by Chuuni Suki
"... ... I see. Then, hurry and leave. Although it hurt our heart to be unable to welcome someone who passed the qualification as stated in our tradition that finally came..."
"Don't mind it. There is no need to say everything because there will be lot of absurd remarks that I hear. Even so, to have such rational judgement I can only be thankful about it."
To Hajime's words, Alfrerick can only smile wryly. The other Elders have bitter and tired expressions. Rather than bitterness and grudge, Quickly go away! was what they had in mind. Having seen that, Hajime shrugged his shoulders then urged Yue, Shia, and her tribe to stood up.
Even though Yue was expressionless from the beginning till the end, having heard their talk she didn't say anything and only stood up to match Hajime.
However, Shia and the Haulia tribe still didn't believe it was reality and there is no sign of them standing up in their stunned state. Even though they are prepared to die until a while ago, then strangely in the end it suddenly turn into banishment. "Eh, is it okay for us to leave like this?" that's the kind of feeling that rolled in their mind.
"Oi, when will you stoppdaydreaming? We must quickly go."
Having heard Hajime's words, they finally start to stand up in hurry, then Shia and her tribe follow Hajime who was quickly going outside. Alfrerick and the other Elders send them till the gate.
Shia asked Hajime while flustered.
"U-um, is it okay... for us to stay alive?"
"? Didn't you hear the talk a while ago?"
"W-well, even though I heard it... ... that is, somehow it doesn't seems to be real to be able to go out of that kind of predicament suddenly... ... it makes me feel it was an unbelievable situation..."
Her perplexed expression also shared by the surrounding Haulia tribe. That was because for demi-humans, the decision of Elders Conference is absolute. Yue then talk to Shia who is perplexed that she can't understand how to process that.
"... ... it's okay to honestly rejoice about it"
"Yue-san?"
"... ... Hajime saved you. That's the truth. It's okay to just accept and rejoice."
"... ..."
Having heard Yue's words, Shia glances at Hajime who quietly walks next to her. Hajime then shrugs while facing forward.
"Well, it was a promise."
"Uh... ..."
Shia shoulder was trembling. In exchange to guide inside the Sea of Trees, Shia and her tribe were protected. It was the promise that Shia desperately attached to Hajime. Originally, using "Foresight" she saw the future where Hajime protected her family. However, that future wasn't absolute. Depending on Shia's choice of actions, it can change a lot. Because of that, Shia was "desperately" trying to obtain Hajime's cooperation. The other party was humans who discriminate against demi-human, and Shia didn't have any fortune to offer. Her negotiation materials were only herself as "woman" and "special ability". Even so, when it was easily discarded, she almost cried without knowing what else to do.
Even so, she somehow able to get his promise, and while talking on their way she felt that if it was Hajime then he'll kept it, that kind feeling. That maybe because even though she was a demi-human, she didn't felt any discriminatory glance. However, it was something she felt "somehow", it was not something for certain. That's why because she lose to her anxiousness, he said to the "one who promised to protect" that "even though the enemies were humans". In fact, when he fight those empire's Soldiers without any hesitation, it made her so relieved.
However, this time even Shia thought that even if it was Hajime, it wasn't the same as with those empire's Soldiers. It can be said it was the same as declaring war in front of the emperor. And the promise was protected without even flinching. Although, even if it was for Hajime himself, as Yue has said, Shia and her precious family were certainly protected.
Since a while ago, her heart kept throbbing hard. Her face was hot, a mysterious impulse that kept jumping up and down as if something stuck in her throat. Is it the joy because of her family's safety or...
Shia tried to follow Yue's advice to honestly be happy and left her current feeling then entrusted everything to her impulse to make the best of it. That is, she clings to Hajime with full force!
"Hajime-sa~n! Thank you very much~!"
"Uwaa!? What's so sudden!?"
"Mu..."
I absolutely won't be separated even if the bruise will make me cry! that's what Shia said while pressing her face into Hajime's shoulder then starting to rub it. Her expression started to loosen and her cheeks were dyed in pink.
Yue who saw that was groaning in bad mood, when she think about doing something, she only hold Hajime's hand, nothing special was done.
Having seen Shia explode in joy to Hajime, the Haulia tribe finally understood that they escaped with their life, they started to share the joy to each other.
The Elders can only see them with complex expression. Also, there are many who avert their gaze of hatred and discomfort.
