CH 90

“…About that last battle…”

“Yes. I would have done this if it was me.”

“What should I have done if it was me?”

“There is no right answer. But you heroes aren’t like us, correct? Heroes’ fighting techniques come from skills. I think that’s one way to push through.”

“But apparently using those too much makes the body feel heavy…”

“I don’t know about that sort of thing either, but… How about we learn what the limit is first?”

“Limit?”

“Yes. But of course, there is still room to grow, and with that, those limits might increase too. But it might be good to examine the strain using multiple skills in a row has on the body.”

“…”

“That’s better than testing in actual combat, but…”

“Yes. So let’s try testing it.”

“Understood. But right now… That probably won’t be possible. Talk to me again when it’s time to perform these tests. Heroes’ attacks are very powerful, so we need to arrange a proper place for that.”

“I see. I want to test that when I’m in the right physical condition for it, so tell me when you have everything ready.”

◇ ◇ ◇

“…I was worried, but I’ve calmed down a lot. My tone and general attitude seems back to normal.”

“Yes, that was pretty scary.”

“Was it really due to fighting too much?”

“Who knows? That might be it.”

“Hahaha, I’m sorry about that.”

“So you think it’s bad?”

“O-of course. That time, well… I guess I saw too much blood. I got too excited as I fought. Chalk it up to youthful indiscretion.”

“You… Said some really bad things there, so make sure you apologize. The chivalric order is working hard to protect us.”

“Don’t worry about that, I’ve already done it.”

“That’s good, just get it together. Remember, we’re counting on you.”

“Yes sorry, I know you’re all adorably counting on me. I got carried away. Well then, I’m off.”

“…Are you all right?”

“My head hurts. I’m not feeling bloodthirsty I guess, so I want to believe I’m fine.”

“Maybe you’ve been too busy. You were keeping pace with us at first, but I feel like you’ve been carrying one order after another lately.”

“People from the church are worried too. They said they would talk to someone but…”

“Yes, I’ll try talking to the captain too. I don’t think he’s resting lately either.”

“I want to head to town too if I can. Nothing dangerous, I just want to see what this world is like, since I’m here anyway.”

“I’ve seen the town when I go to church, from the inside of a wagon though.”

“I’ll ask about that too, and…”

“Are you thinking about him?”

“Yes. Back then we were basically just being swept away by the situation around us… And we couldn’t do anything… But now I feel like we should have stopped them and told them to at least take care of him.”

“But he’s living in town, right?”

“Yes, and they say they’re supporting him financially, and guarding him without him knowing. He should be fine.”

“Yes. He might actually know more about this world than us.”

“It’s more brutal for us. Even if we can cut through some danger because we have power.”

“But that also means we are made to fight…”

“Yes…”

“Ah.. Stop… Stop it with the dark topics. Let’s ask about that too. Just seeing his face should make you feel more at ease, right?

◇ ◇ ◇

“What do you mean we can’t see him?”

“I’m sorry. There is somewhere we want you heroes to go to as soon as possible.”

“…Where?”

“A dungeon in the Magic State of Efa.”

“Dungeon?”

“Why do we need to go there?”

“It seems your progress has stagnated recently, so we want you to train and collect materials at the same time.”

“Materials?”

“Yes. We need materials found in dungeons for the sake of getting your equipment in order as well…”

“Can’t you ask anyone else?”

“About that… In recent years, there hasn’t been anyone strong enough to venture to the lower levels… We also don’t want to gather materials in another country, but…”

“Understood. I feel like I’ve hit a wall when it comes to raising my level too. If going there will let me become stronger, I don’t mind.”

“T-thank you.”

“All right. But we were promised we could see him, so why can’t we?”

“W-well, the town is in a state of emergency.”

“Did something happen?”

“Y-yes, it seems a demon has appeared, and there is confusion within the chivalric order too.”

“Those are underlings of the demon king, right? But shouldn’t we go there, if something like that appeared?”

“Y-yes, I hear a specialist unit is handling that. We would like you to prepare to head to the dungeon. No one had ever seen a demon before, so for one to suddenly show up, it can only mean that the other side is about to really move out.”

“So we don’t have a lot of time? All right. What should we do?”

“We are hurrying our preparations as well, and we will call you once we are ready. Get your equipment in order, and do whatever it is you do before you travel.”

“…But if they’re really about to move, as you said, is it a good idea for us to not be here?”

“Yes. I don’t know why, but they say that they will know when the time comes.