“Ehm…… Come, inside”

　We were invited in…… I was so desperate to escape from the heat that I completely forgot that this is a witch’s house.

　……Is it really alright to go inside now?

“Excuse us~!”

“Please excuse us”

“Pardon our intrusion”

Even though Erin knows the matter of the witch, she entered without hesitation…… No, she just forgot it, didn’t she? I can’t tell this matter to the others like this.

　…… Alright, looks like nothing happened even after everyone entered, Now that the security is confirmed I can enter without a problem.

　――Hmpf, the inside seems like any ordinary house…… Mu?

“Hey, aren’t there any other people?”

“My parents, ehm…… had an accident…… so I live alone…… in this house”

“Hmpf, is that so?”

…………………………Ah.

“Dale……”
“Dale-dono……”

“Sir Hero……”

　Don’t look at me with such cold eyes! Even I understood that I said something wrong!

　I’m reluctant to lower my head to a human but it can’t be helped. That’s what these eyes looking at me also indicate……

“Ah~ Ehm~……I didn’t know……I’ve been careless, I’m sorry”

“Ah…… No…… I don’t mind…… Well then…… This way”

“Ah, yes……”

　……What’s with you?! Didn’t I apologize?! Why is the atmosphere still so heavy?!

“”””……””””

This silence is painful…… Too painful…… I didn’t know it was like that, so it’s not like it could have been helped, right?!

“Ehm……I am sorry, but……there’s only this room…… with only straw on the floor…… where you can sleep in……”

　It’s really only a room with straw on the floor.

　Though you can’t call this luxurious…… No, I’m not in any place right now to say that.

“No, don’t worry about it as long as we have a place to spend the night we are happy. We are thankful to have a bed, right, everyone?”

“Eh? Ah~ that’s right!”

“Ah, yeah! I love straw beds~!”

“U, umu. Isn’t it fine enough?”

　Those guys don’t want to change the topic at all, do they?…… I’m getting impatient, you know?

“Is that so?……Ehm, I’ll go prepare the meal…… so if there’s anything, please call.”

“Ye, yeah. Sorry for that”

　She’s gone.

　A meal, huh. Will something like a snake or a frog appear?…… Hm?

“””Staaaare~~~”””

　These guys, they are still staring at me with those eyes!!

“You B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲! Don’t look at me with those eyes! Why aren’t you happy?! Why didn’t you say anything after me in the first place?!”

“Dale-dono, as you were the one to say it you should do something about it on your own.”

“That’s right, that’s right”

“Right~ right~”

　Theeeese guuuuys!!

“That’s why I apologized though reluctant! Was that wrong?!”

“You were reluctant to apologize in that situation?! What are you saying?! Please think about Felicia-dono’s feelings!!”

　I mean, a human’s feelings are a mystery to me, how could I possibly say that to them?

“No, but, you see–”

“Hey~ Hey~ just leave that idiotic guy, there’s something I’ve been thinking about”

　The mood and this conversation were completely overthrown. This spirit really is too free-spirited……

　Rather, idiotic guy? Me?! You mean me?!

“……That’s right. Bertra, let’s leave this talk for later.”

“Haah…… Understood. So Erin, what were you thinking about?”

　Somehow it seems like I’m the only bad guy here…….

　What’s this? This unsatisfied feeling?

“So yeah, if Felicia is living alone here, I was wondered if she’s the witch”

　Oh, that, huh?

“……If she lives alone that might be the case–”

“Witch, you say!?”

“What’s with this?! I haven’t heard about that!?”

　Oh yeah, those two didn’t know about this.

　Explaining this is a pain, but…… It can’t be helped.

※

“I see, so the gatekeepers said something like that.”

“It’s certainly suspicious for her to cover herself with that robe like that, but a witch?……”

“Did she put some traps inside the house?”

“It’s puzzling that she refused us at first though. Wouldn’t you use the trap right from the start?”

“That’s right, huh~?”

“”””Hmmm……””””

　We don’t have much information so we don’t know anything at all.

