Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 3

by Ryo Shirakome

  “...If there was some way back home, I’d take you all with me in a heartbeat. That hasn’t changed even now. But right now, there isn’t one... and if there isn’t, I’d at least like to do what I can for the people I’ve met, talked to, laughed with in this world. Isn’t it only natural to want to help other people? Of course I’m still your teacher, so if I have to make a choice, then I’ll always pick you guys over everyone else, but...” Aiko paused for a moment, then continued more slowly, as if she was deliberately choosing each word.

  “I’m sure that something really terrible must have happened for a gentle boy like you to become like this, Nagumo-kun. Where you were, you surely didn’t have the option of worrying about others. Maybe what I have to say will just seem shallow... After all, I wasn’t there to help you when you were suffering the most. Still, I’d like you to listen all the same.” Hajime silently indicated for Aiko to continue.

  “Nagumo-kun, I can understand your strong desire to return home. You probably want to go back more than any of us. But you know, do you plan to live like this when you return too? Ignoring everyone except those close to you? Eliminating anything that gets in your way? Can you really live like that in Japan? And if not, do you really think you can change your mindset the moment you get back?”

  “......”

  “Nagumo-kun, I understand that you have your own principles, and that you’ve already decided your path for the future. I won’t try to change that, but I also think that no matter which future you choose, it’s... too lonely to only live by ignoring everyone aside from those you care about. If you keep going like this, neither you nor the people you cherish will find happiness. If you want to find happiness... you can’t lose sight of your kindness or empathy. You have to think of other people, even if it’s only a little. Those are valuable qualities you possessed from the start... Please don’t throw them away.” Each and every one of Aiko’s words pierced Hajime to the core. Everyone else also listened quietly.

  The students especially felt the weight behind Aiko’s words. They hung their heads, ashamed at how selfishly they’d wielded their powers until now. At the same time, they were both happy and somewhat surprised that Aiko had given so much thought to their lives after they finally returned home.

  Hajime smiled to himself. Even if they got dumped into another world, no matter the situation, Aiko always put being a teacher before anything else. Even if one of her students had transformed into a completely different person. It was really something to be praised. Considering how nicely Aiko had been treated thus far, it would have been easy for Hajime to just say “You don’t know what I’ve been through!” or “How could you possibly understand!” Like she’d said in the beginning, he had every right to call everything she’d said shallow words from someone who’d never suffered.

  And yet he couldn’t. She’d said those words from the heart, and to take them lightly would make him the shallow one. Worse, it would have been an insult to her dedication. Even if everything she said was full of contradictions.

  And because she’d never once pushed him to do the “right” thing, her words had that much more weight. Everything she’d said, even if it had ostensibly been to save these townspeople’s lives, had still been out of concern for Hajime’s future and his happiness.

  He glanced over at Yue. She was staring at Aiko with a nostalgic look in her eyes. But when she noticed Hajime’s gaze, she quietly turned to look at him. It was clear from her expression that she’d go along with Hajime no matter what he decided. If nothing else, Hajime definitely wanted this girl to be happy. She had been the one who had saved him when he was on the verge of losing his humanity. He had believed his current lifestyle had been the best way to achieve that, but if what Aiko said was true, it would only lead to misfortune. Not only for him, but for Yue as well.

  Next to her, he saw Shea looking worriedly at him. She’d brought a much-needed dose of lighthearted levity into his and Yue’s lives. No matter how harshly Hajime had treated her she’d chased after him wholeheartedly. Now she was an important part of their family, and it was obvious from how much she doted on her that Yue really treasured her friendship with Shea. Was she not happier because Hajime had begrudgingly let Shea into their party? For Hajime, this world was nothing more than a prison. A cage that kept him from going back to the place he wanted to be. It was for that reason that he had such a hard time doing anything for the people that lived here.

