CH 9
The day that had been too long was over and night had fallen.
The incident in Ash City had come to a conclusion.
As a concerned party, I was interviewed by the Guard Force and the Adventurer’s Guild, and thanks to them, I was able to obtain detailed information.
The scouts went to Ash City after receiving the report of the attack, and it was confirmed that it had fallen into the hands of monsters.
After that, the big guys discussed the matter, but they concluded that it was currently impossible to recapture Ash City.
————–In other words, on this day, a city completely fell into the hands of monsters.
Perhaps, this is a historical event that will shake the world.
After being released at night, I wandered around the unfamiliar town with a foggy head that still lacked a sense of reality, managed to find an inn, and slept like a log.
The next day, I woke up in the afternoon, had a meal, and walked around the town.
[So this is the Frelia town huh.]
The Town of Freedom and Conflict, “Frelia”.
Although its history is not as long as that of the Ancient City, Ash, it’s no less vibrant or large in scale.
I had come here by chance, but I had always wanted to visit the arena here.
Though I say that, my feet naturally led me to the Adventurers’ Guild.
Despite what had happened yesterday, or perhaps, because of what had happened yesterday, the place was so lively that I couldn’t help but stop at the entrance.
The name “Adventurers” is said to have come from anecdotes in which the Gods referred to “those who were brave enough to risk their lives to fight demons”.
In other words, everyone who fights monsters, and the Adventurers’ Guild was crowded with people of various races, carrying various equipment.
Normally, I would have been busy with the request board, but I’m not with my friends right now, nor am I in the mood for that.
Paying the reception desk, I headed for the Guild’s training hall.
The place was about half-full.
With this, I thought I could train in a relaxed manner, but I found something unpleasant.
[……Geh.]
I couldn’t help but grumble.
Hearing my voice, the Elf who had been continuously shooting arrows at the target, my party member, Prana, turned around.
When she saw me, her eyes exaggeratedly opened wide.
[……How unexpected. I thought you were the type of person who never practices.]
[Shaddup. I’m in that kind of mood sometimes.]
I tried to shoo her away, and she also didn’t seem to have any intention of picking any more fights.
After I watched Prana go back to her own practice, I took out my sword and readied it.
[V-Slash!]
I unleashed one of the Elementary Level Sword techniques, V-Slash.
With a shout, my sword shot out in a V-shape, slicing through the imaginary enemy.
(Tsk. This isn’t it.)
Up until now, I would have been happy seeing that, thinking that I had become a full-fledged swordsman.
But now, I have “his” Art burned into my mind, that series of blows that can only be described as divine.
Compared to that, there was no way I could be satisfied with this shabby and slow Art.
We parted ways with him…… that A-Rank Adventurer, Rex, last night.
It was inevitable that the inns stayed at by us, mere novice adventurers, and him, an A-Rank Adventurer, the most successful among adventurers, is different.
He was also carrying that woman named Lecilia, who was still unconscious when we parted ways, so it was natural that he would choose a safe place to stay.
I understand that.
I understand that but……
[Graaaaaaahhhhhh!]
I somehow don’t like it. Gripping my sword tightly, as if I was going to take out my frustration, I just let myself be absorbed in my training.
※ ※ ※
(……This really feels different.)
Arts were the divine guidance bestowed upon us by the Gods.
The skills that you have learned would be automatically activated by imagining them in your head and channeling magic into your blade.
That is how I had been taught all my life.
However, I had a feeling that no matter how many times I repeated this, I would never be able to reach his level.
(……Perhaps……)
Imbuing my weapon in magic and swinging a sword are both things I could do.
If that’s the case, by doing the same movement while putting magic into my weapon, I should be able to use that Art.
It was an idea that even thought was absurd.
However, as if guided by a revelation, I readied my sword and imbued magic into my weapon.
And then……
[————–Hahhh!]
I swung my sword without relying on the God’s guidance.
(Eh……?)
It was a messy, incoherent swordsmanship that could not even be called a V-Slash.
However……
""
[…………………That feeling just now……]
Keeping my grip on my sword, I stood dumbfounded for a while.
If you ask me if that was a success or a failure, I would say that was definitely a failure.
And yet, for a brief moment, I certainly did feel the same kind of feeling in my hand when I was releasing Arts.
