The next day, I saw my sword master, the former swordsman.
　I put my broken heart out of my mind and focused on the old man in front of me.
　I had heard that he had retired as a swordsman, so I thought he must be quite old ...... but I was surprised to see the old man than I had expected.
　Roughly, he's about sixty years old?

　I just felt an aura that I couldn't underestimate that he was an old man, and I thought it was safe, or rather fearful, to be taught by him.
　He's like an expert swordsman character that often appears in comics.
　Even standing silently, I can feel the tremendous pressure.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kite. It's nice to meet you.
　I'm going to be teaching you the sword, and I'm afraid of offending you, so I greeted you as respectfully as I could.

"It's nice to meet you too. You can call me Aaron.

You must be Aaron. Okay.

As you can see, I'm an old man who retired from the front lines ten years ago, but don't worry, I'm going to do the job I've been entrusted with, so don't worry.

Yes, of course. I'm not worried about it!
　I did a little bit, but it's only a little bit, so no, right?

That's very nice of you. Then let's start practicing right away ...... I'd like to say, but let's start by learning about the brave men and this world.

Are you sure?　I appreciate that.
　Honestly, I was in trouble because no one would tell me what to do.
　I was almost trapped in a room that was prepared for me, and I couldn't find out for myself, and I was just about to give up.

I see. I knew Your Majesty didn't explain things properly, did he?　Well, I guess you're right that you don't understand about brave people exactly, so you can't even explain it.

'You don't understand about brave men?　What do you mean?
　Huh?　You're too irresponsible to call me out and not understand.

'It's easy. It's that they're lazy and haven't learned anything. I'll tell you more about it in the moving carriage.
　I've had that feeling about laziness after watching ...... for the past two days, but even if you're the king, I don't think you should say that with impunity.

　Well, that's not the point: ......
Carriage?　Where are you headed?

You'll find out where you're going when you get there. Now, please follow me.
　Hmmm. Is there something to talk about that has something to do with the brave men?
　With that in mind, Aaron and I got into the carriage.


'Well, where shall we begin? ...... Did you hear that in this world, there is a human world and a demon world, and that there are three major human countries?'
　The human world?　The demon world?　Three countries of people?

No. ......
　You didn't teach me that.

Okay. Well, let's talk about it.

Thank you.

"In this world, there is the demon world where the demons live and the human world where the humans live. And in the human world where we live, there's the Kingdom of Alvar, where we live, and the Vector Empire to the east and the Garum Kingdom to the south.

The Kingdom of Alvar, the Vector Empire, and the Garum Kingdom.

Yes. And my kingdom and the Eastern Empire have not been on very good terms with each other for hundreds of years now.

Is there any cause for this?
　Why would you want to summon a brave man to destroy the Empire?

''Well ...... our kingdom has become a country that respects the aristocracy with an emphasis on bloodline. It is a country where even the common man can become a nobleman if he does something good, and even a nobleman is usually reduced to a slave if he fails.
　The Empire is in trouble!　But I guess the Empire is better for me if I want to be an upstart.

I see. But how did that difference develop into a conflict?

"Easy. It's easy. The imperial system is faster to develop. In a meritocratic empire, even the common man does his best to help the country grow in order to rise to the top. By comparison, in kingdoms that are soft on the aristocracy, the upper echelons of the aristocracy and royalty have been corrupted. Feeling secure that their status will not be lost, the aristocrats have become arrogant, and instead of learning and working hard, they only think about how to get richer and more comfortably. Such a kingdom would be envious of an empire that is more developed than their own .
　Ah, it was a bad pattern for the kingdom one way or the other .

''Could it be that because it's ......, you're thinking of taking it away from the Empire?''

'Do you think it's a childish idea?　I think so too.

　Oh come on .
''Is it safe to say that ...... even if you're retired, Aaron-san, who originally served the kingdom, is okay with that?

I wouldn't talk about it inside the castle. I suppose that's why I'm talking to you in the carriage.

Oh, so that's what the carriage is for?


　Not for transportation, but for real talk.
　You're right, we can't eavesdrop inside the carriage.

No, sir, we know where we're going. But we're going the very long way.

Really? ......
　Where the hell are we headed?

'Before I got down to brass tacks and started teaching the sword, I wanted Lord Kite to know just how bad this country is.

Why?　It's possible I'm going to hear that and try to flee this country, isn't it?
　Honestly, I don't want to fight for this country, okay?

He'll find out sooner or later. Well, then, it might not be so shocking if you told him in advance.　Besides, I thought Lord Kite would be able to change this country, so I told you what's really going on in this country.

Yes. ......
　I don't think I have the power to change the country or anything like that, you know?
　First of all, I'm not even sure I'll be alive in a year, and I'm not sure I'm strong enough.

Are you worried you can't do it?

