The wild instincts seemed to warn of danger as I saw a flock of wild birds fly away in a large group in the distance. It was understandable. Even with my naked eye, I could sense a malevolent killing intent emanating from the two of them. Animals sensitive to signs of disaster would surely feel it even more strongly.
“Efil, Rion, Sera—can you all hear me? This is an emergency.”
I sent telepathic messages, but there was no response. This purple barrier surrounding us, different from the battle arena, seemed to be obstructing my magic power. My summoning magic also appeared ineffective against anything outside the barrier, remaining stubbornly unresponsive. I estimated it to be the same type as the one placed on Trisen Castle, but they were quite prepared. I could only hope someone in my subordinate network would notice the disruption. For now, those within my magic power were Boga and Mudo. And within my robe—
“This is indeed an emergency. More than anything, the act of killing you is a foolish act that cannot be forgiven, even if it was Ange.”
“Melfina, you were awake—I see! You, you were asleep within my magic power!”
If a sleepy Melfina had bad luck, her HP would be drained like Sera when drunk. My exhaustion and reluctance to wake her turned out to be fortunate. Summoning was possible within the barrier.
“…You are surprisingly calm, aren’t you?”
“In what way? In battle, one should remain calm, even if excited.”
“No, that is… I meant, weren’t you shocked by the betrayal of your friend, Ange?”
“…Mhm.”
Betrayal, huh. Even I was shocked. To be killed by a friend I trusted. It was impossible not to be shocked. However, I also found myself accepting it. For reasons I couldn’t quite understand… Ange was close to Sera and Rion, and Gerard among the males. They all said Ange held feelings for me. I also had feelings for Ange, as a friend. But what they all spoke of were emotions akin to what Efil or Sera might feel towards me. I’d always struggled to understand that part.
“Kelvin♪”
Ange’s unchanging smile. With that smile, she had often appeared behind me silently. Each time, I was startled and felt a thrill. With that status of hers (which turned out to be disguised), she had the skill to outmaneuver me. I had always wondered how much skill she would attain if she leveled up and grew.
“…Ah, I see.”
“You, sir?”
Beneath her affection, Ange harbored a madness that craved my head. On the other hand, beneath my affection, I felt a desire to fight the completed Ange. I understood now why it didn’t quite fit when described as common romantic love. Though similar, they were completely different emotions. However, in a sense, this—
“—Perhaps I was in love with Ange.”
“You, sir!?”
Thinking that, my heartbeat naturally quickened and the corners of my mouth turned up.
“While it’s good that you’re smiling more than you have recently, I cannot let that statement stand! How could you make such a blatant remark about infidelity in front of your wife! How could you! …Mmmph!”
Ah, yes. This is how our relationship should be described. We were originally good rivals. What should I do? Looking at Ange’s face, my excitement doesn’t stop. I have to do this right now.
“…Ah, that’s right. You too went berserk when battle was involved.”
“I always tell you not to read people’s minds. Well, if that’s the case, this will be quick. Melfina, I’ll leave Baal to you. I will accept Ange’s feelings.”
“I’m still not satisfied with how you say things, but I will follow you with a magnanimous heart. As the legal wife!”
Alright, that concludes our high-speed telepathic conversation for now. I turn my back on Baal and face Ange.
“This has become a death trap. For a battle maniac like you, it must be to your liking, right? …Wait, where are you looking?”
“Kelvin?”
“Ange, I’m sorry I didn’t realize it until now. I want to respond to your feelings with all my might.”
I reached into ‘Storage’, which connected to subspace, and held Disaster, the Black Staff, in my right hand and Foolish Saint Sword Clive in my left.
“Ignoring me…? Hmm…”
A high-pitched ringing sound began behind me, but I couldn’t focus on it now. I couldn’t. Besides, my back is protected by a reassuring goddess.
“What do you mean by ignoring? The person you’re facing is a Summoner.”
Melfina appeared with the light of a magic circle, pointing the tip of her Sacred Spear Luminary at Baal.
“—Reincarnated Goddess, Melfina.”
“I’m Mel for now, and soon to be Mel Celsius.”
“…A god indulging in pleasure, huh. As I thought, you are not fit to be a god. Fine. In the name of the Judge, I will sentence you.”
—
— Gaun Main Street
Three black winds tore through the townscape of Gaun. Their destination was the Gaun Grand Arena, the place where Kelvin had been summoned by Ange.
“Gerard-jii, was what you said earlier true?”
“Wong? (True?)”
“It’s the honest truth. I saw it with my own eyes, peeking in! The King, Ange is in danger!”
Gerard, Rion, and Alex were running at full speed. While everyone else had the sense to close their subordinate networks, Gerard, who had been taking advantage of Kelvin’s open network to spy, had called everyone in a panic.
“As Ange was about to confess, that red-haired girl appeared! And just then, my vision was blocked!”
“Kel-nii told me to be wary of that child, Baal, and if that’s true, it’s a very dangerous situation.”
“Groo groo (Let’s hurry).”
“Yeah, you’re right! Gerard-jii, we’ll go ahead—”
“Wait! There’s someone in front of us!”
As Rion and Alex tried to go ahead, Gerard, uncharacteristically, raised his voice and stopped Rion. The arena was just ahead. However, a human shadow stood blocking their path. A man clad in battered, torn light armor, with what looked like a sword at his waist. His messy black hair gave him the appearance of an adventurer returning from a long journey.
“Hey, we meet again.”
Rion had seen the man before. And very recently at that.
“Uncle?”
The man was the nameless swordsman who had fought Rion and lost in the third round of the Beast King Festival. His lethargic demeanor was unchanged, but he exuded an aura that made it hard to let down one’s guard.
“Rion, don’t let your guard down. This guy is strong.”
“Yeah… Uncle, were you holding back when you fought me today?”
“Well, I’m not good at standing out. And I don’t have a hobby of cutting down little girls like you, so I ended up forfeiting. The Judge seemed to be doing well too.”
The man looked down at the hilt of his sword with listless eyes.
“Let me give you a warning. It’s better not to go any further from here. Because monsters are fighting.”
The moment the man said that, a tremendous roar echoed from around the center of the arena, and its impact passed through Rion and Gerard.
“See? Good children should be sleeping now, so I’d be grateful if you’d turn around. I want to go home and sleep too.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Grraaaaaa…!”
“Indeed. I don’t know who you are, but if you stand in our way, we will push through.”
Seeing them all draw their swords, the man sighed heavily.
“So it has to be this way, huh… I guess I should introduce myself. I am the Ninth Pillar, ‘Survivor’. Treat me as you will.”
