Published: March 21, 2026
Long time no see!
From here begins the contents of Assassin volume 5!
We boarded the ship full of enthusiasm, but in fact the ship didn't set sail until a few days later.
We hadn't expected to gather all the ship's materials so quickly, so we weren't ready with supplies like food to depart immediately.
"Monsters have some pretty good points, huh. Their meat makes good food, their hides can be used as materials, and hunting them levels us up. I don't know where they all came from, but with this many we won't have a food shortage."
Waki said thoughtfully as he dried the meat of the monsters they'd hunted. Beside him, a trained monkey helped Waki while fending off a cat that kept reaching for the meat.
The girls chattered happily as they organized the luggage.
"Then again, we might end up as monster food ourselves if we screw up. What's it called—survival of the fittest?"
Nanase laughed as she waved a cat toy; Waki's cat and Yoru, who had been on my shoulder, leapt at it. I sometimes forget because they can communicate and walk on two legs, but Yoru was still a monster with strong feline instincts.
Kyousuke, who was smoking meat a little distance away, came over. Thanks to Kyousuke having high-level fire magic, we could add smoked meat to our provisions as well as dried meat, which broadened our cooking options.
"How's Mr. Zeal doing?"
During the ogre hunt, I had fought in a different spot from Kyousuke and Mr. Zeal, so I didn't know exactly how Mr. Zeal had lost his will to fight.
I did remember that he always took great care of the sword he held so dearly.
"According to Crow, it's completely broken. It can be reattached, but it won't be usable as a combat sword anymore. Or he could have it turned into a dagger like I did."
To get a new sword they'd either have to go to town or have Crow forge one, but neither would be quick.
Because it's not like a game where you get weapons by defeating monsters, everyone keeps their swords well maintained, but repeated fierce battles can outpace even the best care.
Apparently my blade, which had to be split into two daggers after diving into a labyrinth set up so physical attacks barely worked using the night blade god, had been on the brink of breaking too.
Crow had said with a bitter look that it was a miracle I didn't die when it broke.
"I see..."
It was a good thing Kyousuke had been able to beat the ogre; otherwise, with how Mr. Zeal had been, he would have been helpless and killed.
Both of them had returned safely thanks to Kyousuke.
"Actually, I asked Mr. Zeal a little about it. That sword turned out to be commander saran's hand-me-down."
I widened my eyes.
A hand-me-down—couldn't it now be called a keepsake? If so, my night blade god had also been given to me by commander saran.
"Commander saran's... That would be tough to decide. And thinking about the future, turning it into a dagger might be better, but unlike me Mr. Zeal would probably find a longsword easier to use."
Although it had been a short time, even I could see Mr. Zeal truly trusted and respected commander saran. I remembered him fussing over saran with an exasperated yet fond look.
"Well, it's Mr. Zeal's decision. Crow might come up with other options anyway."
I returned my gaze from the meat to Kyousuke, who tilted his head.
At this rate we should be able to depart in three days.
"Other options?"
I was surprised at how much easier the Shousetsuka ni Narou site had become to use in such a short time!
Thanks for correcting the typos and mistakes!