In the center of the sandy field, two Dragon People clashed bare-fisted. The guild members of “Epic Seeker” surrounded them, cheering and watching the incredibly powerful martial arts match. Some even held drinks in their hands.
Upon entering the training grounds, we were spotted by a guild member standing near the entrance. The moment the girl saw my face, her eyes nearly bulged out in surprise, and she began to tremble violently. The first person we encountered was one of the veteran members, the swordswoman Seri, who had fought me here for the first time. For some reason, she charged at me, screaming.
“M-M-M-Master! “No, not that! The legendary founder of our Revannism sect?! But it seems not, so it’s Lord Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker! You have to call me properly these days, don’t you!?”
Her body and conversation were both incredibly energetic. After losing once, Seri had developed an almost bizarre level of respect for me, her Guild Master. I gently grasped both her shoulders with my hands and pleaded with her.
“Pl-Please, Guild Master here is fine.”
“Yes!! Long time no see, Master!!”
She was incredibly loud. But I felt like it gave me energy. Dia, standing next to me, wasn’t frowning; in fact, she nodded with a pleased expression, so perhaps these two might get along.
“So, Seri, is Snow… practicing a mock battle with Seldra right now?”
“Yes. Snow-san decided to train, so Acting Deputy Commander Seldra-san agreed to be her opponent. If Snow-san wins, she’ll be let into the ‘First Conquest Team’ starting now, so it’s a serious mock battle. All the guild members are watching it.”
“I see. So that’s why this atmosphere is so heated. Battles between the strong are educational just to watch—”
“No, it’s not for education. Seldra-sama is clearly trying to teach us the power of the Dragon Person race… it’s completely meaningless for us! We’re just watching because it’s impressive! Everyone!”
“Right.”
As if to prove Seri’s words true, the ground shook violently. It wasn’t an earthquake; the impact of just two people colliding moved the entire training ground up and down. The source of that power was the two individuals in the center of the training grounds. Neither Snow nor Seldra was using weapons. Both had partially activated their wings and one arm, undergoing ‘Dragonization’ for high-speed combat.
The clash of power between these two, who once held the title of ‘Strongest,’ felt incredibly sci-fi. After all, both were constantly using ‘Dragon’s Wind’ to maintain a slight hover. The particles of magic power scattering from their wing beats were like a spaceship shedding propellant. They didn’t run but glided just above the ground, soaring freely across the field and throwing punches. Their sudden acceleration would cause normal humans to lose their vision. But these two Dragon People were different.
Faster.
Faster than their opponent.
The air in the training grounds seemed to explode as they raged and surged like a torrent. Their inhuman close-quarters combat enthralled the guild members.
“Snow!! Go, Snow! That’s it, gouge out his eyes—!!”
Among them, the loudest cheers came from Teiri Rinker, the guild’s Sub-master and a mage who doted on Snow. Following her gruesome encouragement came the vulgar cheers of the other guild members.
“Do your best!! If Snow loses, we’ll be at a huge disadvantage!!”
“Snow! Hang in there!! If you hold on, the Acting Deputy Commander will surely go easy on you!!”
“We’ve bet all our food expenses on you!! Please!!”
Clutched in their hands were several pieces of paper, each reading, “007th General Commander Mock Battle: Snow Victory Ticket: Odds 14.2.” The presence of desks and documents managing these papers in a corner of the training grounds indicated a massive betting operation.
“Hey, you guys… stop with that kind of cheering. It puts pressure on both of them, doesn’t it?”
A calm voice admonished them. It was Volzak, the veteran warrior who served as the guild’s organizer and father figure. Clearly, the cheers in the training grounds favored Snow. However, upon closer inspection, most of the new guild members who had joined over the past year were calmly watching while holding “Seldra Victory Tickets.” Only the veteran members seemed to be playing favorites. It seemed likely that the veteran members had been continuously losing money on this bet for a long time, while the new members were profiting handsomely. I thought it would be nice if, as Snow’s overly lenient fan members weakened, the guild moved towards purification.
As I analyzed the situation, the mock battle intensified. And just as the spectacular close-quarters combat was reaching its climax, Seri next to me shouted with a voice that could drown out the roar of the battle.
