'What do you guys think you're doing, causing a scene in a place like this?'

　If you're going to cause any more commotion, we have an idea.
　As if to say so, Arios had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

''Oh, we're not........''
Hey, it's nothing.

　The men looked away awkwardly.
　Seeing them, I felt ridiculous in my anger and let go of their hands.

　The men stared at us and then walked away.
　'Remember,' I might have wanted to say, but I'd forgotten.

'Good grief. I don't want you to bother me too much.
I'm sorry.

　As much as it pains me to apologize to Arios...
　Now that was my fault, so I told him that honestly.

　I was going to go straight back under the tent.

Wait, Rain.

　Arios stopped me.
　When I turned to see what was going on, Arios was giving me a friendly smile.

'You're free on break now, aren't you?　Why don't we have a mock battle?
A mock-up?　With Arios?
Yeah, how are you doing?

　The sudden offer makes me pause.

　What are they saying all of a sudden?
　That's fishy.
　I can't help but wonder if he's up to something.
　Like, maybe they're having a fake fight and they're trying to get me hurt so I fail.
　That's what I felt like I was thinking about.

　I have no reason to believe that....
　We've known each other there, so I think I understand Arios' personality and what he's likely to do.

'Sorry, but I decline. I just need to take a good break to prepare for my final exams.
"Don't be dull," I said. It's just some physical exertion. And besides... you're not going to walk away from a fuss over something that's just a minor matter.
What about those guys?
My people are chastising me right now. I won't punish you alone, I swear to God.
I don't really believe it, but...
I'm willing to take a statement if you want. How about it?

　If you say so, you're not lying.

"You can't just sit back and do nothing. But you're not in the clear. They're just like those guys who got in to it.
If you know that, why don't you just leave me alone?
'I'm in trouble because I can't do that. You'd call it a fight and a loss.　Rain needs to be punished in some way. So here we are going to have a simulation with me. A brave man will take on a brave man and punish him and we'll make it look like we're doing it.　It all comes full circle, don't you think?

　There's nothing funny about Arios' story.
　Currently, it's probably the best way to keep the place in check.

　It's just that I don't think Arios can talk this decent...
　They must be up to something behind the scenes, for sure.
　I don't want to be dragged down by some weird thing, but...

　I glanced around and saw the other adventurers looking at us.
　Their gazes were laced with unpleasant emotions.
　Arios was right, they probably don't like me for causing a commotion.

　Even if I leave it like this, that's going to be a problem.
　There are some things I'm concerned about...............but I might as well do as Arios says.

''........Okay. If that's the case, then let's have a mock battle.
Thank you for understanding my story.

　If Arios is up to something, you'll be able to stop him.
　Let's pay close attention and challenge ourselves to a mock battle.

Rain ... good luck, right?
I don't want to be that brave!

　Nina and Tina cheered me on.
　Their support gives me strength.

　Yeah.
　I don't feel like I'm going to lose in my current state.
　Even if Arios used a cowardly hand, I was confident enough to defeat it.

　I left under the tent and moved to the square.
　There, he confronted Arios.

'As for time, well let's call it ten minutes. If that doesn't settle the matter, it's a draw. How's that working out for you?
Yeah, no problem.
I want him to be the referee, or rather, the timer, if you don't mind.

　Surprisingly, Arios nominated Nina.
　I was expecting her to make Aggus and the others as referees and then get together and do this and that....

Yeah, no problem, but...
Do it. It's a simple matter of timing, just give us a shout when you've had ten minutes. Oh, and give me a shout when you think it's settled.
Okay.
I'll be right here with you.
Hmm?　Could that doll be one of Rain's friends?　I've never seen it before, but...
Well, it's a long story.
Yeah. Then she's ... she's the one, right?　I'll ask her to be a judge as well.
'All right. If Arios is okay with it, I'm fine with it.

　Let's get started.
　As I said, I pulled a camouflage out of my...

Oh, yeah, let's keep it off.
What?
'Even though it's a mock battle, there's still a chance you could get hurt if you use the gain. Of course, I'm going to stop you in your tracks, but that doesn't mean there won't be accidents.
It's, well...
'Lane has an exam coming up. It would be awful if he got hurt, wouldn't it?　Let's do it with our bare hands.

　Funny.
　For an Arios, he's saying all the right things.

　Is this guy a phony by any chance?

What's going on?　Stare at my face. Is there something on it?
...or nothing.

　Could it be that he has been converted?
　I heard you were reprimanded by the king and...
　Has that changed your mind?

Okay, let's get started.
Okay.

　Either Arios has changed his mind or he's up to something behind the smile...
　I don't know what the truth is.
　Let's be careful of what happens.

By the way....
Yeah?
What's with the glasses?
Yeah, it's just a fashion statement. What do you think?
It doesn't look good on you.
Shut up.



----------



Hmmm... it's over.

　At Nina's signal, me and Arios stopped moving.

　We started a mock battle, ten minutes...
　It went off without a hitch.

　Arios wasn't cheating, he wasn't trying to trap them, he was just fighting normally.
　They weren't used to fighting each other, so they didn't have either one of them falling over... and they fought for the full time.

　Even without the use of a sword, Arios was still strong.
　His movements were quick, his blows were heavy, and each blow was refined.
　As expected of a brave man, I should say.
　Compared to the time we had gone against each other before, he had grown up far more.

It's not a bad idea. It's not hard to see why.
...and Arios.
If we have a chance, we'll see each other again. Bye.

　Arios laughs briskly and walks away.

'Rain are you alright?'
Didn't he give you anything?
No, I'm fine. Nothing....

　It's not like I'm going to get injured in a mock battle, nor am I going to fall for it.
　What in the world did Arios want to do?

　........At this time, I didn't realize that Arios's purpose had already been accomplished.