New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
Hypocrisy and Desire
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In the morning, sunlight pours in from directly the side. A gentle breeze. The backyard of the inn I usually stay at was a patch of grass. I did my morning workout here before jumping into my sword replication training.
Sitting cross-legged on the grass feels nice. Alright, time to begin the training.
I imagine everything from a heavy Greatsword to a handy-sized dagger, and try to replicate various kinds of swords and weapons using materials like branches and rocks. I can replicate most things by now. But I still can’t replicate spears or axes. Why is that?
The ‘Mental Image Extraction S+’ displayed in my Managram. S+ means the rank is at its maximum. I’ve read through all the skill explanation books I could find, and this ‘Mental Image Extraction’ skill seems to allow the user to materialize any weapon or armor they imagine. However, for me, I can only create swords. If it’s a sword-specific ‘Mental Image Extraction’, perhaps I could replicate any sword I imagine?
For example… when I occasionally get a sense of déjà vu, I think of the flame sword. Replicating the Volcanic Volga, for instance. I concentrate and imagine it. A man with red hair. A heavy sword that holds flames. The approaching man also seems to be made of flames.
—Ouch.
A headache interferes. I tried hard, but no luck. The rock I tried to transform showed a slight reaction before crumbling apart before it could turn into a sword. I guess a sword created with divine power can’t be replicated so easily.
—
After hunting some monsters in the labyrinth during the day, eating dinner, and nightfall arrived,
I stayed overnight at Gnome-sama’s magic tools workshop today. As a condition for the gift I gave to Shia, the Higasa Volga, she asked me to have my strange right arm examined.
I’ve been curious about this ability of mine, and I’ve been wanting a specialist to take a look, so this works out perfectly. Tonight, I’m staying for that purpose. Spending the night with one of the Five Great Spirits is nerve-wracking. Gnome-sama looks like a little girl, but she is a spirit and a sage. A meeting with such an important figure at night feels a little heavy.
I went back to the inn, gathered my things, and changed into casual clothes. Wearing my usual clothes, I put on my dirty, tattered leather jacket. This jacket was the one I was wearing when I washed up on Lucur Beach. It was a bit scratched, but I had kept it clean and still used it. However, it was not very fashionable.
…Maybe I should start thinking about upgrading my wardrobe a little. Shia might care about that kind of thing, even if she doesn’t say it directly.
“Lost-san’s casual clothes are so uncool, so don’t bother, it’s fine.” (Shia)
If she said that, I’d want to die. I’ll try to pay more attention to my style next time.
I finished changing in my room, and just as I was about to head out…
“Oi, Lost! I’ve got a favor to ask!” (Taurus)
It was Taurus’s voice. His voice came through the door, and without hesitation, he opened it and entered, grinning with his short hair and a scar on his forehead. A conversation started by the door.
“Taurus? What is it?” (Lost)
“Well, it’s sudden, but if you’re free, could you come along and help with some sword training tonight?” (Taurus)
“Sword training?” (Lost)
After listening to the details, it turned out that a big festival was going to be held in the labyrinth city a year from now, organized by the Adventurer Guild. As part of the festival, a special coliseum will be set up at the outskirts of the town to hold a tournament-style battle. It would be a team event with three people per team, and the winning team will receive a prize, a trophy, and other rewards.
Taurus, who practiced swordsmanship day and night with a partner, invited me to join their team, aiming for the tournament’s victory.
“As you know, my sword skills are only mediocre,” (Taurus)
“That’s not true.” (Lost)
Taurus scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.
I know Taurus has a high aptitude for being a commander. His swordsmanship has been stagnating because he has been taking on the role of leader more than focusing on improving his fighting skills during labyrinth explorations.
“If you’re with me, we’ll definitely win!” (Taurus)
Taurus said with confidence, trying to convince me.
Honestly, I’m not interested. A festival… I wonder if there will be a concert or something? If there is, I’d love to go. I really want to.
“Well, Taurus, sorry but…” (Lost)
“Please, come on! If we win the tournament, I’ll be swarmed by girls, and I’ll build my harem!” (Taurus)
His reason is so impure.
I glared at him with disdain.
“Why should I help you get a harem?” (Lost)
“You and I are buddies, right? You want to be popular with the girls too, right? Right?” (Taurus)
Being popular with girls…! I do want that. But Taurus, I have someone in mind.
