A two-necked hellhound spat out a breath of fire from its mouth on either side.
　It's aimed at both me and Ray.

　I stomp the ground with both feet.
I focus on the new skill I've learned since I became a martial artist.

A-un-Rena.

　This spell is not really necessary.
　As a wizard by nature, the act of chanting a familiar spell is what draws the most concentration from me. That's all.

　A faint glow rises from my entire body and shimmers.
　It's a practice that can be learned at level 10.
　Once you've mastered it, you need to enter a deep state of concentration, but it has the effect of raising your entire "status" for a certain amount of time. It's particularly effective at increasing mental strength.

　I'll use it to increase my resistance to the flame attribute.
　And since the Guardian Angel's Ring, a rank A equipment, reduces damage, I only suffered minor burns.
　What hurts is painful, but that's the point...!

　On the other hand, what about Ray?
　He also stomped on the ground, causing a faint glow to arise from his entire body.

''Ah un rena!''

　I've told you many times that you don't have to imitate me up to that spell.
　Anyway, he had invoked the brilliant Kneading Qi Gong.
　So I was able to get through the Hellhound's Breath.

"Way to go, Ray!　Now, let's get fancy with the counterattack.
I'll take the right!
Okay. It's all yours.

　Me and Ray are going to charge in at the same time.

Shine Blade!
Haha!

　The blade of Ray's Steel Sword shoots out a fiery light and slices off the hellhound's right neck.
　My right fist shimmers with the Qigong and smashes the neck of the left one.
　The power of both of them had been raised to the bottom by the effect of .

　This was the last straw, and we defeated the level 17 boss monster, the Hellhound.
　The two of us were also raised to level 17.
　The loot (drop item) was the Fiery Liver of the Demon World.
　It was originally a rare drop, but we were able to get it through the effects of the Demon Sealord's Gold Coin.

You're getting better and better, Ray.
'Because fighting beside Magnus is a real learning experience!
Oh, right. So we'll have to kill a manticore.
Yes. Let's stick to the plan!

　After killing the Noble Vampires, Ray and I teamed up and continued our rapid progress.
　We defeated boss monsters such as the Elder Salamander, Twintail Fox, and Hill Giant that dwelled in the Monriver area one after another, and we kept improving our levels.
　Following my example, Lei had also mastered the martial arts skills of the Wuliu School and was steadily making them his own.

''Excellent work, both of you!　But before we kill the manticore, let us return to the village and reassure you all.
'Yes, Chocolat.
'It's going to be okay!　Because Mr. Magnus is making all the right arrangements!
What?

　Me and Chocolat pulled up in high spirits, with Ray looking doubtful.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　The inhabitants of the Hellhound-damaged Notch village were completely drained of vitality.
　Even when we reported our losses.

'Oh thank you very much...'
'I don't know how to thank you...'
'No really, how nice it would have been if I could have thanked you... kuuhhh...'

　And then he thanked us, with dead eyes or tears in the corners of his eyes.

　It's no wonder they are like this.
　The hellhounds that inhabited the village's communal cemetery had often attacked and burned down many houses, and the damage to the fields had been particularly deadly.
　They may have managed to survive this winter, but there was no hope for next year's harvest.

'We have no choice but to abandon our village...'
If only some town would accept us all...
At my age, I never thought I'd have to be a refugee.
I'd rather die with my village...
Hey, Grandpa. Grandma, please. It's not a nice thing to say...
Yeah. That's the only thing that matters...

　and the villagers face to face, repeating their damp stories.
　Ray and others, whose roots are good, are about to get tears in their eyes.

'Wait. Don't be too soon.

　I called out to those villagers.
　Everyone's attention is drawn to them.

"What do you mean, Master Magnus...?
There is no need to abandon the village. Of course, I am a godless man, and I can't tell you that there's a happy way to be saved.
'Mm, is there a way to avoid abandoning the village?
I'm willing to do some hard work!
Yes. I don't know where the refugees will end up.

　A light of vitality dwells in the dead-eyed villagers.
　Yeah, good. Yeah, good.
　You know, I like the way you look at me.

"You'll need some money to rebuild your house. I'll loan you that money, whatever you need. I don't charge you any interest, so you can relax.
"Whoa!
Oh, really?