“—-Snow-saaaaan! Kanami-sama has come to cheer for you! Show us something good!!”
“Oh, that’s–”
It was probably a well-intentioned report. However, the subsequent development was obvious even without seeing the future.
“Eh, Kanami?”
In the midst of the split-second mock battle, Snow let out a gasp and casually shifted her gaze towards the direction of Seri’s voice. She sharply captured my figure, standing beside Seri, with her fierce red dragon eyes. Seldra, facing Snow, couldn’t help but retort.
“–Hey. Distracted now, aren’t you? Honestly, you…”
The fleeting conversation within the gale was probably inaudible to anyone but me. But Seldra undoubtedly sighed and, without mercy, seized the opening Snow had created and grabbed her wrist.
“Haa. …For now, just lose.”
“Ah–!!”
Snow, who had let down her guard, hastily returned her gaze to the battle, but it was too late. The moment her eyes met Seldra’s, she offered a half-smile and tried to appeal, “You’re not counting that, right? No, no,” but was met with a resolute shake of the head, and Snow’s body was swung around.
“Ah–! Ahhh, gyah, gyahhhhhhhhーーーー!!”
She was spun around like a giant swing in mid-air. Simultaneously, she was likely transmitting vibration-based magic through the hand that was in contact. Snow’s ‘Dragon’s Wind’ was being stripped away. After completely robbing Snow of her ‘Dragon’s Wind’ and sense of balance, Seldra tossed her aside. She threw her in the direction Snow had looked away. Thinking that Seldra, despite everything, was still spoiling her junior, I caught Snow’s body as it flew at me like a bullet.
“Ah, ahhh…”
Within my arms, she was dizzy. However, with her racial adaptability, she quickly regained her sense of balance. Her eyes fixed on my face, and she let out a scream that could shatter eardrums.
“Ka-Kanami!!”
She wrapped her arms around my neck and held on tightly. Seeing this, a guild member in the center of the training grounds shouted.
“Contact with someone outside the arena! Disqualified! Therefore, the victor is Acting Deputy Commander Seldra-dono! Those holding tickets, cash them in immediately! No exceptions later!”
He seemed to be acting as the referee and declared the end of the mock battle. At the same time, all the surrounding spectators thrust their hands into the air. Those who had bet on Snow discarded their “Ten Thousand Dragon Tickets” as if they were worthless and created a small confetti shower. In contrast, the members who appeared to be newcomers joyfully headed off to cash in their winnings. And the girl who had been the subject of the bet began to speak, unconcerned.
“Kanami!? Huh, why, why? Cheering? You’ve never come to watch before!?”
“No, today–”
I hadn’t known it had become a bet, but I was aware that she regularly dueled with Seldra. The reason I had never come to watch before was that I had heard the condition that “if she could defeat Seldra in a one-on-one battle, the Fafnir conquest team would be replaced,” so I thought it was best not to interfere with a serious match.
With my arrival, Seldra clearly gained the advantage.
“Ah, Snow. I brought him,” Dia answered in my stead. As soon as Snow heard that, she leaped from my arms and rushed towards Dia, who was beside me.
She retained her limited Dragonization, granting her considerable power. However, Dia, now capable of close combat, strengthened her magical limbs, absorbing Snow’s full force.
“Mmph—”
“Ah, Lady Diaaaa! Di-a-sa-maa!! I love that about you! I really do!”
“Yeah, yeah, you always say that. Just focus on healing. Your wrist is dangling.”
“Ehehe.”
Dia ignored Snow’s excited ramblings and focused on recovering from her injuries. Snow, meanwhile, dispelled her Dragonization. The ease with which she did so indicated that, unlike me, Dia had visited her a few times before.
However, while recovering, Dia, who was being held by Snow (for reasons unknown), looked at Snow’s wrist and a vein popped out.
“Damn it. Dislocation… no, it’s a fracture. How hard did she grip you? Snow, does it hurt?”
“Mm? I guess I’m kind of used to it? And lately, Dia heals me… ehehe.”
“This is a comminuted fracture. Seeing me arrive, she stopped holding back, didn’t she? That man.”
“Ah, good. It feels so good. The magic is so warm.”
