Kays Translations

Chapter 163: And to the legend

Samurai Mask, or rather, Donald, as he should be called when he's not wearing his mask, was out for his daily walk. Apart from the times when he couldn't return to the city due to assignments, he went for a walk almost every day. He would leave the impoverished district he called home, take a glance at the craftsman district's material depot, and then return along the same route.

Normally, one couldn't live in a fortified city without a certain status or title. However, in this city, there was a section known as the "impoverished district." People's statuses were not fixed; someone who was once a wealthy merchant might one day fall from grace. The impoverished district was home to individuals who had drifted there for various reasons. It was an ideal place for Donald, the former knight and murderer, who now concealed himself as Samurai Mask.

Without asking questions or speaking, that was the only rule in the impoverished district.

The narrow streets were filled with filth, urine, and were never cleaned. In the summer, a noxious blend of heat and stench hung in the air. There were people lying around with vacant eyes, and disfigured prostitutes with diseases would approach, soliciting clients.

He hadn't been to the church recently, but he thought he might ask the priest if he ever met one: "Is hell better than this place?"

Despite the wretched conditions, Donald found more enjoyment in his daily life here than he did during his days in the knight order.

He arrived at the material depot. This place, where Donald felt he received divine inspiration, was a suitable place to offer prayers if he ever chose to. He couldn’t visit the church dressed shabbily and avoid the gaze of priests and citizens who might look at him like a piece of dirt.

Donald's face lit up as he peeked into the material depot. There, he felt the presence of a god.

"Lutz-sama!"

He called out to Lutz, who had his upper body exposed and was swinging an axe. Lutz stopped and waved lightly in response.

Donald bent his body and knelt down, overwhelmed with emotion.

"It's been a while, my god."

"Well, let's not do that. It might seem like a strange act to anyone who sees it."

Lutz said with a puzzled expression. There were many odd characters around, but Donald's behavior was unlike anything he had encountered before.

If he insulted me, I would have just hit him, but if the emotion directed at me was respect, I couldn't do anything too outrageous.

"I apologize. I got carried away due to my deep emotions."

Donald stood up hesitantly. Lutz couldn't help but notice that Donald seemed taller than before. He soon realized why.

Donald stood upright, with his back straight. His pride in being a protector of the people, not someone who extorted money from them, made him stand tall.

Ironically, by leaving the knight order, he had only now truly earned the honor of being called a knight who protected the people.

"Just to confirm, you're okay with being known as the legendary Samurai Mask, right?"

"I am following your advice, Lutz-sama."

Donald replied clearly.

... Right? I didn't tell him to do that, did I?

I wanted to say that, and there was a lingering sense of guilt towards Claudia and Josel for continuing to associate with Donald. However, when I looked into Donald's honest eyes, I couldn't just cut ties with him.

I gave advice, I offered encouragement, and I even gave him a sword. So now, saying "I didn't know" won't cut it. Above all, Lutz was not the kind of man who would abandon someone who had just found hope to live. There's no helping it, he thought to himself in his heart, as his life was dragged along, one way or another.

"Well, um, yeah, sure. So, how's it going, Donald? Have the knights been chasing after you?"

"Well, about that..."

Donald hesitated, not sure how to answer. Then, he shrugged his shoulders.

"I usually wear my hood low and walk around, but there was an occasion where I happened to make eye contact with some knights by chance. At that moment, they quickly averted their gaze and ran away."

"Wait, wait, wait. Weren't they patrolling to catch you?"

"They probably didn't want to get involved. Besides, those two are dead now."

Donald sighed as he spoke, knowing that he was the one who had killed them. Even as a former member of the knights, he couldn't help but smile wryly at how far he had fallen.

Lutz said shaking his head at the terrible story.

"Can I really say this? It might be a leak of internal information, but oh well. Josel, a high-ranking knight, got fed up with how useless the knights are and yelled at you guys, telling you to handle this situation on your own without any assistance."

"Wait, so you mean nobody is chasing after me?"

"That seems to be the case. Of course, it's still better not to flaunt your face openly."

"Unbelievable..."

Donald was more relieved than he had ever been. He silently thanked the gods for allowing him to escape from that hellish place.

"Lutz-sama, I have come to a realization while continuing my role as an ally of justice."

"Oh, that sounds grand."

"Keeping good deeds hidden is not a wise approach. On the contrary, it's quite the opposite. When you perform good deeds, that's when you should spread the word."

"What do you mean?"

"When Samurai Mask helps people or defeats villains, those stories should be spread far and wide. People will feel safe with Samurai Mask in the city, and it will make it difficult for villains to operate. Spreading the name of Samurai Mask can serve as a deterrent."

Donald explained his vision clearly. Impressed, Lutz nodded in agreement.

"Well, you've given it quite a bit of thought. I thought you were just doing this as a hobby."

"Hobbies make up about half of it."

Donald replied with a hint of a smile. Lutz looked stunned for a while but then burst into laughter. Donald laughs as if he's being lured into it. It was a scene that made the worst relationship they had at the beginning seem like a lie.

“Now go. Everyone is waiting for the hero.”

Donald nodded and took out a mask from his pocket, putting it on and tying the strings behind his head.

He lifted his face. There stood the mysterious Samurai Mask!

"Hahaha! Farewell, Black Iron God!" 

With a swish of his cape, the masked man ran off. But just as he thought he was about to leave, he turned around near the exit of the materials storage.

"Lutz-sama, I am truly fulfilled now! And it's all thanks to you. Thank you very much!" 

Donald shouted and bowed deeply. Lutz waved his hand to usher him away.

Samurai Mask sprinted away. Today, he would create another legend. Little did he know that threats always come from behind.

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