Chapter 17. Before You Become a Hero, Your Teacher Will Protect You
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"Please take care of me again today, Lili!"
Bell smiled and extended his hand to the small girl in front of him.
If she took this hand, this boy, who looked as innocent as a rabbit, would probably trust her completely. If that happened, she could easily trick him into giving up his equipment.
Lili lowered her head, not reaching for Bell's hand. "Have you been waiting long, Bell-sama? Even though it's not yet time for our meeting."
"Well, I can't make a lady wait, can I?" Bell scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly, not sensing anything amiss.
"Bell-sama always says such strange things," Lili lowered her head even further.
"Really?" Bell looked a bit disappointed as he lowered his head. He had thought that line sounded cool.
"By the way, Bell-sama, how about we challenge the tenth floor today?" Lili hesitated for a moment before suggesting.
Many people had already set their sights on Bell's shield—herself included. She had originally assumed that Bell, who possessed top-tier equipment, must be the favored member of some top-tier Familia, but it turned out he was the only member of his Familia. He must have gotten lucky and somehow obtained that shield.
What would happen if someone openly took his shield? What if they killed him? Who would stand up for him?
No one!
At least, from what she knew, a dozen or so people were already targeting Bell. They seemed to plan on ambushing him around the sixth or seventh floor. If Bell resisted, he might die in the dungeon. No, an adventurer whose equipment is stolen can't possibly make it out of the dungeon alive.
A few people had even approached her, the "habitual offender," saying they'd share the profits with her after the deed was done.
Ridiculous!
These deceitful adventurers just wanted to use her and then kick her aside.
There wouldn't be another chance if she didn't act soon!
Yes, that's what Lili thought!
Clenching her fists, Lili knew she had no intention of following Bell obediently. Bell would find out about her past sooner or later, so what good was his kindness now? In the end, betrayal was inevitable.
"The tenth floor…" Bell rubbed his chin, a bit troubled. "Wouldn't it be too dangerous with just the two of us? By the way, Lili, you're acting a bit strange today."
If she kept pushing, he might get suspicious. After all, she was just a support she'd only met two days ago.
Now would be the time to say she was just joking, and that would ease this gullible adventurer's concerns.
Yes, she just needed him to trust her...
"Lili just thinks Bell-sama is very strong, so even the tenth floor shouldn't be a problem," Lili raised her head and looked Bell in the eyes. "That's really all there is to it…"
Ah… what am I doing? I finally found an easy mark.
Bell lowered his hand, staring at Lili in silence.
Lili bit her lip and stubbornly stared back at Bell.
Now you should understand! Hurry up and kick me out like those other adventurers! Don't make me have hope for this world anymore!
That way… I won't be betrayed by reality again...
"Damn…" A burly man hidden in the crowd glared at Lili with dissatisfaction.
Even the dumbest person would sense something was off with Lili's behavior. Today, at least, they wouldn't enter the dungeon, and he'd probably kick this suspicious supporter aside.
"Alright," Bell reached out and grabbed Lili's hand, "I'm counting on you!"
"You…" Lili's eyes widened.
Why?
I'm so suspicious! Are you stupid?
"Let's go! To the dungeon!" Bell, a bit forcefully, started running, pulling Lili along with him.
"Wait! Bell-sama, slow down!" Lili followed Bell, flustered and panicked.
"Get ready," the burly man grinned and nudged the person next to him with his shoulder.
"Yeah, it's not every day you come across such easy prey. How about we take that supporter along with him too?" The skinny adventurer next to him smirked wickedly. "I heard she recently made a killing."
"Sounds good." The burly man cracked his knuckles.
Cyd stood by the burly man, arms crossed, watching Bell's back as he ran in the sunlight.
[He's going to get hurt eventually, acting like that.]
That's what Ryuu had warned him.
In her eyes, Bell was too kind. The world wasn't as beautiful as he thought. It was full of the strong preying on the weak and people scheming against each other. She had seen and experienced too much of it.
Cyd sighed.
Ryuu, it's too sad to see the world through such a lens. You should understand that this world isn't so hopeless that you have to live in constant suspicion. There is always a place where you can feel safe.
If Bell were to ever become like that, it would mean I had failed as a teacher.
Bell just needs to stay the way he is. He's pure, that's all. Though his world has some harsh realities, he sees more beauty in it. He accepts the harshness but firmly believes in the good. If it's him, one day, he will make this world a warmer place.
He will become that kind of hero someday.
Until then…
Black scales began to spread from Cyd's scarf, covering his right arm.
I'll protect you.
…
"Left, right."
Bell dodged the monster's attacks with a calm precision, his right hand effortlessly driving the Heroic Blade into the creature's joints. As the monster howled in pain, Bell swung his left arm, and the round shield smashed the monster's head like a heavy hammer.
"Bang!"
With a puff of black smoke, a crystal dropped to the ground.
"Whew~ I'm in good shape today. I'm sure I'll pass the teacher's test," Bell bent down, picked up the magic stone, and tossed it to Lili. "I'm counting on you, Lili."
"Huh? Oh… okay, Bell-sama!" Lili was momentarily stunned, then clumsily caught the magic stone.
Bell scratched his face, giving Lili a complicated look as she stored the magic stone in her pouch. "Well then, let's head to the tenth floor."
"Wait… wait a minute!" Lili instinctively grabbed Bell's clothes. "Wait a minute, Bell-sama!"
"What's wrong, Lili?" Bell tilted his head.
"It's just… Lili suddenly feels like it might be too dangerous for just the two of us," Lili gestured frantically, "Maybe we should stick to safer floors."
What are you doing?
Just like before, trick the adventurer you despise into the tenth floor, then steal his equipment while you have the chance.
Just like you've done before, without any hesitation. You haven't done anything wrong; the world is this ruthless. Didn't you learn that long ago? All those kindnesses are fake. It's because you've hoped before that the despair afterward cuts so deep.
No one can save you.
You don't want to feel that pain again.
So…
Lili clung tightly to Bell's clothes, refusing to let go.
Don't regret this…
You've already crossed the point of no return.
Lili really is a dirty…
"Lili is actually a good girl," Bell said as he reached up and ruffled Lili's hair.
Huh?
Bell-sama, what are you talking about?
Can't you see it?
Lili stared blankly at Bell.
"Why… are you an idiot?" Lili pounded her fists on Bell's chest.
"Because…" Bell scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly, "you had a look on your face like you wanted someone to save you."