After handing Sofia the weapon, I also had her get equipped.

In addition to a white cloak, she wore blue-based clothes woven with magic threads. It wasn’t a tunic type, but separated into top and bottom, and the sleeves and hem were long enough to keep her skin covered. I also bought a belt and a leather waist pouch to put recovery items in.

The clothes were made of magic threads and had decent defense, and since she can also use a barrier, it should be fine… In the game, I was constantly changing equipment to increase defense, but in the real world, hardly anyone does that. There’s probably also the issue of money, but humans who fight monsters usually learn magic and have barriers, so they often utilize those.

Such magic didn’t exist in the game… Well, I guess I should just recognize it as one of the differences from the game.

The day after she was equipped, we headed to the town where Ooda lives. The expressions of the merchants and travelers passing by on the way were grim. The sky, in contrast to yesterday, was clear and felt like good weather for travel, but seeing such gloomy faces made me feel depressed too.

However, Sofia seemed different. She repeatedly hardened her expression as she looked at the people with gloomy faces. She must be reaffirming her resolve that she has to fight.

Also, on the way, we had several opportunities to fight monsters. I dealt with all of them. There was one thing that bothered me. During the battle, Sofia kept watching me closely.

“Is there something on your mind…?”

I asked casually along the way. Then,

“No, it’s just… I was wondering how Lord Ruon became so strong.”

–I should be hiding my true strength while making full use of lower-tier magic and sword techniques… Is there a clear criterion for judging that I am strong?

Or, just as the King seemed to harbor “something” towards me–does she also have something on her mind in the same way?

“Um, it’s from my efforts since I was little.”

I wasn’t lying. Then Sofia replied, “Is that so?” and ended the conversation.

Her gaze at me seemed to contain various emotions… but they weren’t negative emotions, rather they were favorable.

Hmm, it doesn’t seem like she’s convinced of my abilities, but perhaps she feels some basis, like she can become stronger by following me… It seems that because I’ve become too strong, I might have gained something that somewhat attracts people. However, with Phili, there was nothing. Although they are of the same Sage’s Bloodline, I wonder if there’s some difference?

While harboring doubts… I continued walking with Sofia towards our destination.

Eventually, we arrived at the town. A town backed by mountains, located off the highway connecting post towns.

Upon arriving, Sofia walked straight up the street towards the mountain. The town became a slope the further in you went, and it seemed Ooda’s residence was located higher up.

Sofia continued on, as if remembering the way. I followed her, thinking about how to talk to Ooda… and soon, we arrived.

“…Huh?”

However, the moment she saw the full extent of the mansion, Sofia stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded. I, too, fell silent at the state of the mansion.

First, the lattice-iron gate was tightly shut. Through the gaps, I could see a cobblestone path and the entrance a little further in, but the areas on either side of the path were overgrown with weeds and unkempt.

For example, if he had rushed to the Capital City after hearing about a demon race attack, it wouldn’t be this derelict. I’d estimate it’s been neglected for at least several months—I looked up at the mansion. It gave off a very dark impression, as if all life had drained from it.

It didn’t look like it had been damaged fighting the demon race. It was probably unrelated to them.

“…Oh, more visitors, are we?”

As I was gazing at the mansion, a voice came from behind me. I turned around to see an old woman with a cane. Immediately after, Sofia cried out.

“Um, this is—”

“Mr. Ooda passed away two months ago.”

At those words—Sofia’s eyes widened.

“D-died…!?”

“Yesterday, a knight in armor came, and when I explained the situation, he was crestfallen. It seems that man didn’t tell anyone.”

Died… wait. Died two months ago… that phrase should have been in the game.

I think it was in Eina’s scenario, but… what was the sequence again?

“Is there no one in this mansion anymore…?”

“No, there isn’t. It seems the maids also left.”

“—Ah!”

I remembered. At the same time, I blurted it out, causing the old woman and Sofia to look at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no. Sorry. I just remembered something unrelated.”

While making an excuse, I reflected again… That’s right, Eina’s Early Event. When she escaped from the Capital City and the Knight Order gathered, a knight who visited here reported to Eina.

The content was the same as what the old woman had just said. At the same time, I also remembered Ooda’s identity. That person was Sofia and Eina’s sword master.

This name does not appear in the game. He was merely referred to as the master. But I recognized the name. In the game lore book I bought in my previous life, there was a character named as Eina’s master in the illustrator’s rough sketches. However, he never appeared in the game. Of course, I couldn’t have remembered this right away… I messed up.

Eina also initially intended to seek refuge with Ooda. Many knights were also trying to rally the Knight Order under him as their leader, but since he had passed away, it ultimately didn’t happen.

That means… Sofia had no one to rely on, and I need to think about what she’s going to do next.

“…What should we do?”

The old woman left, and Sofia stared at the mansion, muttering in a daze. It was unavoidable for her to feel that way, but I also couldn’t offer any answers.

However… since she has nowhere to stay, if I leave her like this, I don’t know what will happen. The scariest thing is if she encounters one of the knights. If word gets to Eina from there, the scenario could collapse… Hmm.

“…Sofia. Just to confirm.”

“Yes.”

Sofia turned her body towards me and replied to my words.

“For example, going to see the King… you wouldn’t do that, right?”

“…It’s true that I’m not satisfied with that myself.”

Since her will to fight is strong, it’s only natural that she wouldn’t be satisfied. There should be no other options since the person she was looking for has passed away, but… honestly, letting her go to the King and his people like this would probably be bad. She might even act independently.

Then, what should I do—here, I remember Sofia, who had been observing me during our journey. We’ve only known each other for a few days, but I’ve saved her life, and there seems to be other reasons for her to trust me… In that case,

“…If.”

I spoke. Sofia met my gaze, ready to listen.

“If you wish to fight… I know a way to become stronger.”

“Huh? Lord Ruon?”

Sofia asked again… If she were to say “I refuse” here, there would be nothing I could do, but from the sound of her voice, she seemed quite eager.

“Yes. I have some ideas for methods. I don’t know if you’ll be able to become stronger in the way you desire, Sofia, but…”

“You have a method?”

Sofia took a step closer. I was actually surprised by how eager she was… but if that’s the case, I’ll make good use of it.

And when I nodded, she replied with an intense gaze.

“Understood. I will–“

“However.”

Here, I interrupted her words.

“There’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

“My method requires a certain level of aptitude. As a Sage’s Bloodline, Sofia might have enough potential, but I won’t be convinced unless I confirm it directly.”

“So, you want to confirm my power?”

“That’s right. If you can clear what I tell you to do, I’ll teach you various things.”

–Originally, I had decided to test her when I entrusted her to Ooda. In fact, it might be better this way, as I can control her movements.

First, to see if she has leadership qualities like Phili… If not, as unfortunate as it is, I’ll have no choice but to tell her to go to the King. If she does, I have an idea of how to confirm her power. I’ll use that to encourage her not to act on her own initiative.

“As long as we’re fighting the Demon Race, we can’t afford to be half-hearted. It will be a tough test, but are you prepared?”

“Of course.”

Sofia nodded. I briefly said, “Understood,” and then,

“Let’s leave here then. There’s a Large Town a little further ahead. We’ll do various things there for the test.”

I started walking ahead. Sofia replied, “Yes,” and–we left the Town.