Story of a Cannon Fodder who Firmly Believed He was the Protagonist, Misunderstood the Actual Protagonist as the Cannon Fodder, and Ended up Victorious
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Derpy
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Chapter 017 – They Say Tlue Quit Being A Paladin [B]
Tlue came to the usual place. Although he didn’t want to experience horrible scenes like that anymore, he wanted to look over the path he had trodden one last time.
The winds whistled and howled.
The sunset painted the evening red, and the cold wind hinted at the approaching winter.
The icy wind blew through his heart. He was filled with thoughts of running away – away from that kind of scene. He wanted to see only the happy world.
He came to this place, as if to run away, and blinked his vacant eyes slightly.
Somebody noticed Tlue’s hollow eyes.
It was the warrior with black hair and black eyes, the person that Tlue didn’t like. It was Fay.
Originally, it was Arthur who was supposed to be here. However, it was Fay who was present in reality.
For Fay, this was the place he was usually at. There wasn’t any particular reason for him to be here.
Fay’s back was facing Tlue, but once he noticed Tlue’s presence, he stopped swinging his sword. He turned his head back slightly, directing his side profile to Tlue.
Fay: “…What do you want?”
Tlue: “Nothing much. I figured I’d see this place for the last time… I’m quitting, after all. I just wanted to see this place.”
Fay: “I see.”
He wouldn’t chase after those who were leaving. He wasn’t interested in such a thing to begin with. Tlue felt as if he was being told that.
Tlue: “…You choose to continue fighting?”
Fay: “Obviously.”
Tlue: “…How can you do it? What’s the difference between us?”
Tlue asked in a disbelieving tone. Fay also experienced combat against Abyss just like him, however, nobody died in Fay’s group unlike Tlue’s. And that wasn’t all. Maria also took special care of him. That Maria, who treated others in the orphanage equally. Moreover, Lele also directed a completely different attitude to Fay compared to Tlue.
What was different? What did he lack that the man in front of him didn’t? Tlue didn’t understand that.
Fay: “It’s our resolve.”
It was an immediate reply as Fay gave Tlue his answer.
Fay: “I have the resolve to keep pushing forward no matter what, even if I’m the last one standing. That’s the difference between us.”
Tlue: “…”
Fay: “I don’t know what will happen to you now, but it’s the path you’ve chosen. Even if you choose to walk sideways, turn in a different direction, or run away, it’s none of my business. I have neither the right nor reason to call you out on your choice.”
Tlue: “…”
Fay: “But since I’ve answered your questions, tell me one thing.”
Tlue: “…?”
Fay: “Does the thing you seek lie beyond the path you’ve chosen?”
—Tlue’s body flinched as his fear reared its ugly head once again.
It was the fear of having the depths of his heart seen through. Tlue panicked but began to ask himself.
…The thing that I sought.
He failed to protect his mother and little sister. That was why he tried to become stronger. He wanted to prevent others from experiencing a similar tragedy.
That was the reason he picked up the sword, but such a path would be no more once he left it all behind. He understood that.
Tlue: “…”
Fay: “You don’t have to answer, just do what you like afterwards.”
Fay no longer looked at Tlue. However, Tlue felt a complete and utter sense of defeat.
—Our levels are different.
It was the voice, creed, and conviction of a man who transcended himself and continued to climb higher. Tlue came to learn that the difference between them was at an unusual level.
Tlue understood that because he was scared of Fay and had monitored him for a long time. Tlue could feel the weight of Fay’s words, as well as the strength of Fay’s resolve.
After he saw such a thing, Tlue became ashamed of himself who tried to escape and abandon his own wish because it was painful and he refused to see such scenes anymore.
At that time, Fay turned to Tlue as if he remembered something. Then, he threw a wooden sword towards Tlue.
Fay: “You said it would be the last time. Accompany me for a bit.”
Tlue: “…Aah.”
The two clashed in an instant and exchanged slashes vigorously. It was a pure match without the use of art. Fay always lost to Tlue in such matches.
However, it was different today. Against the person who was at loss and about to lose sight of his beliefs, Fay’s sword slammed into Tlue’s solar plexus.
Tlue: “—Kahah.”
He feels completely different than before… He is getting stronger day by day… on the other hand, I am…
Fay: “I see. So that’s your current state…”
He said nothing more than that and continued practicing his sword without looking back at Tlue. Seeing that, Tlue gritted his teeth and left.
I- even I… like hell I would abandon my ideals…
He formed a slight resolve, the resolve to carry the burden on his back instead of running away.
He held onto the wish and the sword he was about to let go once again.
■◆
Medical record 1:
Patient: Tlue (Weakened mentality due to utsu event.)
The utsu development made him mentally exhausted. Originally, it would be the development where he met and talked with Arthur, found something in common with her, and developed a friendship with her while proceeding to stand back up while crying.
However, it wasn’t Arthur there at that moment; it was Doctor Fay instead. Doctor Fay’s precise advice and the attack that reached Tlue’s soul through his solar plexus restored Tlue’s spirit and allowed him to reform his resolve; no matter how small it might have been.
Result: Through the rough treatment of a spar with Doctor Fay, the mentality of Tlue, which was weakened by depression, was successfully treated.
Journalist Yururu:
“Fay-sensei, what happened today? Why did you choose such a rough treatment?”
Doctor Fay:
“It’s because I judged that it was the event for the protagonist to cheer up the mob character who was depressed during the sunset.”
Journalist Yururu:
“That’s quite a rough treatment though? It might lead to conflict with one wrong move.”
Doctor Fay:
“Having a fight during the sunset and proceeding to understand each other is something that happens often. Moreover, there’s no way I would fail because I am the protagonist. But you must never do this in the real world. It could be said that it is only possible because I am the protagonist of another world based on a novel game.”
Journalist Yururu:
“I see. Thanks to that, Tlue-kun seems to have recovered… I-I wonder if I should request for a treatment from the doctor as well? I’d like it to be gentle, if possible…”
Doctor Fay:
“I’ll do so when it comes to that… (Hm? Is this a hint for another combat event?)”
QC: We added tags in front of the dialogue to help indicate who is speaking. Let us know if this change helps!
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You think the writing style is weird, I think the novel itself is weird, we are not the same.
seeing both the people who agree and disagree in comments here are the same number, we decided to continue putting the names. thank you for your participation
because there is people complaining, i tried to revert it.
I mean, I’m one of those who prefer to keep it the way it is in the raws, but if it helps people understand better, then this is totally fine.
hmm… 2:2 then, i guess?
Thank you for the chapter!!
The tags do help!
Either one is okay for me. Tags or no tags.
I’ve only ever gotten confused once, on who was talking.
thx for your opinion. we appreciate it
well, that make 1: 2 now
glad it helped
The atmosphere between Fay’s part and the rest of the characters is really amazing, I always thought “what the hell!?”.
thank you sir translator I’m very happy with today’s update, I thought today would be
ordinary and bored but thanks to you I was helped thank you, really thank you
that’s the essence of misunderstanding story.
we’re glad for making your day better.
No offense Tsukii but there is something completely wrong trying to read it like this,it quite jarring to say at least and I would rather have the previous writing style then this one
Not saying it bad but it just one hell of a 180 if you get what I mean
well, this is a trial since there are those in discord group who seem to mention they find it confusing about who speak what. i could ask it to be deleted if more people complained about it.
i agree too this writing kinda feels weird
let’s see if there anyone else who agree, i would let the one who responsible with site side to edit if there is