Berserker Brule appeared without a trace. He was at the height of his excitement.

　Rightfully so. My trap had pushed him off the cliff, and before I knew it, he was trapped in the woods of the other world.

　I guess they were desperate to drag my guts out.
　I saw those murderous red eyes, but I wasn't afraid.
　Rather, I calmly think about the aftermath.

(...... The whole unicorn's horn was eaten. (But a unicorn horn should be hard to digest.)

　This reminds me of the description in the biology book in the God of Magic's study.

　--So now there's still a chance that I can retrieve the horns if I cut open Bersel Bull's belly.

　Once again, seeing the ferocious face of Bersel Bull, I focus my attention on the dagger at my hip.

(With the flashes of sword I learned from Ronin, it would be easy to slit his belly open.

　But I can't use the sword flash now. The dagger was about to be completely destroyed.

　And then magic?

　No, it won't work either. Sure, you can do some magic damage, but you can't give him a blow that will put him out. Our first priority is the unicorn's horn.

...... cumbersome.

　This is an opponent that you can't lose in a normal fight, but when the conditions for victory are narrowed down, it becomes tricky.

　It reminds me of the anomalous chess game I used to play with my father Vandal.

　Anomalous chess is a chess game in which the conditions for victory change. There are many variations, such as severe time limits, having to take the king and queen, fewer pieces, and so on. I did this as part of the training to be able to think as flexible as a reed, rather than as hard as an oak tree, in order to be able to cope with various situations.

I guess the common denominator is that the time limit is very strict.

　The situation right now is the same as a fast one, pointing at a move within three seconds. If we don't kill Berserk Bull soon, we'll never be able to save the boy Mile.

　With that thought, I draw the dagger from my waist.

　At that sight, Lunamaria's blood changes. She's smart enough to know what I was going to do.

"Master Will, don't. That dagger won't hold up to a flash of lightning.

"Yeah. . might be irreparably broken.

The dagger is a memento that Master Ronin gave me. It is a holy dagger that has helped many things.

That's why. If this dagger has saved 100 people and animals, then this dagger should have saved the 101st. Yes, this dagger is filled with memories, but it cannot be compared to human life.

...... Mr. Will.

　Lunamaria blurts out, and before she knows it, Shizuku, who had come to her side, plops his hand on her shoulder.

Lunamaria. There's nothing you can say. My husband was the same. When a man has these eyes, a woman can't stop him.

...... Mr. Shizuku.

The only thing we women can do is to help a man achieve his ambition. The only thing we can do is to help him achieve his true intentions.

　With a wry smile, Shizuku pulled out an arrow from his back quiver and fired two arrows at once. He writhes in agony as the arrows pierce deep into the berserk bull.

　Lunamaria nodded silently, chanted sacred magic, and began to check him with a holy blow.

　I was most grateful for the support of Barca's best archer and this country's greatest saint.

　They gave me more room to maneuver.

　Only, Shizuku was about to get a good shot at Berserel Bull when she stuck out to leave a big gap.

　His huge arm rushes right past her.

　Part of her clothing comes off--no, it was a blow that blew off, but she doesn't seem to have taken the hit.

......

　and then, "There is no service time! and stabbed an arrow directly into his arm.

　Lunamaria follows suit and unleashes her sacred magic.
　Bersel Bull's face contorts in pain.
　They will ensure that I cannot fire a second shot, and they will support me when I cannot.
　If I have their "cooperation," I'll take a shot.
　With that thought in mind, I believe in them and put my strength into my sword.

　A sword technique called kensen that only a master swordsman can unleash. The slashing nature of the swordsmanship that comes from the sword.

　It takes a great deal of training and talent to unleash it, but I, the son of the sword god, could easily do it.

　--I was able to release it, but at the same time, an unpleasant sound rang out. It was a sound that went beyond the limits of the dagger.

　This dagger was given to me by Ronin, the god of swords, when I was a child. We've been in many battles together, but it's finally coming to the end of its life.

　My duel with the demon was the decisive factor, but all the years of effort I've put into this battle have come to an end.

　So my Mithril Dagger was approaching its natural life span.
　Lunamaria was sad about it, but I have no such feelings.

