Friends of the Brave and Wise Chiyuki

You're almost there, Chiyuki.

　Reno, aka Rino Sasaki, said as she spun around and danced.
　Reno is a good dancer, as she was a model who wanted to be able to sing and dance in her former world.
　Does she know that lately she is beginning to be called the goddess of dance by the people of this world?
　She is the center of people's attention because she dances everywhere when she walks down the street of people.
　The problem lies in the fact that she prefers to dress like a mini-skirt.
　As a result, she is often subjected to the disreputable gaze of many men.
　When I mentioned this to her, she said, "I'm used to it, so it's fine," and she didn't seem to mind.
　A model may be a job that cannot be done unless you are used to such a look.
　If it were me, I wouldn't be able to stand it.

''Well, it really is a bit more than that, Reno-san.

　I nodded at Reno's words.
　We're almost to the Demon King's castle.
　If we defeat the Demon King Modes there, we will be able to return to our home world.
　This long journey is over.

''Yeah, this painful journey is also over.

　Rage says with great emotion.

'Lies, you always seemed to be having fun,'
Was it?

　When I say that, he laughs.
　For him, summoned as a brave man of light, this world must have actually been fun for him.
　No, he wasn't the only one.
　Both Reno and Nao were enjoying themselves.
　It was half a year ago that we came to this world.
　We were summoned to this world by a woman named Raina who claimed to be a goddess.
　She asked us to defeat the demon king.
　It's just like a cartoon situation.
　To be honest, I wasn't happy. What she did was a kidnapping. It's very unforgivable.
　But I couldn't tell Raina to let me leave this world.
　This was because Rage easily took it upon himself to listen to a beautiful girl's request and took on the task of defeating the Demon King.
　That's why the other girls ended up going along with me.
　However, I was the only one who was dissatisfied, while Reiji, Reno, Nao, and others were overjoyed to be in the game world.
　And so our adventure began.
　I was worried at first.
　I wondered if we would be able to make it in this world.
　But my fears were unfounded.
　We are strong in this world.
　Our physical abilities have improved tremendously since we came to this world; we are like superhumans.
　I see this increase in physical ability as being proportionally higher than our abilities in the original world.
　This is because Rage and Nao, who had high physical abilities in the original world, have the highest physical ability among us.
　But even Sahoko, who has the lowest physical ability, can probably throw off a few average adult men in this world.
　Another thing, magic.
　It seems that magic can only be used by a handful of people in this world.
　We can all use that magic. It's a good thing that you're able to use the highest level of magic that this world's people can't compete with.
　By the way, the strength of the magic ability, me, Rage and Sahoko are high and Nao is the lowest.
　I don't know why this is so because there was no magic in the original world.
　It was that magic, but we couldn't all use the same magic.
　I can't use fire and lightning magic as well as Reno, and I'm not as good at healing magic as Sahoko. In return, Reno and Sahoko can't use magic such as transference.
　Nao, who is familiar with such games, says that Reno is a spirit-based wizard and Sahoko is a healing wizard. And I am a magician.
　Those of us who can use these abilities are the strongest beings in this world.
　Especially Rage, who has become known as the Brave Man of Light, has amazing fighting abilities, and even if the other five of us, including myself, were to get together, we would not be able to beat him.
　Raina says that if it's only his fighting ability, he's comparable to Odis, the King of the Gods.
　If it was just the girls, except for Rage, the dangerous place was easily overcome thanks to his presence.
　That journey is almost over.
　In hindsight, it would have been good to be a little more greedy.
　Couldn't he have demanded some kind of reward for returning me to the world I was returning to?
　Rage quickly cheapened the contract so he couldn't promise anything in return, but he could demand a reward later.
　A rage that is weak on beautiful women will probably fail with women anyway.
　I wish I could direct that kindness to the same s*x, but he's not interested in doing so.
　According to him, men have to solve their own problems and he only helps women.
　However, to my eyes, it looks like they are pinpointing and helping only pretty girls, but I guess it's just my imagination.

''I've been checking out the Demon King's Castle~''

　Nao came back after she went to scout out the area.
　She's the ace of the school's track and field team that we attended, and she's as physically strong as Rage.
　She's been called the wild child of the school, etc., but when you actually go out with her, she's quite a cute girl.
　She is self-aware of her position as a ranger or sifu in the game, and it's her role to conduct this kind of reconnaissance.

