Chapter 23: Shared Pain
Just like last time, we assembled around 10.
This damn trash king is simply jerking me around... he should have just told us what was going on.
Now I have to meet up with these dicks. What if I end up getting an ulcer?
"Now then, I will distribute this wave's bounty reward and support funding."
Bounty?
An assistant appeared carrying bags filled with money.
"For each of the heroes."
I looked at the bags.
I see, just for monthly living expenses we would require at least 500 silver coins.
500 coins... would not be enough for preparation costs.
"Good job."
Raphtalia smiled while facing me.
"Ahh."
What should I buy with the money?
Maybe some weapon for Raphtalia would be for the best? Or maybe strong armor this time around?
Ahh, it's also about time to buy some new tools for mixing medicine. The truth is, the shield reacted to my current tools, so I'm curious what would happen if they were absorbed.
I fantasize about what to buy while hearing the coins clinking inside the bags.
I receive the bag and check its contents.
One, two, three... yup, 500 pieces.
"For completing requests and in expectation for Motoyasu-dono's other great deeds, we award 4,000 coins."
Oi!
I stare dumbfounded at the heavy looking bag that Motoyasu was holding. freewe(b)novel.c(o)m
I feel like I'll be endlessly complaining if I start now, so I hold it in, clenching my fists.
"Next is Ren-dono, for displaying similar bravery during the wave and completing requests, we award 3,800 coins."
You too!?
Ren coolly received the bag while making a face as if annoyed that he lost to Motoyasu. Even cursing silently, "All because the princess favors you..."
"Itsuki-dono... Your heroism echoes throughout the country. For your great work in times of strife, we award 3,800 coins."
Itsuki acts as if this much was to be expected while looking at Motoyasu enviously.
What are these 'requests'?
"Hmm... Shield needs to work harder, you only get living expenses."
Who's 'Shield'?! Is that supposed to be my name?!
I felt like a blood vessel would soon burst.
Even after going through all that bullsh*t from yesterday!?
"Um, Sire?"
Raphtalia raises her hand.
"What is it, demi-human?"
"... That is, what are requests?"
Raphtalia was also curious. Ignoring how little we received, we should at least investigate the reason.
"Requests are assigned to heroes to resolve problems that occur in the kingdom."
"... Why did Naofumi-sama not receive any requests? This is the first we've heard of this."
"Ha! What can Shield do?"
Asshole!
The audience snickered.
Ahh, not good. I feel like I'm going to start rampaging.
Is what I thought until I feel Raphtalia grasp my hand as she whispered to let it go. I suppressed my anger while still trembling.
... It's fine, I can bear it.
"Be thankful for even receiving this much!"
"It's not like you helped us out at all."
"Right. I didn't see you during the wave at all, what were you even doing?"
"You're an embarrassment to us heroes. Completely useless."
My irritation had peaked. I spat out a sarcastic retort.
"Great heroes, abandoning the lives of the villagers to fight the boss sure was heroic."
"Ha! Just leave that stuff to the knights."
"The knights are useless, leaving it to them would have resulted in a massacre. You bastards who only aimed for the boss wouldn't understand that."
Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren all look towards the leader of the knights.
That bastard just nods back at them.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Without the heroes dealing with the source of the wave, the casualties would have been far greater."
This bastard... how can you say that?
Acting all haughty while relaxing back at the castle.
Anyways, I'm also a hero. Or are you implying that the Shield Hero isn't one?
"Yeah, yeah. I'm busy with lots of stuff, so if there's nothing else we're leaving."
There's no point in arguing here. Let's just leave it at that and go.
"Wait, Shield."
"Hah? What. I'm busy unlike you assholes."
"You have been a disappointment; that money is our way of washing our hands of you."
Wha!?
So for all future waves I will get nothing. That's what you mean, right?
"That's great, Naofumi-sama!"
Raphtalia replied with a wide smile.
"... Eh?"
"You don't need to waste your time coming here anymore. Instead of dawdling, you can now focus on more important things."
"O... Oh."
It feels like Raphtalia has become really reliable.
She tightly held my hand while calming me down.
"We will be taking our leave now."
Cheerily, she pulled me along and we turned to leave.
"The whining of a loser."
Motoyasu said while Ren and Itsuki just shrug.
... Yeah. Rather than an uncomfortable partnership, this was much better.
"Now then, let's head over to the slave tent and redo the curse."
"Eh?"
Leaving the castle, Raphtalia said while turning to me.
"Otherwise, Naofumi-sama will not be able to trust me completely."
"Well... Not really..."
I recall her words from yesterday.
With those words I felt that I could trust Raphtalia. freewebnov(e)l
"It's... fine if you aren't a slave anymore."
"No."
"What?"
"You shouldn't lie. Naofumi-sama doesn't trust anyone other than a slave."
... Maybe I raised her wrong.
Well, even though it's true that I only trust slaves, Raphtalia is an exception.
Yeah.
"Um... Raphtalia."
"What is it?"
"It's fine even without the curse."
"No, I want it."
... Why is she so adamant about this?
"I also want something to prove that I trust you, Naofumi-sama."
"Haaa..."
First, what a weird person... that thought came to mind.
Second, I was reminded of Mein and got annoyed.
Why? I don't know why, but it's not like I'm angry at Raphtalia.
Normally I would feel... something else? What a strange feeling.
"So let's go."
"Fine."
If she insists, then I won't stop her.
To handle this matter, we headed back to the slave tent.
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