"I mean, the punishment is lighter than I thought."

"Don't hot-blooded youths often throw punches just over a difference in opinion? The same goes for brawls among drunks. The incident only seems massive because the martial prowess of those two is so formidable, but the essence itself is nothing more than a common occurrence."

"True."

"Then do such incidents normally end like this?"

"For the most part, yes. Since it's a matter between two people, as long as an agreement is reached, no separate punishment is given. Of course, there are times when it escalates to punishment if a third party gets swept up and suffers damages, but even that can be smoothed over with a proper settlement."

I lowered my eyes as I listened to the ongoing conversation.

It was because I had found out that not only had the Archmage defended us, but he had also covered a portion of the reparation costs.

Of course, I didn't want to avoid my own mistakes, and considering my concept had its pride, I paid out of my own pocket voluntarily too. And a whopping 3 million gal at that.

However, the Archmage paid a staggering 2 million gal despite not even being one of the involved parties. He reasoned that he was also at fault for failing to take responsibility for his party.

As someone who had been treated as an adult—and for over ten years at that—capable of taking responsibility for myself, it was a situation that made me want to scream.

'Archmage. You, you truly are...! '

"Now, let's head out. They say it's better than prison, but there's nothing pleasant about staying in a city guard's interrogation room for too long."

Even if it wasn't what I intended, causing a nuisance was still causing a nuisance. Not just wasting his time, but inflicting financial damage as well.

So, if I had any shame, the right answer was to shut up and follow.

I quietly followed behind the Archmage. Since the whole party was moving together, it didn't stand out much.

"Ugh, the investigation took quite a long time too."

"Surprising. I thought you of all people would know well."

"Why would you assume I'd be familiar with how those city guard bastards work?"

"Because it seems like you would've been arrested before?"

"What was that, you bookworm?"

"Uwahahaha! The outside air is refreshing!"

'Phew, alright. For the next few days, I'll be the Archmage's dog within the limits of my concept. If someone asks if I'm already a son of a bitch, I wouldn't have much to say, but still.'

"Haha. More importantly, the sun is already setting."

Meanwhile, the evening glow spread out as we exited the guard station. The Archmage was right.

We only underwent a brief investigation, but the sun was already going down.

"We'd better go eat right away."

"Ah, you're right. There shouldn't be much time left for dinner."

"Are we going to eat? Good. Berserker has been hungry for a while now. The little friend needs to eat too."

【Did you call me?】

"Only taverns would be open at this hour. Shouldn't we head to the Temple?"

'But the Temple? The Temple is a bit awkward.'

I recalled the people who had rushed all the way down to this lower level because of my fight with the Berserker, only to return empty-handed to the upper level.

They had only come running just in case of an emergency, and since there was nothing for them to do, there was no need to give them a reward.

But perhaps because of the kind of work the Temple did in this world. I felt a bit like I had called 911 only to send them back saying, 'Ah, we took care of it ourselves.'...

'Ah, the price of gaming for fun is so huge. I should never fight inside a town again.'

"No... there's no need for that here."

Meanwhile, the Archmage turned his gaze around. At the same time, the lamps set up along the street lit up.

"Since the nights here are quite bright."

"... It's beautiful."

"What's this? Wow."

"It got bright!"

【The stars are on the ground...】

It was magic. Although to someone from modern times, it just looked like streetlights turning on.

'No, more importantly, didn't you guys spend a few days here? I bolted off on the first day, so I didn't really get to experience it, but didn't you have the chance to see this?'

"If I knew it was like this, I would have come out at night."

I wondered what was going on, but hearing that, I think I get the gist of it.

Just like in other cities, they must have stayed holed up in buildings once the sun set. Everyone really is so pointlessly principled. Though I didn't expect even DeB to be like that.

"Little friend, look at that. The lamps are moving!"

【W-Whoa.】

"My. If I knew you'd like it this much, I would have let you know beforehand."

The Berserker dashed forward with Akata riding on her shoulders.

Even though she had caused the same accident as me, the fact that she alone was brightly carefree without any worries was a bit annoying, but at the same time, it was so like the Berserker that it made me laugh.

Including the part where her mental age somehow seemed similar to Akata's.

"Don't go too far. That's the workshop street!"

"Workshop street?"

"Yes. It's mostly where the artisans gather. There are also shops selling crafts, so there are quite a few things to see."

'I see. Then should I come here tomorrow if I have time? Drawing all day gets a bit much, so I'll just do some window shopping.'

With those thoughts, I watched the Berserker continue to dash forward. No matter how I looked at it, she definitely didn't hear the Archmage.

"Uh, Sir Mage. Sir Fighter has already gone that far ahead with the kid."

