"…Well, that's quite a sudden greeting. As I recall, you don't have the authority to give orders to the hero…"
"Hmph, so what? I'm telling you to get lost. Get lost *now*."
Even though I protested against his rude behavior in ordering me around, the man glared at me with cold eyes and kept issuing commands in that arrogant tone.
"…"
I observed the man in silence.
The first thing that caught my eye was the shining silver-white full-body armor he wore.
At his waist hung what looked like a Holy Sword in a red sheath. His gauntlets, armor, and greaves… everything was clearly made from top-tier materials.
But… there was one thing that stood out more than anything else.
It was—
"…What is this, D-rank? Don't look at me with those cloudy eyes."
The man's head—when I saw the furry, wolf-like ears that humans don't have, I understood.
Also, calling my eyes "cloudy" was unnecessary.
"Wolf beastman—werewolf."
A race that inhabits various regions of the distant Bestia continent, where most beastkin live.
They have wolf-like features, large sharp claws and fangs, and outstanding physical abilities that let them easily scale high outer walls.
However… the man before me had no claws or fangs. Apart from the ears on his head, he looked completely human.
…Probably a half-beastman with strong human traits.
"Ahhh—'this.' You humans really are intolerable."
Perhaps realizing what I was staring at, the man clicked his tongue in displeasure and began cursing.
…Huh? Why is he so angry?
"Ah… sorry. It's not like that. I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought it was unusual."
"…Hmph. You don't even mean it."
I realized my mistake and apologized. I'd done something wrong.
Even now, years after the war ended, many humans still look down on beastkin—especially half-beastkin—with contempt.
They're mocked by full beastkin as "failed attempts to become either human or beastman," and despised by humans as "filthy beings."
Things have improved compared to the past, but plenty of heartless people still discriminate.
This guy must have thought I was looking down on him… but I really hate that kind of thing, so that wasn't it.
"A Hero of Talent… you say? We have no reason to obey your orders. In fact, this is our first meeting, so it's rude of you to even speak to us."
"Don't talk nonsense, black-haired woman. It's the law of nature that the weak obey the strong. All you have to do is shut up and obey."
"…That's not true. I wouldn't obey just because I'm weak."
"Huh? You're good at talking, White Mage. You weaklings are so bold as to assert your rights. How ridiculous."
"—! You—"
Rafine and Eve tried to argue back, but the man just laughed and shrugged.
No matter what they said, his attitude didn't change. The argument grew more heated, verbal abuse flying back and forth. What a pain…
…If we keep talking like this, we'll just stay at a stalemate and draw even more attention.
It's uncomfortable.
I'll give him a firm word and settle this peacefully here.
"Hey, you—"
I started to step toward the man, but something caught me and I stopped.
I turned around—Reti was tightly gripping the hem of my clothes.
She looked frightened. Her eyes trembled, head bowed, lips pursed. What's wrong?
"Reti? What's the matter?"
When I asked, she just shook her head and said nothing.
The always loud and energetic Reti just stood there silently, head lowered.
Come to think of it, Reti had been acting strange ever since this man appeared.
She hid behind me, hunched over in silence.
"Hey, [Aggressor]. What have you been doing? Take these small fry and get out of here. You're unpleasant."
"…! Ah—"
"You're not going to say no, are you?"
"…Ah, uh…"
Every time the man gave an order, Reti looked down in fear and gripped my clothes tighter, as if terrified of something.
I don't know what this guy did to Reti.
Perhaps, as fellow heroes, there was some kind of conflict between them in the past.
Seeing the usually cheerful Reti like this, there was no doubt something happened.
…Well, it doesn't concern me.
It doesn't concern me, but—
"This 'junk'—"
"Shut up."
I stepped in front of the man, shielding Reti behind me.
"…Did I hear you wrong, D-rank? You, to *me*—"
"Didn't you hear me say 'Shut up'? Don't open your mouth. It's annoying."
"…I take this as a mockery. Toward me—the crown prince of the Independent Nation of Forte and Hero of Talent."
"Huh? You're a big shot. I see, I see. You just kept jumping on me, clinging like a fly and buzzing around, so I never thought you'd be such a big deal. Oh my goodness."
"You…!"
If you say what you're thinking out loud, he glares at you with murder in his eyes.
He's got a short fuse. Annoying.
"Besides… you said 'it's the law of nature that the weak obey the strong,' right? If so, then why should *you* make *me* obey?"
"Don't talk nonsense. There's no way you—a D-rank—can beat me, the Hero of Talent."
He sneered and looked down at me… Ah, he really pisses me off.
"Reti."
I turned and called to Reti, who was still cowering in fear.
She raised her head and looked at me with anxious eyes.
…I don't know the exact reason she's acting like this, but there's no doubt this man is involved.
Then—
"It's okay."
I placed my hand on the frightened Reti's head and said just that, before turning back to the man.
"You think there's no way I can win? …I see. Then I'll prove it to you."
Seeing Reti's scared face, irritation welled up from the pit of my stomach.
I don't think I was particularly angry about it…
Whether Reti cries or what happens to her—it's none of my business.
So I just state the facts and do what I want.
This is for me.
"I'm stronger than you."
I'm annoyed—so I'll beat you up.
That's all.