by Chuuni Suki
"Well, it was your first battle, if you realized that now then it'll be okay! It was Hajime-san's fault after all! Although I understand the importance of fighting spirit, that was too much! Rather than fighting spirit, it was more like you became berserkers!"
This time, Shia was 'puripuri' angry at Hajime. A small voice of Shia muttering can be heard, "Just why did I fall for that kind of person".
And at that time, a gunshot can be heard.
From Shia's back, "Guwa!?" a groan could be heard, along with sound of something collapsing. Now that they think about it, while in a panic Shia and the others remember the existences that they'd forgotten about, then looked behind their back, there laid Regin who writhed in pain while holding his forehead.
"Why the heck are you trying to run away while their attention was diverted? Until their talk is over sit in seiza now!"
Hajime accompanied by Yue appeared from inside the fog. It seems while Shia and the others were immersed in their talk, Regin and his subordinates tried to run away, only to get shot. However, it wasn't known why he used the non-lethal rubber bullet.
Although they heard Hajime's words, the Bearman tribe tried to vigilantly examine their surroundings to keep running away, but Hajime silenced them with "Pressure". While casting glances at them, Hajime and Yue looked at Shia and the others.
When Hajime saw Kam and the others, some of them felt awkward and looked the other way. However, immediately after words of apology came to Kam and the others.
"A, well, what to say, sorry. Because I was fine with it, I'd completely forgotten the shock of murder. It was my mistake. Un, I am sorry"
Shia and the others can only 'pokan' blankly stare at him with opened mouths. That was because they heard an unexpected but honest apology.
"Bo-boss!? Are you okay!? Did you hit your head!?"
"Medic! Medic! There is a person with serious injury here!"
"Boss! Please steady yourself!"
That's why it became such reactions. With veins popping on his head, his mouth twitched.
This time, Hajime himself truly thought it was his mistake. Because he didn't feel anything when he kills, he didn't consider the shock that was supposed to occur with it. No matter how much stronger he had become, he didn't have any experience in teaching, as a result, he almost broke the Haulia tribe's minds. Indeed, he thought it was dangerous, that's why he said those words of apology... ... but their reaction was to doubt his sanity. Hajime thought, "Should I be angry?", he was hesitating while getting back into his usual attitude.
Hajime put this matter aside for now, approached Regin then put Donner's muzzle at his forehead.
"Well then, will it be a brave death or to survive and live in shame, which will it be?"
Having heard Hajime's words, the Bearman and Haulia tribe looked at him with surprised eyes. By his speech just now, they heard that he'd overlook the Bearman tribe depending on the situation. It was a serious proposal from Hajime who had no mercy and was unreserved against his enemies. Kam and the others looked at Hajime in sorrow while thinking, "As expected his head was...". Even though more veins popped on Hajime's head, but because there'd be no progress otherwise, he let it through(go) temporarily.
Regin looked at Hajime with a surprised expression. It was the man who had brought about the complete change in the Haulia tribe, he thought this man wouldn't show any mercy.
"... what does it mean, do you want to let us go?"
"Aa, you can return if you want, you know?"
"Conditions?"
To easily say that they could return, aside from Regin, the others were in commotion. From behind it could be heard, "If I hit his head now maybe it can help...", was what Shia said with serious expression while alternating her gaze between her Sledgehammer and Hajime's head. Voices of agreement could be heard from Kam and the others.
It was about the time that Hajime seriously thought of punishing them while more veins popped out. However, he worked harder to let that through(go).
"Aa, condition huh. When you reached Faea Belgaen I want you to say something to the Elders"
"... ... A message?"
While he nervously thought about what kind of conditions he might demand, it turned out he only needed to be a messenger, and that took him aback. However, he was frozen when the content was spoken.
""You owe me one""
"... ... Kh!? That's!"
"Well? What will you do? Will you accept it?"
Because he knew what that meant, Regin unintentionally let out a shout. Hajime was, with wind blowing from somewhere, waiting for Regin's choice. "You owe me one" means, by letting the attacker return alive, there will be a time they must pay back their debt.
With the loss of one of the Elders, as well as how they agonized over ignoring the decision made by the Elders Conference to not intervene with him, if this message was passed on then they must unconditionally answer Hajime's request.
