Chapter 24: Misunderstanding of the day of the sabbath
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The day after I heard the news of Funayama's death was the Sabbath day, but Amanda's shop is closed on the dark day, and it seems that it will be open for business as usual on this day.
I decided to meet up with my friend and went out to the training grounds of the Demon Forest again.
On the way, I peeked into the forest from the shadow of the city walls and saw that all the garrison members were disposing of the corpse of the rock ogre.
When I thought about it, after I defeated it and pulled out the magic stone, I left it alone.
Even though it is a demon, if you leave the corpse unattended, other demons will be attracted to it, and if it decomposes, terrible smells and flies will be generated, so it seems that they dig a hole in the forest and bury it.
''Reinhardt, do you think we should help with that?
"To be clear, Master Kent, if you don't burn the bodies, the goblins and kobolds will eventually dig them up and devour them, so there's not much point in burying them.
'Really? But wouldn't it be better to bury them?'
Well, I suppose it's just to make you feel better.
Among the demons inhabiting the Devil's Forest, goblins and kobolds are the weakest of all.
That's why they can't live without dead meat.
''Kent-sama, this is the reason why Klaus-dono said the other day that the demons in the Demon Forest become more active after a mass outbreak of demons.
"Oh, yeah, there's plenty of food for them to eat, so they're more active.
''Yes, and when there's plenty of food, there's an increase in reproductive behavior, so the demons themselves increase in number.
'I see, so now there are going to be a lot of goblins and kobolds?
No, there will be more of them, but not nearly as many.
'Oh, really? If that's the case, then what's with the rock ogre outbreak?'
"I don't understand. Although we are now demons, I still don't understand why there are so many demons in the Demon Forest.
'Yeah but it felt like the rock ogre was increasing a little bit, didn't it?
"Yes, Master Kent would occasionally show up in packs from time to time when he was training in the middle of the night, but he doesn't usually show up that often.
'Come to think of it, Klaus-san also said that there weren't many rock ogres.
The work of the garrison was not yet finished, so they moved to the training grounds.
There were a few kobolds hanging around in the training ground, but as soon as Reinhardt stepped out of the shadows to the surface, they ran away like spider spiders.
'Hey, Reinhardt, can you try to pull the Kobolds into the shadow world for a moment?'
'Ho, you have a purpose. Let's try a little.'
Me and Reinhardt tried to track down the Kobold that had just escaped and see if we could catch it from the shadows and drag it in.
As it turned out, the attempt was unsuccessful.
I tried not only with the kobold, but also with the bird perched on a tree branch, but when I tried to pull it into the shadow world, it seemed to run into a wall and was unable to cross the border between the surface world and the shadow world.
"Mr. Kent, it seems that creatures cannot be drawn into the shadow world.
Yeah, I had a feeling, somehow, that if we could pull in the creatures as well, it would make rescuing my classmates a lot easier.
Perhaps, but only those with an aptitude for the dark attribute are able to enter the shadow world.
I think the reason Reinhardt and the others can come and go freely is because I summoned them with the magic of the dark attribute, and there is a link of magic power.
I thought it was a cheat attribute that could be anything, but it's still a restriction.
''That, but then what would happen if I used the Darkness Shield in close combat instead of magic?
'Well, I suppose since weapons don't have life, they enter the world of shadows and the wielder is played...'
'But does it still prevent an attack, at least?
Well, it depends on how strong your shields are, but we can't test that, because we'd be trapped in there.
Well I'll give it a try anyway, when something demonic comes up.
Today, I spent the time until noon practicing the Dark Shield.
Anyway, I'm going to practice until I can reflexively produce a shield when I think I've been shot by a magician so that I can produce it quickly.
I'm sure I can dodge attacks even if I hide in the shadow world, but there's a chance I won't be able to avoid an attack of the lazy hero class.
And if you can produce your shield freely, you should be able to protect someone.
The only thing I can think of to say is, "As expected of Kent-sama, I didn't expect it to be activated so quickly...
'Nope, we're still limited to a certain place and a certain size, we need more and more flexibility.
"Well, Master Kent's ambition never ceases to amaze me, even at this point in time, a normal surgeon would be swooning if he saw it.
''Maybe so, but I don't think I'll be able to get my strength as a knight in time for the rescue mission, so I'd like to at least develop my strength as a surgeon as much as I can.
Well, we have no objection to Mr. Kent being strong. Now, Mr. Kent, would you like to have lunch now?
'Oh, it's that time already, for lunch... well, I think I'll go to that place I went to with Mr. Kurtz...'
"As I recall, you said it wasn't very tasty...?
'Yeah, I know, but Mr. Kurtz has been a great help to me.
Let's contribute to the sales as a way of repaying Mr. Kurtz for his kindness.
We returned to the alleyway of Volzard and headed to Meline-san's diner.
The last time I came here was also on the day of rest, so it should be open for business, but Kurtz-san might not have come here to dispose of the dead body of the Rock Ogre.
There was a bill hanging at the entrance of the shop that said it was open for business, so I put my hand on the door and heard a loud voice from inside.
''I knew I couldn't do it!
No, it's not, and if you keep at it...
'I tried! How can I try any harder than that! I don't know anymore!
Nicola!
I felt some kind of difficult atmosphere to enter and was frozen in front of the door, when the door opened with great force and I was repelled.
Ouch..........
Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry are you okay?
'Oh my God, Nicola, what are you doing, get your towel wet and bring it to me quickly! I'm sorry, are you okay?
Hastened by Meline, Nikola hurried back to the kitchen.
''Ha, yes.......I just bumped my forehead a bit.......''
"I'm really sorry my sweetheart...
'Yes, I'm Kent, who was with Mr. Kurtz before. Uh, the shop is.........
Well, of course we're open, but that's okay, you can order anything you want.
