11-6 Part 3
The Boundary Line Between Hypocrisy
and Self-Righteousness
- Leave It Alone -
Translator : PolterGlast
「We, but, we attacked you...」
「I, I... I don't want to do this
anymore! I'm sick and tired of living by stealing money from people! Is that
story really true?!」
That's when I realized. The meaning of a certain phrase from
the other world. "Meeting a Hotoke (Buddha) in Hell." I
understood the hell part, but for the longest time, I didn't understand the
meaning of Hotoke (which I mistook for hottoke, meaning
"leave it alone"). However, that phrase is probably used in
situations like this.
For a long time, I was convinced it meant "Leave it
alone in Hell," but if anything, isn't it closer to meaning "Meeting
a savior in Hell"? These guys are finding salvation in me, a pursuer of death,
with red, teary eyes.
「I didn't think you would believe me
so easily. It's true. I'll even give you travel funds, so make sure you come to
Erin. I look forward to the day I meet you guys again.」
「O-Ooh...」
In contrast, I thought to myself. These guys are usable.
The gold coins lined up on the table served as proof of our conversation thus
far, seemingly planting hope and trust in them. Even
if their abilities are mediocre, allies who will absolutely not betray you are
extremely valuable. Georg-aniue surely wished for me to have that.
「But you... no, who exactly are
you...?」
「I'm just a playboy, Shinza.
Well... if I must reveal it, you could say I'm a friend of General Georg.」
「A friend of... General Georg!」
I didn't know the title "friend of Georg"
was this impactful. The moment they heard Aniue's name, they placed such
absolute trust in the man named Georg that it made me, his younger
brother, feel so proud I couldn't help but let a smile spill out.
「Georg-sama is the hope of the military! Understood, we will head to Erin!」
Our encounter was the worst, but looking at this, it seems
we'll be able to get along well. Above all, having more people who revere the
same man—no, I'll be honest. I felt like I suddenly gained more comrades, and I
was happy.
◇ ◆ ◇
「Ah, Shinza-san, your
companion is here!」
「Companion...? Mu...」
After that, we reconciled and happily discussed Georg-aniue
while eating a fresh meal on my tab. The taste of the food is so-so, but for a
big eater, being cheap with large portions is good.
「Wha—what are you doing, Shinza?!」
Well, I suppose so. If someone was having a friendly meal
with the people who attacked them, you'd naturally retort, "What are you
thinking?" It's a little awkward. But let's just be brazen about it. These
guys recovered right on the verge of taking the wrong path. They aren't bad
guys anymore.
「I was mediating a job for them. If I
leave them be, they'll just go back to being bandits.」
「Eh... eeeeeh...」
Not understanding the situation of us sitting amicably
around a meal, Kachua showed a troubled face. It was probably also
because the former thieves, the future regular soldiers of Erin, were
smiling at Kachua.
「Little miss, your bow really stung!」
「To aim only for the legs, you've got
great skill... right, Shinza-san!」
「We've never seen a master archer
like you before, little miss! We're jealous of that technique!」
It was probably also because they were being overly
familiar, gushing with emotions full of goodwill toward their assailant.
「Eh... um, eeh...?」
「It truly was a splendid display of
skill. You're the only one who can pull off such a long-distance shot.」
「Shinza... Ah, no, I (Atashi) am the one who's sorry! Even
though there might have been a more peaceful method... I shot you...」
「It's fine. In truth, we were scum
back then. We wouldn't have complained even if you shot us in the chest.」
「We're idiots, you see, so we probably
wouldn't have understood unless we experienced some pain!」
「Eh... eeeeeh...」
It seems Kachua still couldn't quite process it, but
this somehow smoothed things over. After eating a little more, I left the shop
with Kachua and proceeded down the night road toward the church.
◇ ◆ ◇
「Hey, Shinza, what's wrong?
Did something that good happen...?」
On the way, she saw me making an awfully good-humored face
and found it strange.
「Yeah, maybe there was. It doesn't
hurt to lend an ear to the priest's sugary ideals once in a while either.」
「It's a fact that it's naive, but you
can't make fun of the Priest-sama!」
「That's what you call a difference in
values.」
It might have been an unexpected lucky find. Erin
needed a full-fledged military to protect its order. Even though they are
former bandits, obtaining three trained soldiers in a single night is not
a bad result either.
However, this puts me in a spot. As my bonds and possessions
increase, I'll be reluctant to leave the Empire. If I gain more and more power,
perhaps I could even support Aniue while remaining in this land.
Such a desire was born, but I knew it was an unfulfillable
wish. It's fine. When the time comes, I will go meet Carral in the coastal provinces. And I'll
live freely once again as a mere mercenary.
- Table of Contents –
【Name】 Ashley
【Lv】 32
【Exp】 4505 → 4530
【STR】 62
【VIT】 256
【DEX】 131
【AGI】 211
【Skill】 Shovel LV 5 Scoop
LV 1 Imperial Bond LV 1 Direction Sense LV 1
『What will happen if you flee to the
coastal provinces? Do you intend to live your whole life in fear, chased by the
world's largest and strongest Empire? Do you not wish to protect Georg
and Atomina? The citizens of the Imperial Capital will not come
out unscathed either if a war breaks out. If you do not wish to lose them, do
not run; protect them yourself.』
Keep quiet, Zirant. Don't instigate people for your own convenience. Above all, that sound argument gets on my nerves. There is a limit to being a busybody...
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
Austin Lorenzo
Baelee
Bloodyemperor
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
openope
Radhitia Furqan
SD Fox
Yosua Lumbangaol
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
