Chapter 8

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"What?"

I interrupted my idol's words.

I stared directly into eyes that were cold enough to freeze me just by looking at them.

"Didn't Lady Guiltya say just now that you don't need any dead weight?"

"......Yeah, that's right."

There's no one in the world who can match this person in terms of magic.

There are promising candidates in other fields, but I'll bring them along later.

"If you have the same level of strength as this person, will you allow me to join the squad?"

"Are you saying you can beat me?"

My idol's voice dropped an octave.

The phrase "a genius born once in a thousand years" flashed through my mind.

In contrast, I'm just an ordinary, aging saint.

"Yes. I will win."

But that's no reason to give up.

"Let me make a prediction for you."

I smiled sweetly, like a villain.

"Lady Guiltya won't be able to touch me, not even with a finger."

"Hmm..."

Heh. He took the bait.

"Do you think I'm a fool to believe your nonsense?"

He says that, but he's leaning forward, Lady Guiltya. A vein is popping on his forehead, and it's clear he's angry.

I chuckled and covered my mouth.

"Oh, are you scared?"

"......"

"Of course. It's scary to lose to a saint of unknown origin, isn't it? Even if you're called a genius, in the end, you're just a man. You might run away out of fear of losing. I can't blame you. If you're a coward who's afraid to challenge a woman, I'll pass on it."

I stood up and walked past my idol.

"Have a good day. Enjoy being the top of the monkey mountain, my hero."

The door slammed shut.

---

......

......

......

......Huh? He didn't take the bait?

I thought he would bite right away.

This is bad. I miscalculated. I can't just leave this place.

Hmm. If this doesn't work, I'll have to try a different angle---

---

"Wait."

---

He's here! He's here!

What the heck! I was worried he wouldn't come!

I turned to look at Lord Guilty, who was glaring at me from the doorway.

"Oh, Mr. Coward. Is there something else?"

"......Alright."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, I'll accept your challenge."

"Oh, really?"

Phew~... I feel so relieved.

But not yet, Rose. Not yet. You can't let your guard down.

Stay focused and act like a villain until the end.

"Then, let's set the conditions."

"If I win, you'll never come near the army again. You'll live in retirement in the borderlands."

"Fine. And if I win, you'll let me join the squad, right?"

"Ah. That's impossible, even if the heavens and earth were to turn upside down."

Lord Guilty twisted his lips into a smile.

...Well, from his perspective, I guess it is.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I can win either.

I do have a secret plan, but this person is truly a genius.

"Then, let's head to the training ground right away."

"No, there are too many people there. I'll choose the place for our match."

"That's fine, but where---"

My idol snapped his fingers.

The next moment, the scenery in front of me distorted, and I felt a floating sensation.

When I realized it, I had landed in an unfamiliar vast grassland.

"Teleportation magic...!"

"You knew about it?"

"I know. I know, but---"

Normally, teleportation magic requires drawing a precise magic circle, creating a path to the destination, and carefully opening a gate before teleporting. Even a veteran magician would take half an hour to activate it, and a regular magician would use up all their magic power and collapse just from teleporting.

This idol did it without incantation, just by snapping his fingers.

And he didn't even break a sweat, looking cool as ever.

I'm not unaware of how legendary the feat I just witnessed is.

"Amazing..."

This is the genius born once in a thousand years. The unparalleled hero who defeated the third demon king.

A national-level force, a lone hero said to be on par with an entire army!

Squeee~! My idol is too cool!

"Have you understood the difference in power?"

Lady Guiltya taunted me, who was trembling in awe.

"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're a woman."

"---No, I'd be in trouble if you didn't."

I smiled.

"I'd be in trouble if you made excuses like 'I wasn't trying my best.'"

"......You're asking for it."

I can't bear the guilt of making my idol so angry.

Worst of all, I think his angry face is also cool!

I love his competitiveness~! I can support him endlessly~!

"Then let's begin. Our match. The fateful battle for my squad entry!"

I'm worried I might say something weird and embarrassing.

I don't want to bury my face in my pillow later...

But here, alone with my idol in this vast grassland!

Just that alone makes me feel great. I don't feel like I'll lose!

"Breath of the Water God"

---

I used to think like that.

What is this?

There's a water sphere over fifty meters in diameter floating in the air!?

"I'll end this in one strike."

He grinned---

And a massive tsunami engulfed me.