Then Nicola came back with a wet towel.
'Nicola, we have a guest, get ready!
Sis, but...
Don't keep the guests waiting!
Okay, okay....
This time, with something like reluctance, Nicola-san went back to the kitchen.
'Come on, take a seat of your choice, your forehead should be cooled down a bit with this...'
Oh, thank you.
Now, what would you like to order?
Merine brought me the menu, and when I opened it up, I saw that more than half of the menu had horizontal lines drawn on it.
The majority of the menu, especially the more expensive and labor-intensive ones, have horizontal lines drawn on them.
'Well, um ... can I have your recommendation for lunch today, please?
Okay, highly recommended lunch for one! Thank you!
I don't think I need to tell you now, but there are no other customers in the shop except me.
It's a little late, but it's still lunchtime, and if it's Amanda's shop, it's the time when people are waiting outside, unable to get in.
As I was scurrying around aimlessly, Meline came up to me.
'Did you hear what I said earlier?'
'Well yes, just for a second...'
Can you please not tell Mr. Kurtz? I'm afraid I'm going to worry you again...
Okay, um... are you going to stop working?
I don't want to stop, but...
Meline told me that her father, who ran the restaurant, had passed away the year before last due to a sudden illness, and her brother Nicolas had followed in his footsteps, but it wasn't going well.
'Again today, Kent was our first visitor...'
'I see...'
Sis, we're up...
Nicola called out from the kitchen and Meline went to get the tray.
'Yes, yes, come on, Kent, eat up.'
Yes, I'll take it!
The recommended lunch consists of bread, soup, salad, and two types of sausages and a fried egg.
It tastes like it's not quite right.
How about the sausage?
Yeah, it's really salty, the other kind is too herbaceous.
The bread is kind of shabby.
Hey, Kent, how does it taste? Can you give me an honest opinion?
Hmmm ... it's pretty subtle.
Since Kurtz-san wasn't here today, I told him what I thought.
'I see........I knew it.......Kurtz-san and the customers who came with me say it's good, but when you don't get this many customers in, hey.......'
Yes, Kurtz-san's deliciousness is completely flattering for Meline-san's sake.
Naturally, the people who came with me would be able to guess Karz-san's attitude, which is easy to understand, so they wouldn't be able to give me an honest opinion.
''Sis, it was impossible for me after all........''
Before I knew it, Nicola came out of the kitchen. He joined our conversation.
'Nicola, but you're the one who said you were going to take over my dad's shop,'
'Yeah but you can't do what you can't...'
Maybe it was because I was being outspoken, but Nicola started talking about the survival of the store in front of me.
I had a few doubts, so I'll ask Meline-san about it.
''Um ... may I ask you something?''
Okay, what is it?
Nicola, have you ever worked, or trained, in any of the shops?
No, I don't, but what does that matter?
Nicola looks curious as to why she's asking that.
'Well why aren't you training?'
No, because I watched my dad work there, so I know how to do it and everything...
Oh, I kind of figured it out, you're a typical misunderstood bastard.
Ms. Merine is shaking her head.
'Well, how come half the menu was erased?
That's because you don't have many customers and you don't want to waste your money on expensive ingredients.
Do you season your sausages like your father did?
Of course it's different from your father's, I'm the inheritor, I've done some creative things to make it my own blend.
Why don't I get more customers?
Well you don't understand what I taste like, like the times can't keep up with me...?
Oh, it's completely wrong. He thinks he can do it even though he doesn't try, but when he does it, he can't, but then he shifts the blame to others... Oh, Funayama was like that.
He would come out of the woodwork even though he couldn't do it, and when he failed, he would blame others and take it out on them, lashing out at them violently... He was an unbelievable guy, but I never thought he would die so easily, I never thought he would.
''Kent? What's wrong?
Uh, no, no, I was just thinking about something.
Yeah? You look kind of like you're about to cry.
I'm sorry, but it's okay.
I was worried about Meline-san's shop, but not if I was worried about me.
''Sis, anyway, the shop is closed for today no, I'm closing it now so you can tell Mr. Kurtz from your sister.
Hey, Nicola, where are you going?
It doesn't matter where... it's a distraction, a distraction...
Nicola! Wait a minute, Nicola!
Nicola walked out of the store, waving Meline away.
Wow, I came at some amazing time.
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry I made you look so disgusting,'
Yes ... no ...
I'm not a bad kid at heart, but I'll always be a spoiled brat...I just don't know what to do...
Meline-san sat down across from me, propped her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.
''Um ... can't you run the shop, Meline-san?''
Me? But even I haven't trained or anything...
So why don't you just train yourself?
Meline said she wasn't originally planning to take over the shop, so she was working as a seamstress.
Then suddenly Nicola took over the shop and she started helping out.
'I think we're going to have to close the shop, or else Meline will have to do it...'
'Well, well to be honest, I don't have enough confidence in myself to run this store, but I also want to keep it going because my dad left it to me.
Then I suggest you talk to Kurtz and others and make a decision.
'Well but I don't want to cause Mr. Kurtz any unnecessary worry...'
'But I think Mr. Kurtz would be saddened if he heard about it later and found out that I couldn't help him in the hardest of times, so he should ask for advice.
What I can't do, what I don't know about, I'm sure Kurtz-san can handle it, and it seems to take advantage of my weakness, but it's an opportunity for Kurtz-san.
Meline-san nodded one as if making up her mind after thinking for a bit.
''Well yes, yes, I'll talk to Kurtz-san about it.
Yes, I think Mr. Kurtz will be pleased with that.
'Yeah ... so what was Kent thinking earlier?'
'Well no, no, that had nothing to do with the store and...'
'But you looked serious enough to change the color of your face, maybe Kent would feel better if you talked to him too?
'Ugh ... that's ...'
