A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 89

• Chapter 89 : I met her at a certain place.

After that sweet dance, Seto and Satis took a stroll together.

The two of them were holding hands, and the shoes echoed comfortably amidst the noise of the crowd.

This was the largest city in the world, and probably could not be visited in a single day.

Several people on the street turned their gazes on the two of them as they passed by them.

The stares on Satis were especially intense.

[Say, I’ve always wondered about it, but are you okay with people staring at you, Satis?] (Seto)

[I’m used to it, after all. Especially when dealing with humans.] (Satis)

[O-Oh, is that so…?] (Seto)

[Oh my. Are you jealous?] (Satis)

[I-I’m not! But…] (Seto)

Satis, who felt Seto’s grip on her hand tighten somewhat, followed up with an amused smile.

[That’s all in the past now. I’ll never engage in that kind of foolishness again.] (Satis)

[Okay. I believe you.] (Seto)

[Fufufu! Seto got jealous over me.] (Satis)

[I’m telling you, I’m not jealous!] (Seto)

As they walked, they arrived at a plaza.

There was a huge fountain in the center of it, and the splashes of water shone refreshingly in the sunlight and wind.

Seto and Satis sat on a bench and enjoyed the comfort of the plaza for a while.

Satis crossed her legs in a relaxed manner and stretched out, leaning back against the backrest.

At that moment, Seto spotted a large building beyond the plaza.

It was slightly obstructed by some buildings on the front side, but it still had a strong presence, and caught Seto’s attention.

[Satis, what’s that?] (Seto)

[That…? Ahh, that’s the Royal Theater.] (Satis)

It was a huge theater in the royal capital where many famous actors performed on stage as if they were in their own world.

However, for Seto, the concept of a stage or a play did not quite make sense.

[Sorry Satis. I’ve only ever been on battlefields for such a long time, so… Are those theater plays really fun to watch?] (Seto)

[Some of them are fun. Especially comedies. Although, nowadays, tragedies are the most common, or rather, most popular genre, so maybe they wouldn’t suit your taste.] (Satis)

[Hmm… But I’d still like to watch one. I wonder what kind of things they do in them…] (Seto)

[Well, that kind of thing is for nobles and the like, so it’s not like the two of us can go there now.] (Satis)

[So it’s a kind of entertainment for nobles, then.] (Seto)

[Well, something like that. …But since we’re in the area, why don’t we get closer and take a look at it?] (Satis)

[Oh, good idea! A building that big must be amazing to see up close!] (Seto)

[Fufufu! Shall we go then?] (Satis)

Thus, the two of them started walking to the Royal Theater.

On the way there, they saw a sign displaying an alternative advertisement for the theater.

Seto’s expression was spelling “What the heck is this?” as he read the small, complicated words on it, but as soon as they arrived at the theater, their eyes widened in surprise at the overwhelming impact of the place.

[Whoa…! I had only seen it from afar before… but seeing it up close feels so much more impactful.] (Satis)

[Yeah… And the carvings and decorations are so beautiful.] (Seto)

The two of them spent some time looking around the theater, reaffirming how wide the world was.

Although they were not able to get close to the theater, Seto was still excited by the magnificent sight.

Satis, keeping pace with Seto, observed the staff and the other people involved around the theater.

Among them were some folks who were probably actors, and he saw them going around to the back entrance, and entering the theater.

Acting, huh. I’d like to try my hand at it too. …Or not. That sounds a little too fanciful, I guess. (Satis)

Satis suddenly had a thought.

She wondered what kind of performance they would see if she and Seto went into that kind of place.

Would it be a heartbreaking tragedy, or a gut-wrenching comedy?

Either way, she could imagine Seto falling asleep halfway through.

Satis broke into a smile when she thought of that.

A classy life would not suit Seto, and he himself would probably find that too formal and stressful.

But I wish I could show him this kind of thing even just once. It would be a good experience for him. (Satis)

[Hm? Satis, what’s wrong? What are you smiling at?] (Seto)

[Oh, nothing. Come on, let’s move to the next stop.] (Satis)

[R-Right.] (Seto)

Their next stop was the famous arena of the Royal Capital.

It was even more imposing than the huge theater they saw earlier, with giant images of warriors carved into the walls.

[This is one of the oldest buildings in the long history of the city. Skilled warriors gather here and compete for supremacy in an attempt to win the championship. …But no one has ever been able to defeat the champion.] (Satis)

[Really? So he’s that strong, huh… Looks like it’s going to start soon. What do you say, should we watch it?] (Seto)

[Oh, you’re not proposing to take part in it yourself, I see.] (Satis)

[You don’t need to ask if you already know that. …It’s not like I’m looking to fight anyone. So what do you think? If you don’t want to watch, then I won’t insist.] (Seto)

[Oh no, I don’t mind. It’s not like we’ll only be in town for one day, so it’s not a bad idea to watch that kind of spectacle.] (Satis)

And so, Seto and Satis entered the arena.

However, they did not notice.

[That couple over there… Is that…] (???)

That a woman standing there was watching them from behind.

Just as it was about to begin, Seto left to get drinks.

After receiving money from Satis, he walked down the hallway to buy drinks for both of them.

