”

Yes

Yes

After all, understanding feelings is difficult.

Let’s change the subject.

By the way, I’d like to know what Fern wants to do.

“Things I want to do? Mine?”

“Yeah. Since we’ve gone through the trouble of becoming adventurers, I thought we should help each other achieve our goals.”

“Something I want to do… I never even thought about it. Until now, I’ve been too busy just trying to survive…”

Indeed, living is tough. You have to earn money to eat.

It would be nice to just rob someone of their money, but it’s not that convenient.

Yeah, this is probably something that shouldn’t be put into words.

“I feel bad about answering a question with a question, but what about you, Yamagishi-san?”

“Me? Hmm, I guess I want to eat something delicious. I’d be happy if I could sleep in a comfortable bed. I like fighting, so I want to fight. And, I guess I want a wife.”

When I conveyed that, Fern’s eyes widened for some reason.

Huh, what!? Did I say something bad!?

Suddenly, they start laughing.

“A bride, huh? That’s kind of unexpected.”

“Really? They say marriage is happiness, right? Well, I don’t really get it, though.”

“……Indeed, I don’t really understand it either. But since meeting Yamagishi-san, it’s been enjoyable. I even got to eat something delicious yesterday.”

“Indeed! We ate today too! So, our goal is to eat delicious food and stay at a nice inn, and let’s work hard to earn money for that!”

“Yes! Ah, there was just one.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“I want to see different worlds. I have been living in fear in the forest for a long time. But Mr. Yamagishi helped me out of the cage, brought me to this country, and now I’m feeling excited and thrilled.”

“Oh, sounds great! Then let’s take care of the adventurer’s requests while also exploring the country and the towns!”

I knew Fern would smile before saying it.

Ah, that’s nice. It seems like I’m starting to understand the feeling of happiness that others experience.

“I agree!”

“Alright, let’s go, Fern!”

“Yes, Yamagishi-san!”

And so, feeling all cheerful, we left the inn.

Immediately after, I am left speechless.

“It’s raining like crazy.”

“Isn’t it…?”

A torrential downpour. No one is walking outside. It feels like someone is crying their heart out in the sky.

No way, I won’t lose!

“No… it’s the opposite. With this heavy rain, there should be fewer adventurers. In other words, there should be some good requests left.”

“I see, as expected from Yamagishi-san!”

“They say it’s better to think of things in a positive direction.”

“I think it’s wonderful!”

Trava Country, underground passage――lowest level.

In this prison, the most heinous criminals who have broken every law imaginable are confined.

Robbery, rape, murder, shoplifting, fraud, illegal smuggling, aristocrat kidnapping, etc.

The Bedouin commander, who was overseeing the army, walked with a grimace as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.

A Trava soldier is following behind.

“……Geez, it stinks in here.”

The ground is waterlogged, and without any air conditioning, the living environment is unbearable.

The Bedouin sighs inwardly.

I was thinking of summoning the elite troops, but not a single one of the guys I sent to the front line came back.

Furthermore, for some reason, the massacre spider death creatures have started to become more active.

Despite the shortage of personnel, King Baldra throws a tantrum, demanding that Yamagishi be brought quickly.

Damn, damn, damn, damn, it’s all because Yamagishi was spying, I cursed inwardly.

I swear to beat and torture you.

“Bedouin leader… let’s turn back after all.”

“W-well, I agree too. Adding criminals to the unit, no matter how short-staffed we are, is just too much…”

“Shut up. It’s already been decided. Besides, don’t worry. We’ll grant it an explosion spell, so we won’t be able to interfere.”

“B-but――”

“If you talk back again, your house will be here.”

The Bedouin silenced the soldier by stepping on his foot.

Then, I stop in front of the innermost iron door.

At that moment, screams were heard from the cages on the left and right.

“Pl-please help me! I won’t kidnap anyone anymore!”

“Me too. I’m done. I won’t kill anyone, so forgive me. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“Help me, please! I just shoplifted some candy. I-I haven’t done anything else wrong!”