I was very grateful for the offer, but I couldn't talk about Funayama, so I was at a loss for a response.
''I'm sorry ... it's just something I can't talk about ... I'm sorry ...''
No, I'm the one who's sorry for trying to force you to do what you can't.
All I have to do is hide things from Amanda, Meisa, Manon, and Meline.
It would be easier if I just told them all, but if I did that, I'd end up getting involved in the mess with Riesenburg, and I definitely don't want Volzard to get involved in a war because of it.
Many things were running around in my head, and I didn't even notice that Meline-san had gotten up from her seat.
''It's okay.......Kent's a sweet boy, he'll be fine.......''
Merine came around the table and gave me a soft hug.
I know it's a strange city and you don't know many people yet, but when times are tough, you can always count on Kent to be there for you.
'Uhhhh ... yes ... I'm sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you ...'
Yes, yes, it's okay if you can't talk about it, it's okay...
'Yes ... yes ... yes ... ugh ...'
The direct cause of Funayama's death was the Riesenburgers, led by Camilla, but there was still something I could have done before I became angry at them.
But there is something I could have done before I got angry with them.
And yet, because I was too optimistic, I let Funayama die.
In the end, I thought I could do it, but I couldn't do anything about it, and I was so frustrated that I was a misunderstood bastard that I couldn't do anything, and I was so ashamed that I cried tears.
Meline's warmth envelops me and I wish time would just stop, but I can't get rid of the mistaken idea that I can't do anything with it.
In order to shake off my backward thoughts, I took one big deep breath and then thanked Merine-san for her help.
''Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better.''
Are you...?
Yes, I can't stand still so I'm going to crawl forward.
You're a strong man, Kent but don't push it too hard.
Yes, I'll get help from some people who can help me.
Yeah, I'll talk to Mr. Kurtz about it too.
'Yes! Please do so.
We left Meline's shop and returned to the training grounds in the Demon Forest.
I'm also concerned about my classmates in Rastock, but on the day of rest, the training will also be closed in order to give the knights a break.
That said, the classmates are forbidden to go outside the garrison, and most of them spend their time sleeping in their quarters.
When we returned to the training grounds, we were engrossed in a kumite against Reinhardt.
I knew that I wouldn't make any progress if I went towards it in the dark, so I tried to reflect on things and make improvements, but I still felt like I couldn't make up the difference in absolute speed and power.
When the sun is setting, I don't even know how many times I've been rolled to the ground and looked up to the heavens, gorging on the missing oxygen, and I can't help but complain about it.
'Huh ... hah ... hah ... d*mn ... I can't keep up at all, I don't feel like I have the potential to break down with a feint or a change in tempo.'
'There's still a lot of waste in your movements, Master Kent, and it looks like you're putting a lot of effort in extra places, inhibiting your movements.
Is that the kind of thing you can reduce in your head?
"No, Master Kent hasn't been in proper confrontation for very long, so I suppose there's nothing better than to repeat it anyway, until your body can respond.
Huh ... you mean the non-sequitur part.
'Yes, try your best to react faster than you can think.
I should have done some sports when I was in Japan if I was going to be like this.
The magic of the limp-wristed hero may have something to do with his original physical ability.
I'm sure you're not the only one.
'I want it! I want to get us all out of here as soon as possible and get you all back to where you belong!
"Then don't be in a hurry. The person who rushes to the top will always be caught flat-footed.
'Yeah, I think I know it in theory, but I just feel like I can't sit still.
I don't blame your friend for being in such a situation, but you could be putting them in more danger than they already are.
Even though I know what Reinhardt is saying is right, a sense of rebellion and anxiety bubbles up in my heart.
''But to think that if things continue as they are, something like Funayama will happen again...''
Well, I'm also responsible for the fact that I said to postpone the rescue. So let's start with what we can do.
What you could do is fight back, right?
"How true. But we won't do anything we can't do.
Okay, let's hit back as hard as we can.
''Right, so much for witnessing, let's go back and have dinner and then we'll plan our strategy.
After finishing our training, we went back to the boarding house to finish dinner, and decided not to return to the Demon Forest tonight, but to have a meeting in the future.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
The day after I heard the news of Funayama's death was the Sabbath day, but Amanda's shop is closed on the dark day, and it seems that it will be open for business as usual on this day.
I decided to meet up with my friend and went out to the training grounds of the Demon Forest again.
On the way, I peeked into the forest from the shadow of the city walls and saw that all the garrison members were disposing of the corpse of the rock ogre.
When I thought about it, after I defeated it and pulled out the magic stone, I left it alone.
Even though it is a demon, if you leave the corpse unattended, other demons will be attracted to it, and if it decomposes, terrible smells and flies will be generated, so it seems that they dig a hole in the forest and bury it.
''Reinhardt, do you think we should help with that?
"To be clear, Master Kent, if you don't burn the bodies, the goblins and kobolds will eventually dig them up and devour them, so there's not much point in burying them.
'Really? But wouldn't it be better to bury them?'
Well, I suppose it's just to make you feel better.
Among the demons inhabiting the Devil's Forest, goblins and kobolds are the weakest of all.
That's why they can't live without dead meat.
''Kent-sama, this is the reason why Klaus-dono said the other day that the demons in the Demon Forest become more active after a mass outbreak of demons.
"Oh, yeah, there's plenty of food for them to eat, so they're more active.
''Yes, and when there's plenty of food, there's an increase in reproductive behavior, so the demons themselves increase in number.
'I see, so now there are going to be a lot of goblins and kobolds?
No, there will be more of them, but not nearly as many.
'Oh, really? If that's the case, then what's with the rock ogre outbreak?'
"I don't understand. Although we are now demons, I still don't understand why there are so many demons in the Demon Forest.
'Yeah but it felt like the rock ogre was increasing a little bit, didn't it?
