Chapter 004 – The Side of my Best friend that I did not See
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In the outskirts of the country faraway from the hustle and bustle of the royal capital. In such a remote place, a dungeon has appeared. What kind of joke is that?

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[…What happened to you, Russell-kun?]

[Ah, no. It’s nothing.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

These people have no idea that I was expelled from our party as I was seen useless in dungeon crawling.

I don’t want to dwell in this subject anymore and decided to cut it from here.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[I’m going now to take a look at the orphanage. I just decided to come here first from what Brenda and I have talked about.]

[Ah, of course! I’m so sorry this mother and daughter have bothered you.]

[Don’t mind. Thanks for the meal.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

After I gave my thanks, I got up from my seat and went to the door to leave.

The two of them went with me until the door to send me off.

Brenda pulled my robe with her fingers and lifted her head to look on to me.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Will we meet again?]

[Well, maybe. I am thinking of living around here but I’m still not sure]

[You should!!!!!!]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I patted Brenda’s head and gently removed her hands from my robe and smiled at her so she can be at ease as I speak.

Obviously, I can’t just look for another village to live in just because there’s a dungeon that appeared nearby. I don’t think I can live in another village outside anyway.

 More importantly, there is no way that I could go back into the city.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

As I go farther from the house of the mother and daughter, I move towards the orphanage that I haven’t seen from a long time.

The sky is getting darker and darker. But the children should still be playing around this time.

However, the sky is not really dark yet but it’s weird that I don’t see anyone else around.

Anyway… Seriously… A dungeon, huh.

Just as I decided to live far away from these kinds of activities, what kind of karma is this.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

The sun was fully gone by the time I arrive at the orphanage.

The darkness of the night comes faster around this time.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I opened the door of the orphanage after I knock without waiting for a reply.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Waait! You should obviously wait for a reply before opening the door!]

[Well, aren’t you too harsh]

[…Is that you, Russell!?]

[I’m back, Gemma-baa-san]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Gemma, one of the two people who take care of the children in the orphanage, seems surprised upon seeing my face.

She’s still taking care of all the children in here despite her old age.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[If you’re coming back home, why didn’t you at least notify us beforehand? Fredrica is still outside and there is nothing in here to eat. How about Vince and the others?]

[I’ve eaten already so that not necessary and it’s only me who went back.]

[…It looks like somehow things for you have changed.]

[You can say that.]

I somehow redirected her question but I think Gemma-baa-san can at least tell something based from the change of my attitude.

…I can’t even say decent pleasantries nor can brighten up my face even for a bit.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[More importantly, isn’t it too quiet in here? I haven’t seen even a single kid playing. Even before the sun has fully set, I didn’t see anyone.]

[Ah, you see. There are monsters appearing here during the night.]

[…In this village?]

[Un. It sounds troublesome, isn’t it?]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Based from the story, it appears that there were bat-like monsters seen on the sky of the village and some kids were attacked too.

We haven’t heard anything about this back in the city though…

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[When was that? Do you have an idea how they look like?]

[It was around half a month ago… Around the time the dungeon has appeared. When I got a closer look, it looks color red, it’s a bit big that if it spread its wings’ it becomes around my size]

[A ‘Dungeon Scarlet Bat’ huh…]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

It’s one of the monsters living inside the dungeon that is not the really the type to go out.

It’s not really strong but without the experience of fighting one before, it isn’t an easy one either.

Well, I think I could handle it somehow even if I’m alone.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[…But more importantly… Why are you alone?]

[…Well… I guess it’s fine if its you, baa-san. This will be a bit long of a story.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I started telling baa-san everything that happened yesterday.

I included as well the events how we got up to that point.

Gemma-baa-san just kept quiet as she listens to my story.

As she didn’t ask anything in between, it had ended faster than I expected.

[…And I just came back today…]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

After I finished my story, Gemma-baa-san sighed deeply and just said [Haaaaa]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[You see, who would have thought that the four prodigies of the village would end up like that… Fate is such an unpredictable thing.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

And then, she puts her hand on to my shoulder.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[I understand now why you have changed. But you see, let me tell you this. For you to be able to return here without falling into despair yourself, is something I am really happy about.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

As she said that, she grips my shoulder a bit firmer.

…I haven’t noticed it immediately but baa-san has gotten thinner huh.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[But seriously. For Vince to be this worried and made something like this happened]

[Vince… Was worried about?]

[Ah. You’ve always been such an innocent child, Russell, so you don’t know.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

There’s something more than about what she said.

Baa-san groans with her arms crossed as she looks at the emptiness as if recalling something.

It appears that Gemma-baa-san knows something about Vince that I don’t.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[It appears to me that Vince is being blind for women]

[…Ha?]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

The story suddenly went into an unexpected direction and I just couldn’t help but stupidly respond.

[It’s just what I had said. Vince looks on to Emmy as well as to Jannet obviously, and even to Fredrica with longing you know. Not on their faces, but on their bodies.]

[….]

[While Russell on the other hand, is the type who averts his gaze from such things. Something like that, girls obviously know it right away. That’s why Fredrica has always thought that Russell is cute and Vince is already a man in a child’s body. It’s a common knowledge for every woman here in the village, you know. I don’t know how men think of him but I believe it was easy to find out.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

So that was the case.

I’ve always thought that I know Vince but I had no idea about this side of him.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[But I don’t think that is much of a reason to expel me, right?]

[That would have been nice if that’s true. In this situation, men and women view it differently so it would be better if you’d at least keep this in mind. Add to the fact the Emmy has rejected Vince once before.]

[…It’s the first time I heard it.]

