That night.

　I invited a few people to my house and threw a small party.


'Thank you so much for inviting me,'
It would be my pleasure.

　The first to show up were the Mix sisters.

　Surprisingly, as soon as they arrived, they were greeted with a very polite greeting. It was a respectful greeting that would have been unthinkable six months ago.


'Where's that woman who shoots arrows out of nowhere while we're eating?'

...... Oh, I'm so embarrassed.
"I'm sorry for my sister and I. ......

Just kidding. Come on in.


　Dee's roughness is no longer a shadow of its former self.
　Her younger sister Jay is still sticking to her sister, but she has also started to properly look people in the eye and talk to them.

　It seems that [Archery] is not the only thing that is growing up.

　Is that also due to the influence of this man?


''--I'm sorry, Second Five Crowns. I was stupid.

What?

'Before I knew it, I had relied on my eyes. I failed to live up to my expectations. Even though I was able to get my eyes fixed: ......!


　Alfred, the master of the mixed sisters. Right after he appeared from behind the girls, he bowed his head to me and apologized.

　I see, so you're saying that I was looking too directly at Sylvia's behavior.

'I think that reflection is off. You have excellent hearing and your eyesight has been restored, so there's no way you can't make use of both. Why can't you rely on your ears and your eyes?

　At least I can't do the art of "hearing the bow", because I can't do it. I have to admit, I envy your hearing.

"For your ears and your eyes: ......
Well, I guess you'll just have to work harder next time. It would be more fun if you could learn to use your ears and eyes at the same time.
"...... Okay. Oh, yes. I guess I forgot something important.

　Alfred paused for a beat, "Thank you," and then continued with his words.


Next time, let's get you to see a fun game that will make you stand up in the crowd.

　That's fine. And that's fine. But you know what?


I'm excited. Just because I'm not in the audience doesn't mean I'm in the audience.

!


　I'm hit!　I laughed at Alfred, who made a face at me, and I laughed at him.





...... I didn't know there was such a mansion in the kingdom.
You're late, Dad. You're very famous in the Police Department.
Only this neighborhood is unusually safe.

　Next to appear was the Virginia family.

　Sylvia's father, Noir, led by her sister, Clarice, and her brother, Alex. In turn, there were three of them: an austere, bearded Osama who seemed to personify seriousness, a slender, tall, cheerful short-haired version of Sylvia, and a male version of Sylvia with a sultry, middle-aged atmosphere.

"Second, Your Honor, we, the whole Virginia family, are extremely honored to be invited to this event...

　As soon as he met with me, Noir-san began a long and formal greeting.

　Both Clarice-san and Alex-san, as expected of a knight, straightened their backs and lined up beside Noir-san. And as soon as the greeting was over, the three of them bowed neatly together.

''I'm sorry for the hasty invitation to dinner, but I'm glad that you came. As the star of this evening's event is Silvia, I would like to ask you to please be rude and not worry about me,
Ha!

　It's been a while since I've done the "something great" act, but I'm still embarrassed.

　But Mr. Noir still seems to have been fooled, and he gave me a bizzare and fawning salute.


　...... Mr. Clarice seems to know the facts. The corners of his mouth twitch and he's holding back a laugh.

　Mr. Alex is a mystery. He doesn't look at me easily. But the way he looks at me is not so much that he doesn't like me as that he doesn't like me, which I can't describe well, but it's kind of ...... Muratti-like.


　Well, just like that, we're all here.

　Let's get the party started.

　Today is a memorable day.





I will!　Sylvia's act of daring to mention the name of that special move, I think it's very good!
'Yes!　That's what I thought, too, and I taught him to declare it.
'Mmm!　You know what I'm talking about!　You can handle Sylvia!
I'm honored!
Superimposed!　Wahahaha!

　Alex, he was an insanely pleasant guy.

　At first they were talking to each other inquisitively, but since the drinks started rolling, they've been like this ever since.

　Clarice was watching Alex and laughing endlessly. He was laughing so hard.


''Brother, you've had too much to drink!
I don't care!　I can't go on such a joyous occasion without drinking!
"That's right, Sylvia Virginia, the demon hunter!　Don't you realize that you've become a demon piercing general!
'Well said, Second!　I was just thinking that!　Sylvia, you're not even aware of it!
"You've become a demonologist, now you should act like one!　Strive to ensure that those who admire you can do more than admire you!
'Shit!　What a cool line!　Great job, Second!
I know!
"Wa-ha!
'What the hell are they doing here: ......

　Sylvia sighed with a troublesome sigh.

　However, she didn't feel bad, and secretly muttered with a grin, "Sylvia Virginia Onion Piercing General ....... I can hear you loud and clear.


'Sylvia is the Onion Piercing General or ...... Um, it was small, Sylvia is ......'

　Away from such noisy us, there was one man drinking quietly in the corner of the sofa. He is Mr. Noir.

　Noir-san was watching Sylvia from a distance as she gently stroked Eco's head as she curled up on the couch and slept soundly.

'You're getting big ...... before I see you for a while. ...... Kuh, ugh, ugh ......'

　With a clang, the ice in the glass on the desk made a sound.

