Chapter 4

10/25 Subtitle changed.

◆The Sage Chiyuki, Companion of the Hero

"Just a little more, Senpai Chiyuki."

Spinning around, Sasaki Rino, also known as Rino, said. Rino, who had aimed to become a model who could sing and dance in her original world, was an excellent dancer. Does she know that she has recently begun to be called the Goddess of Dance by the people of this world? She becomes the center of attention wherever she walks in the human city because she dances everywhere. The problem lies in her preference for mini-skirt-like clothing. As a result, she often attracts many men's lecherous gazes. When I mentioned this to her, she said, "I'm used to it, so it's fine," and didn't seem to mind. Being a model is a job where one has to get used to such gazes. I couldn't endure it if I were in her position.

"That's right, just a little more, Rino."

I nodded in response to Rino's words. We are almost at the demon king's castle. If we defeat the demon king Modus there, we can return to our original world. This long journey is about to end.

"Ah, this difficult journey is finally over."

Raiji said with a deep sense of reflection.

"That's a lie, you always seemed to enjoy it, didn't you?"

"Was I?"

When I said this, he laughed. For Raiji, who was summoned as the Hero of Light, this world was actually enjoyable. No, it wasn't just him. Rino and Naoh also enjoyed it. We came to this world half a year ago, summoned by a woman named Reina, who claimed to be a goddess. Reina asked us to defeat the demon king. It was a situation straight out of a manga. To be honest, I was dissatisfied. What she did was kidnapping, and it was not something to be forgiven. However, I couldn't ask Reina to send us back to our original world. Raiji readily accepted the task of defeating the demon king because it was a request from a beautiful woman. As a result, the other girls were also dragged into it. However, the only one who was dissatisfied was me. Raiji, Rino, and Naoh were overjoyed to be in a game world. Thus, our adventure began. At first, I was anxious. I was worried if we could survive in this world. However, those worries turned out to be unfounded. We are strong in this world. Since coming to this world, our physical abilities have improved dramatically, almost like superhumans. I believe this improvement in physical abilities is proportional to our abilities in the original world. This is because Raiji and Naoh, who had high physical abilities in the original world, have the highest physical abilities among us. Even Sahoko, who has the lowest physical ability, could probably throw several average adult men in this world. Another factor is magic. It seems that only a few people in this world can use magic. However, we can all use it, and at a level that surpasses the people of this world. For example, my magic ability, along with Raiji and Sahoko's, is high, while Naoh's is the lowest. Why this is so is unknown, as there was no magic in our original world. Each of us can use different types of magic. I cannot use fire or lightning magic like Rino, and I am not good at healing magic like Sahoko. In return, Rino and Sahoko cannot use teleportation magic. According to Naoh, who is familiar with games, Rino is a spirit-type mage, Sahoko is a healing-type mage, and I am a power-type mage. Using these abilities, we have become the strongest beings in this world. Especially Raiji, who is called the Hero of Light, has formidable combat skills. Even if the other five of us, including me, were to team up, we couldn't defeat him. Reina says that in terms of combat power, he is on par with the king of the gods, Audis. If it were only the girls, we would be in danger, but thanks to Raiji, we can easily overcome such situations. Our journey is almost over. Looking back, I think we could have asked for more. Of course, we expected to be sent back to our original world, but we could have also demanded a reward. Because Raiji readily accepted the task, we couldn't secure any rewards. However, can we still demand a reward now? Raiji, who is weak for beautiful women, might eventually fail because of a woman. I wish he would show the same kindness to women of his own gender, but he doesn't seem to have that intention. According to him, men must solve their own problems, and he only helps women. However, to me, it seems like he only helps cute girls, but it's probably just my imagination.

"The demon king's castle, I've come back from reconnaissance."

Naoh, who had gone to scout, returned. She was the ace of the track and field team at our school and has physical abilities comparable to Raiji. She is known as a wild child of the school, but in reality, she is a very cute girl. She considers herself a ranger or thief in game terms and is responsible for such reconnaissance.

"How was it, Naoh?"

"Nothing special, no traps, and no soldiers guarding it. I think it's safe to proceed."

"That's strange, it's the final stronghold, isn't it?"

"Maybe they're cowering in fear of us?"

Rino said optimistically.

"Perhaps they don't have any soldiers left to guard it? You know, we defeated the Dark Knights a few days ago. That might have been the last of them..."

Shirone said uncertainly. Shirone comes from a family that runs a kendo dojo, and she herself practices kendo. In this world, she is now one of the strongest swordsmen, and among us, she is the second strongest in non-magical combat after Raiji. I have seen her fight, and her ponytail moves dynamically, almost like a dance. She wears light armor for ease of movement. Raiji suggested a bikini armor, but she refused. The Dark Knights she mentioned are the enemies we fought four days ago. At that time, Raiji was on a separate mission, and we struggled without him. Especially the knight named Ranfeld, who claimed to be the leader, was a formidable opponent, matching Shirone in sword skills and having strong magic resistance. We struggled, but when Raiji realized our predicament and rushed to our aid, the situation turned around, and Ranfeld barely escaped. Thanks to Raiji's efforts, the Dark Knights were almost annihilated, with only a few remnants remaining.

"I think it's best if there's nothing there..."

Sahoko said. She is the one among us who dislikes conflict the most. Skilled in healing magic, she heals sick or injured people whenever she has the chance and is called the Healing Saint.

"Indeed, it would be best if there's no resistance. Dealing with weaklings would just be troublesome."

I agreed with Sahoko.

"Well, we'll see when we get there. Everyone, let's go!!"

"Oo!!"

