Chapter 75

In the dining hall of the inn, the Far Eastern hero, Kogami, reunited with Mizuki.

"There you are, Mizuki."

"......It's been a while, Kogami-dono."

Mizuki's expression was dark.

To her, Kogami was a former party member who had exiled her.

She couldn't shake off her discomfort.

"Perfect timing. I have something to talk about with you."

"With me...?"

Laurence nodded upon seeing this.

"Looks like we're in the way! Mizuki, let's leave the table!"

"Ah..."

Mizuki didn't want them to leave.

She didn't know what Kogami's situation was, but she didn't want to be alone with this woman.

"Wait a moment."

Urgar intervened.

"Lady, what do you need with our party member Mizuki?"

"Party member...? Oh, so Mizuki, you've joined a new party already."

"Is that so? People can't live alone. Don't you understand such a simple principle? For a hero, you're quite clueless."

"Ugh...! W-What are you talking about! Get out of here, outsider!"

Kogami pulled Mizuki's hand forcefully.

"Mizuki, come back. It's an order."

"Huh? W-What do you mean by 'come back'?"

"Exactly what I said. I want you to come back to my party, not this one!"

Mizuki was surprised by Kogami's proposal.

Just the other day, she had been the one to exile her. Why was she now asking her to come back?

The situation was unclear, but she realized that Kogami, with her high pride, was trying to bring her back despite her previous decision.

Still...

"No, I will not, Kogami-dono."

"Wh-What did you say?"

"No, I will not. I want to stay here..."

Compared to the Far Eastern Hero Party, the time she had spent with Laurence and the others was indeed short.

But she wanted to be with them.

They were strong, caring, and above all, warm.

She wanted to defeat the Demon King with this Golden Hero and his companions.

More than anything, she wanted to repay the debt to Act, who had saved her.

That's why Mizuki didn't want to leave Laurence and the others.

"Don't get too cocky...!"

Rejected, Kogami snapped.

"Mizuki! How dare you reject the offer of this Fire Hero, Kogami-sama!? Don't get too full of yourself, you ugly woman!"

"K-Kogami-sama... please, stop..."

The Light Hero tried to intervene, but Kogami raised her voice.

"I'll take you back by force if I have to!"

She drew her sword and was about to point it at Mizuki... when she realized something.

"Huh!? W-Where did my sword go!?"

She had definitely had her sword just a moment ago.

But now, both the sword and its sheath were gone from her hand.

"Miss!"

The tall, blonde man in front of her spoke.

"A blade is meant to be used against evil! Isn't that right?"

In his hand was Kogami's sword, still in its sheath.

"Liar... When did you...?"

"I'm returning this to you! But wielding a sword here is dangerous!"

Kogami shuddered.

She hadn't even noticed that her sword had been taken or that the sheath had been removed.

Moreover, she couldn't even follow the movements of the man in front of her with her eyes.

The appearance of a man who seemed even stronger than herself, the strongest Fire Hero, made Kogami jealous.

"What's your problem, acting so high and mighty!"

"Me? I am..."

Before Kogami could introduce herself, she interrupted.

"I don't know who you are! But that woman belongs to me! Give her back!"

"That's not possible! Without her consent, I can't allow her to leave! Besides, people are not objects!"

"Shut up...!"

Just as Kogami was about to attack,

"Both of you, stop this here."

"Act-san!"

The black-haired young man, Act, had come to the dining hall, having heard the commotion.

"Are you the Far Eastern Hero?"

"Y-Yes... Who are you!?"

After a quick glance at Laurence and the others and instantly understanding the situation, he said,

"I'm like their manager. I'm the one who recruited Mizuki."

"Don't go around making decisions without permission!"

She tried to attack.

But when Act glared at her, she was intimidated by his overwhelming presence.

"Then, let's do this. Let our parties battle, and the winner gets Mizuki. How about it?"

Kogami smiled slyly at Act's proposal.

"Fine. Let's settle this in battle."

Act also smiled slyly.

"I have no objections. By the way, do you know the name of this big man?"

"Huh? No, I don't. He looks like an adventurer, right?"

Her misfortune was that she had no interest in anything other than herself and her honor.

She knew that the Laurence Party was an obstacle to her own success.

But she had no interest in who they were or what they were like.

"Act-dono..."

Mizuki spoke to Act, looking worried.

"Don't worry. Leave it to me. Do you think your companions will lose?"

"Mizuki! Leave it to us!"

The Laurence Party, the heroes, nodded firmly.

She knew their strength well.

Mizuki nodded.

"Alright. I'll arrange the location. In two hours, is that okay?"

"Sure. We'll win anyway."

"What if you lose?"

"Pfft! There's no way we'll lose."

"Quite the confidence."

"Of course, we're the strongest hero party."

"So, you're saying there's no way you'll lose?"

"Of course! If we lose... Well, I'll become Mizuki's little brother or something."

Act smiled and nodded, "Alright."

【To the Readers】

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