Millia Mom, in a bun bun
What's going on with you and being so late?
　And blame Dad Ronin.

　Dad Ronin
I'm with you, which will slow you down. What do you expect me to do?
　I said back.

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

　The dumbfounded Mother Militia. Father Vandal exclaimed loudly, "There's one for you," and began to serve the food. Then we thanked the mountain for its blessings and ate our dinner.

　Father Ronin and I acted as if nothing happened.

　This was not the kind of talk we should have had at the dinner table. It's not the kind of talk you would have had at the dinner table, much less in front of a family that is happy to be home after a long absence.

　Mother and father and all the animals in the mountains were so happy to see me back that they gave me shape. It would be unworthy of a child of the gods to hinder them.

　So I was careful not to look depressed, and kept choosing my words so that he wouldn't know I was feeling down. The sensitive Lunamaría didn't seem to notice either, so it must have succeeded. As I concluded that, I voiced another concern.

　Just as everyone finished their main course and was about to start on dessert, I pulled out the remains of a crushed mithril from my pocket.

　It was a mithril dagger given to me by my father Ronin. It was the last remnant of my partner's sword that was shattered in a fierce battle the other day.

　When Ronin saw the remains of Mithril, he rubbed his stubble and said.

Hey! This guy's terrible! Did he fight a giant dragon?

It could be similar. I fought one of the 24 generals, Malmouk.

"An ancient demon. .

"And also with a large species of berserker bull at the foot of this mountain

"A large breed of Bersel Bull?

　Milia standing up with a bang. Large breasts shake.

"Not a super-dangerous monster. And this is a good year for Berserker Bull. We've stumbled upon a hell of a thing.

　It reminds me of a powerful enemy we fought so often in the forest. There were certainly some that were many times larger than the normal individuals. Maybe it was the biggest one ever! I'd like to break the record for the monster book in dad's office, but I won't tell you because I'm too upset to tell you.

　--She'd be upset if I told you.

　Milia hugs me tightly and smothers me with her ample breasts. Puffing and panting, I hand what's left of the mithril to Father Vandal.

I came back to this mountain to have this dagger fixed. It was nearly broken in the battle with Malmuke, but it was completely destroyed in the battle with Berserk Bull.
　Cured, I guess. ......?　He apologetically offered it to me, but when I looked at Vandal Dad's reaction to receiving it, it wasn't very nice.

I took it with a frown and sent the magic power, did a structural analysis, took out my glasses and examined them closely.

　After a brief examination, Father Vandal said simply.
"You can't.
　And.

I knew it.

　I won't bite. Father Vandal was a god of magic and metallurgy. I don't think the world's greatest swordsmith could help you if such a man had done his research.

To be more precise, he could refine the dagger again using a secret potion, but that would be considerably less powerful. It's no longer mithril. It's just a piece of junk that will hold you back.

"............　

　That's okay!　I can't be proud of it. On the journey ahead, you will inevitably fight the Zodiac cult and you will also face powerful demons such as Berserker Bull. At that time, poorly equipped equipment won't be able to protect you, let alone Lunamaria.

　Considering that, there seemed to be no way to reuse mithril through sentimentality.

　Now say goodbye to the partner you fought with for so many years in your mind. I will ask father Vandal to make a memorial service for me. He graciously accepts, puts the mithril away, and says, "I'm going to recycle this mithril.

I think it's a very good decision not to reuse it, but I need a new weapon to replace it.

　Father Vandal can't keep his long white beard and begins to think. First, he says, "Let's make a wooden sword out of ash trees in the storeroom," but it's rejected by Mother Militia.

"What's the point of giving Will a wooden sword now? It would make no sense to give Will a wooden sword at this stage.

　It was a good argument, so Dad Vandal was silent, but when Mother Militia then made an incomprehensible suggestion, he rejected it, as expected.

It's a boy's flail, after all. It's the child of the gods to be a warrior with a bludgeoning weapon.

　It's not, and both Dad and Luna Maria. Millia is discouraged, but she doesn't forget to poke at it.

I mean, what's your idea, then?　I won't admit to being stronger than a mithril dagger and less destructive than a flail.

