As we're heading to the top of Table Mountain, Lunamaría murmurs, "It looks like it's going to rain.

It looks like it's going to rain.

　And then the rain drops on my head.

How did you know it was going to rain?

I could smell the rain.

　It may sound obvious, but it was indeed Lunamaria that could detect rain with just a sense of smell.

　But even that Lunamaria can't make the rain clouds disappear. The rain is falling on us without mercy.

　We have to find a place to take shelter. Fortunately, we find a nice salty cave a few dozen meters away.

　We rush in there.

　I let out a sigh of relief as I enter the cave, but I notice that my clothes are wet. Luna Maria says, "I can stand this much," but as a boy of her age, I can't look at her white clothes when they are wet.

　You can see your underwear through them. Father Reus taught me that a man should always be a gentleman, so I wanted to dry my clothes first.

　So I looked for combustibles in the cave. The caves here at Table Mountain are often covered in flammable moss. We could warm ourselves up if we looked. I thought so, and I was right. A little further in, the moss was dense.

　I took it back with me, holding it like a pile, and lit it with the magic of ignition.

　The moss quickly burns, radiating heat and light. Luna Maria excuses me and takes off her wet clothes. It was obvious that she would avoid the warmth if she left her seat, so she counts the prime numbers in her mind.

(Two, three, five, seven, eleven. ......)

　After a few minutes of fighting the affliction, our clothes were dry and we quickly put away the fire and left the cave. Then the rain stopped like a lie.

It's the Mother of Earth's desire.

　A smiling Luna Maria. She was pretty dainty, but the scene from earlier was still very clear, so I climbed up the mountain without making eye contact. We tried to make our way all the way to the sanctuary - to the place where Mom and Dad were, but we couldn't.

　There was someone who blocked us on our way.

　She stood in the middle of the road to the sanctuary. She was wearing a black garment with a hood. Her clothes were drenched. She must have been hit by the rain. But had he been standing here the whole time without sheltering from the rain? That's a strange story, I snorted, and Lunamaria concurred. She warns me.

"Dear Mr. ......, I think it's a little suspicious. Don't get any closer.

　Nodding.

"...... I feel an unusual urge to kill someone in front of me. She wants to kill me.

　The black-clad figure, noticing that we've noticed the murderous atmosphere, grimaced and spun disturbing words.

...... Thank goodness you're aware of my intentions. . that you noticed my murderous intentions.

　The moment he said that, the black coat falls to the ground. With a thud, it expands to the ground. It may look as if she had molted, but she hadn't. The contents of the black robe simply shed their black robe with uncanny speed.

　The contents of the black robe jumped into my bosom at a speed that seemed to merge with the wind. The moment you could see, the opponent was already right in front of you. He had drawn his sword and was about to cut me in half at a moment's notice.

　I subconsciously moved my left arm's shield to block the enemy's slash.

　Kakin!

　And then there was the sound of metal clashing.
　Lunamaria was the first to react to the sound and said.

Master Will!　Are you okay?

　Aegis mischievously replies with his left arm, "For now.

Half the women in the world would be saddened if they got hurt if they got attacked like this every time.

"Mother Militia, by herself, could shed half the tears in the whole world.

　I joke back at the irony and I brush my foot off.
　My right foot cuts through the air with a buzz.
　The holy shield is impressed by that sight.

You know, you're pretty impressive.

"Bodywork is something my dad Ronin is very good at, too.

No, no. That's not what I meant. I just thought you were a feminist.

"Feminist?

No, because that girl you just tried to kick is a girl.

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

　I didn't think it was possible, but the person who leapt backwards and dodged my kick was indeed a girl.

I didn't see her.

"Humph, Will is very observant.

My hair looked short from the front.

　It may sound like an excuse, but she had her long hair tied back and from my angle she looked like a boy.

No boy has a pretty face like that. ...... Well, Will does.

Thanks. ...... But that's hard to do, too.



　The girl's expression relaxes as they exchange such an exchange.

