Chapter 48. What is Your Wish?

Looking for more translated chapters?

Over 30 chapters are available at [patreon.com/kurato6180].

---

I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 48. What is Your Wish?

---

"Why must I share my prey with others?"

Today, Atalanta still resented having to share the fruits of her labor with anyone.

Facing such stubbornness, Cyd felt a bit helpless. He had initially agreed to go hunting alone, but Atalanta insisted on joining him.

As a result, Cyd, who was not very skilled at hunting, was thoroughly outclassed, and all the prey was taken by Atalanta. The frustrating part was that Atalanta, despite not needing food, insisted on keeping all of it, showing a determination to consume it all herself if necessary.

Unable to do anything else, Cyd had no choice but to grab Atalanta by the tail and carry her away from the pile of game. To prevent Atalanta from becoming violent, Cyd even rubbed her ears gently.

For a moment, the aloof Atalanta lay quietly on Cyd's lap.

Karna, who was in charge of cooking, was very grateful. He had been struggling to get anything from Atalanta's claws, so he was thankful to Cyd for removing the "wildcat."

Afterward, Karna and Siegfried demonstrated their extraordinary skill in spear and sword techniques. The Brahmastra easily skinned the wild boar, while the Balmung effortlessly separated the boar's bones from its meat.

Then, Karna lit a fire on the ground, and Siegfried brought a pile of peeled branches. The two worked seamlessly together, expertly skewering the meat on the branches and setting them by the fire. It was hard to imagine that these two, who were once fiercely battling each other before sunrise, would now be sharing this peaceful moment.

Yet even so, they were enjoying this brief but fulfilling time.

"Crash—"

Sieg, still weak, accidentally fell to the ground. The normally quiet Siegfried suddenly sprang up and rushed toward Sieg, who was trying to stand up. Astolfo, who had been playing with Achilles, turned and rushed to Sieg, and Gordes, who had been advising the other homunculi, also moved toward him but stumbled over some debris and had to be helped up by a homunculus.

However, one person was quicker than everyone else. A somewhat pale hand grabbed Sieg by the collar and lifted him up. The other hand gently brushed off the dust from Sieg before placing him back on the ground.

"Be more careful next time," Vlad III patted Sieg's head and turned to walk back to where he had been dealing with the debris.

Darnic, following behind Vlad III, glanced at Siegfried. As everyone was a bit tense, Darnic also reached out and patted Sieg's head before catching up with Vlad III.

"Did that person get hit here?" Astolfo nudged Siegfried with his shoulder and pointed to his own head.

Siegfried hesitated, feeling that neither a nod nor a shake of the head seemed quite right. Well, it was probably best to just ignore him; after all, he wouldn't care if his rationality evaporated.

"Seriously! Why did you fall again!" Gordes, with a red nose from falling, stormed up to Sieg.

"I… I wanted to help you get the food," Sieg said awkwardly. "You've been so busy, and a human body can't handle it all. I swore to protect you like Saber, and although I'm weak now, I still want to help."

"Ah, what a good child," Astolfo wiped away tears. "It was definitely worth rescuing him back then."

"If you want to help me, take care of your own body," Gordes's tone softened. "I know my body best."

"Well, there's still plenty of energy stored here," Astolfo said with a mischievous grin, poking Gordes's stomach.

"Saber, shut his mouth!" Gordes jumped up.

"We are comrades—wait… why are you looking at me like that! Why is there a rope! Wait! I won't talk anymore! Really! I swear by the honor of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne…"

However, Siegfried didn't give Astolfo a chance to swear. As a dragon-slaying hero, Siegfried quickly took down Astolfo with a series of moves, using a special rope and tape left by the Rider's Master, Celenike, to bind Astolfo and gag him before tossing him next to Shakespeare, who had received the same treatment.

By the way, it was Karna who had turned Shakespeare into this state.

Due to Shakespeare's persistent and unproductive harassment, which made it hard for many spirits to work peacefully, it was arranged for Karna to deal with Shakespeare.

Since this was internal strife and self-sabotage, Cyd and Jeanne chose to ignore it selectively.

There was a small subplot: it seemed that during the giant's rampage through the city walls, Astolfo's Master, Celenike, had bumped her head. Although she was treated with healing magic, she lost her memory.

This perverted, sadistic dark magician had completely changed her personality. Though she didn't despise her past actions, she was disinterested in them. Even when Astolfo produced the whip she often used on him, Celenike questioned why she had to use that whip.

Fortunately, Celenike indicated that she would still fight through the Holy Grail War properly.

"If only the Holy Grail War could end so peacefully," Jeanne, having finished her meat bun, sat beside Cyd.

"This is war. The end of a war is never peaceful, only a compromise," Cyd scratched Atalanta's ears. Under the latter's threatening snarl, Cyd surrendered by raising his hands. "The defeated must compromise with the victor. You should understand that, Saint of France."

"Why do you always see the dark side?" Jeanne, somewhat helpless, hugged her knees, her Golden hair cascading down to cover her face.

"If you don't see the darkness, how can you appreciate the light? It is precisely because we are unwilling to give up that we desires it, and that is human nature," Cyd shrugged.

"So, at that time…" Jeanne said softly, "You did not deny the issue with Lancer."

When asked by Lancer Vlad III if he had a wish to entrust to the Holy Grail, Cyd had not denied it but had given a vague answer.

"Hmm?" Cyd tilted his head.

"No, nothing. What do you think is unusual about this Holy Grail War?" Jeanne scratched her head.

"Unusual?" Cyd blinked. "You."

"I'm serious," Jeanne said, her face showing black lines.

"Who knows? As long as the mysteries remain hidden, there's nothing unusual," Cyd yawned. "Anyway, the Holy Grail War will probably end tonight."

"I think that priest is problematic," Jeanne rubbed her face. "That's what the Lord's revelation told me."

"He's just… a pitiable person," Cyd tilted his head. "Well, he does have some rather unpleasant things."

"So… what is your wish?" Jeanne, summoning her courage, looked up, her pure violet eyes meeting Cyd's dark eyes.

"As a Ruler, one does not have wishes," Cyd patted Jeanne's head. "Haven't you understood this after staying with Jeanne for so long? Laeticia."

"Was I found out?" Laeticia scratched her face, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Why do you think I have a wish?" Cyd laughed softly.

"Because you have a promise that must be fulfilled…" Laeticia placed her hand on her chest and said softly, "Many people are waiting for your return."