Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter  38   White Knight and Survivor

Leaning against the tree, I was sitting when I sensed a large presence approaching.

It seems they have no intention of hiding… and they arrived sooner than I thought.

“Oh, so you didn’t leave after all.”

“…Well, well, if it isn’t the ‘White Knight.’ What a coincidence to meet you in a place like this.”

As I remained cautious, waiting, the person who appeared before me was Kudo Shun, a high-ranked adventurer known as the ‘White Knight,’ who had been accompanying the young lady as her guardian and instructor.

From the looks of it, he seems to have noticed me…

“Yes, indeed. Well, it’s not exactly a coincidence. I was actually looking for you.”

“For me? Ah, I see. Sorry, I haven’t left yet. Your young lady attacked me. I’ll rest a bit longer and then leave… What’s your intention?”

Nevertheless, even as we sat and talked, Kudo pointed his sword at me.

“Are you okay? Did you get injured?”

“…Tch. So you did notice.”

I can still buy some time. I thought there was a chance they wouldn’t notice until the end, so I couldn’t help but click my tongue at being discovered in this situation.

“Yes. It seems you declared yourself ‘defeated’ to the young lady, but where is the ‘white cloth’? When admitting defeat and withdrawing from a match, the person must display a white cloth in a place where others can see it. It’s a declaration of defeat in the context of the competition, as it’s not enough to simply announce your loss. Isn’t that right?”

That’s correct. It’s the rule of this match.

It may not have been intentionally designed that way.

It could be an unforeseen oversight, a mere mistake in the setup.

But even so, according to the rules, my actions have no issues.

No matter how embarrassing it is to admit defeat, unless a healing spell is cast or a white cloth is displayed, I won’t be disqualified.

In other words, I am not yet disqualified.

“Well… that’s true. So?”

“Draw your sword.”

“You want me to fight?”

“Yes. As a token of gratitude for contributing to the young lady’s growth in this match, I will allow you to prepare your sword, at least.”

“Hah, that’s your idea of gratitude? Couldn’t you give me a bit more advantage or something?”

He’s just joking around, there’s no other way to put it. Asking a third-class rear guard to fight against a high-ranked vanguard? He’s saying something reckless.

“Impossible. I don’t have that kind of leeway.”

“Don’t be foolish. It’s me who doesn’t have any leeway.”

However, no matter what I say, this person won’t let me off the hook.

And so, the battle between the “White Knight” and me began.

──◆◇◆◇──

It had been about thirty minutes since we both took up our swords.

I managed to hold my ground by using various tactics, but it’s getting tough. As expected of a high-ranked adventurer. Even with injuries, they can handle this level of combat.

There are ways to take them down quickly, but in this heavily documented situation, I can’t employ those methods.

…Looks like I have no choice but to stick to the initial plan.

“…Ah, this is impossible. Truly befitting of the White Knight, fighting even with injuries.”

“Well, the same goes for you. It’s not often to see a third-class clinging onto a high-ranked adventurer.”

“I’ve faced opponents even more dangerous than you.”

“Ah, right, you’ve encountered measurement errors a few times.”

“…And you’re a self-centered, recklessly-driven woman who doesn’t consider the consequences for those around you.”

Even I realized that my expression must have turned bitter at that moment.

Whether Kudo understood whom I was referring to just from those words, his eyebrows furrowed, and he made a troubled expression.

Well, considering he knows her, I expected nothing less.

“…Ah, so you’ve encountered her too. You managed to survive, huh?”

“If I don’t survive, I’ll die.”

“Certainly, compared to her ─ the “World’s Strongest,” I’m not much of a threat. Even though I’m a high-ranked adventurer, I’m towards the lower end among them.”

That’s right. As Kudo mentioned, the self-centered, recklessly-driven woman I spoke of is an awakened being known as the “World’s Strongest.”

She kills monsters and destroys gates, but she doesn’t care about anything else.

Whether the city gets destroyed or people get caught in the chaos, she just does it because she’s asked to.

I’ve encountered her.

In fact, I’ve spoken to her and even visited where she lives. I thought I would die, to be honest.

…Well, that’s beside the point. Right now, I don’t want to think about her.

“No, no, I’m a significant threat, believe me.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

While Kudo laughs and responds, it doesn’t end there.

“Well, shall we go at it again?”

Twenty minutes left… It’s about time.

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Is it for stalling?”

“Yeah, that’s right. So just indulge me for a moment.”

“I’ll pass.”

However, my words were promptly rejected. Well, that’s to be expected.

But that puts me in a difficult situation.

“T-Take this!”

Just as Kudo approached me, ready to attack, numerous chains burst out from the ground, simultaneously binding both Kudo and me.

“It’s ‘Gleipnir,’ a specialized magical restraint used by the police, which immobilizes and seals magic for anything it touches. Whoever came up with the name seems a bit chuunibyou, but I don’t mind the style. It’s quite fitting for this world.”

“…However, there should still be about twenty minutes left until the end of the match.”

“That’s right. But look, see this? It’s set to activate precisely fifty-nine seconds after using it. Even if the effect wears off, it’ll catch you again, and it’ll be game over.”

As I gesture with just my face, the chains that haven’t entangled us fall to the ground.

“Until the match is over, it’s a bit uncomfortable in terms of posture, but shall we have a pleasant chat until then?”