◆ Near the Kingdom of Avangarde, Fourest Mountains ◆
“Stardust Memory”
As the sky, tinged with the hues of sunset, gradually shifted to the night, stars began to twinkle, each one asserting its presence. The resolution came swiftly. Within mere seconds, members of the brigade were struck down, falling from the trees as if they had been shot. The unconscious thieves plummeted into the swamp created by their boss, sinking one after another without even a groan.
Let me be clear: there was no battle here. What transpired was the suppression by “Sky Crown” Rupie. The speed of whatever was unleashed from the night sky was nearly impossible to perceive with the naked eye. It could detect the enemy’s movements and habits, accurately targeting them, making it no exaggeration to say that there was no one who could stand against him.
The reactions of the others witnessing Rupie’s true prowess, which had been saved for the Combat Tournament, were nothing short of speechless.
“What’s this about guerrilla warfare? Unfortunately, I have no intention of playing along.”
“W-what?! This wasn’t supposed to happen… ugh!”
As if to further torment the flustered Numark, the branch he had been sitting on arched gracefully. The branch, possessing a rope-like flexibility, took mere seconds to ensnare one of the thieves.
“If you’re coming to kill, you should at least do your homework on your opponent. I hate to say it, but A-Rank is actually a gathering of monsters.”
The one boasting this was Nokiri, the “Verdant Mage,” who had bound Numark with some skill while spreading his arms wide. With a androgynous face and a sullen expression, he was often misunderstood, but he was indeed a woman. As for whether she fell within my range of interest, that was a definite no. If only she polished herself a bit more, perhaps the unkempt gray hair that hung in disarray wouldn’t give off such a rough impression. I couldn’t tell her age, but she was probably around twenty. To reach A-Rank at such a young age was enough to make her seem otherworldly to ordinary folk. Yes, A-Rank was a realm of monsters. Recently, the impact of the girl with the ridiculous title of “Flash Strike Girl” had overshadowed that fact.
“Why is the Comet Wolf Brigade cooperating with the Phantom?”
“I don’t recall agreeing to cooperate… gyaah!”
“If you don’t provide a precise answer, I could just strangle you here and turn you in for the bounty.”
With a chilling coldness, Nokiri’s skill had Numark foaming at the mouth. I could only imagine that several of his bones were now broken.
“The Comet Wolf Brigade’s goal is the collapse of the monarchy and the destruction of the nation itself. It’s only natural that our interests align with theirs.”
“Were you the ones who directly attacked the Nation of Negesta?”
“It wasn’t our 11th squad that moved, but the main force.”
“So, it was the wolves that attacked Negesta. Now, tell me the scale of the Phantom and your band of thieves.”
Rupie’s voice held a coldness that matched Nokiri’s, and the Stardust Memory remained unbroken. The members of the Comet Wolf Brigade could be turned into cash for their heads, regardless of whether they lived or died. They had garnered such a reputation for themselves. They had destroyed, plundered, violated, and killed in the Kingdom of Amur, located far to the east of the Wizard Kingdom. Their actions and power had become a threat that every nation and organization now feared.
The Kingdom of Amur was by no means a weak nation. The S-Rank “Paladin” was whispered to surpass even Sage Hast in holy attribute magic. Everyone had heard the tale of how he single-handedly challenged a massive army from the Kratz Empire, ending the invasion war in less than a minute. In the militaristic empire, this event had become known as the “One-Minute War,” instilling fear among both the upper echelons and the populace. And now, that very Kratz Empire had been reduced to a mere memory by the Funeral Knight. It seemed that everywhere one looked, there were monsters.
“Nokiri, are there any other ambushers?”
“I sense none.”
The Verdant Mage Nokiri could hear the voices of plants and exert their power, allowing her to feel the presence of living beings around her when she concentrated. However, maintaining this state constantly seemed difficult, and she refrained from doing so while moving. Even without Rupie, the fate of the thieves was already sealed the moment they chose to pick a fight in the forest.
“You can’t just keep blabbering like that, can you?”
“Is that so? Then you can die.”
“Recovery complete.”