　This dagger was certainly a precious thing, but I would have gladly discarded it if I could have saved someone else.

　The only reason I never had that chance was because I was holed up in the mountains.
　I summed it up in my mind and put more effort into the dagger.

"Ichieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　and unleash a sword flash.

　A sword flash from the bluish blade blade blade. It was different from the usual flash of a sword. Your mind seems thicker and bolder than usual. Perhaps the dagger you've known for so many years is thanking you and showing you more power than you're capable of. I thought so. Our memories are transformed into power.



　It's not a convenient idea. In fact, the flashes were more powerful and sharp than usual. It was coming toward Berserel Bull with the speed of a falcon. Bersel Bull could not avoid it. It was too fast, and he was unable to evade it.

　Although he has given up on evading, he has not given up on "living". Bersel Bull gave up on evading and went on "defense.

　Crossing his bristly arms, he intercepted the sword flash. His arms were as thick as logs and bulging with muscle. A mere sword could not cut through them, but my swordsmanship is godlike, and the dagger was made of the pure silver known as mithril.

　True silver does not corrode.
　True silver does not break.
　True silver is stronger than anything else.
　I have unleashed the full potential of my long-time partner.
　The best buddies unleash their sword flashes with the best results.
　Berserker Bull's arms, thick as logs, will be sliced open.
　It's as easy as slicing open a piece of cheese and revealing red flesh.

　Bersel Bull must have felt his arms being torn apart. He twisted his body to try to find his way out, but it was a fleeting resistance.

　The sword flash, which had reached near god speed, cut off Bersell Bull's arm and went straight for his neck.

　The power of the sword flash never falters as it strikes at Bersel Bull's neck. It means that his body and neck have said goodbye. Moreover, it didn't have time to say goodbye.

　The bull's head blows off with such force that you can almost hear the onomatopoeia. The bull's head was blown off so fast you could almost hear the onomatopoeia. No way. I was staring at you in the air with a grudging expression on my face.

　I wanted to tell him that he was the wrong target, but I didn't have time to tell him that.
　I was more interested in watching my longtime partner die. To see the friend who gave me my best shot, the friend who saved me from the onslaught of the vicious Berserk Bull.

　Enduring metal cannot be broken. But every thing has an end. The Mithril dagger was just now beginning to shatter.

　Small cracks were spreading across the blade. Cracks spread like a spider's web, enough to shatter the blade. Finally, a slight breeze rustled and the dagger crumbled in response.
　I look at it with a sorrowful expression. I feel as if I am standing at a friend's funeral.

　Luna Maria must have sensed that. She stands beside me and says a prayer.

That was the best dagger I ever saw. He would have been happy to fight alongside Master Will.
"That's my line. I was happy to fight with you.
"............

　As the two of you are feeling sentimental for a while, you notice that Shizuku has slit the belly of Bersel Bull's corpse.

　He's probably retrieving the unicorn's horn. Lunamaria is flabbergasted when she sees it.

It was. And so was I. Time flows differently here than it does in our world.

You see, you don't want to mess around and make Zynga look like an old man.

"Mileage boy may not even need drugs anymore

That's right.


　Having said that, I went to Shizuku's place and helped him retrieve it. Fortunately, Shizuku did a good job of dismantling it and already had the horns back. That's the best of the foresters!

　With that praise, Shizuku wiped the blood off the unicorn's horn and said, "Now, take this.

Well, now take this and go back to your world.

　We were surprised at your words.

"That's not a very nice thing to say, Shizuku-san, I think you're going to stay ......

"I'm going to do it even if I don't?

　Shizuku says it as a matter of course. It's too much, I shout out.

No, Shizuku, there's someone waiting for you to come home.

　Lunamaria adds words in response to my voice.

Yes, that's right. Zinga is waiting for you to come home, Mr. Shizuku. Why would you not want to go home now?

It's true that I've gotten used to the easy life here, but that doesn't mean I don't want to go back.

　Shizuku said clearly and looked for his right shoulder. The battle had ripped off her clothing and her breasts were almost visible. But that's not what's interesting. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a torn amulet.

What's that?

　Me and Luna Maria raise our voices simultaneously.

Correct. This is the warding-breaking spell that Will gave me earlier.

"...... can't go back to the world if it's broken.