[It was back then when you were kids. After the day he was rejected by Emmy, Vince started to say the same thing to Jannet you know. The walls of this place are really thin. Hihihihi]

[I don’t really want to know that much about this. Particularly the last thing you said…]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Maybe baa-san heard some things that I said as well back then unexpectedly.

When you take a look at it closely, I think that kind of reasoning is possible when I think about it. I see, everything is starting to make sense.

But even so, making a move on to Jannet the day after he was rejected by Emmy. It wasn’t even on the same level of speed as ‘as quick as a flash’. I can’t imagine it at all.  

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Wait a second…

If that’s the case…

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[I was kicked out because…]

[The real reason, maybe you are getting on his way as he tries to get closer to Emmy and Jannet.]

Based from what baa-san has said, it might have been true as I was unnaturally left alone.

Back then I was greatly shocked and wasn’t able to think that something was weird… Now that I think about it, Jannet not being left out is strange as well.

There is just one obvious reason why did that happen… It was really a no brainer.

Yareyare. I can’t help but be amazed of how stupid I was.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Also, Russell, you have won that last time. That might be the reason he was worried about you. That child, he really is not satisfied if he isn’t the best.]

[I’ve never heard of that…]

[Well, I’m not saying this just for your sake. He might have exaggerated saying you are a weak man but he did not need to hit you directly when you lost that sword match. If he attacked you, Emmy and Jannet would have probably hated him.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Nobody else was oppressed but me.

I was busy trying to raise my sword up to notice that hatred.

I see. Vince. So you are that kind of person.

These stories are all new to me and I am having a hard time absorbing all of it but… It’s one thing for a person to lie but this is Gemma-baa-san we are talking about…

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[I don’t really understand how Emmy and Jannet feels but the fact that they did not stay with you is saying that they have chosen to go with Vince.]

[Well, yep. Oh, that’s right. They did not leave me any words before they left and did not wait for me to wake up before leaving me in the inn by myself.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I’m not really sure if I can say that I was betrayed or not but… As I recall how Emmy’s face is so full of guilt and had been apologetic all that time, I think it was cold of her to just leave without even saying anything to me.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Really… I am starting to hate myself for how stupid I can be.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[…Don’t think too much about it. You are a Saint. For me, Fredrica, and other sisters of the church like us, you are the greatest person and is more than qualified for us to kneel and be grateful for.]

[Hey, please give me a break… The grandma that had treated me like a slave back then saying this, I can’t help but get some chills!]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I know it was supposed to be a joke, but it’s not something to joke about.

I’m not that rotten to let the person who took care of me do that.

…However, it felt like a great part of me has been relieved.

She must have been trying to comfort me. Even in such situation, they are still trying to look after me.

As expected of the grandmother who stood up to be my parents. She never changes.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[–Waaait! Stop screwing around!]

There was a scream all of a sudden coming outside of the orphanage. It was immediately followed by a loud thud of something hitting the wall.

As I turn towards baa-san’s direction, she shouted [Get down!] and positioned herself around the door.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Russell! We have a weapon in there for times like these!]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Looking towards the direction baa-san said, there’s a long sword hanging on to the wall just a little bit high for the children not to reach. A weapon use to drive away something from getting close huh.

I grabbed the sword without hesitation and started to examine its weight.

Not bad.

I finally got a sword after a long time. It’s the first time since we used to use wooden sword in our practices.

I just realized why I am still using wooden swords just because I’m a recovery magician.

When I think about it, yep. The staff and the robe are both recommended by Vince.

I see. So that was it.

After listening to Gemma-baa-san’s story, I think he decided to push me on a supporting role so I can’t be as active as him as a swordsman.

It’s not the right time to think about such things though.

I opened the door as I firmly hold the sword in my hands.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Shit! This guy! You are?]

Surprisingly, there was a woman outside.

It’s someone I haven’t seen before here in the village.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Let’s talk later. This is an orphanage! Get inside first!]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I can’t help but provide just a short explanation to the woman as I slash the monster. As expected, it was a ‘Dungeon Scarlet Bat’.

But… There’s something weird about this bat’s appearance. The bat has many small scratches and looked weak already.

If it’s this woman who did it to the bat, then it’s better to not judge her by her cover.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[*Guuuyyeee!*]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Along with that unpleasant scream is my slash to the bat’s arm and transition to a cut on its belly upon retracting the sword.

On the other hand, the bat swiped its claws. Fortunately, I only got a shallow scratch on my cheek.

I immediately close the door as I saw the bat fell to the ground.

Base from its wounds, it would start to weaken by its self as it continues to lose more blood.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I look for the woman in the orphanage after taking a short break from the fight.

It’s a beautiful woman with short silver hair and red unyielding eyes. It’s a characteristic that can’t be found anywhere around here.

Well, unless you are Vince, I think it’s pretty normal to not see this beautiful person before.

The woman looked at me and got stunned base from her expression.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[Well, it won’t probably get up anymore. It’s alright now.]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

I explained to the woman briefly but she just kept staring at me with the same expression.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[…Are you alright? Is there anything else?]

The woman approached me without speaking as I can see something really crazy inside her eyes.

Upon getting a closer look, she really is pretty.

Her scarlet eyes are so deep that can keep people enthralled.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

To me who has grown up with two beautiful childhood friends and was deceived by his best friend leaving me with nothing but feelings of betrayal and defeat.

To me who has somehow got a beautiful woman who I haven’t seen before in front of me.

Just when I started to lose my faith on to the Goddess, I somehow got a fateful encounter.

I wonder what will this fateful encounter bring to me.

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

[…Do you believe in the Goddess?]

<Translated at Simplyrical.home.blog>

Isn’t this just an invitation to a cult?

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