On the way to our destination, the Town, I decided to train Sylvie. I would veer off the Highway at an appropriate time to conduct the training, but–

“Take this!”

I unleash ‘Tiger Barrage’ at Sylvie. Sylvie takes it head-on and groans.

“Ugh!”

“It’s naturally difficult to evade. But if you can’t even defend against this, there’s no point in talking.”

I speak and pursue further, unleashing a barrage of ‘Tiger Barrage’ on Sylvie.

A pale blue light, shaped like a tiger, flew straight towards Sylvie. She blocked the first attack, but the second shockwave that immediately followed made her stagger significantly.

As she somehow suppressed it, another shockwave hit—this three-tiered technique, while individually weak for an Intermediate Technique, compensated by hitting multiple times.

Currently, the Magic Barrier Sylvie formed couldn’t completely negate the damage. That’s why an evasion method was necessary.

The attack ended. Sylvie somehow managed to gather Magic Power in her sword to defend, but some of the Shockwave seemed to have penetrated, leaving her slightly injured.

I immediately cast Healing Magic to treat her wounds. After that, I spoke again.

“You’ve taken the attack two or three times now, so you probably realize it’s a difficult technique to get used to, right?”

“…Do you think the enemy will launch attacks the way Ruon does?”

“I’m only performing the movements exactly as they are in the Grimoire. There should be individual quirks depending on the user, so I won’t know until I experience it.”

“I see…”

Sylvie took a deep breath, then re-positioned her sword.

“Continue.”

“Understood… here I come.”

I unleashed the technique—and so, Sylvie and my training continued.

Whether the event would actually occur—I wouldn’t know without visiting the Town… but at least in the game, the event could be triggered anytime until the Southern Invasion began.

Considering the current situation on the Continent, I thought we would meet them if we acted according to the game… but as we approached the Town, Sylvie’s expression grew more serious.

Eventually, after finishing a round of training, we arrived at the Town. Normally, I might consider taking a bit more time… but receiving reports that the Game Protagonists were starting to move, Sylvie herself expressed her intention to fight swiftly.

Now, what would happen… Sofia and Kuuza outwardly seemed unconcerned, but they probably had anxieties internally. I myself felt a touch of unease about the uncertain outcome of the battle… and we arrived at our destination, the Town of Blaak. This was a place that existed solely for this event, a Town not usually visited in the game.

“So… Ruon, where is he?”

Sylvie asked immediately after entering the Town.

“Just calm down a bit…”

Restraining the impatient Sylvie, I walked with my companions. This was also one of the transit points heading to the Northern Region, and the impact of the Demon Race invasion existed to varying degrees. However, perhaps because its disruption would cause some damage to the Human Side, the Nation’s policy was to protect it, and there were many Knights and Soldiers present.

There were a fair number of people around, and we walked along, talking. The event trigger condition was set up such that if Sylvie joined our party, an event would occur just by walking through the streets. So, just by walking with our companions like this, we would encounter an event—

I looked over and saw that Sylvie had a very stern expression. I gently poked her head, intending to lighten her mood.

“Don’t make such a scary face.”

“I know. But I can’t help it.”

“I understand that, but if you keep that up in this situation, you won’t last.”

“Lord Ruon, when will we encounter him?”

Sofia asked. I shrugged my shoulders,

“It’s more like passing by than an encounter. In the book, if you walk like this, you’ll naturally—”

It was then. Among the crowd, a man caught my eye.

A man of the Swordsman Wind, wearing a blue cloak. His sword was wrapped in a cylindrical white bag, like a bamboo sword bag, and he walked with it in his left hand.

His features were not very distinctive, with slightly narrow eyes. With black hair and black eyes, he looked like a mere mercenary from the side. It was hard to tell because he was wearing a cloak, but according to some information from a settings document collection or something, he was supposed to have sloping shoulders.

I looked over. Sylvie’s face was not just stern, but rigid. I returned my gaze without saying anything. The man was about to pass by me. And then… without anything happening, we passed each other.

“…He was here.”

Sylvie nodded slightly at my words. Next, Kuuza asked a question.

“The man in the blue cloak just now?”

“Yes. I believe he was a person who was captivated by the magic power of swords and was moving around the continent. Sylvie’s hometown was created as a result of his power running wild.”

“He had a very quiet presence, didn’t he?”

Sofia said. Was she muttering with a hint of awe because she recognized the enemy’s considerable strength?

“Sylvie, from here, we can advance the story quickly.”

I began to speak to her.

“In the story, Sylvie herself notices him and investigates. As a result, she finds that he is currently active mainly in this town, enters the shop where he is, and talks to him.”

“And then you have a duel, right?”

Kuuza’s remark. I nodded and continued to speak to Sylvie.

“However, it’s also an option to turn back here. The opponent doesn’t recognize Sylvie. So, there’s no problem if we retreat without doing anything here.”

“…Is he staying here permanently?”

“In the story, for now, he seems to be active with this as his stronghold. However, since we won’t be able to meet him here once the Southern Invasion begins, it can be interpreted that he left the town during a large-scale battle.”

“I understand… What should I do?”

“If Sylvie agrees, I’ll take on the role of luring him to a duel location.”

Sylvie fell silent at my words. Sofia and Kuuza watched over us… and then, eventually,

“…Please.”

“Understood.”

“Ruon, no helping.”

An unknown number of repetitions of that reminder. I nodded, but I thought that if a critical situation arose, my body would move on its own.

Sylvie must have expected as much—but then, she spoke to me.

“There’s one thing I want to ask you, Ruon.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“Just by passing by him like that, it’s clear he possesses considerable power. However, that doesn’t mean he’s comparable to a Demon King, does it?”

“Well, that’s certainly true.”

“I can’t win against him in revenge… He’s strong, no doubt. But the opponent is human. If I can’t win against such an opponent, will I be useful being with you, Ruon, and the others?”

…I understand what she’s trying to say. For me, it’s a matter that can be dismissed with “you just weren’t strong enough yet,” but I don’t think she would be convinced by that.

“As for me, I want you to fight with us no matter what the outcome.”

It was Sofia who spoke up then.

“I understand what you’re saying. But I also have a premonition that the people here will play a big role in the battle…”

“If Sofia says so, it suddenly sounds like a real possibility.”

Sylvie shrugged her shoulders as she spoke.

“Well, fine. I’ll do as I please.”

“Alright. Then I’ll get ready.”

I agreed and was about to move—but there was something I needed to say first.

“Sylvie, about the duel location—”

“I know. To be honest, I understand the geography around here quite well. I know where the duel will take place.”

“Can I ask, just in case?”

To my confirming question, Sylvie replied with a meaningful smile.

“It’s that place a little to the south of here… called ‘Warrior’s Hill,’ isn’t it?”