Character Story 10: The Villain Who Should Be Saved
That day, Yuuki and Hiyori decided to accept a request for escorting a caravan.
Hiyori
Look, Kishi-kun! It looks like there're others here to help with the escort! Just what you'd expect from a big caravan, huh?
Escorter 1
So you're the others that took the job... Don't go holding us back, got it?
Escorter 2
Heheh, anyone who gets in our way, whether they be evildoers or monsters, let's slice 'em all right up! Ain't that right!?
Hiyori
Okaaay! ... These guys seem kind of scary, huh? Think they'll do the job properly?
Hiyori
Kishi-kun. I'm not so sure about this anymore...
Yuuki
1. Are you okay?
2. You feel alright?
Option 1.
Hiyori
It's... fine now. Yeah. It's fine now. You're with me after all. No matter what happens, I'm sure it'll be fine!
Option 2.
Hiyori
Yeah... I'm fine. I just got a little scared for a moment. Ehehe, thanks for worrying!
End of Branches.
Man
Heeey, you all! It's about time we got going, get in your places!
Hiyori
I got it! Kishi-kun, let's go! No point in worrying about every little thing!
Man
Let's cross the forest in one go from here! Everyone, be more cautious of your surroundings from here on out!
Hiyori
Understood!
Hiyori
...Going through this kind of gloomy forest reminds me of the time we went to that forest together.
Hiyori
Back then, bandits dressed up as monsters attacked us and...
Hiyori
...Wait. I think I heard a loud noise... We might've been followed from when we entered the forest...
Hiyori
Sorry! Please stop!
Man
Did something happen?
Hiyori
There might be someone surrounded by monsters! Please let us spread out a bit as we continue!
Man
Really!? Okay, everyone prepare for attack and proceed with caution!
Villain 1
Tch! They realized we're here! Perceptive bastards! Let's get 'em!
Villain 2
Yeeeah!
Hiyori
They're really here! You're the ones who were following us!
Hiyori
Let's work together to take them down! Let's go!
Escorter 1
I was getting bored with just escorting. Just the prey I wanted to see! Orah!
Villain 1
Tch! Now you've done it! Deryah!
Hiyori
Whoa! That won't work! Toryah!
Escorter 2
I won't be outdone by you!
Villain 2
Uwah! This doesn't look so good for us...!
Hiyori
We're doing well! Let's keep this up! Seiya!
Villain 1
Owwww...
Villain 2
Dammit...!
Hiyori
Whew... Looks like they don't have any other back up. That's that then!
Man
Yeah. Good thing you noticed we were being followed. Thanks to that, we got away with the bare minimum of damages. Thanks.
Man
But, for now, we should probably return to Landsol to prepare again.
Hiyori
I guess we'll need to be handing these people over to the royal knights, along with a few other things, right? If you'd like, we could do that for you?
Escorter 1
These guys have some nerve, going after us. C'mon! Damn bastard!
Villain 1
Oww... No more... I'll never do anything like this again...
Escorter 2
No way we'd ever believe what a Villain would have to say! Come on! Go to hell!
Villain 2
N-No more... Save me...
Hiyori
Why're you still hitting him!? You're going too far!
Escorter 1
If I do this, we won't have to head back to Landsol! We've just gotta be the ones to make it so they can't move anymore!
Hiyori
Wait! These people are reflecting on their actions! There's no point in hurting them anymore!
Escorter 2
What's that? Why're you covering for the Villain here? Come on, if you don't wanna get hurt, move aside!
Hiyori
I will not! I absolutely, will not move from this spot...!
Villain 1
Y-You...
Villain 2
Crying.
Escorter 1
Hey now, if we've helped out the client, then we should leave it at that!
Escorter 2
And, we're just giving out punishment for the guys who tried to commit. They just tried to steal from someoen else. Of course we're doing this.
Hiyori
That's wrong! That doesn't make it right to do this!
Yuuki
1. You guys are definitely going too far.
2. That's enough.
Option 1.
Hiyori
That's right! Just because they've done something bad, that doesn't mean the people who caught them gets to hurt them!
Option 2.
Hiyori
There's no reason in hurting them this much... Even people who do bad things are people too!
End of Branches.
Escorter 1
Tch, shut up! Once someone's done a bad thing, whatever happens to them, happens!
Man
Hmm... R-Right... Well he was the Villain in the first place so...
Hiyori
But... by that logic, no matter how small the bad thing is, you can make it a reason to hurt people...
Hiyori
And that's wrong! So, I won't let any of you hurt these people anymore!
Man
...Alright then. If that's what you have to say, then let's hand them over to the royal knights in Landsol.
Villain 1
...H-Hey, you. Why, did you cover for us Villains like that...?
Villain 2
What an open mind...
Hiyori
Why...? It was because you two were in trouble. Right, Kishi-kun?
Yuuki
1. We should help each other when we run into trouble!
Villain 2
...You mean that?
Hiyori
I wouldn't lie at a time like this!
Villain 1
Hahaha... You guys are amazing. Really, I'm sorry. I'll be sure to make up for what I've done...
Villain 2
We won't do anything bad anymore, and when we make it back to Landsol, we'll turn ourselves in. And, we'll abide by whatever this girl here says.
Hiyori
...Then, until we make it to Landsol, could you promise to absolutely not wield your weapons?
Villain 1
Yeah, I don't mind that... But you're not going to confiscate our weapons?
Hiyori
Yup! I'm going to believe in your word! So, no more crimes. Okay?
Villain 2
Y-Yeah...! Of course!
Escorter 1
Tch, what's with that woman... Butting in all of a sudden like that. What a bore.
Royal Knight's Commander
In that case, we will take these criminals into custody.
Villain 2
Miss, we're in you're debt. And sorry...
Villain 1
You too, sir, thanks. ...We owe you our lives.
Hiyori
Oh no, thank you! For making sure you kept your promise!
Villain 1
...I would've liked to have met people like you much sooner. See ya.
Hiyori
...There they go. I hope they properly look back on what they've done.
Escorter 1
Hmph, there's no way it'd be that easy.
Escorter 1
People as soft as you are definitely gonna end up gettin' real hurt one day!
Escorter 1
Don't show your face around us again! Probably gonna die in some ditch somewhere, idiots!
Hiyori
...
Hiyori
Soft... Am I maybe too soft? Maybe it's wrong to even try saving Villains.
Yuuki
1. That's not true.
2. What you're doing is noble.
Option 1.
Hiyori
...Yeah, you're right. No matter who it is, if the person in front of me is in trouble, I won't be able to ignore it!
Option 2.
Hiyori
It's not noble or anything. Before I realize it, my body's just moving on its own.
End of Branches.
Hiyori
Kishi-kun. Thanks for encouraging me.
Hiyori
It's fine if people think I'm soft. From now on, no matter who it is, I'll show that I can help out people again and again!
Regaining her cheefulness, Hiyori strongly vows that phrase deep in her heart.