“Ehm…… The meal is finished”

“”””!?””””

　When did she come here! I didn’t notice her coming in at all!?

“S-sorry to bother you, having to come over just to call us”

　As expected of the old man, an immediate reaction.

　How shameful…… My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth.

“Don’t be…… Ehm, what’s wrong with that person?”

　What’s wrong with who? What is she saying?……Wha?! That Erin, she was trembling with only her head inside the straw!! As I expected she’s overreacting!

“Eehm, this is~ you see~…… Right! There’s a tradition in her tribe where they aren’t allowed to let others see their tears! She was so happy about having a place to sleep and getting to eat a meal that she cried and she is now trying to hide her face because of that! Don’t worry about it!”

　I was desperate. Although it was me who said it, but who the hell would believe this?

“My, for there to be such a thing…… Then, after she has calmed down….. Please come over.”

　Eh? She believed that? She didn’t seem particularly different than before though.

　For her to believe something like that, what a strange girl.

“Dale-dono…… It seems like…… I haven’t heard about that before though?”

“…… I hope so. Hey, Erin, get your head out, she’s already gone”

“Moga,moga……Puha!”

　The only thing great about that fellow is that her ears are great.

“Hey~ hey~ Dale”

“Hm? What?”

“Do spirits really have such a tradition?”

　You are more stupid than I thought.

“…… It was a lie to deceive her, isn’t that obvious? Why did you even think about asking me about the traditions you have in the first place?”

“Right~? I thought it was strange.”

　Good grief, this lass…….

“Haah…… Let’s be more cautious for the time being”

“Right”

“Indeed”

“Got it~”

※

“Yaaaaaaaay!! Food! Food!”

“This looks delicious!”

“Ooh! What an appetizing meal!”

“This is!!”

　Before my eyes was a proper meal, something I wasn’t able to taste in the past week!! Is that what one calls happiness?!

　Eh, wait, wait! What would happen if I suddenly let my guard down?! I’ve lost control over myself after seeing this feast before me, how dangerous…… Looks like the others have also pulled themselves together.

“Hm~! Delishiiiiiiiish!!”」

　—-Except for this idiotic Spirit……

“Nom, nom! You all should eat too! Nom, nom! It’s really delicious!”

　……Looks like there’s nothing abnormal about the meal.
Alright! Now that I know that it’s safe to eat, thanks for the meal!

“Let’s see, let’s see……Hamu, ooh! Delicious!”

“Ish~ Hoooot~….. Aren’t we at the Oasis yeeet~?”

“……It’s as hot as before, didn’t you say the same thing for the last week?…….Good grief.”

“Buh~ Buh~! Well hot things are hot! I’m just voicing it out!”

　Ah~ she’s really annoying. Isn’t this desert journey getting much harder because of that?

　However……It’s not like I don’t understand why she’s complaining…… We walked quite a bit since then, when will we get there? Do people even live here in this remote place in the first place?!

　……If these gate keepers have deceived us I will f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g tear them apaaaaaaaaaaart!!!

“Oh? Is that it? ……There’s a single house visible next to the oasis.”

Hm!? What did you say just now?!

“Did we finally arrive there?! — Where is it?!”

“Look, it’s over there”

　The old man’s finger points to–.

“……There’s no oasis let alone a house…… Were you finally driven mad by the heat, old man?”

　Anywhere I look there’s just sand, sand, sand and more sand.

　Good grief! Making me feel happy so prematurely, that old fart!!

“How rude! I pride myself in my good eyesight! Did you take a good look?!”

　Even if you tell me to take a good look…… There’s nothing there.

“Ah! You’re right! There’s a house built there!”

　What?!

“Looks like what these gate keepers said was the truth, what a relief.”

　Eh?!

“Y-you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ can see something there?!”

“Yeah? I can see something…… Dale you can’t see that house?”

“Where your eyes that bad?”

　Gunununu!! Though this isn’t my real body, but what’s with this sense of humiliation?!

“Ah, could it be because of that insect repelling barrier?”