'How was it going, Nao-san?'
Hmmm... We don't have any traps, and we didn't have any soldiers to protect us. I think it's safe to continue on like this.
That's weird, because it's your last stronghold?
You're afraid of us and you're holed up in here, aren't you?

　Reno says optimistically.

'Maybe they don't have enough soldiers to protect them anymore?　See, the other day you beat those guys, the Dark Knights. Maybe that was the last time: ......

　Shirone says, sounding unsure of herself.
　Sirone's family runs a kendo hall, and she herself is a kendo player.
　She is now one of the strongest swordsmen in this world, and if she were to fight without magic in this one, she would be second only to Rage.
　I've actually seen her in action, and her ponytail moved dynamically, as if she were performing a 'dance'.
　She wears light armor to make it easier for her to move.
　Rage suggested the bikini armor, but as expected, she refused it.
　Incidentally, the dark knights she refers to are the ones we fought against four days ago.
　At that time, Rage had taken a separate action, and those of us who fought without Rage had a hard time.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　However, the formation was reversed when Rage, who noticed our danger, ran to the scene. Lanfeld escaped with his life.
　The Dark Knights who attacked due to that Rage's success were nearly destroyed, and there are probably only a few remnants of them left.

'I think it's best if there's nothing there either: ......

　Sahoko says.
　She hates conflict more than anything else among us.
　She is skilled in healing magic and heals the sick and injured in her spare time.
　She has been called a saint of healing, for example.

'Surely it's best if we don't have any resistance as it is, it's just too much trouble for the weaker ones to come out.

　I agree with Sahoko.

'Well, you'll know it when you go. Come on guys, let's go!
"'Oh!'

　Reno and Nao shout their approval at Rage's call.
　We walk to the Demon King's castle.
　A few minutes later.
　We come to the main gate of the castle without any problems.
　There is no garrison. Instead, one person in jet black armor was standing there.

''The Dark Knight ......?''

　It was dressed similarly to the dark knight he had fought before this.
　His face could not be seen due to the helmet covering him, but it didn't seem to be Runfeld.
　But why alone.
　Everyone else besides me is nodding their heads.
　After all this time, a single dark knight shouldn't even be able to deal with us if he is alone.
　What is the Demon King thinking?
　The dark knight draws his sword.

''My name is Dark Knight Dihardt!　Brave Rage, I want a single combat!





Kuroki, the young man who became the Dark Knight

"My name is Dark Knight Dihardt!　Brave Rage, I want a single combat!

　Wearing the armor of a dark knight, I stand in front of them and say my name.
　A sword in my hand.
　It's a magic sword that Modes gave to me. Apparently, its sharpness changes according to the magic power of its owner.
　The sword's blade is black with a vermilion pattern on it in places.
　The feeling of holding the sword is different from a shinai.
　I have held a Japanese sword before, and it was similar to that.
　That time it was a blade-pulling sword, but this is different, this sword will be able to cut people.
　In the end, he couldn't refuse Modes' request.
　I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to refuse a request clearly.
　And I'm laughing at myself at the fake name of Dihardt.
　Dehart. That's the name of an antagonist from an anime I've seen in the past.
　He plays a clown who is needlessly proud and easily beaten by the hero.
　It's a perfect name for me right now.
　I took the name of the antagonist in that anime because I didn't want Shirone to know it was me.
　The helmet, one of the dark knight's armor that Modes gave me, is the type that covers the entire head, so I can't see his face.
　Therefore, it would not be recognized by Shirone as me.
　The dark knight's helmet seems to have magic attached to it, so that even when he wears the helmet, his voice can reach you without a hint of magic.
　And by having the magic changed a little bit, I was able to make my voice come out differently than usual.
　As long as you are wearing this helmet, the other party will hear a voice different from your normal voice.
　Also, the eyes of the helmet have red gems in them. The eyes are said to have an effect of preventing magic from interfering with vision.
　And even with the red jewels, I can see normally, so magic is a great thing.
　I look at them from underneath that helmet.
　Chisetsu Suiouji, with her long, beautiful hair, is very attractive.
　Yoshino Sahoko, Rage's childhood friend and a beautiful, healing girl.
　Sasaki Rino, two years her junior, who is a model.
　Todoroki Naomi, the ace of the track team and the wild child of the school.
　And her own childhood friend, Akamine Hakune.
　All of them are beautiful girls and cronies of Rage.
　Shirone stands next to Rage.
　I honestly didn't want to see her next to Rage.
　So I tried not to look at her.
　I didn't expect to see that today.
　I look at Rage.
　The armor is pure white with a gold pattern on it.
　On his head is a golden circlet with a blue gemstone fitted in the center.
　On his back, he wears a crimson cloak that looks expensive.
　It's exactly the right outfit for a brave man of light called by the goddess.
　To be honest, I think it's cool.
　On the other hand, I'm a pawn of the Demon King. And I'm the only one without any friends.
　I'm not sure what the difference is. To be honest, this makes me cry.

