I naturally knew about Sylvie’s objective, but I hadn’t told Sofia or Kuuza yet. I intended to leave it up to Sylvie what to do about that, but—

“…In other words, my objective is revenge. I am pursuing the humans who burned my homeland.”

After showing the results of our training, we moved to the Town to have dinner. During that time, Sylvie began her explanation. She told Sofia and the others about her objective.

I wondered if it was okay to talk so easily, but she probably explained it because we had spent so much time together.

“So that’s why you’re with Ganaize to get stronger?”

When Sofia asked, Sylvie immediately nodded.

“That’s right… Now, Ruon. I’ve explained the situation to them both. I’d like Sofia and the others to hear about it too.”}]}“` Recognized language: japanese. Translated to language: english. All honorifics, titles, and in-universe terms have been translated. No source language words remain. The translation is natural and accurate to the original meaning. The output is a single, valid JSON object following the schema. All 41 text chunks have been translated. No extra text is included. No formatting like comments or control tokens are included. The JSON is parseable. All values are double-quoted strings where required. Boolean values are not double-quoted. Integer values are not double-quoted. Null values are not double-quoted. No extra text outside the JSON. The JSON is a single object, not an array. No questions or clarifications. All conditions are met.“`json{

Alright… From here, I’ll explain the story I know.

Before I knew it, Lefin was near Sofia, and Garuku was somehow on the table. They must be interested in the story.

Previously, I defeated the Demonized Mercenary. Because of that… Sylvie must have obtained the journal of her revenge target.

Ah, that’s right.

Wow, that sounds like a dangerous item.

Kuuza exclaimed in surprise.

Were you able to get information about his whereabouts from the journal?

No, it was impossible. We don’t even know why he was in that Hunter’s Cabin in the first place.

The story didn’t explain that in detail either… And this is where it gets important. To put it simply, by obtaining that journal through that request, a certain event will occur.

If you don’t get the journal, that event won’t happen? I don’t see any connection.

Sofia tilted her head. I don’t know how they interpret the ‘story’ I’m telling, but it would be impossible for them to imagine it as a free scenario game or something similar. So her question is perfectly valid.

If I explain that in detail, it will become too lengthy, so I’ll do it later… It would be helpful if you could interpret it as: there are cases where seemingly unrelated events are actually connected.

Understood. So, what happens after obtaining the journal?

In a town within the Nateria Kingdom… when Sylvie tries to move from the capital of the KingNation to another location in the story, she and her revenge target have a near-miss.

At my words, Sylvie showed a grim expression.

So they don’t encounter each other and start fighting?

No. To be honest, after that event occurs, Sylvie explains her revenge target to her companion—in this case, the story’s protagonist. Then, she starts investigating her revenge target… but I know where that person is.

So we can skip the investigation and such.

Yes. However, we might not be able to meet him unless we follow the proper procedure.

Either way, we need to go to the town.

I nodded at Kuuza’s words.

Of course, there’s a possibility that there’s nothing there. There have been times when things didn’t go according to the story, so please be prepared for my explanation not to be entirely accurate. Sylvie, is that okay?

Sylvie nodded at my words, thought for a moment, and then told me.

Before we even discuss meeting or not meeting, there’s one thing I need to confirm.

What is it?

It’s about whether I can win. It seems Ruon inferred that I have a certain level of skill and brought this topic up.

…Currently, considering Sylvie’s abilities, I think there’s a chance of winning. Since this event disappears after the Southern Invasion occurs, and considering the possibility of two of the five great wars with demons starting simultaneously, I think now is probably the only time we can definitely fight. However, even with Sylvie’s high abilities, it’s still going to be troublesome.

Is there a reason?

Because he uses troublesome techniques.

I see, but I know about that too. It’s the technique that creates a shockwave using magic power, right?

Ah, that’s right.

The intermediate generic technique of unarmed combat, ‘Tiger Barrage.’ It’s a technique that releases a pale blue shockwave in the shape of a tiger forward. Its power isn’t that high, but it hits multiple times, so it has subtle power.

Even now that it’s real, its effect is still present. And its nature has worsened.

This technique, based on how we usually fight, we prioritize evasion against attacks, right? But with this shockwave, one evasion isn’t enough… you have to defend against the attack two or three times.

So, normal evasion methods are difficult.

That’s right… Well, we can come up with a counter-strategy for this, at least.

With those words, Sylvie seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

Can Ruon use it too?

Yes. With Sylvie’s talent, I think you could devise a counter-strategy in half a day. So this technique can be dealt with… Just to confirm, you are going to use a counter-strategy, right?

I’m not reckless enough to charge in without a strategy. Besides, falling to a deadly blade without any preparation is… something I must not do.

Then I’ll cooperate… And there’s one more troublesome technique.

After the preamble, I reflect on the game and talk about it.

“First, its name is ‘Bloodstained Guilt’.”

“What kind of technique is it?”

“It’s an extremely simple two-hit combo… but like ‘Tiger Barrage’, it spreads a Shockwave. It’s a troublesome technique where the first hit releases a Shockwave, stopping the opponent, and then the second hit lands… It’s also powerful, and the impact should be greater than ‘Tiger Barrage’.”

“So Ruon can’t use that either?”

“Sylvie, I’m sure you understand, but that opponent has a Special Sword. That’s what makes that technique possible. In other words, it’s a Unique Technique.”

Sylvie responds to my explanation with “I see.”

“Then, what should I do?”

“First, the counter-strategy for ‘Tiger Barrage’. And then, what to do about ‘Bloodstained Guilt’… I can imitate that technique, but since it’s not from a Book, it’s impossible to devise a complete counter-strategy.”

“That’s enough… Ruon, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I don’t want Sylvie to die either.”

If Sylvie is defeated in that event, she dies and is removed from the party. In other words, it’s a Bad Ending for the event.

Although the event is a duel, if it were real, I could ignore that and assist her. However–

“Ruon, I’m telling you, don’t interfere. If I have to fight, I want to do it alone.”

Sylvie says, showing her strong will to fight by herself.

“…Alright, I understand.”

“No secretly assisting with Magic either, got it?”

“Alright.”

For me, it’s about how much counter-strategy I can give her beforehand… If it were a Book, keeping her out of that event would be an option. But since I know all the circumstances, Sylvie will bring up this topic, and it’s not good to leave a grudge in her heart.

All I can do is make the event end in the best possible way.

“What should we do?”

This time, Sofia asks. Since she heard the story from Sylvie, she must want to do something.

“…I have no instructions I can give. Sylvie, what do you think?”

“Sofia and Kuuza can just do as they always do. I told you about this because I trust both of you, and I just wanted you to understand that I’m going to settle my past.”

“What will you do after that’s over?”

Kuuza asks. If her purpose is Revenge, then once it’s fulfilled, there might be no reason to wield a sword anymore, but–

“That’s a given.”

Sylvie responded immediately.

“I’ll dedicate myself to the War with Demons more than ever.”

“Then, we will surely see that through.”

Sofia says. Sylvie replies “I’m sorry” and then turns her head towards me.

“Help me.”

“Yes, of course.”

Nodding, we decided to head to the Town to complete Sylvie’s event.