“Insect repelling barrier?!”

　Why is there a barrier set up? No, no, before that.

“Why can’t I see anything?!”

“Aah~ so that’s what is was, huh?”

　What was what?! Am I the only one who doesn’t know?!

“See, there are various types of insects in this desert, right?”

　There are a lot of them….. Some are even poisonous.

“There are, but what does that have to do with me not being able to see anything there?”

“It’s a weak barrier to confuse the sight of beasts and insects…… normally…… People can look…… through it……”

　So that means…… Ehm…….

“You’re telling me that the present me is on the same level of insects……right?”

“Looks like it”

“Looks like it……Not!! Why does the human me not see anything?! — is it that cursed sword’s fault because it sucked out my magical power?!”

“Like I said! It’s an angel’s sword not a cursed sword! And it’s not Absohaze’s fault!”

“You’re noisy! That’s how far you’ll argue! There! There!”

“Ouch!”

“Gyafun!”

Why must I always get hit by that old man…….

“Haah…… Anyway, let’s go”

　Though there’s nothing in the direction we are going–.

“Uoh!? What the hell?!”

　An oasis and a small house suddenly appeared!?

“It’s because we entered the barrier”

So that’s the house at the oasis, huh?

　Does the witch of the oasis live in this house like Erin, no the gate keepers said?

※

“Well then, let’s ask them, shall we?”

　……Well, I wonder what kind of person that witch is.

“Excuse me, is someone there?”

《……Yes……》

　A delicate voice could be heard, so there certainly lives someone here.

　…………Oh? The door opened a little.

“……Ehm…… Who…… Are you?”

　I can’t see that person’s figure properly through that door gap, but judging by that voice it seems to be someone young.

　I don’t know if it’s a girl or boy. Is it the witch’s child or grandchild……? Well, who is that person?

“I’m sorry, but we–”

※

　Well then, we explained our circumstances…… there wasn’t any reaction from that person.

“……”

I can’t see them, but it seems like they are taking their time thinking about this…… Right?

“Ehm…… uhm……”

　Oh, finally a reaction.

“……I’m sorry, but…… I can’t……let you lodge here……”

　We spent so much effort to get here! Give me a break!!

“Therefore……Please…… leave……”

Aah! The door is closing!

“Waaaaaait a seeeeeecoooond!! –Ouch ouch ouch ouch!!”

“Gya!”

　That Erin shoved her fingers in the gap!!

　Nice, we can somehow get her to let us lodge here!

“Ouch ouch ouch ouch!! Pleaseeeeee~~~!! Ouch ouch!! We walked ouch ouch!! Through the desert ouch ouch!! For a whole week already ouch ouch!! We couldn’t sleep properly ouch ouch!! We didn’t even have ouch ouch!! Have a proper meal ouch ouch!! I want to eat delicious foooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood ouch!!”

　What strongminded words, her desperation is amazing……

“Wha!? Bedding aside didn’t we have proper meals?!”

　The only ones who think those were proper meals are Bertra and the old man.

　No, more importantly we have to persuade that fellow!

“Bertra, there are more important things right now–”

“What do you mean by that?!……No, that’s right, we have other priorities right now. –Please! Somehow! Come on! Dale-dono lower your head as well!”

“Wha!? Why should I lower my head…… Wai!? Old man!? Why are you grabbing my head–”

“It’s fine already so just lower your head!”

“Ouuuuuch!!”

　He used too much power to make me forcefully lower my head! He should control that monstrous power of his…… If this continues like this, my neck might breaaaak!!

“That’s…… But……”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Pleeeaaase~!!”

“We beg of you!”

“Please show some consideration!”

“Ugaaah!! M, my neck!!”

“……………… Understood…… I’ll let you stay here for a night……”

Finally the door was opened……

　Hmpf, the one that appeared was shorter than Erin….. A boy? A girl?……Though they came out they wore a black robe and deeply pulled down the hood, so I can’t tell.

“Thank you very much!”

