Vol 1: Chapter 9: Fire Dragon Cave Part 2

Author Note: Human can fly!

The Path to The Saint Legend

Fire Dragon Cave Part 2

"Guuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

The death throes of the Flame Mage, slain by the hero, echoed throughout the cave.

This guy really has a big voice.

Even after defeating the Dragon Lizardmen, We have encountered monsters like this from time to time, but each time, we acted quickly and hunted them down with ease. Aside from me, they're a bunch of trashy people, but their abilities are quite high.

The party consists of two melee attackers, one ranged attacker, and a healer who acts as a support and sub-attacker, so the balance is not bad.

Well, if I had to say, I don't really need Lily.

I can cast defensive magic, so I don't actually need this brat to be my bodyguard.

"Everyone, we're fine for now, but don't let your guard down!"

"I know, Hayato! What you say is always right."

"We are truly blessed to have such a reliable leader."

"That's right, he's also strong at night too... well, anyway, he's strong."

"Lily, if you're going to say something like that, I wish you'd choose the location carefully..."

"Y-yes! That's right, Lily-chan... (Even though you're saying that, the hero doesn't look completely opposed.)"

"It's also a problem if you're too naive like Chris. If you find a great partner, they'll be right next to you, so you can always talk to me about it♪"

"I, that's fine with me. I'll just accept your feelings, Nee-san... (Die)."

Stop trying to connect the lower half of Payapayato-kun, the lust-crazed hero, with me! It makes me sick. Since the incident with Aleph, he's become strangely obvious, so he must be really worried.

I'll have to keep a low profile until the real cave event comes. I can't stand being interrupted. Don't block my glorious successful story with your filthy lower part!

As we drove the monsters away, we continued to advance further into the area and came across an open space like a plaza. In the center was a suspicious magic circle, it was really suspicious...

It's clearly the type that will teleport us somewhere.

The square is surrounded by cliffs, so high that if you fall, there's no way to survive. There's no other way, so it's essentially a dead end. In the end, it seems the only way is to move forward using this magic circle.

"It looks like a teleportation magic circle. I don't know what's ahead. Should we take a break in the square here for a bit?"

"I got it, Hayato!"

Since everyone was a little worn out from the battle, the perverted hero's opinion certainly had a point. Everyone agreed and decided to take a break.

Looking around the square, I noticed a staircase leading up, so I asked the hero if I could go up a little to check it out. I climbed up the stairs, which was about the equivalent of three-story house, and there was only a small space and a cliff in front of me.

What is this place? Is it a tourist attraction or something? Even so, it's too bleak... It's built unnecessarily high and there's nothing there, the person who designed it must be an idiot. I returned to the square below feeling disappointed.

"Christina? Is there something upstairs?"

When the hero asked me, I shook my head and replied, "No, I went up and there was a small space with an unknown purpose, but there was a cliff in front of me and there was nothing in particular that caught my eye." The hero seemed to think about something, then said, "I understand, thank you," and returned to the three idiots.

I didn't say anything that would require such deep thought...

With nothing else to do, I laid down the sheet Aleph had given me and sat down.

A little distance away from where the hero and the idiots were discussing something, Aleph was carefully placing our large luggage on top of a pile of sheets to prevent it from getting dirty. It was kind of funny to see him looking at me with a disappointed look on his face, as if to say, "I want to come to you, but I can't because the heroes are here."

Just how attached to me is this guy? I'll give him a smile as a favor.

...Wow, he looks so happy... What a simple guy.

Hmm? After the heroes finished talking, Aria approached Aleph and started talking to him. Usually, she only tries to have contact with him by insulting him, but talking to him with a smile on her face... I have a really bad feeling about this. Aria led the two of them up the stairs I had checked earlier.

Hey, hey, hey! I told the hero that there was nothing there, right? There's nothing but a cliff?! Huh, huh, is that really it? If so, then what should I do...?

I look down at the cliff. I can't see how deep it is, and it's so high that if you fall normally, you'll lose all traces of your true form. But my resolve won't be shaken by something like this.

(Okay, I'll do it. I know the magic that can deal with it. In fact, it would be a perfect step towards becoming a Saint. Now that it's decided, it's a race against time, so I need to get in position quickly!)

With my enthusiasm, determination and resolve now complete, there's nothing to fear from me!

Come on, hurry up, Aleph!

As I put my luggage down and took a rest, Chris was looking at me from afar. I really wanted to go over there too, but I was afraid that Hayato might do something to Chris again if we got too close, so I held back.

Chris, perhaps out of concern for me, smiled at me from afar. Her smile was as gentle and warm as ever... if it were allowed, I would like to look at it forever.

"Hey, Aleph! Can I talk to you for a second?"