"To be honest ......, I guess so . I haven't even had a fight with anyone in the last fifteen years.
　I had never been in a violent fight since I was born, even if it was just an argument.
　That's why I was so resistant to hitting people.
　And I had never wanted to take the lead in anything.
　I don't think I could have survived the war and changed this country.

Really. But I think that's okay. The previous generation of brave men used to whine about the same things when they first came to our world.

'Really?　I heard you had defeated the Demon King, so I figured you had some special skills to begin with.

''It seems that he learned a unique sword technique in the previous world, but on the contrary, it seemed to get in the way of his use of the sword in this world, so he had a lot of trouble in the beginning.
　Unique swordplay?　Did he do Kendo or something like that?

In the beginning, you went to ......?
　Well, if you've been doing kendo, you'll get used to using a sword faster than I did.

'Yes. Well, it's better to let people experience this rather than explain it with their mouths. So, let's head to our destination.
　knock-knock
　Mr. Aaron knocked on the wall on the side with the carriage driver.
　Is that a sign?

　...... and so on, the carriage soon stopped .
　Apparently, it was a signal to say that you can stop at your destination. I think that was his signal to stop at our destination.
When you get off the carriage, you enter a building that looks like a prehistoric church.

"Master Aaron, it's good to see you. How can I help you today?
　When I entered, a person who looked like a priest came hurriedly.
　Mr. Aaron, you're a former Sword Saint, you're a great guy after all.

I'd like to use the room in the basement for the statue.

'I don't have any reservations today, so that's fine, but ...... what do you plan to do for us?'
　The priest looked at me and Aaron in turn as he listened to Aaron's words.

'I've got a few things I need to look into. Don't worry, it won't take long.

Yes, ...... I get it.
　Then, without saying anything else, the priest handed Aaron the key.


　Aaron then led me to a basement room.
　There was a statue of a woman on her knees with her hands outstretched in the empty space.
　No, didn't you say she was a goddess.

What is this?

I'll explain later. In the meantime, touch the statue.

That's the one you're talking about, isn't it?　I understand.
　Well, if you can explain it to me... I put my hand on the goddess's hand.
　Then an incredibly bright light shot out from the statue.

Wow!　What is this?!

Oh, and don't take your hands off of it until the light goes out.

Yes, sir.

　Then, resisting the glare, I continued to hold the goddess statue's hand.
　Then ...... after a while the light subsided and there was a card in the goddess's palm.
Then take the card.

This one?　Oh, what?　It's gone: ......
　The moment I touched the card, it disappeared without a trace.

That's all right. Now let's get back to the carriage.
　Oh, my God, are you sure you're okay?
　But I followed Aaron, who had left the room first.

'That thing you just did is ......'


　When I got back to the carriage, I asked him to explain about the card.

It's what we call a status card. It shows how strong a person is. Think of the card you just saw and make sure it comes out of your hand.

　No way, you're not in the kitchen: ......
Get out!　Ugh.
　Seriously, it's out!　Otherworldly awesome!

Okay. I'll let you check the contents for yourself first.

Oh, yes.
　If you look closely, there's something written on the card: .......

　Emi Kaito Lv.1

　Age: 15
　Race: Human race
　Occupation : The Brave

　Strength: 11/11
Magic power: 6/6

　Power: 9
　Speed: 12
　Luck: 1000
　Attributes: electricity
skill
　Electric Magic Lv.1 Breakthrough

　title
　One from another world.

　Yeah, it's a common status in games and stuff.
　I knew he was level 1. I can't tell if his status is strong or weak.
　But more importantly... what's electric magic?　I'm so worried about this!
Have you finished?

"Yes, yes. But what's what: ......

I'm sure. Would you mind if we see it?

Of course. Rather, look and explain.
　Tell me if I'm strong or weak!

So, if you'll excuse me. Yeah, it's not bad. And an electric attribute that's only available to the brave. This one easily surpasses its predecessor.

"Only for the brave?

''Yes . The electric, fire and water-ice attributes are the attributes that only brave men can have . There are seventeen brave men and women in the record, but only five of them had the limited attribute: ...... When you put Lord Kite together, there are six out of eighteen brave men and women. It means that only one in three of the brave can use a special magic that only one in three can possess.
　Special magic?

'One in three, ......, you're in luck.
　This is giving me some confidence.

Yes, I am. But since it's so rare and there's no one to teach it to, you'll just have to master magic in your own way.

Oh, no. ......
　How the hell am I supposed to know how to use magic?
　There's no one who can tell me what to do!

It's all right. Even the previous generation's hero, who was said to be the weakest of all time, was able to defeat the Demon King.

You're the weakest of all time. ...... What kind of magic did the previous heroes have before?
　You could beat the Demon King and you're the weakest of all time: ....... I'm having a hard time finding a brave man...