A voice unexpectedly rang out from an unforeseen direction. By the time I noticed the figure floating between the trees, Numark was already gone. Ridiculous; if anyone should be saying that, it should be Nokiri. Just moments ago, she had confidently declared that there were no other presences.
The figure was wrapped in cloth like bandages, covering most of its face. It wore a headpiece resembling a turban, commonly seen in the Nation of Kashiram, with fish-like, bulging eyes directed at us. Numark was being captured by a girl who was also floating, straddling a broom. No, it would be more accurate to say she was hanging him by the clothing caught on the broom’s tip. Dressed in a baggy black robe and a pointed hat typical of wizards, her curly pink hair and mischievous gaze made her seem quite the character. Who were these people? One thing was certain.
“…This is bad. What on earth is that?”
The fact that they had appeared without Nokiri sensing them only highlighted their strangeness. Rupie, along with other formidable figures like Franks and Baste, could only manage to grasp their weapons.
“Getou, why are you recovering something like this?”
“I want to see the so-called Custom Magic assault unit they mentioned for dealing with Flash Strike Girls. If she’s part of that, even better.”
“Even though she’s an important part, you nearly got yourself killed without being able to gauge their combat strength?”
“Don’t say such harsh things. They were originally a rabble, not much different from the Phantom.”
“I’m going home. I’m starving.”
They didn’t seem to care about us at all, and no one was enraged by that. In fact, I felt a sense of relief. We had narrowly escaped with our lives. If these people were indeed the Phantom, then there was only one thing we could do: avoid a fight at all costs.
◆ Town near the Kingdom of Avangarde, Inn’s Hot Spring ◆
It was tough to have Kurinka carry me for so long. Timing it just right as the sun began to set, we decided to stay overnight at a suitable spot. Compared to the Royal Capital, it was less impressive, but it was more developed than Queemil. Kurinka said that Queemil, despite being close to the Royal Capital, hadn’t developed much due to the Kizel Valley. The terrain was poor, and the reviving Floor Monsters and the Raging Chief made it difficult for anyone but seasoned Adventurers to pass through.
In contrast, from what I could see of this town from above, the road from the Royal Capital was well-maintained. Carriages frequently passed by, and there were fewer dangerous monsters. Strong Adventurers came and went often, making it difficult for thieves to operate here, forcing them to retreat to places like the Kizel Valley.
As I gazed at the tranquil scenery, I felt sleepy. However, if I accidentally dozed off and fell off Kurinka’s back, it would be dangerous, even for me. So, I had to stay alert during this journey through the skies.
“It’s quiet here. This place is peaceful.”
“I think we need to cherish places like this. That’s why we can’t let the Phantom spread any further from the Nation of Negesta.”
As the warm, milky water cascaded over our shoulders, we felt our skin rejuvenate. The silky hot spring water was quite different from that of Kizel Inn, and it felt incredibly soothing. While gazing at the moonlit sky, I pondered about the Phantom, Elmera, and Kou and Bun.
“Do you think Kou and Bun were taken by the Phantom?”
“But it’s strange that they left without being noticed by Ord or the innkeeper. Wait a minute. What if the innkeeper is a Phantom too?”
“N-no way… If there are that many Phantoms, it would be unbearable.”
“No, I’ve been thinking. Whether it’s the Uzei Religion or the Phantom, when people are dominated by a single ideology, it’s always when their hearts are weak.”
I suddenly adopted a serious expression, yet I didn’t stop playing with the water. I had been trying to do that for a while, but I wasn’t very good at it. Next to me, Shin was trying to hold back laughter while watching me, which annoyed me. Should I dunk him?
“Before I met Lua-chan, I really couldn’t do anything. I struggled with D-Rank jobs and ended up causing trouble for my party… I couldn’t get invited by anyone.”
With a voice that sounded like it was on the verge of tears, Kurinka had unknowingly stopped her water gun antics. Even as Shin splashed water against my cheek, I found myself captivated by her expression.
“If at that moment, Ryoho had come smiling and preaching about the Uzei Religion… I might have ended up over there,” she said wistfully.
