Chapter 92 Yuki Chihiro ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I did a final scan of my Item Box ¹. The stock of potions and medicine was meager at best, but that couldn’t be helped. However, the lack of rations was a serious oversight. Still, I had no intention of lingering a second longer—not in this room, not in this kingdom, and certainly not among the classmates who had so eagerly pinned every ounce of blame on Natsumi.
I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze drifting to the school uniform resting on the bed. I wanted to cut every last tie to those people, so I left it where it lay. In its place, I adjusted the gear Tatei had provided: a one-handed sword and a round shield, with a surcoat worn over my chainmail.
I looked out the window. The sun had already set, and the night had draped its heavy shroud over the world. There was little moonlight to speak of—a perfect time to slip away unnoticed. Tonight, I was leaving this country. Yamato and Ise were also planning their departures, but we had staggered the dates to avoid suspicion. They were better than most of the class, but I still couldn’t bring myself to trust them. They had stood by and watched while Natsumi was tormented.
A bitter, self-mocking smile twisted my lips. I suppose I’m not much different from them. In that moment of crisis, I had been driven by pure terror. I had fled from the Barghest ² without a second thought, leaving Natsumi to his fate. Now that I could think clearly, I realized the beast’s howl must have been a skill—something designed to inflict overwhelming dread. But that didn’t change the outcome. I had left Natsumi to die.
I stepped out into the hallway. Security had tightened since Tatei and Yokoo escaped the castle, but the guards were lazy, clearly assuming no one else would be bold enough to try. Finding a gap in their patrol wasn’t difficult. Or so I thought, until a voice cut through the silence behind me.
”And where do you think you’re going at this hour?”
I froze, then turned slowly. Instructor Carlos was standing there, accompanied by three familiar faces. “Instructor Carlos… and Mei, Rei, and Satomi too?” I asked. The Kijima twins, Mei and Rei, and the bronzed girl with bleached hair, Kodama Satomi. All three had always claimed to be my “biggest fans.”
”I heard from them that you were acting strange,” Carlos said, letting out a tired sigh. “I had my suspicions, but I didn’t think you’d actually…”
Mei and the others kept their eyes glued to the floor.
”Are you going to stop me, Instructor?” I asked.
”Hardly. Given the state of this country… I understand how you feel, and I’ve no intention of standing in your way,” Carlos replied. “However…”
”However, what?”
”Take these girls with you. If you do, I’ll personally help you get out of here.”
”What?” I blurted out. The request was absurd. “You want me to take the people who used Natsumi as a scapegoat? You think I’d ever forgive that?”
The three girls flinched as if I’d struck them.
”W-we were just so scared of the truth coming out,” Mei stammered, her voice trembling. “We didn’t know what would happen to us…”
”We just didn’t want to admit he died because of us,” Rei whispered.
”The dead can’t exactly voice their side of the story, can they? It’s pathetic, truly,” I said. My blood began to boil as I listened to the Kijima sisters’ excuses. Natsumi had been bullied, ostracized, and hated—only to be branded a villain after he was gone. There was no peace in that.
”I’m sorry! We didn’t mean for it to turn out like this!” Satomi cried.
”Why are you apologizing to me? There’s only one person you should be saying that to, and he’s gone,” I snapped.
Satomi choked back a sob. I clenched my fists until they hurt. As much as I wanted to blame them, I knew I was just as guilty. I had been the first to run. I was an accomplice to their cowardice. And that was the most painful part—wanting to apologize to someone who could never forgive you.
”Don’t be too hard on them,” Carlos said softly. “They’ve been drowning in regret ever since it happened.”
I looked at their faces. The guilt was raw and unmistakable.
”Even so, that doesn’t explain why I should take them with me. Why should I care what happens to them here?” I asked.
”It’s about Sugita,” Carlos said, his expression darkening.
”His eyes… they’re terrifying,” Mei whispered. “It’s like he’s hunting us.”
”Whenever he glares at me,” Satomi added with a shudder, “I feel like I’m losing my mind. Like I’m not myself anymore.”
”Lately, the teacher and the Princess have been sticking to him like glue,” Rei said. “And some of the other women in the castle—they look at him like they’re under a spell.”
I knew Sugita was responsible for Natsumi’s death in more ways than one, but this sounded different. I had felt the way people instinctively drew back from him, but this suggested something far more predatory.
”Princess Mariana has been acting very strangely indeed,” Carlos admitted.
That gave me pause. Mariana had expected everything from Jinno. For her to suddenly be doting on Sugita—alongside Nagase-sensei—was beyond suspicious. Something was wrong. And if I left them here, I was effectively signing their death warrants.
”Fine,” I said, the word feeling like lead. “If that’s the case, I won’t leave them behind.”
”Master Yuki…!” Their faces lit up with a desperate hope.
”But don’t get the wrong idea,” I cut them off. “I’m not your friend. I’ll speak to you when necessary for the journey, but that’s it. Don’t expect any kindness from me.”
”We… understand,” they whispered. They were terrified enough of Sugita that they were willing to accept my hatred just to escape.
”Now, Instructor. You said you’d help?” I asked.
”Indeed,” Carlos said, a sudden, mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. “You know, Yuki… I think tonight is a marvelous night for some ‘unscheduled night maneuvers,’ don’t you?”
