Published: July 5, 2025
The five members of the third defense squad remained on their knees, but they were not injured.
Their hearts, which had been crushed by the roar, were now recovering.
“Let’s take a break. Here, have some water,”
Ryo said, filling ice glasses with water and serving the five.
After that, he poured himself a cup as well.
“Ah, it’s delicious,”
Even though he created it himself, he was confident that this drink right after battle was more wonderful than anything else.
“Ryo-san, I’m really sorry,”
After finishing her water and taking a breath, Captain Mora deeply bowed her head in front of Ryo.
Behind her, the other four also lowered their heads.
“Eh? Why are you apologizing?”
Ryo was confused because he didn’t understand the meaning.
“Because we, who were supposed to protect, were so incompetent that we put you in danger...”
“No, no, no, that’s not true. I fought of my own will,”
Ryo replied with a smile to Mora’s explanation.
“In that situation, it was most appropriate for me to fight. I had fought that red bear before when we were in the Western Nations. It seemed to hold a grudge since we had chased it away at that time. It was most rational for me, who had fought it before, to deal with it.”
Of course, he understood that the five were crushed in spirit by the red bear’s roar.
He also realized they wouldn’t be able to fight adequately in that state.
Still, Ryo thought there was a way to express this.
He felt there was no need to push further those who were already shocked and feeling incompetent.
“That bear... was it in the Western Nations?”
Healer Omin asked.
This was a chance for Ryo.
He needed to change the subject!
“Yes! There is a tremendously steep mountain range called the Demon King's Mountains to the north of the Western Nations, and it was there. Moreover, later it was transferred or something during the papal inauguration and was rampaging in the Holy Capital.”
“So now it’s in the Dark Continent?”
“Yeah, it’s strange, isn’t it? Did it board a ship from the Western Nations? A red bear stowaway... That sounds like an episode that could be used in ‘Hungry Swordsman’.”
Ryo’s last murmuring did not reach the ears of the five.
After that, the six of them took a break while engaging in trivial conversations.
Then, something approached from the south...
“It seems like they finally made their appearance.”
“The appearance?”
“Yes, they are here to pick us up.”
What appeared was...
“Are you alright, Ryo?”
It was the knight order of Naitorei Kingdom led by King Abel, accompanied by the inquisitors of the Fundebie Kingdom led by Pope Graham.
“Abel, you’re late!”
“Hmm? Were you okay?”
“It was a struggle being attacked by the red bear,”
Ryo expressed his dissatisfaction.
“Your Majesty Abel!”
The five members of the third defense squad saluted deeply in front of Abel.
“Captain Mora, Vice Captain Anjuri, Lord Mini, Lord Palas, Lord Omin, I thank you for guarding and protecting Duke Rondo of my kingdom. Your achievements will never be forgotten.”
“Thank you for your kind words, I am deeply honored...”
Abel expressed his gratitude, and Mora responded, but her words trailed off at the end.
She seemed to have noticed something.
“Duke Rondo?”
Anjuri murmured.
The other three also froze.
“Ryo, did you not introduce yourself?”
“Eh? Didn’t I introduce myself?”
Ryo tilted his head at Abel’s inquiry.
It seemed he genuinely didn’t remember.
“Could it be, the ‘Song of Duke Rondo’...?”
“Looks like that’s also spreading even in the Dark Continent. It’s great that you became famous, Ryo.”
“You were embarrassed that your own story was spreading! You’re so mean, Abel!”
Omin muttered, and Abel nodded, while Ryo frowned.
Both Ryo and Abel were shy.
The five members of the third defense squad regained their composure.
This time, they directed a deep salute towards Ryo.
“I-I’m truly sorry for the rudeness while not knowing...”
“Oh, no, no, no, please don’t worry about that. Before I’m Duke Rondo, I’m the adventurer Ryo. See, it turned into a situation because Abel said something strange!”