The kingdom's capital slowly shrank behind them as Haruto, Princess Lyria, and a small squad of knights marched into the wilds. Birds sang, leaves rustled, and the air was filled with the scent of pine.
It should've been peaceful. It should've been inspiring.
But Haruto was sweating like a pig.
Why… why am I even out here? I was supposed to be binging anime and eating ramen, not risking my life against fantasy monsters! This isn't what the contract promised! …Wait, I never signed a contract.
Princess Lyria, riding her snow-white horse, glanced at him shyly.
"Hero Aurelian, how does this scenery compare to your… homeland beyond the stars?"
Haruto scratched the back of his neck.
"Uh… yeah. Back home, there's… uh… huge towers of steel and… chariots that run without horses. Also… glowing boxes that play anime… I mean, visions of… culture."
The knights murmured in awe.
"Towers of steel… what advanced sorcery…"
"Truly a world beyond imagining!"
Haruto grinned nervously. Nice save.
---
Their peaceful march ended when a rustle echoed from the bushes. Sir Garrick raised his hand.
"Hold! Something approaches!"
From the forest burst three monstrous creatures—boars the size of wagons, tusks glowing faintly with mana. Their eyes were red, their breath steaming like smoke.
"Mana Boars!" one knight shouted.
"Stay behind us, Princess!" another cried.
The boars charged, tearing up dirt and grass in their frenzy. The knights rushed forward to meet them.
Haruto froze. His stomach dropped.
Oh crap oh crap oh crap. That's not a video game cutscene. Those are real tusks! Those things could split me in half!
Princess Lyria turned to him, eyes blazing with expectation.
"Hero Aurelian! Please, show us your divine strength!"
"E-eh? M-me?!" Haruto squeaked.
All eyes turned to him.
…Oh no. Oh hell no.
---
The nearest boar roared and lunged straight at Haruto. He screamed, lifted his sword blindly, and—
THUNK!
Luxem's blade hit a rock. The impact made Haruto lose balance, spinning him around like a top.
"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
His wild spin slashed through the first boar's neck, sending it crashing lifeless to the ground.
But he wasn't done. His spinning stumble made him trip on a tree root, tumbling forward—
CRASH! He collided headfirst into the second boar's stomach.
The beast squealed, flipping backward from the sheer force. Its tusk struck the third boar, impaling it. Both dropped, twitching.
Silence.
Leaves fluttered down. The knights stared, jaws slack. Princess Lyria covered her mouth.
Haruto staggered up, clutching his head.
"OW… my freaking spine… Did I die? Am I dead?!"
The battlefield was littered with three fallen monsters.
---
The knights erupted into cheers.
"Such unorthodox technique!"
"To defeat them with both blade and body—unheard of!"
"The hero uses his very skeleton as a weapon!"
Princess Lyria's eyes sparkled like twin suns.
"…I knew it. Your combat style is beyond mortal imitation. Truly… divine."
Haruto blinked.
"…Huh?"
She rode closer, gazing down at him.
"You… threw yourself into danger without hesitation. You risked your very life to save us."
What?! I literally tripped!
Sir Garrick slammed his fist over his chestplate.
"Hero Aurelian! Today you've shown us your valor. I, Garrick, pledge my sword to follow you until the end!"
The other knights knelt, voices rising in unison.
"For the Hero!"
Haruto stood there, sword trembling in his hands, inner monologue screaming.
I was just… spinning around like a Beyblade! How are they calling this divine?!
---
Once the adrenaline wore off, Haruto collapsed onto a fallen log, panting. His arms felt like jelly. His knees were bruised, his head was throbbing.
Princess Lyria knelt beside him, dabbing his forehead with a silk handkerchief.
"Are you hurt, Hero? To push yourself so far for our sake…"
Haruto froze, her face only inches from his. His heart jumped.
"N-no, no, I'm fine! Just… uh… testing the ground with my face. Strategic technique."
She smiled warmly, the kind that could melt glaciers.
"…You're incredible."
Haruto looked away quickly, ears burning. Oh crap. She's totally falling for me. Anime routes are real.
_____
As they gathered the spoils from the monsters, one knight frowned, holding up a shard of crystal pulled from the boar's chest.
"…This mana corruption… it's spreading faster than reported. If even low-level beasts are like this, then…"
Princess Lyria's expression hardened.
"…Then the Demon Lord's influence grows stronger."
Haruto gulped.
Demon Lord? Stronger monsters? Wait. WAIT. Why does it feel like the difficulty level just jumped?!
The knights cheered, oblivious to his panic.
"With the Hero among us, victory is assured!"
"Long live Hero Aurelian!"
Haruto forced a grin, but inside he was screaming louder than ever.
I am so screwed. The script is not following as it should be ..
---