CLANG!

The Berserker unconsciously curled her fingers as she watched the two swords clash.

Could she win? It was because that question had instinctively crossed her mind.

"There must be a reason why the Temple Boss is acting like that..."

"Mm. But, um. Is that right? No matter how I look at it..."

"Does it look like he's going easy on him?"

"As I thought, I wasn't the only one who felt that way."

Of course, this was originally a question that couldn't be easily answered. The Demon Knight was a man so strong that no one could dare compare to him.

"Didn't he say... a demon?"

"Did he? He doesn't particularly look like one."

"Couldn't it just be that the adventurer over there made a disrespectful remark to the Heresy Inquisitor?"

But did she feel a sense of defeat from that difference? If asked that, that wasn't exactly the case either.

From her perspective, the Demon Knight's overwhelming strength came from the sheer volume of demonic energy he harbored rather than his battle sense or the caliber of his trained martial arts.

"There's a high chance of that, but... apart from that, isn't it hard to see him as just a mere adventurer? His clothes look like a noble Boss, and the way he fights..."

"He looks like a knight."

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Ah, that didn't mean the Demon Knight fought solely relying on his magic power, or that he was nothing special without it.

From what she had experienced, even if his magic power was removed, the Demon Knight seemed like he could still overcome most strong fighters.

"If that isn't a knight, then what is? Even the Heresy Inquisitor known as a Grim Reaper can't hold his own. There's a reason why Munmunt is still standing firm even in that state, I'm telling you."

The only thing she wanted to say was this.

What made the Demon Knight extraordinary was the singularity known as magic power; if they fought purely on their innate skills without magic power, she might win.

No, she would win.

"It's scary... I definitely shouldn't go near them."

"But why are the knight and the Heresy Inquisitor really fighting?"

"I don't know. Don't tell me the knight is a demon worshiper... or something like that, right?"

"... No way."

But what about now?

Could she still win now?

He really is a genius. To think his stance changes with a single breath in, and his sword path is corrected with a single breath out.

"..."

Was his swordsmanship stagnant until now simply because of the convenience of his magic power?

Can the 'Berserker' win?

"... Step aside."

"Huh...? Gasp, y-yes."

"Step aside, step aside."

"Ah, why are you pushing... Just wait a moment. I'll get out of the way."

The Berserker swallowed her breath as she heard the voice echoing in her head and watched his sword become freer and lighter as time passed.

'You won't be able to win anymore.'

"Step aside!"

"Heugh!"

"Isn't she from the Slender race?"

"S-She's a giant."

And when that sword finally gained a sense of composure, when it cut off the opponent's sword as if it had no more lingering attachments.

She stepped into the empty space where the people had backed away.

"That's enough. It is your defeat."

It was a defeat.

Hers.

The 'Berserker's.

"Damn it, Sister! Why aren't you moving!"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Brother!"

"That Demon Contractor over there—!"

She stepped in, and the Inquisitor stepped in.

Once the Heresy Inquisitor was subdued like that, the Demon Knight turned around without any hesitation. It seemed as though what had just happened didn't affect him in the slightest.

It was understandable. To him, it was probably just a common happening, a commotion not even worth dealing with.

"..."

It wasn't wrong. No, beyond not being wrong, it was the truth.

Because words without the power to be delivered are nothing more than meaningless echoes.

"A Demon Contractor? Are you perhaps talking about the Demon Knight?"

"Then what else would I be talking about! Don't tell me you, Sister, think that demonic energy—!"

For that reason, the Berserker simply slammed the still-thrashing man onto the ground. "Keugh!" Since he was wearing armor only on his upper body rather than full plate, getting up would probably be quite an ordeal.

Not that she had any reason to go easy on him, though.

"Berserker?"

"I'm leaving, Priest."

It made sense, as courage and foolhardiness were separated by a paper-thin margin. The same went for the resolve to fight to the end and the desperate struggle born from an unwillingness to admit defeat.

They were subtly different, yet crucially distinct. It was an unbridgeable gap.

And because of that... she hated the latter to death. They were far too foolish.

"Yes, yes."

"Wait, you look like an accomplice too. Where do you think you're..."

"Um, Brother. First, let's have a talk..."

"What need is there to talk! When evil is openly walking away!"

Just like her in the past.

["You probably think what you are doing now is right. You likely believe this is the best course of action."]

The Berserker brought her steps to a halt without realizing it.

["You are wrong. What you are doing now is nothing more than one of the most foolish things you could possibly do."]

Then, the teachings of the person she hated the most, yet was the most grateful to, echoed in a corner of her mind. Or rather, her steps stopped because she heard those teachings from back then.

