Star-Slaying Swordsman

“—Everything is for the sake of ‘Star Slaying.’”

And with that, I concluded my words.

However, the frown that was directed at me seemed to say that she didn’t understand the meaning behind what I just said.

But nevertheless, I felt fine from within.

Saying it out loud made me feel it even more.

I had come to understand that the “greed” that drove me as a person, no matter how far I went, or how hard I tried, could only lead to being a “Star Slayer.”

“…‘Star Slaying’…”

The few words resonated well in the quiet night scene.

The tone of her voice, which contained a hint of bewilderment, was evident to me as well.

“…I do not know of such legend, but there is no greater act of foolishness in this world than barbarism.”

It was true.

I knew it without it even being pointed out.

But if there was an opportunity for me to be strong, I wanted to reach out to it.

And if that was indeed the case, I had to throw away even a moment’s hesitation and do so.

There was a “limit” to the time that was equally given to human beings after all.

“But if you want to go, there is no reason for me to forcefully refuse.”

As it should be.

She was the one who had requested the manpower in the first place.

“But I must tell you, I’ve never heard of anyone who has been under my command ever being able to become a ‘Star Slayer.’”

In other words, being able to “Slay the Stars” was the ultimate goal.

It was a longing that existed beyond my reach.

Therefore, I was aware that even if I were to be able to accomplish slaying monsters in Minaura this time, I still wouldn’t be a Star Slayer.

…In other words, this was just a process.

To reach it, I knew that I’d have to risk my life to exceed my “limit” or beyond.

And I’d have to do it repeatedly, step by step, one at a time.

By committing myself to uncommon practices that were deemed to be like a daredevil, I’d be finally able to stand on a stage where I just might be able to reach it.

Therefore…

“I know that.”

I kept my reply to just that.

In response to my simple and concise reply, the question “Why, then?” never came.

To Viera Islebark, I was just another crazy villager, and I wasn’t someone she’d be interested in.

“I see.”

It was the same nonchalant tone in her voice.

Soon after, she turned her attention to the knights accompanying her and requested a certain something.

And as soon as she did, a knight came to me, handing me a map that he had spread and half-pressed it to my chest.

“There is a town called Minaura southwest of here. If you accept the draft, please come there before the full moon. If you die on your way there, we will simply assume that you did not comply.”

Viera then turned her eyes for a moment to the moon looming above her hair and declared just that.

The map, which had been open until just before, showed that there was a good distance from my village to Minaura.

Unless one was extremely lucky, one would surely encounter monsters on the way there.

In other words, it was a test.

Sending out manpower… But I wouldn’t be so sure to call one that if they couldn’t even defeat monsters along their way there.

My father would definitely die if he went, and maybe this was the very reason why he talked to me in such a manner.

But—

“I understand.”

That didn’t sway my mind.

The intense passion in my eyes would not diminish.

Only the knight who handed me the map was slightly surprised by my words, not having even a moment's hesitation in it.

“We still have some work to do, so well then.”

She then turned her back to me and started to walk away, one step at a time, towards somewhere.

Her two companions who had been looking at me soon did the same as well.

The three backs were getting smaller and smaller by the moment.

I watched them for a few dozen seconds, and then looked up at the sky after seeing that they were completely lost in the night darkness.

The moon, still slightly hidden by the clouds, shone on me.

There were probably still 20 days to go until the full moon.

At this rate, there should be no problem even if I headed there a little slower.

…Maybe I should write a letter of apology to Sofia.

With these thoughts in my mind, I looked up at the sky and stood still.

My gaze was drawn not to the crescent moon, but to the stars that were shining right beside it.

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