[Ha…… Hahaha!]
I couldn’t stop myself from bursting out laughing.
I had taken a definite step towards reaching that Hero, Rex.
(I’ll be right behind you, protagonist! I’ll catch up with you soon!)
Putting away the smile creeping on my face, I began to wholeheartedly swing my sword.
※ ※ ※
[————–Ya. You’re really fired up, aren’t you?]
I turned around at the words calling out to me.
[The heck. It’s Nuku this time huh.]
Arriving in this place was Nuku, the Mage who was the commander of our party.
[I thought we’re freaking getting a day off today. What’s with you all, being enthusiastic with your training on your day off.]
[Aren’t you also the same way, Radd?]
Hearing the words he said, I had no choice but to shut up.
Seeing me like that, Nuku’s expression was calm with a hint of melancholy on his face.
[But well, I understand how you feel. Yesterday was amazing.]
[……Well, yeah.]
I probably experienced more in that one day than I have in my entire life combined.
Above all……
[I’m an Adventurer too. There’s no way I wouldn’t be excited to see a fight like that. ……Right?]
[Cheehh. You tell me.]
""
It isn’t amusing that he could see through me, but it’s nasty how he was actually right.
Realizing that I was at a disadvantage, I decided to change the subject.
[Speaking of which, how is Mana? You know, her hometown is……]
[Ahh. If it’s Mana, she’s over there……]
When I looked in the direction indicated by Nuku, I saw that Mana had just arrived at the training site and was going to talk to Prana.
From the look on her face, it seemed that the fact her hometown had been destroyed by monsters hadn’t affected her as much as I thought.
However……
[Mana!]
Before I knew it, I found myself running up to Mana.
[Ah, Radd-kun.]
Her modest smile made my heart skip a beat.
Hiding my inner turmoils, as if it was nothing, I asked.
[Ahh, ummm, are you alright? Umm, if it really hurts, you don’t have to force yourself……]
[I’m alright.]
As if she had anticipated my words, she responded.
[……I didn’t have anyone I cared about in that city after all.]
[That means……]
I was curious and was about to ask deeper about it, when a voice spoke out at that moment.
[Zero delicacy. You have exerted how much of a stray dog you are yet again.]
It was Prana who interrupted with her cold voice from the side.
As if she was doing it on purpose, with her hands still keeping on with her archery practice, she was staring at me with her freezing eyes.
[Prana! You b*stard!]
I was about to yell out in rage when Nuku stopped me.
[Haahhh…… Even after all that happened, you guys never grow.]
[Ughhh…… But this woman was……]
[I’ve been watching for a while now, and Radd was also at fault there. Besides, we’ve got an appointment with Rex-san tomorrow. Are you sure you want to be wasting your time doing this?]
[……Tsk.]
What Nuku said was true.
When we parted ways, we promised Rex to meet him at the guild in two days.
Perhaps then, I would be able to ask him about that mysterious Art back then, and about that Art stacking technique.
I don’t know when the next opportunity I will have to ask a question like this to him.
By then, I wanted to be sure of what I was feeling.
[I’m sorry, Mana. ……Prana too.]
[Ah, no, it’s okay.]
[As you should be.]
I felt my face twitch upon the contrasting responses of the two of them, but clenching my teeth to stop myself from retorting anymore, I returned to my training.
※ ※ ※
[……D*mn it.]
Although I was the last of the four to stay in the training hall and train, my attempts to use the Arts on my own were not as successful as they could have been.
(It’s difficult to wield a sword imbued with magic power, and there’s no way you can accurately trace the movements of the technique! Moreover……)
Even if my method was correct, how many techniques was he weaving in and out of each other?
Even if I’m right, how many techniques did he have to weave together to create that complex trajectory that can’t be compared to a V-Slash……
(D*mn it! How far ahead of me is he!?)
I returned to the inn, disappointed, and was about to finish my meal and go to bed when……
—————I heard a knock at the door of my room.
(The heck is this now, knocking at this hour?)
I felt a sense of alarm.
The inn has a lock on each of their rooms.
However, if the other person was someone with harmful intentions, those locks won’t buy you much time.
[……Who is it?]
The person who answered my nervous question was one I didn’t expect.
[————-It’s Rex. I have a favor to ask you. Can you open the door for me?]
