Chapter 57

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Among the petals of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Toya stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter his mother had given him.

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In response to my words, the adventurers were the first to flee.

"Even if you have a hundred lives, they wouldn't be enough to face such a monster!!"

As one adventurer broke and ran, the others followed in quick succession. Adventuring was a profession where life came first; they wouldn't easily risk their lives just because it was a request. Lumina must have stepped forward as the representative of the group.

The only ones left were about ten soldiers who were barely holding on, the Guild Master, and the man from the Kingdom of Jenarate.

"Damn!! Remember this!!"

He turned his horse to flee, but I dashed over in an instant and caught the man from the Kingdom of Jenarate.

"Let go!!"

I struck the man's neck, knocking him unconscious. The few remaining soldiers in Jenarate armor, seeing their comrade in danger, drew their swords to rescue him.

"I'm afraid I can't show you any mercy."

I cut down the approaching soldiers with a single stroke. Within minutes, all the soldiers lay on the ground. The Guild Master and Fendy's soldiers, seeing this, turned pale and fled.

I grabbed the unconscious man by the collar and dragged him to Natalie and the others.

"Lord Toya, you are indeed strong..."

"---I didn't get to do anything at all..."

Shal, moved by the scene, and Al, slightly sulking. Natalie then spoke up.

"You are truly dangerous. Even more so than when you faced me. ---What will you do with him?"

"This one... seems to have information about the empire. Hey, wake up."

I lightly slapped the man's cheek, and he regained consciousness. The fear in his eyes as he saw me must have been overwhelming. He looked around and started to panic.

"W-What!? The soldiers!?"

"The soldiers are all dead. The others fled. You are the only one left here."

I informed the confused man that he was the only one left. Still, he didn't seem ready to give up.

"If anything happens to me, the emperors will not survive!!"

At his words, I plunged my sword into his thigh.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

I pulled out the sword, cast a healing spell, and then asked my question.

"Shall we get you to spill what you know?"

"I don't know anything! Let go!"

At his words, I plunged the sword into his thigh again, causing him to scream. I pulled out the sword and healed him.

"How many times can you endure...? We have all the time in the world."

Seeing my grin, the man, trembling with fear, quickly spilled the information.

The royal family of the Lunette Empire had been captured and imprisoned in the underground dungeons of the castle. The absence of Shal, whose portrait hung in the castle, had been noticed, leading to her being sent as a special envoy to this country. Al's father had fought the hero in a one-on-one battle and perished. After securing the castle, they planned to invade the Beastman Autonomous Region and the Forestman Autonomous Region.

"I've told you everything I know!! Please, let me go!!"

I looked at the three of them, and they nodded, understanding the situation.

"Is that... it?"

I grabbed the man by the collar as he tried to flee.

"One last question. ---What kind of person is the hero?"

"...The hero is one summoned by our country's treasure. He appeared in a radiant light, with a dignified presence. In battle, he fights at the forefront, wielding his sword with great strength. You are nothing compared to him---"

...If you were there...?

"You... were there...?"

"Yes, of course! I was there when he appeared with that light---'that place'... Y-You..."

The man's eyes widened in shock.

"C-Could it be... Y-You are... the other one... from that time...?"

"Yes, that's right. The other one from that time---is me."

"Y-You can't be serious!? I thought you were sent back!!"

"Yes, I was sent back. To a place I don't even know---the middle of a grassland..."

As I finished speaking, I stood up and, turning around, swung my sword. The man's head separated from his body and rolled away.

"Is that okay? There might be more information. About you, too..."

I shook my head at Natalie's words.

"It's fine. I have no intention of returning to my own world."

"...I see. If that's what you say, we won't argue. We need you here, 'Sir.'"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Natalie's words.

"Shall we go, then?"

"No, wait a moment."

I walked alone to where Lumina lay unconscious. The Guild Master and the other adventurers had fled, leaving her behind. I knelt beside her and cast a healing spell.

"...Huh? ...Oh? T-Toya... So, I lost, huh..."

Lumina regained consciousness quickly. She sat up, looked around, and sighed deeply.

"I'm the only one left..."

"Yes, the Guild Master and the other adventurers all fled."

"I see... Toya, I'm sorry."

"That's fine. What do you plan to do now, Lumina?"

After a moment's thought, she spoke.

"For now, I plan to leave Fendy. I'll take some time to rest in Dumbler before deciding what to do next."

"...I see... Then---"

Lumina nodded and said, "Leave it to me," as she stood up.

"I'll head back to the city. There are still some horses left."

A few riderless horses were grazing in the grass.

"Alright... And, here."

I took a one-handed sword from my dimensional storage and handed it to Lumina.

"?! ...Isn't this a very expensive sword...?"

"Take it. I cut your sword, after all. And... here."

"I understand. I'll accept it gratefully. As payment for the request."

She smiled, extended her right hand, and we shook. At the same time, she hugged me.

"...Toya, I hope we meet again."

She whispered in my ear, released me, and mounted her horse, riding away. I sighed and walked back to Shal and the others, who all had serious expressions.

"Lord Toya... Is bigger really better!?"

"Seems like bigger is better, Toya-san."

"I'll be that big in a few years, too!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at their words.

"Enough of that. Let's go. The autonomous regions seem to be safe for now."

They seemed reluctant to agree but eventually followed me, heading into the forest.

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Thank you as always.