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 24

Arne, Kouhai, and Manbiki, having crossed the Toraba Desert, finally crossed the border and were cutting through the Verdi Forest.

“Now that I’ve come this far, I’m almost there. When I get home, I’ll take a bath, do my nails, eat some snacks, drink something delicious, and then sleep like a log.”

“Taking a break is fine, but first, we need to report on the special-grade cursed sword. Depending on that, there might be a chance of returning.”

“I know, I know, they say it’s better to put your wishes into words, right?”

“Your always positive attitude is one of your good qualities.”

“Hehe, I was praised for once—”

While Arne and the junior walk side by side, the one following a step behind is Manbiki.

Or rather, they were just too fast.

“Hey, Manbiki, are you okay? Your face looks dead.”

“I-I’ll be fine! No, maybe I won’t be fine…”

“Are you going to carry me on your back again?”

No wonder, Manbiki had been forced to live in prison for several years.

Exercise is only in the narrow cell, and it’s been a long time since I’ve walked.

Despite that, the amount of exercise so far is extraordinary.

Furthermore, the pace at which Arne and his junior moved was so fast that even A-rank adventurers found it difficult to keep up.

The one who noticed it was Arne.

“Let’s take a short break. Once we get through here, I’ll use my ability to speed up and we’ll head back all at once.”

“Yay! Finally got the permission! Manbiki, we’re finally home! Yay!”

“Eh, well… it’s not really home for me, though.”

“Oh, right. Don’t worry about it! At best, we’ll end up in prison; at worst, the death penalty; and if things get even worse, we’ll be left behind in the Triniga Valley!”

“Where the hell is Triniga Valley, which is worse than the death penalty?”

After a wry smile, I look up at the sky with a refreshing expression.

Arne, who saw that, called out.

“You’re surprisingly calm for someone who’s scared, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, that’s scary. But I’m a person who did bad things. The rest is up to God. I don’t even know if He exists or not.”

“Don’t worry. You won’t be charged with any crimes in Verdi.”

At Arne’s words, the junior smiled.

“Well, you know, that’s great.”

“You knew it too, didn’t you? Don’t say mean things.”

“Eh, but that’s because the shoplifter is cute.”

In response, the determined manbiki widened his eyes in surprise.

“Really… am I not going to be charged? I’m a criminal, you know.”

“Of course! First of all, the laws of Trava have nothing to do with Verdi, and once you’re outside, we have no obligation to detain you. If you’re not even part of the Trava army, you’re just an ordinary person. In fact, if you helped us and have those gifted abilities, you’d be in high demand, wouldn’t you?”

“I see, it really doesn’t matter, huh…… no, my ability as a gifted person isn’t that great anyway.”

Manbiki, laughing suddenly, starts to speak, but Arne interrupts.

“If you ask whether it’s necessary for living, it’s not that significant. Unless you use it for crime or become an adventurer and defeat monsters, that is. But in terms of interpersonal skills, it’s an overwhelming talent. So much so that you could amass a fortune.”

“I see. That would make me happy.”

“Hah, you wanted money, huh?”

“That’s right. I did something bad. I want to atone for my sins. If I had money, I could buy a lot of sweets for underprivileged children, right? …With my abilities, can I do that?”

“Hey, honey, what did you do with the travel?”

Then the junior asked. Arne pretended not to be interested while eavesdropping.

My ears twitch. However, my gaze is in the opposite direction.

“I don’t want to talk about it boastfully. I’ve committed that much of a crime.”

“Really, is that so?”

Arne’s ears perked up. In a low voice, he muttered, “…It’s going to make me even more curious.”

“But, but, you’re going to be asked later anyway, right? So, it doesn’t make a difference if you say it now, does it?”

In response to his junior’s flattery, Arne murmured, “Good. Well said.”

My ears are twitching even more.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right! Hey, I really want to hear about it!”

Arne’s ears perked up. The junior raised his right hand and said, “Go ahead.”

The thief ponders, “Is that so?”

“Will you listen to me?”

“Of course, of course! I’ll listen to anything!”

Manbiki fell silent for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

“I, sweets――”

“But you don’t have to force yourself to say it, okay?”

“Is it okay?”