If everything were to be seen objectively, in Jin's situation and in Regin's situation, where he one-sidedly tried to take revenge, coupled with the fact that they were allowed to live, the Elders Conference's prestige will surely take a fall. They were outlaws because they disregarded the Elders. And can't be said Hajime won't one day turn his fang towards the Elders.
In other words, for Regin and his subordinates to survive meant that they'd brought back a weakness to their home country. Even after disregarding the decision from Elders Conference, they carried back a debt on their shoulders. Moreover, to return with half of their members dead after boasting about themselves as the strongest tribe... ... just as Hajime had said they'd lived in shame.
Hajime choose to further his attack against Regin who wore a distorted expression.
"Add to that, you must remember that your subordinates' deaths were your own responsibility, along with your crushing defeat against the Haulia"
"Guu"
There was a reason for Hajime to make such a condition. Of course it wasn't out of benevolence. It was because there are details of the Seven Great Dungeons that he doesn't know yet, so even though Faea Belgaen was an isolated country, there might be something else he must do in this country. There was also the tradition inherited from its founder after all. Hajime thought there might be little failures that will come along the way, for that sake, he thought that insurance was necessary.
To the worrying Regin, Hajime was 'Gorik' further pressing the muzzle.
"Decide it in five seconds. Once that's over I'll kill you one by one. "Quick judgement". Isn't that the basics (of a leader)?"
After that, Hajime began to count o~ne, two~ and Regin was panicking, however nothing comes to his mind.
"I, I understand. I wish for us to return!"
"I see. Then, go quickly. Don't forget the message. If when the time comes for me to call for that and discover that you tried to fool me..."
A strong killing intent overflowed from Hajime's whole body, accompanied with physical pressure. 'Gulp' the sound of gulp-ing resounded clearly.
"That day will be the end of Faea Belgaen"
No matter who looked at him, he had the touch of a bad debt collector, no, it's more like a terrorist in this case. From behind, he could hear, "Thank goodness. It was the usual Hajime-san" and "Boss finally regained his mind!", that kind of strange talk mixed with a relieved tone, well for now he'll let it through(slide). He didn't want to break the atmosphere that he made with so much effort. However, harsh punishment will follow.
With their pride broken by Haulia tribe and having heard how Regin desperately begged for his subordinates' lives, they didn't have the strength to protest and started to return home dejectedly. It might be because they are centered around a young one, they obediently accepted their defeat. But, for Regin, his influence in Faea Belgaen would likely disappear. There is also the possibility of being treated as fugitive. However, it was a mild punishment, after all he'd tried to take someone else's life unjustly.
The Bearman tribe disap
peared into the other side of the fog. After confirming that, Hajime turned around toward Shia and the others. At first, they were unable to see his expression because he looked down, then somehow the atmosphere became strange. Kam and the others who felt dishonored to have fallen into such frenzy and madness, started to become engrossed in speaking to Hajime about a lot of things, while not noticing the atmosphere. Only Shia , "Huh? Isn't this bad?", said that while drenched in cold sweat.
Hajime started to look up while swaying. There was a big smile on his face. However, his narrowed eyes weren't smiling at all. Finally, because he thought Hajime's appearance was strange, Kam timidly asked him.
"Bo-Boss?"
"Yes, isn't it a serious thing? I thought this time, it was my fault. To say you've reached the standard just like this, I must have thought of it as a brake"
"N-no, even if you say that... ... it was because of our own immaturity..."
"Nono, it's okay, you know? I admit it myself after all. That's why, that's why I thought to honestly apologize... ... but you had quite the reaction, didn't you? Well, I understand. After all my usual attitude was like that... ... however, however... ... this out of place feeling I have, I must let it out... ... you understand what that means, right?"
"N-no. We were a little..."
Kam also thought, "Ah, this is bad. He is angry now", with cold sweat rapidly pouring out of him, step by step he tried to retreat. Maybe because some of the Haulia remember the training, they suddenly stood still while crying and whimpering.
And at that time, "Now is my chance!", was what Shia thought then she instantly started to turn her feet to escape. She didn't forget to make a man nearby as a shield.
However...
DOPANn!!
One bullet passed through between that man's leg, hit the ground and ricocheted when it struck a tree's root finally hitting Shia in the butt.
"Hakyun!"
