Chapter 41: Lending daughter for service

“I am sorry, Kurou-sama.”

The day after the Prime Minister ordered me to ‘hunt the dragon’, I found myself being bowed by Branch Chief Fiana at the gates of the city of Sirius.

“I am powerless…
I can only provide minimal support for the dragon extermination mission you have been tasked with…” Fiana-san looks really downcast, even teary-eyed.

“The mission's condition ia 'solo dragon extermination.' There are no specific weapon requirements.
I was thinking of lending you some cursed magical armaments to exploit that loophole…” She muttered with frustration.

“Prime Minister Spelvios had already thought about it.
The magical armory was completely empty.
According to the warehouse keeper, the Prime Minister's subordinates took everything away.

“Apparently, they said, 'In case of emergency, the surplus magical armaments should be concentrated in the capital.' They have also tightened the management of armaments with designated owners and require permission from the castle even for temporary loans to other knights…”

I see.
Well, even if it's sudden, they've given a reason that's difficult to openly protest.
The fact is, monsters have infiltrated the mainland.
It's natural to consolidate power at the core of the empite.

And precisely because of this situation, it's only natural to tighten the management of armaments.

“Issuing orders at this timing is clearly harassment against you.
Ah, if only the Alitraly family had more power, I could have offered you protection…”

Fiana-san has been like this since earlier.
She must be a genuinely kind person.
Without any concern, I firmly place my hand on her shoulder.

“Branch Chief Fiana, please don't worry.”

“Kurou-sama…”

Oh, seriously, you don't have to worry, okay?! The nobles and Fiana-san seem to think of me as the “Legend Conqueror” and believe that I can control the cursed armaments, but that's a misunderstanding!

The reason I can contain the cursed armaments is because of the mysterious power of the damn sword, “Demon Sword Muramasa” that controls my body…!

‘Well, I haven't fully mastered it yet.
Everyone keeps complaining, and that damn gun, “Arash”, is trying to make me commit suicide.
What's up with that, Muramasa-kun?’

——It's impossible now.
Dominion resource limit.
I'm still growing——

‘Huh, growing?! Does that mean if you keep devouring souls, you can control even more dangerous equipment?!’

Well, that's good to hear.
Let me devour more souls…
Wait, if its dominion increases, that means it will have more control over my body too, right?! Don't mess with me, you idiot!

——Tch——

‘Did he just click his tongue?! It's like, “Did you notice…?” That's what it felt like, right?! This sword is seriously twisted!…’

Anyway, that's why it's dangerous for me to possess any more dangerous equipment.
It's a relief that they can't just force it

on me easily.
In that regard, I'm actually grateful to the Prime Minister.

Well, I can't explain these circumstances to Fiana-san, so let's just say something vague to settle the situation.

“Branch Chief Fiana, whether it's cursed equipment or rare combat power, gathering too much of it in my hands is certainly a problem.”

“But…
in order to protect your life, I will do whatever I can.
Please trust me.”

If I had even one of those armaments…
I'll end up being killed by them! Please, don't push me into a corner with good intentions! Driven by such intense emotions, I unintentionally grabbed Fiana-san's shoulders tightly.

“K-Kurou-sama…?!”

“Once again, please don't worry.
If it can be passed on to someone other than me and they can protect someone with it, then by all means, that's better.”

“Wha-?!”

No, seriously, everyone should use the cursed equipment!!! If they're afraid of personality contamination and it ends up in the defective inventory, it'll come back to me!

I don't need any more problem children!…
I uttered those words with a strong intention, and then, “Y-You…
How could you…!”

‘Wait, did Fiana-san start crying?!’

Ah, maybe I grabbed her shoulders too tightly?! And I said I don't need the equipment in that state, so she's shocked like, “How ungrateful you are! I've never seen such a cruel person!”?

‘Well, yeah, Fiana-san was trying to do various things out of goodwill…
If I reject her like this..’ I'm truly a socially awkward loser.

I had hurt Fiana-san with my thoughtless words.
I should just leave this place quickly.
But before that, I should express my gratitude for the ‘other act of kindness’.

“Branch Chief, I sincerely thank you for lending me the carriage.
With this, we can swiftly reach the mountainous area where the dragon is said to be.” I glanced briefly behind me.
There was a covered wagon pulled by a unicorn monster.
Furthermore…

“And for accompanying us, bringing your precious daughter along.”

A peach-haired girl peeked out from the cover.
The branch chief had entrusted me with her daughter, Tiana, as the “caretaker for the journey.”

“Mom…
I mean, Branch Chief.” Tiana met Fiana-san's gaze.

Wait, huh? I was actually trembling and was about, ‘I'm scared to be the companion for dragon hunting~!” just a moment ago, but now I have am incredibly determined expression? Why is that?’

“I heard what Kurou-kun said…
I will definitely be of help to him.”

“Yes, please.
I don't know when he might die at this rate.” The Ana family nodded at each other resolutely.
(Ana is not their family name)

Wait, what? Both of them! What are they talking about what I said? What do they mean by “die”?!

‘I-I don't really understand, but…
could it be that they see me as incredibly unreliable――――!?'’