Middle-Aged Man Isekai Summoning - Chapter 10

 Battle with the Knights

Guided by Maya through the forest, we quickly found the knights. Among them were Yuno and the others, tied up with ropes.

"Dai, what should we do?"

Maya asked in a whisper. I answered while gritting my teeth.

"We save Yuno and the others. But what happens after we rescue them is the problem... Even if we run, we don't know much about this world. So let me gain the upper hand first and then try to persuade the knights."

"Yeah, sound good."

Maya nodded calmly, but my heart was racing.

"However, if persuasion fails..."

Leaving the sentence incomplete, the worst-case scenario crossed my mind. We might end up killing the knights.

(I've never killed anyone. Can I really do it?)

A moment of hesitation turned into cold sweat trickling down my cheek. Incidentally, I've knocked out girls through sex many times.

As we hid and breathed softly while getting closer to the knights, their voices became clearly audible.

"Hey! What do we do? If we go back like this, it's going to be really bad..."

"That's right... We let the demon race escape, and we've tied up the Heroes..."

"I know! Shut up! You guys think of something too!"

Voices mixed with impatience and frustration echoed through the night forest.

(It seems they're staying here because they can't bring themselves to report letting the demon race escape and capturing Yuno and the others... Which means the royal castle doesn't know yet that I let the demon race go. But if we go back with the knights as it is, my betrayal will definitely be exposed.)

Sweat soaked the hand gripping my spear. Escape or fight—the time had come to make up my mind.

"...W-We're doing this..."

At my trembling voice, Maya quietly asked:

"Are you really sure? Dai, you've never killed a person before, right?"

My throat felt scorched. I had to prepare myself to kill.

"...It's to survive... Maya, are you okay?"

After lowering her gaze for a moment, Maya looked straight back at me.

"A lot happened before I became a Sage. It's not like I'm used to it... but I'm prepared."

Her words solidified my resolve as well.

"Got it. Also, can you restrain all the knights?"

Maya gripped her smartphone tightly and closed her eyes.

"Yeah, with my skill I can hold them for 5 minutes."

"Alright, thanks."

The plan was simple. Maya would bind all 5 knights at once with magic, and during that opening, I would untie Yuno and the others. Then, with everyone freed, we would try to persuade the knights.

(If persuasion fails... we'll have no choice but to fight.)

My heart beat faster. Cold sweat ran down my back. Still, we had no choice but to move forward. Exchanging a glance with Maya, I took a deep breath.

"...Alright, now!"

"Yeah! 『Magic Power Enhancement』—and, Bind!"

As Maya activated her skill, a faint light enveloped her and the air vibrated. Immediately after, black vine-like chains erupted from the ground, binding the knights' hands and feet.

"W-What is this!? My body won't move!"

"Is this magic!?"

The knights shouted and struggled desperately, but Maya's magic had been boosted for 5 minutes. It wouldn't be broken easily. In the meantime, I dashed forward toward Yuno and the others.

"Yuno, are you okay?!"

Tied up in ropes, Yuno raised his head with a look of relief.

"Dai, you were safe! Everyone here is fine too."

"Lord Dai, I'm so glad..."

(Thank goodness... everyone is unhurt.)

Aria answered tearfully. Sharon and Iris were completely unharmed as well.

"I was really worried. I wanted to use my resurrection skill on you, but I couldn't move..."

(That's right, Sharon-san's skill has a time limit.)

"Are these all of the knights?"

"Yeah!"

I cut Yuno's ropes and spoke urgently while keeping my voice up.

"Yuno! Help me cut Aria and the others' ropes!"

However, at that very instant—

"So you really were alive!"

An angry roar echoed from behind. Turning around, Miguel was charging forward with sword in hand.

(...I knew he'd come!)

Miguel had used magic to dispel Maya's binding spell.

(His personality is the worst, but as expected of a captain class, he won't go down that easily.)

I immediately readied my spear and caught Miguel's sword. Metal clashed against metal, sending sharp sounds ringing through the forest.

"Miguel! Stop this already! Let's wipe the slate clean over yesterday!"

I tried desperately to persuade him, but Miguel's eyes burned with rage and hatred.

"As if I'd stop! I'll kill you and make you bear the blame for everything!"

Miguel swung his sword relentlessly. I parried it with my spear, closed the distance, and launched a kick. But Miguel readied himself, dodged it, and swung his sword upward again.

"Damn it...!"

I took a step back to create distance. Cold sweat ran down my back. Right then, Yuno's voice echoed from behind.

"Dai! I've freed Aria and the others!"

"Got it!"

(Great, now Yuno and the rest can move. Miguel should listen to reason now—)

Just as I thought that—

A sharp sound cut through the wind. Miguel readied his sword once more and charged straight at me. The moment I saw his sharp eyes, I understood.

(...Persuading this guy is impossible.)

Miguel intended to kill me. That was his "solution." Re-gripping my spear tightly, I gritted my teeth.

"Damn it! Miguel, I told you to stop! I won't be responsible for what happens!"

"Shut up! Be quiet!"

Miguel's sword swung down sharply. I desperately parried it with my spear, deflecting it again and again. Sparks flew every time the sword and spear collided. Then—

(...He looks pale.)

Miguel's movements were somewhat sluggish. It seemed he hadn't rested properly last night and hadn't recovered his strength. Compared to him, thanks to Maya, I had slept soundly and had energy to spare.