Hajime while understand what was happened, can only smile wryly because for a while he was rolled into a troublesome thing.
* * *
Thank you for always reading.
Thank you for the impressions, opinions, and typo reports
Race who is discriminated and race that do the discrimination only to suddenly become friendly was tough.
But, I'll put their connection with Hajime again someday
Because I think it'll lonely if it was a one-time thing
Chapter 35: The Only Way to Survive
Merry Christmas
Even though I want to write side story about Yue's and Hajime's sweet sweet time...
Because the Author's real life wasn't sweet at all so it was impossible to write...
Maybe they can't enter Bocchi town...
* * *
"Well then, I think I'll give you some combat training"
Hajime and his party who banished from Faea Belgaen were resting in their temporary base near the Great Tree when he suddenly said that. Even though it was called a base, it was only a barrier made of Faea Drain crystals that... Hajime nonchalantly stole. Inside it while sitting on stumps, those rabbit-ears floated dazed expressions.
"Th-that... Hajime-san. Combat training in other words..."
Shia asked him on behalf of her perplexed clan.
"Just like the words said. Anyway, we can't reach the Great Tree before ten days passed, right? Then it's better to effectively use those time, I am thinking to make you whom weak, fragile, and loser nature deeply ingrained in, into someone who excel in combat."
"Wh-why did you think that..."
The rabbit-ears were trembling from the intimidating feeling that can be felt from Hajime's eyes and whole body. Shia naturally doubt Hajime's abrupt declaration.
"Why? Did you ask why? Shameless rabbit."
"Au, you still not called me by name..."
Hajime with skeptical eyes explain to the depressed Shia.
"Listen well. The promise that I had with you guys was only to protect you until you done guiding me. Then, what will you do after guiding me, did you already think about it?"
Haulia tribe's members look at each other then shake their heads. Kam also has a hard expression. Even though they vaguely felt the uneasiness, it seems because they were in upheaval after upheaval that thought was thrown into the corner of their minds. Or it was possible that they didn't think about it at all.
"Well, it looks like you didn't think about it at all. No one told me you've think about it after all. You're weak, so you can only run and hide in front of malice and possibility of injury. To that kind of you, the place to retreat called Faea Belgaen was lost. In other words, when my protection is gone, you'll once more fall into predicament."
""""""... ...""""""
Because that was right, everyone of Haulia tribe look down with dark expression. Meanwhile, they can Hear Hajime said.
"You didn't have any way out. There is no protection nor place to hide. H
owever, demonic beasts and humans will aimed at the weak you without mercy. If this going on there will be only path of annihilation... are you okay with that? Are you okay with weakness as the reason of your ruin? Is it okay for the lives that you luckily got back uselessly gone? What do you think?"
No one utter any words and gloomy atmosphere filled their vicinity. Until someone suddenly said.
"There no way I can accept that."
Haulia tribe began to look up having touched by those words. Shia was already look resolute.
"That's right. That can't be accepted. Then, what should you do. The answer is easy. Just become strong. Just attack all the trouble that come and destroy it, you only need to acquire your rights with your own hands."
"... ... but, we are RabbitMan tribe. We didn't have strong body such as Tigerman tribe and Bearman tribe neither special skill like Wingedman tribe and Earthman tribe... ... we are totally, that..."
Because it was a common sense that RabbitMan tribe is weak, Hajime's words only give birth to negative feelings. Because they are weak, they can't fight. No matter how much they struggle to get strong as Hajime said, that's what they think.
Seeing this Haulia tribe Hajime laugh from his nose.
"Did you know I was called "incompetent" by my former companions?""
"Eh?"
""Incompetent" you hear, "incompetent". My status and skill was as ordinary as average person. The weakest among my companions. Nothing more than a burden in combat. Therefore, I was called "incompetent" by my former companions. Indeed, that was the truth."
All of Haulia tribe members were surprised by Hajime's confession. They can't believe that Hajime who was able to easily defeat Raisen Grand Canyon's brutal demonic beasts and Elder of Bearman tribe who excel in combat was someone "incompetent" and "weakest".
"However, I who was fallen into the bottom of the Abyss acted to become strong. I didn't think if something was possible or impossible to do. If I didn't do anything then I'd die, that's why I fought with all my might in that crisis. ... ... when I noticed I was already became this."