["Keep this in mind. The reason you failed to protect them is because of your weakness, and the reason you are still alive is because I, the strong one, showed you mercy."]

Her enemy.

["Why did I show you mercy? The first reason is naturally because I am kind, and the second is because you have value to be used."]

Her teacher.

["What? You can't believe it? Then what are you going to do about it? Do you think reality will change just because you don't believe it? Cut the stupid crap. My mercy is proven simply by the fact that I am tolerating you."]

Who was now dead and gone.

["Got it? The patience of the strong is in itself proof of something! Whether it be an inherently good nature, some hidden ulterior motive, or whatever else!"]

It was the teaching of the person she had killed.

["So hurry up and put away that pathetic display, and put your effort into getting stronger. Before my patience runs out and I kill you, get strong enough to kill me."]

However, recalling those teachings brought up a question.

She still remembered that person's teachings, so why, just why was the Berserker still nothing but weak?

Even though she had killed the one who was her enemy and teacher, and had even shouldered the honor of the Berserker, why did she still exist boundlessly as the weak, just like in those days?

'It is because you did not accept the contradiction.'

"... I."

'You haven't forgotten the wrath, but you have forgotten the source of that wrath. That is why you are weak.'

"The Berserker is not weak."

'Really? Are you saying that genuinely?'

The truth always hurts. More than cutting your bowels with a blade, more than slicing and gnawing at your bones.

"The Berserker... is not weak."

'... Just how long are you going to.'

"So if you have a complaint, step up yourself, unnie. The Berserker is not going to move."

Thus, the Berserker pressed her fingers against her eyes.

"Because I will absolutely not move."

And she closed her eyes again.

It was a familiar turning away.

* * *

After wandering around for a long time, I finally found an inn with a stable. It was an inn frequently used by merchants.

"Look at that horse..."

"Whoa... It doesn't look like an ordinary breed..."

"... If I ask him to let it mate with my mare, he'd probably say no, right?"

"Of course he would. It's not even breeding season."

However, there were so many people coming and going, and Frederick was such a conspicuous horse that I was a little worried. I was concerned someone might steal him.

PRRRR.

"... That was a useless worry."

No. If there was someone trying to kidnap him, he was the type to kick them. I felt I could lay my worries to rest for a bit.

"If anyone other than me or the stable boy approaches you, just ram into them. You can kick them with your hind legs too."

NEIGH.

Still, just in case, I offered him apples, carrots, and blueberries while earnestly begging him.

Being kicked by a horse meant broken ribs at a minimum, and at worst, death, but it couldn't be helped. The security here was too unstable, and the methods to retrieve a stolen horse were far too unreliable.

"Right."

I also gave a generous tip to the young stable boy and gave him strict warnings.

Before leaving, when I told him I would give him the same amount again if Frederick was satisfied, the stable boy's eyes sparkled as he shouted to leave it to him.

For some reason, he was more trustworthy than an adult.

"Oh, right. Do you happen to know a restaurant that's cheap but pretty good to eat at?"

"... It would be a bit much to say our inn, wouldn't it?"

It definitely would... since the room price itself was expensive...

"Well, this is a place only I know about..."

Fortunately, the young stable boy knew the weight of the money resting on his palm. Along with the information on where was delicious and where was cheap.

"Thank you."

I willingly added another tip for that information. If what I gave him earlier was a bribe to look after the horse well, this was the price for the information.

"Gasp, again...! If-If you ever get curious about the city, ask me anything! I will look into everything for you!"

At that, the stable boy looked like he was about to die from happiness. As expected, money was the best.

"Have a safe trip!!"

This is good.

Having taken care of the most urgent matter, shall I go wash up and eat? It's better to order the packed lunches as quickly as possible if I can.

"It feels like the fruits and vegetables have become exceptionally fresh since a few days ago. The dry season isn't over yet, though."

"Really? They look the same to me."

"How do you plan on living with an eye like that?"

"I could just not know, why are you scolding me..."

"You said with your own mouth that you were going to marry the greengrocer's daughter, you idiot!!"

Then, wait. On my way back to the inn, I spotted a woman landing a flying kick and a man getting squarely hit by it.

I wasn't sure if they were siblings or friends, but they looked very close.

"Phew, this is the first time I've ever felt sorry for that girl Sasha."

"No... why is Sasha coming up here..."

"Isn't that obvious? Out of all the vegetable shops, our place and that girl Sasha's shop are the only ones with a girl our age."

"... No, um, haah."

"Gasp, or is it Marlene unnie? If it's her, reconsider it. She isn't a bad person, but... her personality is a bit..."