The gods brought me up, so don't underestimate me too much. Even though it looks like this, I am a master of the sword. If you're not careful, I'll cut off your head with the speed of a moment.

　Surely the murderous atmosphere you can feel from her is no ordinary thing. If you're not careful, she'll really have your head. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy beating up girls.

...... I know what you're capable of. I think you're a great swordsman.

Thank you.

But I don't see why I should fight you. Why do you point your sword at me?

It's easy. You're my avenger's son.

"Son of the Avenger ......?

"Yes.

"So you're saying that someone from my mom and dad killed someone you care about?

Yes. That's why we kill them.

No way. That's a misunderstanding. There's no way you guys would do that.

　In defense of the fathers, her expression changes.
　At the same time, it comes charging in at falcon-like speed.

"I will not forgive you. --I will never forgive you. Your father, Ronin, killed my father. So I'll kill you and let him twist your face into a smile!

　She lets go and unleashes a full-body blow. She bends over and dodges the attack, but she feels something hot on her cheek. It's as if her skin has been cut.

(...... I thought I'd dodged it.) What a sharp and powerful attack.

　A cold one runs down my back.
　If I don't, I'll lose, I thought.
　Now I have nothing to use as a weapon. I lost my dagger the other day.

　I have a shield that repels all attacks, and powerful magic, but I'm somewhat unreliable when the fight is against the girl in front of me. She is a wielder of the sword. Looking at her swordsmanship skills, it seemed that a defensive battle or magical attack would not be very effective. If you are on the defensive, they will be broken at some point and they won't give you a chance to chant your magic.

If you are fighting like this, you will lose.

　When I calmly grasp the difference in strength, I implement the most powerful tactics.
　I use the "strongest" fighting techniques I learned from the Vandal, the god of magic.

　I glance briefly at Luna Maria and we breathe together. You've traveled together for a long time, and you can breathe with her.

　When I've distanced myself from the girl in black, I throw my shield.

"BABUEN!

　And the shield that flew out loud by itself, its trajectory was straight and easily avoided, but that's okay. I thought that even if I could avoid the attack on the way there, the attack on the way back would be false. As expected, the girl was struck by the holy shield that comes back like a boomerang.

"--Huh?　I'm back.

　The girl who had never seen the holy shield before did not seem to know its properties. She didn't hit it, but she managed to leave a small opening.

　I'll take advantage of that opportunity. I have magic stored in my right hand, and I convert it into earth magic.

　Instead of hitting the girl with the magic power that has become destructive power, you shoot it into the earth.

Then a large hole is opened on the earth and a cloud of dust dances. An unusual sound resounds, and sand and stones fly away. It makes the girl lose sight of me for a moment.

　It's only a short time, but it's enough time for me and Luna Maria to start running.
　We used our best tactic, the 36th Sense of Escape.

　She seemed to have a reason to fight me, but I didn't. We should have avoided the battles we could have avoided. What's ahead is the sanctuary, and those who aren't involved are not allowed to enter. The gods will intervene if the battle takes place in the gods' realm.

　Perhaps, the girl knew that and that is why she was waiting here in this place for the ambush. In other words, if they could escape to the divine realm, the immediate danger should have been averted.

　--That was the right idea.

　The girl who had been following our backs at first stopped moving when we entered the sanctuary. She stays there for a while and then stares at my back with a sharp gaze.

"...... Well, okay. I didn't think I'd get you here. And I'll definitely see you again. When we do, I'll take my revenge. I will lay your head on his grave and comfort his soul. That is my hope.

　She took a breath there and hollered out loud.

My name is Hifune!　Will, son of the gods, do not forget his name. It is I who will put a blade in your heart and pay for the ferry to the River Styx!



　With that last statement, she left.
　I chew on her words and her decision. I wonder if her words are true.

...... I wonder if that Ronin dad would do something so repulsive to people.

　Such a question arises.

　The swordsmanship god I knew was soft on drink and women, but he was a compassionate man. She was rough and crude, but she was not a man who killed people for no reason.

　She's mistaken after all. --When I convinced myself that she was right, we continued on our way to the divine realm.