All of it was talked indifferently, however, all of Haulia tribe members can feel chill running through their whole body because of the sublime content. With status the same as average person means his specs is even lower than RabbitMan tribe. In that situation, he was able to defeat monsters that even stronger than demonic beasts in Raisen Grand Canyon that they can't even match again. His abilities and the fact that he survived even though he was the weakest after challenging those monsters make the Haulia tribe tremble in fear imagining those bizarre situations. If it was them they'll be crushed in despair and accept death in resignation. Just like how the accept the decision from the Elders Conference.
"Your situation now is similar to mine. Now promised to yourself, let's break the despair into pieces. I don't care even if you think it was impossible for you. You'll only be annihilated next time. After all, I won't help you after the promise is accomplished. It's okay to spend the little time remained in your life to lick each other wound just like losers."
Then, what will you do? is what Hajime asked with his eyes. There is no immediate answer from Haulia tribe members. Well, it can be said there is no other answers. They understood there is no other road to survive except to become strong. It's not like Hajime protect their family out of justice. Therefore, he will surely abandon them after their promise is fulfilled. However, even if they understand that, their nature is peaceful and gentle, the RabbitMan tribe's gentleness is stronger than anyone else, that's why for them Hajime's proposal is the same as stepping into an unknown territory. It was difficult for them to change their way of life unless they fall into the exact situation just like Hajime.
Haulia tribe fall into silent and look at each other. However, Shia who since a while ago floated a resolute expression look at them with a skeptical gaze then she stand up.
"I'll do it. Please teach me how to fight! I don't want to stay weak anymore!"
Her shout echoes all over the Sea of Trees. A declaration to say there is no need to think more than this. Shia hates fighting. It was scary and painful, above all it was sad to hurt and to be hurt. However, it was the truth that she was the cause in driving her tribe into current predicament, so she absolutely won't let her tribe perish. For that certain purpose, Shia wanted to become stronger even if it was against the nature of RabbitMan tribe.
Shia with unyielding determination in her eyes look straight at Hajime. Kam and his tribe who are dumbfounded by that, gradually change their expression into resolute one, one by one they stand up. In the end, not just the male, female and children of Haulia tribe all stood up and Kam who represent them move a step forward.
"Hajime-dono... ... please teach us."
His words was few. However, there is a will inside of it. The will to fight against injustice that'll come to attack them.
"Okay. Are you prepared? How much stronger you become will be up to your determination. I am only here to give a hand to it. Also, I won't be gentle to those who decided to drop out on the way. We only have ten days in addition... ... be accustomed to dying. What await you were only life or death after all."
Having heard Hajime's word, all of Haulia tribe members nodded with determination.
* * *
Before he start to train Haulia tribe, Hajime took out equipments that will be used to train from
"treasure box" and hand it to them. It was the single-edged knife that similar to a type of Japanese sword called kodachi that he passed to them before. Hajime made those blade with precision that even the sharpness is excellent because he practiced the method to manufacture the ultra thin blade. It was strong against impact because it made of Taur ore. It takes pride in its durability despite its thinness.
After he gave them those weapons, he taught them basic movements. Of course Hajime didn't have any knowledge in martial arts. But it was not something he got from manga or game. The things he taught was only "logical movements" that he gain and polish by fighting the demonic beasts in the Abyss. While doing so, he pile up real combat experience against types of demonic beasts. Haulia tribe strong points was their search ability and stealth ability. In conclusion, he think it's better for their group strategies that specialize in co-operation and surprise attacks.
By the way, Shia is exclusively trained by Yue about magic. That was because she can use magic even though she is a demi-human, Shia also able to use direct magic manipulation so she should be able to use magic without chant or magic circle as long as she has the knowledge for it. Occasionally, Shia's scream can be heard from the other side of fog but it seems the training is going well.
However, something happen on the second day of training. Hajime looks irritated with veins appear on his head while supervising Haulia tribe's training. Certainly, Haulia tribe members who go against their nature were taking the training seriously. Even they somewhat manage to defeat demonic beasts without receiving much wounds.
However...
Gusagh(Thunk)!
One of the demonic beasts were dead pierced by Hajime's specialized kodachi.
"Aah, please forgive the sinful me~"
The one that said that while clinging to the demonic beast was a man of Haulia tribe. It's as if he is killing his best friend who he know for a long time.
Bushu(Foosh)!
Another demonic beast was defeated with a slash.
