RSHW-Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Companion (2)

◆  

Rewinding time back to about half a day earlier.  

[A labyrinth exploration exam, you say…]  

The Holy Sword spoke in a nostalgic tone.  

[It was a fun exam.]  

“……Fun, you call this?”  

Carlisle responded in a disbelieving voice as he skimmed through the exam guidelines.  

The exam required reaching the center of an artificial labyrinth called the ‘Forest of Eternity’, constructed within the academy.  

As befits a labyrinth, it was filled with various obstacles, but hidden supplies and treasures were also scattered to aid progress.  

The document stated that the faster a student reached the center of the forest, the higher their score would be.  

‘……Good grief.’  

At first glance, it might seem like no big deal, but that was precisely the trap.  

Nowhere did it say, ‘Do not interfere with other students’.  

In other words, it was essentially telling them to advance by any means necessary, whether they fought or not.  

In fact, it even encouraged it—defeating other students granted bonus points.  

The Headmaster’s claim of making it ‘combat-oriented’ wasn’t just empty talk.  

While far less dangerous than the dungeon mock battle from before, this exam was far more malicious in how it deliberately pitted students against each other.  

Of course, participation was mostly limited to freshmen, but the practical exam was, by principle, only for those who volunteered. Those who lacked confidence wouldn’t even bother entering.  

Meaning, they’d have to compete against those very people.  

[Yep. It was fun.]  

And here was someone who outright declared such an exam fun.  

The reason?  

[Because I got to beat up arrogant brats who thought too highly of themselves. They always rubbed me the wrong way.]  

“…….”  

[Felt damn good.]  

How did someone like this ever become the Hero?  

The world truly was doomed.  

Carlisle sighed and walked toward the exam entrance.  

Either way,  

‘As long as I don’t fail, it’s fine.’  

Coming in first might please Gray, but honestly, he wasn’t keen on trying that hard.  

If anything, she’d probably just say something like, ‘Isn’t that expected of my attendant?’. 

Better to play it safe, even if it meant some scolding…  

“……Carlisle?”  

“Ah, Vespa.”  

Lost in thought, he suddenly ran into Vespa, who was also reading the exam guidelines at the forest entrance.  

After a brief conversation—  

“……Looks like we’re paired together?”  

“…….”  

Vespa spoke awkwardly.  

He wasn’t sure why she seemed so uneasy, but regardless—  

“…….”  

This was bad.  

In a situation where clashes with other students were inevitable,  

He had ended up partnered with the person least suited for combat.  

[……Looks like you’ll have to work hard.]  

“…….”  

[If you don’t fight seriously, things might get ugly.]  

A fair point.  

◆  

Navigating through the forest itself went surprisingly smoothly.  

Having the all-purpose Holy Sword with him made it easier—not just because of its abilities, but also because it knew the best paths.  

And, of course, it was also good that he was with someone who’d be in serious trouble if things didn’t go smoothly.  

“Look, Carlisle! A tin pot! We can cook with this!”  

“……Yeah. That’s great.”  

“I also picked up some potatoes and vegetables along the way! Should we try making dinner?”  

“Impressive.”  

Watching Vespa genuinely delight in finding these things in an environment where combat could break out at any moment, Carlisle stifled a laugh.  

‘As for traps…’  

There didn’t seem to be any, but he still couldn’t let his guard down.  

This was a place where battles could erupt anytime, anywhere. He couldn’t let someone so innocent get dragged into that.  

At the very least, he had to keep her from getting caught up in anything too brutal.  

‘We can’t keep this up forever, though.’  

Excluding her from combat entirely would be a waste, given the insane potential of her abilities.  

[She’ll have to face battle eventually. Vespa too.]  

Even the Holy Sword, though reluctant, agreed.  

[Looking at her personality now, I’m not sure she’s cut out for it.]  

‘……True.’  

Honestly, he was worried.  

Before the regression, she had hardened into a cold, unfeeling person after enduring all sorts of hardships. But now, imagining this kind-hearted girl hurting someone was impossible.  

So—  

“I’ll make dinner for us! I’ve been practicing a recipe!”  

“Then I’ll go gather firewood, Vespa.”  

“Ah! Would you?”  

Good.  

That felt natural.  

Carlisle dusted himself off and stood up.  

Whistling, he walked deeper into the forest, away from Vespa.  