“That’s not true! Not with you, Kurinka! Because that place is all about food.”
“When no one pays attention to you, and you feel rejected, being treated kindly by someone feels better than you’d expect. It’s like this person truly understands me.”
“Is that… really how it is?”
It is. I thought back to my first visit to the Guild. If it hadn’t been Kurinka who appeared there but someone else—say, Ryoho—then I might have believed in that person without question. I could have come to think that was the absolute truth and refused to acknowledge anything else. The person I am now exists because I’ve walked alongside Kurinka. I’ve met many people along the way. I’ve pondered this before, but had I taken a different path, I might have become someone entirely different.
“Hey, Sonic Super Splash!”
“Shut up.”
“Blub!”
After submerging the persistent Shin in the hot spring with one hand, I took a moment to think. People who are overwhelmed by loneliness and troubles. What if they heard the whispers of a Phantom?
“Blugh! Phew! Are you trying to kill me?”
“Oh, sorry.”
That was close. I should stop getting distracted by my thoughts while dealing with Shin.
“Why did the landlady get involved with the Phantom?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she has some significant troubles of her own. And you know, it’s not just about troubles… What if—just what if—someone important to me… like Lua-chan, were to disappear? I probably wouldn’t be able to go on living like this.”
“What are you talking about?!”
Kurinka said something unbelievable, and I instinctively hugged her tighter. I wanted to tell her that I wouldn’t go anywhere, but my excitement got the better of me.
“W-well, I’ve been thinking lately. Lua-chan is definitely strong, but… there might be monsters out there that are even stronger than her. This world is vast, so… maybe it’s okay to stop doing dangerous things and just live peacefully…”
“I won’t lose. Why are you saying such things all of a sudden?”
“No, it’s just… I don’t know. Lately, I’ve been feeling uneasy. What if one day, something truly terrifying appears and… destroys the world?”
“Even if that happens, I’ll defeat it.”
Before I knew it, we were too close for comfort. Kurinka was straddling my thigh, and I was on hers. A rush of emotions I had never felt before surged within me. It was a tingling sensation deep inside, both pleasant and overwhelming.
“I-I might be weird…”
“I’m sorry!”
I suddenly felt like I was doing something terribly wrong, and I hurriedly pulled away. Seeing Kurinka’s face turn bright red made me realize mine was probably the same. Had I overheated in the hot spring? My face felt unusually hot, and my breathing was erratic, as if I were caught in a dream.
“I might be weird too…”
“L-let’s get out! Tomorrow we’re heading to the Nation of Negesta!”
Kurinka was quicker to hide her embarrassment. She jumped out of the water so energetically that Shin nearly toppled over again.
“Hey, Shin, what’s wrong? Your face is red!”
“Shin is… just fine…!”
“That’s strange. Oh, when we get out, I’ll give you some Aurora Chocolate. I felt bad for eating most of it myself last time,” Kurinka said, reflecting on her actions.
“What?!”
As I watched Shin leap out of the water and buzz around like a bee, I wished I could fly like that too. Speaking of which, Shin was a member of the Demon Race, just like the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord Army. Maybe Shin knew something important. Now might be the right time to ask.
“I don’t have time to waste getting dressed! Let’s hurry up!”
“Wow, so fast…”
In the blink of an eye, Shin disappeared into the changing room. Thankfully, there was no one else around, but what if there had been? I suddenly felt a wave of calmness wash over me.
“It’s surprisingly cold.”
The sudden chill of the night breeze felt like a warning directed at me. Don’t get cocky; there are plenty of stronger beings out there than you.
“But I won’t lose.”
As I walked confidently against the night wind, a group of girls entered from the opposite side. They giggled at the sight of me, completely unguarded. The excitement I had felt moments ago faded, replaced by an unexpected wave of embarrassment.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Shin’s face is hot.
What are those two doing?
As the protector, I must stop their foolishness.
If this continues, I won’t be able to handle it.
I’m getting drowsy.
Ah, I need to eat some chocolate.
Ah, the fluffiness feels nice.
Chocolate!