Lend me your face!　Brave man of the Water Kingdom (Roses)!
　Still arrogant and badly behaved as ever.

　-- Gerald Ballantyne, the Lightning Hero.

What can I do for you, gentlemen?
　I'll try to keep a low profile.

"You wanted to see me for a change but you're out of the loop.
Skipping out?
　Mr. Gerald slows down and approaches us with a grim face.
　Oh my God, a blonde thug is coming this way.
　I want to get out of here.

"Hey, bro!
　A slender woman with blonde hair and golden armor came running in a panic.
　Then she grabbed Gera's arm and pulled her to her feet.

'Let go, Janet!
I won't let go, why are you being so combative? Do you just want to hear about the defeat of the Demon King in the Woodlands (Spring Rogues)...?
''Don't tell me that, man.
　Oh, I see.

That was just a coincidence. It was a lucky break.
There's no way!　The Tomb of the Demon King is a disaster designation and a curse seal that no one has been able to access for a thousand years!　d*mn, what's more, whoever defeats the Demon King first wins. That was the plan all along, wasn't it?
　I could hear the sound of gritting teeth on the edge.....

'Oh, come on, brother. You're just going to get Mako in trouble. Sorry, I'm sure he wanted to see you, but I'm too excited for today, so I'll have to call it a day.
　Miss Janet pulled her brother along.
'Hey don't pull me!' Jera is being dragged away as she says

'Oh, yes,'
　Just before I left, Janet smiled at me.

'Mako, please leave it open for tonight.
What?
What?
　Me and Jera made a goofy noise at the same time.

'Um ... Miss Janet?　How can I help you...?
Hey, Janet, what do you mean by tonight?
It's nothing to do with you. I'll see you later, Makoto.
　Miss Janet dragged her brother away.
　If she was serious, there was no way that Gera-san would lose power to her sister.
　If I had to guess, either her sister was stronger in her position or Gera-san was weak to her sister.

　And Janet-san's meaningful words to keep it open tonight........
　Actually, I wanted to go visit Sakurai-kun, but....
　Oh well.
　I was puzzled by the unexpected welcome, but let's go into the Highland Castle.
''Well, let's go then,'' he said, looking back at his friends.

"..........
Wow.
　I turned around and saw three pairs of eyes staring at me.
　Furiae and the black cat (Tsui) were sighing with a huff.

'Hey, Aya. This guy came to Highland and immediately got an appointment with another woman.
''Ah, I envy you, the popular hero-sama! Sophie-chan, what shall we do about Roses' heroic womanizing?
'It's a venerable problem. Lucy and Aya, please see to it that the brave Mako doesn't mess with a woman from another country.
I'm on it.

....　
　Lucy, Sa-san and Princess Sophia are working together.
　I should say something.
　But if I make a bad excuse, I'm going to be a bush snake.

'Brave Lord, the women of the Water Country (Roses) are very strong.
　In a whisper, General Talisker overheard me.

"Not in the Land of Fire, is it?
'No, it's similar. Ale's mother was very strong too...
　I glanced at Olga-san, the brave daughter of the fire goddess and the general's daughter, and turned my attention to her.
　Yeah, she's been quiet lately, but from the first time we met, she seems to be quite my strong.

''It's the same wherever you go, isn't it?''
It's true.
　Haha, said General Talisker, laughing.
　I didn't solve anything in particular.　

　With Lucy and Sa-san on both sides, I entered the Highland Castle.



　◇



　General Talisker was going to have a meeting with the King of the Land of the Sun (Highland), so we went separately.

'We shall go and see Princess Noel,'
　Princess Sophia seems to want to hear first of all the intentions of Princess Noel, who is the parent country (Roses) of water.
　As for me, I don't know anything about the relationship between the two countries, so I just nodded my head.
　I've already made an appointment with him, so I went to the place we had promised.


It's not Makoto-dono!
　On the way, he was approached by a giant warrior.
　The warrior's appearance was not that of a human race, but rather a reptilian skin and face - a dragon race.