※ ※ ※
I was wary of some kind of trap, but when I opened the door, I saw that it really was the adventurer in all black.
I was relieved to know that it was just him, but deliberately kept my previous blunt tone.
[So? Our appointment is tomorrow. For an old man to come all this way to visit me, whatever brought you here?]
Seriously, I can’t read what this guy’s thinking.
Heroes are usually self-centered and unpredictable.
I don’t know if that applies to all Heroes, but this guy certainly is quite unpredictable.
On the other hand though……
I was also excited to see what kind of adventurer he would get me involved in this time.
[……About that……]
Rex became silent, as if he was hesitating about something.
What kind of outrageous things, beyond my imagination, could this overbearing guy say to me that even he would hesitate to say it?
Bracing myself, I waited for his next words.
After a long pause of at least 5 seconds, he finally spoke.
[————-I need to borrow some money.]
For a moment, I wasn’t able to understand what he said.
[Huh?]
[Like I said, I need to borrow money!]
With a stronger tone, he repeated.
Unfortunately though, it seems like I really didn’t mishear him.
""
As I was feeling puzzled, he pressed on further.
[I- It’s alright. Even just 1000 wen is enough, I’ll pay you back three times as much right away! No, if you want, I’ll pay you back 10 times, or even a hundred times!]
[W- Wait a second!]
I pushed away Rex, who was starting to desperately plead.
I really don’t understand what’s happening at all.
[You’re a freaking A-Rank, old man, you should have a lot more money than I do! What the hell happened!?]
[That is……]
When I responded like that, Rex seemed to be at a loss for words.
[Is it something you can’t talk about?]
[……No.]
He shook his head.
However, Rex still seemed unsure whether to speak or not.
[……It’s a long story.]
[Heehhh…… I very much would like to throw you out of here, but I’m really curious now and don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without hearing about this. Just say it.]
I urged him to talk, and that seemed to be the last push he needed.
After another long pause, Rex finally opened his mouth.
[It all started a few hours ago, when I was walking around town……]
And with eyes that looked like he was staring far into the past……
[I found a casino, and thought of peeking in————-]
After hearing that, I silently closed the door and locked him out outside.
The incident in Ash City had come to a conclusion.
As a concerned party, I was interviewed by the Guard Force and the Adventurer’s Guild, and thanks to them, I was able to obtain detailed information.
The scouts went to Ash City after receiving the report of the attack, and it was confirmed that it had fallen into the hands of monsters.
After that, the big guys discussed the matter, but they concluded that it was currently impossible to recapture Ash City.
————–In other words, on this day, a city completely fell into the hands of monsters.
Perhaps, this is a historical event that will shake the world.
After being released at night, I wandered around the unfamiliar town with a foggy head that still lacked a sense of reality, managed to find an inn, and slept like a log.
The next day, I woke up in the afternoon, had a meal, and walked around the town.
[So this is the Frelia town huh.]
The Town of Freedom and Conflict, “Frelia”.
Although its history is not as long as that of the Ancient City, Ash, it’s no less vibrant or large in scale.
I had come here by chance, but I had always wanted to visit the arena here.
Though I say that, my feet naturally led me to the Adventurers’ Guild.
Despite what had happened yesterday, or perhaps, because of what had happened yesterday, the place was so lively that I couldn’t help but stop at the entrance.
The name “Adventurers” is said to have come from anecdotes in which the Gods referred to “those who were brave enough to risk their lives to fight demons”.
In other words, everyone who fights monsters, and the Adventurers’ Guild was crowded with people of various races, carrying various equipment.
Normally, I would have been busy with the request board, but I’m not with my friends right now, nor am I in the mood for that.
Paying the reception desk, I headed for the Guild’s training hall.
The place was about half-full.
With this, I thought I could train in a relaxed manner, but I found something unpleasant.
[……Geh.]
I couldn’t help but grumble.
Hearing my voice, the Elf who had been continuously shooting arrows at the target, my party member, Prana, turned around.
When she saw me, her eyes exaggeratedly opened wide.
[……How unexpected. I thought you were the type of person who never practices.]
[Shaddup. I’m in that kind of mood sometimes.]
I tried to shoo her away, and she also didn’t seem to have any intention of picking any more fights.