[Uh-oh… Am I lost? Aw man, I better hurry, or I’m going to miss the beginning.] (Seto)

Just as Seto was looking around, a voice called out to him from behind.

It was the voice of a woman he was familiar with.

Set slowly turned around and saw…

[……] (Seto)

—Hydra, the female martial artist

A former member of the Hero’s party who had attacked Seto and Satis in Benjamin Village.

[Hydra…] (Seto)

An ominous silence drifted between just the two of them.

They were not locked in battle, but neither of them could move.

Hydra showed no hostility or murderous intent toward him, and her eyes were moist with sympathy and nostalgia.

Seto also displayed no hostility or murderous intent, and only stared at the world reflected in her eyes.

[It’s been a long time. I saw Satis with you too.] (Hydra)

[You saw us?] (Seto)

[Yeah, I’m here as a contestant, but it looks like you guys will be spectators…] (Hydra)

The two went silent again.

This time, Seto opened his mouth.

[Why are you here? Last time we met, you were in Benjamin Village, weren’t you?] (Seto)

[Yes, I was. During my stay there… I came to regret the mistakes I made. And then I came here.] (Hydra)

[Was it Gendar who told you to come here?] (Seto)

[That’s right. I came here… to apologize to you guys. Although, well… I had a bit of a hard time finding you guys, and I wanted to test my own skills a bit, so I entered this competition. Well, call it good or bad timing, but I saw you guys come in here.] (Hydra)

[You want to… apologize to me?] (Seto)

Hydra acquiesced with a nod.

From Seto’s point of view, she was like a different person.

She gave off a different vibe from when they were traveling together or when she attacked him in the village.

There was a kind of serenity in her that he had never seen in the old Hydra.

[Even if I apologize or atone, I know it won’t change the past. These negative feelings will remain inside me. But even so, I want to apologize to you guys. I want to make amends with this helpless soul of mine. I’m truly sorry for everything.] (Hydra)

[Hydra… I have no intention of taking revenge on you or resenting you forever. All in all, I don’t even want you to apologize.] (Seto)

[Yeah, I know. That’s just the kind of person you are. In the end, me wanting to apologize and make amends is just selfishness on my part.] (Hydra)

[You don’t have to think about it in such a burdensome way. Just—… Right…] (Seto)

Seto crossed his arms and pondered, while Hydra tilted her head as she watched him.

Seto was trying to sort out his feelings and convey them right now.

[Hydra.] (Seto)

[What is it?] (Hydra)

[Will you be my friend?] (Seto)

[Eh?] (Hydra)

[I don’t mean a relationship based on forgiveness, I’m talking about being plain old friends.] (Seto)

[F… Friends…? What’s with you, all of a sudden? I just… don’t know what to say…] (Hydra)

Hydra was shaken, but understandably so.

Because even though Seto was in his right to call her his enemy, he asked her to be his “friend” instead.

Even so, Seto proceeded.

[I told you. I’m not trying to harm you in any way. But to be honest, I’m glad you came here to apologize like that. …And you’re a contestant. In that case, I want to cheer you on. Not as a “former teammate”, but as “a friend”.] (Seto)

She felt a breeze blowing in the hallway.

A mysterious feeling of comfort caressed Hydra’s cheeks and lightened her heart.

It was not the feeling of forgiveness.

And not a sense of release either, but a bursting sensation.

It was the will, the “courage” to face things head on from now on.

[A friend, huh… I see, Seto. You think of me as a friend, then?] (Hydra)

[Yeah, I do.] (Seto)

[Okay. There’s probably not much I can do for you as a friend, but… I’ll make sure to respond to your support!] (Hydra)

[Yeah! Good luck!] (Seto)

The two finally walked up to each other and shook hands.

Hydra had been preparing her for a lifetime of guilt.

She was prepared to suffer from a past that could never be wiped away even after apologizing.

But what she had gained was a friendship and courage that blew away her guilt.

And it was Seto himself, the victim, who gave it to her.

Hydra recalled the words of the shaman Gendar before she left Benjamin Village.

Gendar-dono, you were right, my path really did open for me. No, to be more precise, he opened it for me. (Hydra)

Hydra was a little tearful as she parted ways with Seto and walked to the contestants’ waiting room.

Although she had made peace with Seto and become friends with him, she had not yet apologized to Satis.

Even if I apologize, Satis may not forgive me. But I’m not going to complain about any decision she’ll make, nor am I going to beg for mercy. …That’s another courage I have now. I don’t have a shred of hesitation in carrying it. The prideful and conceited girl I used to be is now dead. (Hydra)

A shred of courage blew away her arrogance.

Hydra secretly clenched her fists.

Seto watched her back and smiled.

[Ah! I should’ve asked her where the drinks counter was. Oh shoot, I messed up…] (Seto) 

He scratched the back of his head with a troubled expression on his face.

After wandering around for a few minutes, he arrived at the drinks counter, but when he returned, the first match was over, and Satis let out a sigh.

[Next time, I’ll get the drinks.] (Satis)

[Sorry… Oh, right. There’s something I need to tell you, Satis.] (Seto)

[Yes, what is it?] (Satis)

[Well, you see—] (Seto)