''Maximilian-san. It's been a long time.
　It was Maximilian, the brave man of the wind tree.
''I've heard rumors. 'I heard you had a rampage in the Fire Nation too.'
　He gave me a friendly smile, the opposite of his stern impression.

'It's just the way it is. Is the Land of Trees (Spring Rogue) no different after that?
The Tomb of the Demon King is gone, and the miasma-ridden Demon Forest is shrinking little by little. In a few decades, the Devil's Forest itself will be gone. Then, the tree country will develop further. The village elders all expressed their gratitude to Lord Makoto.
　Maximilian-san said happily.

''Heh ... the Demon Forest.''
　It is true that the source of the miasma is gone now that the Demon King Biflonsu has been destroyed.
　The miasma (dungeon) where the undead roam is gone.
　The memory of the time when I explored the dungeons with Sa-san, changing into the undead, comes back to me.
　In the end, I only got to explore once.

(I should have explored more.)
　The Devil's Forest was a limited time dungeon....
　There may have been hidden treasures (treasures) or something.

Makoto-dono?
Takatsuki-kun, you look like you're thinking about something stupid again.
　As I was lost in thought, Maximilian and Saasan confronted me.

'What do you mean, Aya?'
I'm sure she's thinking about how she should have explored the 'Devil's Forest' more because of Takatsuki-kun.
Can you stop reading people's minds?
　How do you know that accurately?

''Yes~ I've grown up being told that elves are never to go near the Demon Forest.... Makoto, what are you thinking?
All the people of the Woodland are like that.... The only person who would regret the loss of the Devil's Forest is Lord Makoto.
'No, you're wrong. You're not sorry that the Devil's Forest is gone, are you?
　I'm in danger of being treated like a freak, not only by Lucy, but by Mr. Maximilian as well.
　Now, how could I excuse myself?
　When I was about to open my mouth.



'Get out of my way,'



　Suddenly, I was approached in a commanding tone.
　When I turned around, a group of people who seemed to be of high status were about to walk by.
　
　The woman who spoke up was about in the middle of the group, looking down at us with cold eyes.

　Silver hair and honey-colored eyes.
　Her white dress was decorated with several huge magical stones.
　

''Excuse me, Esther-sama.''
　Mr. Maximilian gave way.
　We followed suit.

'A brave man in the employ of Roses and a sub-human brave? How well they get along.
　The tone was unassuming and somewhat laced with contempt.......I think.
　The silver-haired woman looked over at us.
　For a moment, she looked at Friae, her expression twisted in a hateful manner.

''........''
....
　Huh?　What's your problem?　Friae made a face, "I'm sorry.
　I thought that I had to stop him before he said something wrong, but in the end he left without saying anything.

'What the hell, that guy,'
　Mr. Freyae sounded annoyed.　
　The group, accompanied by the pompous woman, disappeared into the depths of Highland Castle.

''She's the Goddess of Destiny's priestess, Lord Esther, isn't she?
　Maximilian told me.
''Well he's kind of a unique personality.
　She seemed like a badass.

　I glanced at Princess Sophia.
　If she was a priestess, wouldn't I know her?

The Goddess of Destiny's maiden has recently been replaced, so this is the first time I've met her as well.
　Princess Sophia replied apologetically.
　I see, this was Princess Sophia's first time meeting her too?

''I'm not sure what's the matter. I met Esther-sama before and she seemed to be a polite and quiet person. That was a few years ago already.''
　Ms. Maximilian twisted her head.
　They say people change their personalities if they don't see each other for a few years, and I'm sure there was something wrong with her.

　Nevertheless, the air was a bit strange to continue the chatter.

'Well, I'll see you later. Mr. Maximilian.
Yes, Makoto-dono. If you have time, we can talk about it.
　We parted from Maximilian, the hero of the Wind Tree, and headed for where Princess Noel was.



　◇


　The location of the audience with Princess Noel was a place near the training square of Highland Castle.
　I found out why such a place was designated for us as we came near.

