◆ Near the Kingdom of Avangarde ◆
【The Crystal Dragon unleashed its Aurora Breath!】
Rainbow-colored smoke swirled and engulfed the surroundings, scorching the flora and freezing it in place. The Aurora Breath, a skill unique to higher-tier dragons, brought both searing heat and freezing cold at once. Why had a Crystal Dragon, the highest-ranking dragon found only in Dragon’s Valley, appeared in such a place? Nearby, there was a small hot spring town. If the local guards struggled against even a single Wyvern, what would have happened if I hadn’t happened to be here?
“Hero Eeks, I’d like to show off my skills, but…”
Right now, I was facing an opponent I couldn’t easily defeat. Back when I was part of the Demon Lord Army and served as a Funeral Knight, I had the Death Weapon Merchant’s armor and the Bad Slayer, which allowed me to keep the Twelve Demon Generals at bay. I had long since disposed of those dangerous items, and now I wielded a semi-Orichalcum sword. The dragon, with its long neck and body, stood like a mirror reflecting my every move, slowly cornering me. Its armor was something many wealthy individuals coveted. Countless bankrupt nobles and annihilated hunting parties were associated with it. It was now a material said to be unattainable, almost mythical.
I wasn’t hunting this beast out of greed. I had simply wanted to take a breather in this remote hot spring town, but here I was, faced with this. Yes, the town was just over there.
【Eeks’ Slasher Waltz! Dealt 2650 damage to the Crystal Dragon! HP 8752/26000】
“Not done yet!”
【The Crystal Dragon attacks! Eeks dodged nimbly!】
I attempted to follow up with another strike, but this opponent was not foolish enough to allow that. It whipped its neck like a lash, creating distance between us. It was wounded, just a little more to go. But a wounded dragon is one of the most terrifying creatures. Dragons are said to stand at the pinnacle of monsters. Even sending an entire division wouldn’t suffice against this beast. The Crystal Dragon, like other super beasts, had skills it unleashed only when injured.
【The Crystal Dragon’s Mirror Shield!】
“Tch… That’s cheating.”
This massive skill reflected any attacks or skills directed at it back at the attacker. I couldn’t claim ignorance for having cornered it without knowing this. A transparent mirror surrounded the dragon, inviting me in. It was a disgrace for a hero to show such vulnerability. No matter how monstrous the opponent, I was supposed to be the hero who would win without question. And when results didn’t come, the public would turn on me in an instant. My emotions, remnants of my time before becoming a Funeral Knight, threatened to spill over in this situation. Moreover, there were people in the town waiting for the hero to triumph over the dragon and return in glory.
I had come to this countryside to forget everything, yet here I was, unable to escape it. No matter how far I went, I wanted to remain a hero. The very fact that I was concerned about expectations was undeniable.
“A child who admired me and ventured into the outside world is now the hero of the nation! Do you understand that? You, a mere beast living by instinct, wouldn’t get it!”
Even if I lashed out at this monster, all I would receive in return was a growl. It was Ritta who reminded me of the adventurer life I had once cast aside, so I couldn’t help it. It was only when I was infuriated for not even being entrusted with the coronation ceremony’s guard that I realized I still held a yearning for my past as an adventurer. It was a pathetic story, but seeing Ritta being needed by everyone ignited a fire within me. Being a hero was exhausting, yet I still sought it because of her. Watching her live so joyfully made me want to reclaim that life.
I had come to the countryside to forget, but that small pride of mine, that I wasn’t even called to guard the coronation ceremony, still lingered. It was clear that my time had long passed.
“Yes, it’s not my time anymore. Now it’s hers—”
【???’s Neck Hunt! Severed the Crystal Dragon’s head!】
Suddenly, the long neck was severed, and the body collapsed to the ground. It seemed to take a moment for the reality of its demise to sink in. Behind me stood the one who had taken down this creature that threatened the kingdom. They moved without a trace, and it wasn’t just one or two of them.
“Looks like the ones led by that so-called Dragon God got separated. Shim, Deputy Commander, handle it as usual.”
“Yes, but the price of the Crystal Dragon’s materials has plummeted, so I’m not sure of their value.”
“That can’t be helped. If they lose value, we’ll just find something else. Right now, we can’t be defeated by anyone.”
The Avangarde Special Operations Unit—what were they doing all the way out here? It was Enkal, that deputy commander, who had just slain the Crystal Dragon. He had previously been a B-rank adventurer with a decent reputation. But of course, he didn’t have the strength to take down that dragon alone.
“Oh my, could this be the hero… Hmm, was it Eeks-san?”
“…Thank you.”
“No, no, it’s only natural that someone called a hero wouldn’t struggle against such a monster. I shouldn’t have interfered.”
