My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s

「It seems that this beastman had some kind of dealings with the demons.」

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I raised my eyes. 

The only demons that I knew of were Aulum and Mahiro, but I’ve been called things like an ‘inferior species’ and ‘low class’.

That’s why I thought that they had the same attitude towards other races as well, but was I wrong.

「I also spoke with a Ul guild member that I’m acquainted with, and I found out that Gram came to this dungeon a few days ago.」

I see, that’s suspicious. 

I nodded in agreement.

If he’s employed a strong mercenary, then it wasn’t necessary for he himself to become strong.

Or perhaps I should say, from the stories I’ve heard, it seems that he was the very picture of a scoundrel.
so I’d imagine he’s a round and rather pompous man who hates moving on his own.

The physiques of these kinds of fellows were definite.

…come to think of it, Retice’s king was, on the other hand, thin.
Was he thin because he was like the last boss?

「According to that guild member, Gram had put on a large overcoat, covering himself from head to toe.
One needed to show their dog tag when entering the dungeon and that was how he found out that it was Gram.
if not for that, he would not have known.」

It was obviously suspicious. 

I gave a wry smile.

『Perhaps the overcoat protected him from the monsters.』

Yoru said this from on top of my shoulder. 

Everyone’s gazes transferred over from Kurou to Yoru.

「What do you mean.」

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『It would’ve offered more protection if the monsters possessed the same strength as those in the demon’s territory.
In this dungeon, the monsters are so weak that they cannot be detected even with magic power.
These kinds of weaklings are nothing to the demons, but Mahiro created the overcoat because he was tired of their constant attacks.
Magic circles are interwoven into the interior, causing all of the monsters in the dungeon to avoid him.』

Yoru answered Kurou’s enquiry without faltering. 

If it was an overcoat that Mahiro created, its effects should be outstanding. 

Or rather, were the monsters on the lowest level that weak?

If that’s the case, were the monsters in the demon territory that much stronger.

「Then it’s going to be Gram.」

Kurou left his seat.

His attitude emphasized that it was the end of the conversation.

I watched Kurou as quickly went off somewhere, and then I turned my attention to the hero.

「So, what are you guys going to do after this?」

Perhaps the hero did not think that I would start talking to him, he was surprised and blinked his eyes.

The boy who often talked to me, lent a hand to such a hero.

「Our goal is to defeat the demon king.」

Yoru laughed scornfully at that answer. 

『You are going to defeat the demon king-sama? That’s ridiculous!』

Perhaps he wasn’t pleased with that response, veins were bulging on the forehead of the boy who had a monkey on his head and a cat on his shoulder.

「Haa? I heard it just now, what’s with this cat.
Just who’s side are you on?」

「Right–, right–! You were also arguing with Asahina-kun, what’s with that?」

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The girl with the Kansai accent jumped on the bandwagon as well.

They were quiet up until just now, was it because the scary Kurou was here?

There were a lot of familiar faces and the tension was gone as well.

『I am Master-dono and Miss Amelia’s ally! Master-dono was no match for the second-ranked demon, so there’s no way you bastards would defeat the demon king-sama!』

「You don’t know that!」

「We became stronger as well!」

I wanted to see just how much stronger they had become, but the feminine boy who seemed to be a knight was on the verge of tears, so why don’t we stop here. 

When I saw his teary eyes, the word ‘crossdresser’ came to mind.

「Do you guys want to sleep outside?」

When Kyousuke asked this simple question, the two people shut their mouths.

「Even though we say that, it’s to encourage ourselves.
I know that, right now, we are no match for him.
We came to this town in hopes of finding the skilled blacksmith and dungeon we heard so much about.」

That kind of thing happened in the dungeon, so it’s been barricaded for the time being.

Meaning, they came here for nothing. 

Kurou as well, he was in that mood, so he probably wouldn’t accept any requests.

「However, right now, we can’t make use of the dungeon and we’ve also concentrated on the requests of the Adventurer Guild, so we are not worried about money.」

The hero said this as he carefully chose his words.

I was listening to him while covering Yoru’s mouth to prevent him from retorting. 

「That’s why, if Asahina-kun is going to follow you, then we want to accompany you as well.」

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「I refuse.」

Without thinking, I gave an immediate reply.

Perhaps he had expected this answer, the hero did not give any response. 

「Kyousuke too.
We will not be fighting together, and I do not need anyone who needs to be protected.
I don’t need a healer right now either.」

If we have to protect them, we won’t win against the demons.

I glanced at Kyousuke who was biting his lips with his head down, put Yoru onto the desk and got up from my seat.

「There’s something that I want to ask Kurou about.
I’m going to leave for a little bit, so in that time, think about it well.
Besides, it’s illogical to persuade me.」

I put my hand on top of Amelia’s head.

Amelia jumped. 

「I’m fighting for Amelia’s sake.
If Amelia says that it’s ok, then I won’t have any complaints.
If you’re going to try and persuade someone, then it should be her.」

I’m counting on you, I whispered this to Amelia, and left the room.

As I did that, the hero and Kyousuke were looking over here, but I ignored it.

It was not an excuse to leave the room.
I looked for Kurou as I truly had something to ask him, and while searching for him, I ended up at the smithy next to the house.

Kurou was looking at the various tools, thinking about something.

「Kurou.」

When I called out to him, he slowly turned around to look at me.

「Aah, it’s you, huh.」

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I was leaning against the doorway, looking at Kurou.

The moonlight just happened to be illuminating him.

I didn’t know what he was thinking about in the dark, but for now, let’s settle an important matter.

「There’s something I want to ask you.」

Kurou frowned.

「Sorry, but right now——.」

「What are you most afraid of?」

When I cut him off in the middle to say this, Kurou’s eyes finally regained focus.

He turned his confused gaze towards me.

「What are you saying?」

「I’m curious.
What are you most afraid of?」

I was truly, just curious.

However, I thought that Kurou and I were thinking about the same thing.

That’s why I tried asking him.

If it’s Kurou, he would probably understand these feelings within my heart.

「…what I’m most afraid of, in this world is,…」

Kurou’s gaze turned toward the moon that was behind me.

It was not the sharp gaze that he usually had, but a fragile one.

「An extended hand, not reaching.」