Raiji's call was met with agreement from Rino and Naoh. We advanced toward the demon king's castle. A few minutes later, we reached the main gate without any problems. There were no guards, but a single figure in pitch-black armor stood there.

"Dark Knight...?"

He was dressed similarly to the Dark Knights we fought before. His face was hidden by a helmet, and it didn't seem to be Ranfeld. However, why is he alone? Everyone else was also puzzled. At this point, a single Dark Knight shouldn't be a match for us. What is the demon king thinking? The Dark Knight drew his sword.

"My name is Dark Knight Dihart! Hero Raiji, I challenge you to a duel!!"

◆The Young Man Who Became a Dark Knight, Kuroki

"My name is Dark Knight Dihart! Hero Raiji, I challenge you to a duel!!"

I stood before them, wearing the Dark Knight's armor, and announced my name. In my hand was a sword, a magic sword given to me by Modus. It is said that its sharpness changes according to the wielder's magic power. The blade was black with crimson patterns. The feel of the sword was different from a bamboo sword. I had held a Japanese sword before, and it felt similar. That time, it was a blunted sword, but this one could cut a person. In the end, I couldn't refuse Modus's request. I feel ashamed that I couldn't clearly refuse. Moreover, I find it funny to use the fake name Dihart. Dihart is the name of an enemy character from an anime I watched in the past. He had an unnecessarily high pride and was easily defeated by the protagonist, a clown. It fits my current situation perfectly. I used this name to avoid being recognized by Shirone. The helmet, one of the Dark Knight's armors given to me by Modus, covers the entire head, so my face is not visible. Therefore, Shirone shouldn't recognize me. The helmet is enchanted, and even with it on, my voice can be heard clearly due to magic. I had the enchantment slightly modified so that my voice sounds different from usual. As long as I wear this helmet, my usual voice should not be heard. The helmet also has a red gem in the eye area, which apparently protects against visual impairing magic. Despite the red gem, my vision is normal, a testament to the power of magic. I looked at them from under the helmet.

The beautiful, long-haired Mizukami Chizuki. Raiji's childhood friend and a healing-type beauty, Yoshino Sahoko. The model, Sasaki Rino, who is two years younger. The track and field ace and wild child of the school, Todoroki Naoh. And my childhood friend, Akamine Shirone. All of them are beautiful girls and Raiji's entourage. Shirone stood next to Raiji. I didn't want to see her standing next to him, so I avoided looking. I didn't expect to see it today. I looked at Raiji. He wore a white armor with gold patterns, a golden circlet with a blue gem in the center on his head, and a valuable crimson mantle on his back. He looked like a true Hero of Light called by a goddess. Honestly, I think he looks cool. In contrast, I am the demon king's lackey, and I am alone. What is this difference? Honestly, it makes me want to cry.

"Everyone, step back."

As expected, Raiji asked the girls to step back. He seems to accept the duel. I feel the pressure as we face each other. I regret not refusing more clearly. This is a fight to the death. I am not prepared to die. I feel like I will be miserably cut down. I am a fool, a big fool. I should drop my sword and bow now. But for some reason, I take a stance with my sword. Raiji also draws his sword. The blade glows. His sword is also a magic sword, I assume.

"I'll end this in one strike."

Raiji smiles brightly. That smile is a sign of his confidence that he will not lose. This is the second time we are fighting. I remember he smiled similarly the last time we faced each other. We stand facing each other for a few seconds.

"If you won't come, I'll come to you!!"

Raiji moves first. He kicks the ground and closes the distance in an instant. His speed is much faster than Ranfeld's. However, his movements seem similar to the last time. Raiji disappears as he reaches me. I anticipated this. It's the same as the last time I lost. I hold my sword to the right. The shock wave travels through the blade. I use a sliding step, a hip rotation, and a wrist twist to deflect Raiji's attack with my sword. Raiji seems to lose his balance, but—

"Whoa!!"

Normally, he would lose his balance there. But Raiji, without resisting, rotates vertically and stands up, regaining his balance. It's a monkey-like movement. What kind of physical abilities does he have? Raiji regains his balance and attacks from the front. I don't block his sword but slide to the side to maintain my balance and deflect his sword with a rotating motion. This sliding movement on the ground is something I recently mastered after much practice. Raiji seems to lose his balance but regains it by rotating to the side. We clash swords again. Each time we clash, my mind becomes more blank. The sound of clashing swords rings out.

"Ugh!!"

Then, for the umpteenth time, Raiji attacks. With a slightly anxious voice, he delivers a sloppy strike. I barely dodge and swing my sword. I feel the sensation of cutting something. Time seems to stop. My sword has cut diagonally from his right shoulder to his body. Although I didn't cut him in half, it is a fatal wound. Blood spurts from the wound.

"Wha...?"

Raiji looks at his chest in disbelief and slowly falls backward.

"Raiji-kun!!"

"Rai-kun!!!"

"Raiji-senpai!!"

"Raiji-san!!"

"Raiji-kun!!!"

Five screams rise. They move. Sensing a killing intent, I hastily step back. At that moment, a ball of fire hits the spot where I was standing. A giant fire giant stands before me, and Rino is beside it.

"Go, Flame King!"

She shouts, and the fire giant attacks. Realizing the danger, I extend my left hand, which is not holding the sword.

"Black Flame!"

Black flames emerge from my hand and block the fire giant's attack. This is a spell I learned just before the battle.

"Rai-kun! Healing wind, heal his wounds!"

Sahoko rushes to the fallen Raiji.

"Everyone! Gather around Raiji-kun!"

Chizuki's panicked voice causes the girls to gather around Raiji.

"Teleport!!"

With that shout, the fire giant's attack stops. Looking ahead, no one is there.

"Did we win..."

I mutter, and my body trembles. I kneel on the ground.