As I tried to leave after a brief acknowledgment, I was met with more words of pursuit. In the past, if Ritta or I tried to pass, they would have stepped aside. I truly couldn’t understand how they had gained such audacity. How had they acquired such power?
“Well, failures happen.”
“I’ll take care of the cleanup, so Eeks-san, could you guide the townspeople you were trying to evacuate?”
“Ah, uh…”
Every word they spoke felt like a jab, even a blade. I intended to respond with maturity, but everyone has their limits. Yet, Ritta would surely endure a bit more. If I, the older brother, couldn’t manage it, then what was I doing?
“Understood.”
“And by the way, there have been sightings of vicious monsters like the current dragon, including the remnants of Metallica’s Heartless and Vandalsia’s subordinates. While it’s fine to roam around, it interferes with the Special Operations Unit’s work, so please exercise some restraint in the future.”
“Ugh…!”
What on earth was wrong with these people? I wanted to know how they had become so arrogant. They had no business using honorifics, yet their forced politeness grated on me.
I hadn’t even been able to visually perceive Enkal’s earlier skill, the Neck Hunt. It was frustrating, but fighting here would yield little chance of victory. Truly, it was pathetic compared to my days as a Funeral Knight in the Demon Lord Army. They acted like a lively adventurer party, despite their role as the Special Operations Unit. They laughed while dismantling the Crystal Dragon, creating an atmosphere as if they were about to celebrate at a tavern. In the end, they were adventurers, no matter how far they had come.
“Honestly, it’s pitiful to see Hero Eeks like this. I hear you’ve been fawning over that Flash Strike Girl. You pretend to be a kind older figure, but she’s probably looking down on you inside, just like we did.”
“I can hear you, Enkal…”
“Good, let them hear. After all, we’re stronger than you right now.”
As I tried to walk away, my feet came to a halt. My current strength and pride didn’t matter. What I could do now, what I wanted to do, even if it meant drinking muddy water, I had made my decision.
“Hey…”
“Huh?”
The ones who had mocked me showed no sign of scrambling to cover up their laughter when I spoke. I would take my stand here.
◆ Avangarde Royal Capital, High-Class Residential District ◆
“Hey Ritta, I’m back.”
“Welcome back…”
The living room was a spacious area, with a plush sofa that seemed to swallow me whole when I sat down, and a table made of some kind of ore. Not only everyday items but also shelves filled with luxurious ornaments of unknown purpose were scattered throughout. My brother, Nikka, kept buying them even if they weren’t necessary.
“This month’s paycheck should be generous. I went all the way to hunt a Crystal Dragon, after all. It was easy, really, since Deputy Commander Enkal took it down all by himself. So, what’s for dinner today? There’s a servant here, right?”
“Nikka, um…”
“If you serve something subpar, I’ll fire you.”
Ignoring my attempt to speak, my brother headed toward the kitchen. Ever since he was appointed to the Special Operations Unit, life had indeed become easier.
“Ah, today’s menu is Tiger Fish Meunière. I really wanted a higher rank, but I’ll settle for a passing grade.”
“Nikka, I want to work too.”
“What are you saying, Ritta? A girl shouldn’t be a soldier. Besides, I’ll buy everything you need. You’re happy to be out of that filthy barracks, right?”
“I can’t stand this. They threw away all the mementos of my mom and dad… All that’s left are worthless luxury items. Where did my old brother go?”
Sure, life has become easier, and there’s not a single inconvenience. But I can’t take it anymore. Thanks to the establishment of the Avangarde Special Operations Unit, the number of soldiers has drastically decreased, leaving only ornamental guards and patrols. If I’m not careful, I might even be forced to clean the castle.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for me to spend my days off at home all day long. Whenever I try to go outside, my brother gets angry, saying, “What if a girl like you wanders around and gets into danger?” I’ve grown stronger, yet this is not why I’ve trained to be a soldier.
“…Is Ritta happier with a weak brother? He got beaten up badly in the Combat Tournament and couldn’t even stand up to the Demon Lord Army’s executives. A brother who can’t even protect his little sister is pathetic.”
“Are you still worried about that…? That’s all in the past.”
“Even Lua, whom you adore, is using her power to protect what she wants. In the end, your admiration is all about strength.”
“I just want to do what I want… I don’t want to live a life where I’m protected.”
“Whatever anyone thinks, I won’t let you suffer. A girl your age shouldn’t have to risk her life sweating like this. This is the result of my careful consideration. I will protect you; I want you to live.”
My brother, standing in this lavish space, looks somehow empty. All around are expensive decorations that hold no interest for me, merely flaunting power. The conversations at the dining table revolve around what monsters were defeated recently or how impressive someone from the Special Operations Unit is. There were times I felt irritated with my brother’s unreliable smile, but now that’s all gone.