  The values he’d forged in the depths of the abyss, the determination he’d tempered to return to his homeland no matter the cost and to destroy anything in his way, weren’t something he could change so easily. So, even if he couldn’t sympathize with others right away, he could still act. And if those actions brought happiness to those he cared most about... to Yue and Shea, then he’d gladly do anything.

  This didn’t mean he suddenly agreed with everything Aiko said, but it was still a heartfelt lecture from his teacher. He’d have to be a child to reject it all for no other reason than to be contrarian. If he did decide to help, it was possible things would come to a head with the Holy Church much sooner than he would have liked, but surely he could count on his teacher, Aiko, to help with that. After all, she had to take responsibility for what she’d said to him. And someone who loved her students this much wouldn’t refuse.

  I knew I’d get found out eventually. It was just a matter of time. I already have a few countermeasures in place, and besides, I promised myself I wouldn’t hide who I am just for the convenience of the people in this world... Hell, it might be fun to cut loose and go all out every now and then. After justifying it to himself, Hajime looked up at Aiko again.

  “...Sensei, do you promise you’ll always be my teacher?” The implied question was whether she’d always be his ally. His question was half-teasing, half-hopeful.

  “Of course,” she replied without hesitation.

  “...No matter what happens? Even if I decide on something you don’t approve of?”

  “Yes. A teacher’s job isn’t to decide their students’ future. It’s to help them choose the future they want for themselves. If you choose not to help even after listening to what I have to say, I won’t hold it against you, Nagumo-kun.”

  Hajime stared at Aiko for a while, trying to determine whether or not she really meant it. The reason he’d been so insistent was because Hajime himself didn’t want to ever have to fight Aiko. After confirming there was no falsehood in Aiko’s gaze, he abruptly turned on his heel and headed for the exit. Yue and Shea followed after him.

  “N-Nagumo-kun?” Aiko asked, surprised. Hajime turned around and shrugged helplessly. He couldn’t ever win against Aiko when she was serious.

  “If I’m going to take on an army, there’s some things I need to prepare first. You guys can keep talking if you want.”

  “Nagumo-kun!” Aiko’s eyes lit up, to which Hajime smiled awkwardly.

  “This is what the best teacher in the world advised me to do. And if it’ll make these two happy then... I can’t just ignore it, can I? Anyway, I’ll go beat the shit out of those monsters for you.” Hajime patted Yue and Shea on the shoulder, turned around, and left the building. This time he didn’t look back. The two girls exchanged happy glances and headed out after him.

  Once the door closed, the town leaders, who had been silent until now, all started pressingly into Aiko with questions. Aiko just looked at the door Hajime had left through, her shoulders trembling. Her words had gotten through to him, but she wasn’t happy at all. What she’d told him, the things she’d said about his current way of life being too sad, they were all her true thoughts.

  However, that didn’t change the fact that she’d guided a student into danger, and asked him to fight an army of monsters. She knew it was a contradiction, telling him she didn’t want him to get too used to fighting his way through problems, and then tell him to fight his way through a problem. She did want Hajime to rethink his views on life, but she also wanted to save the town of
Ur. In practice, she had probably achieved both those things, but... she slumped her shoulders, thinking there must have been a better solution and blaming her own incompetence for not being able to discover it.

  She had hoped her students could all return home without any of them losing sight of their original selves... but it seemed that wish could no longer be granted. When she’d spoken with Hajime last night, she’d already known her dream was lost, but she wouldn’t stop hoping.

  Surrounded by a group of angry townsfolk, Aiko let out an almost imperceptible sigh. The students all stared at the door Hajime had left through as well, a myriad of emotions coloring their faces.

  Incidentally, Tio had entered the building with Hajime, but all she said was “Even though I should be an important part of his fighting force... th-this kind of abandonment play is... Master truly is...” and so everyone present completely ignored her feverish mutterings.

  The town of Ur. To its north were the Northern Mountain Ranges, and to its west was the Urdea Lake. It was blessed with natural resources of all kinds, and was now protected by walls that hadn’t existed the day before.