"Yes, Master Kent would occasionally show up in packs from time to time when he was training in the middle of the night, but he doesn't usually show up that often.
'Come to think of it, Klaus-san also said that there weren't many rock ogres.
The work of the garrison was not yet finished, so they moved to the training grounds.
There were a few kobolds hanging around in the training ground, but as soon as Reinhardt stepped out of the shadows to the surface, they ran away like spider spiders.
'Hey, Reinhardt, can you try to pull the Kobolds into the shadow world for a moment?'
'Ho, you have a purpose. Let's try a little.'
Me and Reinhardt tried to track down the Kobold that had just escaped and see if we could catch it from the shadows and drag it in.
As it turned out, the attempt was unsuccessful.
I tried not only with the kobold, but also with the bird perched on a tree branch, but when I tried to pull it into the shadow world, it seemed to run into a wall and was unable to cross the border between the surface world and the shadow world.
"Mr. Kent, it seems that creatures cannot be drawn into the shadow world.
Yeah, I had a feeling, somehow, that if we could pull in the creatures as well, it would make rescuing my classmates a lot easier.
Perhaps, but only those with an aptitude for the dark attribute are able to enter the shadow world.
I think the reason Reinhardt and the others can come and go freely is because I summoned them with the magic of the dark attribute, and there is a link of magic power.
I thought it was a cheat attribute that could be anything, but it's still a restriction.
''That, but then what would happen if I used the Darkness Shield in close combat instead of magic?
'Well, I suppose since weapons don't have life, they enter the world of shadows and the wielder is played...'
'But does it still prevent an attack, at least?
Well, it depends on how strong your shields are, but we can't test that, because we'd be trapped in there.
Well I'll give it a try anyway, when something demonic comes up.
Today, I spent the time until noon practicing the Dark Shield.
Anyway, I'm going to practice until I can reflexively produce a shield when I think I've been shot by a magician so that I can produce it quickly.
I'm sure I can dodge attacks even if I hide in the shadow world, but there's a chance I won't be able to avoid an attack of the lazy hero class.
And if you can produce your shield freely, you should be able to protect someone.
The only thing I can think of to say is, "As expected of Kent-sama, I didn't expect it to be activated so quickly...
'Nope, we're still limited to a certain place and a certain size, we need more and more flexibility.
"Well, Master Kent's ambition never ceases to amaze me, even at this point in time, a normal surgeon would be swooning if he saw it.
''Maybe so, but I don't think I'll be able to get my strength as a knight in time for the rescue mission, so I'd like to at least develop my strength as a surgeon as much as I can.
Well, we have no objection to Mr. Kent being strong. Now, Mr. Kent, would you like to have lunch now?
'Oh, it's that time already, for lunch... well, I think I'll go to that place I went to with Mr. Kurtz...'
"As I recall, you said it wasn't very tasty...?
'Yeah, I know, but Mr. Kurtz has been a great help to me.
Let's contribute to the sales as a way of repaying Mr. Kurtz for his kindness.
We returned to the alleyway of Volzard and headed to Meline-san's diner.
The last time I came here was also on the day of rest, so it should be open for business, but Kurtz-san might not have come here to dispose of the dead body of the Rock Ogre.
There was a bill hanging at the entrance of the shop that said it was open for business, so I put my hand on the door and heard a loud voice from inside.
''I knew I couldn't do it!
No, it's not, and if you keep at it...
'I tried! How can I try any harder than that! I don't know anymore!
Nicola!
I felt some kind of difficult atmosphere to enter and was frozen in front of the door, when the door opened with great force and I was repelled.
Ouch..........
Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry are you okay?
'Oh my God, Nicola, what are you doing, get your towel wet and bring it to me quickly! I'm sorry, are you okay?
Hastened by Meline, Nikola hurried back to the kitchen.
''Ha, yes.......I just bumped my forehead a bit.......''
"I'm really sorry my sweetheart...
'Yes, I'm Kent, who was with Mr. Kurtz before. Uh, the shop is.........
Well, of course we're open, but that's okay, you can order anything you want.
Then Nicola came back with a wet towel.
'Nicola, we have a guest, get ready!
Sis, but...
Don't keep the guests waiting!
Okay, okay....
This time, with something like reluctance, Nicola-san went back to the kitchen.
'Come on, take a seat of your choice, your forehead should be cooled down a bit with this...'
Oh, thank you.
Now, what would you like to order?
Merine brought me the menu, and when I opened it up, I saw that more than half of the menu had horizontal lines drawn on it.
The majority of the menu, especially the more expensive and labor-intensive ones, have horizontal lines drawn on them.
'Well, um ... can I have your recommendation for lunch today, please?
Okay, highly recommended lunch for one! Thank you!
I don't think I need to tell you now, but there are no other customers in the shop except me.
It's a little late, but it's still lunchtime, and if it's Amanda's shop, it's the time when people are waiting outside, unable to get in.
As I was scurrying around aimlessly, Meline came up to me.
'Did you hear what I said earlier?'
'Well yes, just for a second...'
Can you please not tell Mr. Kurtz? I'm afraid I'm going to worry you again...
Okay, um... are you going to stop working?
I don't want to stop, but...
Meline told me that her father, who ran the restaurant, had passed away the year before last due to a sudden illness, and her brother Nicolas had followed in his footsteps, but it wasn't going well.
'Again today, Kent was our first visitor...'
'I see...'
Sis, we're up...
Nicola called out from the kitchen and Meline went to get the tray.
'Yes, yes, come on, Kent, eat up.'
Yes, I'll take it!
The recommended lunch consists of bread, soup, salad, and two types of sausages and a fried egg.
It tastes like it's not quite right.
How about the sausage?
Yeah, it's really salty, the other kind is too herbaceous.
The bread is kind of shabby.
