"If you're a new warrior candidate, you should listen to your seniors more carefully!!"
"Aren't I a warrior??"
"..sorry."
"I thought I'd be popular here just because I'm popular outside, but here it's all about skill."
"...I will be careful."
"Enough, I can't teach you any more today. Go home now."
So my senior disappeared, leaving me in the forest. Irritated, I turned and walked deeper into the monster-infested forest. Truthfully, I was better at slaying monsters than he was, and he had been jealous of me, so he had gone ahead of me. Truthfully, he was the kind of person who would not only not treat a more talented junior better, but would even trample on the buds. Thinking of my senior, I entered the deeper, darker forest.
"....I'll see you again soon."
With that resolve, I ventured deeper into the forest. After walking for perhaps a few dozen minutes, I heard the presence of a monster nearby. The monster had wreaked havoc on the kingdom, and posters adorning its capture offered the title of warrior. I'd come deep into the forest to capture it. Naturally, the monster lunged at a human I'd never seen before, so I took a deep breath and drew my sword. It was an ambiguous length—longer than a one-handed sword, but short enough for a two-handed one—not many could wield it. However, with my relatively large hands, grip strength, and arm strength, I was able to wield it with ease.
I took off the robe I was wearing outside my clothes, assumed a fighting stance, and without a moment's hesitation, ran forward and jumped high up to the monster's eye level.
And then, quickly grasping the general structure, I slashed the monster's head off in one swift motion, landing lightly on the ground. I lightly wrapped the monster's neck next to me in a cloth and headed for the kingdom.
"What!? Why are you so late?"
My senior scolded me harshly, but I simply ignored him and walked towards the palace. I heard a swearing from behind, but I still lightly ignored him.
"No one is allowed to pass here. Please show your pass."
Palace guards stopped me as I tried to enter the palace. I sighed and removed my robe hood, revealing my face and uncovering my hair, which had been wrapped.
"I came here for this."
The guards, having discovered the identity of the wrapped head, only then allowed him to enter the palace.
I walked down the long hallway and stood before the door to the audience chamber. I knocked and was told to come in. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The audience room was larger than expected, and there were quite a few subjects there.
“What brings you here?”
Seeing him in his worn robes, the courtiers laughed at me. The king's gaze, seemingly unconcerned with anything, stung me.
I silently placed my wrapped head on the floor and knelt. The king gazed at the head, then ordered a servant beside him to untie the cloth. The servant stepped forward and untied the neatly tied knot. The knot came undone, revealing the severed head.
"Ugh... ughhhhhhhhhh!!!!"
The courtier screamed and fell backward. "What a fool," I thought, silently waiting for the king to speak.
"..You are worthy of the title of warrior. Bring me the token of the warrior."
A minister hurried out of the audience room and came back carrying a golden box.
The robes bearing the insignia of this country's warriors were truly honorable.
"I thought a bulky suit would be more harmful to you, so I decided on a light scarf. Do you like it?"
"...I like it. Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful."
I thought I could live a better life now
Was it just another vain dream?