　Mr. Noir began to cry quietly. Again. This is the fifth time today. He's a total tearjerker.



'I knew they were always busy ...... but I didn't know it was going to be like this.

There's a limit to the amount of activity.
Would he be offended if I told him he should act like a five-time winner?

'Haha!　Say it, Jay. Tonight is the occasion. The star of the show is General Sylvia Onion Piercing. I'm sure he knows it well.

...... Your master laughs like that, too.
...... Yes, I was surprised too.

I think I've had too much to drink. Well, I think I'd better go pour myself a drink for the master of the day. You two enjoy it as much as you're going to enjoy it.


　A party is held for everyone to enjoy ...... and that's why we're here,

　Alfred chewed and sat up.


'Enjoy, yeah. Jay, did you have a good time today?
Yes, I am. What about your sister?
'It was frustrating, but it was fun, a lot. But ......
...... Right.
Yeah. I think I'll have more fun next time.






"Phew, ...... you're finally there.

　Midnight.
　The three members of the exhausted Virginia family were repatriated in the carriage and finally given a break.

　The fact that Yukari hadn't said anything to me until this time means that ...... tomorrow must be like that.

　It's a very early bedtime for her, as usual. It was completely relaxed. It's not going to be the case that you have anything to worry about.


"--Second-dono.

　As I watched the carriage leave in the distance from the balcony, where the night breeze was pleasant, I was approached by Sylvia from behind.

'Ah.'

　I stepped back a little to the side and Sylvia lined up next to me.


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

　There is a silence.

　I couldn't say it out loud.

　I knew what I should have said, but I was somehow embarrassed.


"Thank you,


　Then, Sylvia opens her mouth first.

'Thank you for raising me, a knight who wasn't satisfied with any of it, to this point.


　A thank you to me.

　It's so straightforward and inexplicably itchy.

　And, most importantly, Sylvia is always sincere. Her heart is so clear. I'm a bit of a wretch.


...... Now the defense awaits. There are a number of fierce men and women fighting to knock you off your feet, and you will surpass them all. You'll have to outsmart them all. You'll have to practice harder than ever before. The amount of practice will not be the same as it was before, and the burden will grow by the day. It's going to be harder than you can imagine.

But still.

'...... I'm trying to take advantage of you guys. I'm training my team members to be more efficient and safe in their dungeon attacks. Naturally, there will be more danger than ever before in the future. We're going to have to raise the level of technology we require. I'm sure it will be painful. Still--

But still!


　It was the clearest declaration of all.

　Still, I want to tell her "thank you". Her typical, stubborn words.


　...... Okay, okay. It's a good thing that you're still following me ...... I want to say this with my heart.



"Sylvia, congratulations on winning the Onion Piercing General. I'm proud of you.


"--~!


　When I willfully faced her head-on and told her how honest I was, Sylvia looked impressed and then hugged me vigorously.


　Oh, I would have shivered, I would have polished off. And you would have been relieved.

　I've said it a million times, you're the best, you're the best. You've worked really hard.

　And I'm really glad that his hard work paid off. I've been watching how you never cut corners, never take it easy, face yourself, fight with yourself, don't get defeated, and live every day as hard as you can. He won. How could I not be happy?


　And that's why I can't forgive him, but...


............

　Well, let's just hug each other like this for a while.



　Now, is that old bastard about to vomit ......?





"--Cizon Minor?
'Hey. It's a little country to the west of the Camel God State.

　Our maids' torture, which has been solemnly carried out since the end of the General's battle against the Onion, has finally come to an end, and Raz has sorted out the information that Elnte gave me and told me about it.

　I heard that Elnte had heard that there was a suitable potion in Cizun Small Country, and he went out of his way to get it.

　The person who told Elante this story is a summoner called 'Serum'.

I've heard of it. I don't know what it was: ......
Do you know what "Serum" is, sempai?
'Yeah. I think I've heard about Cizon Little Country and Serum somewhere: ......

　No, I can't remember.

　As I was grunting and groaning, so-so-so appeared Winfild without any particular sound.


"Sizun Minor was invaded by the Marvel Empire after the revolution in Kamel Godland. I heard that Selam is a spiritist and an imperial agent that I ran into in the town of Badgold.

Oh, that's it!

　Our military strategist is indeed a master. His memory is also a military strategist.

I think I heard about it from Steam. It's a small country that was invaded by the Empire right after the revolution.
I mean, it's a good place to keep an eye on the weakened Kamel God State, so I guess we'll just... grab this place.
'No, no, no, it's not hanami: ......
"Mr. Raz, nice, bukkumy.
A comment. What a comment. Fishing.

　You're watching, Champagne. That's the natural way to have a real, authentic comedy.

"You're the man, Raz.
What?
...... quintessential.
So what?

　It's a full automatic comedy machine.


'Okay, I get it for now. So you're saying that the Marvel Empire is a piece of shit.
Yeah, yeah. Definitely a shitload.
So when the title fight is over, it's time to go crush it.
Yeah, yeah, I do.

　That's what happened.

　Winfiled will figure out how to crush it all. It's all yours. Because I'm a pawn, you know.


"Oh, and what about the old man, by the way?
Want to hear ......?
............ No, I won't.