Huff and puff.
In the quiet outskirts of the kingdom, a distant sound could be heard—a rhythmic, heavy breathing, like someone exerting great effort as they struggled to catch their breath.
A male knight with flowing, sun-kissed blonde hair leaned wearily against the rugged stone wall, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he panted heavily.
Beads of sweat glistened on his furrowed brow, trickling down his flushed cheeks. His eyes, normally sharp and alert, now took on an oval shape, reflecting a mixture of anxiety and exhaustion.
"That was a narrow escape," he muttered through labored breaths, relief evident in his trembling voice. "Phew, I managed to dodge that bullet."
As he caught his breath, it became clear that the weary figure before us was none other than Kazuhira himself, seeking refuge in the shadowed embrace of the castle walls.
In a fleeting moment, Kazuhira slowly rose from where he sat and briskly made his way into the bustling kingdom. His complexion was pallid, a reflection of the anxiety that still clung to him.
Earlier, he had been part of a reconnaissance mission alongside Mitsuki and the rest of their group. However, a sudden ambush by rogue goblins had thrown him into a state of panic, and without a second thought, he had selfishly abandoned his comrades, leaving Mitsuki and the others stranded in the forest.
Regret flitted across Kazuhira's face, his troubled expression revealing the inner conflict he felt. Yet, in the same breath, he seemed indifferent to his actions, driven by his selfish instincts.
As he hurried down the cobblestone streets, he couldn't help but notice the preparations for an impending festival. However, he paid it no mind, weaving through the crowd with single-minded determination.
Abruptly, he collided with another person, his carelessness evident. The face that turned to him held a hint of recognition—a young man, dressed in knightly attire. The knight's expression shifted to one of surprise and concern.
"Kazuhira? Where have you been?" he inquired.
"I... I was just taking a stroll through the city, that's all! What brings you here, Akihiko?" Kazuhira replied, his voice tinged with unease.
The knight, revealed as Akihiko, was one of Kazuhira's friends. "They were getting ready for the upcoming festival, but I grew bored and decided to take a break," he explained casually.
However, Akihiko couldn't help but notice the anxiety and paleness that clung to Kazuhira. Confusion clouded his features. "Is something troubling you?" he asked with genuine concern.
Kazuhira hesitated for a moment, his troubled thoughts racing. "H-Huh? No, there's nothing wrong," he stammered. "Why are you prying into my business?"
"I was just concerned because you seem rather anxious," Akihiko replied, his tone gentle.
Kazuhira's response was sharp and defensive. "Don't you dare ask me questions like that! I don't appreciate it!" he snapped.
Akihiko fell into an uneasy silence, unsure of how to respond to Kazuhira's outburst. There was a palpable tension in the air, leaving him slightly fearful of his friend's unpredictable mood.
Currently, all 18 of Kazuhira's classmates have congregated at the location where Kazuhira and Akihiko are standing. They scan their surroundings anxiously, their collective concern palpable.
One of them speaks up, his voice tinged with worry, "Hey, has anyone seen Class Representative Murasaki-san? It's been three hours since she disappeared."
Another classmate chimes in, "And what about Mitsuki-san and Kenji-san? They seem to be missing as well."
A sense of uncertainty lingers in the group as they exchange concerned glances. The whereabouts of these three classmates remain a mystery, casting a shadow over the gathering.
In the midst of their gathering, an unexpected recollection surfaced in the mind of one of the students.
She broke the silence, her voice filled with uncertainty, "You know, I remember something about Mitsuki and Class Rep Murasaki being assigned to a mission in the Silva Verana Forest. And wasn't Kazuhira supposed to be leading that mission?"
As soon as those words left her lips, a collective realization swept through the group. Their attention abruptly shifted to the figure of Kazuhira, who stood before them, the perplexed expressions on their faces mirroring the puzzlement that now hung in the air.
