My name is Hyuma.
I’m a subordinate of the space pirate known as the Second Noble-killer Lily.
Back during the Second Enhanced Human War on the frontier, I served as a sergeant in the Imperial Marines.
When I finally returned home from the front, I found my wife had brought another man into our house.
"Just leave the money and get out."
The interloper had called in eight men covered in tattoos to back him up. They all pointed guns at my chest.
"Fine by me," I told them. Then I killed all eight.
I have a certain intuition.
It wasn't some grand talent like future-sight; I just had a knack for knowing when things were about to go south.
That was why I had already deployed my beam shield.
The instant the bastard fired, I used the axe I’d brought with me to hack his arm off.
I buried the blade right in his face while his mouth was still hanging open in shock.
The other seven tried to aim their guns, but they were too slow. My shield had more than enough charge left.
I made all seven of them rust for my axe.
Once the one-sided massacre was over, I realized the interloper was trying to crawl away.
I put the axe in his back, and he collapsed.
"P-please! Don't kill me!"
"Not a chance."
I took his head off and tossed it at my wife’s feet.
"Nine people are dead because of you," I said. Then I walked out the door.
I don't kill women.
People can call me old-fashioned if they want, but that’s the one line I’ve never crossed. It’s a matter of pride.
I headed straight for the spaceport and caught a ship to pirate territory before I could be placed on a wanted list.
A few days later, I learned I was being hunted as a mass murderer across the entire Empire.
Getting to pirate territory was the easy part, but once I was there, I couldn't find work.
I didn't have any experience in retail or the food industry.
I didn't know what the hell I was going to do.
But life has a funny way of turning out.
When I told a labor broker that I was an ex-Marine, they gave me a job doing repairs on the colony.
I kept my head down at first.
I really did intend to start over.
But then I saw some guy beating a prostitute.
God, I’m an idiot.
By the time I realized what I was doing, the man was stuffed headfirst into a trash can.
That was when the pirates showed up.
They were basically the kings of the scrap heap.
Well, it’s over, I thought.
I was certain I was going to die right there.
Instead, for some reason, they hauled me off to their headquarters.
That was where I met the previous leader.
"You're a clumsy man, the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. You must've had a rough life. I don't hate that sort of thing."
For the first time, someone actually acknowledged me.
That was all I needed.
I decided then and there that I wanted to be the old man’s subordinate.
I begged him for a chance, and eventually, I became his bodyguard.
The predecessor used to tell me I was an incredible man, but I knew the truth—I’m just scum.
I’m the kind of trash who couldn't handle being betrayed by a woman.
The kind of trash who knew how to live a smarter life but threw it all away.
The kind of trash who has survived solely by trusting his gut.
And yet, that gut instinct is the one thing that has never lied to me.
It has always protected me.
Right now, that instinct was screaming bloody murder.
It was a level of terror I had never experienced in my life.
I’d been terrified fighting the Zork, but this was different.
What in the world had stepped foot onto this colony?!
I stood behind the door to the room, breaking out in a cold sweat.
My heart thundered against my ribs, and my ears were ringing.
My Lady! Why don't you see it?!
I could tell that the person My Lady—the predecessor's daughter—was speaking with was a monster.
My Lady has sharp instincts herself.
So why hadn't she noticed?!
There was a literal monster in there!
I had to save her.
I had to protect the only thing the predecessor had left behind!
But my knees were knocking together.
I stole a glance inside.
Is it that middle-aged man?
He was likely a knight.
He was definitely on a higher level than me.
I thought I might be able to buy enough time for My Lady to escape if I acted as a shield.
There was no time to second-guess myself.
The time had come to repay my debt to the old man.
Just as I steeled my resolve, my eyes landed on a younger man.
He had a dangerously sharp look in his eyes, but he was a graceful, handsome sort who looked like he’d be popular with the ladies.
A chill ran down my spine.
Why hadn't I noticed him until now?
How could I have overlooked a man who stood out that much?
The warning bells in my head were deafening.
Danger. Danger. Danger. Danger.
My mind was filled with static.
While the veins in my temples pulsed violently, the blood completely drained from my face.
W-Was that thing even human?!
"Fay! Bring the contract!"
My Lady's voice snapped me back to reality.
Fay, that bastard, had arrived.
He was an idiot who called himself a dandy and dressed like a gigolo.
Even so, Fay was a master with a knife.
He should have been able to tell at a glance if an opponent was strong or weak.
Why don't you see it?!
There's a monster right in front of you!!!
I lunged out and grabbed Fay’s arm as he prepared to turn back.
"Whoa, what’s the matter, Hyuma?"
"You... what do you think of that young one?"
"What's with the pale face? What do I think? He’s just some noble brat, isn't he?"
It was no use.
This guy was a dead man.
But the bastard was my friend.
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he died here.
"I’ll go."
I snatched the contract from his hand and prepared to walk into the jaws of death.
"Wh-Hey! Hyuma!?"
Sorry, Fay.
Better me than you.
When I stepped into the room, My Lady introduced me.
"This is my bodyguard, Hyuma."
Just as I thought.
It felt as though the very space around that man was warping.
"Hmm? What is it, Hyuma? Are you concerned about the knight over there?"
"What are you saying, My Lady? That young man is many times more dangerous than the knight."
If I offended him with that remark, I was dead.
But I was already prepared for the end.
All I could do now was be a shield.
Suddenly, the knight, who had looked displeased until a moment ago, broke into a wide grin.
"Yes, yes! Lady Lily, you truly have excellent subordinates!"
What the hell are you talking about?!
I'm not talking about you!
It’s the kid next to you who’s the problem!!!
I wasn't even this scared when I was being hunted by suicide drones on the battlefield.
"Rest easy. This is Marquis Leo Kamishiro. He is a man of reason."
Leo Kamishiro?!
I’d seen him on the news!
I’d assumed the stories were all exaggerated nonsense!!!
You’ve got to be kidding me.
He was a creature ten times more terrifying than the news had made him out to be!
"Ah, hello."
He gave a polite little bow.
Stop it. Don't stand there acting like a normal human being.
The shaking in my legs wouldn't stop.
"Hey, Hyuma? What's wrong with you? Did you eat something bad?"
"No, My Lady... I'm just terrified of this man... He's a monster... this young man is a monster."
"What are you even talking about?"
"Kahahahaha! I see! You have a fine bodyguard indeed!"
The tiny brat laughed.
She wasn't ordinary either...
What was wrong with these people?
"I was uneasy about forming an alliance until just a moment ago... but now I am relieved. Piggett, give the order to Ohno. We shall make this place our base!"
For some reason, the knight patted me on the shoulder.
"You've escaped with your life. You've done a great service, Sergeant."
He knew?!
He had actually looked up the fact that I was a sergeant?
He’d investigated the background of a mere pirate bodyguard?!
I’d thought the knight was at least human, but I was wrong.
There was nothing but monsters in this room!
"A-Ah? Someone... please, someone explain this to me."
The knight turned back to My Lady with a smile.
"Treasure that man. You have a very good subordinate."
"Y-Yeah."
My Lady was utterly bewildered.
And so, we managed to escape total annihilation.