That's what I'm talking about. You saw the fight with Belsel Bull earlier, when you took a little hit.　That's when I got the amulet.

　Give up and strike a troubled pose.


　I try to reach into my pocket, but Shizuku stops me.

"Oops, sweet Will, that's not a good idea.

　She seemed to notice that I was about to offer her a talisman.

"But...

　She won't allow me to argue.

Decades have gone by in the other world. My husband is dead and Zynga is the only person who wants to see me.

　But not you, Shizuku continued emphatically.

There must be a lot of people waiting for you to return.

"............

　I was silent because so many faces had flashed into my mind.
　The faces of the gods of the Table Mountain, the animals of the mountain, the Master of Viktor's Trading Company, and the brave men of the sword also flashed in my mind.

And I'm sure my son Zinga wants to see you too. Then it's time for you to go back to your world.
But we came to save you. You'll go home without any success, and you'll have a face to match, Mr. Zinga.

There is. --There is.

"............

"It's the smiles of people on the other side. More people will smile when you come back. Not only your family and friends will be saved, but more people will be saved in the future. And Zinga will be happy about that.

　Shizuku bit down and handed me the horn of the unicorn he was holding onto.

This is the symbol. Take this and tell Zinga I'm doing a good job. Tell Zinga I'm doing a good job. That she's watching over you from this side of the world.

Shizuk-san: ......

Come on, no more depression. Now go back to the other side. You'll be lost for good if little Miles dies.

"............

　There were no words to return as it was true. As Lunamaría moved to my side, she said with a mysterious look on her face

"I should be the useless one to stay behind, but I can't. But I can't do that because I have to help Mr. Will save the world. ......

　She would be sorry to leave Shizuku here, too. She was biting her lip.

But it's true that we're running out of time. Let's do what she says here.

"...... Okay.

　If I complain here, Shizuku's decision will be in vain. So I prepare myself for Zinga's revenge and grab the amulet.

　Then my body begins to glow.
　My body begins to reject this other world.
　Lunamaria follows suit.
　Watching this, Shizuku smiles and says, "That's my friend Zinga!

That's my Zinga friend. I know the consequences.

"...... This isn't goodbye forever, is it?

"Well, I don't know about that. The connection between this world and the other world is cyclical. So it will be another twenty years before we see each other again.

"...... is right there.

I know. Zinga is married then, too, so she might be able to see her grandchildren. --Maybe even a grandmother at this young age.

　Shizuku smiled and waved his right hand. His right hand appears to be multi-layered.

　It seems that the line between our world and the other world has become blurred. Soon there will be a clear line drawn and we will never recognize each other again.

　Just before she disappears, I ask the seriousness of her face.

How did you become so strong? How can you be so strong?" she asks, "to be a woman's hunter, to venture into the dangerous woods to save your son, to endure the loneliness you willingly endure.

　To my last question, she replies, "What, is that all? "It's easy," she exclaims.


"Because I love my family. And you love them too.


　With these last words, we finished preparing to separate from each other.
　For the next ten seconds or so, I looked at Shizuku like she was imprinted on my mind.

　There was not a single cloud on her face. Once she gave me that look, I couldn't grieve either. I promised to see her again in twenty years.

　Twenty years later, I was going to come back to save her with the life she had saved, the mileage boy saved by the unicorn's horn, and her son Zinga.

　To make that dream come true I returned to my world.

　...... ...
　............
　..................


　When I returned to the forest, it was Zinga. He must have figured it all out by the fact that I didn't have my mother with me. I didn't say anything.



　Just a moment later, when I tried to apologize, he raised his voice.

"Twenty years later!　Twenty years later. Your chance is not gone yet. We'll have a chance to meet again in 20 years. --I'll be happy to work with you then.

　Zinga said that and did not touch Shizuku any further.
　He never mocked me for not being able to save his mother, nor did he show his anger. 　
　--This is Shizuku's son, after all. The same nobility is in him.
　I let that thought out in my mind and returned to the Barka village.

　We still have some work to do. We must use the unicorn's horn, which we sacrificed for the time of their father and son, in the right way.

　I've spent a lot of time in the other world. I wanted to save a little boy named Mile who was suffering from green fever as soon as possible.