...
After leaving the city, we continued along a narrow path. It didn't seem to lead toward the forest I usually passed through, so yeah… it was a completely different road—something new to me.
It honestly felt nice, seeing a new view for once.
Good thing I didn't rush to end everything back then...
I glanced at Herald, who was leading in front of us, feeling a bit curious—but hesitant to ask.
Even so, I knew I couldn't keep going like this.
"Hey, Herald," I called out.
Hearing me, he looked back, slowed his pace, and eventually walked right beside me.
"Hmm, what is it, Clement?" he asked.
"Yah… I was wondering, what kind of quest did you take?"
"Ohh, right—sorry about that. Looks like I forgot to tell you all."
Ah, so he just forgot.
"Hehe, it's fine, Leader. I trust that whatever quest you picked is the best for us," Clare-san chimed in suddenly.
Viola, walking right beside her, nodded and added,
"Yeah, just like Clare said. After all, you're our leader."
"Hearing that really makes me happy. I didn't expect you all to trust me this much."
"Uh… sorry, Herald, could you go back to the question earlier…" I said.
"Ahem, sorry about that, Clement."
"No, I don't mind."
"I see. Then I'll just say it directly."
His expression suddenly turned serious.
"…The quest we're taking is to eliminate a group of bandits that have been spotted around this area."
"Eliminate…? You mean—"
Before I could finish, Herald cut me off.
"Yeah. Just like I said—we're going to eliminate them. In other words, we're going to kill them."
Hearing that, I felt something stir inside me… though I didn't really know what it was.
Was I nervous? Afraid?
Or was it just something I'd always felt?
Honestly… I didn't know.
"Clement, do you still remember what I said last night?" Herald's voice snapped me back.
If I remember correctly… it was about whether I had ever killed someone before.
"Yeah… I remember," I nodded.
"Then you should already understand why I chose this quest."
What does he mean by that…? How could I possibly—wait, does that mean—
"Yeah. I want you to kill someone."
My eyes widened the moment I heard that.
I was genuinely surprised… that he wanted me to kill.
But that didn't mean I objected.
It's not like I'm some naive person pretending to be pure. I know what the world is like—I've known that for a long time.
So killing someone… was something I would eventually face, whether now or later.
With so many bad people in the world… it was bound to happen.
"Umm… is there something you're worried about, Clement?"
Viola suddenly stepped closer to me.
I smiled and replied,
"Yah… I'm just a little worried about whether I'll be able to do it or not."
"I see. That's completely normal," she said, her usual bright smile on her face.
I nodded. "Mm… thanks. I really mean it."
She shook her head. "No, you don't have to thank me. I'm just happy to help—as your friend."
"I see…"
Even so… the doubt still lingered in my mind.
Killing… or being killed—
a concept I never knew in my previous world.
"Will this really be okay…?" I thought.
But at the same time, I was curious.
What would it feel like to kill someone?
How would I react afterward?
Honestly… thinking like that probably makes me a terrible person.
"Heh, what are you even scared of? Killing is easy. Just stab them, and they'll die. Simple, right?"
A voice snapped me out of my thoughts—it was Dein.
What surprised me even more… was that he was actually talking to me.
Or rather… giving me advice.
I wondered if he was some kind of tsundere or something.
I turned toward him with a slight smile.
"Thanks for that. Looks like I misjudged you—you're actually a pretty nice guy."
"Hah? What are you talking about? Me, nice? No way. Don't get the wrong idea."
…Wait, is he actually like that?
Well… I guess it doesn't really matter.
Even me—someone people often see as 'kind'—
is actually a pretty terrible person.
I looked up at the cloudy sky.
"…Yeah. I really am a terrible person."
-
After walking for quite a while, there were still no signs of any bandits around.
"Alright, everyone!" Herald shouted. "We'll take a short break here."
Without hesitation, I sat down right where I stood.
"Yeaayy, finally. This is really exhausting, right, Viola?"
I heard Clare-san's usual cheerful voice and turned toward it.
Viola nodded. "Mm, it is pretty tiring, but thankfully the weather's on our side today."
Looks like the two of them were chatting.
I turned my gaze away from them.
Without realizing it… ever since I came to this world, my life has gotten better.
Yah… I have friends here—even if not many.
I have a job I can actually enjoy.
And… I feel more free here.
There's no real pressure.
Everything from my previous life… has completely faded from my mind.
Even if I haven't really changed…
I don't really care whether I have or not.
I'll find out eventually.
-
After sitting there quietly for a few minutes, Herald suddenly approached me.
"Hey, Clement."
I looked up. "What is it, Herald?"
"I actually need your help to find the bandits' camp, together with Clare. Can you do that?"
Well… if it's just searching, I can handle it.
I do have abilities suited for that kind of thing.
I nodded. "Yeah, leave it to me."
"Good. Then get ready."
"Got it."
-
After making some quick preparations, I set out with Clare-san.
Walking across the wide grassland, the two of us searched for the bandits' camp without any real clues.
"So, Clement—any idea where we might find them?" she asked.
"No. Who do you think I am?" I replied.
"Useless as always. At this rate, we'll just have to search randomly," she said, sounding resigned.
"Yah, what else can we do? We don't have much information."
And so, we kept searching.
Even out in the open like this, we couldn't find anything.
Honestly… it was getting frustrating.
A few hours later—
"Damn it… I'm gonna lose my mind if we keep this up."
"That's a bit of an exaggeration, Clare-san," I said flatly.
"Shut up. I know that."
…It's been a while, and still nothing.
If I were a bandit… where would I be?
Bandits are basically robbers, so they need to stay close to their targets.
And their targets? Obviously merchant caravans.
"Hey, Clare-san. We've been searching randomly this whole time… how about we look around the main road instead?" I suggested.
"Hah? Are you stupid—no, actually, that's a pretty good idea. Let's go."
"Yeah."
And so, we headed back toward the main road and began searching around that area.
Along the way, we saw several horse-drawn carriages passing by.
Before long, the sun began to set, signaling that evening had come.
And finally… we found it.
A camp that looked like it belonged to bandits.
Even from a distance, I could tell there were quite a lot of them.
"Alright, let's head back. Come on, Clement."
And with that, we immediately returned to Herald and the others.
Since it was quite far, it took us a while to get back—and by the time we arrived, the sky had already turned orange.
As soon as we got there, Herald greeted us.
"Hey, you two—how was it?"
I nodded. "Yeah. We found them."
Herald suddenly smiled. "Good work. Thank you, both of you."
I simply nodded in response.
"Alright, everyone! We'll move tonight—and wipe them all out!" he shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"And you two—get some rest. You must be tired."
"Yeah." "Yeah." we replied at the same time.
After that, I sat down near the others.
Staring blankly ahead… I couldn't help but regret thinking this quest would be short. I didn't bring anything to eat.
With my stomach growling, all I could do was endure it and wait for this to be over.
"Clement."
I heard a familiar voice call my name.
I looked up—and saw Viola standing right beside me.
"This is for you. You must be hungry, right?" she said, handing me a piece of bread.
I took it without hesitation—I didn't have the luxury to be embarrassed.
"Thanks," I said briefly.
She smiled. "You're welcome."
-
...