After I watched Prana go back to her own practice, I took out my sword and readied it.
[V-Slash!]
I unleashed one of the Elementary Level Sword techniques, V-Slash.
With a shout, my sword shot out in a V-shape, slicing through the imaginary enemy.
(Tsk. This isn’t it.)
Up until now, I would have been happy seeing that, thinking that I had become a full-fledged swordsman.
But now, I have “his” Art burned into my mind, that series of blows that can only be described as divine.
Compared to that, there was no way I could be satisfied with this shabby and slow Art.
We parted ways with him…… that A-Rank Adventurer, Rex, last night.
It was inevitable that the inns stayed at by us, mere novice adventurers, and him, an A-Rank Adventurer, the most successful among adventurers, is different.
He was also carrying that woman named Lecilia, who was still unconscious when we parted ways, so it was natural that he would choose a safe place to stay.
I understand that.
I understand that but……
[Graaaaaaahhhhhh!]
I somehow don’t like it. Gripping my sword tightly, as if I was going to take out my frustration, I just let myself be absorbed in my training.
※ ※ ※
(……This really feels different.)
Arts were the divine guidance bestowed upon us by the Gods.
The skills that you have learned would be automatically activated by imagining them in your head and channeling magic into your blade.
That is how I had been taught all my life.
However, I had a feeling that no matter how many times I repeated this, I would never be able to reach his level.
(……Perhaps……)
Imbuing my weapon in magic and swinging a sword are both things I could do.
If that’s the case, by doing the same movement while putting magic into my weapon, I should be able to use that Art.
It was an idea that even thought was absurd.
However, as if guided by a revelation, I readied my sword and imbued magic into my weapon.
And then……
[————–Hahhh!]
I swung my sword without relying on the God’s guidance.
(Eh……?)
It was a messy, incoherent swordsmanship that could not even be called a V-Slash.
However……
""
[…………………That feeling just now……]
Keeping my grip on my sword, I stood dumbfounded for a while.
If you ask me if that was a success or a failure, I would say that was definitely a failure.
And yet, for a brief moment, I certainly did feel the same kind of feeling in my hand when I was releasing Arts.
[Ha…… Hahaha!]
I couldn’t stop myself from bursting out laughing.
I had taken a definite step towards reaching that Hero, Rex.
(I’ll be right behind you, protagonist! I’ll catch up with you soon!)
Putting away the smile creeping on my face, I began to wholeheartedly swing my sword.
※ ※ ※
[————–Ya. You’re really fired up, aren’t you?]
I turned around at the words calling out to me.
[The heck. It’s Nuku this time huh.]
Arriving in this place was Nuku, the Mage who was the commander of our party.
[I thought we’re freaking getting a day off today. What’s with you all, being enthusiastic with your training on your day off.]
[Aren’t you also the same way, Radd?]
Hearing the words he said, I had no choice but to shut up.
Seeing me like that, Nuku’s expression was calm with a hint of melancholy on his face.
[But well, I understand how you feel. Yesterday was amazing.]
[……Well, yeah.]
I probably experienced more in that one day than I have in my entire life combined.
Above all……
[I’m an Adventurer too. There’s no way I wouldn’t be excited to see a fight like that. ……Right?]
[Cheehh. You tell me.]
""
It isn’t amusing that he could see through me, but it’s nasty how he was actually right.
Realizing that I was at a disadvantage, I decided to change the subject.
[Speaking of which, how is Mana? You know, her hometown is……]
[Ahh. If it’s Mana, she’s over there……]
When I looked in the direction indicated by Nuku, I saw that Mana had just arrived at the training site and was going to talk to Prana.
From the look on her face, it seemed that the fact her hometown had been destroyed by monsters hadn’t affected her as much as I thought.
However……
[Mana!]
Before I knew it, I found myself running up to Mana.
[Ah, Radd-kun.]
Her modest smile made my heart skip a beat.
Hiding my inner turmoils, as if it was nothing, I asked.
[Ahh, ummm, are you alright? Umm, if it really hurts, you don’t have to force yourself……]
[I’m alright.]
As if she had anticipated my words, she responded.
[……I didn’t have anyone I cared about in that city after all.]
[That means……]
I was curious and was about to ask deeper about it, when a voice spoke out at that moment.
