"Oh... was the skewer then an assassin?"
"Oh, I don't know if the skewer was serving as an assassin, or if the assassin was serving as a skewer, but he was still strong enough."

　At a restaurant in Yuzhui, Ray was having dinner with three of Furyu's tusks, talking about the incident of his attack today.
　Rodos would always come in here, but he probably didn't want to dine with Ray tomorrow, when his battle with Ray was imminent. I made an invitation, but I was flatly rejected.
　However, Ray didn't make such a strong offer because he didn't understand Rodos' feelings.

"There's no such skewer," It was a very delicious skewer, but if I had run a skewer restaurant without impersonating an assassin, I would be able to spend my days safe from danger."
"I don't understand Vaicul's words, indeed, but wouldn't Vaicul be anything like that, if it were a bodyguard of a nobleman who had been invited before, he wouldn't have any income or irregularity in his life, unlike an adventurer?"

　Vaicul shakes his head in spite of his words.

"For my part, I wish you would have little of that daily stimulus. Then it would be much more fun for adventurers living hand-to-mouth with you."
"Then don't they look alike?"

　Veicul frowns involuntarily as he reaches for the dried meat.
　They probably don't want us to be adventurers and assassins together.

"Well, calm down. There's no point in arguing about the enemy, is there? ...more than that. Actually, I have something to talk to Ray about. Look, my next partner..."

　Rey somehow understands the content of the consultation to Luzzi, who seems to find it difficult to say.
　But now that Ray knows it, he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how to fight. I don't know if I can win even if I fight the noise head on... I think I'll struggle a lot."

　Ray's reluctance to lose may be the reason he says he'll struggle, not lose.
　But even Luzzi nods back without a look of regret.

"Well, is it difficult even for Ray?" Then you have to do what you can to the best of course.
"Very positive,"

　Veicul tells Luzzi something dumbfounded.
　Veicul doesn't think Ruzzi can beat the noise. Still, he doesn't seem worried because his previous battle with noise seemed like a lesson against his opponent.
　It's also important to note that even if you get a little bit of a serious injury, you'll be cured as soon as you get off the stage.
　Given the circumstances, there was a vision that Luzzi's fight against noise would undoubtedly lead to an improvement in military strength as a fang of wind dragons.
　Of course, if she speaks it out honestly, Luzzi will be as uncomfortable as if she were predicated on losing.

"Whether you win or lose, isn't that all right if you can show your ability?"
"... well, that's what I'm going to do." Well, Ray has a game with Rodos tomorrow, too. Isn't it about time you took a rest? I'm tired today because there are so many things... It doesn't look like it, but you should keep yourself in good shape."

　Luzzi says so, seeing that there are fewer people in the cafeteria.
　Though he felt a little short of food, Ray still nodded and left his seat.





　Rodos gazed at the night sky through the window of his room given to the axe of the god of thunder, perhaps because of the sunny influence of the day.
　Maybe because it's autumn, I look at the moon, which looks bigger than usual... and suddenly I think about tomorrow's game.
　Ray and Rodos...more precisely, they have known the axe of the Thunder God for a long time.
　The first time we met was during a meeting about the attack on an oak hamlet, and my first impression was nothing but the worst.
　But seeing countless oaks knocked down in an attack on an oak settlement, or hearing of the defeat of Rank B monster Oak King, makes me have to admit to his ability, let alone his personality.
　He had known each other several times since then, and eventually reached the position of crimson, also known as crimson.

(Probably... I think it's the shortest time I've had a nickname since I signed up for the guild.) So, tomorrow's fight against Ray.

　My hands tremble the moment I think about it.
　I told myself that it was a warrior tremor, but the tremor was apparently due to my fear of Ray.
　You can tell it from your own business. ...you'll find out.

"d*mn it!"

　mutter, and clench one's fist as if to conceal the tremor.
　That doesn't stop my shivering at all.
　over a year after I met Ray We haven't always been together in the meantime. Still... no, that's why Ray's battle was so strongly etched in Rodos' mind.
　Even my mother, who is a top-notch wizard, has a huge magical power to fear the moment she sees it, many powerful magic items including death size, and physical ability to beat even elk.
　To name Ray's abilities, there are a number of abilities that make me want to say that they are transcendental.
　Furthermore, when you have a good sense of battle to use it, you can't even imagine a future to win no matter how hard you struggle.

"... d*mn it!"

　The words I said again were somewhat out of steam, unlike those a few seconds ago.
　I've said it many times because I thought I should beat Ray, but the day before the game, I'm afraid... no, even afraid.
　I felt so pathetic that I tried to knock my clenched fist against the wall near the window... suddenly held back by the stretched hand.

"What's the matter with you?" It's not like you, either.

　Rodos's hand was held in check by such a man as a naughty boy grew up.

"Father..."

