Chapter 18: Rainy Days Are Days Off

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/19/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

When I wake up, it’s pouring.
I can’t see the view outside the window at all.
Rain this bad, it’s hard to even leave the inn, never mind the city.

And so. Today is a day off.

I try organizing my things, but I didn’t bring much to begin with, so it finishes right away.
I genuinely have nothing to do.
I roll around on the bed. I fall off. I hit my head.

Nuoh… that really hurts.

I flop spread-eagle as I am.
A dark room, rain hitting the glass.
Mixed in, my heartbeat. Slow. Beating.

The day I came to the church was a downpour too, apparently.
I don’t remember the details. I only remember that the sound of the rain was terrible.
Just like today.
That’s the oldest memory I have.

Black hair, black eyes.
The same color as the Heroes in the picture books.
Why is that, I wonder.

I have mana, but I can’t use magic.
Apparently I have no power at all to control it.
Why is that, I wonder.

Among children with no parents, I was especially heretical.
When I was little, I thought it was a curse.

And I thought I’d been abandoned because I was a cursed child.

I can’t manipulate mana.
In daily life, that was nothing but drawbacks.
Even simple tools that use magic stones, I couldn’t use them at all until I got used to them.
Even now I avoid using them as much as I can.
Those, if they run wild, they harm people.
I was scared of that, so I lived without using magic stones.

That way of living is the same now.

A bath that gives hot water if you run mana through it.
I haul water in from outside and boil it myself.

A pot that heats if you run mana through it.
I light a fire and set the pot on it.

It takes more time than other people, and it’s less efficient.
Even so, I worked harder than anyone.
That I can cook is part of that.

To live, you need money.
To get money, you have to work.
So I worked desperately.

I learned to read and write, learned to cook, became able to calculate.
I wanted to learn what was edible, learn how to use tools, become able to protect the little ones.

I learned the basics of combat from Sister Naria.
I learned about this country at school.
I learned how to make bread and the basics of dealing with customers from the bakery owner.

I was taught a great many things by the people of the town.
That’s how the current me was made.

A patchwork Ouka was made.

Even so, the one thing that matters most I still don’t know.
What am I.

I can’t possibly be a Hero.
But I have black hair and black eyes.
For me, who understands nothing, there was nothing certain except the name Ouka.

Even so. People around me helped, and I’ve managed so far.
Thank you. I’m sorry.
Repeating those words in my heart.

Ah. I hate rainy days.
I stop being me.
Little Ouka shows her face.
The crybaby, weak child me.

Knock knock, and the sound of a knock brings me back.
I brush off the clothes that got dirty from rolling on the floor and open the door; the inn’s mistress is standing there with a troubled face.

“You were up. You have a visitor.”
“Heh? On a rainy day like this?”
“Well, that’s the thing. It’s someone from the knight order.”
“…Someone from the knight order, for me?”

The knight order that keeps the city in order, huh.
What do I do. I have too many ideas why.
But it isn’t like I committed a crime… maybe I should go out looking composed.

“I’ll see them for now. First floor?”
“Ah, they’re sitting and waiting.”
“Thanks, ma’am.”

I put the handguns in the holster and put on the gloves.
I check that my hair and clothes aren’t a mess and head downstairs.

○○○○○○○○

When I go down, at the edge of the space that also serves as a dining room, an uncle who doesn’t match this inn is sitting.
Full plate, a lavish cloak. A knight’s sword at his hip.
The knight order’s formal dress.

As I come closer, he stands, puts a hand to his chest, and bows.

“I am August of the Royal Knight Order. Would you be Ouka?”
“Yes, I’m Ouka, but…”
“The vice-captain has requested your presence. How is your convenience today?”

Ha? The vice-captain? Why am I getting summoned from somewhere like that.

“Uh. What is this about?”
“I have not been informed of the details myself.”

Without so much as a twitch, August keeps looking at me.
Muu. What do I do.
Vice-captain means I have to go to the royal castle, right?
I don’t want to go somewhere that scary.

“…Um, what happens if I refuse?”
“Nothing happens. I am the only one who would be troubled.”

A flat assertion.
Nnh. Coming out in the rain was hard enough.
I don’t have a reason to refuse right now… can’t be helped, I’ll go.

“I understand. I’ll go. Now?”
“Thank you very much. I was told as quickly as possible. I have a coach prepared; this way.”
“…Um, hypothetically. If I ran after we arrived at the castle, would that cause you trouble, August?”
“After arrival, there would be no problem. But it will be all right; I will vouch for the vice-captain’s character.”
“Hnn… I understand. I’ll think after we arrive, for now.”

All right. Worst case, I run.

I do a simple getting-ready and get into the lavish coach stopped in front of the inn.
Smaller than the one I rode coming to the capital, but it’s decorated like crazy; even in the downpour you can tell it’s impressive.

Anyway I brought my valuables; worst case I’ll fly away.
I’m thinking that, shaken in the coach, and we arrive at the destination right away.
Eucria Castle. I’ve heard it’s the largest castle of humankind.
It really is just huge. The castle alone might be as wide as a small village.