“Don’t make that face! If you win, Shia will be impressed and say, ‘Lost-san, you’re amazing!’ and fall for you again!” (Taurus)
Well, that might be true. But Shia Randall isn’t that superficial.
“Sorry, but I have something to do after this. I’ll put it on hold!” (Lost)
I passed by Taurus, heading out of the room and down the stairs of the inn.
“Oi, wait! What’s your plan?” (Taurus)
“To see Gnome-sama!” (Lost)
I said, running down the stairs and bursting out of the inn. I thought I heard Taurus saying something behind me, but I had an appointment, so I just ignored it.
—
As I rushed out of the inn, the labyrinth city was bathed in the dim light from the many torches, creating a nice twilight atmosphere. The coolness of the night and the warmth of the torches matched oddly well, neither too cold nor too hot. Adventurers, finishing their adventures, lazily walked towards inns and taverns, creating a rush-hour-like vibe.
Meanwhile, I was heading out. I had taken too long talking with Taurus.
I’m running late for my appointment. I need to hurry.
I ran through the labyrinth city streets. The streets were so winding that it was almost like a maze, but I had lived here for over a year, so I had a decent sense of the area.
Well, this city is so vast that I only know as far as the Azarigrad district.
“Lost, wait!” (Yustin)
Another voice called out. It was Yustin’s voice. What I saw was a small, righteous magician wearing a pitch-black robe.
I’ve had enough, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.
“Ah, wait―――!” (Yustin)
I ran at full speed, ignoring him. But, no matter how fast I ran, Yustin appeared right in front of me again.
“Hey, stop fooling around.” (Yustin)
The streets didn’t change, no matter how much I ran. It wasn’t that Yustin kept reappearing. I kept running the same streets over and over, trapped by Yustin’s portal magic.
“Impressive… I could train with endless running.” (Lost)
“What are you talking about? It’s pointless to try to escape. You can’t get away from me.” (Yustin)
He had his hands on his hips and looked at me with exasperation, his deep blue eyes fixed on me.
To use up magic just to chase me like this…
“You… Do you actually have a hobby of doing this? Are you after me?” (Lost)
“What kind of hobby would that be? How many times do I have to say it? I only care about becoming a great righteous magician.” (Yustin)
“I’m in a hurry.” (Lost)
“Right. I heard you’re going to Gnome place.” (Yustin)
Add -sama to it, -sama.
“From who?” (Lost)
“From Taurus.” (Yustin)
That guy. Talking too much…
“I’m joining you, by the way.” (Yustin)
“You? But we’ll be staying overnight. You won’t be able to handle it, right?” (Lost)
“I just want to meet her briefly.” (Yustin)
I guess that’s fine. If he doesn’t mind, I don’t mind.
“Ah, but I’m in a hurry. Can you keep up with me?” (Lost)
I tried to say that in a cool way. Maybe I’m overly aware of it, but I think that’s what adolescence all is about.
“There’s no need to run.” (Yustin)
Yustin said, then extended his right hand forward and gathered magic power. A portal site appeared in the air. The destination of the portal opened two blocks ahead of here. It was faster to just teleport like this than to bother running.
“A shortcut.” (Yustin)
It seems like he was wasting mana again, but does Yustin have unlimited mana? I’ve never seen him run out of it. With that much magic power, why is he in this city? I’ve read in books that there are magical schools and universities in other continents, and it seems like he could show more of his talent in places like that… I don’t understand why he’s living as an adventurer in such a dirty city.
—
And then, we arrived at the magical tool workshop. With Yustin’s magical ability being so overpowered, it didn’t take long, just a few teleportations, and they arrived quickly.
I knocked on the large entrance door to the workshop.
“Gnome-sama—! As promised, I’ve come!” (Yustin)
Then, from the inside, something was heard approaching with a little quick pace. The door was suddenly thrown open with a bang. The one who opened it was a young girl with her belly exposed. She had a black blacksmith’s goggle wrapped around her forehead and, as usual, was holding a large hammer.
“Oh, oh, I’ve been waiting!” (Gnome)
The young girl spoke in a rough tone. But the smile she showed was truly a carefree one. However, that expression changed into a puzzled one as she saw Yustin’s face behind me.
“Hmph—what’s this, Yustin, was it…? What’s your business here?” (Gnome)
“Earth Sage Gnome.” (Yustin)
“What? You’ve got a problem with me?” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama seemed to have a bit of a hostile attitude toward Yustin.
