Phili stayed near the Sacred Tree for now to receive various teachings from Corona. As for Sofia, Garuku and I consulted and verified things, discussing future plans.

I wondered what Eina, who had stepped back, would do—

“A liaison, you say?”

We can’t just leave Mr. Richard as he is.

Sofia told her that they needed someone to report on the situation, so Sofia gave Eina instructions.

Eina probably doesn’t want to be too far from Sofia… or rather, she’s currently making a subtle face. And she keeps looking at me.

I can understand what she’s trying to say, but I wish she’d trust me a little more.

Eina, please.

Sofia pleaded further, and Eina finally agreed.

Understood… Lord Ruon, please take care of the Princess.

Alright.

After giving me a look that showed her complicated feelings, she left.

Here, we started moving. We moved so as not to disturb Phili and the others, and found a slightly open space. We faced each other there.

…Well, then, shall we begin?

Yes.

Sofia nodded… she looked somehow happy.

What’s wrong?

Oh, no. It’s just that…

She gave a somewhat embarrassed smile and said,

When I think about it, Lord Ruon and I have hardly ever had the opportunity to train together like this.

…Now that you mention it, that’s true. It was always about taking Sofia somewhere to make her stronger, so I haven’t really taught her directly.

Also, I apologize about Eina.

Huh? Why is Sofia apologizing?

I’ve explained various things about Lord Ruon, but it feels like she doesn’t completely trust you…

…Isn’t it the opposite? After Sofia said various things, Eina must have understood that the Princess trusts me a great deal. That would, conversely, make her uneasy—in many ways.

I’m not so dense as to not understand what that means, but I feel like if I start talking about it, it’ll just get more complicated, so I’ll say nothing. Yes, that must be the best course of action… probably.

Shall we wait elsewhere? So as not to be a nuisance.

What are you talking about, Garuku…

After muttering to Garuku on my shoulder, I returned to the main topic.

So, we’re starting training right away… but what exactly should we do?

How to draw out the Sage’s Power… I can’t imagine.

Sofia also looks troubled. As for me, I don’t possess the Sage’s Power, so it’s hard to explain. Still—

The events in the Story might be a hint.

What kind of events?

When one person defeats the Five Great Demons and awakens… at the stage where the Protagonist confronts the Demon King and Magic is activated, they create a way to counter it.

That’s interesting, but wouldn’t that be difficult if the Sage’s Power isn’t gathered?

I don’t think we can do anything to that extent, but it might be a hint.

As I said that, I pondered.

Training to skillfully draw out the Sage’s Power… it’s easy to say, but there are no techniques or Magic that use it in the first place. There’s no starting point.

In the game, it was undoubtedly a trump card for fighting the Demon King, but it never played an active role in combat. In other words, the Sage’s Power was an event-based thing, and at this point, it’s difficult for me to provide guidance.

First, we need to see if she can voluntarily unleash the Sage’s Power.

Garuku said. Yes, indeed, if she can’t do that, there’s no point. Even so, a conclusion won’t be reached immediately. First—

We have three days. Garuku and Lefin will have to work together to find that method.

Me and Lefin?

Garuku and the others would be better at analyzing magic power and figuring out what to do than I would… I’ll try to remember everything about the Sage’s Power that happened in the Story. But I don’t know how helpful that will be.

Please.

Sofia said. I nodded in agreement and accepted—thus, the verification began.

Honestly, on the first day, I was swamped just investigating the flow of Magic Power. Phili is being looked after by Corona, but it seems that the way of handling Spirits and Sage’s Power is different, and Phili is making more progress.

By the end of the first day, Lefin and the others seemed to have recognized the Sage’s Power sleeping within Sofia. However, even when using magic or skills that exist in the game, it hardly appeared. How to bring it out—that is, whether she can voluntarily draw out the power—has not yet been clarified.

Phili, you can’t freely summon and dismiss Sage’s Power, can you?

During dinner, I met up with Phili and asked while eating stew. By the way, we are camping near the Coast, and Richard is air-dropping our food.

Yes. But Corona says I’m using it naturally.

Unconsciously?

It seems so.

Hmm, could it be that Phili can do it and Sofia can’t because they handle Magic Power differently? As various questions arose, Sofia spoke up this time.

If it’s difficult for me, I’ll have no choice but to ask Phili.

…The art of handling Spirit’s Power is quite difficult for me, who hasn’t contracted with Spirits. Wouldn’t you say we each have our own strengths and weaknesses as leaders?

Aren’t you going to make a contract now?

I prioritized mastering the sword. If I were to carelessly contract with Spirits here, there’s a possibility that the sharpness of my inherent Book techniques would be lost.

…While it might be manageable in the early stages, for Phili, who has reached a level where she can master Advanced Techniques, the intervention of unnecessary power would, on the contrary, become an obstacle.

Anyway, I’ll try my best to get it done in three days.

Me too. But this is tough.

Sofia sighed—if she wishes to defeat the Demon King with her own hands, the current situation is disadvantageous.

…It all depends on tomorrow.

When I said that, Sofia nodded broadly, seemingly in agreement.

After that, I finished dinner and thought about resting early, but… Sofia started walking along the Coast.

Phili, I’m going to talk to Sofia for a bit.

Go ahead.

After a brief word, I approached Sofia.

Sofia.

…Lord Ruon.

Don’t be so disheartened. You only have two days left, but rushing won’t lead to good results.

I know that…

But all that came out was a sigh. She’s really invested.

…Do you want to defeat the Demon King directly?

When I posed the question, Sofia looked back at me.

It’s not that I’m fixated on it, but…

To me, it looks like you’re quite particular about it.

At those words, Sofia gave a wry smile.

…Does it show?

Yes. It looks like you’re thinking of not losing to Phili, or something like that.

Sofia stopped smiling at my words.

…If Phili is to wield a sword, I intend to move to support her.

I understand. But right now, you don’t want to lose.

…Yes.

Sofia finally agreed. Well, that kind of competitive spirit is just like her.

At times like these, I suppose… rather than getting too bogged down, it might be good to reset your mind once.

After I gave her advice, Sofia sat down on the Coast. I sat next to her.

What should I talk about…? As various thoughts crossed my mind, Sofia suddenly began to speak.

…Lord Ruon,

Hmm?

Are you satisfied with the current War with the Demon Lord…the war situation?

I wondered what her intention was in asking that… Anyway, I opened my mouth.