“You saved us”

“Alriiiiiiight!! Ouch, ouch, ouch……”

“Hey, old man, it’s fine already, so could you let go of me already……?”

“Wups, sorry, sorry.”

Looks like we can lodge here but the price we payed was high…… Erin’s fingers are swollen and my neck is staying bent……

“Ah, I apologize for this late introduction. I am called Bertra Touan.”

“I’m Darryl Bold”

“I’m Erin and that over here is Dale!”

“And I am…… Hey! Why did you introduce me, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!?”

“Isn’t it fine? There’s no particular reason, it just came out”

　Don’t say things however you want!!

“Ehm…… I’m Felicia. Felicia…… Meredith”

　Hmpf, so she was a girl, huh?

“We are there, this is Marelis Castle.”

　Dinesh’s eastern country, the Kingdom of Sand {Marelis}.

　After going through the desert for a week…… we have arrived at long last…….

　The daytime’s heat and the night’s coldness were both harsh…… But! It was literal hell to continue to eat Bertra’s cooking for that one week!! With this I am released from that!

“I’ll go inform the gate-keeper then.”

　Thus the cat-eared knight ran. These cat ears are supposedly just bed hair, but for some reason ever since the fight with Figueroa that bed hair didn’t seem to go away.

　Erin said that there’s a possibility of my magical power having influenced her…… This body has been partially changed as well so it seems possible…… Although I don’t know if it’s true, it seems like Bertra bore a huge grudge against me.

“Ah~~ Ish hot~ I want to quickly enter~ I want to eat delicious food~ I want to sleep in a bed~”

“I also want to eat delicious food and rest in a bed, you know?”

“Right, Sir Hero. After coming along with you there’s something I’ve been curious about”

　Something you’ve been curious about? Did I do something?

“……What is it?”

“This “Wagahai” ¹ and so on. Isn’t it a weird form of speech?”

“Eh!? Is it that strange?”

“……Well, it might be because of how you were brought up, but it’s rather out of place compared to today’s youth……”

　What’s with these extremely doubtful eyes he’s looking at me with?

　No, even if you tell me something like that, it’s impossible for me to fix it because it’s a habit already–.

“Why?!”

　Hm? What’s the matter?

　Looks like Bertra is confronting the gatekeeper for one reason or other.

“Why can’t we go inside?!”

　What?! We can’t go inside, you say?!

“Other than those who are from Marelis, everyone else is prohibited from entering. This is the command of Marelis’ King. Leave.”

　What the hell’s with this?!

“Like I said! We are messengers sent by the King of Alumgam–”

　Those guys, their faces look like they are done…… They won’t even lend us an ear………

　Uoh! Bertra’s face has turned bright red and she seems considerably mad.

“Krrk!! This is the letter written by King Reily Alumgam the third! It is a conveyance directed to Marelis’ King!”

“Haah~……I got it, I got it, I’ll keep the letter. Now, if you don’t have any other business, leave.”

……They are unapproachable.

“That’s! Hand it to him immediately! If you let your guard down the Demon Lord’s forces will……”

“The King is a busy person. Moreover if the Demon army does come we have the barrier stones and Marelis’ soldiers will be the ones to protect this Marelis. If you’ve understood hurry up and leave!”

　Can these guys only say leave, leave over and over?

“Don’t say such mean things~!”

　Erin flies around the gate keepers like a fly……

“Eei! How irritating!! How many times do I have to tell you–!?”

“Oi, that one is floating in the air!! Is it a Demon?!”

　Geh! They’ve readied their spears! There are some serious sparks flying here!

“Wait a minute! She’s certainly floating in the sky, but look at the wings on her back, she’s just a harmless spirit!”

“……Spirit, you say? …… I see. Oi, at ease!”

“However, even if it’s a spirit……”

“I don’t care”

“……Haah……”

　What a relief, they seem to be satisfied with just that.

“Are you guys that hero party who defeated Figueroa in Alumgam?”

　Hmpf, the speed at which this reached the outside is quite fast.

　If it’s already like that with the Human’s transmission system then it might really only be a matter of time until the Demon’s will start to move like Bertra said.

