Long before I met my girls.
　As an adventurer, I had a party of those same adventurers.
　It was a small party of just four, but it was filled with people who would go on to make a name for themselves in King's Landing.

　Regina was one of them.
　She wielded a huge sword as tall as a man with ease.
　She cut down anyone who stood in her way without hesitation.
　People who saw how she fought gave her the nickname the demon princess. Her bright scarlet hair was said to be dyed in the blood of her slain enemies. That's a ridiculous story. But there were some who believed it because she was feared by everyone.

　Three years younger than me, she was promoted to B-rank adventurer in just one year and was already considered an A-rank adventurer.
　It wasn't a dream come true for her to become an S-ranked adventurer.
　It was up to me or Regina to be the youngest S-ranked adventurer. We were friends and rivals.
　The people of King's Landing had high hopes for our advancement.

　But...
　But I ended up not being an S-ranked adventurer. I stepped down as an adventurer after my affair with the Ancient Dragon.
　After that, I left King's Landing, and I hadn't heard from Regina since then.

I never thought I'd see my old friends again like this.

　I get up off the ground and go toe-to-toe with Regina.

"Regina. You're looking good, by the way.

　I remember her as a girl. And so it should be. She was 15 then. She's 33 now. She's a grown woman.

"I'm sick of this whole 'cause it's like a toothless speech. It's disgusting.
Your tongue is as sharp as ever, isn't it?
'I'm just saying what I think,'
"It's called a tongue," I said. "'Most people have a way of wrapping their minds around an object.
"Worldly wisdom. Boring. I guess people with those skills are more poisoned than I am.

　Regina seems to have been laid bare for the last 18 years.

What have you been doing all these years?
Did you think I was running a cake shop?
Well, if that's the case, I guess the bakery's not doing too well.

　I chuckled at the thought of Regina in an apron, serving customers with a disgusted expression on her face. That would be the worst profession in the world.

I can only live by fighting. When I can no longer wield this sword, that's when I die. Unlike you who left King's Landing in a hurry.

　Rugged tone.
　I think he's angry that I went back to my village with three babies without talking to his party.
　Well, of course you are. You don't agree.

Well, let's change the question.

　I lower my voice and look at Regina.

"...... Regina. Why did you attack Elsa?

　Regina challenged Elsa and defeated her.
　She didn't take any words, but she was probably the one who had shown up at the Magical Academy's intruder or the Adventurer's Guild and put a sword to Anna's head .
　Glaring at her with a piercing stare, Regina's corner of her mouth twisted up.

''Hmph . Nice, hostile eyes.''

　When I said that, Regina gave me a provocative look . She shuffled her chin .

"Kaiser. Draw your sword.
What?
"You know that. I don't listen to men who are weaker than I am. If you want to know why, show me the power.

　Regina's eyes have a belligerent gleam in them.
　She seems serious.
　First of all, she's not the kind of dexterous person who can tell a joke.

"...... If I win, you'll tell me why?
Yeah. I promise.
.......... I never thought I'd be crossing swords with someone I haven't seen in 18 years. I was hoping we could sit down for a long cup of tea and talk.
"Don't be a fool. Swords speak louder than words. All the paths we take, we only need to cross to understand each other's paths.
I think that's just Regina.

　I scratched my neck with a polish.


　Elsa at her side has a puzzled look on her face.
　Well, that's what happens when you're not used to it.
　Basically, Regina is more of a swordsman than Elsa is--a battle fanatic.
　Is she stronger or weaker than her opponent? That's all she cares about.

Anyway, let's change the place. We're in the city. We're in the city. We don't want the rest of the Order to clean up after us.