“Uh-huh”

When Manbiki said, “Well then, stop it,” Arne couldn’t hold back any longer and stood up.

“Don’t stop if you’re going to say that! Manbiki, what did you do? Tell me.”

“Eh, wh-what’s going on all of a sudden!?”

“What’s wrong with you? You walked all this way, and you have knowledge about water, lizards, and then there’s your incredibly gifted abilities, and on top of that, your kind personality? That’s just weird! Of course, I’m curious about why you were caught by the Trava!”

At the terrifying expression, the shoplifter blinked in surprise.

Arne is breathing heavily.

“Ex-excuse me!?”

“Ahaha, so funny. Senpai was worried about it too, huh?”

Then, Manbiki steeled himself and opened his mouth to say to his mother, “I want some sweets…”

However, at that moment, intermittent footsteps can be heard.

“Wait”

Arne and the junior exchange glances and then dash up the tree.

Then, I turned my gaze towards the direction of the sound.

I opened my eyes wide. Because the massacre spider death creatures were running in a swarm.

“What does this mean? Why have you come all the way here?”

“I wonder why that is. And that… isn’t it in the direction of Verdi Village?”

“Damn it”

After some deliberation, Arne descends with his junior.

A clueless shoplifter is in a panic.

“W-What’s going on!?”

“I have confirmed the presence of the Massacre Spider Death creature. About thirty of them.”

“Wait, are you saying they followed us here?!”

“No, that’s not right. If they were chasing us, they would have come from behind. …Are they targeting Verdi? But why towards the village…?”

“Food, perhaps, senpai? There are many fields over there.”

“If they are using some kind of magic or ability to control the Death Creature, the Murder Spider, and move it at high speed, that’s an incredible amount of energy. Before they attack… it’s possible they are resupplying.”

What should we do? Should we hurry back to Verdi and report to the commander?

After pondering for a short while, Arne turned his face towards Manbiki.

“Manbiki, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is it? I don’t really understand, but go ahead and tell me anything.”

“Entering the Kingdom of Verdi and heading south, you will find the Knights’ Guildhall. There, you will meet a man named Land, the commander of the knights. He is a rugged and stern man with graying hair. His face looks like someone who would never smile, so you will recognize him immediately. Tell him, ‘The Massacre Spider Death Creature is coming. We will protect the village.’ You can say it’s from Arne.”

“Senpai, if you can’t believe that, then—”

“I understand. — Manbiki, the chances of you being trusted are almost non-existent. You might even end up imprisoned, or worse… killed. But you’re the only one I can rely on—”

“Understood. It’s the Land Knight Commander, right? Leave it to me.”

Then, Manbiki immediately nodded.

Arne and the junior share a faint smile.

“I’ll leave it to you. —Alright, let’s go. We’ll head to the village first.”

“Okay. — Manbiki, you’re a good guy, so don’t die, okay? If things get dangerous, escape while invisible.”

When the thief tried to run, the two cast a spell.

“I can move a little faster. Sorry, I can’t use much magic.”

“I’m counting on you, Manbiki.”

Then the two ran towards the village.

The remaining manbiki took a deep breath and then ran towards Verdi.

When I emerged from the forest and encountered the monster, I became invisible.

Anyone who has lived in Trava knows the strength of the Massacre Spider Death Creature.

That’s a pack. Those two might be able to escape, but when it comes to protecting the villagers, the story changes.

I need to hurry, I need to hurry.

“…Hah…hah…damn it.”

Manbiki ran as if his heart was about to burst.

Without kicking the dog, I jumped over the stream and ran ten times faster than the sun that had not yet set.

Finally, Manbiki, who had spotted the Kingdom of Verdi, pressed on without hesitation. Upon entering the kingdom invisibly, he headed straight south.

When I found the knight order’s headquarters and went inside, fortunately, I heard the voice announcing the provision of a meal for the Grand Knight Commander.

When I opened the door at my destination, the overwhelming sense of intimidation was terrifying.

At that moment, the shoplifter notices.

When I deactivate the invisibility, I’m a complete mess.

Furthermore, he is wearing prisoner pants.

They were supposed to prepare a replacement along the way, but they were attacked before that could happen.