As I was looking towards Chris, Aria suddenly called out to me.

But something seems strange. To be honest, the first impression I get is that it's creepy.

She wasn't acting like she normally would, making fun of me, but rather acting casually as if she was talking to a friend. I couldn't hide my confusion at her sudden change in attitude.

"Ah, Aria? What's that all of a sudden?"

"What are you talking about?! We used to talk like this a lot in the past! Have you forgotten already, Aleph?"

I'd forget anything if I was assaulted so many times, had to be shown of her affair with the hero, and was constantly told I was trash. But seriously, what was wrong with her? I couldn't think of any reason to fawn over him.

"What is your purpose? Honestly, I have no idea what your intentions are..."

"I don't have any particular intention! I just want to make up with you."

"Hah? What do you mean--"

"You know, the terrible things I've done up until now? I've thought that I should at least apologize to Aleph?"

"What's with that, you apologizing now..."

"Yeah, I know it's hard to believe, but I'll prove it to you. Just come with me, Aleph!"

Saying this, Aria forcefully took my hand and started walking. This woman, who knows what the hero will say to me if he is shown off something like this...!

I looked at Hayato, who was looking at me in surprise. Huh? This wasn't orchestrated by Hayato...? So Aria really came to me of her own volition.

"Hey! Is it okay for Hayato to be watching?"

"Hayato has nothing to do with this right now, right? I want to be with Aleph."

With that, Aria heads up the stairs. I don't know the reason for her change of heart again, but if Aria really was trying to be friendly with me again, then...

I was so disappointed in her that I decided I'd never forgive her...

Maybe it's okay to believe again. No, I think I want to believe.

I was betrayed once. I was treated so badly, and to be honest, I hate this woman for the past six months. I even loathe her. But the Aria I saw when I was little, the Aria before she joined the Hero's Party, liked me very much and thought about me.

Shortly before the trip began, we had our first kiss. We said we would get married when the trip was over. That probably won't happen now, but... if we could go back to the time when we were close, I would.

While thinking about such things, Aria and I climbed the stairs for a while. When we arrived, there was a small space and a cliff in front of us, and nothing else. Why did she bring me to a place like this?

"Aria, what is this place? There doesn't seem to be anything here."

"Yeah! We are just because I wanted to talk to you alone."

Indeed, there is a considerable height between here and the square below, so there is little risk of anyone hearing our conversation. But could it be something so important?

"So, what's the story? You don't want Hayato to hear about it, right?"

"Yeah, I don't think Hayato wants to hear about my feelings."

"Feeling?"

"The thing is, I like Aleph."

"Eh?"

My mind went blank when she suddenly confessed to me. It was so out of context. Besides, she was saying mean things to me in front of the cave, and Aria's words and actions were so inconsistent that I couldn't feel happy at all.

"It was so sudden that I don't understand... I'm sorry, but to be honest, I don't trust you at all."

"I see, that's true. I've done a lot of terrible things, don't I?"

"Plus, I've found someone else I like. Umm... I mean, can't we just be friends like before?"

"What's that? That's a terrible way to act, hahaha! But it's okay. Let's go back to being childhood friends."

“That seems rather straightforward. But I’m still happy. Considering what you’ve done, it’s hard to accept it right away, though. Nice to meet you, Aria.”

I shake hands with Aria to make amends.

The hatred I can't let go of still smolders. But if she wants to start over, then surely it'll be okay. Our friendship and love were once broken, but I trust Aria once again. As a childhood friend.

"Well then, let's go back!...Hey, Aleph...didn't you see something flashing around that cliff just now?"

"Eh? Where is it? Besides, it's pitch black around the cliffs and there's no light--"

"Yes, it just lit up there. If you don't believe me, go and take a look!"

Saying this, Aria points to the cliff in front of us. She said it so frantically that I got curious too, so I approached the cliff and peered down. It was too dark to see anything. I couldn't even see the bottom, and I got a little scared so I turned to Aria.

"I can't see anything, let alone light. Aria must be mistaken--"

The moment I turned around, I felt a shock and my body was lifted into the air. I looked in front of me and saw Aria kicking me in the stomach. My feet left the ground and I fell off the cliff.

At the moment my body started to fall, I saw Aria's face. It was a broad smile, just like the one she used to smile at me a long time ago.

She had betrayed me again, twice. My hatred for Aria grew, but the fear of falling was stronger than my hatred, and I let out a death throes.

"Whaa ..."

As I screamed and fell, I somehow thought I heard Aria's voice at the end. It sounded very happy, cheerful, as if something good had happened.

"Goodbye, trash Aleph♪"

Then my consciousness was cut off.

Author Note: Human, in fact, can't fly!