[Henry! Stay with me…Henry!]
The scene shifts to show the boy desperately calling out to Henry.
[Big brother…? Is that you…? Sorry, hard to hear…]
Lying in bed, Henry weakly lifts his fingers, searching for his brother. He can no longer open his eyes or hear well.
[Please, forgive my impertinence, but… may I have a small amount of Spirit Grass as soon as possible?]
The boy pleads like a knight.
Spirit Grass can temporarily slow the progression of Soul Blight, though only slightly.
Aim for that effect.
Just a little bit of that massive pile of Spirit Grass he saw earlier might add a few hours to Henry’s life.
But…
[Well… I already sent it.]
[Wha–!?]
Hearing the heartless answer, the boy is struck speechless.
The worst case.
His brother’s life could end at any moment. Yet he must endure for hours. Henry is already struggling to breathe, writhing in agony, and yet–
[Please… As a hero… as a knight… I beg you all! Can you help me find the Spirit Grass? Please lend me your strength!]
The boy cries out to everyone in desperation.
Abandoning his reputation as a knight and standing as a hero, he bows his head and begs for help.
[Understood, Sir Knight. Leave it to us.]
Perhaps his desperate wishes have been granted… The villagers, fellow knights, and adventurers who know how to harvest it say they’ll help and become the boy’s strength.
[Thank you…!]
He continues to bow deeply in gratitude.
[Henry, hold on a little longer.]
[Yes.]
With that, the boy breathes a sigh of relief, believing his brother is saved.
The view changes.
It shows the boy cutting through the lush, overgrown forest.
He cuts away the obstructing trees and bushes, clearing a path.
But his pace is anything but fast.
The reason is obvious.
[It’ll be okay. We’ll find it soon. Real soon–]
[……Y…eah.]
While calling to Henry on his back, the boy searches tirelessly without stopping.
[–! Well, did you find any!? …I see. Contact me when you do, thanks!]
The boy looks disappointed as he briefly talks to a communication magic tool.
They must have split up to cover more ground.
The Spirit Tree’s garden, where it is said to grow, is huge. Searching separately with communication magic tools instead of together was probably considered more efficient.
Also carrying the now immobile Henry – knowingly taking the risk to bring him rather than bring him back after the harvest.
Or maybe to keep talking to the barely hanging Henry. Maybe that was the reason.
[Why can’t we find any? The information is supposed to be accurate. And the adventurers’ reports – what are they doing!?]
He glares bitterly at the communication device.
The sky, visible through the trees, is growing dark, the sun is about to set. Staying at night increases the risk of demonic beasts and wild animals attacking. Time is dangerously short.
The view changes.
[Henry. Just a little more…I’m sure I’ll find some soon.]
[……Mm.]
The completely darkened night forest.
The boy continues to search without giving up.
Supporting Henry with his left hand and swinging his sword with his right must be the reason why his right hand is shaking from extreme fatigue. His armor is scratched and dented all over, and he breathes heavily.
[Gah…damned pests!]
He protects Henry from an attack by a magical beast and slashes it. The sword, slippery with sweat, falls and as he tries to pick it up, his foot gets caught in vines and he collapses.
This figure had reached its limit.
Still, the boy gets back up.
Panting with exertion.
He steps forward again.
He strained his eyes to search for Spirit Grass, constantly calling out to his brother, not caring about himself.
It must have been several minutes.
Henry on his back suddenly speaks.
[Hey… big brother.]
[Yeah, Henry?]
He replies as he cuts down trees.
[Thanks…for everything.]
[What’s up with you all of a sudden?]
[Cuz…I’m always…causing you…trouble…wanted to say…thanks…]
Though hesitant, he is clearly trying to say something, squeezing every word out.
[So…please, big brother…help someone…]
As he speaks, his voice suddenly stops.
[Henry?]
The boy calls out questioningly.
For the first time, he stops his single-minded search and looks back at Henry.
[Hey…don’t sleep on me. Open your eyes.]
As he puts Henry down, he continues to call out, but his eyes remain closed, motionless.
[I see, you want to surprise me huh…I am already surprised so hurry up and open them.]
The boy shakes Henry’s body slightly.
