Vol 1: Chapter 8: Fire Dragon Cave Part 1

Author's Note: This cave is actually man-made.

The Path to The Saint Legend

Fire Dragon Cave Part 1

When we arrived in front of the cave, Hayato told us to gather together, saying that he wanted to decide on our formation before entering. Everyone gathered in a circle and waited for Hayato to say something.

"Everyone! From here onwards is the rumored Fire Dragon Cave. If you step past this entrance, you'll enter an unknown dungeon. We don't know much about what kind of monsters are there yet, so please make sure you don't do anything reckless!"

"Okay! I'll definitely protect Hayato."

"I will also kill all of Hayato-sama's enemies."

"Leave Hayato-sama's rear to Lily!"

The three around him were unchanged.

They were only talking about Hayato, and I wondered if they were even listening to what Hayato was saying, but Hayato didn't say anything in particular, so it seemed like he was satisfied with that. If it was the same as usual, was there really a need to gather everyone together and tell them? I looked at the conversation in a slightly amazed state.

"Hey, if Hayato gets into any danger, you'll become his shield right away, okay? I don't mind you dying."

Aria looked at me and started speaking. Finne and Lily also jumped on the bandwagon and started saying whatever they wanted.

"That's right, if you die protecting Hayato-sama, maybe your life as a worthless piece of burden will have meaning! Ufufu~"

"That would be wonderful. I'll give you a little recognition, filthy bro, so go ahead and die while you have the chance."

They're really saying some pretty nasty things... 

If it was just me a while ago, I would've gone mad if the people I loved said something like that to me. But now that I've found something to rely on, the insults of these filthy bitches aren't enough to break my spirit.

All the affection and love that existed in the past has already disappeared.

As long as I have my beloved Chris on my side, no matter it is, I can become stronger.

"What are you saying... everyone, Aleph-san is a great ally! Don't say such ominous things as being the Hero-sama's shield. Shouldn't we all swear to do our best and bring him back alive?"

"That's right, Christina's right. There's no need to say anything so alarming. Okay?"

Chris immediately came to my rescue.

Seeing Chris' condition, Hayato also joined in and scolded the three of them.

Maybe it was because their beloved Hayato had an effect on them, because all three of them hung their heads and said, "I'm sorry." I think you can tell that they were apologizing to Hayato, not to me. But more than that...

"Hey... Chris, did you just call Hayato, Hero-sama?"

I asked Chris in a low voice, and she answered me in a low voice, while still being mindful of her surroundings.

"Hehe, I decided to call him that so that you wouldn't get jealous again, Aleph-san?"

"Let's keep it a secret from Hero-sama," Chris muttered, placing her index finger over her lips as if to say so, before quickly moving away from me. Her thoughtfulness made my heart warm and I felt like my body was overflowing with energy.

On the one hand, I realize that I'm a simpler man than I thought, since Chris' every move had such a big effect on me, but on the other hand, I can only be grateful to Chris for teaching me this feeling.

I definitely don't want dying as the hero's shield, but if Chris is in danger, I can be a shield or whatever. That's what I secretly decided.

“The formation will be me and Aria in the front, with Christina in the middle so that whoever gets injured can recover quickly, and Lily to protect Christina. And I’ll ask Finne to support us with magic from the rear!”

Hayato gave precise instructions, and the four childhood friends immediately formed up as instructed. They were all used to the plan, as they had defeated monsters together countless times. Chris, who was a valuable member of the hero's party, had also fought as a member of them many times, and it was clear to see that she had become accustomed to them, which made me feel left out.

If I had the power, would I be able to get in even if they hated me?

I wonder if I could have fought alongside Chris.

… Although there’s no point in thinking about what might happen.

"Hayato...um, what should I do?"

Unable to bear the mixed feelings of defeat and other emotions, I frankly asked Hayato for instructions.

"That's right, Aleph, you probably can't fight, so I want you to follow us at a distance. If you get too close there's a risk of getting caught up in the fighting."

"...Okay. I'll take care of it."

I apologized to Hayato and moved to the back of the line. At times like these, I realized that you can't fight with just feelings. I don't have the strength, so it can't be helped. It may seem pathetic, but this is my position.

"Pfft, how lame. I can't believe he's the same man as the really strong Hayato."

As I was heading to the back, Aria muttered something to me as she shrugged her shoulders in an exasperated tone, but since I had nothing to say in response I just accepted it.

She really is a nasty woman. I feel disgusted with myself for even having loved her for a time. In a way, I'm even grateful to Hayato for exposing the true nature of this bitch.

The Hero Party entered the cave. From this point on, if they let their guard down, they could die at any time.

