That night, after proving our 'strength' in the three trials, we, the Fifth Pioneer Group, received a welcome from the Toluga Empire.

'Wow, that's great!'

　It was a hall that could hold about a thousand people.

　It was a lavish affair, beautifully decorated with flowers and beautiful furnishings.

　The floor was covered with many layers of exquisitely embroidered textiles, and people sat down to enjoy the food and drinks.

　At the back of the hall, a live band was playing music, and the atmosphere was gorgeous.

''Ugh, that looks so good~''

　Solstice quickly reached for a nearby dish.

　Hug, mug, mug.

Hmmm.

　I can taste it just from that ecstatic look on your face, yes.

(Well, I'll take one too!)

　I put the food in my mouth too.

...it's a little spicy. But it's good!

　The food at Tolga seems to be pretty spicy.

　The first bite is a surprise, but it's so addictive and spicy that you immediately want a second bite. Also, the aroma is awesome.

　Between me and Solstice, the blonde little girl, Poe, is also eating the food.

　Mock mock, gobble, gobble, gobble.

　It ate a small piece of food, teased me, drank some water, and ate another small piece of food.

　They are like little animals, but they are so cute.

　Turkia, too.

This is the first time I've ever cooked for you.

　They were happily enjoying the food served in their own imperial castle.

　As I looked around while enjoying my meal, I saw the Toluga nobles talking and laughing to us Shumurians in a friendly manner.

　...........

'Strength' is the national policy.

　Maybe that's why I felt that they were opening their hearts to us, having proven their strength.

　They don't even speak the language, but they are getting closer and closer to us.

(It's kind of homey.)

　We were rather perplexed by it, being Shumurians, but I myself liked the warmth of the atmosphere.

'Ah.'

　It was then that I spotted Miss Illtimina in the distance.　

　She was standing beside General Roberto and the other generals, standing between them and the Tolga nobles as an interpreter.

　Interpreters are so international and cool, aren't they?

　But thanks to that, I can't be with them.

(And that's kind of sad...)

　Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly looked at her and our gazes met as she looked at me.

　Nicot.

(Oh, he laughed!)

　Simple me, I'm so happy to see that, it makes me smile.

　Then I look around again, and this time I find Kirt-san talking to His Majesty the Empress Ameldas in another place.

　I listen.

'It's a shame you're a woman,'

　And your majesty.

'If you were a man, I would have liked you to give that 'seed' to the women of Toluga and have them leave behind many 'heroic offspring'.

　The disappointed voice tells me that the statement is serious.

(Ugh....)　

The 'Toluga Empire''s thirst for 'strength' is truly amazing.

　I noticed that most of the Toluga aristocrats in the hall were looking at Kirto, who defeated their own "hero".

(That's great, Kirt-san.)

　It seems that this "strength" has completely captivated the hearts of the people of Toluga.

　However, as expected of Kirt, he couldn't help but let out a bitter smile as if troubled by His Majesty's words earlier, "I see.

　In this way, the party continues.

　The relationship between Shumuria and Toluga seemed to have become very friendly.

　But as you would expect of a child, no one talked to us, and we were basically just enjoying the food.

"Delicious!
Yes.

　Turkia smiles and I laugh too.

　Then the two of us say, ''Next time, shall we try the food over there?'' and headed to another table - that's when it happened.

　Don.

(What?)

　The timing just happened to coincide with a guy who had come to the same table to get his food.

　He was a rather large man, and I, a little guy, was played.

　I almost fell down, but the man's big hands soon helped me up by supporting me on my back.

(That was close...)

　I bow my head.

"I'm sorry. Thank you.

　Then I looked up.

　I was surprised to see the figure's face as I looked up.

　The Turkia next to me stiffened.

"..........

　The man standing in front of us is the hero of Toluga, Pardouin himself.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　I couldn't say a word about the sudden encounter.

　At my gaze, he made a slightly strange face and then began to take the food from the table onto his own plate.

(............)

　It's something of a different impression.

　When I saw him on the battlefield or in the arena, he seemed more crude.

　However, the person in front of me now, with his long white hair pulled back into a bun and wearing a kimono-like traditional dress, looks very calm and relaxed.

　His body also looked smaller than usual.

　I wondered if this might be his normal body?

The...

　I boldly approached him.

　By the way, the translator is Turkia.

If it's okay with you, can I get a handshake to commemorate the occasion?
..........

　He nodded at me.

　He seems to be kind to kids, thank goodness.

　Geez.

　Mr. Pardoin's hands, clasped together, were lumpy and really big.

(A warrior's hands, yes.)

