In Love with the Inner Beauty

So this is Ratle, you say? It is indeed beautiful. And good to see that even in the past people had an eye for beauty.

Not that it holds a torch to my beloved Unigan. But a valiant attempt nonetheless.

Can't argue there; Unigan is a great place. But, you know, there's still loads of pretty places in this time too.

The fact that so much beauty exists in this world is a thing of beauty itself.

Excuse me, gentlemen. Apologies for the interruption, but are you warriors, perchance? You see, I am searching for someone with a reliable sword arm.

A warrior? I wouldn't know about that, but we've seen our fair share of battle. Isn't that right, Nero?

My fine lady, I pride myself as the man with the finest fists in the world. If you are looking for merely a reliable sword arm, then I suggest you look elsewhere.

Oh I... Sorry to have bothered you.

Nero, that was harsh. Let's at least listen to what she has to say.

As you wish. I have yet to make a name for myself in this time. Looks like I will have to pay my dues once more.

Anyway, do you mind if I ask why you need a strong warrior?

To save someone. A friend. We have known each other for the longest time.

Has something happened to them?

He journeyed to the Vasu Mountains to retrieve some manner of precious stone. But, as I am sure you are aware, the place is crawling with terrifying monsters. I doubt that someone like him with no battle experience at all will ever make it through that place alive.

Is that all? Bring your friend back to you?

Yes. He left early this morning, so if you make haste, you should be able to catch up with him before it is too late. So please, please save him for me!

Not a bad start to show the people of this time just how strong the resplendent Nero is. Then my fists will become legend. Tales of their mighty feats will be passed down through generations, transcending time itself.

Umm, sure, if you say so... Anyway, thank you for your help!

Then let us be off to the Vasu Mountains. Aldo, come. We've not a moment to lose it seems.

Whaaa! Monsterareyouamonster?!

Whoa! Just calm down! We've come to save you.

Oh ok. Wait, no. Who are you, exactly?

A childhood friend of yours asked us to come and get you.

Oh, her? But why?

She was worried for your safety when you insisted on coming to a place like this by yourself. Really, did you think it was a good idea doing something stupid like this?

I'll have you know someone very important to me said, if I were able to bring her back a jewel from these parts, she would marry me.

Wait, and that isn't the girl who asked us to come get you?

She's just a good friend is all. The apple of my eye is a girl of noble heritage.

A highborn girl, eh? Sending a wet blanket like you all the way to a place as dangerous as this, alone? You know, I think she may just be playing you for a fool, fella.

Don't you talk about her like that! She said if I can show her I'm tough enough to get this jewel, that she would give me her hand in marriage!

Well, from where I'm standing, it just looks like a rich girl is having her fun with a guy who's in on over his head.

You wanna go?! I throw a mean right hook!

Okay, that's enough! Nero, you're not helping right now.

Whatever. I could care less about your bleak life. The sooner we can get that precious stone of yours and get you out of here the better. Just tell us where we can find it.

It should be deep in the Vasu Mountains. The only problem is there's a nest full of vicious monsters in that area too.

But I don't need any help from either of you! If I don't do this on my own, she'll never think that I'm worthy of her hand in marriage, will she?!

W-Wait a second! It's too dangerous to go alone! Nero, let's get after him!

*sigh* This is not going to go well.

It looks like he went this way.

Think he has already been eaten?

Even as a joke, that's going a bit far.

Ohhh nooo! Heeelp!

I knew this would happen. Come on, we gotta hurry!

*deeper sigh*

I guess now is a better time than ever to prove to this time period that my fists are the finest there are. Hey, Loverboy! I'll save you now, but only on the condition that you watch every moment of my majesty as I do so!

Th-Thank you. If you hadn't turned up, I...

Save the thanks for later. Are you hurt?

I'm fine. But it looks like I'm really not cut out for battle after all.

I don't think I can face her again after this.

Well, why don't you just tell her that you did?

What?! But... B-But that would be lying! I can't do that!

All she told you was to fetch some stupid stone, right? Fending off monsters is just an added bonus. And lying is such an ugly word. All you'll be doing is embellishing the story... To make you seem like less of a failure.

Embellishing the story, huh? Also, hey! I'm not a failure, that hurts.