“That’s right! We are that hero party that defeated Figueroa! Ehen!”

　……You b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, you were basically just inside the sword. That’s not something to brag about, you know?

“So let us in already!”

　I don’t know where the “So” came from.

“Even if you are the hero party that defeated Figueroa, this and that are two different things. I cannot permit you to enter! The command of Marelis’ King is absolute”

　What’s with them……?

“Thaaaat~!”

“You B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲, if you don’t knock it off then–”

　Again with those spears, aren’t those guys blood thirstier than the demons?

“Those spears aren’t scary at all!! With this Erin-sama’s magic–”

　Haah…… Even if we continue to argue they won’t come to an understanding.

　I should stop Erin, huh?

“Hey Erin, calm down! There, there”

“Uga~! Let go of me, Dale!! I’ll sent them flying with a single blow!!”

“Erin, I’ll also hel–”

“Don’t do it!”

Aah! This one and that one as well!!

“Could you two knock it off?!”

“Ouch!”

“Gyafu!”

　The old man’s fist really hurts…… I experienced it with my own body.

“Fuuh…… I am sorry for the disturbance. We will pull back until Marelis’ King has granted us permission, but please take care of the matter with this letter.”

Will they really hand it over, these guys?

“Since you won’t let us enter are there any other towns or villages nearby? We aren’t familiar with this place and we didn’t see anything else while coming here.”

　That’s right! If there aren’t any towns or villages near by does that mean we have to camp out?! Right in front of a town?! Will it turn into something this ridiculous?!

　In the first place, if we have to camp out that means Bertra’s cooking…… I don’t want that anymoooooooore!!

“Aren’t there any?! Hey, are there any?! Oi!!”

　Please let there be one!!

“Tch, you’re a noisy one, aren’t you?……Yeah, that’s right, if you walk east from here there should be a small oasis. The person who lives there is–”

“Ehm, there is–”

“It’s fine so shut up. You should try visit that place because there’s a person living there……I don’t know if they will let you lodge there though”

　They are keeping something from us, but as long as I don’t have to camp out and am free of Bertra’s cooking I won’t complain.

“What shall we do, everybody?”

“Haah…… As long as I can rest somewhere anywhere is fine~”

“……There’s nothing else we could do”

　Bertra, don’t glare at them with those eyes, we might get into trouble again.

“We don’t have anywhere else to go, so why don’t we go and take a look?”

So we agree to go to the oasis, then?…… I hope we’ll arrive there quickly.

※

“……E,ehm…… Is this really fine? At that Oasis a witch is……”

“Leave them be, leave them be. It’s none of our business. Perhaps they’ll get along well when they meet. Guhahaha.”

※

“Hm~? There’s a witch at the Oasis?”

“There’s a witch at the oasis, you say? What’s with this?”

　What is that Erin saying all of a sudden?

“Dunno, those gatekeepers were saying that just now.”

“They said that, you say…… Wha!? Even though we are quite far away you could still hear their voices?!”

“Yeah, I was kind of curious so I listened to them. Usually there’d also be some noises mixed in, but if I concentrate then I can hear them from this distance.”

　If that’s the case there might be a possibility that she heard my conversation with those low ranked demons before, how dangerous……

　I won’t talk to them anymore, but I can’t allow her to listen in on my private things, so I have to be careful…… However–.

 “The Oasis’ witch…… is it? I have a bad feeling now for some reason……”

• [Vol. 3] Chapter 1 - We are the Hero Party who have defeated Figueroa!
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 2 - I am Felicia. Felicia…… Meredith
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 3 - What’s wrong with that person?
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 4 - You should learn how to show some hesitation, you Bastard!
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 5 - Looks like the General is “Violent Water Adia” of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 6 - I don’t feel like it, but I’ll do it this time
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 7 - Ufufufu~ do entertain me, okay?
• [Vol. 3] Chapter 8 - So you’re telling me to fight on my own, is it?

“Hahahaha…… Imperial command? Receiving? Persuasion? What is this?”

