There were people watching, so I left the area with Axe for a moment.
　When we moved to the outskirts of the village, we stopped and resumed our conversation.

''Well ... so was that the sign of the brave?''
Yes, a sign!　You're going to get it!
It's bad. Probably not going to happen.

　If you want Axe, you could at least ask....
　Maybe Arios won't listen to my demands if I'm the one he's dealing with.

'Because we don't get along, or rather worse, I think he'd get the boot out of the door if I told him.
'Seriously...'

　Axe's shoulders slumped and he looked disappointed.
　That's how strong his admiration for Arios was, that's how strong his admiration for Arios was.

'If you want Arios' autograph so badly, why don't you go and get it in person?
You can't do that. Talking to a brave man like that would be embarrassing!
Are you a damsel?

　He was quite a pain in the ass.

　Cell sighed.

'I'm sorry. Axe said something stupid. I'll make sure he's disciplined so this doesn't happen.'
'C'mon. Cell is so erotic to discipline the man you love. When you say that, it's a little like this, fuguhah!

　Axe had been hit by Cell with a bow.
　Doesn't he know the word "discipline"?

'But why do you like that brave man?

　Kanade asked curiously.

'Yeah?　I mean, you're a brave man.　You're a brave man.　I've heard all sorts of saga.......and yes, I heard that you also defeated the Four Heavenly Kings last time. If you hear about such things, you'd normally aspire to it.
But what's inside is not very good, is it?
'Not true. The brave master must be an innocent and virtuous man.
'Nya ... they say love is blind, but is it a similar situation?

　Although Kanade is looking at Axe curiously...
　It's more of a common reaction to Axe.

　He fights demons every day with a mission to defeat the demon king.
　That's the general public's image of a brave man.
　Not many people would have met him in person, so they don't know what kind of personality he has, what he says and does.

　As a result, his image is becoming more and more beautiful...
　For some people, they will adore it like an idol.
　Axe is just a good example.

　If you talk to the person in question, that image may be shattered...
　Well, there's a chance it won't happen.
　Since it's Axe's problem, I'm not going to tell him what to do.

'What does Axe admire about Arios the brave man?　Can you give me specifics if you'd like?

　I didn't mean to interject, but I was curious, so I posed such a question.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. No, I haven't really talked to him, so it might be strange to say that I have met him.
What's that mean?
'A long time ago ... it was when I had just become an adventurer. I didn't even know Cell at the time and I was on my own. But I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I'm a painful guy who really believes I'm incredibly talented. I was quite reckless.
Axe still hurts.
What's the point of that?
Neeeeee, Axe and Cell look like they're in perfect harmony.
Please stop. I don't like the way you're looking at me.
'I'm the one who needs to stop talking so raggedly...'

　Axe was on the verge of tears.
　Cell is still as expressionless as ever.

　What an interesting duo.................

'Well I'm getting off track. And..........at the time, I was in a hurry, and I was always reckless. Naturally, the bill was soon to be paid and I was in a tight spot.
'You ran into the demon's nest all by yourself and got pinned down on your own.

　Cell said, as if to add to it.

'I was ready to die, indeed, at that moment.
How did you get over that?
'I've been rescued by a brave man.
...by Arios?
It seems that he was just passing by, and then he chased after me to stop me from doing something crazy. He chased after me to stop me from doing something reckless, and then he fought the demon and saved me....

　Did Arios do that?
　I don't mean to say this, but he didn't seem like the kind of guy who would do something like that, but...

When I thanked him, the brave master laughed and said, "Don't worry about it. More importantly, I said I'm glad you're okay.
Meow...?

　Kanade seemed to have doubts, too, and tilted his head slightly.

'I'm impressed. I didn't think there was a person like that in the world. And... later I found out that the person who saved me was a brave man. You can put your body on the line for someone else and wield your power for someone else. As the same man, I can respect him.
So you've got a crush on a hero?
'Yeah. I longed to be that kind of person. As I was saved by a hero, I would help someone else. That's what I thought. This is the new principle of action that has shaped the current me.
I see...
You're more serious than I thought.
Hey, hey, I'm always serious.

　Without making a dent in Kanade's tsking, Axe smiled back.

''And yet...''

　The impression of Arios that I hear from Axe is very different from what I know.
　From what I've heard, it sounds like Aggus and the others weren't there yet, and he was acting alone.......
　It must have been a long time ago.

　Now Arios seems to have a lot of problems...
　But does that mean that the old Arios also had a personality worthy of being called a brave man?
　If so, where did it get skewed?

　It was an interesting story in an unexpected way.

'I'm surprised, then,'

　Cell says this with a blank look on his face, like he's not surprised at all.

'Yeah?　What?
You knew a brave man.
What?

　Axe was biting at a tremendous rate.

'Didn't you talk to me earlier in a friendly... not exactly friendly... but we were talking normally?
Uh... well. We know each other, in a manner of speaking.
'It's amazing that you know a brave man... where did you meet him?
I had a small request, and I just happened to be there.

　

''Well, let's end the chit-chat.

　Cell said as he concluded his story.

'You may be wondering about the brave man, but we have our own work to do. Let's just keep on investigating.'
But you've already done the interview, haven't you?

　Kanade questioned, looking curious.

'Right. So I'm done asking. After this....'
We'll use the information we get from the interviews to dig up more information.

　Axe said, taking over Cell's words.
　Cell, who was taken out of the dialogue, looked a little unhappy, but continued to talk.

'We've been able to get a certain amount closer to the demon's true identity, but its purpose and what kind of means of attack it has, that kind of thing remains as unknown as ever. From now on, I'm going to focus on that area of investigation.......what do you think?
I can't argue with that.
Me too!
Okay.

　By unanimous consent, the next course of action was decided upon.
　I don't see any problems, so I'm sure Tania and the others who aren't here will agree with me.

'But where are we going to look?'
I've got an idea about that.

　As if he had anticipated Axe's question beforehand, Cell pulled out a map of the area around the Zith village.
　He pointed to the center of the map.

'This is the Zith where we are now. And further south, right here.......there's Pagos.
At the foot of the mountain.
'I think I'm going to see the village first hand. I think there's a lot to be gained from surveying the field.
Yeah.

　I agreed with Sel's idea.

'And then I think I'm going to climb a mountain just outside of Pagos.
Hmm?　Why would you climb a mountain?　Tourism?
'I wouldn't do something so stupid. At all......................Axe should shut up.
The cell is cold...

　Although Axe gets teary-eyed, Cell continues to talk, completely unfazed.
　You're strong in so many ways....

I spoke to a survivor who told me that a demon has been sealed in this mountain.
Well, I see.
Meow?　Rain and Cell, you both look like you understand... what do you mean?
I'm just saying, we can investigate the mountain to see if we can find a way to seal up the demon again. Even if it doesn't work, there's a good chance we'll get something out of it.
Naturally.
'It's not like I have any objections, is it?　Then, would Pagos and the nearby mountains be a problem for our next destination?

　Everyone nodded as if it was no problem.