THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"Stop cheating, Two!!"

After I have mastered my new script, the Raizen, I have tried fighting Two with it but guess what the bastard did? He fucking went and start using the same script as well. I have been forced to stay on the defensive because he knows all about how I will attack and anticipated it. It's a good training but I don't like it.

"And there!" Two once again goes over my defense line by feinting to the left then places his raizen gently on my neck.

"Tch!"

"How many now?"

"You are cheating anyway. Why would I count?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"I am going back."

"Okay. See you."

I am tired of losing against this cheater. Let's just wake up.

***

As always, when I open my eyes, it's nighttime. Do I have a problem with the sunlight or something? I look around and there is nobody in my room. My room…Wait, I know this place. This is the Koersombre's mansion. I recognize the portrait on the wall. This is the room where I kissed Farner the first time.

I stand up and goes to the door. There doesn't seem to be anybody around. But there is something weird. I can feel a crystal presence in the mansion. There is either a Longinus or a Longinus man here. Well, I guess I have the first real test subject for my script. I hope he won't be like Two.

I go out of my door and there are lights in the hallway as usual. I hear a heartbeat at the end of the corridor as well. Surely a guard or something. I walk to him then touch his shoulder but the guy freaks out and tries to hit me with his elbow. I block it then push him back but as he falls, he starts screaming.

"Help!!! Intruder!!!"

"No, wait."

Too late, I immediately people rushing over and in less than a minute, I am surrounded by guards and butlers as well. But then, suddenly, one of them lowers his weapon after looking closely at me.

"M-mister Dragonroad?"

"Yo. You got some water?"

They didn't recognize me? Have I changed again?

***

"A whole month?! Really?"

After I was identified by the butler, they went to call for Frankher who apparently isn't in the mansion. Not just him, nobody actually is. While waiting for him, I am talking with the butler who recognized me, and what he tells me is surprising. I have been asleep for a whole month. Which means it took me a month to complete the Raizen. This is unbelievable. But it seems there are worse news judging by his eyes and mood.

"Yes, sir. The Saintess said that your body went through too much trauma at once. That's why you weren't waking up."

"That woman healed me?"

"Y-yes." Oops, it seems I made a scary face.

"I see."

Well, she certainly did a good job. I don't remember how badly hurt I was but seeing the two missing fingers on my left hand indicates me that I got wrecked by that dragon. But I will have my revenge.

"Also…"

"Yeah. I am listening."

"Well. Mister Cordel Ditorria and Miss Vonild…"

"I see." So Cordel and Esteressa both died. That's sad. Did she died protecting him as she said in the end?

"They both died back there?"

"No, mister Ditorria saved you all by scarifying himself. Miss Vonild, pardon, madam Ditorria…Well, she…"

"Killed herself after that?" I read your mind since you were a bit too hesitant.

"Y-yes."

"I see."

You really loved him, huh, Es. To give up on life because of your loved one. Cordel was right, after all, you were a soft one deep inside. I guess this farewell. This is the one time I should have a toast again with Frankher.

"…To those who have opened the path."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing. Is there any other news?"

"Yes. Titanium and Floras have declared war to the kingdom of Syldavie."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

So Demether has started moving, huh. And like I thought, the hammer hands is working with him and Veronica. This is going to be extra hard.

"So we are at war."

"Yes, sir. In fact, Master is currently holding a war council since this morning. The kingdom of Nivalneihlm has decided to join us officially just today so they are holding a meeting concerning the details of the union. Also…"

***

For about thirty minutes, the butler fills me in on the different changes that have been taking place. Most of what he says doesn't really interest me but there are some things that I will have to remember. First, Floras has attacked the king's castle using a human bomb of some sort. It must have been a Longinus man. Second, the heroes have been dispatched to Floras since the Longinus's problem there is more critical. That means I won't see Farner for a while.

"That's about it for the current situation, sir."

"I see. Is there any food ready?"

"Of course, Sir. I will bring your food right away."

"Thank you."

I have lost some weight it seems. My arm looks thinner. A few minutes later, the butler comes with a plate full of food and while I eat, he keeps looking at me with weird glowing eyes.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, sir. I am just happy. Master and everyone has been extremely worried. The heroes themselves have been coming every week to see you."

"I see." I should apologize to them later, I guess. "Wait, you said the heroes?" It is not just Farner?