　What on earth is going on? Even though that old lady seemed to have settled everything, our side is still troubled.

“Could you please explain this properly? We don’t know anything about this.”

“Ah, my apologies. –Ehem…… Well then, I shall convey you my fooli, King Riley’s imperial command. Master Fighter Darryl, you shall lend your strength to Hero Dale-dono and subdue the Demon Lord Dalewatts together with him.”

“””Yes?”””

No, no, about him lending his strength or something, we fought together just now, but…… The old man is in such a state now.

　……Such a……state……….

“Ah~ please wait with this conversation a little. Bertra, could you get the old man out.”

　It’s impossible. I can’t concentrate on this conversation while he looks like that.

“Ah, right”

“Ah~ are you getting me out of here at last?…… Good grief……”

※

“No~ It’s wonderful to be able to move freeeely~ Hoi, hoi!”

　He just came out of the ground and is now stretching…… He really is an energetic old man. He doesn’t seem to be tired at all, but I am already very exhausted.

“So, back to the conversation……It was about me going along with Sir Hero on this subjugation, right?”

“Yes, however, even if it’s an imperial command you were still undergoing punishment…… so you might still hold some dissatisfaction, that’s why I came to persuade you. Though it seems like it was a fool’s errand.”

　Dissatisfaction? Far from it. It seems like he was able to enjoy his retirement because of it.

“Fumu, I’ve understood what you said…… I’ve grown rusty in some places though. What about Hamlit and Ryuna? Don’t you think those two are more suitable than me?”

……Aaagain names I don’t know got mentioned.

“Bertra, who are Hamilt and Ryuna?”

“Aah, Hamilt-sama is those two people’s son and Ryuna is Hamilt-sama’s daughter. Ryuna is the same age as me. Both of them are knights of Alumgam.”

　I see, two younger people certainly seem more suitable than a retired old man.

“Hamilt is now at the Western Fort acting as a Guardian Captain of Alumgam Kingdom, Ryuna is also on the way to the same Western Fort for the protection of the Kingdom. So, right now, in this country! Someone who is highly skilled! And has a lot on time on their hands! Is you! Who stands as straight! As a white feathered arrow!”

“Understood! I got it so you don’t have to make such a face! It’s scary!”

Ah~, that’s how it was, you’re saying you can’t afford to reduce the man power of the main force…….

　Mu? In that way, we won’t have any disadvantage as well.

“So Bertra, why did you want to come with us? Shouldn’t you also be in the main force?”

　The King also felt reluctant to let Bertra go.

“……That’s……My father was killed by one of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings [Fire Eater Fraser], therefore–”

　I see……

“……You came with us for revenge, is it?”

“Fraser……. I have to, no matter what…… no matter what……”

　It seems better not to continue talking about this, this topic shouldn’t be touched with Bertra.

　……And while I was talking to Bertra the old man was sitting in Seiza again.

“So! Do you! Have! Any Problem! With that?!”

“None……”

“So I take it you accept then?”

“……Yes”

　Looks like they settled various things without us, though…..

　He originally planned to go with us to escape, so I don’t know how it became like this.

“Dale-sama”

“Ah, yes?”

“Please, take care of my husband…… Darryl”

“Ah, no, same goes for me”

Hah! I was tempted to also lower my head! Even though the one before me is a humaaaaaaaan!

“Well then, with this the talks have concluded”

　Without my consent……

“Therefore, we will now go and prepare the victory celebration in Alumgam Castle”

　What? A celebration, you say?!

“Allriiiiiight! It’s rice~!”

“I’m huuungry~”

It’s only been a day but after being fed Bertra’s food I really missed the castle’s food.

“Then please board the carriage we will take you to Alumgam castle”

“Yeeees~!”

　That Erin flew into the carriage with some frightening speed.

“Salisa-sama, we thank you for your goodwill. However……”

　Huh? What’s this bad feeling?

“My apologies, but we cannot return to the castle now”

“”Eh!?””

