Just as Sylvie had tested Bosuro earlier, now he charged straight at me as if to test me.

His speed was considerable, so much so that I thought he might be aiming for my neck with Book-like intent, even Sofia and Sylvie couldn’t fully respond to it.

However, I was able to perceive Bosuro’s movement—but I hesitated for a moment on how to react.

As a result, Bosuro’s sword approached, and I had to parry it. I wasn’t sure how much Body Enhancement to apply, and I had very little time to think, so I did it quite haphazardly, but I managed to block it head-on.

“Oh…!?”

I heard Kuuza’s murmur. At the same time, I looked at Bosuro, who was close to me, wondering if I should push back.

The General first met my gaze and remained silent. What I suddenly thought about was the power of the Sword Strike released by Bosuro. I don’t know if this was his full power, but without Magic-based Physical Enhancement, it was a power that would make my arm go numb and unable to move properly for a while, resonating to my bones.

It was different from a monster simply attacking with brute force. It was backed by skill and—

“Oh, I see.”

With that, Bosuro retreated once.

How much did he understand from the current exchange? I don’t think it’s possible for him to understand all of my abilities, but he should at least be able to infer how much power I can draw from Body Enhancement. My Body Enhancement just now was mostly instinctive. I wonder—

Bosuro moved first again. It was the same charge as before… did he have something in mind?

I instinctively turned to evade. I judged the straight-aimed sword and moved to escape to the left.

My movement to dodge was reflexive—and I also recognized that Bosuro had caught my movement. Then the General changed the trajectory of his sword to follow my movement.

I hesitated how to respond. The sword’s trajectory was coming to block my path. I could deflect it, but if I did that, it would mean I won by force.

So—I raised my sword and first received the General’s sword. But instead of fully blocking it like before, I deflected it.

Since I was deflecting it, I thought I wouldn’t need the same level of Body Enhancement—but the next moment, the pressure from the sword in Bosuro’s hand suddenly increased. It seemed he added more Magic Power while swinging the sword.

I added Magic Power to my arm to counter, deflected it—and managed to narrowly avoid it. I tried to escape to the left and create distance, but Bosuro closed the distance to me, not letting me get away. A follow-up sword attack was unleashed—I dodged by retreating and somehow escaped the General’s range.

Bosuro’s movement stopped there. I also stopped, and finally had room to think, so I observed the General’s state and considered how to move.

However, if I were to win this exchange, it would cause quite a commotion. Given Sofia’s situation, it’s probably better not to stand out anymore. Perhaps there’s a way to force an end by saying “Let’s finish this” at some point.

I don’t know if Bosuro would agree to that, but… I suddenly met his gaze, and he seemed to be thinking about how to attack next. As both sides faced each other and stopped moving, the surrounding onlookers began to stir.

What does this silence mean? Since I have no intention of attacking myself, it depends on Bosuro’s movement… The moment I realized I was facing the General again, I recognized his considerable intimidating presence. Sylvie also faced him just like I did, so the pressure must have been quite immense.

The strange silence was probably about a minute, or less. It was a short time, but in terms of battle time, it was long… It was neither I nor Bosuro who broke this equilibrium.

It was the sound of a horse’s hooves.

“—General!”

A knight on horseback approached us. Since he wasn’t wearing a helmet, his features were immediately recognizable.

It was a knight with long black hair, wielding a spear. I remembered this person, whose beauty could even be described as exquisite.

Like Shelk, this knight played a major role in this war and could even become an ally in the game—his name was Attile Rodang.

“Hmm? Oh, Attile.”

“It’s not ‘oh.’ You seem to be testing travelers as usual, but this time, because it’s a long one, a report has come from the knights.”

With those words, Bosuro relaxed his stance. At the same time, I also sighed and dropped my combat pose.

Some of the spectators looked displeased, as if this was the end… It was certainly unsatisfying, but I was very grateful for it.

“Understood. Return to your post.”

“Yes, sir.”

After a brief conversation, Attile rode his horse away from the scene. Then the spectators began to move, and finally, the battle came to an end.

“…Well then, we should also—”

“Just to confirm, have you decided on an inn or anything similar?”

Suddenly, a question came from Bosuro.

“For example, do you have any acquaintances in the Capital City where you could stay?”

“Oh, um… no, I’m planning to look for an inn now.”

“Then, how about the inn I’m about to mention? If you use my name, the accommodation fee will be free.”

As I wondered what he was talking about, the General smiled at me.

“I’d like to talk for a bit.”

“No, um…”

“I understand that you seem to have various problems. You don’t seem to be a wanted person, but I understand that you don’t want to reveal your background.”

—Bosuro also hit the nail on the head regarding our circumstances. I could only admire him.

“I won’t comment on that. So, could you wait for me at that inn?”

I looked back at the General… and somehow, I sensed that even if I gave a vague answer here and stayed at a different inn, he would undoubtedly follow me.

“…Understood.”

I also needed to grasp how much he understood… I probably thought it would be fine, but if Sofia’s identity had been exposed, I would need to discuss that with Bosuro as well.

“Well then, the location is—”

After some more conversation, the General left the Castle Gate. We watched him go… and eventually, Sylvie was the first to speak.

“Ruon. Who had the upper hand in that fight just now?”

“…Who knows?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know how much strength Bosuro had fought with. But at the very least, it wasn’t a mere formality.

What I realized during our clash was that Bosuro possessed a level of skill and experience far beyond other warriors. As a result of those two factors, he proposed that he wanted to talk.

Was this a request for our cooperation if war broke out, based on our strength, or was there another reason—

“Anyway, let’s head to the inn the General specified.”

I told my companions and started walking. After passing through the gate and glancing at the beautiful cityscape, I checked on my companions.

The three of them were all deep in thought, likely pondering the recent battle in their own ways.

After seeing that, I returned my gaze forward. The conversation with the General… what kind of outcome would it bring to the war that was about to begin? I kept walking, filled with complex emotions.