I Returned with the Cheat Holy Sword

"…It’s already over?"

Gray asked in a daze.
The moment she realized that the brooch her father had given her had gone strange, she had rushed straight to the Imperial Palace without pause.
There, one of the palace attendants assigned to receive the Hero stammered out a reply.

"Yes, Hero. It was quite the uproar yesterday, but somehow, it was resolved…"
The fact that a demon had appeared inside the palace was, of course, strictly classified, but considering who she was, it wasn’t something they could hide.
"Who handled it?"

"A man named Carlyle Belfast."
"…"
Gray blinked blankly.

Again.
It was him.
She hadn’t even known he was here at the palace, and yet once more, in her absence, he had protected her father.
And the first thought that flashed through Gray’s mind upon hearing that was—

…Of course it was him.
At this point, there was no one else who could have helped her this much.
A laugh slipped from her lips without her realizing it.

The attendant across from her paled in terror at the sight of the Hero beginning to laugh, but Gray had no attention to spare for that.
Because knowing that man had saved her father was stirring a feeling inside her chest she had never experienced before.
What was this, exactly?

It wasn’t simple gratitude.
…It was more like the realization, once again, that she trusted him.
I should thank him, shouldn’t I?

Normally, Gray avoided straightforward words for all kinds of reasons, but for something on this scale, she absolutely should.
It wasn’t just anyone—he had saved her father.
"Ahem, hm."

And perhaps, if that man wanted…
…She could even offer something more “important” as thanks.
Why not?

She could give him more of the great Hero’s time.
Or go out of her way to procure a gift that suited his taste.
N-not that she would personally do anything like that herself, but—
If he wanted it, then.

"Ah, but I heard that in the course of subduing the threat, Lord Carlyle suffered rather severe injuries. He is currently under treatment—"
Before the attendant could even finish, his body was sent sprawling.
Gray, eyes bloodshot with fury, had kicked his shin.

…The fact that his leg was only fractured and he hadn’t gone flying meant she had at least moderated her strength.
"—Why didn’t you say that earlier?!"
"…"

You didn’t ask, you crazy bitch.
The attendant didn’t dare voice that thought, because Gray had already knocked him flat and was spinning on her heel to storm off—
…Only to pause, then whirl back again, boots clacking.

Like she was picking up an animal off the ground, she grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and yanked him up, glaring into his eyes.
"How badly is he hurt?"
"I… I was told it’s not life-threatening, but enough to make movement difficult."

"Good. Then he’ll need nursing, won’t he?"
"…"
The attendant had no idea why she was saying good, but he nodded anyway.

"Does he have a nurse with him right now?"
"As far as I know, yes."
"Then it’s fine if I go and chase them out, right?"

"…"
"And tell me where I can buy flowers and fruit nearby. Quickly."
"…"

After that warm-hearted yet violent exchange, Gray proudly purchased flowers and fruit and approached Carlyle’s sickroom.
These were gifts she herself, the Hero, had chosen and carried. Surely that man would be moved to tears.
That was the thought in her mind when—

"What do you think of Gray?"
"…"
…A voice fell that made her hold her breath.

It was her father’s voice.
Gray Chasefield herself was aware that she often ended up overhearing conversations.
It was largely due to her extraordinary physical abilities that let her catch sounds whether she wanted to or not.
And because of that, she sometimes instinctively hid herself to eavesdrop on sensitive topics.

Especially if they involved a certain man.
Like right now.
"…May I ask what prompts that question?"

Carlyle’s calm voice responded.
"Because I want to make a request."
"A request to serve as her retainer is already something I’ve been fulfilling faithfully."

"Carlyle. After this incident, I’ve realized clearly: I will never be able to walk by that child’s side until the very end."
"…"
"…It’s something I accepted the moment she took on the role of Hero. I’ll die before she does. That’s what it means to face humanity’s greatest enemies."

A cold chill coursed through Gray’s veins.
She had always known it.
…Those who stayed near the Hero were doomed to misfortune.

Even Felix, her strongest supporter, had hammered that truth into her.
The attack that had targeted Lionel this time certainly wouldn’t be the last.
But she hadn’t expected her father to accept it so matter-of-factly.

He must have known how she would feel if he ever voiced such words, so he had kept them to himself until now.
"But you are different."
Lionel’s steady voice continued.

"You can stay by her side to the very end. Even if I am gone."
"…"
"I just want to ask you to make sure she doesn’t end up alone. That’s all."

"I thought I’d been doing that well enough so far."
"I can’t be certain you’ll continue. I just wanted your assurance."
"…"

"Especially now, when so many people are trying to pull you away from Gray’s side."
"…"
"The Black Lion Marcher °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Lord, the Emperor, the princes, the princesses—all of them want you. They promise brighter, safer futures if you serve them instead of the inhuman Hero. You know this, don’t you?"

"…Yes."
Suddenly.
Gray felt her fingers and toes go cold.

