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Highlander’s Inferno
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The story that two children lost their lives in the Melana Dungeon spread rapidly. The responsibility for that extended to the Adventurers’ Guild’s Barwitch branch. The Adventurers’ Guild in Soltaire was like a branch office and was often unmanned. There were discussions that the negligence in quest management led to this tragedy.
As a result, the Adventurers’ Guild’s, which resembled a food stall, was dismantled, and a guild station was set up on the first floor of the inn. The inn’s signboard girl was hired informally and was to take on that role from then on. However, the issue of responsibility meant absolutely nothing.
This accident is my fault.
After that, I was rescued by Lindsey and brought out of the dungeon.
There’s no feeling of relief or anything like that. I wonder why only I, the useless one, was saved…
When I escaped from the dungeon, a woman I had never seen before exchanged a few words with Lindsey and then collapsed in tears right there. I later found out that she was Peter’s mother. Peter was said to have been regarded as promising at school as one of the few users of light magic. However, due to this incident, that future was taken away.
What is a lone warrior?
I tried to make a fortune beyond my means, involving others, and took away the lives of two precious lives. I was nothing more than a useless nuisance. Originally, I should have died, and those two should have been saved. If I had died first, those two might have escaped right away and made it back alive.
I also caused trouble for Lindsey. After that, she brought me back home, but I didn’t want to talk much. I thought that and spent my days sneaking out of the house occasionally, crouching in a corner of the town square and just watching the people go by.
At first, Lindsey quietly followed me from behind, but realizing I was just zoning out in the square, she recently started to leave me alone. At night, Lindsey would come to take me back by the hand. I had no energy to resist, and in the end, I was relying on Lindsey at that house at night.
I was still just sitting there absentmindedly in the square. The townspeople seemed to recognize me as the survivor. However, two children of the same generation were killed right in front of me. The townspeople seemed to be careful not to touch me as much as possible.
It feels like I’m a sore spot wherever I go.
Am I born into this world only to achieve nothing, merely to cause trouble for others and end up treated like a sore spot? In the story I idealize, the lone warrior fights, risking his pride. There is no confusion in that determination. Even if he is useless, he has the will…
What were the warriors thinking in such situations? Even in stories, there are real heroes. It’s undeniable that those warriors who served as models experienced the deaths of their comrades.
The death of a comrade, huh. For me, Alan and Peter were comrades for just one day, but even if it was just for a day, they were my first comrades. And they died a brutal death. Adventures are not that sweet.
As the survivor, what am I supposed to aim for? Can a nobody like me really become a respectable warrior? Why were the heroes of the stories so strong? Someone, please tell me…
–The one who once saved the world, what is he lamenting in this lonely land?
–How many times will they be embraced by the flames of war, how many countless blades will they be exposed to.
–Their unwavering gaze pierces through the mountain of corpses.
As if to respond to my current doubts, a clear singing voice could be heard. I noticed a woman dressed in black sitting elegantly on the stone steps at the edge of the square. She had layers of golden chain ornaments hanging at her chest, wore a black robe, and had a black feather hat pulled down deep over her head. In contrast, her hair was pure white, tied back in a single ponytail, and her skin was fair. I sensed that she was a bard, holding a lute.
Her high and clear voice echoed pleasantly throughout the square.
–Did the people recognize this warrior?
–Tormented by hypocrisy and desire, the warrior,
–The sun of Heirel Ise did not overlook until it fell asleep.
I could hardly understand most of the poem’s meaning. However, to me right now, it was a poem that resonated deeply within my heart.
Suddenly noticing my intense gaze, the black-clad bard met my eyes and flashed a gentle smile. I was momentarily taken aback by her gesture. She had a beautiful face and exuded an enchanting atmosphere. It felt as if she might vanish like a ghost at any moment.
Ignoring her here would be rude. I applauded from afar. Noticing the applause, the bard politely stood up and bowed.
“Thank you.” (??)
The female bard said just those words.
