Ankoku Kishi Monogatari ~Yuusha wo Taosu Tameni Maou ni Shoukansaremashita~

Chapter 96.2: God of Song and Arts

Naturally, the more serious and experienced warriors understood that and didn’t participate in the drinking party.

During this moment, those warriors were busying themselves with training or maintaining their weapons.

The training methods of martial arts were varied. Some used goblins that they caught along the way as their practice target.

Naturally, the goblins were bare-handed but the point was training against a living enemy.

This training method wasn’t just used by freedom fighters, the soldiers and knights used this method too.

Occasionally, it turned into something like a bullfight.

「Chiyuki-san. He’s looking at us.」

Rino, who stood beside me, said so while smiling.

We were in the middle of dinner along with Portos and co.

Various dishes were prepared on the table in front of us.

It wasn’t the portable meal being carried by the soldiers or warriors, the bread was the soft and fluffy one which was eaten by nobles instead of the hard and tacky bread eaten during a march, nor was the soup the salty vegetable soup.

Moreover, the meal was the most lavish one so far to raise our spirits since tomorrow was the start of the battle.

They even prepared a minstrel to sing a song for us.

And the one who was referred as “He” by Rino was none other than that minstrel.

This minstrel wasn’t there yesterday.

I heard that he came this far to meet Reiji.

A minstrel’s goal was to create a song about a hero or brave after all. And the person himself had confirmed so.

But then, that kind of thing wasn’t that rare either. He was only one of the many minstrels who wanted to create a song about Reiji.

But then, something about this minstrel made me believe that he was different from the other minstrels.

`I mean, he was TOO FRICKING HANDSOME.

Well-ordered nose, long and shiny hair, and a handsome face almost as if it was sculpted by all the best sculptors in the world. He also had a beautiful voice on top of that, thus we weren’t the only ones who got mesmerized by his beautiful heroic songs he sang, all people who gathered in this place got mesmerized by his voice.

He sent a meaningful gaze toward us every once in a while. His line of sight was simply charming.

Thus, Rino, who stood by my side, became restless.

And it wasn’t just limited to Rino. Our female attendant who came along with us was getting pretty restless too.

Reiji might not be too amused by this situation. Though he looked calm and composed, who knows what he felt inside.

Everyone gave their applause when the minstrel ended his song.

And then, the minstrel started walking toward us.

「Greetings, Hero Reiji-dono. Nice to meet you.」

The minstrel’s eyes were looking at Reiji.

Rino and the other women suddenly raised a stir upon seeing the two handsome men facing each other.

「The two of them make quite good picture right, Chiyuki-san?」

Even Nao ended up getting infected by Rino and the other women’s rotten air.

The said person, Reiji himself, wasn’t interested in that kind of hobby. If he did, it would be the greatest eye candy for us.

Reiji’s expression didn’t show any change even when the minstrel greeted him.

「Yes. By the way, who are you? You’re not a human, right?」

The minstrel plucked the string of his harp the moment Reiji said so.

「Eh?」

Rino was the one who reacted to the minstrel’s change.

Reason being that except for me, Reiji, Rino and Nao, the other people here couldn’t move at all.

Portos’ eyes were empty. The same went for the other people.

It was definitely magic. And the minstrel before us was the one who invoked that magic.

Who in the hell are you??

「As expected of the Hero of Light. There’s also the fact that you’ve been called by Rena. You must’ve noticed my identity.」

「Nope, I don’t know you. But, I know that you’re not a mere human. Who are you, ladykiller?」

Reiji stood as he asked the minstrel with a daring smile on his face.

This was his expression when he was facing his opponent. Thus, all of us raised our vigilance at once.

「I’m not coming to fight you today, Hero of Light Reiji. And the beautiful ladies over there, be at ease, I mean no harm. My name is Alphos. Rena’s big brother.」

He revealed a sweet smile as he introduced his name.

Rino, Nao, and even I were left speechless upon seeing such a dreamy smile.

And then, I recalled Alphos’ name.

It was the name of the God of Song and Arts, Alphos.

According to the rumour, he was the most handsome man in Elios.

In addition, he was also the big brother of Rena, Goddess of Wisdom and Victory. And that god had appeared right before all of us.

I looked at Alphos.

Alphos raised his right hand, while still holding his harp in his left hand, expressing his intention that he came in peace.

「I see. Rena’s big brother, eh? Your face does resemble her. So? Are you looking for me because I’m your little sister’s lover?」

「Indeed. I came to meet her rumoured boyfriend. But, I guess it was a fool’s errand.」

「What? what do you mean?」

「It’s exactly as I say. I don’t think that you’re Rena’s lover. That’s why I came to confirm with my own eyes. I thought that I’d know the truth when I came to meet and talk to you, but…」

Alphos shook his head.

Even the way he acted was much more elegant.

「Even if you can’t believe it, it’s the truth. I do understand your feeling of not wanting to see your adorable little sister get taken away by another man though.」

Reiji said so while puffing his chest with a proud look on his face.

「I see… Well, let’s just treat it that way. But, aside from me, there are many more people who aren’t convinced. What are you going to do when they challenge you?」

Alphos was looking at Reiji as he asked.

Reiji didn’t flinch and stared back at Alphos.

「I’LL KICK THEIR ASSES OF COURSE!!」

「Quite confident, eh. Their numbers aren’t small, you know?」

「I won’t back down since Rena is at stake. I’m gonna win and prove that I’m her destined man.」

Reiji replied with a confident look on his face.

「So much confidence, eh? Have you never doubted Rena’s love?」

「NEVER! MY MEETING WITH RENA WAS DESTINED BY FATE!!」

I almost doubted my ears upon hearing that. How could this guy have so much confidence in himself?

Well, I guess that he was acting like usual.

「I see… Well, I guess I’ve nothing more to say. I guess you’ve no problem with them challenging you. I’ll see the show from the side. Oh right, let me give you a warning. I don’t care even if you accept their challenge, but you should never think about killing the black lion man if you want to get Rena’s love.」

Alphos smiled as he said those remarks.

「What’s that? You’re talking as if I’m not the person who Rena loves.」

But then, Alphos ignored Reiji’s remark.

「I’ve warned you. Hero of Light.」

Alphos plucked his harp again as he spoke.

Thereupon, his figure vanished like a mirage.

「Eh? What’s happening here? Where’s the minstrel from before? Chiyuki-dono, what happened just now?」

Portos and co started moving again right after Alphos vanished.

「It’s nothing, General Portos. The Whimsical god just left.」

General Portos tilted his head in puzzlement upon hearing my remark.

But, explaining this matter to them would be a real pain.

「He’s so handsome, Chiyuki-san.」

Rino spoke cheerfully to me.

It seems she was really elated to be able to meet someone whose looks rivalled that of Reiji’s.

「Yeah. He’s really handsome indeed…」

Nevertheless, what was the real reason for him to come? I just couldn’t get that matter out of my head.