"Why are you here, Kazuhira?" questioned one of the students, their tone laced with curiosity and suspicion. "You were supposed to be deep in the forest with Mitsuki."
The growing chorus of inquiries from his peers only intensified Kazuhira's discomfort. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, betraying the unease that gnawed at him, as he had indeed done something amiss during their mission in the forest.
Attempting to deflect their scrutiny, Kazuhira stammered, "W-What are you all talking about? I have no idea what mission you're referring to. There was no mission."
Perplexed murmurs swept through the group. "But Sir Alistair briefed us on the mission's details," another student countered, their brow furrowing in confusion. "We've been looking for you to join the mission, as we were instructed."
Kazuhira's anxiety and frustration became palpable. He found it increasingly challenging to maintain composure in the face of their persistent questions, his voice trembling with nervousness as he struggled to provide a direct response to their inquiries.
He found himself unable to muster the courage to reveal the truth to them. Instead, he chose to desert Mitsuki and the rest of the group in the perilous depths of the Silva Verana Forest, where menacing monsters loomed with overt hostility.
Strangely, there was no remorse within him for this decision; he was driven solely by his own selfish desires.
Suddenly, at this very moment, the piercing voice of a young woman reverberates through the surroundings, saturated with palpable frustration. Her anger is so apparent that it seems she's on the brink of confrontation.
The young woman's attire consists of a pristine white shirt that starkly contrasts with her flowing, jet-black hair cascading down her back. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of azure, radiate intensity, though her countenance betrays nothing but seething anger.
In the midst of this emotional tempest stands none other than Mitsuki herself.
Beside her, two people named Murasaki and Kenji trailed closely behind. They were on the brink of a pivotal moment, preparing to confront their classmate, Kazuhira, amidst the watchful gazes of their fellow students.
Mitsuki's voice rang out, heavy with anger and accusation as she approached Kazuhira.
"How dare you, Kazuhira!" Her eyes flashed with frustration. "Those goblins were closing in on us, ready to strike, and you didn't lift a finger to help!"
Kazuhira stammered, his voice faltering, "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
Mitsuki's anger flared even brighter, and her steps quickened.
"You left us!" she shouted, her voice quivering with a mix of betrayal and fear, as she confronted her so-called-companion.
Mitsuki's revelation sent shockwaves through the group of 18 classmates, their gasps echoing in the tense silence as they uncovered Kazuhira's hidden truth.
"Kazuhira, you left Mitsuki, Class Rep Murasaki, and Kenji in the Silva Verana Forest with those monsters?" one of the students exclaimed, disbelief etched on their faces.
In an attempt to defend himself, Kazuhira stammered, "I-I didn't exactly leave them, it was more of a tactical retreat, you see..."
"You explicitly said we were on our own, you bastard!" Mitsuki interjected, her voice laced with anger.
The classmates exchanged bewildered glances, a cacophony of murmurs filling the air.
"I didn't mean it that way, it just slipped out!" Kazuhira desperately tried to salvage his defense, but it was futile.
Murasaki, the Class Rep, drew her sword from its scabbard and pointed it menacingly at Kazuhira, her eyes burning with intimidation.
Kazuhira flinched, teeth clenched, and took a step back, visibly shaken by Murasaki's threat.
"A true shepherd never abandons their flock. You failed in that regard, Kazuhira," Murasaki muttered, her disappointment evident.
"It was my only option! There were too many goblins, and I couldn't save anyone else," Kazuhira pleaded.
Mitsuki chimed in, accusingly, "And it was your careless actions that summoned those goblins in the first place, disrupting the magic root of the Ley Line."
Just as tensions reached their peak, a resonant voice suddenly pierced the air, diverting everyone's attention. They turned to see a bearded knight approaching with a formal demeanor – Alistair.
Alistair spoke formally, saying, "I propose that I handle this situation, summoned heroes from another world."
Alistair's presence held a mysterious artifact, hinting at something about to unfold...