Chapter 34

"Rena... Calm down, okay? Listen to me carefully!"

"Sure, Dad. You should calm down first, though."

"How can I stay calm in a situation like this!"

"What? Which one?"

"Well, Rena, your skill is... 'Holy Maiden'!"

The father, who had conducted Rena's coming-of-age ceremony, then waited for her reaction. However, there was no particular reaction from Rena. After waiting for a while... since she didn't say anything, Rena's father asked her.

"...You're not surprised?"

"No, I kind of expected it."

"What!? You mean, you had a premonition!?"

"No, it's not that. The skill that manifested didn't seem ordinary, and it felt like something I've never seen before..."

"Oh, I see."

"Also, I could use healing magic before, right? But the skill that manifested was clearly different from a healer's, so I thought it might be something like this."

"Yeah, I see."

He had heard rumors that some people could use magic before receiving their 'Divine Skill' during the coming-of-age ceremony. But he never thought his own child would be one of them.

Rena was a child who, from a young age, couldn't stand to see people in the village in trouble. She even took care of the sick in the village and, by mimicking the spells cast by healers, managed to use healing magic.

So, he thought her 'Divine Skill' would be a healer's... but...

"But Rena, still, it's the 'Holy Maiden'! The 'Holy Maiden'..."

"Dad."

Rena's slightly strong tone made him stop talking. After confirming that her father was silent, Rena continued.

"'Don't judge people by their skills. If there is a difference among people, it is in their actions.' Isn't that what you always say, Dad?"

"...Yeah, sorry."

"So, I want you to act normally, Dad."

Reflecting on his own attitude at his beloved daughter's words.

"...Can we start over?"

"Sure, that's fine."

Straightening his heart, he looked at Rena directly and said,

"Rena. Congratulations on coming of age."

"Thank you, Dad."

Rena smiled happily.

Nevertheless, the 'Holy Maiden' skill was special. The news spread quickly and reached the capital. High officials visited Rena's home, and it was decided that she would study in the capital.

They were going to send someone to escort her, but Rena said,

"Since I'm here, I'd like to see things along the way."

There was also talk of providing a guard, but...

"In that case, I'd like to hire an adventurer as a guard. Soldiers make me a bit nervous..."

So, an adventurer was hired as a guard.

The person assigned to guard Rena was a young man not much older than her, probably just an adult.

"Hello, my name is Elyus. I'm still a beginner, but I have some confidence in my sword skills. I will do my best to guard you, so please rest assured."

While bowing politely to her father, Elyus extended his hand. Her father, while shaking his hand, asked,

"You have confidence in your sword skills... do you have any related skills?"

"Yes, my skill is 'Sword Saint.'"

"Hmm. A Sword Saint... Kek, a Sword Saint!?"

"Yes. I learned sword skills from my father, who is also a Sword Saint, since I was a child."

"Whaaat!? So you are the son of the Sword Saint Gareus!?"

"Yes, his son."

"Really?"

"Yes. Here is the certificate issued by the guild."

Rena also peeked at the certificate her father received. The parchment indeed stated, "This person's skill is recognized as 'Sword Saint.'"

"Indeed... I perform 'Divine Proclamation,' so I see many certificates. This one is genuine."

"Thank you. I hope to be of some help to your daughter on her journey."

"Sure, I'd like to ask you! Thank you!"

The discussion with the client was settled, and he then extended his hand to Rena.

"Nice to meet you, Rena."

She shook his hand and said,

"Rena is fine. I'll call you Elyus too."

"That would be great. I don't like formalities."

"Hehe, me neither."

Thus, Rena set off for the capital with him.

The journey was peaceful.

There were no particular incidents, and the two of them continued on the road to the capital. Along the way, Rena asked Elyus,

"Reason for becoming an adventurer?"

"Yeah. If I'm a Sword Saint, I could serve the royal family in the capital, right?"

"That's true. Actually, I was invited to become an officer."

"Then why not?"

"Well, it's a long story..."

"Go ahead, we still have a long journey ahead."

"Alright."

According to Elyus... the sword techniques he now possesses originated from a female swordsman called 'Guardian of the Messenger.'

This swordsman is said to have saved more lives than anyone else. He takes the most pride in refining this sword.

"So, I believe the purpose of this sword and the 'Sword Saint' skill is not for personal glory but to help people."

"Sounds like a good philosophy."

"It's encouraging to hear that from a 'Holy Maiden.'"

"Stop teasing me."

"Haha."

As they were talking...

"Found you! Elyus! Hey! Wait up!"

From a distance behind them, someone was calling Elyus's name. Elyus sighed and said,

"Sorry, Rena. I have some business to attend to."