Combat ability is virtually nonexistent. If we’re not careful, we could be killed in one blow.

However, even so, Manbiki deactivated his invisibility.

“Please, help Arne and the others!”

Before explaining, I first tried to convey it succinctly.

Immediately after, a man with incredible strength—Yamagishi—grabs me by the collar.

“What, you followed me?”

“W-What are you talking about? That’s not it—”

Even though he tried to retort, the commander of the Land Knights raised his voice.

“You just said ‘Arne,’ didn’t you? — Where did you learn that name? Depending on your answer, I might just take your head off with one strike.”

Even the pickpocket could sense the overwhelming aura of intimidation.

The commander of the Land Knights quietly draws his sword.

Next to her, the woman with pink hair, Elina, drew her rapier, and the bespectacled man, Dualos, adjusted his glasses.

Bory also touches the sword at his waist.

Manbiki didn’t have the right words. Still, he shouted desperately.

“I don’t care what happens to me. But please, help Arne and the others!”

Without making excuses, I just put my heart into it.

In response, the commander of the Land Knights quietly approaches.

“Where do you want me to help?”

“Verdi Village is being targeted by the Massacre Spider Deathcreature. The two of us are going to help them……”

“…Hmph”

The commander of the Land Knights exudes a sharp magical power.

And then――.

“I don’t know who you are, but you have a voice that doesn’t lie.”

“Ah, ah! If that’s the case, then right now――”

“However, we cannot send knights immediately. That would be the height of folly. First, let’s send scouts and hear the details.”

“Th-then we won’t make it in time――”

When the thief tried to persuade again, the knight forcefully opened the door.

“Messenger! Messenger! We’ve received word from the knights sent to the front lines that the troops from the Trava Kingdom are heading this way. Their numbers are in the tens of thousands!”

“What? — Elena, Dualos, Bory, gather the knights we have now and set out immediately.”

“Hah”

After that, the commander of the Land Knights quickly returned to Manbiki.

I suspected it was a trap to reduce the number of knights.

However, there is no sign of him anywhere.

The thief had disappeared. Commander Land scanned the surroundings.

There, Elena approached.

“Is it okay if we don’t head to the village? If it’s true, then Arne and the others are in big trouble.”

“…It’s a unit prepared for death. There’s no need to worry about their lives. As for the village, I’ll send skilled knight candidates. Listen, Elina, there is an order to things. You will eventually succeed me. Don’t forget that.”

“Understood.”

“Besides, even if the village is being attacked, it’s not a problem.”

“……What do you mean?”

It seems that the “strongest” went to help.

In a place away from the knight order’s headquarters, Yamagishi was running with Fern, carrying a stolen item.

“Wow, I can become invisible too. That’s so cool… I want it, I want this ability, Fern, I want it. Please.”

“Don’t talk like a child asking for a toy. More importantly, why are we escaping together?”

“Because if things stayed as they were, this person might have been detained. It seems like the Land Knight Commander trusted him, but after receiving that report, the knights wouldn’t be able to move. So, wouldn’t it be better for us, who can move, to go help the village?”

“Yamagishi-san can be really quick-witted sometimes, can’t he……”

“Really? Besides, that guy Arne is probably a bit of an acquaintance. Maybe we can find a job through him. And a wife too.”

“Huh? W-What do you mean? My wife!?”

When Fern was about to continue asking questions, Manbiki was holding his head.

“Ah… Arne… the village… hurry back…”

“Huh? So, let’s go help together.”

“The ones planning to attack the village were a horde of Deathcreature Massacre Spiders. We need… hundreds of knights.”

“They said earlier that Trava attacked, so we can’t spare that many people, can we?”

“Even so, bringing two people… Ah… I finally gained their trust…”

“It’s okay. With this person, I feel like we could probably win even against ten dragons.”

In response to Fern’s consolation, Manbiki clutched his head even more.

“It’s over… it’s the end… I’m sorry… it’s my responsibility… Arne…”

“Hey, hey, how about we do an attack like an invisible slash together? What do you think? I’ll handle it.”

“……It’s over……it’s already over……”

“Hey, hey, let’s do it.”

“Please read the room. This is definitely not the right time to say that.”