It was one of Hajime's gun skills "Polygonal Shot". That's how he aimed his shot at Shia's butt. It was a useless gun skill, that could be thought as not that useless, that he'd uselessly practiced. Because of the impact from the bullet Shia raised a scream and 'pyon' jumped, only to collapse on the ground with her butt in the air. 'Shuu-' Smoke rose from her butt. Shia was twitching in pain.
Having seen Shia convulsing and Hajime's gun skill, Kam and the others were trembling in fear. The man who had a bullet pass between his leg covered his groin with both hands while teary eyed. He patted his groin, because when the bullet passed, it caught the shockwave from the bullet.
Without doing anything else, Hajime put back Donner into its holster, then his hanya-like smile returned. Finally, he yelled out with angry tone.
"For now, everyone will be hit once!"
Waaaaaa—!!
All of Haulia members immediately scattered trying to escape just like newborn spiders. For a while, screams and an angry roar could be heard resounding inside the Sea of Trees.
The only one who remained in her place was Shia with smoke rising from her butt, and
"... ... when will we go to the Great Tree?"
The mutters from Yue who wasn't involved with all the commotion.
* * *
Thank you for always reading.
Thank you for the impressions, opinions, and typo reports
This year finally ended.
It wasn't especially enjoyable for a brat.
Everyone, it was a good year!
Next year too, my best regard.
Chapter 39: The Great Tree's Secret
Deep inside the fog, Hajime and his party advanced toward the Great Tree. They left the fighting to Kam, while the other Haulia members scattered into their surroundings, looking for enemies as part of their training. Because the fact that unpreparedness is one's greatest foe already is carved into their flesh, all members wore serious expressions. Most of all, the blue bruises on their bodies made it so it couldn't be helped...
"Uu~, it's still tingling~"
Shia was whining while rubbing her butt. Since before, she looked at Hajime with resentful eyes.
"Stop looking at me like that, it's annoying."
"To say that it's annoying was too much. It's not common sense to shoot at a girl's butt. Moreover, using that useless high skill-"
"That can also be said to you. You seriously thought to hit my head and use another person as a shield to run away... ... that was not something a normal person would do."
Near them, a man from the Haulia tribe nodded his head.
"Uu, it was the result of education by Yue-san..."
"... ... I was the one that raised Shia."
"... ... I can't comment on that."
While boasting that, Yue looked at Hajime as if saying "Praise me." Hajime was averting his gaze making good use of "Let it through skill".
After they advanced for 15 minutes while chatting harmoniously, their party finally arrived at the Great Tree.
Hajime's first opinion when he looked at the Great Tree was,
"... ... the heck this is"
, while half-surprised and half-doubting. Yue also wore the slight expression of someone who had her expectations crumbling. The two of them were imagining it using the scale and a larger version of the trees in Faea Belgaen.
However, the real Great Tree was... ... splendidly withered.
Its size was not that far off from their imagination. Its diameter alone could be estimated around 50 meters. There is also the bizarre difference from the surrounding trees. While the surrounding trees had the ever expanding green leaves, only the Great Tree was withered.
"The Great Tree was already withered even before the founding of Faea Belgaen. However, it didn't rot. Ever the never changing withered tree. With the surrounding fog's nature and the forever-withered-without-rotting Great Tree, this place became a sacred place. Well, even with that said, although it could be called a tourist spot..."
Kam explained to Hajime and Yue making inquiring faces. While hearing the explanation, Hajime looked around the Great Tree's roots. Just as Alfrerick had said, there was a lithograph built.
"This is... ... just like Orcus' door's..."
"... ... Nn, the same crest"
On the lithograph there were seven system-like squares with seven crests engraved on top of it. It was completely the same as the one on Orcus' room's door. To prove it, Hajime took out Orcus' ring. The pattern on the ring was completely the same as one of the patterns on the Lithograph after all.
"It was the entrance to the Great Dungeon after all... but... ... what should we do about this?"
Hajime approached the Great Tree and started to 'thud thud' hit it and of course there was no change, when he tried to ask Kam and the others if they know something about this tree, they only had No as an answer. Although he already heard all of the traditions from Alfrerick, there wasn't any concerning the entrance. There was a possibility that he hid it so Hajime started to think, "Should I collect the debt?",
At that time, Yue who was observing the lithograph raised her voice.
"Hajime... ... look at this."
"Nn? Is something there?"
What Yue noticed was on the other side of the lithograph. There were empty dents that corresponded with the seven crests on the other side.
"This is..."