Gradually, Miguel's sword swings grew rougher and wider. They were attacks driven by pure emotion, full of openings.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

I didn't miss that moment. Channeling magic power into my spear, I blew Miguel's sword away in one blow. Then, sweeping the spear in an arc, I prepared to thrust it through his chest.

"Dai! Stop!"

Maya's sharp voice echoed.

"!!"

My spear stopped. It was just inches away from piercing Miguel's body.

"Why stop me?"

Panting for breath, I asked Maya.

"As I thought, killing people is impossible for you, Dai."

"Our comrades' lives are at stake! It's not impossible!"

"...Your hands are trembling and your face is completely pale."

"T-That's..."

I choked on my words.

I only realized it once she pointed it out. My hands were trembling slightly, and my throat was bone dry. Deep down, I was never truly prepared to kill.

The truth was, I was terrified of killing.

(...In a state like this, there's no way I can kill anyone.)

I lowered my spear. Then, suppressing my trembling voice, I looked back at Miguel.

"You know it too, don't you? Even if we kill each other here, nothing will be solved."

That's right. I was here to save Yuno and the others, not to fight. So, I had to try persuading him one more time.

"Let's forget about this time! I don't want to kill anyone..."

(The knights aren't truly evil people either.)

I wanted to believe that. However, Miguel picked up his sword and pointed it at me again in silence. There was no hesitation in his eyes.

"I see... So it's no good..."

The moment I muttered that, Yuno stepped in front of me.

"Dai, let me take over."

"Yuno, but—"

Before I could stop him, Miguel sneered.

"Hmph! Pathetic! If you don't even have the resolve to kill, don't bother fighting from the start. Moving forward, you'll be killing plenty of demons!"

"Shut up..."

In the next instant, Yuno's hand flashed.

—Swoosh.

It happened in a flash.

Miguel's head flew into the air as if in slow motion, and a spray of blood scattered into the night air.

"..."

I couldn't squeeze out a word. Meanwhile, Maya's skill timed out, releasing the other knights from their bindings. Furious, they rushed forward to attack.

"Uooooh!!"

Yuno, Aria, and Iris's demon beasts launched a counterattack. Magical light flashed, swords clashed, and one after another, the knights fell bleeding.

All I could do was stand there and watch.

...

..

.

Then, silence fell, leaving the lifeless bodies of the knights scattered on the ground. Yuno let out a small breath, while Maya stood frozen in shock.

"We managed somehow. Thank you, both of you."

Yuno's words sounded strangely distant to me.

"..."

"Dai? What's wrong?"

I bit my lip tightly. A heavy weight pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.

"...I'm sorry. Without the resolve to kill, I betrayed them on a whim... and put everyone in danger..."

My voice trembled. I had no choice but to bow my head deeply to everyone. Then, Yuno gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"It's true that it was dangerous back then. But... you were cool. Putting your body on the line to save a child regardless of friend or foe isn't something just anyone can do."

Aria nodded as well.

"That's right, Lord Dai. Being able to act instantly to save someone—that's far more incredible than killing."

Those words spread warmly through my chest.

"Yuno... Aria..."

Unable to contain myself, I instinctively embraced the two of them.

"Kyaa ❤️"

"Kyaaa ❤️"

Yuno turned bright red, nervously wrapping his hands around my back. Aria looked surprised for a moment, but then looked at me with a serious gaze.

"Thank you, both of you. Next time, I'll be prepared!"

Yuno gave a small nod, and Aria smiled softly.

"Yeah, let me do our best together next time."

Right then—

"Hey, Dai? That's enough, isn't it?"

Maya was looking at me with slightly exasperated eyes.

"Yuno and Aria look troubled too, so let go already!"

"I... I am fine for a little longer..."

"I'm... fine too..."

Yuno and Aria answered in faint, barely audible voices. Maya gave a slightly mischievous grin and whispered:

"Really? But you know, you're letting Dai smell your unwashed bodies, right?"

At that instant:

""NO!! Not that!!""

The two of them leaped away from me at the exact same time. I stood there stunned, not knowing what had just happened, but Maya smirked meaningfully.

"As I thought, suspicious. These two as well..."

Although a strange atmosphere had settled in, we buried the knights. As the blood-stained battlefield grew quiet, my mind settled down a little as well.

However, we needed to return to the royal castle quickly. Remaining ignorant about the demon race, the mechanics of this world, and our own standing was far too dangerous.

——

As we were about to board the carriage, Maya came right up next to me. At a distance where our shoulders almost touched, she whispered in a low voice:

"Hey, Dai... The night we get back, can I go to your room?"

Her voice trembled with a hint of hesitation mixed in.

"What's wrong?"

When I asked back, Maya averted her eyes briefly before slowly making eye contact with me again. Her cheeks were faintly flushed.

"...Because my first time was outside... um... I want you to overwrite it... in bed..."

The last part of her sentence trailed off into a barely audible whisper. My heart throbbed heavily. I had never expected Maya to ask so honestly like this. However, I couldn't answer immediately either.

"Maya, are you really... okay with that?"

A surprisingly awkward voice came out of my own mouth. Maya looked slightly surprised by my reaction, firmly pressed her lips together, and gave a small nod with her eyes cast down.

"Yeah... if you're okay with it, Dai..."

Seeing her like that, my self-control held on by a thread.

"...Got it. Then... next time, properly in my room..."

When I answered, Maya gave a bashful smile.

"Yeah... I'll come ❤️❤️❤️"

Neither of us said anything more, sitting side by side in silence. The heat of her shoulder touching mine was strangely impossible to ignore.

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