Desperately. Pleadingly.
[We said we’d be knights together. Hey…hey! Open your eyes…open them!!!]
The boy continues to scream loudly, echoing through the forest.
He knew.
But he couldn’t accept it. He averts his eyes from reality, refuses it.
Henry does not react to the boy’s voice.
With his eyes closed peacefully, as if asleep, Henry
was no longer breathing.
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The scene changes again.
[……]
Carrying the body, the boy returns to the village with hollow eyes.
[Squad Captain Lucas, I’m terribly sorry…the demonic beasts were getting restless, so we had no choice but to retreat…]
[It’s okay. You made the right decision]
[Your Highness, I couldn’t help you, you have my deepest…]
[No, you risked danger to help, I’m grateful]
The knights and villagers bowed worriedly, but the boy thanked them emotionlessly.
He couldn’t blame them.
His fellow knights and villagers were serious about helping him. Just because it failed didn’t mean he could scold them angrily.
Not venting his feelings and shouting abuse shows the boy’s kindness and wisdom.
[Excuse me, but could you help me put him to bed?]
Entering the building, the boy lets them help him lay Henry down.
Declining the offer of the concerned knights to watch over him, he leaves alone, sinking powerlessly into a chair.
[……]
Silently, he stares at Henry.
As if he were undoubtedly asleep, Henry’s eyes are closed, still. Meanwhile, the boy’s face is blank, no emotion visible.
[Oh right…I should thank the adventurers as well…]
A few minutes later, the boy gets up and wobbles outside.
He should do it later, but he dutifully goes to the accommodations prepared for the adventurers.
[My thanks for the help…]
When he opens the door, the boy freezes.
[Damn, how long is he going to take? Hurry up and help pack this Spirit Grass… Huh?]
[Huh? Hero…I mean, this is…]
The adventurers scramble for excuses.
The boy stares wide-eyed, as if he cannot believe the scene before him.
A large sack full of objects – Spirit Grass.
But not only that.
Bottles of liquid labeled [Soul Liqueur] are stacked in the corner of the room.
[What… is the meaning of this?]
Step by step, he approaches the adventurers with a stunned expression.
[Well, you see–Gah!?]
He grabs an adventurer by the neck with one hand, lifting him off the ground as he tries to speak.
[Were you…lying…to me?]
[H-hey, stop it! You’re going to kill Jackso!]
The boy punches the man who tries to stop him, knocking him to the ground.
The adventurers were lying.
Their clean clothes also clearly showed that they hadn’t even searched.
[Hurry up and grab that Spirit Grass before that half-beast comes ba–uh!?]
A fat man swaying his massive body comes from the inner room – the employer.
The boy releases the lifted man and walks towards the employer.
[D-don’t come near me, filthy half-beast!]
The Employer retreats in fear.
Ignoring him, the boy grabs his hair and lifts his body.
[Why did you lie? Answer me.]
[Let g–! Doing this, how dare–!]
[Answer.]
Punches and silences him. Red blood splashes on the floor.
[If you had given Henry the liquor, he wouldn’t have died.]
[Gah–! Sh-shut up! That’s–!]
The boy strikes the employer again. White teeth dance in the air.
[Stop it! Is this how a knight should act!?]
[Th-that’s right! You’re a hero, aren’t you!? Do heroes do things like that!?]
The adventurers shout loudly.
They deny the boy’s actions and talk about how it should be.
[Hero?]
[Yes! Heroes are supposed to protect us!]
They surround the boy, hideously claiming rights.
Because they’re weak.
The strong hero should protect them.
Even though they have done nothing to the boy.
[I’m sorry! I’ll give you the grass or the liquor, so…]
[Don’t need it. It’s meaningless now.]
[Th-then let go!]
The boy roughly releases the employer.
The employer flees into the inner room.
A relieved adventurer speaks to the boy.
[Really sorry about this. We’ll split the winnings, so keep this a secret – huh?]
The man’s arm dances in the air.
The boy had sliced it off with his sword. Staring stupidly at his missing arm, the man lets out a scream seconds later.
A howl rings out as the adventurers panic, and villagers and knights rush over to hear the commotion.
[Mur-murderer! Help–!]
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