NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 44
Chapter 44: The Samurai Contemplates
Heightened expectations turned to disappointment, and the deep disappointment transformed into an explosive urge to kill.
“Shit! What the hell is this thing?”
“What happened to the archers? Were they killed?”
Despite the chaotic melee resembling a fireworks shop on fire, the sword flashes, charged with hatred, cut through the enemies’ bodies without a moment’s hesitation.
“It’s strong! Surround and crush it!”
“It’s no good…! Too fast ────Gaaaah!!”
With disheveled hair coated in dirt and his body drenched in blood, Kurosu swung his blade about recklessly, as if taking out his frustrations on anything in sight.
One strike, then another.
The blade pierced through armor, clothing, and skin, the feeling of cutting through flesh and scraping against bone transmitted to his arms. Death cries filled the air and the smell of fresh blood assaulted his nose, yet Kurosu paid it no mind, cutting down enemies as calmly as if he were felling young trees.
Nothing remained in his sight but the deserving bandits and the red blood. Whenever he spotted a shadow, he slashed. Whenever he heard breathing, he swung his sword without even a glance.
It was as if he had been raised high, toyed with relentlessly, and then finally pushed down into the depths of despair. Despite being repeatedly warned by Franz and the others, all the way until their departure, to not lose control, he still couldn’t suppress his overwhelming anger.
……
During their brief journey together, Kurosu began to perceive a seasoned warrior’s bearing in Raoul’s actions. From his words, Kurosu sensed a strong resolve to protect his lord, and gradually came to feel a growing respect.
“The Three Forgets of a Samurai”
Treat the lord’s body as the most sacred, regard the lord’s words as the ultimate command, and act with a spirit of selflessness that transcends gains or losses. Raoul’s attitude toward Renald was truly worthy of being called devotion—so admirable that it deserved praise.
As for the two knight apprentices, they were lively young warriors whose refreshing naivety was almost endearing. Watching them worry over their weakness and feel ashamed of their lack of experience made one instinctively want to give them advice. The struggles and conflicts caused by their inexperience were common among young people, but from the perspective of an elder, such traits appeared rather endearing. With dedication and practice under Raoul, these blossoms would surely grow into fine warriors in the future.
From the stories told by his companions, Kurosu had gathered that the position of “knight” had many similarities to that of a samurai. Each conversation with them stirred a feeling of nostalgia within him, almost indescribable. The vassals who served the Kurosu family were all fierce and ferocious, so for Kurosu, observing the retainers of other families was a refreshing change. He thought there must be some hidden charm in this gentle Renald, since they were willing to offer such unwavering loyalty to him.
However ──
It’s said that true human nature is revealed in moments of crisis.
“I might not be much help against two people, but… if it’s any use, I’ll head southwest as well.”
“That shall never happen! We are knights pledged to protect Master Renald. As long as we live, we will never allow him to wield a sword.”
Kurosu watched the heated argument between the two with a completely cold gaze. When it came time to confront the enemy, they showed no inclination to fight, instead engaging in overly dramatic exchanges about “sacrificing our lives to protect” and “don’t die for me.”
“The Cowardice of the Warrior Class”
Each of their arguments had its own merits, but prolonging discussions without acting depended entirely on circumstances. This was a time of utmost urgency. It was far more reasonable to address the immediate situation rather than worry about an uncertain future. Exactly how long did they intend to continue this meaningless debate?
From Kurosu’s experienced eyes, the enemies were foes that even Raoul alone could easily exterminate. Their theatrical discourse was akin to a bear making grand proclamations about battling ants, and it struck Kurosu as absurdly farcical.
Still, because his comrades had constantly reminded him to always follow the knights’ commands, he obediently observed their conversation and awaited orders.
But… the more he thought about it, something seemed off.
With Raoul’s abilities, there was no reason to hesitate against enemies of this caliber. Even if they were surrounded on three sides, Kurosu and the apprentices were present. The hesitation to fight made no sense. If Franz were leading the operation, he would have already made the decision to fight.
──Time buying? Waiting for something?
This thought led Kurosu to recall something and triggered a chain of reasoning in his mind.
At the mercenary guild, Saria had promised to inform the supervisor about him. The leader responsible for guarding this place was Raoul. So, this man must have heard something about him. If Raoul knew about it, Renald likely did as well.
And Saria probably doesn’t think too highly of me.
In that case… what did she tell him about me?
Kurosu was unaware, but his comrades often described him as brutal, a combat enthusiast, and warlike. If she had shared such evaluations…
Perhaps these people are watching how I act.
To judge whether someone is warlike, one would observe how long they could restrain themselves in the face of an enemy. It was like training a hunting dog; waving a treat to make the dog stay calm.
So they’re observing how long I can restrain myself from fighting.
Kurosu came to the conclusion that either Raoul, Renald, or both were testing him.
What a ridiculous game…
The anger rising from deep within his belly began to swell, bubbling with a loud roar. Throughout their journey, he had engaged in numerous battles against monsters, surely proving his capability. As a client, it was understandable for them to question the strength of their guard, but there was no justifiable reason to test his nature.
Especially since there was Pina—a non-combatant—in this situation. Was this really what knights were like? Just like mercenaries, they had no pride or dignity, merely fighting without thought.
“Sorry for interrupting, but is it alright if I ask a question?”
Struggling to suppress the flood of resentment, Kurosu interjected into their conversation with as polite a tone as he could muster.