Estimated reading time: ~6 minutes
Chapter 57
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「You know, even though I may not look it, there was a time when I was quite adorable. When I was a child, I genuinely believed I could become a Hero who saved everyone.」
Anon chuckles with a self-deprecating laugh.
His laughter is different from his usual confident, mocking tone.
「And not to brag, but there was nothing I couldn’t do if I put my mind to it. They called me a prodigy.
Studying, magic, martial arts. As soon as I started something, I would quickly catch up to the teacher, match them, and then surpass them. I always wondered, ‘Why are these supposed experts in their fields only at this level?’」
I’m clumsy, so it always takes me time to improve at the things I’m not good at.
The view he sees, being able to do everything with ease, may be different from the view I see.
「No matter how talented you are, as you grow older, you’re forced to understand that it’s impossible to actually become a Hero. So then, I thought I would become someone who could support the Hero by their side. And I had the talent and ability to accomplish that.」
「But you did become that, didn’t you? Setting aside whether you’re actually supporting a Hero at this point, I think you’re one of the most capable people I’ve met in this world.」
His deduction skills that accurately identified me as the Holy Knight Yamada.
His ability to gather necessary information, his memory to retain large amounts of data, his judgment to utilize that data appropriately.
The fact that he had transportation ready, anticipating that I would return to him immediately – it was to the point that I would believe it if someone told me he had the ability to see the future.
「I’m glad to hear that. I’m often told I’m ‘excellent’, but hearing it from you just now might be the happiest I’ve ever felt.」
「Come on, you’re exaggerating.」
「No, I’m really not exaggerating at all…」
Anon mutters 「It’s nothing much, really,」 and continues his story.
「I can do just about anything, but even so, there’s always someone better. As you grow up, you finally realize the ceiling is way up high. And you understand that you can’t reach it.
For example, I can’t use Heal, and even with my sword skills that I pride myself on, I can’t beat a sword saint. My magic probably wouldn’t match up to the mage in a Hero’s party either.」
「But hey, if you can do that much, does it really matter if you’re not the very best?」
「You may be right about that.」
But, Anon continues.
「At the time, I didn’t think that way. Even though I could handle anything, if I couldn’t be the best, I thought I should focus on further developing my strengths. And those were my intellect, my information gathering skills, and my judgment to make use of it.」
「And that’s how you became the Anon you are today, huh?」
Anon nods in affirmation.
His expression is hidden under his hood.
But there’s no doubt his gaze is directed at my eyes.
「’When you grow up, if you see someone in trouble, make sure to help them out. That’s life, you know?’ That’s what you said.」
「Yeah,」 I nod in agreement.
「Your words truly shook me to my core. How can I express this feeling… I want to convey these raw emotions I felt, I want to tell you so badly, it’s frustrating that I can’t put it into words well.」
He clasps his hands together and holds them to his chest.
「As I got closer to who I am now, I learned that there are irredeemable people out there. I learned there are nobles who oppress the people. I learned there are villains disguised as the weak. I learned there are demon-like humans who don’t understand the hearts of others. There were as many bad people as there were people.」
Listening to his story, I thought it was inevitable.
It’s sad, but there really are people out there who are hopeless.
「By the time I realized it, I had completely grown to doubt and scorn others. I had totally forgotten my original goal, my starting point. At first, I too had strongly wished to help the people struggling through hardship, to the point of throwing everything away to save them…」
「It can’t be helped.」
「You’re right. But that’s exactly why you, who helped everyone without seeking anything in return, without even telling them your name – you were so dazzling to me. Without meaning to, you embodied the Hero I had aspired to be.」
「It’s not that big a deal. I just did what I wanted to do.」
「I understand that now. A person’s occupation is just a parameter, a mere title. Just because someone’s job is ‘Hero’ doesn’t mean they are the Hero from the picture books I used to love – the champions who risked their lives to protect all the people.」
「I agree with you, Anon.」
He gazes at me intently.
「In the end, what matters is what’s in our hearts.」
I had a similar exchange with someone once before.
They’re no longer by my side now, but my feelings haven’t changed.
「The core of our hearts that we keep deep inside our chests, that rejects any outside interference, the very essence of what makes us who we are – that’s what I believe is most important.」
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「You’re my hero, Ichiro,」
He lets out.
I wait until he composes himself.
「Sorry for showing you such an unsightly side of me.」
「Don’t sweat it, man.」
I cry sometimes too.
「There’s something I want to ask.」
「Sure, I’ll tell you if I can.」
「Were you the one who conquered the seven dungeons?」
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「…Yeah. I conquered three with my companions. The other four I did solo.」
「Ichiro, you worked so hard.」
I never thought there would be anyone besides Sena and Sensei who would believe in me. It might be a miracle.
「I just did what I could.」
I put on a bit of a cool front. I often complained as I dove into dungeons.
Anon’s shoulders shake again as tears spill out.
In a choked voice, he declares,
「Ichiro, from now on, I will be your companion.」
「Thanks, I’m counting on you.」
Anon rises from the bed and comes over to me, extending his hand.
「Yes, from now on, I am your friend and comrade.」
I grasp his hand.
It feels a little cool and smooth.
「Yeah, let’s do this together.」
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As it was getting late, I declined his invitation to 「chat some more」.
After my exchange with Anon, I felt a floating sensation similar to being intoxicated on fine wine.
I never imagined there would be someone besides Sena and Sensei who would still take my side even after learning my true identity.
Anon pleaded with me to talk a lot more.
I also wanted to hear more of his stories.
It seems like it will take me a while to fall asleep tonight.
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