Finally, the request was completed and Kuena and I were on our way home.
　We got tangled up with a lot of people on the road.


'Mr. Jide: ......!　Thank you ......!
I would love to be a part of it!
No, come to my country!
'Wow ...... Savior ......!


　I was thanked by an ordinary person, recruited by someone who seemed to be an important figure in the country, and revered by a little girl who looked familiar.
　Come to think of it, I remember.
　Come to think of it, we were broadcasting live.
　Apparently, the sights and words on the field were leaking out.
　So they think I saved the country.
　Some of them.


Oh ...... twice ...... thank you ...... thank you ......!


　And some of them even shed tears.
　They must be the ones who knew that, since they paid a threat from the Holy Republic for the previous request.
　Not a bad feeling.
　But Kåñëa next to me was so expressionless that I didn't know what she was thinking.


'What's wrong?'


　Thinking back, she was silent the whole time.
　I wondered if the last time she spoke was when she called out to Ruina.
　I asked, and Kåñëa responded with a pout.


'I've been trying,'
Hm. I know. Kåñëa is stronger than all the others.
But I guess it wasn't enough.
...... You mean Luina?


　In the end, Ruina never called out to Kåñëa. On the contrary, he never once brought her into view.
　Although they are half-siblings, their appearances are similar. It is the proof that we are related by blood.
　And yet, it was so cold that it was hard to believe they were sisters.


'Jide. I'm so jealous of you.
......


　It was to be expected that he would say that.
　But still, my left breast bounced up and down. It was a topic I didn't want to mention.


''Easily becoming S-ranked, easily crushing the power of a country, easily saving the divine city, easily being admired by the heroic candidates, easily being approved by ......--Ruina...''
............


　It's not sarcasm.
　If I had to say anything, it would be sarcasm towards myself.
　The corners of his mouth are raised in self-mockery. Even though his eyes are never smiling.


'I wonder what I'm going to do about it ......?'


　His voice sounded weak, even for Kåñëa.
　She looked up at me and looked like she was about to cry.


'Come on. If I could see in the future, I'd be able to give you sound advice, but I can't see that kind of thing.
Even Jed would be turned off if he was looking into the future.


　Kuena laughs jokingly.
　It's a somewhat hollow smile.


'But yeah. I don't think Kåñëa has anything in particular to do anymore.
What ......?
You're strong enough. If you continue on your way, you'll be close to an S-rank.
But the man who was the head of Ruina's entourage said he couldn't see the bottom of it, unlike me: ......
'That was before. It was easy to find the bottom when we fought. I'm sure Kåñëa would have passed it in a heartbeat. If we keep pushing forward, it will be easy.


　I'm not trying to encourage you unnecessarily.
　It's a good thing that I'm not a fan of the game. There is no such thing as favoritism from the start.


...... Huh.


　Kåñëa reacted happily to my words.
　This time she was making a sincere smile.
　Then she locked eyes with me with a smiling expression.


''So, you'll have a party with me?''
............ Where and how did you get to the party?


　For a moment, Sheila went through my mind.
　She suggests something similar to me. The second thing she says is that we should have a party.
　But I didn't feel the need to organize a party, and I refused every time. That hasn't changed now.


'It's simple, I just want to get your handout.
A "clean sweep?
Yes. I'm going to bask in your glory. And you'll get a lot of attention, won't you?


　I see.
　I'm quite frankly impressed.
　However.


"Sorry, but I didn't recruit any party members and I didn't apply.
What if I told you I'd do anything?
Yeah, I'm not recruiting.
You'll do anything?
...... Yeah.


　I'm puzzled by the reminder.
　No, I can't say no to ...... anything or to a beautiful woman if she tells me to do it.


　So I desperately suppress my own gaze and try not to look at Kåñëa.
　Probably because I'm easily lured by the s*xy scent .......


　It was the same with Sheila.
　I was already dying of a headache at the time .......


　What a thought and then I felt a soft hand on my cheek.
　It took my vision away from me.


'I won't give up,'


　So close that I could even feel his breathing. Serious crimson eyes were looking at me.
　A voice containing indomitable spirit reached my ears.


'...... Why is this a party?　You're on your own.
'I could do it alone. But you know what, I thought a party with 'you' would be a shortcut. At the very least, I'll attack you in my spare time until you take the S-ranked exam.


　Quena said with a smirk and a somewhat blown-out smile.
　Her troubles may not have been solved, but it was still as if she had found a way forward.
　Perhaps she saw the fact that I had been recruited by Ruina as the finish line for her.


　Not just for the glory. She's trying to learn from me.
　Just as I once learned from demons to survive.


　...... Wait, that makes me sound like a monster. That's nasty.