Interlude: The Solitary Strongest

"—What’s the meaning of this?"

We were right in the middle of the Noblesse Magic Academy’s Team Battle exam. My four "comrades"—people I was supposed to be able to trust—had me completely surrounded.

The darkness of the night wasn't the problem. The problem was that I’d already burned through way too much mana.

"Sorry, Milk. You’re just... too strong."

"Exactly. Everyone would be much happier if you weren't around."

"Here, we’ll just have you get expelled—argh!"

"—Then die."

I was a total idiot for having expectations for Noblesse. This world is trash. I don't need 'allies.' I’ll survive this hell on my own.

"D-do it! Get her!"

The enemies kept coming, one after another.

Honestly... do you people really lack the backbone to do anything without flocking together like a bunch of pigeons?

"...Hmph."

I turned my back on the Noblesse Academy, likely for the last time, and walked away.

[Milk Abitus: Your points have reached zero. You have been expelled.]

They were the type of pathetic people who deluded themselves into thinking they were "strong" just because they were part of a pack. Cowards who didn't even know how to fight a real battle. Every single one of them was rotten to the core.

I can live on my own. I don't need anyone.

"—Are you Billy?"

"What’s it to you, brat?"

Bounties were everywhere. I’d officially become an adventurer mostly because the paperwork was easier, but I quickly realized I liked the lifestyle. There were fewer annoying strings attached.

Hah. Maybe I should have done this from the beginning.

Exterminating monsters was a breeze. No need for restraint, no need to hold back, and no one to order me around. I just did the work. Before I knew it, my rank was climbing. Occasionally, some idiot would try to pick a fight, but I had enough power to shut everyone up.

But...

"...Hmph."

No matter how many monsters I erased, no matter how much gold piled up, I felt empty.

Then came the day I was forced into a party. It was a massive pain, but at a certain rank, the guild starts handing out "mandatory" assignments. That was when I first met him.

"Nice to meet you! So you’re the A-rank Milk Abitus? I’m Novel! Great to—"

"I don’t do introductions. Let’s just finish the job."

He had a harmless smile, a lanky frame, and silky black hair like a woman’s. I hated everything about him. He was the type who acted out a 'good guy' script to the letter. He probably thought helping people was the most sacred thing in the world. And worst of all... he loved 'groups.'

"Haha! You’re just as interesting as the rumors said!"

Our mission was a [Dungeon Clear] while leading a large group of adventurers. When we arrived at the entrance, it was a circus. Usually, I’d be in a foul mood, but this time I was actually a little curious. Word was that an S-class Adventurer—a rarity you almost never see—would be our guide.

I’ll see for myself exactly what this guy is made of.

Then, Novel stepped forward.

Wait, what?

"Alright, looks like everyone’s here. I’m the S-class Adventurer, Novel. Nice to meet you all again!"

This guy is an S-class? Hah. Figures. The rank is obviously a joke. Maybe it’s time I retired from this business.

With those cynical thoughts, we ventured into the dungeon. Everything was trivial.

Until we met the boss.

"GYOOAAAHHZZ!"

"...What in the hell is that thing?"

The boss of the final floor looked like a mistake God had made while hungover. The attacks from its dragon-like limbs were faster and heavier than anything I’d ever seen. No matter how much we carved it up, its self-regeneration was insane.

Adventurers were dying. Left and right. We were trapped. The walls were indestructible, and there was no way out.

Death. This is it. We’re done. Panic started to claw at my throat.

But Novel hadn't given up.

"—We can win! We can definitely win! Don't quit now!"

"Hah! And how exactly are we going to do that?"

"It regenerates because it has mana. But its mana isn't infinite!"

"And what’s your proof for that?"

"I don't have any! But trust me!"

Trust him? What a joke. That’s the word traitors use right before the betrayal.

"...Shut up."

I ignored him and lunged. I just had to hit it so fast and so hard that it wouldn't have a microsecond to regenerate. I hacked at it over and over.