While chatting, they proceeded with healing the fracture. As not much time had passed since the injury, there seemed to be no lingering effects. Wrapped in Dia’s soft, warm, and fluffy magic, Snow sighed ecstatically, her face relaxed as if receiving a massage.
I understood Snow’s sensation, as I had experienced it myself. The feeling of being enveloped by healing magic varied greatly depending on the caster. For example, recipients apparently felt a somewhat inorganic sensation from my magic. Rainer’s was sharp and fast, giving a sense of urgency. In contrast to the male mages’ healing, Dia’s possessed a warm, cheerful disposition.
“Ahhh… Yeah, if I’m going to heal, it has to be Dia. I like you, Dia.”
However, that warmth seemed to be robbing Snow of her mental age and intellect. She clung to Dia as if holding a hot water bottle, not wanting to let go.
“My healing magic apparently differs from others. A while ago, I had two Apostles examine it… they said there were concerns about addictive symptoms?”
“Eh!? Ad-addiction!?”
This was news to me as well. However, I wasn’t entirely surprised. Just as taking too much medicine can be poisonous, excessive treatment is generally not good for the body.
“Hiiieee… So that’s why it feels so good… But even so, I can’t stop that easily!”
Even knowing the truth, Snow’s feelings remained unchanged. She was clearly healed but continued to hug Dia tightly. It reminded me of waking up on a cold winter morning, feeling completely awake but unable to leave the warmth of the futmi. Naturally, Dia scolded her like a mother, trying to pry Snow off.
“Alright, we’re done! All done, finished! It’s just after an injury, so you’re fully recovered with no aftereffects! So, get off, hey! Diplakla said that continuing healing magic when there’s nothing wrong is the most dangerous thing!”
“Just… one more minute! Keep the healing magic coming!”
The Dragon Person’s overwhelming strength surpassed Dia’s. Seeing this, I grabbed Snow by the scruff of her neck and forcibly pulled her away.
“Dia, next time, even if it takes longer, you can let someone else handle it. The Guild has specialists. She’ll be fine if you leave her be.”
“Alright, I will. I got a bit carried away just because she’s like family. …Oi, Snow. If you want healing magic, you need to line up at the Cathedral next time!”
Deprived of the warmth, Snow groaned and looked at Dia wistfully. However, she quickly gave up, letting out a sigh. From her expression, it was clear she hadn’t been serious. She calmly turned to us and asked the purpose of our visit.
“…Right. It’s not good for me to monopolize Dia. So, why are you two here? Just to spectate?”
Relieved by Snow’s composure, we stated our request.
“Snow, you have a lot of knitting tools, right? Can I borrow them for a bit?”
“Oh, you knit? Sure, sure. Lately, I’ve gone beyond a hobby and gathered some pretty serious equipment.”
She readily agreed without any conditions. Moreover, her tone suggested that Snow regularly enjoyed her hobby.
“Alright! Now, we’re ready!”
Dia made a fist, determined to start knitting. However, seeing her panting breath, Snow stopped her.
“Huh? Are you saying Dia is going to knit? Not Kanami?”
“Yeah, I’m going to try. As thanks for this.”
Slightly boastfully, Dia pointed to the scarf that covered half her face.
“Ah, I see. …Well, I think you should reconsider. I’ll try to stop you, though I know I probably can’t. But I’ll at least have tried to stop you.”
“Why? Knitting doesn’t require any Skills, does it?”
“That very thought, that anyone can do it, is usually a precursor to failure. To be honest, Dia, you’re on the clumsy side… So, you probably won’t be able to make something as beautiful as you’re envisioning right now?”
“…I know. That’s fine. I never expected to create something better than yours or Kanami’s from the start.”
Dia didn’t misjudge her own abilities and wasn’t aiming too high. Snow nodded, seeing that she was content with the idea of creating something unique after repeated failures. Unlike me, she seemed to care about the outcome, not just offering encouragement.
“Okay! In that case, I’ll lend them to you. Lady Dia, please make one for me too. It might have some special benefits.”
After confirming the low bar, I echoed Dia’s cheer and made a promise. Snow then looked at the “Otherworldly Clothes” below the scarf with interest.
“Also, I’ve been really curious since earlier… those clothes are—”
“—Magic [Default: Weapon Destruction].”
