Published: July 5, 2025
Two men descended from the sky.
One was a red-haired man cloaked in a black mantle, while the other was a black-haired man in a white robe.
The three men felt as if they were being crushed by the pressure emanating from the man in the white robe.
These three were special rank adventurers.
They were at the pinnacle of the Darwei adventurers, said to be beings that transcended humanity itself.
And yet, even they felt overwhelmed.
"The golems I deployed were intended to buy us time until our arrival."
Those words were spoken by the man in the white robe.
His tone was quiet… it seemed very quiet… but that would be a mistake.
Abel, standing beside him and always hearing his voice, understood.
It was a quietness that wrapped around an astonishing rage, a calm before the storm.
A small shock could cause that willpower to burst, and the anger would explode.
"You are adventurers. Therefore, you accepted the request to assassinate the emperor and came here to carry it out. That is acceptable. However, along the way, you defeated Tin… and my golems as well."
His voice trembled just a bit.
"Let’s consider that acceptable. My golems did their duty, buying us time. However, in return, you!"
Ryo pointed at the fire attribute magician Bwon.
"You said it was trivial."
His finger pointing at Bwon began to shake.
"Trivial? They performed their role admirably. They bought us time until we arrived! No one has the right to insult them!"
He clearly expressed his anger.
"I will not forgive you who have insulted my golems!"
Faced with Ryo filled with fury, the three special rank adventurers remained silent.
But finally, one spoke.
"Then what will you do, Duke Rondo?"
The one who spoke was Bwon.
He had not introduced himself, nor had he been introduced.
But it was clear to Ryo that the person before him was the infamous Duke Rondo.
This level of pressure… it was the first time he had experienced it, excluding Lord Rowan.
"I will defeat you with sword and magic and avenge my golems."
Ryo said, drawing Murakumo and forming a blade.
Beside him, Abel also drew his magic sword.
But he seemed a bit confused.
"Ryo… you're going to fight that fire attribute magician, right?"
"Yes. He burned my golems. Abel, I leave the rest to you. Do as you like."
"O-Okay…"
Ryo looked at Abel with complete trust, leaving everything after that to him.
With such words, Abel had nothing to say.
He couldn't express that he was facing two special rank adventurers…
"Well, I guess it's fine."
With that murmur from Abel, the battle began.
"Haha… just as I heard, Duke Rondo, the pressure you exude is incredible."
The fire attribute magician Bwon muttered as he readied his sword.
"I am also an adventurer in the kingdom. So I understand."
"Huh?"
"When requested by those in power, the difficulty of refusing such requests."
"…"
"But still, there must be requests that should not be accepted."
"That's a difference in perspective."
In response to Ryo's words, Bwon slightly raised one corner of his mouth.
"I believe that requests that deviate from the way of humanity should be accepted as much as possible without refusal."
"What?"
"Because that's right. It's precisely because no one else will take it that they offer high rewards to adventurers. Of course, I would refuse a request that could cost me my life, but if it's not, I believe it should be accepted."
"Even if it means you can't stay in Darwei anymore?"
"As long as the new emperor grants a pardon, it shouldn't be a problem. Until then, I'll just go abroad."
Prince Kouri seemed to have promised that the new emperor would grant pardons after ascension.
"Unfortunately, we are at an impasse."
"Indeed."
Ryo shook his head slightly, while Bwon shrugged.
"I have something I want to ask you."
"Why don't you just go ahead and ask? I feel no obligation to answer."
"If you answer, I’ll spare your life."
"…Is that so? Duke Rondo, you are quite the self-confident one."
Ryo said with a naturally casual expression, while Bwon, who had never faced someone who spoke so openly to him, was taken aback.