But the monster revived instantly and caught my blind spot. I felt a surge of mana capable of obliterating my heart in a single blow... but I was fine.

I spun around. Novel had stepped in to shield me. The attack had torn his entire right arm off.

"—Kh! Milk, get back!"

"GYAAAHHZZ!"

...You absolute moron.

"Why? Why save me? Because I'm a woman?"

"...No. To win. If you’re not in one piece, we don't stand a chance."

"Hmph. Even if the price is your arm?"

"Yeah. It’s a bargain."

He’s bleeding out. He’s actually going to die. I could feel my heart racing.

"Even if we win, you’re dead."

"Maybe. But you’ll be alive, won't you?"

"Haha. What, do you have a crush on me?"

"No. You’re strong. And if you’re strong, you can save more people. —Here it comes!"

What a total saint.

I sliced through the magic aimed at Novel.

"Not bad!"

"Shut up. I’ll grant your wish before you kick the bucket. ...Tell me how we’re doing this."

"If we force it to regenerate at max speed, its mana will bottom out. You and I will cycle our attacks. I’ll make the survivors chip in too, but... Milk, I’m counting on you more than anyone."

"—Hmph."

He’s not even trying to stop the bleeding. He’s just pushing forward. I see.

"Then keep up, S-class! Don't you dare fall behind!"

"Hah! Who do you think you’re talking to!?"

Novel swung his sword with his remaining left arm. We traded places, rhythmically hacking the monster to pieces. His movements were terrifyingly swift—equal to mine, maybe better. Even after losing an arm, he didn't utter a single complaint.

I’ll give you this much—you’ve got guts.

"Not bad for an S-class!"

And then—

[Dungeon Cleared.]

We stumbled outside, drenched in blood.

"W-we did it! We’re alive!"

"Huff... huff... we actually made it!"

Only a handful of us were left. Novel and I were among them. But he was still hemorrhaging. The healer was dead. So, he gathered his remaining mana and used Fire Magic to cauterize the stump of his right arm. He grimaced, but he didn't even scream.

Hah. So this is what an S-class looks like.

"You’re something else. It actually worked, just like you said."

"Yeah... though I was mostly winging it."

"...Wait, what? Winging it?"

"I mean, how was I supposed to know? It’s not like I’ve fought one before!"

I couldn't help it. I threw my head back and laughed. What a ridiculous man.

"You’re laughing too much..."

"What about the arm?"

"I’ll find a good healer to close the wound, but I doubt it’s coming back."

"Aren't you upset?"

"Of course I am! But compared to dying, it was a cheap price to pay. Besides... if I saved a beautiful woman, I’m sure my arm is happy with its sacrifice."

"...Hah. Idiot."

I turned to leave. But I stopped.

"Novel. If you ever need me, call. I’ll... at least act as your replacement right arm."

I regretted saying it almost immediately.

"—Why did you call me?"

"You told me to call! Come on, help me with this monster extermination."

"Are you a moron? It’s only been three days since that dungeon!"

"But people are suffering! I can't just ignore them, right?"

"...You’re a freak."

I started traveling with Novel. He was a "good person" to a fault. Helping, punishing, working. He was a fool, but in a way, he was even more solitary than I was.

"No family?" I asked one night.

"Nah. Died a long time ago. An epidemic, not monsters."

"I see."

"What about you, Milk?"

"I have one. But I haven't gone back in years. I don't want to."

Camping in a dangerous forest with him felt... peaceful. Maybe that’s why I let my guard down and told him the one thing I never told anyone.

"...My best friend died. Because of me."

"What happened?"

I didn't want to remember. But I wanted Novel to know.

I was born into a prestigious family. We were happy enough. I had a sister, and I had my best friend, Mia. We used to play all the time.

'Hey, it's dangerous!'

'It's fine! Milk, you’re such a scaredy-cat!'