“…It was a good song.” (Jack)
In response to my words, the bard continued smiling and replied with music.
“If you want to hear more, I can sing you another song. Come over here.” (??)
Without any particular caution, I sat down next to the stone steps.
“What kind of songs do you like?” (Medna)
“I like songs like the one just now.” (Jack)
“That one was the Highlander’s Inferno’s Fourth Movement.” (Medna)
“…The Highlander’s Inferno?” (Jack)
I thought I had read many books until now, but that word was new to me.
“Yes. It’s a poem about a disaster that occurred in a country a bit away from here, which was resolved by just one warrior.” (??)
“By just one person…” (Jack)
“If you’d like, I can let you hear First Movement.” (Medna)
With that, the woman changed her melody and began to play the lute. She must be quite an experienced player, as she started to deftly manipulate the strings.
For a while, I was absorbed in her singing. Her voice completely healed my downtrodden heart. I don’t know if such magic exists, but I somehow felt saved.
“Thank you for listening. By the way, I hadn’t introduced myself yet. I’m Medna Lauren. What’s your name?” (Medna)
“I’m… Jack.” (Jack)
“I see. So it’s Jack-kun.” (Medna)
Medna-san looked at my eyes, mouth, and hands intently with her red eyes.
“You seem to have talent.” (Medna)
“Eh!? Talent?” (Jack)
I have no talent whatsoever. My ability stats are very low. Even if I’m sweet-talked just because I’m a child, I don’t feel happy at all.
“Yes. You have talent in instruments and singing.” (Medna)
“Instruments and singing…?” (Jack)
“You have a nice voice. Even when your voice changes, it’ll surely become a good voice. And your hands are long and slender, suitable for instruments.” (Medna)
Having been told that, I suddenly looked at my hands.
I don’t think they’re that great, and I can’t even tell what my voice sounds like.
“Want to try playing a bit?” (Medna)
Medna-san handed me the lute.
Isn’t it an important companion for a musician?
“No, that’s a bit… bad.” (Jack)
“Just hold it for now.” (Medna)
I was forcibly handed the lute. It was surprisingly heavy.
“Okay, hold it like this. Yes, good. Then press the strings with your left hand and pluck them with your right hand.” (Medna)
“…Like this?” (Jack)
A pleasant sound echoed.
“Yeah. The important thing is not to think about playing it complicatedly, but to play it from the heart.” (Medna)
Medna-san eagerly began to teach me how to play. And so, with her guidance, I learned how to play the lute. Her thin, white fingers occasionally overlapping with mine made my heart race.
—
Evening came, and I felt it was about time to say goodbye.
“Um, can I hear you sing again…?” (Jack)
I bravely asked.
“Of course. I plan to be around here for a while, so come anytime. I’ll come to the square whenever I have some free time.” (Medna)
Hearing that, I felt incredibly excited. I could hear Medna-san’s singing again. Moreover, I was even told I had talent.
Even though I had been so down, I felt very healed. Music resonates so much with the human heart. Once, when a noble party was held at the Aldridge mansion, I had heard music too. Of course, only through the wall of my own room. It felt completely different from that time.
“Well then, it’s about time for us to part ways. See you later.” (Medna)
“…Yes!” (Jack)
I let out a more energetic voice than I expected. Medna-san smiled and waved her hand, walking away toward the inn.
I lifted my gaze more than before and headed home in a buoyant mood.
—
“Looks like you’re in a good mood today.” (Lindsey)
“…Eh? R-Really?” (Jack)
As I sat down for the dinner that had been prepared for me, Lindsey suddenly spoke up.
“I feel like Jack is somewhat grinning.” (Lindsey)
“Not at all!” (Jack)
“Did something good happen? Come on, tell this Onee-san honestly!” (Lindsey)
“Nothing happened!” (Jack)
“Come on now.” (Lindsey)
Lindsey stretched out her hand toward my side and started to tickle me. I desperately resisted and tried to escape.
Having lived together for a while, Lindsey had completely become like my older sister.
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