* * *
”Company… halt!” At Carlos’s command, the dozens of Knights who had followed us under the guise of an exercise came to a stop. These were commoner-born Knights who worshipped Carlos and harbored their own grudges against the King’s corrupt rule. Their torches flickered against the dark forest, casting long shadows.
”We’re far enough out,” Carlos said, turning to me. “From here, you’re on your own. So, where are you headed?”
”I talked it over with Yamato,” I said. “We’re making for Envyos ³.”
”The Magocracy ⁴? A bold choice.”
Envyos. A powerhouse to the east of Plaudix, famous for its obsession with sorcery. I didn’t care about saving the world, but I needed the power to protect myself. I wouldn’t find that in Plaudix—not in a country that refused to teach its ‘heroes’ even the basics.
”It’s a good place to study,” Carlos nodded. “Greedia has its academies, but they’ll take anyone with a fat purse. Envyos is different. It’s a ruthless meritocracy. If you don’t have the talent, you’re out. But if you do… even a peasant can rise to the top. You lot should be fine.”
”Anyway,” he continued, “do you actually have what you need? Money? Rations?”
”I… well…” I stumbled. It was the one thing I hadn’t been able to secure.
”Just as I thought. Consider this a parting gift.” He tossed two bags at me. The smaller one clinked with forty silver coins—more than enough for the trip. The larger bag was packed with dried meat and travel essentials.
”Register as a Monster Hunter ⁵ when you get there,” Carlos advised. “It’s the quickest way to earn your keep.”
”Instructor… thank you. For everything,” I said, bowing deeply. The girls followed suit.
”Take care of yourselves,” Carlos said.
”Good luck, Yuki!” one of the Knights shouted.
”Don’t you die out there!” another added.
I didn’t even know their names, but their voices were the warmest thing I’d felt in weeks. Without looking back, we stepped into the darkness, heading toward a new land.
—
Summary:
Yuki Chihiro prepares to flee the Kingdom of Plaudix, fueled by guilt over Natsumi’s death and disgust with his classmates. He is intercepted by Instructor Carlos and three female classmates—the Kijima twins and Satomi—who beg to join him to escape the predatory gaze of Sugita. Carlos assists their escape under the guise of a night maneuver, providing coins and supplies while advising them to head to the meritocratic Magocracy of Envyos.
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Trivia:
- Yuki is actually using gear provided by Tatei (one-handed sword, shield), not standard hero gear.
- The Kijima twins and Satomi are specifically fleeing because Sugita’s ‘eyes’ make them feel like they are losing themselves, hinting at a charm or corruption skill.
- Princess Mariana and Nagase-sensei are already ‘sticking like glue’ to Sugita, which is a major shift in behavior.
- Carlos is specifically a leader of commoner-born knights who resent the King’s rule.
- The destination, Envyos, is a meritocracy, contrasted with Greedia which is pay-to-play
—
Character Insight:
Yuki Chihiro is deeply mired in survivor’s guilt, viewing himself as no better than the classmates he despises. His decision to take the girls with him is not out of forgiveness, but out of a pragmatic moral obligation once he realizes they are being targeted by Sugita’s potentially supernatural influence.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes that while the ‘erotica’ is still some ways off, the story is entering a ‘Zamaa’ (retribution) phase where the protagonist begins to move against the antagonists.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Natsumi – The protagonist. Height 168 to 171 cm, weight 57 to 59 kg. He has a baby face, but he hides his eyes with his bangs. He was bullied by the Sugita gang just because his name sounded like a girl’s name.
• Tatei – Tatei Kozoo. Height 186 cm, weight 52 kg. Natsumi’s otaku friend. Originally a tall and sturdy man, but he became skin and bones due to anorexia. Possesses the skill ‘Materialization Alchemy’. Created equipment for the class.
• Tate – Male Otaku friend of Reese. Gaunt and thin, wears glasses. Possesses Materialization Alchemy skill.
• Yamato – Yamato Hina. Student council vice-president. Serious, beautiful, with long straight hair and sharp eyes.
• Barghest – A massive wolf the size of a warhorse with bluish-gray fur. It is the King of the Forest of the Greedy Fool.
• Yokoo – Natsumi Sasaki’s otaku friend. His appearance is based on ‘Yoko’ from ‘Comic Party.’ Possesses ‘Materialization Summoning’. Accompanied by a Living Armor.
• Carlos – The Knight Captain of the Plaudix Kingdom’s Royal Guard. He serves as an instructor and shows genuine concern for Sasaki.
• Satomi – A bronzed girl with bleached hair.
• Mei – One of the Kijima twin sisters.
• Rei – One of the Kijima twin sisters.
• Sugita – The leader of the Sugita gang and the primary bully of Natsumi Sasaki. His grandfather is the Superintendent General and his father is a Police Superintendent, so the two of them covered up all his crimes. Because of this, he does whatever he wants wherever he goes. He has a lean build, sharp features, and a calculating gaze.
• Mariana – The second princess of Plaudix and a Saint. Blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing thin silk clothes. About the same age as the students.
• Jinno – Jinno Yuto. The class president. He acts like he has a strong sense of justice, but in reality, he just ignored the bullying of Natsumi Sasaki.
• Yuki – Yuki Chihiro. Height 178 cm, weight 70 kg (Male). Natsumi’s childhood friend. A handsome, athletic top student in the soccer club.
• Chihiro – Height 178 cm, weight 70 kg (Male). Natsumi’s childhood friend. A handsome, athletic top student in the soccer club.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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