　The one who answered the call was also Vandal Dad. He could not keep his beard on, but he had an idea.



"Speaking of which, did you know that there is a city called Arkham just west of Table Mountain?

How could I know that?

　Mother Militia strutting her stuff. Instead it was Luna Maria who answered.

I know. I remember stopping by once before I came to the mountain. --I think we were preparing for the festivities then.

　Ha!　Lunamaría, a priestess of the earth mother goddess, with an expression on her face that says: "Yes, it was.

Yes, it was. As I recall, the city of Arkham holds a martial arts tournament every three years.

"The Art of War: ......?

　Mother Millia to be in hiragana. What's that?　It is an event as the name implies.

"It is an event that does exactly what its name implies. The Earl of Arkham assembles the best warriors from around the country and pits them against each other.

Well, barbarians. That's why the men of the world below

I agree, the winner of that competition is given a magnificent sword every time.

Oh, I mean, you're going to enter that tournament and get a great sword.

Yes.

　And the god of magic, Vandal .

I believe the prize this year is a sword made of Damascus steel.

"Oh, a Damascus steel sword. That's as good as mithril.

　Dad Ronin marvels.

That's not it. Will's limbs have grown and he's become a fine warrior. Maybe this is a good time to switch from daggers to swords.

Exactly. If you want to be the best, you have to choose the sword.

　The god of swords has given his seal of approval. It seems it's time for me to graduate from the dagger.

I was going to let him master super close quarters combat with the dagger before moving on to the sword. So it's about time. I suggest you go to Arkham.

Me too.

"Me too!

　But Ronin then makes a surprising suggestion.

"Well, it's time to do something about it. This time I'd like to come with you.

　Millia frowns at the suggestion. It's not like she's a goddess to cut a mensch.

What?　What is that, why are you trying to keep up with Will?　You swordsmanship idiot.

"Yuck, old goddess. You served Will last time.

　Hearing those words, Millia starts to panic and says, "Hey, it's nothing. I mean, don't give me away, you idiot," she glares at Ronin's father.

　I look at me blankly, and Lunamaria looks at us weirdly.

　Later, Mother Milia and Father Ronin have some exchanges, but in the end Father Ronin wins. In the martial arts tournaments held in the Earl of Arkham, swordsmen have a better chance of winning. I couldn't compete with the theory that I, the goddess of healing, had a better chance of winning than I did.

Is ...... going to be your father?

"Ah An?　Complaint?

No way. It's the opposite. If my dad is on, he's a sure bet to win. But isn't that too cheesy?　God in a human tournament.

"Don't worry, I'm just a swordsman outside the divine realm. I'm just a swordsman outside the divine realm.

Like invincible without the "Shenwei ......

but he didn't object to me going down. but I didn't think I could overrule my father's promise to follow me. I was looking forward to going down there with my father.

Okay. Then tomorrow we'll head down to Arkham together.

"That's my boy, you know how to talk.

　Father Ronin smirkingly sips his sake. We've come to an agreement, but as usual, Mother Militia is going to complain.

Wait, wait, I don't mind having this swordsmanship idiot along for the ride, but I don't think I'd mind it being tomorrow.

"Well, since you're back after all these years, you should rest your bones a little more.

　The Vandal, god of magic, also provides cover. I look at Lunamaria, but she nods at me.

You're right. I guess we still have a few days before the martial arts tournament, so I'll stay in the mountains for a few more days.

That's the spirit. So it's parley night until the last minute of the convention.



　Miria, the goddess of healing, rolls up her sleeves and declares her cooking skills. Lunamaría hurries up and says, "I'll help you, too!

　I said. I think he was really worried about Mom's cooking skills. As much as I love her loving acorn pie, I decided to leave everything to her as it would be better if she helped me with it.

　The next few weeks will be like the old days.

　In the morning, she practiced her sword with Father Ronin and worked up a sweat. In the afternoon, you take a lecture on magic from Father Vandal. In the evening, you make a bath from the wood we gathered together. Mom won't ask you to join her, but you decide to take a bath separately for the men and women, thinking it would be too embarrassing in front of Lunamaria, and that it would be too lonely for her to be alone.