  Hajime had created those walls. He’d driven Steiff around the perimeter, transmuting walls behind him instead of leveling the earth in front of him.

  As Hajime’s transmutation radius only extended four meters past his point of contact, they were only about that high. Large monsters would have had an easy time climbing over them. They were basically a last ditch effort made with the mindset of “Well, it’s better than nothing.” However, Hajime had no intention of letting the battle even reach those walls.

  The citizens had all been made aware of the impending monster army invasion. Judging by their speed, Hajime guessed their vanguard would arrive by evening of the next day.

  Naturally, the town was in a state of panic. There were those that blamed the mayor and the other town leaders for letting this happen, those that broke down crying, those that clung to their family in desperation, those that tried to run, and those that started fights amidst the chaos. Most people couldn’t remain calm knowing tomorrow their home would be destroyed and that if they stayed they’d die. Panic was the normal reaction to that.

  However, someone managed to calm them down before the town devolved into full-scale rioting. That someone was Aiko. Taking the advice of the knights that had returned a short while ago, Aiko had stood up on a platform in the town square and spoken to the citizens. Her composed demeanor and overwhelming popularity helped her calm the citizens down to a reasonable level. In a way, Aiko Hatayama was more powerful than any hero.

  Once the people had been pacified, they naturally divided into two groups. Those that couldn’t abandon their homes, and were willing to share this town’s fate, and those that were ready to flee and call for aid.

  A lot of people in the group that chose to remain insisted the women and children escape at least. They believed Aiko’s words that the monsters would be repelled, and the men went around the town looking to see if there was any way they could help, while the women and children prepared to run. The town remained brightly lit deep into the night, illuminating groups of people crying as they parted with their loved ones.

  Those that were fleeing packed their things and left before the sun rose. It was high noon now, and those that remained were swapping between sleeping and working in groups. Most of those that remained did so because they believed their goddess and her friends would deliver them salvation somehow. That being said, they weren’t just blindly praying. They too were doing everything they could to defend their home.

  Despite the fact that the town only had a fraction of its population left within it, it was livelier than ever. Hajime sat down in his makeshift chair atop the city walls and cast his gaze far into the distance. Yue and Shea were next to him as always. The two quietly sidled closer to him and watched him lapse into thought.

  Aiko, Yuka, the other students, Tio, Will, and David’s knights walked up to the trio. Despite their noisy approach, Hajime didn’t turn around. David raised his eyebrows in annoyance, but before he could say anything Aiko spoke up.

  “How are your preparations coming along, Nagumo-kun? Is there anything you need?”

  “Nah, I’m fine, Sensei.” Hajime didn’t turn around. Unable to stand his attitude, David angrily flared up.

  “Hey, brat. Aiko... Your teacher’s talking to you. Is that the kind of attitude you take with her? She’s the only reason we’re not grilling you about your artifacts and how you plan on taking down this huge army, you know that? You could at least—”

  “David-san, could you please be quiet?”

  “Gah... Yes, ma’am...” One word from Aiko instantly shut him up. He was like a trained dog. Though he was no beastman, it was easy to imagine him having dog ears and a tail. He obediently hung his head in remorse after being remonstrated by his master.

  “Nagumo-kun. About the black-robed boy...” This was what Aiko had really come for. A pained look crossed over her face as she spoke.

  “You want me to find out who he is, right? And not kill him?”

  “...Yes. I have to be sure. Nagumo-kun... I understand what I’m asking isn’t easy, but...”

  “I’ll bring him to you.”

  “Huh?”

  “The black-robed kid. I’ll bring him to you. Do what you want with him... I’ll follow your decision.”

  “Nagumo-kun... Thank you so much.” Aiko was surprised at how cooperative Hajime was being, but grateful nonetheless. Seeing as he hadn’t turned around once during their conversation, it seemed to her that he had his own thoughts to contend with as well. Internally bemoaning her own powerlessness once more, she thanked Hajime with a strained smile.