We pass the castle gate, and the coach stops at the front entrance.
I get down as prompted and go into the royal castle.

Inside is inside, and it’s amazing in its own way.
On the pure-white walls, lighting magic tools are lined up at even intervals, and between them there are lots of doors.
How long is it to the far wall. Wide enough you could run around.

“This way. Please.”
“Ah, thanks.”

August leads me down the corridor.
Uwah, the carpet laid down is fluffy. It must be expensive.
Ah, there’s armor on display. Looks heavy. If I put that on I don’t think I could move.

I follow, looking every which way, and August stops in front of a door.
He knocks, knock knock, and a man’s voice gives permission to enter.

“Please. Come in.”
“Now, Ouka, inside. I have been ordered to wait here.”
“Ah, I see. Thank you for showing me.”

I open the door and go in, and three people, men and a woman, are standing in front of a sofa.

The uncle in full plate like August is probably the vice-captain.
But, more than that. The two standing on either side.
A beautiful woman with long black hair and narrow black eyes, and a handsome priest, also black hair, black eyes.

Eh, the real thing? Black hair, black eyes… no way, Heroes?

“I’m sorry to call you. I am Gios, vice-captain of the knights.”
“…Hello. I’m Ouka.”
“I heard you subjugated an ogre, and wished to meet you once.”
“I see… and these two?”

Well, I can guess. These two are probably the real reason I was called.

“I’m Kisaragi Kyousuke. This is Katsuragi Kanon. I imagine the names at least ring a bell.”
“I only know from picture books, but ‘the Healer Who Kills Time’ and ‘the Rampart,’ right.”

Five years ago, summoned from another world, they defeated the Demon King and saved the world: the Ten Heroes.
That’s something that actually happened, enough to become picture books.
Two of those Heroes.
The Hero who heals any wound like a miracle of the gods, and the Hero who uses defensive magic that can even turn aside a dragon’s breath.
Exactly as they were drawn in the picture books.

Eh, wait, what is this situation. I don’t really understand.
Why am I suddenly talking to Heroes.

“Then I’ll ask you plainly. What are you?”

The older girl… Katsuragi Kanon opens her mouth. I feel a bit of pressure.
But also, that’s a really timely thing to ask… “what,” she says, I wonder.

“…I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question.”
“You weren’t summoned, and yet you have the same black hair as us. That shouldn’t normally be possible.”
“Uh. I’m an orphan, so I know nothing about my birth.”

That’s including why I came to the capital to check.
So being looked at with scary eyes is a problem.

“I see… then, how did you take the ogre?”
“Hnn. A pair of handguns arrived out of nowhere from one of the Ten Heroes. A talking ring as a set. I’ve been fighting with those.”
“…A talking ring. Then, Ryugeji, perhaps.”
“I don’t know the name, but I heard they live in Asura.”
“Ryugeji, then, that’s confirmed. But then, why would he…”

Hmm, I see.
The sender is apparently someone named Ryugeji.
Ryugeji Makoto, I think it was.
One of the Ten Heroes, the one who creates any and every tool, the Hero with the epithet ‘Fingertips That Govern All Creation.’
That person is the one I should meet.

“I came to the capital to find that out. I’ve already sent a letter.”
“I see. Then one more. What do you want to do with that power?”

…Nn? Meaning?
What I want to do, she says.

“Nothing in particular, I guess. Ah, it’s convenient for cooking, but I don’t mind if I don’t have it.”
“Even though you have the power to take an ogre alone?”
“That was more how things went… I happened to see it, and I thought I could, so I fought.
I’m only an adventurer to earn lodging, too.”
“…I see. You don’t seem to have ill will. Forgive me.”

Katsuragi Kanon smiles. She really is a beautiful older girl. I want to take her home.
I mean, so they called me to put a pin in me after all.
That’s fine, but… hnn?
I feel like something’s being hidden.

“Ah, right. Can you get in contact with that Ryugeji?”
“No, I’m sorry, it’s difficult for us to contact him from here.”
“I see. Then I just have to wait, I guess.”
“That’s how it is. I’m sorry.”

She apologizes with a slightly troubled face.
No, it isn’t Katsuragi Kanon’s fault.

“No, I was planning to wait for a reply originally.”
“If word comes, I’ll let you know.”
“Ah, please. That would help.”
“Yes. I’m sorry to have taken your time today.”
“Ah, no, on my side too. Thank you very much.”

I bow.
Still. Are Heroes all beautiful men and women.
I feel like I came out a little ahead.

I leave the room and think.
Gios and Kisaragi Kyousuke only spoke at the start, but they were watching me the whole time.
That isn’t curiosity. It’s the look of people trying to read what’s inside me.

What is it. I know my combat power is abnormal, but I wouldn’t think it’d become a story the Ten Heroes get involved in.
I have a feeling I’ll see them again, I think, as I get into the coach home.

○○○○○○○○

When I get back to the inn the mistress is worried sick.
I tell her there’s no problem, go back to my room, lie on the bed thinking about what just happened, and before I know it I’ve fallen asleep.