Was Liard testing me and Ferio's feelings?
I'd imagined us two riding side by side, leading our horses back to the village.
But Kras was there.
With a third wheel, any cozy mood on the way home was ruined.
So instead, Ferio's horse took the lead.
And Kras and I flanked it on either side as we walked, towing our mounts.
Even now, do we really need to maintain formation?
I'm not riding my pony anyway—I'm just being carried along by it.
I'm leaving everything to the pony, not even holding the reins.
Beside me, Kras had been rambling nonstop with unsolicited tales of his exploits since earlier.
"Once I get home, I gotta make myself a shield."
"Squad Leader Tomi said I've got real talent for handling them."
They say praise makes whales dance. That uncle really knows how to handle people.
I always felt uncomfortable giving insincere compliments—it felt like lying.
But honest praise made me feel like I was sucking up, embarrassed and slimy.
Like rubbing my hands together and going, "Nyaa, boss~," or something.
Maybe it's just my loner nature.
Or perhaps Kras here is so starved for even a scrap of praise that he's lapping it up.
There are people like that online too.
Usually timid otakus posting nothing but crap,
but if someone likes their post or hypes them up with a "Whoa, nice!", they suddenly go feral.
I'd heard there are even pros who specialize in that kind of pumping-up for political gain.
"...And that's how I took down ten goblins! You know what I'm saying, old man??"
"...."
The numbers are seriously inflated.
I don't know. Just another online troll spamming crap. Still yapping?
Anyway, he hasn't even asked why I'm slumped over on my horse. It's mentally exhausting.
Even if he spun his stories into funny memes, I'd be too wiped out to care.
I'm not some teenager who bounces back after one night of sleep.
I wish he'd drop the goblin body count already.
Whether the numbers are right or wrong doesn't matter.
Tales of killing a bunch of things just don't make for good bragging, anyway.
"See? It's qualitatively different from some old man fiddling with a bow from the back!"
"...."
I don't know. What do you even want me to say?
Man, nagging kids is such a hassle.
Best to go no-response, like dealing with trolls.
Arguing or mocking back just starts a misery contest.
Then—
Ferio's horse suddenly stopped.
"Kras, that 'fiddling' with a bow saved not just the squad, but my life too."
"Are you insulting me and everyone here right now?"
Her words turned sharply toward Kras.
Whoa, Ferio actually looks pissed. Her hand's on her sword hilt!?
This isn't just tense—it's summary execution vibes!?
I forget sometimes, but this world's got a rigid class system.
I should probably intervene...
"S-sorry! I'm sorry... Aagh!!"
Kras tumbled off his horse into that famous dogeza!?
No, he sprang up in an instant and slammed his head into the dirt again.
They do that here too?
"I'm sorry!! Lady Ferio. I had no intention of insulting you."
"You're begging for mercy but hiding your neck like a coward? Is that how you show respect to a knight?"
So here, when you entrust your life, you bow your head and bare your neck. Not dogeza culture after all.
Ferio glanced my way without Kras noticing, giving a subtle nod.
The mood's grave, but she doesn't plan to actually execute him.
Good, but... is she telling me to wrap this up?
This girl's dumping more hassle on me.
Still, to defuse the tension, I'll play along.
"Ferio, this is his first battlefield victory, heading home. He's survived by the skin of his teeth—his head's gotta be buzzing."
"Plus, we're on the road home, so he's probably let his guard down big time."
Kras had been in the army, however briefly, and just survived real combat.
Freed from veteran oppression and riding high on accomplishment—he's gotta be overflowing.
As we know, Kras's rep with the soldiers tanked after ditching Reshi.
Villagers were just relieved they both survived and didn't condemn him harshly,
but Kras himself thinks it made him a laughingstock.
So he craves validation: "I pulled off something tough!" "I'm actually badass!" Especially from me, who saved Reshi.
Reminds me of that troll who got flamed online, then desperately faked credentials like ID shots or bank statements to prove he was "important."
Back then I wondered why; now, watching Kras, I get it.
"Besides... Kras is..."