Rather than explain, I decided it would be faster to let her experience it firsthand, completing Dia’s original objective with a bit of a surprise. In an instant, the magic-induced change of clothes was successful, and Snow’s outfit transformed into something entirely different. Compared to Dia’s, the “Otherworldly Clothes” had a more mature feel. I chose an outfit similar to Titty, the “One who steals the logic of the wind,” centered around a large double-layered skirt and a sweater.
“O-oh? Oh…”
Snow gasped at her new attire, picking up the hem of the skirt.
“It’s a souvenir from the Original World. It suits you very well.”
“…Ehehe. I’m so happy. Thank you, Kanami.”
It was a gentle thank you, devoid of her usual boisterous joy. Her exaggerated reactions were often calculated to be pampered. This time, however, she was genuinely pleased, to the point where all such calculations were set aside. Come to think of it, this might have been the first time I’d given her a proper gift. I felt a pang of regret, realizing I’d only ever given her things unsuitable for a young girl. Just then, a woman who knew my embarrassing past approached me. It was Teiri Rinker, the female mage who, until moments ago, had been cheering Snow on more than anyone. To me, she had always seemed like a “senior.”
“Heh. You got a nice souvenir, Snow… It’s been a while, Kanami. You’ve become more considerate than before. I’m happy for you, big sister.”
She must be remembering me from when I was the Guild Master here.
It’s true, I’ve changed in many ways compared to back then.
“Also, I heard about it. That you finished all your urgent jobs and got some solid time off. You apparently have a date with Snow all day tomorrow! Hehehe!”
“Just shopping on my day off… But, I guess you could call it a date.”
Teiri was as dramatic about romance as ever, always looking for an opportunity to advance Snow and my relationship.
With a sense of nostalgia, I found myself talking to her.
“Wow. For that Kanami to admit it’s a date… you’ve become a bit jaded.”
“…After that, I was killed and saved the world. So, I’ve gone through a lot.”
“Yes, Snow told me. It sounds like it was very difficult. And because I heard about it, I have a proposal for you who went through hardship! The hot spring lodging plan, devised by me, Teiri Rinker!”
“No, thank you. I’ll pass. It’s not necessary.”
“Can’t I at least hear the details!? My respect for you has decreased because you’ve become jaded, haven’t it!?”
That’s not it.
Teiri, who listens to everything and still treats me the same way, is truly an exceptional person.
That’s why I speak with even more respect for her than before. But that’s beside the point.
“More importantly, there’s a hot spring nearby? That’s the first surprise.”
“It’s not that rare, you know? However, unlike the hot springs on the Mainland, the ones in the Frontier are a bit potent. If a low-level person soaks in them, they’ll get heatstroke quickly.”
From that description, I could tell they were a bit different from the hot springs in the Original World.
Perhaps the Demonic Poison seeping from the earth was mixed into the water, making the effects potent. Thinking about it that way, I suddenly became interested in the hot springs of this Other World and felt a slight desire to try them.
Even in the Original World, I had only been to a few spacious baths.
I was wavering at the charm of bathing culture.
Teiri skillfully exploited that hesitation.
“It seems like it’s your first time. Hot springs are wonderful. They’re perfect for healing the fatigue of a long battle. We sometimes go as a group to that inn, so it’s a place with our endorsement.”
“Gah…!”
Being pushed, my heart was swayed.
I was on the verge of giving in.
“Go soak in that exquisite hot spring with Snow, stay in the same room, and spend the night there. There’s no need for any hesitation! Yes, no hesitation at all!!”
“No, I absolutely will not agree to a mixed bath… and please, absolutely book separate rooms.”
However, Teiri’s push was becoming a bit too rough, so I managed to regain my wavering heart.
“The room is already booked for the same one. And I’ve already thought of names for your two children. How about Will, inherited from my late brother?”
“There’s no such thing. Please stop bringing up such heavy names unnecessarily.”
A son and daughter’s names…
If, by some chance.
If that opportunity were to arise one more time, I would still choose safe, common names.
I would absolutely not give them unique stage names like Uzunami.
Perhaps my parents, calculating my future entertainment career, thought, “Since your surname is Aikawa, why not choose water-themed names? They’ll surely be memorable for producers and viewers.” “Ah, he’s our son. He’ll surely be talented and become a great figure at the center of the turbulent entertainment world. With that in mind, wouldn’t a name like no other be best?” After such discussions, they likely decided on “Uzunami” and “Hidaki.”