Into the shadows—the darkest, most secluded part of the already dim woods.  

“Shall we do this here?”  

He spoke as if it were obvious, even though there was nothing around.  

“I don’t know if this is a negotiation or a fight, but let’s get it over with quickly.”  

“You knew we were watching?”  

“Yeah. Your stares were kinda intense.”  

He had noticed—especially how they had been glaring at him, not Vespa.  

Though the Holy Sword had been the one to point it out.  

“Guess it’s true what they say. You can’t stick around the Hero without some serious skills, huh? Carlisle Belfast.”  

As the voice spoke, two students appeared as if tearing through an invisible curtain.  

A quiet-looking male student clad in leather armor and wielding twin axes, and a green-haired female student in robes and a pointed hat.  

The one to watch out for was the girl.  

Stealth magic. A mage.  

[They’re pretty skilled for freshmen.]  

He agreed. Being able to wield magic proficiently already put them above the average freshman level.  

But more importantly—  

“Have we met before?”  

This guy—why did he seem to know him?  

“Nah. But you’re kinda famous.”  

“Huh?”  

“You’re the guy who doesn’t scream and run away next to the Hero. Never seen anyone last as long as you.”  

“…….”  

Ah.  

If that was how his reputation had spread, it made sense.  

“I’m probably not the only one. I bet a few others rate you pretty highly.”  

“……Is not running away from Miss really grounds for that kind of evaluation?”  

“Obviously. It’s a life-or-death situation.”  

“…….”  

“I heard ascetics in the Sand Kingdom torture themselves for training. Are you in some kinda sect like that? Either way, your mental fortitude’s clearly not normal.”  

“…….”  

[……Why aren’t you denying it?]  

“…….”  

Ignoring the Holy Sword, Carlisle simply smiled in silence. The girl in the pointed hat gave a slight bow.  

“Well—let me introduce myself. I’m Letty Ingram. This guy’s Goriva. My bodyguard.”  

“Nice to meet you, Letty Ingram.”  

He returned the bow, and Letty mirrored the gesture.  

Polite. Her demeanor had a refreshing straightforwardness to it.  

“Any interest in switching to our family? We’ll pay well. I’m kinda curious about you—”  

“No thanks.”  

He cut her off before she could finish.  

He had already turned down far more lucrative offers.  

After rejecting the Gray Cardinal’s offer of ‘everything she had’, what was a mere recruitment pitch?  

And more importantly—  

‘……Just hearing this might get me killed, no?’  

[More like she’d be the one getting killed.]  

This conversation alone was dangerous.  

It was only because Gray wasn’t here that he could even have it.  

“Really? Well, can’t be helped.”  

Letty didn’t seem too disappointed. She immediately drew her wand and pointed it at Carlisle.  

“Don’t expect this to be easy, Hero’s attendant. Be a good boy and hand over those bonus points.”  

So it came to this.  

Carlisle nodded and reached for the Holy Sword.  

“You sure you don’t wanna call your friend? Me and Goriva are pretty strong.”  

“No. I’m enough.”  

His blunt response made Letty and Goriva’s eyebrows twitch, but he meant it.  

‘Two against one…’  

He assessed Letty and Goriva’s strength with a glance.  

He’d just have to fight Vespa’s share too.  

It shouldn’t be too hard. Regardless of how strong they were, he was someone who could wield the Hero’s power.  

“……Overflowing with confidence, aren’t you?”  

“It’s not that I’m underestimating you. I just don’t want the other one to have to fight.”  

“Why? Is she your girlfriend or something?”  

“Not at all.”  

Carlisle smirked as he drew the Holy Sword.  

“But she is someone I want to protect.”  

It had always been like that.  

Vespa was a good person. The kind who made you wish for her happiness.  

“……What? You just said she’s not your girlfriend.”  

“You don’t need to be in that kind of relationship to feel that way. I just think she’s a good person.”  

“No, you—”  

Letty’s face twisted as if urging him to reconsider his words, but Carlisle just tilted his head, oblivious.  

No, he meant exactly what he said. There was nothing wrong with it.  

-System Message  

▶ Target ‘Vespa Luciana’ is emotionally confused.  

▶ Your words make her heart race!  

▶ An additional trait has been generated!  

[ ♥ Affection 0% → 5% ]  

“…….”  

That was what he thought—until that window appeared.  

Wait.  

Had she been listening?