Hey, Kent, how does it taste? Can you give me an honest opinion?
Hmmm ... it's pretty subtle.
Since Kurtz-san wasn't here today, I told him what I thought.
'I see........I knew it.......Kurtz-san and the customers who came with me say it's good, but when you don't get this many customers in, hey.......'
Yes, Kurtz-san's deliciousness is completely flattering for Meline-san's sake.
Naturally, the people who came with me would be able to guess Karz-san's attitude, which is easy to understand, so they wouldn't be able to give me an honest opinion.
''Sis, it was impossible for me after all........''
Before I knew it, Nicola came out of the kitchen. He joined our conversation.
'Nicola, but you're the one who said you were going to take over my dad's shop,'
'Yeah but you can't do what you can't...'
Maybe it was because I was being outspoken, but Nicola started talking about the survival of the store in front of me.
I had a few doubts, so I'll ask Meline-san about it.
''Um ... may I ask you something?''
Okay, what is it?
Nicola, have you ever worked, or trained, in any of the shops?
No, I don't, but what does that matter?
Nicola looks curious as to why she's asking that.
'Well why aren't you training?'
No, because I watched my dad work there, so I know how to do it and everything...
Oh, I kind of figured it out, you're a typical misunderstood bastard.
Ms. Merine is shaking her head.
'Well, how come half the menu was erased?
That's because you don't have many customers and you don't want to waste your money on expensive ingredients.
Do you season your sausages like your father did?
Of course it's different from your father's, I'm the inheritor, I've done some creative things to make it my own blend.
Why don't I get more customers?
Well you don't understand what I taste like, like the times can't keep up with me...?
Oh, it's completely wrong. He thinks he can do it even though he doesn't try, but when he does it, he can't, but then he shifts the blame to others... Oh, Funayama was like that.
He would come out of the woodwork even though he couldn't do it, and when he failed, he would blame others and take it out on them, lashing out at them violently... He was an unbelievable guy, but I never thought he would die so easily, I never thought he would.
''Kent? What's wrong?
Uh, no, no, I was just thinking about something.
Yeah? You look kind of like you're about to cry.
I'm sorry, but it's okay.
I was worried about Meline-san's shop, but not if I was worried about me.
''Sis, anyway, the shop is closed for today no, I'm closing it now so you can tell Mr. Kurtz from your sister.
Hey, Nicola, where are you going?
It doesn't matter where... it's a distraction, a distraction...
Nicola! Wait a minute, Nicola!
Nicola walked out of the store, waving Meline away.
Wow, I came at some amazing time.
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry I made you look so disgusting,'
Yes ... no ...
I'm not a bad kid at heart, but I'll always be a spoiled brat...I just don't know what to do...
Meline-san sat down across from me, propped her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.
''Um ... can't you run the shop, Meline-san?''
Me? But even I haven't trained or anything...
So why don't you just train yourself?
Meline said she wasn't originally planning to take over the shop, so she was working as a seamstress.
Then suddenly Nicola took over the shop and she started helping out.
'I think we're going to have to close the shop, or else Meline will have to do it...'
'Well, well to be honest, I don't have enough confidence in myself to run this store, but I also want to keep it going because my dad left it to me.
Then I suggest you talk to Kurtz and others and make a decision.
'Well but I don't want to cause Mr. Kurtz any unnecessary worry...'
'But I think Mr. Kurtz would be saddened if he heard about it later and found out that I couldn't help him in the hardest of times, so he should ask for advice.
What I can't do, what I don't know about, I'm sure Kurtz-san can handle it, and it seems to take advantage of my weakness, but it's an opportunity for Kurtz-san.
Meline-san nodded one as if making up her mind after thinking for a bit.
''Well yes, yes, I'll talk to Kurtz-san about it.
Yes, I think Mr. Kurtz will be pleased with that.
'Yeah ... so what was Kent thinking earlier?'
'Well no, no, that had nothing to do with the store and...'
'But you looked serious enough to change the color of your face, maybe Kent would feel better if you talked to him too?
'Ugh ... that's ...'
I was very grateful for the offer, but I couldn't talk about Funayama, so I was at a loss for a response.
''I'm sorry ... it's just something I can't talk about ... I'm sorry ...''
No, I'm the one who's sorry for trying to force you to do what you can't.
All I have to do is hide things from Amanda, Meisa, Manon, and Meline.
It would be easier if I just told them all, but if I did that, I'd end up getting involved in the mess with Riesenburg, and I definitely don't want Volzard to get involved in a war because of it.
Many things were running around in my head, and I didn't even notice that Meline-san had gotten up from her seat.
''It's okay.......Kent's a sweet boy, he'll be fine.......''
Merine came around the table and gave me a soft hug.
I know it's a strange city and you don't know many people yet, but when times are tough, you can always count on Kent to be there for you.
'Uhhhh ... yes ... I'm sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you ...'
Yes, yes, it's okay if you can't talk about it, it's okay...
'Yes ... yes ... yes ... ugh ...'
The direct cause of Funayama's death was the Riesenburgers, led by Camilla, but there was still something I could have done before I became angry at them.
But there is something I could have done before I got angry with them.
And yet, because I was too optimistic, I let Funayama die.
In the end, I thought I could do it, but I couldn't do anything about it, and I was so frustrated that I was a misunderstood bastard that I couldn't do anything, and I was so ashamed that I cried tears.
Meline's warmth envelops me and I wish time would just stop, but I can't get rid of the mistaken idea that I can't do anything with it.
In order to shake off my backward thoughts, I took one big deep breath and then thanked Merine-san for her help.
''Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better.''
Are you...?
Yes, I can't stand still so I'm going to crawl forward.
You're a strong man, Kent but don't push it too hard.
Yes, I'll get help from some people who can help me.
Yeah, I'll talk to Mr. Kurtz about it too.