But I would never make such a foolish decision about naming.
A name can influence a child’s destiny. In this Other World, unlike in the Original World, such rules clearly exist.
Knowing the importance of the act of naming, I shook my head.
“The names… were a joke. But the lack of hesitation is not a joke, okay? There’s no one as charming and cute as Snow, so if something were to happen, no one would blame you, nor would they be surprised.”
She truly doesn’t treat me any differently.
It seems Teiri knows about “the aftermath of Kanami and Rustiara” and is still pushing for me to “marry Snow.”
Because she genuinely cares about my happiness, she must be advising me to look towards a new future quickly.
She must be putting herself in the position of a “rude and meddling villain” to say things that others would find difficult to say.
I understand that, but it’s a bit troublesome.
I had no choice but to turn to Snow, who was in the middle of the conversation, for help.
“A hot spring… Heheh…”
But my eyes couldn’t meet Snow’s.
She seemed rather pleased with the hot spring lodging plan itself.
“Hot springs are great! Let’s go together, Kanami! I’m okay with it!”
“It’s me who’s not okay with it. The gazes of those around us are incredibly sharp. I’ve gotten used to it quite a bit, but it still hurts.”
While not as greedy as Kuuneru, Snow’s reaction showed her desire.
However, unlike the rulers of the Allied Nations, she wasn’t calculating, which is why she often made missteps like this.
The Guild members keeping their distance started to murmur as they saw Snow’s current state. The veterans cheered “Go, Snow,” while the newcomers were confused, saying, “Snow-sama’s condition is strange.”
Ignoring the reactions of those around her, Snow continued.
“Then let’s all go together!? Dia, you’d be okay with that too, right!?”
“H-huh!?”
Dia, suddenly brought into the conversation, blushed furiously beside me.
Unlike Snow, Dia is truly innocent. I often wish she had even just a tenth of the desires or forwardness of this dragonite.
“What do you mean, ‘then’? Snow, why did you think it would be okay if everyone went together…”
“Mmmmmm… I can’t convince Kanami well by myself… Alright, I’ll ask Maria-chan for help later.”
It was a clear reliance on others.
Seeing our exchange, Teiri laughed gleefully.
“Heh heh… For now, please consider the hot spring as a choice for tomorrow. If you cancel, we’ll just go ourselves.”
It was a proposal, not a push.
She emphasized that to make it easier for me to refuse, but I shook my head again.
“No. I think we’ll go to the hot spring. However, I don’t think it will just be the two of us.”
“…I see. You foresee that we’ll all go together. I understand.”
I wasn’t using any magic at the moment, but Teiri seemed to think I had foreseen tomorrow’s events with Future Sight.
Since it would be difficult to prove I wasn’t using Future Sight, I nodded without denying it.
Having finished her proposal, Teiri stepped back and began explaining to the murmuring Guild members.
“Newcomers, quiet down! I’ve always told you that the Snow you see is always in work mode, and her true self is like that! And this is our Guild Master by name only, ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker’! …Yes, he’s a Walker too, a Walker. This is important, so don’t get it wrong! The reason that’s important is, well, that’s why!”
“Everyone, don’t get in the way of Snow and Kanami!”
It felt a bit biased, and that I was gradually being cornered into marrying Snow.
Amidst that explanation, Seldra approached.
“Gah, Seldra—”
First, Snow, who was nearby, made a displeased face and hid behind me.
“Sorry to interrupt your fun, but I need to talk to you as an instructor. This is also part of the successor training job entrusted to me by Elder Kuuneru from the Senate.”
“Ah, I see,” I said, a realization dawning on me. I smoothly stepped aside, bringing Snow and Seldra face to face.
“Snow, your lunges are still too shallow. Your body’s role is to take the enemy’s attacks, and that *is* an attack in itself. If you fear injury, you’re simply wasting your potential.”
“B-but, I don’t like being in pain…”
“You’ll get used to it quickly. Or rather, you’re already starting to. Endure it, and take more hits.”