　And this is the hand of a 'hero'.

　And Mr. Pardewan looked at me with a look of realisation on his face, and then he looked at me.

''What?''

　He speaks to me in my bewilderment.

　Torchia translates for me.

"Are you a fighter?

　Because.

　I said yes.

　Mr. Pardoean nodded and said.

'A very good warrior's hand. Keep up the good work.

　He said.

(Wow, that's a compliment!)

I'm ecstatic to be recognized by the 'Hero of Toluga'.

'Thank you. I'm going to continue to work harder and harder with Kilt-san training me well!

　He responded to the words.

'Quilt...?'

　And.

Are you close to that 'Shumurian hero'?

　I was asked.

'Oh, yes.'

　I nodded.

　'I'll have Torchia translate for me and make sure I get it right.

'I'm an apprentice of Mr. Kilt's.
!

　Mr. Pardoin looked quite surprised.

　Eventually, he let out a breath, 'I see.

'Indeed, I thought you were in good hands, despite your youth. I see, you're a candidate for the next 'hero'.

　Huh?

The next "hero"...

　No, no, I didn't mean to do that, though.

　The calm atmosphere of Pardouin-san looking at me didn't change, but there was a little bit of the sharpness of the warrior's time in his eyes.

　....................

　I nodded my head and then, since I had the opportunity to ask him.

''Um, can I ask you a few questions?''
Question?
''Yes. Why didn't you use 'physical enhancement' magic during that 'arena' fight, Mr. Pardooine?

　It was a question I had always felt.

　Pardewan's entire body also had red magic letters painted on it, just like the 'Wolf User Warrior'.

　That meant that he could also use the 'Physical Strengthening' magic.

　And if he had used that magic in that battle, I think the outcome of the victory or defeat might have been reversed.

　He looks into my eyes.

　And.

It's not that I didn't use it. It's that she wouldn't let me use it.

　That's what I said.

They wouldn't let me use it...?

　He tells me, to my surprise, that the "physical enhancement" spell actually takes a few seconds to activate.

The "physical enhancement" magic actually takes 2 to 3 seconds to activate.

　Only three seconds.

　But Kirt-san didn't give me that time.

　If she had tried to force herself to activate it, her great sword would have sliced through Ms. Pardooine without missing the gap that was created.

　By the time the fight started, it had already become impossible to activate it.

　Then why not activate it before the fight started?



　If you don't do this, it's an act of telling everyone around you that you're a "weakling" who can't win if you don't strengthen your body before you even put your sword together.

It's impossible to be a "hero".

　I was finally convinced by Mr. Pardoin's explanation.

　And then he said.

''And if I gave it that much time, I felt that perhaps that 'Shumurian hero' would come up with 'something' more than the physical enhancements we would get. That fear was also why I couldn't use the 'physical enhancement' magic.

　I said.

　Hearing those words, I thought of the identity of 'something'.

'Demon God Sword, Zekijan'

　It was the final profound technique possessed by the Golden Mark demon hunter Kirt Amandes.

　That technique also requires a few seconds of accumulation.　

(In other words, Pardewan-san had a premonition of the existence of such an unknown sword technique...?

　That fact surprised me.

　Seriously, I stare at the person standing in front of me.

　He is a hero.

I realized that the title of being the strongest warrior in the Tolga Empire was unquestionably appropriate for the person standing before me right now.

　I said.

"Mr. Pardoin is truly an amazing person.

　I thought to myself, from the bottom of my heart.

　He narrowed his eyes a little, as if he could tell that.

'I see.'

　pom pom.

　He puts his large hand on my head.

　Then he looked around and saw a silver-haired woman talking to the Empress of her country.

"You've got a good mentor.
Yes, sir.

　I nodded broadly.

　Mr. Pardewan smiled, and then he left us.

　I look away from his back.

　A really big back.

'Huh.'

　Turkia, who was interpreting for me, exhaled heavily, as if she was nervous.

It's amazing, Marle. I can't help it.
Yeah?

　Maybe it's because I've met so many great people in my life.

　But most of all, I thought it was Mr. Pardoin's personality.

　He touched my head with his big hand.

　And it was so warm.

(Hero....?)

　When I was touched by its presence, I thought to myself, "One day I'll be as good as Mr. Kilts and Mr. Pardoin.

"Someday I'll be as good as Mr. Kilt and Mr. Pardewan.

　Not just in terms of sword skills.

　I wanted to gain real 'strength' like those two.

(I need to work harder for that!)

　Turkia's emerald-like eyes stared in amazement at my profile as I made such a decision at the glittering banquet.