Chapter 74

"Who would have thought we'd be beaten to it..."

One of the adventurers accompanying Larkus muttered.

We, who were exhausted from the battle with the Guardian, were sitting in the square. Rize and Myra were breathing heavily.

Taking advantage of our relaxed state, the knight of the Generate Kingdom strode into the square.

"Who would have thought we'd be beaten to it. So, what kind of weakling was the Guardian? It must have been a pretty insignificant monster if you guys could take it down."

The knight snorted, and Rize and the others frowned.

The battle with the multi-headed dragon was a tense one where everyone gave their all. It couldn't be summed up so easily.

"...Thanks for your hard work, but you were too late. The Guardian has already been defeated, and we've obtained the Dungeon Core. The people of the Generate Kingdom are free to return."

I replied with a sarcastic tone, and the knight's face turned red with anger.

"Don't get cocky just because you beat a weak Guardian. Fine, then. Hand over the Dungeon Core and the Guardian's magic stone."

What did he just say? Hand over the Core and the magic stone?

Even I couldn't tolerate those words.

I glanced at the adventurer accompanying us.

"Is it okay for your country's knight to say such things? We will report this to the guild when we return to the city."

The adventurer also smiled wryly. If we returned and reported to the guild, the adventurers of the Generate Kingdom might face some penalties.

Conflicts among adventurers are a daily occurrence, and if it happened inside a dungeon, there would be no evidence to prove anything.

However, the one speaking is a knight... and we even have a princess on our side. If things go wrong, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue.

"This Dungeon Core and magic stone are what we obtained. Is that common practice in your country? The Generate Kingdom must be a very barbaric place."

Even Shal couldn't stay silent. The soldier, knowing that the princess was among us, turned red with anger but could only speak. However, the Generate Kingdom side couldn't return empty-handed.

"...How about this. If you hand over the Dungeon Core and the magic stone, we will provide a suitable reward..."

Another soldier made a proposal to us. But we couldn't accept that.

"Of course, we refuse. The Dungeon Core is a valuable asset to the country. Moreover, the Guardian was a formidable enemy, and we can't easily part with the magic stone."

A hero might have been able to defeat it easily, but there was no need to say that.

Larkus also seemed confused, as he hadn't expected the knights to make such a proposal.

"Is that all? We will take a short break and then return. Please leave."

I pointed towards the entrance and told the knights, but they showed no signs of moving.

...Do they really want the Dungeon Core and the magic stone that badly?

"Then... how about a match between our representatives? If we win, you hand over the Dungeon Core. If the representative of the Empire wins, we don't need the Dungeon Core. And we will prepare a suitable reward."

I couldn't help but be taken aback by the knight's words.

Why do we need to accept a match? We obtained the Dungeon Core and the magic stone through fair means, even if we used a back route.

Moreover, the one who will likely come out is a hero. That's why the knight proposed it with confidence.

"...I don't see any benefit for us to accept..."

Shal also had no intention of accepting the match, which made me feel a bit relieved.

"Then, let's make it a match for 100 million G. If our kingdom loses, we will pay double, 200 million G. What do you think? Of course, we will also pay for the Dungeon Core."

100 million... that's a considerable amount. We know that a large sum of money is needed for the reconstruction of each city.

"...100 million... with that, the city's reconstruction..."

Rize muttered, and it seemed her heart was wavering. The city we govern has made some progress in reconstruction, but there are still many areas left untouched.

I met Shal's gaze, and she slowly nodded.

I felt relieved that she would refuse. The one who will come out is a hero, and we don't want to fight if possible.

"...We will accept the match for 200 million G. If the representative of the Lunette Empire wins, we will pay double, 400 million G."

...What?

What did Shal just say? I can't believe she accepted the match. The one who will come out is a hero. ...No one said Larkus is a hero...

I felt like grabbing my head.

The knight smiled as if he had secured Shal's words.

"Understood. We will accept. One representative from each side, please."

...We're done for. The knight is already confident of victory. It's natural, given that Larkus will come out.

The match was set for 30 minutes later, and the representatives from each country gathered to discuss.

"...Why did you accept?"

My honest opinion. We could have refused without any problems. If I win, 400 million G will be added to the Lunette Empire. Using that money for reconstruction would revitalize the city.

"Because, I can't imagine Sir Touya losing. No matter who comes out, he will defeat them easily, right?"

Shal and Al thought the same. Rize was even thinking about which repairs to do.

Natalie, who seemed uninterested, was eating the sweets she brought.

"The one coming out is Larkus. If he comes out..."

I glanced at the Generate Kingdom side. Larkus was nodding repeatedly at the knight's words. He must be hearing various colorful stories.

"Even if he's strong, he's just an adventurer, right? I can't imagine Sir Touya losing to someone like that..."

Shal's thoughts hadn't changed. Should I tell them that Larkus is a hero?

If they find out, it might lead to a life-or-death situation. Al's father was even killed.

...There's no choice. I have to make the decision.

"Is it time?"

One of the knights called out.

"Alright, I'll go soon."

"By the way, can we have the Dungeon Core and the magic stone ready just in case?"

I nodded and took out the Dungeon Core and the magic stone from my dimensional storage and placed them on the ground.

The Generate Kingdom side exclaimed, "Oh..." but I didn't care.

I had no intention of handing over either of them, even if the opponent is a hero.

"Good luck, Sir Touya!"

"Good luck, Touya!"

"Don't lose, Touya!"

"Hurry up and finish so we can have some sweets."

I smiled wryly at Natalie's words. She's still the same...

Larkus stepped forward from the Generate Kingdom side, and I stepped forward as the representative of the Lunette Empire.

"Hmph, is it okay for you to be a mage? Our representative is -- very strong, you know?"

The knight next to Larkus snorted and grinned.

He must think there's no way we can lose with a hero.

Larkus probably doesn't think he will lose either, given that he is known as the strongest human. Moreover, he thinks I'm just a healer.

"Is Larkus your representative? We will demand the compensation if we win, you know?"

I and the knight were engaged in a verbal battle, and Larkus scratched his cheek and smiled wryly.

"I will come out, but my level is -- 75. Are you still serious about this match? You might die, you know."

-- Level 75.

I'm impressed that he reached such a high level in a short time.

I imagine he must have worked hard to level up without any cheat items like me.

That's why I respect him.

-- However, I can't afford to lose here.

"Such a high level..."

Rize's face turned pale, but Shal, Al, and Natalie seemed uninterested in the hero's level.

After all, the three of them have higher levels.

While there might be some stat bonuses from their classes, they might be able to win if they work together.

Moreover, I am a higher-class adventurer. I didn't reach the level cap twice for nothing.

While there might be some disadvantages due to my class, I don't think I will lose due to my skills.

I have the movements of my avatar, the Berserker, firmly etched in my mind. That's why I brought this Buster Sword and leveled up to this point.

◇―――――――――――――――――――――――――――◇

【Name】Touya Kisaichi【Race】Human【Gender】Male

【Age】16

【Class】Sage

【Title】Summoned One

【Level】52

【Special Skills】Appraisal, All Attribute Magic, All Skill Acquisition, Dimensional Storage

【Skills】Swordsmanship, Martial Arts, Perception, Concealment

【Magic