''Welcome to the Land of the Sun (Highland). The Brave Lord of Light is waiting for you, Makoto-dono.''
It's been a long time, Mr. Ault.
　The one who greeted me was Ort-san, the leader of the Knights of the Sun, the First Division.
　He was the one who fought with me during the Demon Runaway (Stampede) that attacked the royal capital Symphonia.

　Princess Sophia entered the building beside the training camp where Princess Noel was.
　While the two princesses are talking, we're going to ask you to talk to the people from the Order of the Sun.
　We had fought with the Order of the Sun when we came to the Land of the Sun before.
　Sa-san and Lucy have met and talked with people from another division again.

　Friare-san was pulled by Sa-san and Lucy as they went.
　I wanted to go with them to Sakurai-kun's place........
　It can't be helped, I'll take you there later.
　I was guided by the Commander, Ault-san, and we walked around the vast Highland Army training grounds.

　I was led to a place that looked like an arena, the largest of the training grounds.



　-- where corpses were lying in a folded-up position.



　It was a lie.
　They are not corpses.
　They are all breathing.
　But they were all down like corpses, breathing like worms.

'That's it!　The hero of the light wins!
　Someone's voice echoed, declaring.

''That's a mock battle. It's a training exercise called 'Brave Lord of Light versus 100 Knights'.'
　Olt-san, the leader of the group, explained.
''Heh ... that's the name of the training as it is.
　Very straightforward.
　But there was one thing that really bothered me.

'There are over a hundred opponents, aren't there?
　At a quick glance, there were more than two hundred people down.

'Because a hundred wasn't enough,'
Oh... (sighs)
　I guess a hundred men weren't enough to take on the brave men of light.
　Then it can't be helped.

　When I look at the fallen warriors again, there are even senior and super-grade knights.
　Moreover, all of them are seriously equipped with full body armor (full armor) and stiffened up.
　As for the opponents........

Takatsuki-kun!
　My opponent, a handsome man, looked at me and gave me a big wave.

　He's freshly rolled up his t-shirt to his shoulders and is dressed in top and bottom cloth.
　He's not wearing any armor at all, and he's dressed lightly, just like when I used to play soccer in gym class.
　And the wooden sword held in the right hand is a wooden sword that looks like a wooden sword.


　-- that wooden sword shines like a legendary holy sword!


　The power to turn light into aura.
　The aura of the brave men of light is the strongest sword and the strongest shield.

　The weapon clothed with the aura of the brave souls of light will become a fearsome magical sword.
　It is not easy to injure the body covered with the aura of the brave souls of light, and even if it is damaged, it will recover in an instant.

　It's like Sa-san's 'Invincible Time' skill, which has no time limit.　
　As long as there is the sun in the sky, there is no one who can beat the 'Brave Man of Light'.
　He's the possessor of the same skill as Savior Abel.

　Smiling and waving to me is my childhood friend, Sakurai Ryosuke, whom I haven't seen in months.


　◇


It's been a while, Takatsuki.
I'm relieved to see that you're as strong as ever, Sakurai-kun.
　We were happy to see each other again.

"I've heard rumors. "You defeated the Demon King in the Wood Country and saved the Fire Country from destruction.
　Sakurai-kun says with a smile.
　'Everyone talks about that.

'I don't want you to think I'm on my own,'
　The Land of Trees (Spring Rogue), by Rosalie.
　The Fire Nation (Great Keith) was a disaster without Master Noah.

"The northern expedition plan will be in good hands with you, Takatsuki.
I'll join you at the end of the hall.
　Sakurai-kun, Jera-san and Maximilian-san, who are the Goddess's chosen heroes, are also planning to participate.
　As a nationally certified hero, there's not much need for me to be a stickler.

Though I have a feeling the people around me won't let me do that.
　Sakurai-kun laughs bitterly.

''The Northern Expedition Plan will turn all the tough enemies to Sakurai-kun, you know.
　I said as I looked around at the fallen senior to super-grade knight people.
　Hearing that, Sakurai-kun gave me a surprising look.