Yeah, we can back you up, too, saying you did it all on your own. We just have one condition in exchange.

Condition? What kind of condition?

That Aldo and I can be with you when you give that highborn girl that shiny stone of yours.

I don't see the harm in that. Very well.

Then it's decided. Well, looks like that was the last of the monsters anyway, so off you go, get that jewel.

O-Okay!

Why did you ask for that anyway?

I have to see for myself just what kind of woman can make a man go to such extremes, is all. You never know, she might be my type.

I found one! With this little thing I'll finally be able to marry the love of my life!

That's great. So where are you going to give her that thing then?

She lives in Palsifal Palace. So I thought I would take it straight to her there.

Makes sense. Well then, I suppose we'd best head there, so that we too may bask in her ladyship's magnificence.

Oh, it's you. What are you doing back here?

I did it! I really did it! I've got you the jewel you asked me to find for you.

Jewel? Ohh, that. Wait, you actually went and got it? I was so sure you'd give up before you even left the city walls.

Give up?! Never! After all, you promised that you would give me your hand in marriage if I did. Did you not?

Well, yes, maybe I did say something like that. But I didn't think you would actually go out and get it, did I?!

Really...

I'm from a noble family that has direct connections with the royal bloodline. I could never marry someone so...common. But enough of you, pleb. Tell me, who is your confoundedly handsome friend there?

He is gorgeous. Such a strong body, but with an exquisitely elegant face. True beauty. Now that is marriage material.

Wh-What?! I can't believe what I'm hearing!

Please, as a favor to me you must introduce us.

But I got you the jewel! I did it all for you!

Hey, don't get ahead of yourself there. If we hadn't taken care of those monsters, you'd never have got hold of the stone.

Nero! What are you doing?

Oh, is that so? I knew you couldn't have done that alone. I mean, look at you, you exude uselessness.

But, we had a deal...

I think it's best you just head on back home now. Why don't you give that stone to someone who really is important to you?

*sniff*

I was bored around the palace so I thought I'd have a little fun with him, but he was even more boring, can you believe it?

But less of him, and more of you. Tell me, whatever should I call you?

Why? I don't see any point in saying my name to someone that I'll never meet again. Do you?

What? What are you talking about?

Because I hate people like you. People who boast about who they're connected to or who their family is. And I especially despise people who look down on others because of their privilege. I can't think of anything more repulsive.

Awawawa, huh? I don...

I love all that is beautiful indiscriminately. Which makes me not just sensitive to beauty, but also to all that is ugly. When I look into your eyes, I see a soul that is desperately poor. It's a particular kind of ugly. Even just talking to you now feels like I have lost years off my life.

Meee? Uglyyy?! Get out of my palace now!

Oh don't worry, I'm going. Like I said, just talking to you is torture.

Why did you say all that? You ruined that guy's chance to marry her.

No reason really. I just couldn't stand her grotesqueness. Enough of dwelling on ugly matters, let's get back to Ratle. I need to see beautiful women again, to forget what I have just witnessed.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But you mustn't feel too down. She just does not understand how special you really are.

Th-Thanks. After hearing all those things she said, I realized something. Her and I are from completely different worlds.

You got the bad end of the stick, must be rough.

I'm fine now, really. Actually I kinda feel like a weight's been taken off my shoulders. I think I might owe that Nero guy a thank you.

It was you who sent him and his friend to come find me, wasn't it?

I was just concerned for your well-being.

Thank you. Worrying for a fool like me. But why? Why have you always been so kind to me?

I've never really given it much thought. But, I just feel like I can't smile when you are not around.

......

So, err... Would you take this jewel?

Really, are you sure?

Really sure. It was something Nero said. I should give it to someone who's really important to me. That's why I want you to have it.

You knew that she liked him, didn't you? So you got him away from that highborn lady.

She had a pure heart. Even though it must have been tough for her, she put that guy's feelings before her own. I just gave him a little push to realize that. I adore beauty that can be perceived by the eye, but I also like the beauty that comes from within, too.

Look, just look at how she looks at him. There is nothing more beautiful than that twinkling look in her eyes now.

I hadn't noticed that before, but you're right.

I think it is time to put this all behind us now. I do not doubt that he will come around to how she feels all in good time, too.