  Once Aiko was done talking, Tio stepped forward.

  “Hmm, I too have something to discuss with you, M— Ahem... with you. Will you please listen to my request?”

  “Huh...? Oh, is that you, Tio?”

  “Wh-Why the long pause? Y-You could not possibly have forgotten me already... Haah... Haah... To think this could be so pleasant...”

  Tio’s voice grew so strange that Hajime couldn’t help but turn back. As he did so, he scowled. Her elegant black and gold kimono had come partially undone, revealing the silky smooth skin of her shoulder, and giving Hajime an exquisite view of her cleavage. The hem of her kimono had somehow been folded up to her thighs, giving a tantalizing view of her legs... Her beauty was stunning enough that no man could forget it after seeing it once, but Hajime’s response was incredibly casual.

  “Oh yeah, I remember now.” Somehow, instead of getting angry at being forgotten, Tio’s blushed and her breathing grew heavy. Whatever the “this” she had been referring to as pleasant... was something Hajime decided he didn’t want to know.

  “Mmmmmm! Umm, once your battle here is over, and you have safely seen young Will to his family, will you be resuming your travels?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I see. Well I was hoping... that I may be allowed to join yo—”

  “No.”

  “...Haah... Haah... Such a prompt rejection. I knew you would make a wonderful ma— Ahem! Of course, I am not asking you to do this for free! If you agree to let me join you, then I shall call you master, and devote myself to you body and soul! Surely—”

  “Go home. Better yet, go die.” Tio spread her arms wide, declared herself Hajime’s eternal slave, and Hajime just looked at her like she was dirt, and in fact told her to go become one with the dirt.

  His instant rejection sent shivers down Tio’s spine. Her cheeks flushed a deep rose color. She was clearly a pervert. A massive, raging, pervert. Everyone else was creeped out by her as well. Yue especially, as she’d held dragonmen in such high regard before. Her expression was a blank mask as she stared at Tio.

  “How... cruel... Even though you’re the one who made me like this... You have to take responsibility for your actions!” Everyone’s gaze shifted to Hajime, a look of surprise on their faces. Ha
jime certainly couldn’t allow his good name to be slandered like this, so he turned to look properly at Tio, a vein bulging on his forehead. He glared at her, waiting for her to explain.

  “Aah, that scornful glare again...Haah haaah... Mmm... Well, you see, I am quite strong.” Trembling under Hajime’s gaze, Tio began explaining how she came to desire being his slave.

  “Within my village, I am one of the strongest fighters. My endurance especially is far greater than the others. Even when someone did manage to get the better of me, they could never inflict any damage.” As the knights were present, Tio omitted the fact that she was one of the dragonmen.

  “It was only after I fought you that I first came to learn the true pain and humiliation that accompanies a real defeat. Your fists rocked me to the core! And your dirty fighting style left a lasting impression! You left my whole body aching and... Haah... Haah...” Tio got excited telling her own story, and the knights, who didn’t know the details, looked at Hajime as if he were a criminal. The way she told her story, it definitely sounded as if Hajime had raped her. How dare he be so violent with a lady, the knights thought. The reason they didn’t give voice to said thoughts was because the lady in question didn’t look very upset. In fact, she looked euphoric, leaving the knights confused as to how they should react.

  “...So Hajime opened a new door of experiences for you?”

  “Verily so! I can no longer live without him!”

  “...Disgusting.” Yue’s usually deadpan expression twisted into a frown. There wasn’t an iota of respect left in her voice. Hajime was so creeped out that he unintentionally let his thoughts slip.

  “Besides...” Tio suddenly clenched her butt with both hands and said her next sentence in an extremely embarrassed voice.

  “...You took my first.”

  Everyone’s jaw dropped open as they stared at Hajime. Hajime’s face cramped up and he shook his head in denial.

  “I most definitely did not.”