I remember asking her why once, and apparently, spirits dislike magicians. It seems that for the ancient five major spirits, mana is mysterious power. They believe it should remain secret, and magicians, by force, open paths where they shouldn’t be. So, she said she doesn’t like them much.
“I’m not going to teach you my techniques. Go over there.” (Gnome)
She waved her hand dismissively, treating Yustin poorly. How blatant.
“No, that’s fine. But I have a request! Please give me the Arsenal Volga!” (Yustin)
Without any preamble, Yustin suddenly made such a demand. It was one of the Volga series created by Gnome-sama, the Arsenal Volga. Yustin didn’t even give any explanation and just asked for it right away. I felt like he was in a bit of a hurry, but maybe that’s just me. Gnome-sama seemed surprised too, blinking her large, round eyes and looking flabbergasted.
“…The Arsenal Volga, what are you going to use it for?” (Gnome)
“I can’t tell you that.” (Yustin)
“What kind of reason is that! I’m not just going to give away my greatest masterpiece to a magician just like that!” (Gnome)
That’s completely true. However, Yustin shows no sign of giving up and turned to me. His eyes look a little bloodshot, though.
“Lost, can’t you say something?” (Yustin)
“Why do I have to… Besides, I don’t want it.” (Lost)
Gnome-sama scowled at me and Yustin with an irritated expression.
Ah, this is bad. In her case, at worst, she might say, ‘I’ll teach you some manly manners’, and then, start firing off those numerous mechanical weapons.
It might be that she was holding back her irritation, as Gnome-sama relaxed her shoulders and sighed.
“Why you need the Arsenal Volga, that’s what matters.” (Gnome)
“…That’s because… I want to become… a great mage of justice…” (Yustin)
Yustin said with a somewhat stilted tone.
Becoming a great mage of justice is Yustin’s obsession. But I feel like Yustin’s idea of justice is a bit twisted. He’s fixated on justice, but doesn’t quite understand what true justice is… In fact, Yustin is a person who can distinguish right from wrong, so I think he’s a good person. After all, he’s supposedly the same age as me. I understand the feeling of wanting to be cool.
“I’m not going to give you my Volga just for such a reason. Hurry up and go home.” (Gnome)
“…Please!” (Yustin)
“Shut up! Go home already! Lost, come here!” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama roughly grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the workshop. At the same time, she slammed the door shut, locking Yustin outside.
“Please! I want to be a great mage!” (Yustin)
Through the door, Yustin’s pleading voice and the sound of him banging on the door reached us. However, Gnome-sama pressed her back against the door, and after a while, the sound of the banging stopped.
“Sigh…” (Gnome)
“Gnome-sama, I’m sorry. Yustin is…” (Lost)
“Nah, it’s fine. That’s pretty normal for kids around his age.” (Gnome)
It seemed like she wasn’t really bothered by it, so I felt relieved.
Gnome-sama must have seen a lot of people over her long life. She’s experienced enough not to fly off the handle over something like that.
“Alright, then, Lost.” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama, now with her eyes sparkling like a villain, grinned at me, and then, approached me with a threatening gesture, her hands wringing as if emphasizing the danger.
“Hehehe, let’s have some fun, shall we?” (Gnome)
“U-um, are you sure you’re not going to do anything painful?” (Lost)
“Of course not.” (Gnome)
Even though she said that, Gnome-sama’s breath was heavy.
—
Gnome-sama laid a mat on the workshop floor and instructed me to sit there first.
“Well then, let’s start by unwrapping that bandage!” (Gnome)
The bandage tightly wrapped around my right arm.
I’ve tried to remove it a few times, but it wouldn’t come off forcibly. But when I release my power, it naturally comes off and floats, and when it’s done, it wraps around again. This bandage has been with me for a long time.
*Knock, knock, knock*
The door was suddenly banged on again, just at that moment. Gnome-sama walked angrily toward the door.
“Ah, who is it now? I was having fun time!” (Gnome)
“It’s me! I heard Lost was here, and I was hoping to go on a dungeon exploration tonight…” (Alba)
It was Alba-san’s voice from outside the door. Gnome-sama angrily opened the door and shouted.
“What is it! Today, Lost is my special guest!” (Gnome)
“Special guest? Lost didn’t have that in his schedule.” (Alba)
“Why do you have that information?” (Gnome)
“It’s not that I have it, I made it myself.” (Alba)
“Stop messing around! Are you a stalker?!” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama slammed the door shut with such force it seemed like it might break. There was a loud noise, and now Alba-san was locked out.