　As I thooooooouuught! What is she saying?!

“Eh!? What did you say just no –Fugya!!”

　Ah, Erin bumped into the carriage. .

　No, more importantly!

“Oi! Do you understand what you are saying?!”

“Ouch…… That’s right, Bell! What are you saying?! Did you hit your head?”

　The one who hit her head is you, though.

“Did you eat something bad?! Then why don’t you just spit it out right now?!”

　That, if you say that, does that mean it’s just me who thinks that Bertra’s cooking is bad?

“I know what I’m saying, I didn’t hit my head and I didn’t eat anything bad either!”

　……No matter what we say it’s useless on Bertra.

“We defeated one of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings. It will only be a matter of time before the other Heavenly Kings start to move. We have to act before it’s too late…… Isn’t that right?!”

　Even if you say “Isn’t that right?!”!

　Her rushing like that is definitely that idiot Fraser’s fault! Even though I want to rest!

“No! I know what you want to say, but isn’t just a little fi–”

“Bertra…… Your intentions are strong. Understood, I shall tell that to my foolish brother.”

“–ne……Eeh!?

　Wait, what about my opinion?

“Wait!!! I want to eat deliiiiiiiiiiiiicious food and I want to sleep in a fluffy and soft bed! I’m opposed to how things are going right now!”

“My age is advanced so my physical fitness has also deteriorated…….”

　That Bertra, she’s calmly preparing for our departure without even listening to them……

“—-There’s a town ahead, let’s prepare to go there.”

　Eei! This is also what Bertra wants to do, alright! I said that with a whack.

“Ehem, Bell–”

“Erin, give it up……It’s already come to this so it’s useless…… Let’s go……”

“Buh~buh~”

“—-Bertra, let’s hurry up and…… Eh…… Huh? Nobody’s there?”

“If you mean the others they are already gone, you know?”

“What?!”

　Wha?! They’ve already went ahead!

“Dale-dono what are you doing~?! Let’s hurry up and go~!”

“You Baaaaaastaaaaaards!! Listen to me when I taaaaaaaaaaaaalk!!”

“For goodness sake! No matter if it was to defeat him, Bell is still a girl! To stab hear thigh with all your might! –Don’t worry, Bell, I’ll heal it so that not even a scratch remains.”

“Thank you……Erin”

“Don’t say it like I’m the bad guy here”

　Even if she says this, it couldn’t be helped since this was the only available part and the more the blade touches that part the more magical power could be sent.

“Ooooi~! It’s also important that you do something about this here!?”

Since the magical power disappeared the red stone swamp returned back to normal, hence the old man who we used as a stepping stone and sank into the swamp up to his waist seemed as if he was growing out of the ground, what a mysterious scene…….

“Sorry, old man, but my power isn’t enough to cut through stone and I can’t use magic to save you”

“Uuh……”

　If I used the most extreme explosion magic the old man would be in danger, but I can’t just leave him there, huh?……Isn’t there something like a blunt weapon somewhere? If I smash the stone with that then–　

“Darryl-sama, I’ll help you as soon as this wound is healed. I can cut through that with the remaining magical power.”

　If it’s that Zankoutou then you can do it, because those stones are just of normal density, far from the density of Orichalcum.

“Oh yeah~ We were just in battle, but neither Bell nor grandpa Darry used magic, right? Why is that?”

　……Hmmm, ever since Erin came here there’s been an unnatural variation in what she does and doesn’t know.

“……Huh? Did I say something weird just now?”

　Haah, though explaining this is a pain, it can’t be helped as it’s important for future battles.

“In Bertra’s case she couldn’t use it even if she wanted to because her magic swords require magical power. Same goes for inherent magic, so when Figueroa used his red stones he couldn’t have used any other magic.”

“Ah~ Now that you say it~ I see. Huh? But grandpa Darry didn’t use magic swords or inherent magic, right?”

　Right? I wanted to ask about that as well.

“That’s something I was curious about as well. If you can use magical power to strengthen your body, normally shouldn’t you be able to use magic as well?”