'Yes! Please do so.
We left Meline's shop and returned to the training grounds in the Demon Forest.
I'm also concerned about my classmates in Rastock, but on the day of rest, the training will also be closed in order to give the knights a break.
That said, the classmates are forbidden to go outside the garrison, and most of them spend their time sleeping in their quarters.
When we returned to the training grounds, we were engrossed in a kumite against Reinhardt.
I knew that I wouldn't make any progress if I went towards it in the dark, so I tried to reflect on things and make improvements, but I still felt like I couldn't make up the difference in absolute speed and power.
When the sun is setting, I don't even know how many times I've been rolled to the ground and looked up to the heavens, gorging on the missing oxygen, and I can't help but complain about it.
'Huh ... hah ... hah ... d*mn ... I can't keep up at all, I don't feel like I have the potential to break down with a feint or a change in tempo.'
'There's still a lot of waste in your movements, Master Kent, and it looks like you're putting a lot of effort in extra places, inhibiting your movements.
Is that the kind of thing you can reduce in your head?
"No, Master Kent hasn't been in proper confrontation for very long, so I suppose there's nothing better than to repeat it anyway, until your body can respond.
Huh ... you mean the non-sequitur part.
'Yes, try your best to react faster than you can think.
I should have done some sports when I was in Japan if I was going to be like this.
The magic of the limp-wristed hero may have something to do with his original physical ability.
I'm sure you're not the only one.
'I want it! I want to get us all out of here as soon as possible and get you all back to where you belong!
"Then don't be in a hurry. The person who rushes to the top will always be caught flat-footed.
'Yeah, I think I know it in theory, but I just feel like I can't sit still.
I don't blame your friend for being in such a situation, but you could be putting them in more danger than they already are.
Even though I know what Reinhardt is saying is right, a sense of rebellion and anxiety bubbles up in my heart.
''But to think that if things continue as they are, something like Funayama will happen again...''
Well, I'm also responsible for the fact that I said to postpone the rescue. So let's start with what we can do.
What you could do is fight back, right?
"How true. But we won't do anything we can't do.
Okay, let's hit back as hard as we can.
''Right, so much for witnessing, let's go back and have dinner and then we'll plan our strategy.
After finishing our training, we went back to the boarding house to finish dinner, and decided not to return to the Demon Forest tonight, but to have a meeting in the future.
The day after I heard the news of Funayama's death was the Sabbath day, but Amanda's shop is closed on the dark day, and it seems that it will be open for business as usual on this day.I decided to meet up with my friend and went out to the training grounds of the Demon Forest again.On the way, I peeked into the forest from the shadow of the city walls and saw that all the garrison members were disposing of the corpse of the rock ogre.When I thought about it, after I defeated it and pulled out the magic stone, I left it alone.Even though it is a demon, if you leave the corpse unattended, other demons will be attracted to it, and if it decomposes, terrible smells and flies will be generated, so it seems that they dig a hole in the forest and bury it.''Reinhardt, do you think we should help with that?"To be clear, Master Kent, if you don't burn the bodies, the goblins and kobolds will eventually dig them up and devour them, so there's not much point in burying them.'Really? But wouldn't it be better to bury them?'Well, I suppose it's just to make you feel better.Among the demons inhabiting the Devil's Forest, goblins and kobolds are the weakest of all.That's why they can't live without dead meat.''Kent-sama, this is the reason why Klaus-dono said the other day that the demons in the Demon Forest become more active after a mass outbreak of demons."Oh, yeah, there's plenty of food for them to eat, so they're more active.''Yes, and when there's plenty of food, there's an increase in reproductive behavior, so the demons themselves increase in number.'I see, so now there are going to be a lot of goblins and kobolds?No, there will be more of them, but not nearly as many.'Oh, really? If that's the case, then what's with the rock ogre outbreak?'"I don't understand. Although we are now demons, I still don't understand why there are so many demons in the Demon Forest.'Yeah but it felt like the rock ogre was increasing a little bit, didn't it?"Yes, Master Kent would occasionally show up in packs from time to time when he was training in the middle of the night, but he doesn't usually show up that often.'Come to think of it, Klaus-san also said that there weren't many rock ogres.The work of the garrison was not yet finished, so they moved to the training grounds.There were a few kobolds hanging around in the training ground, but as soon as Reinhardt stepped out of the shadows to the surface, they ran away like spider spiders.'Hey, Reinhardt, can you try to pull the Kobolds into the shadow world for a moment?''Ho, you have a purpose. Let's try a little.'Me and Reinhardt tried to track down the Kobold that had just escaped and see if we could catch it from the shadows and drag it in.As it turned out, the attempt was unsuccessful.I tried not only with the kobold, but also with the bird perched on a tree branch, but when I tried to pull it into the shadow world, it seemed to run into a wall and was unable to cross the border between the surface world and the shadow world."Mr. Kent, it seems that creatures cannot be drawn into the shadow world.Yeah, I had a feeling, somehow, that if we could pull in the creatures as well, it would make rescuing my classmates a lot easier.Perhaps, but only those with an aptitude for the dark attribute are able to enter the shadow world.I think the reason Reinhardt and the others can come and go freely is because I summoned them with the magic of the dark attribute, and there is a link of magic power.I thought it was a cheat attribute that could be anything, but it's still a restriction.''That, but then what would happen if I used the Darkness Shield in close combat instead of magic?'Well, I suppose since weapons don't have life, they enter the world of shadows and the wielder is played...''But does it still prevent an attack, at least?Well, it depends on how strong your shields are, but we can't test that, because we'd be trapped in there.Well I'll give it a try anyway, when something demonic comes up.Today, I spent