*Knock, knock*
There were many more knocks after that.
“Ah, seriously!” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama’s irritation was building up. Next was Taurus.
“Lost! I was hoping for a swordsmanship lesson—” (Taurus)
Without needing to say more, the door was slammed shut again. After that, many visitors came to the magical tool workshop, the maids from Simnon Tavern, weapon salespeople, cleaning services, after-sales from magic tool shops, adventurers, lost travelers, bored elderly people, dogs, cats, birds, and many others.
“As expected of Gnome-sama. You sure know a lot of people.” (Lost)
“No, I don’t! All of them are just here because of you, Lost! I don’t get any weird visitors to my place!” (Gnome)
“I see…” (Lost)
It’s not like people come to visit me that often, but why is it that today, of all days, there are so many?
Gnome-sama looked like she wanted to say something, biting her lip and glaring at me. But it was just a coincidence that today turned out like this, I had nothing to do with it. Finally, Gnome-sama chased away a bird that had been the last visitor, and at last, my body examination began.
—
“Mmm… Lost… a little higher…” (Gnome)
The breath of the crimson-haired young girl blew across my neck. Her cold hand was placed on my exposed back, and even though I was trembling, I felt like my senses were becoming sharper.
“L-like this, Gnome-sama?” (Lost)
I desperately held back from collapsing as her breath teased me, feeling my strength drain.
“Ah… there…! Good…! That’s good…” (Gnome)
//
Gnome-sama is also working hard.
“J-just a little more……! Ah……! I-I think I can do it.” (Lost)
“Really?” (Gnome)
And then I raised my right arm even higher, exposing my armpit. Gnome-sama seemed to have found some kind of wound under my right armpit.
Since the bandage in question extends from that wound, the plan is to cut it there first to sever the connection and then peel off the bandage. We’re not doing anything indecent here.
“Now’s the time!” (Lost)
And though I tried to cut the bandage with a knife, it was too hard to cut. However, Gnome-sama seemed to have noticed something.
“T-this is… the Akasha Lineage?! Why the hell is the Original Scripture here?!” (Gnome)
“Huh, what is it?” (Lost)
When I turned to look at Gnome-sama, they were staring at my right arm with a look of shock.
“………” (Gnome)
But just as I thought that shocked expression was fading, it turned into a much more serious face, as if she was deep in thought. That intense expression. It was so sharp that it made me think, “Is this the face of a sage?”. The atmosphere had completely changed from their earlier playful mode, and now it felt like if I even joked, I’d get slapped.
“Got it, Lost, leave it as it is for now. This time, lie down right there.” (Gnome)
Though I felt puzzled by their strange reaction, I obediently lay down on the mat as instructed.
“I’m going to take a little blood from this right arm. I’ll also examine the mechanical part on your wrist.” (Gnome)
“Please do.” (Lost)
After that, my right arm was thoroughly examined. Blood was drawn from both arms, and my skin was peeled back. Then, there was the mechanical part on my right wrist. An oval glass plate with several crack-like holes on its surface had fused into my wrist. Light particles usually spray out from these crack-like holes.
Gnome-sama tapped the glass, tried to peel it off, and then, cast a few simple spells to observe the reactions. After that, she used a magic tool called the ‘Particle Scope’, enchanted with light magic, to examine the internal structure of my arm. Apparently, by looking through that scope, she could observe the bones and flesh inside the body.
Gnome-sama really had a lot of magical tools.
—
…
I had been lying on the mat for so long that I left the examination entirely to Gnome-sama and ended up dozing off. Then, I was called.
“Lost…” (Gnome)
“Yes… Oh, did you find out something?” (Lost)
“Not exactly, but I’ve noticed something.” (Gnome)
What’s this? She seems down, or rather, not like their usual self. Their expression is serious, but they lack the energy they had earlier.
“This thing we thought was a bandage is actually the Original Scripture, the Akasha Lineage.” (Gnome)
“Akasha Lineage? What’s that?” (Lost)
“The Akasha Lineage refers to the record of all things… in other words, it’s a medium that records the fate of everything in this world.” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama explained it in a way I could understand.
The Akasha Lineage is a scripture that records everything from the creation of the world to the origins of life and magic. The scripture itself is imbued with magic, and by accessing it through magic, you can glimpse the history of people and all kinds of phenomena. Why would such an extraordinary thing be wrapped around my right arm?
“This is――probably wrapping your right arm.” (Gnome)
“…Like a present?” (Lost)
“Seems like it.” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama muttered this with a sigh.