I remember knocking over a beehive and running for our lives. We laughed until we couldn't breathe. Then one day, Mia looked different. Her face was red, like she’d been hit. I saw girls from powerful noble families cornering her later. I was terrified. I was a coward. I ran away.

I told Mia’s parents, and they said they’d handle it. I thought everything was okay. But Mia died. She fell from a cliff and left a note naming her bullies. They were never punished. I realized then that nothing had been fixed. It was my fault. I killed her.

'Big sister Milk, are you okay?'

'I'm fine.'

I decided to change that day. I threw away my weak self. I went to the Academy to prove I could be strong alone. But... was I wrong?

I told Novel everything.

"I abandoned her. I killed her. And she never even asked for my help... because I was weak."

"—No. You’re wrong. Mia just didn't want you to worry. It’s not your fault, Milk. You aren't to blame."

"I am. I killed her."

"Don't do this to yourself."

"What do you know? What could you possibly—"

Novel hugged me. He was strong. Despite having only one arm, his grip was impossibly firm.

"—Stop blaming yourself."

Ah... what is this? Why? Why does being with him... being with Novel... make me feel so calm?

"You’re becoming a knight?"

"Yeah. My hometown in the west is in the middle of a war. I'm going to protect it."

I’d reached S-class alongside him by then. Being an adventurer was easier, but he was throwing it all away for a title and a war zone.

"...Then I’m coming too."

"No, Milk. This is my fight."

"I told you, didn't I? I’m your right arm."

We became knights. I was surrounded by people—Novel’s people. We’d drink, play cards, and joke around. It was fun. Having people to guard your back had become my 'normal.'

"Milk," Novel said one night at our usual tavern, "when the war is over... why don't we live together?"

"—Hah. Good joke."

"I'm serious. Every time I hear about your missions, I get terrified. Terrified that I’m going to lose you."

He wasn't smiling.

"What do you even see in me?"

"Everything."

"...I’ll think about it. After the next battle."

I already knew the answer. But I was too scared to say it. That was the last time we ever spoke.

"—What did you say?"

"It’s..."

"What did you just say!?" I screamed, grabbing the messenger’s collar. My blood was boiling. No. No, no, no. This isn't happening.

"There was a traitor in Novel’s unit. They’re... they’re all dead."

A traitor? Dead? No. Impossible. That’s a lie.

I grabbed my sword and went alone. I slaughtered my way through the enemy camp. I burst inside, and there... I saw the traitor, Riddle. The one Novel had doted on. And in the center of the room... the body of a man with only one arm.

"...Novel."

He didn't know how to doubt people. He believed in his comrades. He believed in justice.

"K-kill her! She’s alone!"

"—Die."

I gouged out the traitor’s eyes. I ripped out his tongue. I gave him every ounce of agony I could before letting him die. He did it for money. That was it.

The world is rotten. Rotten. Rotten.

I became the force that brought the war to a close. But my heart was a void. I retired and sank into Sloth. My money vanished. I think I was just waiting to die.

Then, I got a message from Zebis. He wanted me to train the eldest son of House Fanscent, Weiss Fancent.

Hah. I know the rumors. A notorious noble brat. Trash, trash, trash. Perfect for a wreck like me.

But then, I remembered Novel’s voice.

'Teaching kids sounds like fun, doesn't it?'

...Hmph. Fine. I’m out of gold anyway.

'My name is Weiss Fanscent. Teacher Milk, I look forward to working with you!'

He was nothing like the rumors. He was polite. He reminded me of Novel when we first met. That single-minded focus. That endless effort.

But he’s a 'good person.' In a war, those are the ones who get targeted first. Weiss... I won't let you die. Not you.

"Preemptive strikes," I told him. "Value them above all else. Weiss, don't trust your comrades too much. In a battle, 'cowardly' is a compliment."

"Eh? O-oh! Yes! I understand!"

Before I knew it, I was actually enjoying myself. My hollow days were starting to find color again.

Novel... are you watching? This thing you wanted to do... it’s not so bad. Thanks to you, I’m finally smiling again.