Four Ikemen Idle Talk 2: Alf

Idle Talk: Alf’s Monologue

 

It was the moment that I saw Rei that my world seemed colorful.

With his plain robe and black hair, even though he wasn’t wearing anything that looked eye-catching and vividly colored, he looked as if light seeping out from inside surrounded him.

 

When I showed him around the town, I noticed that I was kinder than necessary. Even though I was able to do this without paying specific attention to newcomers until now, what’s wrong with me?

 

When he smiled at me at our parting, I noticed it. That I was attracted to him.

 

[Ciel, there’s a newcomer that’s on my mind, what do you think?]

[Do you mean he’s dangerous? If you’re worried about him then just look out for him, just like how you persistently followed me around before.]

 

Persistently followed around him? I don’t remember such a thing, though… Ciel became engaged in his own interest altogether.

Since I was often told that I wasn’t suited for romance, I follow Ciel’s advice instead of my judgment and begin to look out for him.

I know which inn he’s staying in due to yesterday’s showing around, so I head there early in the morning.

 

Rei came out. He hung his robe on his thin shoulder and he was wearing a hood. He appears to be going to the guild.

It looks like he’s going to collect medicinal plants, but the only weapon he has on his body is a knife. Will he be alright with such lightweight equipment?

 

[…Hey, you, what are you doing?]

 

I came across Ciel who was loitering inside the guild with a puzzled expression. When I pointed at Rei and said, ‘I’m looking out for him as you suggested’, 

 

[That’s…]

 

Ciel furrowed his brows and wished to go together.

 

[What, do you know him?]

[That’s not it.]

 

Ciel only snorted and stayed silent. I understand that I will not get a response no matter how much I ask him so the two of us continued with our shadowing.

 

When we entered the forest, Rei found medicinal plants one after another. He’s picking them up unhesitantly, he may have come from a mountain village which harvests medicinal plants for a living.

 

A monster appeared in front of Rei. I got the urge to rush out right away but I restrain myself. 

I learned from experience that it will hinder his independence if I help him too much, that’s because he can learn from his experiences so far.

 

However, when I think that that white and smooth skin might get wounded, I’m unable to stay still.

 

My concerns unrealized, the goblin was pierced by an ice spear and Rei was standing unharmed. I stroke down my chest in relief.

 

I’ve never felt this uneasy no matter how young and defenseless an adventurer is. I become aware that I treasure Rei this much.

 

And while I was distracted by my feelings, Rei disappeared.

 

[What!?]

 

Just where did he… He’s not within my range of sight. I searched around with Wind magic. I found Rei in an unexpected place. There’s a reaction in the sky.

 

When I pierced through the layers of leaves and came out above the forest without hearing Ciel stop me, a robust Dragonian was capturing Rei.

 

[Let go of Rei! Can’t you see that he doesn’t like it!?]

[Alf!]

 

Rei’s big eyes widen and I’m reflected on them.

 

[Please help me!]

 

Rei is asking me for help. The happiness from being relied on filled my chest and I opened my arms wide.

 

[Yeah, jump into my arms!]

[I won’t let you.]

 

Blood climbs through my head seeing the Dragonian hugging the small Rei. I tried to impulsively jump out but I heard Ciel’s voice from behind me and stopped.

 

[Alf, don’t act on your own!…. You are yesterday’s…]

[Ciel?]

[Hmm, as expected, fighting two A-ranks will be a bit hard…. Just wait for a bit.]

 

It seems that Ciel and Rei were really acquainted with each other. But this isn’t the time for that.

 

[Alf? What is going on and just why is there a need to fight that person from the dragon race?]

 

Sorry, I don’t have the time to answer you. Rei seems pained while being restrained by the Dragonian, I must free him as soon as possible.

 

[I won’t hand Rei over to you!]

[That should be my line.]

 

This Dragonian is strong. To the extent that I’m unsure if Ciel and my power combined can win. Even so, I can’t back out if it’s Rei’s offender!