“This right arm… at a glance, it looks like everything from the collarbone and shoulder blade onward, all the way to the fingertips, has been remade. It’s like a magical prosthetic optimized for battle.” (Gnome)
“A prosthetic? It wasn’t like this from birth?” (Lost)
“…Yeah, a right arm made of magic was forcibly attached to a human body. To maintain its form, it’s being restrained with a top-tier wrapping sheet like the Akasha Lineage.” (Gnome)
So, this arm was artificially created, huh?
“If it weren’t for this scripture, you’d already have been replaced by something more like a magic weapon than a demon.” (Gnome)
Replaced by a magic weapon… meaning I’d no longer even be human. I’d rather not have that.
“Who would do something so cruel…” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama’s gaze grew distant. It wasn’t about what was in front of them, but something else entirely. But that was only for a moment, as they shook their head and looked straight at me.
“Lost, you were probably… used by someone to end up like this.” (Gnome)
Used…… There’s someone who forcibly attached a magical prosthetic to me to optimize me for battle. So, that’s what it was. That means I never had comrades from the start… just a master who used me.
“Used… so I was discarded, huh?” (Lost)
“Whether you were discarded or not, I don’t know……” (Gnome)
Gnome-sama replied in a deflated tone, but then, gradually began to tremble with anger, unable to hold back as they shouted at me.
“Gaaah, damn it! Lost! What the hell are you?!” (Gnome)
“Huh?! What’s this all of a sudden?!” (Lost)
“If someone used you, don’t you feel pissed off or anything?!” (Gnome)
Well, I don’t know who used me, and I don’t feel like I’ve been treated unfairly, so I’ve never thought about it that way.
“Anyway, what’s with your way of living?!” (Gnome)
“My way of living?” (Lost)
“Yeah, that’s right. I’ve been watching you for a while, and I’ve realized you don’t have any normal ‘desires’.” (Gnome)
“That’s not true. I buy things on impulse too.” (Lost)
Ah, but that’s just a desire for something I want, right?
“Wrong, that’s just interest! You don’t have any desire to be happy or to stand above others or anything like that!” (Gnome)
Well, I guess I don’t have those kinds of wishes. I have ideals and aspirations, though.
“That’s why Lost, you don’t get the ‘romance of being a man’ thing!” (Gnome)
“I already understand the ‘romance of being a man’ thing!” (Lost)
“No, you don’t! Just now, what was that?! You were surrounded by all those people!” (Gnome)
“That was just a coincidence!” (Lost)
“Doesn’t matter! You’re just too nice, so people take advantage of you!” (Gnome)
Is this… a valuable life lesson from the sage? She seems really angry, breathing heavily, so I should probably listen quietly. After all, she has lived a long life. But still, is this really worth getting so angry about?
“Listen, Lost… this right arm was probably created by someone who wanted to use you. But because you don’t have any desires of your own, you end up being used by people like that. That’s what pisses me off!” (Gnome)
“Uhh……” (Lost)
“Otherwise, you’re no different from the magic tools and weapons here…” (Gnome-)
The dusty magic tools and Gnome-sama’s prized mechs here. They have no will, no desires. They’re just power. Am I just a machine, then? A machine called a warrior.
“Your existence is like a wish-granting machine for others. You’re asked to fulfill wishes, and there’s no reward… that’s not good for you, nor is it good for the other person.” (Gnome)
Even if you say that, isn’t it a good thing to help people when they ask? Maybe Gnome-sama is saying I should be careful because there could be malice in that. I think I can judge that much, though.
“It’s the same with Yustin.” (Gnome)
“Yustin?” (Lost)
“I know that guy’s not a bad person. But the decisive difference between you and him is his obsession with his own dreams. From what I’ve seen, Yustin is unconsciously trying to use you as a wish-granting machine.” (Gnome)
Yustin wants to become a great mage of justice. He’s always asking me to take him to dungeons or train with him. I’m grateful for that. I consider Yustin a friend, and I’m happy he invites me. But all those actions are just me going along with what Yustin wants to do. That’s what she’s trying to say, right?
“Make sure Yustin doesn’t stray as a mage, Lost.” (Gnome)
With that, Gnome-sama retreated to the back of the workshop. Left behind, all I could do was lie on the mat and sleep.
Make sure Yustin doesn’t stray, huh? I think he’s pretty solid on his own, but I guess there’s a chance he could go off track.
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