“Ehm……not good……”

　What is it? Did he have some reason?

“Ehm…… That’s right! Since I’m a real man I use my fists and this body to fight! It’s not because I’m bad at using magic!”

　I thought there was some deep reason, but he’s just bad at using magic!!
Also for that amazing person they call the Master Fighter…… to have such a weakness.

“How’s that possible…… to have such a reason……”

　Looks like Bertra was hearing this for the first time as well, huh…… It’s greatly disappointing. I have no idea if this Hero called Master fighter is amazing or not. Now I’m also doubtful of that Master Swordsman.

※

　Well then, looks like the soldiers were cleaning up afterwards and while Bertra is treated and the old man gets rescued I’m able to slowly rest, huh.

　Hm? Something’s coming towards us. Is that…… a carriage? Why is a carriage coming to this place? Ah, it stopped?

　――Oh, someone came out of it. It’s a refined elderly lady wearing a purple dress….. She’s coming this way…

“Dear!”

“Ugeh! Sa-Salisa!? Why are you here?!”

　Hooh, that’s the old man’s wife, huh? She certainly gives of a strong-willed impression.

　Bertra as well. Are all women of this country like that?

“While I was on my way to your house, urgent news arrived that you were fighting here and — For what reason are you in this foolish state?!”

“No! Wait! I’m not fooling around! While I was in battle–”

“What happened in that battle for you to end up like that?! Hurry up and come out of there!!”

That figure of him growing out of the ground can’t be helped but seen as him fooling around. He doesn’t look like someone having fought a battle at all.

“He-hey! Don’t pull at me! It hurts, it hurts! Guys, safe meeee!”

　The old man struggled desperately to escape, but he can’t run away like this.

“Sa-Salisa-sama, Darryl-sama really was, tch~”

“Ah~ Bell, don’t move. I’m not done closing it yet”

“My! What might have happened? Bertra, will you be fine with that wound?!”

“Hey, wai!? Guho!”

　While the old woman took off to Bertra she exquisitely kicked the old man in the face. It seemed like she was kicking a ball, but was that just my imagination?

“Oi! Because of that I have a noseble–”

“I’ll take care of you later!…… Aah, poor Bertra”

“……Even I’ll cry, you know?……”

　She treats that old man so badly, I wonder what kind of life…… No, thinking about it, this is the natural consequence of his actions, isn’t it?

“Yes, since Erin is treating it now”

“Leave it to me~”

“Is that so? If it’s like this that’s fine then”

“……I’m not fine though……”

　Now that she mentions it, the wounds I got from Figueroa have almost completely healed as well.

　Erin’s healing magic is quite something. It will be indispensable in future battles.

　It’s a good thing but also a bad thing…… right?

“Aah! Pardon my late introduction. I am Darryl’s wife, Salisa is my name.”

I already know about you.

“First of all…… Hero Dale-sama, Erin-sama, Bertra, you splendidly defeated Figueroa. Thank you very much, I shall reward you in place of my foolish bro….. I mean, King Riley”

“Ah…… No……”

　Foolish?…… Where you about to say “my foolish brother” just now? No matter how much he’s your little brother he’s still the country’s King, you know?!

“And now…… Deear!”

“Yes!”

The old man’s upper body which was not buried in the ground stiffened up.

“I sent you a letter telling you to stay home, didn’t I? Could it be that you didn’t read it?!”

“No…… About that~ Well~ Uhm……”

　How could he say that he tried to run away?

“– However, let’s forgive you this time”

“Heh? You forgive me?…… Why?”

“The reason why I was going to your base was to directly convey the imperial command of my foolish brother to you. I came to persuade you, as my foolish brother was worried you might not accept it.”

　You clearly said “My foolish brother”, you know?…… I don’t want to say anything, but is this country alright……?

“However, for you to already join the Hero before I could even convey the imperial command…… I was surprised as well, but as expected of you.”

“Eh? N, no~ even so, Da~hahahaha……”

　Oi! You came here to escape from that old woman, you old fart!!