Let's forget about my self-deprecation and frustration with those guys for now. In order to survive, I have no choice but to follow them desperately. There are still many things I want to talk about with Chris. I definitely won't die in a place like this!

When we entered the cave, we noticed that it was not as hot as we had imagined. Since it was called the Fire Dragon's Cave, we had prepared heat-resistant equipment, but we were still surprised.

What also caught my attention was that although the edges of the walls had a rocky appearance, the ground was not rough and uneven, as is typical of caves, but was clean, as if it had been maintained by humans.

The entrance looks like a cave, but the inside is more like a labyrinth dungeon, not a natural dungeon. What on earth is this place?

The entire cave is constantly lit with a red glow, so you can see well enough without any light magic. After walking for a while, you can see about four or five objects ahead.

Its whole body was green and about two meters tall. It had a muscular body with a tail and a dragon-like face... It was a Drago-lizardman. In each hand it held a huge halberd and twin swords.

A monster famous for its belligerence, it is a formidable opponent with a body covered in hard scales and the intelligence to use weapons. It is a far more dangerous opponent than the beast-type monsters along the way.

“Everyone, these are the Drago-lizardmen. They haven’t noticed us yet, but if we wait until they find us and start fighting we may end up suffering some casualties. Now is the time while they’re moving together in a group, so let’s use Finne’s magic to take them by surprise and launch a preemptive attack to take them down in one go.”

"Okay Hayato-sama, I will restrain them with area of effect ice magic, then please crush them all at once."

"I'll kill them all in one go with the explosive power of the Sword Saint! Those lizards get in Hayato's way!"

When I quickly decide on a course of action, the four of them quickly act on it. We really do have a good chemistry, and it's no wonder that all of them will become my wives in the future.

Finne casts a spell on all the Drago-Lizardmen, but as she is casting the spell, the Lizardmen notice her and take aim with their weapons, but it is too late.

"These cold chains mercilessly entangle all who oppose them, immobilizing them. Freeze Hold!"

As soon as Finne finished chanting the spell, a chill rose up around the lizardmen and chains of ice appeared from under their feet, wrapping around their legs. The lizardmen's legs were covered in tough scales, but the magical power of the chains easily penetrated them, freezing their feet in an instant.

"Gwooooooooooooooooo!"

Their feet were frozen, and they were unable to grasp the situation. The Drago-lizardmans roared in sudden pain. This was our golden opportunity. We could annihilate them all at once.

I activate the Hero Skill, Body Strengthening (Strong), and move to the lizardman's front in an instant. Then, I use the Hero's Sword to instantly decapitate the Drago-lizardman. Even if it is covered in tough scales, there is nothing that the Hero's Sword, which is infused with magical power, cannot cut.

As I was decapitating the second drago-lizardman, I glanced to my side and saw Aria activating her Sword Saint skill and brutally slaughtering another drago-lizardman into tiny pieces.

To me, it's a wasteful way of killing, but intelligent enemies sometimes flinch from that cruel way of killing, so I've never said anything about it. Basically, if you kill all the enemies, you can usually get away with it.

Even so, Aria looks very happy when she kills her enemies.

When we finished, the group of lizardmen had turned into lumps of meat in about three minutes. We were pleased to realize that we had certainly gained strength through our long journey.

Excitement runs through my body. Maybe it would be nice to invite everyone over to my room tonight and have some fun. After the battle, I even had time to think about such things.

"Well done everyone! Your movements were smooth and we are definitely getting stronger."

"Ahh! It was all thanks to Hayato-sama's dignified instructions! It was wonderful."

"I will become stronger for Hayato, and I will tear apart any enemy he has."

"Uuh, I couldn't do anything, but Lily could have done more if there had been more enemies!"

"I'm relieved that no one seems to be injured..."

"Hahaha! Lily made some good moves too so don't worry! Christina, there's no need to worry too much either, with these five people our party will be invincible."

When I said that loudly, the girls followed me with ecstatic looks on their faces.

Ah, this is what I was always hoping for... 

Now, all that's left now is to take this opportunity to get rid of that annoying luggage-carrying trash Aleph who's been tarnishing people's possessions, and then it'll be perfect.

I've already told Aria and the others about my plan, and they're eager to help, so I'm sure it will succeed. I'm telling everyone except Christina, but I'm planning on treating it as an accident.

If I give her plenty of comfort in her room, since she's exhausted from the death of her friend, she'll soon forget about that guy.

Oh, I'm so happy I can't help but laugh.

I'll teach you that the hero always wins in the end, okay Aleph?

Author's Note: 

You're not a fake hero, Hayato...

It's just that the skills and personality are a bit off.