 

[I see, so you’re a swordsman. I’m not very good at swords, though.]

 

He lightly holds a big sword despite saying that it’s not his specialty, and hits a heavy attack that’s likely sure to kill in a single blow. The surface of my sword made an unpleasant sound at the shock that couldn’t be canceled.

 

Ciel backed me up with magic while not understanding the situation, but the slash of wind magic got repelled with a single fist.

Such a thing as deflecting magic, no matter how excellent his defense is, he shouldn’t have gotten out of it unharmed but he’s still full of vitality. What an extraordinary warrior.

 

As I was diverting his sword attacks while desperately trying to find a way to win, his sword suddenly stopped. 

 

 

[Mh? My wife has disappeared.]

 

The Dragonian looks around and searches for Rei. Ciel spontaneously made up a lie and pointed his finger in the wrong direction.

 

[If you’re asking about that kid then he flew towards the mountain over there.]

[Of really, so long then.]

 

The Dragonian unguardedly turned his back towards me and flew away. No doubt that he will repel it even if I attack now, and he will remain unscathed.

 

It helped me lose my will to fight. As an insignificant adventurer, I’d like to know how to get that strong.

 

 

 

 

 

I was relieved upon finding Rei’s presence in the inn when we returned to town. It seems that Dragonian didn’t appear in this town. 

 

When I asked Marie, who is familiar with adventurers, that Dragonian is apparently an S-rank adventurer.

 

To think that the villain who was attached to Rei and was forceful to him was an S-rank…. I must get even stronger.

 

The misunderstanding that he was a villain wasn’t resolved until we met with Ragna-dono again.

 

 

 

 

I began to admire him more and more as he continued to take on unfamiliar adventuring jobs despite all the danger surrounding him and his small physique.

 

Every time our eyes meet, each time we exchange words, I break into a smile, and my chest is filled with great joy inside.

 

Aah, won’t these obsidian black eyes reflect me more in them?

 

Such feelings grow day by day, and once I held that delicate body on my chest, a desire to protect him at all cost was formed.

 

And then I half-coercively obtained his promise to follow him on his trip.

I even prevailed on Ciel, I have never been this desperate to insist on my own idea on him in recent years. It seems that my self-restraint doesn’t work when it comes to Rei.

 

In that way, despite the misgiving that my self-control wouldn’t work, I easily scrapped my promise with Rei in the blink of an eye.

 

I remember his soft lips. The hot and wet lips tempted me like a flower’s nectar, and I was deeply enchanted by such charm that I ended up stealing those lips.

 

I have never experienced being seduced by such charm that I couldn’t control myself. 

 

I was even looking down on love affairs. Every time I heard a noble from somewhere r*ped a lady with a weak standing, I was even outraged at its outrageousness.

 

Even so, for me to do the same as a result, I’m completely deplorable.

 

Those clear eyes that looked directly at me turned away, and when I thought that I’d be avoided, I felt that the colors of my world were dead.

 

It was like when I learned of my mother’s death and my Eldest Brother’s plot in the Royal Palace.

 

Rei gave me, who was cowering while waiting for judgment, forgiveness.

 

On the contrary, he accepted my feelings.

 

Just how happy I was. I grasped in these hands the right to stay by Rei’s side, to protect him, and make him happy.

 

He has also accepted Ciel and Ragna-dono. If he has Ciel who can use magic, and Ragna-dono who is stronger than me, Rei’s protection will be stronger.

 

What’s unfortunate was that the Demon King’s curse couldn’t be terminated, but he doesn’t seem to have any intention to hurt Rei so far. If by chance he changes his mind, I have decided in my heart that I will eliminate him no matter what sacrifices I have to make. 

 

I want to protect Rei. Whenever I see that warm smile, the world’s colors become bright. Just like a legendary fairy who is said to have the most beautiful color, he never stops fascinating me.

 

I will not allow those gray days to return.

Just as you swore to my uncle, I shall do so as well.

I will stay close to you my entire life, and I will protect your bright smile whatever happens.