the time until noon practicing the Dark Shield.Anyway, I'm going to practice until I can reflexively produce a shield when I think I've been shot by a magician so that I can produce it quickly.I'm sure I can dodge attacks even if I hide in the shadow world, but there's a chance I won't be able to avoid an attack of the lazy hero class.And if you can produce your shield freely, you should be able to protect someone.The only thing I can think of to say is, "As expected of Kent-sama, I didn't expect it to be activated so quickly...'Nope, we're still limited to a certain place and a certain size, we need more and more flexibility."Well, Master Kent's ambition never ceases to amaze me, even at this point in time, a normal surgeon would be swooning if he saw it.''Maybe so, but I don't think I'll be able to get my strength as a knight in time for the rescue mission, so I'd like to at least develop my strength as a surgeon as much as I can.Well, we have no objection to Mr. Kent being strong.Now, Mr. Kent, would you like to have lunch now?'Oh, it's that time already, for lunch... well, I think I'll go to that place I went to with Mr. Kurtz...'"As I recall, you said it wasn't very tasty...?'Yeah, I know, but Mr. Kurtz has been a great help to me.Let's contribute to the sales as a way of repaying Mr. Kurtz for his kindness.We returned to the alleyway of Volzard and headed to Meline-san's diner.The last time I came here was also on the day of rest, so it should be open for business, but Kurtz-san might not have come here to dispose of the dead body of the Rock Ogre.There was a bill hanging at the entrance of the shop that said it was open for business, so I put my hand on the door and heard a loud voice from inside.''I knew I couldn't do it!No, it's not, and if you keep at it...'I tried! How can I try any harder than that! I don't know anymore!Nicola!I felt some kind of difficult atmosphere to enter and was frozen in front of the door, when the door opened with great force and I was repelled.Ouch..........Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry are you okay?'Oh my God, Nicola, what are you doing, get your towel wet and bring it to me quickly! I'm sorry, are you okay?Hastened by Meline, Nikola hurried back to the kitchen.''Ha, yes.......I just bumped my forehead a bit.......''"I'm really sorry my sweetheart...'Yes, I'm Kent, who was with Mr. Kurtz before.Uh, the shop is.........Well, of course we're open, but that's okay, you can order anything you want.Then Nicola came back with a wet towel.'Nicola, we have a guest, get ready!Sis, but...Don't keep the guests waiting!Okay, okay....This time, with something like reluctance, Nicola-san went back to the kitchen.'Come on, take a seat of your choice, your forehead should be cooled down a bit with this...'Oh, thank you.Now, what would you like to order?Merine brought me the menu, and when I opened it up, I saw that more than half of the menu had horizontal lines drawn on it.The majority of the menu, especially the more expensive and labor-intensive ones, have horizontal lines drawn on them.'Well, um ... can I have your recommendation for lunch today, please?Okay, highly recommended lunch for one! Thank you!I don't think I need to tell you now, but there are no other customers in the shop except me.It's a little late, but it's still lunchtime, and if it's Amanda's shop, it's the time when people are waiting outside, unable to get in.As I was scurrying around aimlessly, Meline came up to me.'Did you hear what I said earlier?''Well yes, just for a second...'Can you please not tell Mr. Kurtz? I'm afraid I'm going to worry you again...Okay, um... are you going to stop working?I don't want to stop, but...Meline told me that her father, who ran the restaurant, had passed away the year before last due to a sudden illness, and her brother Nicolas had followed in his footsteps, but it wasn't going well.'Again today, Kent was our first visitor...''I see...'Sis, we're up...Nicola called out from the kitchen and Meline went to get the tray.'Yes, yes, come on, Kent, eat up.'Yes, I'll take it!The recommended lunch consists of bread, soup, salad, and two types of sausages and a fried egg.It tastes like it's not quite right.How about the sausage?Yeah, it's really salty, the other kind is too herbaceous.The bread is kind of shabby.Hey, Kent, how does it taste? Can you give me an honest opinion?Hmmm ... it's pretty subtle.Since Kurtz-san wasn't here today, I told him what I thought.'I see........I knew it.......Kurtz-san and the customers who came with me say it's good, but when you don't get this many customers in, hey.......'Yes, Kurtz-san's deliciousness is completely flattering for Meline-san's sake.Naturally, the people who came with me would be able to guess Karz-san's attitude, which is easy to understand, so they wouldn't be able to give me an honest opinion.''Sis, it was impossible for me after all........''Before I knew it, Nicola came out of the kitchen. He joined our conversation.'Nicola, but you're the one who said you were going to take over my dad's shop,''Yeah but you can't do what you can't...'Maybe it was because I was being outspoken, but Nicola started talking about the survival of the store in front of me.I had a few doubts, so I'll ask Meline-san about it.''Um ... may I ask you something?''Okay, what is it?Nicola, have you ever worked, or trained, in any of the shops?No, I don't, but what does that matter?Nicola looks curious as to why she's asking that.'Well why aren't you training?'No, because I watched my dad work there, so I know how to do it and everything...Oh, I kind of figured it out, you're a typical misunderstood bastard.Ms. Merine is shaking her head.'Well, how come half the menu was erased?That's because you don't have many customers and you don't want to waste your money on expensive ingredients.Do you season your sausages like your father did?Of course it's different from your father's, I'm the inheritor, I've done some creative things to make it my own blend.Why don't I get more customers?Well you don't understand what I taste like, like the times can't keep up with me...?Oh, it's completely wrong. He thinks he can do it even though he doesn't try, but when he does it, he can't, but then he shifts the blame to others... Oh, Funayama was like that.He would come out of the woodwork even though he couldn't do it, and when he failed, he would blame others and take it out on them, lashing out at them violently... He was an unbelievable guy, but I never thought he would die so easily, I never thought he would.''Kent? What's wrong?Uh, no, no, I was just thinking about something.Yeah? You look kind of like you're about to cry.I'm sorry, but it's okay.I was worried about Meline-san's shop, but not if I was worried about me.''Sis, anyway, the