There's plenty of money to be made from selling magic items and Kajuu's business, based on the strategy books.
　In order to defeat the demon king, you will surely need something to get ahead of the game. That's why I'm not going to say "I don't need money at all" or anything pretty.
　However, I would welcome it if I could return the money I earn to society in this way.

By the way, aren't rice seeds essential for the village to become independent?　I've made arrangements for that too. They're due to arrive soon.
'Whoa, whoa, whoa!'
The whole thing.
'Thank you!　Thank you!
We will certainly give back more than we have received after the village has recovered!

　I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude from the villagers.
　And what a rumor.
　A carriage full of sacks of seed rice arrived at the village.

'Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr Magnus!

　Aria, who was riding in the car, waved to me with a lively wave.
　Next to her was Nadia, acting as the driver.

　That's right, the unhulled rice sold by the Malm Chamber of Commerce was transferred by Nadia's "Town Gate" with her carriage to Mont River, and from there it was transported using the city roads.

　　　　◇◆◇◆◇◇

　I also found out when I came here that the people of Luxun seem to have a favorable attitude towards their suzerainty, Luxta, as a national sentiment.
　They worked hard when the country was founded, and it seems that they still have a good understanding of diplomatic relations.

　That's why Aria and the Malm Chamber of Commerce were welcomed with open arms.
　The village is going to be in trouble from now on, but there's no need for a celebration and welcome party. We're adamant that we're not going to have a celebration and welcome party, but we're going to have a normal conversation and relax a bit before we leave.

It's nice to meet you. I'm Aria, the daughter of the Marum Chamber of Commerce based in LaCosta.
That's very polite of you. I'm having a party with Mr. Magnus and his friends, Ray.

　The two of them, meeting for the first time, introduce themselves to each other again.

''Well, um, what kind of relationship do you have with Aria-san and Magnus-san?''

　Like me, Ray isn't exactly a good conversationalist. So I'll talk to Aria about something as bland as the weather.

　On the other hand, Aria is too shy to answer.
　It's true that it's hard to say "we are lovers" out of the blue at the first meeting.

''Aria-sama is Magnus-sama's future wife!

　Chocolat replied instead, strangely proud.
　That made Aria's cheeks flush, too, while

''Magnus-san has a very difficult mission, and we haven't formally pledged our future to each other... But I have faith that Magnus-san will accomplish it, and when he does................Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, no! As expected, I'm embarrassed.

　Aria continues to squirm with her index finger on my chest, writing letters or whatever it is.

'No, let's not, Aria. ........I'm embarrassed too.
'Uh-huh. Would you excuse me at this point, Mr. Ray?

　Me and Aria looked back at Ray.

'What...?'

　Ray was raptured.
　And, for some reason, he looked very pale.

'What's the matter, Ray?'
No ... well ... well ...

　Ray slumbered and looked around at Aria and Chocolat's faces in turn.
　Then, as if by design.

Ma, Magnus!　I'm not going to be able to express my opinion to any of the party members anymore. It's because I consider you a friend that I have to say this, though.
What's the matter with you, changing your mind all of a sudden?

　If you have something to say, say it.
　I'm not so narrow-minded as to get angry about it.

I think it's not a good idea to go on a date with Chocolat at night in secret with Aria-san, who has promised her future to you.
'That's a misunderstanding!!!!!

　I gave it my best shot. I couldn't stop myself from tsking.

'H~~~?　Is it a misunderstanding~?

　Aria gropes and gouges me with her fingers that were writing on my chest.
　Horrible, horrible, horrible........

''Aria!　I swear...
'Ugh, just kidding. Mr. Magnus isn't worthy of that, is he?
That's right. You can rest assured that Mr. Magnus is a very sincere person!
'And while we're at it, Chocolat-san sneaks into Magnus's bed where he's sleeping, n~~~?
No, sir!　Only occasionally!
It happens sometimes~?
What's the matter with you, Chocolat?
"Heeeeeeee, please forgive me, the two of you~

　Aria grizzled her small breasts with her index finger and gave me a full-on tweak, and Chocolat apologized with tears in her eyes.

　Rei was looking at the three of us with rapt attention again.
　That face is probably pulling back........