Riot Grasper

Translated by mranon

Volume 2, Chapter 18 A Little Courage

In the middle of the night, the conversation between the men in black slowly resounded inside the Lana Village orphanage.

Well, I dont mean to say that Captain Serdio is soft at making judgements, still.

I know, right? Shouldnt we just dispose of everyone?

Hey, hey. Refrain from acting at your discretion. If they resist, it will be inevitable. Basically, though, we have to maintain the status quo.

Aa I know.

Roy, Minii, and the other kids set out to work in the sugarcane fields per norm. The group that attacked the orphanage wouldnt make a move as long as they were tight lipped. Thus, they had been living their usual life for the past few days.

For some reason, most of the men in black had vanished this morning. Only two of them stayed behind to stand watch.

The kids assisted with harvesting till evening and received wages from the farmers.

Well then, Ill be needing your help tomorrow, too.

With the meagre wage in hand, Minii *tokotoko* trod the way to the orphanage in the outskirts of the village.

A boy who was waiting for Minii thereRoy, spoke.

Im so tired.

Un. What about the others?

I had finished my work, so I returned ahead of them.

Is that so? Umm is your wound from the other day okay now?

When the orphanage was invaded by Serdio and his group, Roy was punished for resisting. Fortunately, there was no abnormality with his bones and such.

It aches a little, but its fine. Still, I was so miserable I dont want to remember it.

No its not like that. Our opponents were adults and bad guys. I could only tremble

Because youre a girl. Even though my body was small I wanted to train. I mean, arent orphans all poor? So, I thought I would become an Adventurer and earn a lot of money when I grew up. I even underwent secret training with a fellow whenever I had time, yet I ended up like that whats more In front of everyone

Having said that, Roy opened his mouth with a slightly nervous look.

Whats the matter?

Nothing Minii, what do you want to do in the future? Is there anything you want to do?

I havent thought about it at all. I guess its enough to just be able to return the kindness I have received from everyone.

Yeah, I guess Minii, when I leave this village, will you

Roys wordsstopped right there.

For on the road leading to the orphanage, his eyes caught sight of a figure he didnt want to see.

Black from head to toe, face concealed behind a maska lone man who belonged to the group that attacked the orphanage. Roy reflexively put his guard up and hid Minii behind his back.

What do you want? We didnt do anything suspicious. We have been living our usual lives as you told us to. We didnt ask anyone for help.

Thats so nice of you, but unfortunately, you will all be killed in the end.

Roy fought off the unpleasant feeling creeping up his back and shouted.

W-We will all be what?! We have been diligently

I see. Thats right. That would be too unreasonable. So, heres a suggestion. Why dont youcall for help right now?

What are you saying? If we do that everyone will be

I will just say I didnt see that. Fine? This is the only way you can survive. Now go.

Roy and Minii exchanged glances and nodded.

The two turned back and started running in the direction they came from.

Silently watching the two tiny bodies running for their livesthe man leaked a faint laughter.

His facial expression, which was supposed to be concealed behind the cloth, could be clearly seen through his voice.

Conceited brat, who dared to oppose Captain Serdio your end is inevitable. And if everyone can be gotten rid of together with you, even better Kuhi, hyahaahaahaaha!!

The man pulled one of the innumerable knives out of the leather belt on his waist.

Run, run. A hunter cannot hunt if the prey doesnt run. Only then will the hunters blood rush.

Hey, even if we call for help, then what?

There was one more person on the lookout beside that guy. It would be dangerous for the villagers. If we contact the Adventurers Guild in a nearby village or a Garrison watch out!

Roy pushed Minii, who was running by his side, away.

A knife, which was thrown from behind them, dug into Roys arm and a red speck strewed the ground.

Oow whats the meaning of this?

The one who appeared out of darkness, relaxedly, was none other than the man from a while ago.

Good. Your movement is better than I expected. You could have a promising future.