“Are you talking about getting used to it…! And honestly, the idea of getting used to pain is just scary and awful…”
“You don’t want to get used to it. …Right, that’s true. There are things we should get used to, and things we shouldn’t. There’s no mistake about that.”
“Oh, oh? Does that mean—?”
“Get used to physical pain. If you can recognize pain as your body’s signal, it becomes quite convenient.”
“Acting Substitute… your way of putting it is terrifying…”
“Snow, for a Dragon Person, being a shield for the weak is the easiest way to live. Don’t dodge attacks, take them. That way, no one will fear you.”
“No way! I want to dodge, counter, and finish things quickly! Big sis Titty taught me how to attack with Swordsmanship!”
“Sigh… You were spoiled by the King, so it’s really difficult to train you properly…”
Seldra’s job was supposedly to raise her as a capable ‘Commander,’ yet he sounded like he was teaching her how to live a ‘happy’ life as a ‘Dragon Person.’
It seemed others also heard this. That’s why the Guild members looked at Seldra with kindness, accepting him as a companion.
“Finally, if you can ‘defeat me’ or ‘earn my approval,’ you can accompany the ‘First Exploration Team’… but I don’t see the necessity. Everything you can do, I can do alone. Therefore, you’re staying behind.”
And with that, he coolly delivered the test results. Snow grumbled and glared at Seldra upon hearing this.
“Grr, grnnn…”
“If you keep making that frustrated face, someone would have spoiled you until now, but I’m different. Give up.”
“I don’t want to be spoiled… I’m just frustrated and feel pathetic… Also, like Kuuneru said, Seldra, you’re an annoying guy.”
“I’m doing this for your own good. Please understand.”
Hearing Kuuneru’s name, Seldra felt a sense of urgency and quickly added more words. Recently, he had received reports from Kuuneru that she “somehow thought he was Snow’s adoptive father,” and now he knew it wasn’t a lie. He lived his life quite freely in the world a thousand years from now, but he apparently wanted to avoid being disliked by Snow.
“Snow, you won’t be joining the ‘First Exploration Team.’ However, your worried foster brother, Glen, I swear I will personally bring him back safely to you… Leaving Glen in the ‘Blood Land’ was clearly my mistake.”
He continued with his oath. However, Snow did not accept his words and continued to glare at him with frustration. Seldra could only fidget like a father dealing with a rebellious daughter.
At this point, a Guild member who had been watching from the sidelines stepped between the two. It was Sub-master Volzak, the former slave gladiator.
“Snow, I understand you’re worried about Glen. But I agree with Seldra. It’s safer and more reliable for him to go than you.”
“Volzak… But my foster brother is waiting for my help…”
“I’ve known that guy for a long time. So I can state this with certainty: he’s absolutely not waiting for you. Rather, he’d hate for his sister to go into danger because of him. He’s a complete sis-con, after all.”
I agree. And if Glen Walker *were* waiting, the one he’d be waiting for would be—
As if indicating that person, Volzak turned his face towards me. It was a reunion after a long time, but we spoke as if nothing had happened.
“It’s been a while. …And yet, you and Teiri don’t seem very worried about Glen? Is it because you trust him?”
“It’s not uncommon for Guild members to take on依頼 quests and die on their own… But it’s true that we also trust him. As the ‘Strongest’ Explorer, Glen will win and survive, no matter the circumstances or situation.”
Those are enviable words. I wish I could hear them about myself just once. Unfortunately, lately, even though I am seen as ‘Strongest,’ I have developed an image of being easily defeated in any situation.
“Is that so? I’ve only seen Glen work as an aristocrat… You must have seen him in his active days, Volzak.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen his back since way back. Explorer Glen falling into desperate situations… and yet, surviving many times.”
Honestly, to me, Glen is a ‘retired hero,’ a kind older brother who always wears a troubled smile. However, Volzak’s impression, who knows Glen’s past battle records, seems to be the opposite.
“That’s why I’m not too concerned about Glen. …What I’m concerned about now is Seldra, more than Glen. The fact that a great hero from a thousand years ago is training our Snow is like a dream. I always make sure to attend the sparring matches and enjoy them.”
Saying this, Volzak gazed at Seldra as a child would look at their admired artist or athlete. Many Guild members shared that gaze.