He stopped, and Rena also stopped walking.

Looking back, two people were running towards them. One carried a spear, and the other carried a bow. The one shouting was the man with the spear, and as soon as he caught up, he shouted,

"I'm going to win today! So if you lose, you have to join my party!"

"Come on, Falan, give up. With 'Great Spear,' you can't beat a 'Sword Saint.'"

"Shut up, Nick! A man can't give up a fight just because of a skill!"

The man with the spear was Falan, and the one with the bow was Nick. While Falan was complaining to Nick, Elyus explained the situation in a low voice.

"That guy, Falan, once we took a job together... I killed more monsters than him, and since then, he's been persistent about joining my party."

"Why not let him join?"

"No, since I killed more, he should join my party, right?"

It didn't really matter which way it went, but maybe that's how men are.

Then, Falan looked at Rena and asked Elyus,

"By the way, Elyus."

"What is it?"

"Is this girl joining your party? If so, I can't force a woman, but I can join your party..."

"No, she's my guard target."

"Hmph, I see. Then you should join my party."

"I refuse."

"No, you can't."

"Yes, I can."

"No, you can't."

As they continued their fruitless argument...

"I'm sorry."

Nick apologized.

"Why? It's fun, isn't it?"

I reassured him.

They arrived at the capital and headed to the royal academy where Rena would study. As expected, the headmaster had been informed and came to the gate to welcome them.

"Here, the sign for the completion of the guard duty."

Elyus handed over the request form, received a signature from the headmaster, and then turned to Rena.

"Well, Rena. It was fun, but I don't think I'd want to do this kind of job all the time... no, maybe I would."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because it doesn't help with my sword training. It's too easy."

"Sometimes it's good, though. If you always work hard, you'll get tired, right?"

"You're right. So, if you like, you can ask for me again when you return home."

"Sure, I will. Elyus... thank you."

"See you, good luck with your studies."

As an adventurer, Elyus didn't show any particular reluctance and turned to leave.

I watched his back for a while... but suddenly, I felt a sense of anxiety, as if my heart was being gripped. Why? I was so anxious.

It was just a gut feeling, but...

This study abroad involves a lot of people. I might embarrass my parents. The high officials, the royal family, and the nobles who have moved for this study abroad might be embarrassed.

Even though she was still naive, Rena understood this much.

But...

Still.

She decided to follow her gut feeling.

"Headmaster, I'm sorry, but..."

"Hmm?"

"Can we cancel this study abroad?"

Elyus formed a party. The party name was 'Dragon Fangs.'

Dragon fangs are numerous, but when they align, they are beautifully aligned, symbolizing unity. Rena didn't know the word or its origin, so when she first heard the party name,

"Ugh, it's lame."

She thought... or maybe she said it out loud, judging by Elyus's expression.

A few days after Rena joined Elyus's party, Falan said,

"Well, I can't help it. With just two people, it's not much, right? I'll join too."

He brought Nick along. It wasn't clear why he couldn't help it, but it was probably best not to question it.

While having a meal with Elyus, he suddenly asked,

"Hey, Rena."

"Hmm? What?"

"I've been wondering, why did you stop the study abroad and decide to become an adventurer?"

"Hmm? I didn't decide to become an adventurer."

"Huh?"

"Well, if you ask me why... I don't really know myself."

"Hmm..."

"Well, it's fine. At least this way, we can have a lively meal together."

"Yeah, that's true..."

Rena's answer didn't seem to satisfy him, but Elyus didn't press further.

Looking at him, I thought...

Yes.

I understand, but I don't understand.

Why did I think that?

When I saw Elyus leave after his guard duty, what was the emotion that welled up inside me?

But, at that moment,

I decided...

I don't want him to be alone.

That's what I thought.

Thank you for reading the additional episode. I hope you enjoyed it.

Here are the plans for future additional episodes:

Additional Episode 2, Chapter 13 Supplement

Elyus returns home to entrust a letter to his mother for Elaine. The full content of the letter and the last conversation with his mother, which were not described in the main story.

Additional Episode 3

Three years after forming the party, Elyus is troubled by a recurring sense of déjà vu.

Unable to confide in anyone, Elyus is visited by a man who tells him the whereabouts of Elaine, the accountant.

The man tells Elyus,

"You are currently under the influence of a ghost phenomenon."

Elyus and Elaine, the bookmark, are reunited.

The additional episodes are currently being written. I plan to post them in conjunction with the start of the comic adaptation.

If you support this work, I would be grateful if you could bookmark it or rate it with the ★ below.

Thank you very much.