Orudia’s location is in the Forest east of where the Demon Race are fighting. I think he intended to observe from there, but it seems he was discovered before he could get close.

I hurried over there—it seems he’s engaged in combat.

When I arrived at the scene, Orudia was fighting an armored Monster that looked like a Knight. A person with deep purple hair clad in black — no doubt, that is Orudia.

“Hmph!”

Orudia attacked—he held a Longsword in each hand.

“Dual Wielding, huh? This is just like the story. I always used a single blade, though.”

I muttered as I watched the scene. Then Garuku reacted.

“Is there a problem with dual wielding?”

“No, it’s not that… it’s just that there weren’t many techniques in the story.”

Dual Wielding can be acquired as a derivation of Sword Technique. In fact, if you enhance your Sword Technique ability and switch to Dual Wielding, it’s an advantage because you can quickly learn powerful techniques. However—

“In the latter half of the story, there’s a lack of powerful attack techniques, so it’s rare to continue using Dual Wielding until the end.”

“Why not develop new techniques?”

“You say that so easily, Garuku. I tried all sorts of things during my training, but while minor applications are one thing, creating something entirely from scratch is incredibly difficult.”

Even if development were somehow possible, I’d still have to verify whether it could be properly used in actual combat… Original techniques aren’t a problem that can be solved simply by power, so the time it takes to adjust them is also a drawback.

“I thought Dual Wielding itself was a pretty useful method… well, now that it’s reality, things might be different.”

By the way, only a few characters, including Orudia, could use Dual Wielding from the start. It was a rare skill, but in the game, it was almost a dead skill.

While I was thinking, Orudia cut down the Monster. Although it wasn’t completely dismembered, multiple slashes landed, stopping the opponent’s movements. Then, without delay, a critical hit… and the Monster fell.

Nevertheless, Orudia himself seemed fatigued. There were still several Demons around. Normally, these would be aggressive Demons, but considering Orudia’s movements—in other words, having learned from them—they might have switched to a defensive stance.

Or perhaps they were aiming for a counter… but Orudia stepped forward regardless.

The next Demons seemed to have defended, but perhaps finding it bothersome, he slammed his sword into them as if to blow them away. His movements were bold, and it seemed he wouldn’t need any assistance.

“Perhaps it’s not necessary.”

Garuku seemed to agree. I, too, thought I might have been meddling and was about to leave.

Eventually, the Demons were all wiped out by Orudia’s hand. Although Orudia was out of breath from exhaustion, he still seemed to have plenty of magical power.

“Now, what to do?”

Orudia muttered to himself, then first looked around.

Since I was using Presence Concealment Magic, I thought I’d be fine just by staying still and wouldn’t be marked… but then,

“Hm?”

Orudia spoke up, looking in my direction.

Could it be, he’s noticed me—

“Who’s there?”

At his cold voice, I instinctively flinched.

“Given that he has Demon Race blood mixed in, he might be able to sense our presence.”

…That’s right, Orudia has the blood of both a Sage’s Bloodline and the Demon Race, so he was set to excel in sensing presences compared to other Demon Races. Is this why he sensed me?

Well, since I’ve been found, it can’t be helped… When I dispelled the magic, Orudia narrowed his eyes.

“Humans? What business do you have here?”

“We’re humans who were chasing a Monster and encountered a pretty dangerous situation, so we thought we’d just hide in the Forest and wait it out.”

As a result of that reply, Orudia’s gaze met mine.

“By the looks of it, you’re adventurers.”

Well, that’s true.

It’s a good thing you got to see the Dragons and Demon Race fight, isn’t it?

His words were sarcastic, but I didn’t get particularly angry. Come to think of it, Orudia was always a bit sharp-tongued.

But you shouldn’t pursue them any further. Get out of here quickly.

Well, I’ll do that, but… what about you?

I don’t need to explain.

Surely, you’re not going to challenge the Demon Race, are you?

If so, what are you going to do?

No… it’s too reckless, so I was thinking of stopping you.

In response to my words, Orudia snorted.

Even without your worry, I won’t do anything that would lead to my death. Just leave quickly.

…Perhaps he’s on edge because of the Demon Race army. His expression was a little stern, and it felt more like he was warning me, “If you value your life, run away quickly,” rather than treating me dismissively.

Still, you were fighting monsters just now, weren’t you? Haven’t you been discovered?

The battle with the Dragons is still ongoing. There won’t be any more enemies coming—

Immediately after saying that, I sensed a presence behind me. As I turned, I drew my sword, catching sight of the demons rapidly approaching.

The opponent was a Lesser Demon holding a sword… its color was red. It’s the second strongest of the five existing types, an enemy that appears in the latter half of the scenario. However, since it doesn’t use any special attacks, intercepting it isn’t too difficult.

I was curious about Orudia’s reaction, but… I met the Lesser Demon head-on. I quickly parried the swung sword and began an incantation in my mouth.

—Sword.

The light-attribute Intermediate Magic “Durandal” was created simultaneously with the words. The Light Sword created in my left hand swept through the Lesser Demon’s torso.

It was questionable whether it would be a one-hit kill, but—the slash perfectly bisected the Lesser Demon, successfully defeating it.

…Oh.

Orudia’s voice. When I turned around, I saw him, apparently interested in my abilities.

Since you’ve made it this far, does that mean you have skill?

…Thanks.

Perhaps the sharpness of his gaze is due to his Demon Race blood… Anyway, it seems I’ve been somewhat evaluated.

So, it looks like demons are coming this way.

That’s right. Let’s retreat for now. What are you going to do?

Me? If the Dragons are going to fight, then I have no choice but to leave them be.

Orudia stared at me, beginning to think about something. What is he planning?

…Well, fine. I’ll return to the stronghold. What about you?

I’ll run too… Is your goal to defeat the Demon Race?

Yes.

Then, we might meet again somewhere. When we do, I’ll rely on you.

—If the Southern Invasion ends without problems, the Demon King will advance south with the last of the Five Great Demons, and Orudia will defeat the Five Great Demons.

Having met him here, it will probably be a little easier to talk… Thinking that, I parted ways with Orudia.

Now then.

I used magic again and started moving. What’s happening with the battle?

When I emerged from the forest to observe, the Dragons were finally repelling the Demon Race. However, the Dragons didn’t pursue them either. It seems they were still wary of a trap.

The Dragons’ victory.

Garuku commented. I nodded slightly,

It seems so… but the Demon Race won’t stay silent, will they?

They seem to have sustained considerable injuries. They probably won’t interfere for a while.

That’s good then… Alright, now that the confirmation is done, let’s head back to Sofia and the others.

Understood.

We started moving. On the way, I suddenly thought. The fact that the Dragons would provide support if needed was very significant.