‘Epic Seeker’ is a Guild for finding heroes. Seldra likely fits the criteria for a hero perfectly.
However, Seldra calmly deflected their gazes. With his experience as a Commander, he was probably accustomed to such things. The Guild members seemed infatuated with Seldra, including his composed demeanor.
But this situation presents a problem. It’s a question that children who love heroes would all ponder at some point. Volzak, as a representative of the Guild, let out a hesitant question.
“—Well, this just occurred to me, but… who’s stronger, the Master or Acting Commander Seldra?”
Who is stronger, Hero A or Hero B? It’s a question that’s just fun to think about. Other Guild members were also very curious, and the circle of people around them slightly narrowed as they strained to listen.
I pondered how to answer. Seldra and I had already fought once. So, the answer to the question was already decided. However, expressing that answer is very difficult. As I was struggling with this, Seldra answered first.
“A little while ago, we fought seriously and I lost. A thousand years ago, it would have been me, but now, Kanami… even if we fought a thousand times, I would lose a thousand times.”
“Oh, you’ve already fought? And the Master is stronger? …Seeing Snow and Seldra’s sparring matches recently, I find it hard to believe there’s such a gap that you’d lose every time.”
I immediately interjected, as it seemed a biased conclusion was about to be reached.
“No, Seldra didn’t lose. He surrendered, but that was just because he got tired of it, right?”
“Even though Kanami is being modest like this… it’s seriously bad. We can’t even compete.”
But Seldra quickly denied it. I braced myself, thinking he was going to push all sorts of troublesome things onto me, but I could tell from his expression that wasn’t the case.
“—To be precise, Kanami won’t fight me anymore. It’s not a battle. In the end, I couldn’t even imagine myself winning against Kanami… that was undoubtedly a loss. That feeling of defeat is proof of my loss.”
He was smiling. The fact of his defeat must have felt fresh and delightful.
“I think a draw would be fine though…”
Both Seldra and I were equally skilled. I thought that would be a fair outcome, but Seldra continued to insist he had lost.
Volzak, contemplating this slightly strange situation, made a suggestion unique to this place.
“You two have different opinions. It would be clearer if you could show me a light sparring match, like Snow just did… Is that not possible?”
He wore a look of excitement and anticipation. The people around him had the same expression, nodding at his suggestion as if to say, “Well said.”
“A, a sparring match?”
“Me and Kanami…”
Seldra and I exchanged glances.
—Absolutely not.
Sweating cold, we rejected the proposal.
“It’s difficult because this place would be destroyed.”
“The training grounds are sturdy, and I plan to set up barriers like during the Dance Battle Tournament.”
“The current power of Seldra and I are both highly effective against barriers. We’ll simply punch through them.”
As I muttered this, I scanned the surroundings—the World—with a stern gaze.
Volzak didn’t take my words as a joke. Considering his recent battle with Hitaki the Foreigner, he seemed to imagine that a sparring match could truly leave the country’s foundations in ruins, and he reluctantly agreed, “I see…”
However, a new question seemed to arise in his mind, and he asked,
“Then where did you have that serious battle before…?”
I had an answer prepared for that.
“It was a very far and very vast place. It’s a world just like this one, but a little different—”
“Ah, you mean that ‘Another World’ place?”
Volzak easily deduced that the place was “Another World.” After the battle with Hitaki the Foreigner, beings from other dimensions, whether from fairy tales or reality, seemed to have been elevated to tangible existences.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s truly vast there, so we found a place where no one was and fought there secretly.”
“…I apologize. My suggestion seems to have been a bit too overexcited. Master is no longer at the level to fight on the stage we know.”
With a somewhat sad expression, Volzak fully represented the feelings of the guild members.
During the all-out battle when I first arrived here, Volzak could still contend with me. Every guild member, in one way or another, was confident they could win against me.
However, after the finals of that Dance Battle Tournament—and further, after completing this “final battle”—he smiled sadly, acknowledging that their Guild Master had truly gone far away—to “Another World.”
Therefore, no one voiced the desire for me to “fight again.”
It made me a little sad, and I could only offer a smile.
Since the sparring match proposal was dropped, I looked around for my original companions.
Snow and Dia had somehow moved a little distance away and were facing each other, striking strange poses.