"Hmm? Oh my..."

However, DeB pointed it out instead of me, who had stayed silent despite knowing. The Archmage massaged his forehead after confirming the truth of those words.

"Let's chase after them. I fear they might cause an accident."

My conscience inexplicably pricked even more.

"Does the little friend like that kind of thing?"

【They use such beautifully colored thread in the outside world.】

Fortunately, the Berserker hadn't gone that far.

Or should I say she was held up because Akata showed interest in something?

Anyway, we caught up to them without any trouble.

The place they had entered was a shop with clothes, fabrics, and threads stacked inside.

"What are we to do if you just run off so suddenly?"

"Ah, Mage."

It wasn't that big of a building, and it felt a bit awkward to go in, so I stayed outside.

On the other hand, the two Dumplings poked their heads inside, perhaps curious about a place that made clothes.

"Hmm. I heard that fabric which shows one's face exists, so I wanted to see it, but I don't see it here."

"What exactly are you looking for? There's no way such silk would be here. This is a place that deals with commoners."

"Is that silk?"

"Yes."

"But why isn't silk in a place that deals with commoners?"

"Because it's expensive, obviously. Only humans with a lot of money buy silk."

"I see..."

'Learning a bit about society while they're at it.'

"Were you buying thread for the child?"

"No. I tried to buy it, but the child said she didn't want it."

"Is that so. 【She says she wanted to buy you thread, but is it true that you refused?】"

【Ah... yes. It's not something I want enough to buy, and I don't want to be a burden anymore. I just thought that the outside world had this kind of thread.】

【You don't have to consider something like this a burden... but if that's what you think, then so be it. Would you like to look some more?】

'More importantly, what is Akata looking at so intently?' I closely observed the thread the child was looking at. It was dyed red.

'Given that she made those thread bracelets, does she like things like this?'

【No, it's fine.】

I watched the child set down the thread she had been fiddling with.

"Take care."

"Thanks for letting us look. Hope you sell a lot."

And as everyone was coming out, my gaze briefly lingered on the shop's sign.

"Then let's go eat now."

'I wonder what time they open in the morning here?'

"Berserker hopes it's a place with good drinks!"

"That's just a tavern."

"I don't particularly mind a tavern either, but..."

"No. Taverns only sell meat dishes."

I completely memorized the surrounding scenery and carefully followed behind the party.

"... Let's go to a place that sells fish dishes. Hudelen is quite famous for its freshwater fish dishes too, so it shouldn't be bad."

"Oh."

"Fish doesn't have much of a chewy texture, though."

"Meat is meat. Sir Fighter, you concede."

【We're going to eat a freshwater fish dish, is that alright with you?】

【I don't mind.】

Meanwhile, it seemed dinner for today had been decided as a fish dish. It wasn't bad. They say freshwater fish has a strong earthy smell, but all the dishes here were like that in the first place anyway.

"Whoa. Now that we're in the restaurant district, the crowd is no joke."

"To think people can wander around like this even after the sky has gone black... Magic truly is mysterious. I hope more of these get installed."

"Well. The installation costs are still quite high, so I don't know if that will be possible."

'More importantly, there really are a lot of people here.' I was careful not to lose the party amidst the bustling crowd.

"Hey, the food there is bad."

"I was wrong, I won't look at anyone else ever again. I swear."

"I tell you, when you get old, you don't need anything else; losing your appetite and not being able to swallow your food is the saddest part."

"Pasha!"

Then suddenly, leaving the clamor coming from all sides, I was reminded of the world I originally lived in through a similar train of thought as this morning. My eyelids lowered.

"Boss, over here!"

【So many people...】

"Will it be tasty?"

"With this many people, it surely won't taste bad."

"Meat!!"

But when I opened them again, at least the weight I was lifting didn't feel so sorrowful.

That was enough.

I can still endure more.

Deathbringer jolted his eyes open at the approaching presence, snapping out of his doze on the roof.

When he quickly listened closely, he heard footsteps that were quieter and more steady in their gait than an ordinary person's. They belonged to a trained warrior.

But there were only two warriors in the inn where they were staying.

Among them, the Berserker produced a clunkier and heavier sound due to her build. She had woken up before dawn and gone out to train, so it couldn't have been her in the first place anyway.

Therefore, those footsteps must belong to the Demon Knight.

Deathbringer lowered his body flat. To follow someone with such sharp senses, he had to pour more effort into it than usual.

Guilt about tailing a comrade? He would stop if he felt certain that the Demon Knight wouldn't self-harm when alone. Until then, he wasn't going to leave him alone.

Since this was the only thing he could do.

