Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330657219422179/episodes/16817330657801065154
We eventually return to the front desk of the Bren branch office without being able to start a conversation. The number of adventurers had increased since we arrived this morning, and when they saw us, there was a bit of a stir.
–We had attracted a fair amount of attention earlier, but it was getting worse. Someone who was here yesterday must have told others.
I calmly analyze. As was said earlier in the reception room, as my name as a “dragonslayer” spreads from now on, this kind of thing will increase. As Gillian san said, there may be some unscrupulous people who will try to mess with us.
But for now, let’s put that concern aside. If that were to happen, we would have to deal with it on the spot.
Rather than that, what I should do now is…..
I stopped them as they were heading toward the request board and pointed to a break area with tables and chairs.
“You two, if you’ll excuse me for a moment. Before we choose a request, I want to talk to you about something very important.”
Perhaps sensing something in the seriousness of my expression, the two nodded in agreement despite their confusion. They followed me to the table and the three of us sat down.
The two wait for my words, and then look at me quietly.
–Well, well. There was no point in hesitating after coming this far. I had no choice but to put my feelings aside and finally make up my mind.
I wonder what they will say when they hear what I have to say. The thought of it makes my mouth heavy, but I have made up my mind.
I stared at Ur and Rietta’s faces, and then I opened my mouth.
“I have something to apologize to all of you.”
“Tale-kun?”
Rietta looked into my face with concern. I can feel the confusion and concern in Ur’s eyes as well.
I must properly confess my sins and ask for forgiveness.
I bowed to Ur and Rietta with all the sincerity I could muster.
“Ur, Rietta, I’m really sorry. Three months ago, I fell off a cliff and disappeared from everyone’s sight…..I actually stepped off the cliff on purpose to get out of the party.”
“Eh? ……?”
They both looked at me in surprise when they heard my words. I continued, my heart filled with apology.
“I know that back then, I asked several times if I could leave the party. I’m not good enough, so I want to quit before I risk someone’s life by dragging you down. But everyone was too kind to allow me to leave on my own. So …… I pretended to lose my life in an accident and tried to disappear.”
“I failed and really did fall to the bottom,” I said to them, and Ur and Rietta tried to open their mouths, as if they wanted to say something. But I stopped them and bowed my head firmly once again.
“I’m really sorry. It was an act of self-indulgence that trampled on everyone’s feelings. I knew that you would be heartbroken for me, but I didn’t think that I would cause you any more hurt than I did. I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me. …… Still, I’m sorry–“
I hear them gasp. But they still don’t say anything. I continue to bow my head in sincerity, at least until I get some kind of response.
I wonder how much time has passed since then. The first to open her mouth was Rietta, who is always more attentive to the atmosphere of the party than anyone else.
“……Tale kun kun, you’ve been worrying by yourself like that again, haven’t you? No, I don’t think so. You kept asking us for advice, but we were the ones who didn’t take it seriously.”
Rietta’s large eyes gradually filled with tears as she said this. I looked up in surprise, but when I squeezed both of my hands, Rietta bowed in my place.
“I’m sorry, Tale kun,……! We should have thought more seriously about Tale-kun’s words and tried harder to give him special training, or something like that… There could have been a lot of things that could have been done, but Tale kun wasn’t the only one at fault…! We also have to apologize! ”
“Rietta,……”
“Tale kun, I bet you had a lot of trouble confiding to us about this. I’m sure you were …… scared. But you told me honestly. I don’t hate you for this. ……I’m sure everyone else does too. Ur-chan is the same, right?”
“I’m ……”
Ur, who was dumped by Rietta, looked down once, then raised her head and looked at me intently. She opens her mouth and closes it as if hesitant about something, but then she voices what’s on her mind.
“I’m not angry with Tale, either. Rietta is right, we are at fault, and I have no right to blame Tail. But ………… I just feel sad.”
“Sad?”
I question Ur’s words. In response, Ur nodded sheepishly.
“Yes, I’m sad. Because, Tale, I’m sure that you feel really bad about what happened and that you hurt us, but even so,—- if you could go back in time and do it over again, you would probably fall off that cliff again.”
“I’m sad because I know that,” Ur said sadly.
I felt that I had been hit to the heart of the matter. Ur, who had known me since I was a child, no longer asked me a question, but said it in a way that made me feel sure of it. And she was right.
If I could make that choice again, carrying over my memories from the present, I would probably choose to —- fall into the valley again.
“…… right, indeed. I think my actions were a sin, and I will accept whatever punishment everyone gives me. But I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
I continue as if I am confessing my sins.
“Unlike now, I was clearly inferior to everyone else at that time. I managed to cover it up by acting as everyone’s back-up, but I didn’t know when that breakdown would lead to an accident. If it was going to result in the death of anyone other than me, I’d choose to leave the party, even if it meant hurting everyone else.”
“…………I knew Tail would always make the most important decisions alone. Of course, you will consult with us before you get there, and I know it’s our fault for not being able to respond properly. But it’s still …… lonely not being able to rely on you at the end of the day.”
“Ur……”
Muttering as if spilling out her emotions, Ur lowers her ears above her head and tilts her face shallowly down. Her straight black hair hangs down and covers her eyes.
I know it’s my fault, but I still can’t irresponsibly say anything to change this nature, and I can’t think of anything to say to her. Rietta was also flustered by the depressed Ur, which she rarely sees.
It was then that an awkward silence fell over the place.
–Ur’s ears, covered with glossy black fur, twitched. When I looked at her, I saw her ears stand up strongly, as if she had made up her mind to do something.
Then I noticed that Uru raised her face and turned her determined gaze only on me.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll change it.”
“…… Eh?”
“I’ll change it. I’ll cure Tale of that bad habit. –Even if things don’t go well and a decisive moment comes someday……If I’m the only one who’s saved and Tale disappears, then I’ll follow you even to hell.”
While Rietta and I were stunned, Ur made a face that revealed emotion that she doesn’t usually show. The mature girl who is always calm and always chides us, now speaks with strong resolve.
“There’s nothing that Tale should be concerned about. It’s my decision, and I won’t ask Tale anything directly. If I had to force myself to say, this is the oath I made to myself. So… ”
Ur said with the strongest and most beautiful smile I have ever seen.
“–When the time comes when there’s nothing we can do,…… then we’ll die together, Tale.
The only thing I could do for Ur was to nod slowly to her.
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