I looked at him. He flinched at Ferio's slightest move—terrified.
I'm just not fazed, but to others, Ferio's seriously high-status and scary.
Anyway, Kras—listen up to this old guy's advice.
"He's still young. Immature enough to screw up, but that's how you learn and grow."
"And folks around you can point it out or help fix it. You know that, right?"
Ferio, you've gotta relate after yesterday and today. Yeah?
She flashed a quick smile of understanding.
Don't make such a cute face in this mood—she'll tip him off.
"Hmph. Does that mean I should just let the insult slide?"
"No. He needs to remember this mistake."
"And reflect on it. So here's what we do."
And so...
Now it was just Ferio and me, riding side by side toward the village.
Kras got "reflection time" on foot.
It's not far, no dangers, and we'll beat sunset. Should be fine.
Ferio's face right now? Like she's off shopping downtown, all cheerful.
Because it's just us? Is this what a date feels like?
Anyway, not her usual knight face—more like a college girl.
Big contrast to her stern side moments ago.
"You know, were you too harsh on Kras back there?"
"I won't deny it. But he did insult me and the soldiers."
"I've never liked that guy."
"Your first day here."
"I was the one who confirmed you took down that orc."
"But he spread rumors it was fake."
"Back then, I had questions about who you were,"
"and focused more on managing you than debunking nonsense, so I let it go."
Hmm, yeah, lots of buildup. She's even a bit annoyed saying it.
"He trained under me before. But after you arrived, he dodged whenever he could."
"If goblins scare him enough to run, he should train to get stronger."
"Not cower from the trainer like a coward. You think that's acceptable?"
Her voice rising, veins bulging—like a senior venting about the boss at drinks.
Without me, Kras's head really would've rolled.
"I'm not a knight or soldier, so I won't punish deserters. I held back."
"But anyone fighting for others—willing or not—deserves respect."
"And comrades must trust each other."
"He insulted fighters and broke that trust."
Now it's full contempt.
Some might even like being looked down on like that.
"Besides..."
Still more?
Makes sense—no one around to vent to before.
She's kept that stern face all this time. Didn't know she was so expressive.
"Seeing you mocked like that pissed me off."
"...What?"
"Why so surprised? Is that weird?"
Hmm. Not a bad feeling, just... unfamiliar?
Getting mad for someone else? Only if it was my parents getting trashed instead of me.
Overnight, the psychological distance with Ferio shrank too much—dunno how to process it.
Hey, pony! Don't crowd in closer!
Anyway, steady goodwill built up, confirmed dramatically yesterday and today.
But this explosion feels overwhelming for a guy like me.
What do I do?
"...Hmm."
"Do you... hate it?"
Ferio turned forward, hiding a sulky expression.
She thinks she overstepped now.
"No, no. I'm happy, even reassured. Just not used to it."
"No one's ever gotten mad on my behalf before."
Mom and Dad might've, but I never told them to avoid worrying them.
Mostly, people were indifferent when I got picked on.
In bad vibes, it spread to group bullying.
Worst case, mockery became nicknames for ongoing torment.
Called "weeaboo trash" for gaming, or "shithead" after some comic character—then they'd step on me and laugh about "stepping in shit."
Looking back, ridiculous nitpicks.
Kras's jabs are loud but cute, and solo. Smart folks know: one bully's just momentary annoyance.
But get targeted by popular kids, delinquents, alphas? That's real hell.
Those scars make Ferio's anger for me feel alien yet grateful.
Probably a security loner virgins like me never experience.
Feels great, but life taught me to lay down the law.
"Still, don't scold him in front of others."
"If you do, bandwagoners will pile on and harass him."
Can't let my traumas repeat on someone else. Strong folks' criticism needs care.
"...I see. Got it. I'll remember."
Ferio nodded meekly and faced forward... huh?
Her cheeks are puffed out??
Her horse sped up, widening the gap.
Did I mess up? Seemed fine??
No one to ask, so I glanced at the pony's head—it shook no.
What? Mood's off.
But... familiar.
Right.
This is the loner vibe.
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