…Without her realizing it, had he been constantly receiving such offers?
Without her realizing it, could he have left her side?
As that thought flickered through her—

"If you ask how I see the young lady…"
Carlyle let out a quiet sigh.
"I think she’s an incomparable delinquent."

"…What?"
"In fact, sometimes I wonder if it’s not just a ruined personality but some kind of mania. Honestly, doesn’t she need treatment? Wouldn’t it be wise to consider prescribing some medicine?"
"…"

"Frankly, if not for me, she would’ve long since killed enough people to build a mountain of corpses by now."
Lionel and Gray both fell silent.
A vein pulsed at Gray’s forehead. As always, fury rose like fire through her veins.

But unlike usual, that fury lost its direction and settled, heavy, inside her.
…Wasn’t the very reason he might leave her rooted in that same fury?
Then just go and meet whoever you want.

Gray clenched her fist tight at the thought.
She didn’t matter. He should just do what he wanted, be with whoever he wanted.
The words surged up into her throat.

She closed her eyes and pictured him being close with someone else, showing them a face he would never show her, being far more intimate.
—I’ll always be on your side, my lady.
Always.

That unconditional kindness, but given to someone other than her.
Especially if that someone was a woman.
Someone who, unlike her—who couldn’t even understand what it meant to “like” someone—could skillfully embrace Carlyle.

Her chest clenched tight.
It hurt.
…It hurt so much.

She bit down hard on her trembling lips.
Her body shook for reasons she refused to admit had anything to do with him.
No, of course not.

The Hero would never lean on anyone like that.
She was just… just in a little pain, that was all.
"…"

Gray forced the emotions clawing up her throat back down.
That was it.

"But that’s why, if not me, then who else could possibly handle her?"
"…"
Gray’s breath caught.

***
Carlyle continued fervently.
"Your Grace. I will never abandon her. No matter who comes to tempt me, I intend to remain by her side until the end."

Honestly, what else could he say?
He didn’t understand why Lady Raiza, or now this man, were all worrying about the wrong thing.
Didn’t they get it?

If he didn’t turn Gray into a proper human being, the world was doomed.
How was that so hard to grasp?
If anything, he was the one worried.

Wait, is this man testing me?
If he gave some half-hearted answer here and Lionel thought he was wavering, he might try to separate him from Gray. That would be the real disaster.
So he had to drive the nail in firmly.

"I will make sure the Hero is set straight."
Lionel’s eyes widened.
"What?"

"I will take full responsibility for her. Even if it costs me my life."
Yes. Because it really was something he had to do, even at the cost of his life.
The Hero who would save the world—Carlyle himself would shape her with his own two hands…!

No one else could!
Gray’s father, I will raise your daughter into a proper human being…!
"…"

Lionel stared at him, struck speechless.
…And then, tears welled up and rolled down his cheeks.
"…"

Sir? Why are you suddenly crying…?
Well, sure, if someone said they’d devote themselves to your daughter like that, tears made sense, but—
This didn’t quite feel like what Carlyle had meant.

"Haha, hahahaha—! Yes, that’s it! That’s the answer I was waiting for!"
"…"
"One of the greatest worries of my life has just vanished! Of course, yes! Who else but you could take responsibility for Gray!"

…Huh.
What was this?
Lionel, eyes shining with tears, swept Carlyle into a crushing embrace.

Honestly… he seemed a bit too overjoyed.
It didn’t feel like he’d found his daughter’s true “teacher,” but rather like he’d found a new family member—
[…Idiot.]

…What now.
[Sometimes moments like this just prove you really are clueless.]
…

Once again, Carlyle was left hearing incomprehensible mutterings.
And then, a window appeared before his eyes.
—System Message—

▶ Target "Duke Chasefield" has reached maximum favorability with you!
▶ This target cannot be “trained.” No rewards will be given, but the questline will change!
▶ The "Chasefield Ducal House" has become one of your "Support Factions." Even if it places them in danger, they will actively aid you, rush to your side at the first sign of trouble, and grant any request you make!
▶ This will heavily influence the upcoming "Main Quest"!
"…"
Carlyle stared blankly at the window.

This man… just how much had he been worrying about his daughter?
If just hearing that someone would knock some sense into her drove him to this point—
Isn’t this a bit much…?

That thought had barely crossed his mind when another window popped up.
—System Message—
▶ Target "Gray"’s trust has greatly increased.
▶ Target’s trust has shifted from “Interest” to “Bond”!
▶ Trust level has surpassed the threshold. Target’s “Special Ability” has been unlocked!

—System Message—
▶ "Special Ability: Rage of Loss" has been added to target "Gray."
▶ If you are placed in danger, the target’s stats will receive a temporary boost!
"…"

Carlyle’s jaw snapped shut.
Come to think of it… hadn’t his entire involvement with Gray begun because she had eavesdropped on something he’d said?
Ha…

Surely this wasn’t the kind of “foundation” that needed preserving.
Fuck.