shop is closed for today no, I'm closing it now so you can tell Mr. Kurtz from your sister.Hey, Nicola, where are you going?It doesn't matter where... it's a distraction, a distraction...Nicola! Wait a minute, Nicola!Nicola walked out of the store, waving Meline away.Wow, I came at some amazing time.'I'm sorry, I'm sorry I made you look so disgusting,'Yes ... no ...I'm not a bad kid at heart, but I'll always be a spoiled brat...I just don't know what to do...Meline-san sat down across from me, propped her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.''Um ... can't you run the shop, Meline-san?''Me? But even I haven't trained or anything...So why don't you just train yourself?Meline said she wasn't originally planning to take over the shop, so she was working as a seamstress.Then suddenly Nicola took over the shop and she started helping out.'I think we're going to have to close the shop, or else Meline will have to do it...''Well, well to be honest, I don't have enough confidence in myself to run this store, but I also want to keep it going because my dad left it to me.Then I suggest you talk to Kurtz and others and make a decision.'Well but I don't want to cause Mr. Kurtz any unnecessary worry...''But I think Mr. Kurtz would be saddened if he heard about it later and found out that I couldn't help him in the hardest of times, so he should ask for advice.What I can't do, what I don't know about, I'm sure Kurtz-san can handle it, and it seems to take advantage of my weakness, but it's an opportunity for Kurtz-san.Meline-san nodded one as if making up her mind after thinking for a bit.''Well yes, yes, I'll talk to Kurtz-san about it.Yes, I think Mr. Kurtz will be pleased with that.'Yeah ... so what was Kent thinking earlier?''Well no, no, that had nothing to do with the store and...''But you looked serious enough to change the color of your face, maybe Kent would feel better if you talked to him too?'Ugh ... that's ...'I was very grateful for the offer, but I couldn't talk about Funayama, so I was at a loss for a response.''I'm sorry ... it's just something I can't talk about ... I'm sorry ...''No, I'm the one who's sorry for trying to force you to do what you can't.All I have to do is hide things from Amanda, Meisa, Manon, and Meline.It would be easier if I just told them all, but if I did that, I'd end up getting involved in the mess with Riesenburg, and I definitely don't want Volzard to get involved in a war because of it.Many things were running around in my head, and I didn't even notice that Meline-san had gotten up from her seat.''It's okay.......Kent's a sweet boy, he'll be fine.......''Merine came around the table and gave me a soft hug.I know it's a strange city and you don't know many people yet, but when times are tough, you can always count on Kent to be there for you.'Uhhhh ... yes ... I'm sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you ...'Yes, yes, it's okay if you can't talk about it, it's okay...'Yes ... yes ... yes ... ugh ...'The direct cause of Funayama's death was the Riesenburgers, led by Camilla, but there was still something I could have done before I became angry at them.But there is something I could have done before I got angry with them.And yet, because I was too optimistic, I let Funayama die.In the end, I thought I could do it, but I couldn't do anything about it, and I was so frustrated that I was a misunderstood bastard that I couldn't do anything, and I was so ashamed that I cried tears.Meline's warmth envelops me and I wish time would just stop, but I can't get rid of the mistaken idea that I can't do anything with it.In order to shake off my backward thoughts, I took one big deep breath and then thanked Merine-san for her help.''Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better.''Are you...?Yes, I can't stand still so I'm going to crawl forward.You're a strong man, Kent but don't push it too hard.Yes, I'll get help from some people who can help me.Yeah, I'll talk to Mr. Kurtz about it too.'Yes! Please do so.We left Meline's shop and returned to the training grounds in the Demon Forest.I'm also concerned about my classmates in Rastock, but on the day of rest, the training will also be closed in order to give the knights a break.That said, the classmates are forbidden to go outside the garrison, and most of them spend their time sleeping in their quarters.When we returned to the training grounds, we were engrossed in a kumite against Reinhardt.I knew that I wouldn't make any progress if I went towards it in the dark, so I tried to reflect on things and make improvements, but I still felt like I couldn't make up the difference in absolute speed and power.When the sun is setting, I don't even know how many times I've been rolled to the ground and looked up to the heavens, gorging on the missing oxygen, and I can't help but complain about it.'Huh ... hah ... hah ... d*mn ... I can't keep up at all, I don't feel like I have the potential to break down with a feint or a change in tempo.''There's still a lot of waste in your movements, Master Kent, and it looks like you're putting a lot of effort in extra places, inhibiting your movements.Is that the kind of thing you can reduce in your head?"No, Master Kent hasn't been in proper confrontation for very long, so I suppose there's nothing better than to repeat it anyway, until your body can respond.Huh ... you mean the non-sequitur part.'Yes, try your best to react faster than you can think.I should have done some sports when I was in Japan if I was going to be like this.The magic of the limp-wristed hero may have something to do with his original physical ability.I'm sure you're not the only one.'I want it! I want to get us all out of here as soon as possible and get you all back to where you belong!"Then don't be in a hurry.The person who rushes to the top will always be caught flat-footed.'Yeah, I think I know it in theory, but I just feel like I can't sit still.I don't blame your friend for being in such a situation, but you could be putting them in more danger than they already are.Even though I know what Reinhardt is saying is right, a sense of rebellion and anxiety bubbles up in my heart.''But to think that if things continue as they are, something like Funayama will happen again...''Well, I'm also responsible for the fact that I said to postpone the rescue.So let's start with what we can do.What you could do is fight back, right?"How true. But we won't do anything we can't do.Okay, let's hit back as hard as we can.''Right, so much for witnessing, let's go back and have dinner and then we'll plan our strategy.After finishing our training, we went back to the boarding house to finish dinner, and decided not to return to the Demon Forest tonight, but to have a meeting in the future.