"Yes, sir. All three of them have been coming and staying in your room for a whole night before leaving. Together with the young mistress and Sir Peter. Even young master Cecexs has come to see you once."

"Wow." That's a lot of people. A lot more than I thought.

"Exactly, sir. You truly are loved." Loved, huh…

"If you say so."

I finish eating then give the plate back and go back to my bed. I should sleep since tomorrow will be a busy day for sure.

***

The next morning, the Longinus man is not gone. It is one of the maids that seem to be working and walking everywhere like nothing. I am surprised that she acts as if there is nothing wrong. Or maybe she doesn't know that I know.

Frankher isn't present in the morning so I go out to train. The Longinus woman is tending to the garden while I exercise. Should I kill her now? She is a spy for sure so maybe I should try to obtain some intel first.

"Mister Dragonroad."

Suddenly, Frankher's voice resounds behind me. When I turn around, however, he isn't alone. If he was going to bring those two along, I would have preferred that he doesn't come.

"Sir." I bow to him while they walk to me.

"I see you are already bouncing around."

"Well, I slept for too long, I think."

"You can say that again. We thought you were actually afraid of waking up."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was." Doggy is always prompt to throw unnecessary comments.

"Is your body okay?" Don't look at me like that, Rebecca.

"As you can see."

"Good. It would have been bad if you were to have sequels. I would have to heal you again."

"We both know you don't want it so there is no need."

"Watch your-"

"It's okay, protector. Mister Dra…Kevin, it's not that I don't want to, it's just that I am really busy lately. It has nothing to do with you."

"You should avoid using my first name. We aren't that close."

"You are being disrespectful towards your savior, Mister Dragonroad." Frankher's face is dark right now. I guess I will have to yield this time.

I kneel down on one knee and lower my head.

"I apologize for my poor behavior. I am grateful to the Saintess for her mercy and shall never forget the kindness she has shown."

"I prefer that, yes."

"I could almost believe you are sincere right now." Don't make me regret this, woman.

"Of course, I am."

"Oh… Then prove it. Make me a huge smile."

"Don't push it."

"Fufufu…it won't be for now, I guess. In any case, Sir Frankher, I believe we can leave now, right? If there is anything else, don't hesitate to call me."

"Of course, thank you for coming."

"Sir."

"Yes." I think I should do this while those two are here.

"There is something I would like to do right now."

"Does it require the Saintess's presence?"

"Yes. It would be better that there are witnesses."

"I see. And what is it?"

"Let me show you."

I walk to the maid who is surprisingly, still working as if nothing is wrong.

"Sir. I have heard that the king castle was attacked by a man."

"Yes, indeed. Demether Floras somehow turned him into a bomb and even took the time to speak to us before activating it."

I see. So they aren't just spies. They even transmit information directly. I wonder how it works.

"Can I ask you something?"

"…" The maid doesn't stop what is she doing. She keeps arranging flowers as if nothing is wrong.

"Was it your own choice or were you forced to do this?"

"…" She doesn't even the freedom to choose. If she can't speak, how did the other butlers didn't find it suspicious?

"Mister Dragonroad. Is there a problem? The maid you are talking to is mute from birth."

"And where is she coming from?"

"Nivaneilhm, if I recall correctly. Isn't that the case?"

She doesn't even turn around when Frankher asks her. I guess it is too late.

"Sir, this is what I wanted to show you. RAIZEN."

I call my script and like an extension of my hand, the raizen appears, with lightning crackling around. It is really beautiful now that I look at it in real life.

"Wait, what are you-"

"Stop, you bast-"

Before Frankher or doggy can finish speaking, I sever the head of the maid clean and it rolls on the grass.

"Bastard!"

William pounces savagely on me but I block his sword easily. Raizen is really a good script.

"I always knew that you couldn't be trusted." That rage and hatred in your eyes, should they not be in mine instead? How come you are the angry one when I have every reason to be angry?

"Protector, wait!"

Rebecca calls out to him and he goes back a bit. Then looking at the head of the maid, his face turns blue seeing that blood is flowing. Same for the corpse behind me, there is blood spurting out. Also, the head and the body start breaking down into ashes. When it reaches the chin of the woman, her mouth finally opens.

"Thank you." So in the end, you were forced into this, huh.

"You are welcome." She smiles at me as her head finally crumbles, leaving only a crystal the size of a chestnut.

"How can this be?"

"As you can, Sir. There are infiltrated spies here."