"Everyone stand back!

　Rage lowers the girls back, as expected.
　She says she's willing to go one-on-one.
　When I confront her, I feel the pressure.
　I regret it now.
　Why didn't I say no more clearly?
　This is killing each other.
　I wasn't ready to die.
　Fear threatens to overwhelm me.
　I can only have the feeling that I will be miserably killed.
　I'm a fool, I'm a great fool.
　You should drop the sword and bow to your opponent.
　But for some reason, you hold your sword at the ready.
　Rage also draws his sword.
　The sword's barrel glows. The sword your opponent holds must also be a magical sword.

'I'll end it with a single blow.

　Rage laughs briskly. That smile is a sign of confidence that he will never lose.
　This is the second time we've fought. I think Rage was laughing like this at that time as well.
　A few seconds after confronting him.

''If you're not coming, then I'm coming over here!

　Rage was the first to move.
　Rage kicks the ground and closes the gap in one fell swoop. Its speed is much faster than Lanfeld.
　However, that movement didn't look much different from that time.
　Rage suddenly disappears when it comes to the front of me.
　That movement was also predictable. It was the same as when I was defeated before.
　He held his sword to the right.
　The shock wave is transmitted to the sword barrel. I used the abrasion, hip rotation and wrist twist to parry away Rage's attack with my sword.
　It looked like Rage was going to lose his stance as it was, but...

''Oops!

　Normally, he would break his stance there. However, Rage does not resist the force, but instead rotates vertically to stand up and prepare himself.
　It's like moving like a monkey. What kind of athletic nerve does it have?
　As soon as Rage regained his stance, he came straight from the front to slash at you.
　Instead of catching the sword as it is, I move sideways with my feet to keep my center of gravity intact, spinning and flicking the sword.
　This sliding motion on the ground is something I've only recently learned after a long period of practice.
　Rage is about to be thrown off his stance, but he turns sideways and regains his stance.
　As it is, the swords are brought together again.
　Each time he clasps his sword together, his mind goes even more blank.
　The sound of sword fights resounds high.

''d*mn!

　Then, for the umpteenth time, Rage attacked.
　It was a messy blow that was delivered with a slightly impatient voice.
　I'm going to be able to duck that attack just in time and swing my sword as is.
　I'm going to be able to feel something slashing through my hand.
　It's a sensation that time has stopped.
　The sword I wielded was slicing through Rage's body diagonally from the right shoulder.
　I couldn't cut the body in two, but it would still be a fatal wound.
　Blood gushed from the wound.

''Eh, .......''

　Rage looks at his chest and gives me a look of disbelief.
　Then he slowly falls onto his back.

'Mr. Rage!
Mr. Ray!
'Rage-senpai!
Mr. Rage!
Mr. Rage!

　Five screams go up.
　The girls move.
　I feel the kill and rush back.
　At that moment, a mass of fire hits the spot where I was standing.
　Before you know it, a huge flame giant is standing in front of you.
　Beside it, Sasaki Rino is standing beside it.

''Go, King of Flames!''

　She screams, and the flaming giant attacks.
　Thinking it's bad, I put my left hand in front of me, not holding my sword.

''O black flame!''

　Black flames come out of his own hands and prevent the flame giants from attacking him.
　It was a magic I had just learned before this battle.

''Ray-kun!　Healing Wind, heal his wounds.

　Sahoko Yoshino rushes to the side of the fallen Rage.

''Everyone!　Gather around Mr. Rage!

　The girls gather at Rage's side at the panicked voice of Chiyuki Suiji.

''Transition (teleportation)!

　With that call, the fire giant's attack stopped.
　When I looked ahead, there was no one there.

''You've won: ......

　I mutter, and my body shakes.
　As it is, I kneel on the ground.