“—How is it? Dia, what do you think of this?”
“Oh, that’s good. It’s like that person. Very similar to that One who steals the logic of the wind.”
“Hehe… Oh, Dia, you’re cute too. You resemble Sis. Maybe it’s because your hair has grown a little?”
“No, resembling that person isn’t exactly a compliment… But thank you. I’m happy.”
They were fully enjoying the “Otherworld clothes” they had received. As I approached them, Dia turned to me.
“Hm? So, are you not sparring after all?”
“If we were to, it would require more preparation. Besides, today I decided to spend time with you and the others, not with all the Epic Seekers.”
Therefore, I couldn’t possibly abandon them and go spar.
As I said that, Seldra wrapped up the conversation.
“Well, that’s how it is. Kanami just came to pick up Snow, so please send her off willingly. If you want to see a spectacular sparring match, Seldra and the sub-masters will do it from now on. It should be a good reference for your team’s boss battles.”
Volzak and Teiri were surprised by this new proposal.
“Us, now?”
“…Shall we do it? It sounds fun. Of course, Seldra-san, you’ll go easy on us, right?”
“Certainly. I’ll play the role of a boss that’s just barely unbeatable, so push yourselves to your limits. A 4-on-1 situation should be about right.”
Upon hearing this, the guild members averted their gazes from us. While the new sparring match was interesting, there was also a consideration for leaving us be.
The elite of the guild lined up in the center of the training grounds.
Next to Seldra, for some reason, stood Alivers, the guild’s exclusive blacksmith, as if he were in Seldra’s corner.
It seemed he was asking Seldra to try on some equipment. If I looked closely, various weapons and armor were prepared at the edge of the training grounds. Unlike me, Seldra had a good compatibility with heavy equipment, so he probably had a lot he wanted to try.
When Alivers and I made eye contact, we exchanged a brief nod of greeting, and then we moved.
Snow, who was trying to carry Dia, first asked me for magic.
“Then, let’s go to Maria’s place. Kanami, use Connection!”
“Huh? We’re going to Maria’s? Now?”
I had expected we would go to get knitting supplies first. So, I couldn’t help but ask Snow, who was being repeatedly pushed away by Dia, for confirmation.
“Huh? But I want to see Maria’s happy face when she receives her present… She’s probably at my place today… huh?”
“Ah, I see. Right. You two live in the same house. If we’re going to get knitting supplies, we’ll have to meet up with Maria anyway.”
I had forgotten that Snow and Maria were living together, so the conversation had become a little convoluted.
Just like with Dia, over these past two months, Snow had followed the same path as the Winter Otherworld, and they were likely living in the house on the hill that I had bought in the past, like family, with their names all matching ‘Walker’—
“You do have a present for Maria, don’t you? …You don’t? If you don’t, then I’m done here… How about I ask them to report that only Maria doesn’t have a present? Hehe.”
“No, I do. I have one, so it’s okay. Come with us.”
“Don’t surprise me like that!! Don’t surprise me by saying only Maria doesn’t have a present! Maria’s irritation directly affects my life!!”
I offered a wry smile at their two-person dynamic.
However, I was still surprised.
Snow had thought so naturally of wanting to “hurry and let Maria wear the Otherworld clothes and see her happy face.”
Snow seemed similar to Kuuneru, but their essence—was completely different now.
I was simply happy about that. It was very reassuring.
“Lately, Maria has been reading only difficult books, you know. She’s definitely at home. Let’s go, Kanami.”
“…Yes, let’s go. —Connection.”
Setting the destination as the house on the hill, I created another warp zone.
Then, we stepped through that door.
After picking up Snow at the training grounds, we jumped through space directly to the living room of Maria’s house.
The scenery changed from outdoors to indoors, and the air also transformed.
Just like the office from before, the floor plan was very familiar.
It was sunny, and the light streaming through the windows was dazzling. Although it was made of wood, it had many carefully chosen magic stone furniture pieces, and its convenience and security were outstanding. In the center of the living room was a large desk.
A black-haired girl, resting her cheek on the desk, turned the page of a book with one hand.
Seeing the Connection open near the entrance of the house, she raised her gaze from the book.
“—Huh? Kanami-san?”
Maria’s dark irises reflected me.