The Avangarde Special Operations Unit has captivated the world with its extraordinary power, but I can’t accept it. I don’t want to speak ill of them, but there must be something behind it. If there is, I want to know. If that something is filled with evil and ugliness, I won’t forgive it. I won’t forgive what has changed my brother so much. The power I want to cling to is something I once sullied myself with—truly ugly.
“Well then, it seems dinner is ready. Ritta, you should eat too… Huh? This is awful!”
“Yikes! W-was there a mistake?!”
“It’s bland! Neither I nor Ritta like this! Remake it!”
“I-I’ll do it right away!”
My brother slams the expensive plate down onto the floor, intimidating the trembling servant. No matter how much I try to soothe him, saying it’s delicious and that it’s fine, he absolutely insists on a remake. I’m getting tired of this back-and-forth.
“Brother… this is too much.”
“If you pamper the hired help, they’ll just get more arrogant. We’re paying a high price, so we need to establish a clear hierarchy and make them understand their place.”
“Is this how you treat people in the Special Operations Unit too…?”
“Awful? What do you mean?”
His expression is genuinely confused, as if he doesn’t understand my sarcasm, so I decided to stop engaging. I’ve only done the bare minimum of training to maintain my strength today, and I have no appetite.
“Ritta, where are you going?”
“Servants, I don’t need my share. If my brother gets angry again, I can just quit; I’ll pay for it myself. Is that what they call a retirement fund?”
“What are you saying?!”
“Given our position as hired help, that’s only natural.”
My brother is still shouting something, but I just want to get away. I jump onto the unnecessarily large bed in my room on the second floor and let my mind drift.
Thinking back, I was against my brother becoming an Adventurer. Just like how I worry about him, I don’t want him to take on a job that risks his life. Especially not that weak brother of mine. Yes, that worry has only made him more resolute. He feels the need to act as a reliable brother, and that feeling has spiraled out of control.
“Brother… I’ve realized something. True strength isn’t like that…”
I mutter something that he would never understand, then close my eyes and try to sleep.
◆ Ikana Village, Central Square, Assembly Hut ◆
“This is bad, very bad, everyone.”
The reason the village chief is groaning is, of course, the village’s income. With no idea how long our savings will last, the village’s crops still aren’t selling. The requests we’ve completed today are all ones that D-Rank Adventurers would take on. It’s income that can’t even feed our families, let alone the village.
Even in such dire circumstances, those strange sisters are having their odd exchanges, and Platiu is following them around, feeling lonely. As expected, she’s now slumped over the table, looking bored.
“…At this rate, we have no choice but to curry favor with the new king.”
“But according to what Lua and Kurinka heard, it seems they’re targeting not just this village but also the two of them.”
“Is that really the time to be saying such things? If those two can just hold on…”
The villagers seem on the verge of arguing with each other. Perhaps realizing how awkward that statement was, they look down apologetically and fall silent. I admit I couldn’t hold back, but I absolutely refuse to be at the mercy of those naked ones.
“Meria, do you have any good ideas?”
“You’re asking me?”
“Because we really have no options left…”
“…Really?”
When I see them peering at me like that, I can’t continue. Maybe they genuinely want to hear my thoughts. No, knowing this person, they might just be trying to make me think hard. But as a member of this village, I wish they would cooperate a little.
“Alright. Elmera, use Imagination Magic to create money.”
“Is that okay?”
“Or we could change the perception of people across the country. Let’s make them cherish Ikana Village.”
“Both aren’t impossible, but I never thought I’d hear such words from you, big sister.”
“That’s fine! We’ll figure something out!”
We can manage it, but it won’t be easy. The moment I try to stop, Meria smiles brightly and leans on the table, watching us.
“…It’s not difficult.”
“What’s wrong, Platiu? Aren’t you sleepy?”
“I’m sleepy.”
Her already droopy eyes are now completely closed. It’s late at night, so that’s understandable. Just when I thought she would stay that way, she suddenly lifts her head.
“We should do the same thing the Special Operations Unit does.”
“What do you mean?”
“That’s why…”
After mumbling something, Platiu flops back down onto the table. With her quietly snoring, our discussion comes to an end. Yes, we’ve been too fixated on being Adventurers until now. I’m not sure if everyone is completely satisfied, but since we’ve wrapped things up here, they must trust us to handle it.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Platiu is steadily becoming a brainless fool. This is naturally a matter of stealing Shin’s thunder. A serious problem. Originally, she was a kid who could develop and handle things herself. There’s no way she could be this incompetent. What should I do with her?
Character Introduction
– Nikka: Ritta’s brother and an A-Rank Adventurer. He was defeated by Hecaton in the main event of the Combat Tournament and suffered serious injuries. Known as the “Meteor,” he excels in agile combat. His weapon is a spear, the same as Ritta’s.