The one who would seek revenge was me as a Devil.
……No, I was still myself. I hadn’t disappeared yet. I did become a Devil, but I still exist right here. Then I wouldn’t need a grave.
[Demonic-sword? No, it’s an imitation of demonic-sword. It doesn’t even have a proper shape yet……however it is a rare ability.]
I made a sword within my hand and made my stance at him.
“Let go off that sword. That is……a grave!”
Even though I said that, the beast-man simply put on a disgusting smile.
[A grave? This? Never mind. There’s something more important. Kid, come with me. It seems like you can be sold for a good price. You’re a “Stray” like me, right? I won’t treat you badly, you know?]
…….It seemed like the beast-man took an interest to my ability so he must be craving for me.
There was no reason for me to be taken away by this beast-man.
I will get stronger……
I’ll get strong and……
……
—Am I really okay with seeking revenge after becoming stronger?
There was this sudden doubt inside me.
Yes, the reason I started training here was because master said “You won’t be able to take revenge or do anything if you aren’t strong” to my face.
The reason why I’m going to get stronger was for that reason. But, I wonder.
While I lived with master……I started to think of unnecessary things.
There was myself who was competing with my master in fishing, and there was also myself who was in joy because my cooking improved.
I made an oath that I would live on behalf of my comrades and seek revenge against the Excalibur, yet I……I’m starting to find joy in my current life.
I shook my head and once again directed my sword at the beast-man.
“Stop messing around. I will never go along with you!”
I said in high spirits but he simply showed an evil smile.
[Never mind. To begin with, I’ll just have to make you quiet by torturing you.]
The beast-man then released his hostility towards me from his whole body—. He must be planning to attack me.
I then sprinted from my position first and swung my swords at my opponent from his blind spot after running around in zigzag.
I got his flank! —That was what I thought, but the beast-man disappeared immediately!
He was fast!
I was only able to think that for a moment, but I felt a heavy blow from my back when I was charging ahead.
When I looked towards that direction I witness the beast-man who looked like he just kicked me. He got my back in an instant!
I was somehow able to step foot on the ground even though I received an impact on my back where I lost my breath.
The beast-man then started to laugh vulgarly.
[That was a good move. You’re strong for a kid your age. –But you’re still no match for me. Even though I’m like this, I was a [Knight] under my master. Well, I couldn’t use swords though. From my perspective, are you also a [Knight], kid? Though it seems like you lack power.]
……[Knight]? If I remember now, I heard that a Devil gets a trait depending on the evil-piece given to them. So the one I was given was a……[Knight] huh. I think that girl who called herself Rias also said the same thing. Back then, I left without listening to what she said properly……
[Hmph. Those reincarnated from a human sure are weak.]
The beast-man released a kick with a big spin. The graves made from my swords were being destroyed!
[It seemed like you were obsessed with these crappy graves! Just like you, these graves are also weak!]
Seeing that, I couldn’t help myself but to get mad and jump ahead!
“Damn it!”
However, the opponent had a movement that surpassed mine, so I ended up receiving his counter as I attacked.
Even though I had my attack dodged and received his counter, I kept on standing up no matter what and headed right at him.
For a child like me with no battle experience, he was an opponent who I could never beat.
I was battered down and fell to the ground. While I fell, I questioned myself.
……I want to get stronger. For who? For myself? For my comrades? For revenge?
I think it was all of them. But, now……
[Looks like you finally became quiet.]
It happened when the tiger beast-man tried to pick me up who was on the ground—.
“Don’t even get closer to that child than you already are.”
A familiar voice echoed throughout the forest. When I turned my head to that direction, there was a crimson haired girl standing there.
It was Rias Gremory. As soon as she grasped the situation, she glared at the beast-man as if she was enraged.
“I need to pay you back for hurting that child. You must be a “Stray”? I wonder how you got inside this mountain. Being clueless sure is scary.”
Rias Gremory’s boldness where she didn’t even flinch against an opponent who was several times bigger than her. The beast-man twitched his eyebrows when he saw the crimson-hair.