Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! (無職の英雄 別にスキルなんか要らなかったんだが)

Did you find him?

Yes.

One of Kureha's subordinates saw him taking flight from the City of Magic.

Alright. Make sure we stay one step ahead of him.

Yes, ma'am!

So we can finally meet, Arel.

Has it been awhile since you were in your home village?

Yeah. I haven't been back since I came to the City of Magic,

so it's been about a year.

Hmm...

What is it?

Nothin' much, just that I can't even imagine what kinda people your folks are, Boss.

My parents are normal villagers.

There you go again.

Guess you're gonna tell me that they're classless too?

Actually, my mother is a Sword God and my father is a Magelord.

That ain't normal at all!

Should we stay there tonight?

Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?!

The Empress' Empire

Ah, this is refreshing.

The water feels great.

May I join you?

Sure. I guess it did say this place allows mixed bathing.

Yes.

Ah, this feels amazing.

What's your name?

It's Arel.

Oh...

And you're not gonna tell him your name?!

Come here often?

No, it's my first time.

I happened to find this place on my way back to my home village.

Boss...

She's not just some regular lady, you know.

I can tell.

You don't care if she attacks

because the only thing on your mind is: "Heck yeah, I get to see new skills!" huh?

You know me so well.

Yeah, whatevs.

Arel, what is the purpose of your journey?

Let me think...

To get stronger, I guess.

Do you like to fight?

Not necessarily.

I just want to find out how strong I can get as someone who's classless.

Are you really classless?

I am.

Got any skills?

None in particular, but that hasn't held me back.

People don't make fun of or laugh at you?

I suppose they might.

But it doesn't bother me.

Hmm...

You should come to my home. The Empire.

In the Empire, there are no people that will laugh at you for your class.

Her Majesty has banned that behavior.

You would have an easy life.

That sounds like a good country.

It is. So come with me.

No, I'll have to refuse.

Why?

I told you before, I'm not having any problems.

Besides, there's somewhere else I want to go.

But...

Goodbye.

You sure about turning down her offer?

You're on my case too?

Nah, it's just that you might be happy living in the Empire or whatever, Boss.

And when that happens, you can get rid o' me!

And so, I might be free...

Too bad, but no.

Aw, man!

Well, people have different things that float their boats I suppose.

Stop.

I am one of the Eight Imperial Generals, Shinobi Princess Kureha.

By order of Her Majesty the Empress, you will come with me.

I told you I wasn't going.

You must.

The empress' orders cannot be defied.

I don't care.

I have nothing to do with that empress.

And why is the leader of that country looking for me anyways?

I'm not certain, but it's a very important mission.

Her Majesty the Empress has been searching for a classless man named Arel for a long time.

That doesn't change my mind.

Her Majesty is a goddess.

She will do you no harm.

Don't make me say it again. I'm not going.

I see. In that case...

If it's a fight you want, then I won't show mercy either.

The Blink Dash?!

About ten people, huh?

How about you stop hiding and show yourselves?

How did you know we were there?

We all used the Stealth skill to hide our presence.

Even so, you can't erase the fact that people are there.

One person may fly under my radar,

but ten of you give me enough uneasy vibes to notice.

Huh, there's no way...

Lady Kureha...

You're alright, aren't you?

Yes, I'm fine.

Oh...

Her Divine Protection has hardly dissipated.

She's young, but clearly the strongest one of this group.

No!

Your adorable face is covered in mud, Lady Kureha!

Focus on capturing him!

Be careful. He isn't a mere classless person.

Everyone attack at once!

Yes ma'am!

Hurry! At this rate, Kureha's gonna steal all the credit!

We must catch the classless Arel as soon as possible for Her Majesty.

Wha...?

What happened?!

How many people were you up against?

We fought...

one...

A classless...

Ridiculous! One person, and classless at that, did this to you all?

Just who is this classless Arel?

What, are more of your friends here?

I told ya, Boss. We should hurry outta here.

But all the fighting made me hungry again.

Is this one Arel?

Well, he definitely has the aura of a formidable foe.

However...

I am Dragon Princess Dora, one of the esteemed eight generals of the empire!

Classless Arel, you will come and see Her Majesty the Empress!

Wait right there!

As Beastlord Tirga, that duty is mine!

Gotcha.

You can all come at me at once or attack me one after another.

However, I have one thing to ask of you all.

I want each of you to attack with your best skill possible.

That's what I'd like to see.

Sure.

Your body's going to pay for that bill your slick mouth rang up!

Please don't die until we've brought you in front of Her Majesty, okay?

Hope you're ready!

Shucks. None of them showed me any notable skills.

Boss...

You really need to start thinking of yourself as being superhuman.

You think so?

Anyway, I wish I knew why this Empress is so desperate to have me.

Her Majesty reigns supreme as the strongest of the land...

Oh, you've already come to?

That was quick.

You are strong.

However, you are no match for the skill of the Empress!

A skill that I'm no match for, huh...

I'm curious what kind of skill it could be.

Does it work differently from Mom's swordsmanship and Dad's magic?

You're joking, yeah?

Okay, let's head there now.

Whaaaa??

Is this the imperial castle?

Thanks for going out of your way to come here.

I am Battle Princess Riana, one of the Eight Imperial Generals.

I am one of the same, Specterlord Igbergia.

Her Majesty requests your company at her throne.

I am Great Saint Feena.

P-please come quietly.

I'm Pirate Princess Kinna!

Since you're here, wanna battle?

If you're showing me skills, I'll battle as much as you want.