"Non-attribute magic. It's a spell that strengthens the body.

'What?　Doesn't it look normal and strong?　No, not really?
　You know how often body-enhancement systems come up as strong characters in comics and such?
　But in real life, is regular magic that can attack at long range stronger?

''As a result, it was strong . But at that time, the use of non-attribute magic was only known to a few, and although it was better than now, there were only a few people who could use it, and it was considered a weak magic ...... that couldn't be used normally. And if you compare it to magic limited to brave people, it's weak . ''
　What? If it wasn't compared to limited magic... it was still strong.

Huh. Aren't there many people who can use it more now?

''Yes . In a kingdom, it would have been only the descendants of the Sword Saint's family and in an empire, it would have been only the descendants of the former heroes.


　I see...so that's why it's so difficult to use.
　When you think about it, it's amazing that a brave man could master it.

''That's right, ...... means you'll have to fight the descendants of the former heroes someday!
　That's what it means to be in the Empire, isn't it?

''That's right. The Empire is home to the world's greatest wizards, the mages, the children and grandchildren of the brave. They're all strong. Especially Damien Forster, the son of a brave man, who is considered the strongest man alive.
　You should never make enemies with the descendants of the world's most powerful wizard and hero.
　And besides, the greatest wizard in the world... ...... I don't think I can win.

Damien Forster. You have to remember that.

No, it's not Damien that Lord Kite should be wary of.

'What?　Are there others?　Who?

"Damien is in the unit assigned to protect the Empire. So he will not participate in this war. So we should be wary of Leonce Myrddin, the grandson of our last brave man. He will certainly be a general in the next war.
　So, Damien isn't going to fight in the war.
　That's good to hear.

So is Léonce Muldaine. Was he strong?

"His strength is unknown. We don't know the reality of his strength because we've heard so many stories that may or may not be true.

Oh, what's your story, for example?

We slayed a dragon no one had ever been able to kill before. You have a demon under your command who attacked your territory. Since none of this is believable, we believe that the Empire is deliberately trying to spread information that overestimates the Leons, in an attempt to diminish the kingdom.

Well, I guess so. You don't want to think that someone like that was an actual enemy, do you?
　What kind of monster can take down a dragon?
　But if it's true, then the kingdom doesn't stand a chance, does it?

''That's right . Also, please keep in mind that the Princess ...... is most likely the next mage and that the grandson of the saint who traveled with the former heroes is in the Empire.
　Come on. How many strong people are there in the Empire?

''A mage and a saint ...... were those two traveling with the previous brave?''

That's right. Former heroes defeated the Witch King with the Imperial mages and saints of the Church. Other heroes have added the kingdom's saints to their ranks.

'What?　Why didn't the previous generation travel with you, if it was successive generations?

The old heroes didn't need a swordsman. We were both devoted to swords and our abilities were the same. And I'm sure it's partly because the heroes and I don't get along with each other very well.

Do you have a problem with him?
　It doesn't look like Mr. Aaron is going to fight or anything, does it?

Oh, it's not the brave man's fault. I was arrogant in my youth, and that's all because of me.

Can you tell me what happened at ......?

Okay. It's pretty boring stuff to say.

"At that time, the demon king declared war on the people and the kingdom rushed to summon a brave man. People at that time only thought of asking the hero. But it turned out that he was an incompetent warrior who could only use unattributed magic.
　You're incompetent. ...... Is that what all brave people are destined to be told at first?

In the midst of all this, a brave man who hated to lose was trained by my father, who could use non-attribute magic at the time without regard to what the people around him said, and he became strong.

Awesome.
　It's amazing how much you never give up.

Yes, sir. That's very impressive. But I was set to become a swordsman, and there was no one in the kingdom stronger than me besides my father. That was wrong. The brave man was getting faster and faster with my sword. At that time, I was in a real hurry. Didn't I train hard enough?　I practiced hard, but in the end I lost.
　You've lost: ...... Well, I guess it's no use, since the bravest person has to be the strongest to beat the demon king, right?

''And after being defeated by a brave man who I thought was of a lower rank, and by pure swordsmanship alone, I had no desire to even hold a sword and declined to be the next Sword Saint.

'So you didn't join the brave men's journey.

Yes. Looking back, I just ran away from a brave man. In the end, I even destroyed my own chance to get revenge on the brave man.

I see. ......

How did I get my hands on the sword again?　Is it?
　I was debating the best thing to say before Aaron sensed it.

"Yes.

''Well ...... there's no great reason for that. I found myself holding a sword. Ah, we'll be at the castle soon. I'll start practicing as soon as I get to the castle, so be prepared, okay?



Yes ......
　Apparently, you're not going to tell me.
　Well, I got a lot of other stuff to teach you.
　I'm more interested in how hard Aaron's training is.