''You'll fight with me, right?''
Do you need my poor water magic?
He saved me in the Great Maze.
I'm not supposed to be out there.
If it's a rainy day, it's Takatsuki's turn, right?
Then I'll clear your head.
''You can do that?　I've heard it's hard to control the weather, even for the Great Sage.
I can do rain to shine. I can't do it the other way around, though.
Tell me more about that!
I can't help it.

　For a while, I enjoyed chatting with Sakurai-kun.

　

　◇



　There are many water spirits near Highland Castle.
　This is a big difference from Roses Castle.

　One of the reasons may be the presence of a large river that runs behind the royal capital.
　Another is that unlike Roses Castle, Highland Castle does not have a church function.
　Because the Land of the Sun is a state with a separation of church and state, the one that enshrines the Holy God Tribe is 'St. Anne's Cathedral'.
　That's why there were so many water spirits floating around in the training grounds.

The water spirit is gone...?

　Like a receding tide, the water spirit disappeared in an instant.
　I soon found out why.

''Sakurai-kun, who's that guy over there?''
　Out of the corner of my eye, a large warrior stood about 100 meters away from me.

　He must be nearly two meters tall.
　He had a physique similar to Maximilian-san of the Dragon Race, but he looked like a human race.
　He has blonde hair and white skin, but he doesn't look like a nobleman because of his wrestler-like muscles.
　Since that guy arrived, the water spirit has left.

''He was recently made a National Certified Brave of the Land of the Sun I believe his name was 'Alec'.
You know him?
'No, that's why he doesn't belong to the Order of the Sun, he belongs to the Temple Knights (Templar Knights). It's not surprising that he's there because the training grounds can be used no matter which affiliation you belong to, but....... We barely interact with each other.
Hmmm....
Do you want to go talk to him if you're interested?
No, I don't think it's that bad.

　I glanced at my right arm.
　Currently, the 'spirit's right hand' is hidden by bandages.
　What I was curious about was not the spirit's magic power, but Noah-sama's divine qi.

　The man named Alec, the temple knight, seemed to be emitting not magic power but divine qi.
　I might be mistaken, though.

(.........I don't want to be assigned to the same unit as that guy.
　I don't want the spirits to disappear.

　As I was thinking about this, Princess Noel and Princess Sophia came with me.

''It's been a while, Makoto-san.
　Princess Noel is like the sun, smiling and smiling.
　As usual, she is a princess who is a model of elegance and cuteness combined.

Princess Noel, it's been a while.
　I was about to kneel when he stopped me.

'No need to be so formal. You are Sophia's fiancée, you know. More importantly, all the heroes and priestesses are going to gather now. Let's go together.
Yes, I understand.
　It was early in the day when we arrived, but they said we had to gather.
　We met up with Lucy, Sa-san and Friae, and were ushered in by Princess Noel.


　◇


　Maidens and brave men from different countries are gathered in a huge conference room.
　There are familiar faces and unfamiliar faces.
　There are also the faces of the Highland royalty and the Five Holy Nobles.
　I could also see the face of General Talisker.

　However, there was no sign of the rookie nationally certified hero 'Alec' from earlier.

''Ladies and gentlemen, over here.''
　A person who seemed to be the facilitator spoke up from the stage.

''I will now explain to you the plan for the Northern Expedition. But before that, the priestess Esther from the land of commerce will have a few words. Then, Esther-sama, please.
　The facilitator said, and the priestess of the Goddess of Destiny, whom I had passed earlier in the aisle, came up to the stage.
　She looked down at me with a cold expression.
　She remained silent for a few seconds.
　''What is it?''　Just as the noise of "I'm sorry," the priestess of the Goddess of Destiny opened her mouth.


'There is one among you who believes in an evil god.


　Esther, the priestess of the Goddess of Destiny, told him nonchalantly.

(Huh?) (Huh?)

　My heart's voice is covered by Noah-sama's voice.


　.........Noah-sama, isn't this bad?