[Zero delicacy. You have exerted how much of a stray dog you are yet again.]
It was Prana who interrupted with her cold voice from the side.
As if she was doing it on purpose, with her hands still keeping on with her archery practice, she was staring at me with her freezing eyes.
[Prana! You b*stard!]
I was about to yell out in rage when Nuku stopped me.
[Haahhh…… Even after all that happened, you guys never grow.]
[Ughhh…… But this woman was……]
[I’ve been watching for a while now, and Radd was also at fault there. Besides, we’ve got an appointment with Rex-san tomorrow. Are you sure you want to be wasting your time doing this?]
[……Tsk.]
What Nuku said was true.
When we parted ways, we promised Rex to meet him at the guild in two days.
Perhaps then, I would be able to ask him about that mysterious Art back then, and about that Art stacking technique.
I don’t know when the next opportunity I will have to ask a question like this to him.
By then, I wanted to be sure of what I was feeling.
[I’m sorry, Mana. ……Prana too.]
[Ah, no, it’s okay.]
[As you should be.]
I felt my face twitch upon the contrasting responses of the two of them, but clenching my teeth to stop myself from retorting anymore, I returned to my training.
※ ※ ※
[……D*mn it.]
Although I was the last of the four to stay in the training hall and train, my attempts to use the Arts on my own were not as successful as they could have been.
(It’s difficult to wield a sword imbued with magic power, and there’s no way you can accurately trace the movements of the technique! Moreover……)
Even if my method was correct, how many techniques was he weaving in and out of each other?
Even if I’m right, how many techniques did he have to weave together to create that complex trajectory that can’t be compared to a V-Slash……
(D*mn it! How far ahead of me is he!?)
I returned to the inn, disappointed, and was about to finish my meal and go to bed when……
—————I heard a knock at the door of my room.
(The heck is this now, knocking at this hour?)
I felt a sense of alarm.
The inn has a lock on each of their rooms.
However, if the other person was someone with harmful intentions, those locks won’t buy you much time.
[……Who is it?]
The person who answered my nervous question was one I didn’t expect.
[————-It’s Rex. I have a favor to ask you. Can you open the door for me?]
※ ※ ※
I was wary of some kind of trap, but when I opened the door, I saw that it really was the adventurer in all black.
I was relieved to know that it was just him, but deliberately kept my previous blunt tone.
[So? Our appointment is tomorrow. For an old man to come all this way to visit me, whatever brought you here?]
Seriously, I can’t read what this guy’s thinking.
Heroes are usually self-centered and unpredictable.
I don’t know if that applies to all Heroes, but this guy certainly is quite unpredictable.
On the other hand though……
I was also excited to see what kind of adventurer he would get me involved in this time.
[……About that……]
Rex became silent, as if he was hesitating about something.
What kind of outrageous things, beyond my imagination, could this overbearing guy say to me that even he would hesitate to say it?
Bracing myself, I waited for his next words.
After a long pause of at least 5 seconds, he finally spoke.
[————-I need to borrow some money.]
For a moment, I wasn’t able to understand what he said.
[Huh?]
[Like I said, I need to borrow money!]
With a stronger tone, he repeated.
Unfortunately though, it seems like I really didn’t mishear him.
""
As I was feeling puzzled, he pressed on further.
[I- It’s alright. Even just 1000 wen is enough, I’ll pay you back three times as much right away! No, if you want, I’ll pay you back 10 times, or even a hundred times!]
[W- Wait a second!]
I pushed away Rex, who was starting to desperately plead.
I really don’t understand what’s happening at all.
[You’re a freaking A-Rank, old man, you should have a lot more money than I do! What the hell happened!?]
[That is……]
When I responded like that, Rex seemed to be at a loss for words.
[Is it something you can’t talk about?]
[……No.]
He shook his head.
However, Rex still seemed unsure whether to speak or not.
[……It’s a long story.]
[Heehhh…… I very much would like to throw you out of here, but I’m really curious now and don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without hearing about this. Just say it.]
I urged him to talk, and that seemed to be the last push he needed.
After another long pause, Rex finally opened his mouth.
[It all started a few hours ago, when I was walking around town……]
And with eyes that looked like he was staring far into the past……
[I found a casino, and thought of peeking in————-]
After hearing that, I silently closed the door and locked him out outside.
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