Of course, if he got caught, the Demon Knight would be very... very angry, but he chose to believe he wouldn't go as far as killing him. He was surprisingly lenient in some aspects, after all.

'... He really won't kill me, right?'

Setting aside his wavering faith, Deathbringer quickened his pace. It was just before dawn, so the streets were mostly empty. He had to use obstacles to hide his body well so he wouldn't get caught by that highly perceptive knight.

"I think I saw that kid yesterday."

"What?"

"... Never mind. Must be my imagination. Anyway, are you all ready?"

"Y-Yeah."

At least this city was on the easier side for tailing someone, which was a relief. After stepping onto the inn's roof, he carefully crossed over to the next building.

"That tickles!"

"Haha, sorry."

In the process, he ended up eavesdropping on all sorts of conversations—from a group of travelers chatting to a couple reaffirming their love early in the morning... Well, it was what he always did anyway, so he didn't feel much guilt about it.

'If they didn't want their voices leaking out, they should have bought a well-soundproofed house.'

"Huh?"

Setting that aside, his tailing continued smoothly. He had followed the Demon Knight without getting caught right up to the moment he entered the workshop street.

"His sword shouldn't be broken yet, though..."

But aside from not getting caught, he did have a few questions.

He wondered if the Demon Knight had come to change his sword. Given his track record of breaking one a month, it wouldn't be strange.

"Being a mana user isn't all good, it seems."

At first, he wondered why he broke them so often, but now he knew after hearing from the Mage of the Magic Tower.

That the sword shattering wasn't the Demon Knight's fault, but due to the properties of mana.

So, he said it was because of its property that roughly unravels the molecular structure of matter, right? Unlike a body that can self-heal, a material like iron can't be restored, so it ultimately ends up breaking.

Of course, he had also heard that normal mana users don't break them on a monthly basis, and that it was because the Demon Knight's mana was just too overwhelmingly powerful.

Either way, it was a structure that was bound to be annoying from the Demon Knight's perspective.

"... Wait."

However, reaching that point, a question came to him.

"Then what on earth is the two-hander the Boss uses made of...?"

The Mage had explicitly stated that bonds weakened by mana couldn't be reversed even with magic. Meaning that casting a restoration spell would be useless.

Then how on earth had that sword held out until now?

Just what was it made of?

"Could that be made of dragon scales too..."

For a moment, he even thought... was that why he handed over the dragon scales to him and the bookworm without hesitation? Of course, that couldn't be the case. This was the first time a dragon had been slain.

'... Probably.'

If it were the Demon Knight, it wouldn't be strange if he had hunted down one or two more primeval beasts somewhere before meeting them, but surely not.

CLACK.

Just then, the Demon Knight entered a building. Deathbringer's thoughts, which had been going off on a tangent, snapped back.

"Ah, what did you come to bu—"

"The thread the six-armed child was looking at yesterday. I want to buy it."

The shop the Demon Knight had entered was the same place the Berserker and the child were found in yesterday.

"She looked at several of them... which one among them...?"

"All of them."

'He just came out to buy thread.'

Deathbringer finally let go of the tension he had been holding onto just in case.

The Demon Knight really had a knack for making people needlessly anxious. Despite being so strong.

"I will buy them all."

But ultimately, that was probably because he was kind enough to make others want to worry about him.

If he had truly lived a ruthless life trampling on others, completely mad only for demon hunting, there would be people who praised the Demon Knight, but no one who would treat him humanely.

"Did I stay up all night outside for nothing..."

Making all sorts of assumptions pointless, the Demon Knight hadn't come out to harm himself, but had gone out for the sake of someone else.

Feeling awkward about that fact, Deathbringer turned away. He intended to head back inside before the Demon Knight returned to the Temple.

Since he hadn't slept well at night, taking a nap wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[You there.]

However, right as he turned his steps toward the Temple.

[You there with the green hair.]

"Huh?"

Someone called out to him.

[You have a good impression. I see potential.]

It was someone with a white and blue snake draped around their neck, draped in layers of silver silk that brought fish scales to mind.

"What are you talking a—"

It was a face he was seeing for the very first time in his life, and bringing up potential upon their first meeting didn't give off a good feeling.

Deathbringer tried to turn his body away again, thinking that all sorts of weirdos were latching onto him.

[By any chance, don't you want to get stronger?]

SWISH.

But before he knew it, the person had already approached right next to him.

[I can help you, if you want.]

Their tongue, forked like a snake's, was truly pitch-black. Unlike their exceptionally white outer shell.

HUM.

Tucked in his arms, the Sword of Negation trembled faintly. As if seeing a whale that shouldn't be in the sky up there.