　There was Elk, Rodos' father and leader of the God of Thunder's axe, as well as a Rank A adventurer nicknamed the God of Thunder's axe.
　The color that comes to mind is something that makes fun of you.
　But Rodos could have found a worrying color in his eyes if he had a stronger eye for observation.

"I don't think it's a building," ... well, I don't know why Rodos is so worried. Isn't it that? Tomorrow's match with Ray."
「……」

　Words from Elk's mouth were nothing but correct, so Rodos had no choice but to return silence.
　Elk opens his mouth with a grin on his face.

"Well, Rodos," Do you think you can beat me?"

　Rodos, stunned for a moment by the sudden question, immediately shakes his head.
　In the sense of pure fighting power, Rodos understands how high the Elk is because he has always worked with him.
　When asked if he could beat the elk, I couldn't say yes, but I couldn't.

"Well, I suppose," I can't afford to lose to you so soon. ...but think about it with that in mind. Ray is better than me, isn't he? I mean. Do you think you can beat Ray, who is stronger than me?"
「……」

　There's no answer.
　It expressed Rodos' unwillingness to admit.
　No? Rodos thinks so in his heart, but Elk calls him out again.

"But, that's why you give up... just because you're stronger than yourself? Then don't be an adventurer. With this job, it's not uncommon for you to have to fight a stronger opponent. for I've fought so many times before against stronger opponents than myself.""... Father,"

　Elk, whose expression is blank, then smiles like a bad boy himself.

"And it's your first love, isn't it?"
"...what!"

　I scream involuntarily at the words that came out of my father's mouth.

"Why, why, why, why not..."
"What is it? Didn't you think it was known? If you look at Vihela so openly, you'll usually notice it."

　Perhaps only two people, himself and Ray, have not noticed. Elk sighs inwardly that the failure of the two parties to realize this problem complicates many things.

"Well, it's standard that your first love doesn't come true. But that doesn't mean you can give up, does it?"
"...that's..."
"First, in my case, my first love came true. That's why you were born."
"Father,"
"Well, that's why. Don't be nervous in a place like this. I'll give you all my strength tomorrow. First love aside, fighting against such a strong enemy as Ray is absolutely a source of food for your life as an adventurer."

　The reason why Rodos mutters so deeply is probably because he has not had much experience in fighting against a strong opponent.
　That's partly because Elk was nearby, or because he was lucky... or because he wasn't.

"Anyway. You're the son of me and Min. Show it to everyone tomorrow. And let me and Min brag about it. Our proud son is fighting against crimson."
"Oh, ... oh!"

　Rodos nods back to the embarrassed Elk.
　There's no adventurer there who'd even been frightened by the notorious crimson adventurer until recently. I'll be gutted and fight Ray to the best of my ability. There was a figure of the adventurer full of heart.
　He must have judged his son to be OK now. Elk opens his mouth with a grin.

"Well, shall I bet on you for tomorrow's fight?" Do your best to let me win."
"Leave it to me. By the way, of course, you bet all your father's allowance on me, right?"
"... no, that's the end of course."

　As Rodos asks, "Is that so?" Elk gently looks away.

"Father..."
"No, because... what?"
"Well, that's not it! If you're betting on me, bet all your pocket money!"

　I can't help but scream at the treacherous behavior of my father.
　Looking at his son, Elk breathes a sigh of relief at the fact that he can hardly see his nervousness as before.

(That's all right now, isn't it?)

　Up until just a few minutes ago, Rodos was as nervous as you can see. It's a thread of tension that's stretched to the limit, and cuts off when the blade touches it a little. That's what it was like.
　We still have a night to go before the game starts, but now we obviously don't have enough strength. That's why Elk made a play to relieve the tension.
　...though it was true that he would bet on Rodos, and at the same time that he would not bet all his pocket money.





"Well... it's time to go to bed."

　Ray muttered, stretching and looking out the window.
　The moon shines and the stars twinkle.
　The sight was enough to convince us that it would clear up again tomorrow.

"Rodos, after all, we've known each other for a long time... we've never really fought each other." I'm strangely enthusiastic this time."

　I remember what Rodos looked like today.
　a look as if one had made up one's mind
　Originally, he participated in the competition to attract the attention of the upper echelon of the Bestian Empire, not to win the championship.
　Rodos, who should have known it, insisted on taking part in the competition.
　Even the Daskers admit their actions because Rodos' participation would make it harder to find the activity of the Teorames.
　Ray himself was completely unaware, though it was clear to Dusker and Elk that Rodos had decided to participate in the competition.

"It's true that Rodos is more skilled than some poor adventurer in the neighborhood. But... I don't think it's very fresh because I've been fighting in training.

　Lying down on his bed, he spoke so far that Ray's consciousness fell into sleep as if to be tempted by drowsiness.
　Hopefully I can improve my skills a little in tomorrow's game against Rodos.