(How did it come to this?)
Keiichiro asked himself.
He was in a luxurious room.
It had been several hours since he saved Reizei Akino.
He had taken her to a facility that could treat the injured.
That was about an hour ago.
Before he knew it, he was having a meal with Akino.
(To think she was the president’s daughter…)
He was on the top floor of a famous corporation’s branch office building.
According to Akino, the top five floors served as her living space.
He had guessed from her appearance that she belonged to the upper class.
But he hadn’t imagined she was entrusted with managing a branch office.
“Regarding this incident, you truly saved me,” Akino began.
“No. It just happened that way, so don’t worry about it.”
Finding Akino had been a coincidence.
He hadn’t been there specifically to save her.
Simply put, she had just been lucky.
“Still, why did you go to a place like that?”
Keiichiro asked, trying to change the subject.
With a group—and non-combatants among them, too.
It was hard to believe they had visited such a Cave without reason.
“We received information that there was an ore vein there. We were investigating whether the location was worth securing.”
“Does the president go herself?”
Even if it was a branch office, she was in a position to manage this high-rise building.
Was it really necessary for her to go to the site herself?
“To gain the trust of my subordinates, a commander must first show them that they can fight. Especially when one is young and has obtained their position through blood ties.”
“I see.”
The world of Adventurers was one of meritocracy.
In most cases, the Party Leader was also chosen based on ability.
Having lived in such a world, he could understand her reasoning.
Besides, she was young.
Combined with the fact that she was the president’s daughter, she was likely often accused of riding on her parents’ coattails.
That’s why she needed to prove herself through her actions.
—In Keiichiro’s eyes, she seemed to have earned her subordinates’ trust.
If his assessment was correct, it was surely the result of her way of life bearing fruit.
“By the way, I didn’t invite you here today just to thank you,” Akino said, looking straight at Keiichiro.
Her expression was completely serious.
“Would it be alright if we discussed business?”
“Business…?”
Keiichiro straightened his posture slightly.
And waited for her words.
“I’ll be direct.”
“Won’t you enter into a Sponsor Contract with me?”
A Sponsor Contract.
Just as the name suggested, it was a contract where a company became an Adventurer’s sponsor.
However—
“…I have no intention of becoming an idol, you know?”
A Sponsor Contract naturally required activities aligned with the sponsor’s intentions.
In many cases, in exchange for supporting the Adventurer’s activities, they were made to act like idols, serving as promotional figures.
Being an Adventurer was a dangerous profession.
If you didn’t delve into Dungeons, you wouldn’t earn a single coin.
But if you signed a Sponsor Contract, a certain income was guaranteed even without delving into Dungeons.
What you gained was stability.
But that wasn’t what Keiichiro sought.
To catch up to his childhood friend, he couldn’t stop even for a moment.
In that sense, a Sponsor Contract, which required accommodating the sponsor’s wishes, had more disadvantages for him.
(Maybe I’ll just hear her out and then refuse.)
He concluded—
“We have no such intentions either,” Akino’s words changed the flow of the conversation.
She stood up, leaning forward as she explained to Keiichiro.
“We will merely provide support; we have no intention of interfering with your plans.”
She wasn’t demanding anything, she said.
Normally, such a contract couldn’t exist.
Because a contract is only formed when gains and losses align.
“If I were to make a demand—”
“—Please become the strongest.”
The strongest.
That single word was Akino’s only demand.
“This is, so to speak, an investment.”
Akino placed a hand on her chest and smiled.
As expected of a woman shouldering a company.
She naturally made others listen.
She possessed such power.
“Believing that you will generate enormous profits in the future, we will provide support now without charge. That is the nature of this contract.”
If he were to guess the reason, it would be the battle earlier.
Akino had witnessed that fight and saw potential in Keiichiro.
She believed there would be a significant return eventually.
“Will you accept?”
Akino extended her hand.
Across the table from him.
Close enough to reach if he stretched out his arm.
But Keiichiro—didn’t reach out.
“I—was expelled from the Party I previously belonged to.”
Truthfully, Keiichiro was already starting to feel favorably towards Akino.
Her dignified presence was captivating.
That’s precisely why he would be sincere.
He would tell her about his expulsion.
He felt it would be too dishonest to accept her offer while hiding that fact.
“—May I inquire as to the reason for your expulsion?”
Akino’s voice hardened ever so slightly.
The negative image associated with expulsion.
Becoming a sponsor for Keiichiro, who carried that burden, involved risk.
Akino understood that.
“I was weak. That’s all there is to it.”
Lacking in strength.
As reasons for expulsion go, it was relatively minor.
Still, if what Akino sought was ‘the strongest’.
Keiichiro might not be able to meet her demand.
Akino withdrew her hand and sat back down in her chair.
Was she disillusioned?
He thought so, but Akino wore a gentle smile.
“…If that’s the case, then surely those people simply lacked foresight.”
She said so gracefully.
But—
“—Don’t speak ill of them.”
Keiichiro’s voice naturally lowered.
Akino had only meant to support him.
She hadn’t intended to insult the members of 【Holy Sword】.
Even knowing that, a slight edge crept into his voice.
“…My apologies. It is not my place to comment on such matters.”
Perhaps sensing Keiichiro’s feelings, Akino immediately offered an apology.
—She was an astute woman.
From Keiichiro’s reaction, she realized he wasn’t on bad terms with his former Party.
That’s why she apologized immediately.
She understood it would leave a better impression on Keiichiro.
Her refusal to make excuses was also admirable.
At least, when it came to negotiations, she was certainly several steps ahead of Keiichiro.
“In any case, as long as it wasn’t due to a crime, it doesn’t matter. Lacking strength is quite alright.”
Akino declared firmly.
She wore a confident smile—
“Because you—are going to become strong from now on.”
Keiichiro’s eyes widened slightly.
Going to become strong from now on.
Going to become the strongest.
She had said that to him.
He wanted to become strong.
He wished to reach the pinnacle of strength.
But that was his resolve alone.
A vow that others would likely laugh off if he told them.
Now, Akino had affirmed it.
She had extended her hand, saying she wanted to help him achieve it.
How much those words meant to Keiichiro.
Surely, even Akino herself couldn’t fully comprehend it.
“—Alright. I accept the contract you offered earlier.”
This time, Keiichiro stood up.
And reached out his hand towards her on the other side of the table.
Akino, meanwhile, stared at Keiichiro’s hand, looking slightly surprised.
“Of course, not just a verbal agreement. After I’ve confirmed the written documents,” Keiichiro added with a smile.
This was a business discussion.
He had no intention of neglecting the details.
“Do you think I would do something akin to a scammer?”
Despite her words, there was no hint of displeasure on Akino’s face.
She also stood up and extended her hand.
“If I thought that, I wouldn’t have even accepted verbally.”
Their hands clasped over the table.
The path to chasing the strongest.
The battle to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his childhood friend.
This was the moment an ally had appeared.
“Come to think of it, may I ask the name of the Party you previously belonged to?”
“…………【Holy Sword】.”
“The 【Holy Sword】!?”
Akino cried out, almost shrieking.
It seemed that even she hadn’t expected Keiichiro to be a former member of the 【Hero Party】.