Damn you never had any intention of letting us go

Perceptive, too. As a reward, I will put killing you off. First, I will chop that brat over there up

At those words, Roy momentarily forgot the pain in his arm.

All his turbid emotions surged in one direction.

Anger.

Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

While screaming, he clung to the back of the knees of the man in front of him. With his all, he rammed into him from behind in an attempt to push him down.

His opponent might have been careless. Nevertheless, this move was the best of Roy, whose physique was far inferior.

As the man fell, having lost his balance, Roy cried at the top of his lungs.

Minii, run away without me!

But

Hurry!

It was the first time she heard the boy, whom she had grown up with, yelling.

Minii took his words and ran away with crumpled face.

Although Minii was hard working, she was a girl who had yet to reach 10 years of age.

Although she was repeatedly wiping her eyes with the back of her hands, her vision was still blurry.

Although she wanted to ask for help, words wouldnt come out of her mouth.

Only trembling cry came out.

To begin with, whom was she supposed to ask for help?

In such a small village as this, there was neither an Adventurer Guild nor a troop of guards.

Should she have the adults in the village go to a town and ask for help? Everyone at the orphanage will be killed in the meantime. Besides, Roy

With despair of helplessness in her chest, Minii got her foot tangled and fell onto the ground.

I must get up and help she thought. However, the crying fit that forced itself out of her body didnt allow her to.

U eeeeeen Roy everyone someone someone save them.

Hey, are you alright?

Because her cry had been answered, she hurriedly lifted her face, that had been dirtied with soil and tears, up.

Although the face of the person in front of her was blurry due to her teary eyes, his voice was very gentle.

Although his body was covered in a long robe, he had an armor equipped inside, and was also carrying a sword on his waist.

Is he an Adventurer?

Did he visit this village on someones request?

Thinking so, Minii pushed her palm out to the person in front of her with a glimmer of hope.

Her palmthat had a few copper coins, which she had earned for assisting with the harvest, clasped.

Please. I know this is not enough, but later so please, save everyone!

Roy raised his fist at the opponent, who had fallen.

However, he was kicked in the guts. He flew over and rolled onto the ground in an unsightly way.

While feeling bitter at the fact that his body was too light, he stared at the opponent.

You want me to do it, dont you? But killing you right away would be such a waste!

U gu!

As the knife, which was stuck into Roys arm, was pulled out, a spray of blood flitted about.

Ah, right I will feed you to my pet. Im sure it will be excited.

W-What did you say

*Hyuu* the deadly weapon, which seemed to rip the air apart as it was swung down, was barely dodged.

Dont move too much. If I dont drain the blood properly, the meat will stink So, I will chop all your body up. Hiyahahaa

First hit, second hit the deadly weapon, which had been drawn out, cut through Roys skin and ripped it.

He was most likely toying with him.

If he intended to kill him, he could do it right away. However, he must be enjoying watching Roy desperately trying to dodge.

Gradually strength left Roys body.

His body became heavy, and his thoughts intermittent.

He was bleeding too much.

Now then, should we end this? After all, I have to deal with that runaway brat, too.

Amidst hazy consciousness, Roy gazed at the knife as the man in front of him swung it down.

Aah so, Im going to die in such a place, huh?

In the endI wasnt able to save anyone.

Minii sorry

On the cheeks of Roy, who had shut his eyes close, something warm *bishari* trickled down.

He wiped it with his finger, thinking it was tears.

What happened? Right when Roy opened his eyes, the man in black strangely screamed.

Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! M-My arm, my aaaaaaaaaaarm!

There were three people there.

The man in black, who had lost his right wrist, which he was holding the knife in.

Roy, who was looking amazed.

And-between the two stood a man clad in a robe.

Grasped in his hand was a sword, which had an erratic red pattern crafted onto its slightly curved jet black blade.

Dyed in blood, it somehow looked even more beautiful.

A gentleman doesnt take pleasure in making a girl cry. The reward of the quest this time is pricelessthat girls smile, you asshole!