However, the Bedouin did not listen and ordered the soldier to open the front iron door.

Trembling with fear, the soldiers open the door.

When I entered, there was a man over two meters tall, chained and sitting down.

The muscles are bulging out. By the way, there’s no hair.

“…Heh, how unusual. What brings the commander to this dump? Or is it another execution?”

“Muscle, do you want to go outside?”

“……Huh?”

“If you agree to listen to what we say, we will allow you to go out.”

“Hah, what is it? What do you intend to make me do?”

“—Murder and kidnapping. You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

――Muscle protein.

Robbery, rape, murder, fraud, illegal smuggling, noble kidnapping, he is the greatest criminal of all, having committed every sin.

The reason he wasn’t sentenced to death was because of his muscles.

In history, in Trava, they behead with a guillotine, but Muscle has repeatedly bounced back with his muscles.

Since the execution of the death penalty requires paperwork, it has been left pending for long periods each time there is a failure.

“Murder and kidnapping are as easy for me as a child licking a candy.”

“I see. Hey, remove the muscle chains.”

“…Th-that’s…”

“Take it off.”

Two soldiers approach Muscle, trembling with fear.

And then, I removed the chains.

“Hah, thanks. — As a thank you, I’ll kill you!!!”

In the next moment, Muscle enlarged the muscles in both arms and grabbed the heads of the two soldiers, lifting them up.

Just a little more effort and it will shatter, at that moment, the Bedouin calls out.

“Muscle, you have been granted explosive magic. Do you understand what that means?”

“Hah, I know. But you can kill, right?”

I can hear the sound of the skull cracking.

The soldier screamed in pain.

“From now on, you will work under my command. In return, I will grant you a pardon. You will be able to breathe fresh air. You will have comfortable housing and women too.”

Muscle’s expression changes upon hearing that.

“Quite a nice treatment you’ve got there. So, who do you want me to kill, and who do you want me to kidnap?”

“I’m just a private. Just a deserter, but I have certain information. Anyone who gets in the way of that, I can kill them all.”

“Hah hah!!!! Isn’t this the best? But we can’t just kidnap him and call it a day, right?”

“I’ll tell you something good. If you kill someone under military orders, you can become a hero. If this operation succeeds, you will become an indispensable asset to us.”

When I conveyed that, Muscle smiled.

“Hah, fine. I’m in.”

“Is that so? Then, let’s give you your reward first.”

“A reward?”

Saying that, the Bedouin smiled.

And salute the soldiers.

“I am proud of all of you for your dedication to Trava.”

“…W-What!? P-Please help me, Captain!?”

“Hi, hi!?”

“Muscle, that’s a down payment. But don’t touch me. The moment you do, your head will explode.”

Muscle smirked and tightened his grip.

Immediately after, the sound of bones shattering is heard.

“Ah, this is the best. Killing really is best done with your bare hands, right?! Hey, Bedouin Leader!!!”

Shouting loudly, Bedouin and Muscle stepped out the door.

At that moment, Muscle calls out.

“Hey, Captain, I have a favor to ask.”

“What’s this?”

“I have a few of my subordinates here. They’re all useful guys. Let me take them with me. I don’t mind if you add some explosive magic.”

“……Fine.”

“Hyahha! You guys are gonna cause trouble again!!!!”

Immediately, a loud voice began to shout.

A few minutes later, in the hallway, a group of notorious criminals led by Muscle gathered.

The Bedouin steps forward.

“Your target is Private Yamagishi. We’ll discuss the details on the way. Disobeying orders means immediate execution. Even if you go against me. However, as long as you follow orders, you can have a good time. Understood?”

“Hah, let’s go, you guys! We’re gonna have a blast! Follow Muscle-sama!!!”

“Ooooooohhhhhh”

The emaciated man at the very back murmured.

“Why me too… I’m not even one of Muscle’s subordinates, I just shoplifted… I don’t want to die… Who the hell is this Yamagishi guy…”