I - the wizard Magnus - was busy going back and forth across the kingdom, completing numerous requests and subquests in Laxtia.
　But thanks to this, my level is now 32.
　So I had reached the minimum target level on the plan table in my head.
　Why 32 is the minimum - it's a bit long to tell you that.

　In this world we live in, Arcelia, there are currently eight great powers.
　This kingdom of Rakstad, where I live, is one of them.
　In order to keep the eight great kingdoms in check, the Demon King Morlfy has dispatched an army of eight demon generals, the strongest under his command, to invade or control them.

　In the southern frontier of the Rakstad Kingdom, in the savage area known as the Mountain of Death, the Demon Fist General Del Bembro also has a castle.
　I want to defeat him before we leave Rakstad.
　And in order to do so, I need to be at least level 32.

According to the information in the Strategy Book, Del Bembro is at level 40!
　It says in this "Strategy Book" that no one in the history of mankind has ever reached the level 40s.
　That's right, the greatest saint in history who spread the teachings of the Spirit of Tigon throughout Arcelia, and laid the foundation of the Church today (if you ask me, the greatest impostor in history!) Whether it was Meltaire, Bernard the Great, the champion who founded the Leanhalter Empire, the legendary great merchant Copper, who bought the country with money alone, the founder of the martial arts sanctuary of Wuliu, the bandit king of the north, the pirate king of the south, and, of course, Lester, the founder of the academy I admire so much --Even today, even great people who were famous in history, passed down in fairy tales and caricatures, and even today, even children know about them, could not reach level 40.

　This is proof that the Demon King and his confidants, the demon generals, have transcended the human race.
　I have to take on one of these monsters solo, but isn't it only natural that I should be cautious?
　As one might expect from a high-level monster, General Delbembro also has a number of troubling special abilities.
　The most frightening of these is a special ability called "Fist Bind".
　It can put up to two targets into captivity without question, an effect that is almost foul. If I had challenged Del Bembro without knowing what was going on, he wouldn't let me do anything at all, and he would have torture me to death. Creepy!
　And there is only one simple way to counter this terrifying special ability.
　Fistbind won't work on opponents at level 32 or higher.

　Now you understand why I said "Level 32 is the minimum necessary".
　I'm just - I have a tendency to knock over bridges.
　If possible, I'd like to raise my level as high as I can before taking on Del Bembro, rather than rushing to challenge the minimum level.
　Fortunately, there were still more Subquests available in the Kingdom of Rakstad.
　Naturally, it would take more time, but I planned to complete these as well and raise my level to level 34.
　That's what was on the plan list in my head.

　However, that plan was unexpectedly thrown out of whack.

　Once again, it was the work of Eugene's outrage.
　Oh, God Spirit Tygon!　The brave man you have chosen is as clownish as you want him to be, isn't he a delight to your eyes?　That must be it!
　I first learned of Eugene's outrage when I visited the compound of the scholar Narsai.

"Are you not aware, Lord Magnus?

　He said in a calm voice that revealed a deep intelligence.
　Narsai is a man of great learning and insight, and I have a lot of respect for him.
　I've had many 'subquests' starting with his requests, so I've visited his mansion many times, and inevitably, I've become acquainted with him.
　Narsai is undoubtedly a good man, but he informed me in the sarcastic tone typical of the wittiest of them all: "I'm not going to tell you what to do.

I heard that Eugene and his party of heroes had left King's Landing in order to defeat General Delbembro.
What ... is that true, Narsai-dono?
''There's no doubt about it. It seems that that that shallow man went out of his way to patronize you and spread the word all over the place that he was going to strike you down, and there is an uproar among the King's sparrows. I think it is natural that Lord Magnus, who is very busy, does not know about the gossip in the well, but it was about three days ago.
"....Eugene. ...how stupid.

　I put my hand to my forehead, fighting off a headache.
　It's hard to believe that they've been able to improve dramatically since I left Eugene's party.
　If that were the case, they would definitely be killed by Delvenbro, who would kill them all.

''..........''

　I forget that I'm in the middle of a visit to Narsai's house, and I fall silent and think about it.
　If this had been a story in the past tense of Eugene and others going to defeat Delvembro and being wiped out, my mind would not have been so boggled.
　I would have wished them well for a while as we were not strangers, and then I would have had a refreshing change of heart.
　I'm not a hypocrite enough to cry there, you know.

　But what Narsai did for me was an ongoing story.
　If I headed to the Mountain of Death now, I might be able to save Eugene and the others.

''...........'' ...............................

　You're going to save him?　You see all these guys?　You did?　Me?
　And even though you haven't fully raised the bar to your satisfaction yet?　Is it worth the risk?

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

　To go or not to go, that's the question.
　It's a question that can't be compared to the time I went to save Mel in Enzo village.

　
　It seems my mind was made up from the beginning.
　I'm not a hypocrite by any means, but apparently I was a dumbfounded goody-two-shoes, after all!

I'm sorry, Mr. Narsai. I'm sorry, Narsai-dono, but I have some urgent business to attend to, so I must be excused.
"...You're not going, are you, Lord Magnus?　To save such a rude person?
'Laugh at the stupidity. In fact, I should be in that mood myself, but as expected when it comes to myself, because this is a story that doesn't sound as funny as it should.
What a...

　Narsai was also pouting, as if dumbfounded.
　But he quickly reconsidered and said

"Laugh it up, Master Magnus. I will greet you with a smile when you return in triumph, having defeated even Delbembro. We will hear the tale of your heroism until morning. Then I'll bring you the best of the 35 years.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm just not strong enough to drink all night.
'Haha, I see!　I see that even great wizards have a weakness.　No, I beg your pardon, this was no laughing matter either.
I don't mind. I asked you to laugh at me.

　This time I was able to grin too, and we chuckled at each other.

''But if that's the case, shall I also be able to count on Lord Magnus' chivalry?
What do you mean?
Instead of a 35-year-old one, I'll lend you my family's prized hovering carpet. This should increase your chances of catching up to the brave party.
Okay. I'm not impressed, Mr. Narsai.

　We had a good belly laugh this time.