　After getting out of the bath, they eat dinner and watch the stars together. Mother Miria wishes on a shooting star, Father Ronin looks for his host star, and Father Vandal talks about the connotations of the stars. Me and Luna Maria gaze happily at the scene.

"The gods are so close.

Yes, even though they usually fight a lot.

They say the more you fight, the closer you are to each other.

Yeah. I read a story once about a gray cat and a reddish-brown mouse, and it said, 'You must fight with each other. I think it was something like that.

"It's Thomas and Jell-O,

"Oh yeah. Oh, you've read Luna Maria too?

No, I'm blind. Our High Priestess Flora was reading to the children at the foot of the mountain.

"Yes, the high priest is here: ......

　The end of the sentence was small because the name Lunamaria had mumbled sounded familiar.

High Priestess Flora: ...... Oh, I remember.

"Did you know?

Yes, Master Baba of Barca Village mentioned the name.

Well.

　A surprised Lunamaría.

A long time ago, I heard that you passed by the village of Barca and saved Mr. Zinga, who was suffering from green fever.

I see, it seems likely. I heard that Master Flora spent her youth traveling the world looking for the path to salvation.

You've been on an apprenticeship, haven't you?

Yes. He has used his healing magic and knowledge of pharmacy to help a lot of people.

"Looks virtuous.

"Yes . . has the highest moral character of the Order of Mother God

Wow. I'd love to meet you sometime and learn a lot from you.

Yes, sir. Master Flora is eager to see Master Will.

Really?

Of course. The reason I left the cult of Mother Earth in the first place is to bring Master Will back with me, so please come home with me to see Master Flora.

I'd like to say, "Okay," but first I have to go to a martial arts tournament. --I would love to, but I have to go to a martial arts tournament first.

I was. Of course, let's get that out of the way first. "I'm going to compete in the Arkham Martial Arts Tournament--

　Ronin comes in close to interrupt Lunamaria's words.

"No, man. Our goal is to win the tournament.

　I look at Luna Maria with a light chuckle.

"I guess so. It's not going to stop unless I or my dad wins.

Then you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure Mr. Will will be the winner.

You know how the blind priestess is.

　Ronin chuckled and patted me and Lunamaria on the shoulder.

Well, I guess we'd better get going. If we stay in the mountains until the last minute, we'll be late.

　It's not Ronin's style, but it's true, and you're right, so you'll be leaving the next day. You're good because you're sympathetic," Mom says sarcastically, but she thinks it's bad to make you late for the tournament by forcing you to stay too long. At the end, he sees me off with tears in his eyes.

Be careful, Will, be careful with the fresh water. Don't let Lunamaría's scent fool you. Also, you need to brush your teeth every day and make sure you gargle and wash your hands--

"I know, Mom. I'm not a kid anymore.

What are you talking about. That's the little Will who was sleeping with me last time.

　It seemed like Mom was just forcing herself into bed: ....... I would like to say that, but I know that this is a place where a hug is more necessary than an objection, and I hug my mother.
　I hugged my mother, who was very slender, unlike her image. She was so delicate that she felt as if she might break at any moment.

(...... I never knew my mother was this small.)

　No, I was growing up. I looked at my body again and my limbs had grown. Before I knew it, I was taller than Schultz the wolf.



(...... leaves old mother and goes on a journey. (If I return, my mother will have more gray hair)

　It is a poem from a book of poems I read long ago. It didn't feel right at the time, but now I can see the meaning and merit of the poem. You let go of your mother's shoulder, lost in your own emotions.

Well, Mom, goodbye again. But I'll see you again soon.

Really?

It's true.

Really, really?　What month, what day, what time, what minute, what second to come home to?

I can't promise that, but it won't be long.

"...... Okay, I get it. I'll be patient. But you should really take care of yourself.

I know, I know. Bye.

　With one last reluctant wave, he waved to Father Vandal and the mountain animals one last time.

See you later, guys.

　Of course, the animals in the mountains cannot speak human language. But their expressions and gestures were filled with sadness and love. Like my mother and father, they saw me off.

　I walked down the mountain, reeling backwards.