"I'm gonna go crazy, seriously..."

Ah, I should correct that to friends. Even though one side seemed to want a relationship other than friends.

"Whatever, follow me. I'll teach you how to pick out fruits and vegetables. Whether it's Sasha or Marlene unnie, do you think people from a greengrocer would want to marry someone who doesn't even know this?"

"... Does that include you?"

"Of course! I'd absolutely never accept it!"

"I got it. I just have to do it, right? I'll do it."

On a separate note, I judged that I could get good fruits and vegetables if I followed those two. Since they would be practicing how to pick fruits, they would definitely sort out the good fruits from the bad ones. I could just keep an eye on the good ones and buy them exactly as they were.

Setting my uncomfortable feelings aside—honestly, at my level, I wasn't even that dirty. The people here were truly...—I tailed the man and woman.

My goal was snacks for Frederick.

"Phew, how are you going to live without me?"

"I don't know. Guess I'll just die."

"Are those words supposed to make sense right now? Are you kidding me? You should be thinking about being independent, what are you doing just randomly choosing death!"

"Why are you scolding me again..."

However, unintentionally eavesdropping on their conversation suddenly brought someone to mind. My parents.

"Phew. Pheeww. When will I ever get this guy to be independent."

"Can't you just not make me independent?"

"You want me to live cleaning up after you for the rest of my life? I don't want to. I want to start dating too."

"... Dating?"

"Yeah, dating! Someone handsome! With a sturdy body! Dating someone who actually knows how to look at vegetables!"

The reason they came to mind of all people wasn't anything special. It was just because the guy whining and the girl unintentionally shutting him down was exactly like my parents.

He was a father who seemed strict and a bit blunt to me... but in front of my mother, he became a clumsier romantic than anyone else.

"... I have a good body too."

"You? Yeah, right. I... want to date a guy who's at least bigger than my older brother. I'd like his build to be about the size of Uncle Jean."

"Uncle Jean is from the Shaggy race...!"

"So what. He has to be that big to carry luggage well."

And what about my mother? A person who would immediately notice if my father forgot even a single scarf, but who could never understand indirect words, thus always unintentionally shutting him down.

So whenever my father was about to feel upset, she would prepare a surprise event and soothe him before he could even pout.

The most fascinating thing was that it wasn't all done on purpose, but rather coincidentally aligned, but anyway.

"... Do I have no hope."

"What is it, did you lose heart because of what I said? Don't worry! Your build is a lot on the scrawny side by my standards, but... you're still the most handsome guy in our neighborhood. Have some confidence!"

"... Really?"

"Really, really! For your information, you know I have high standards, right?"

"I know. Then..."

Feeling a deep nostalgia from the young youths passing by, I eventually stopped my steps. I didn't have the confidence to follow them anymore.

"... Maybe I should just confess to you."

"Huh? You're going to confess?"

"If you can't notice even when I hint at it like this, I have no choice but to say it right into your ear..."

"When? When did you say that???"

"... I'm going crazy, seriously."

"Ah, what is it! Tell me!!"

I don't have... the confidence to follow them anymore.

Because just seeing this now was more than enough to make me miss my parents.

"Schutz! You have to play right in front of dad's shop! You must never go far!"

"Okay!!"

"Louise! Don't go anywhere and help with the shop! How old are you to still be unemployed!!"

"Ah, Moooom. Pleeaase. I promised to meet up with Reni."

No, actually, I had always missed my parents.

The moment a young child was seen off by their family, or the moment a fully grown youth whined to their parents just because they were their child. And in every single instant I happened to see those things.

Nowadays, even more so.

"Um... mister. Are you crying?"

"...!"

Right then, a child running down the street approached me. It was unexpected. Both the fact that he approached me, and the content of his question.

"Why are you crying? Did something sad happen?"

"I..."

'I'm not crying.' The moment I tried to say that, something dripped down. It was a tear.

"Don't cry. My mom said your luck runs away if you cry. And if your luck runs away, you can't eat yummy things, uh, and you can't get presents, uh..."

"Schutz? Schutz?"

"Ah, dad!!"

"What are you doing!! That's not in front of the shop—Gasp!"

What a disgrace. And out of character too.

Looking at the tears that fell onto my palm, I slowly bent my knees. That brought my gaze to roughly the same level as the child's. The child briefly looked back at his dad before turning his head back toward me. His grayish-brown hair fluttered.

"Dad, this mister was crying so... Uh, mister, there are even more tears now. You shouldn't do that..."

Tap. The child's soft hand touched my cheek. Running up from behind, the child's father had gone pale in the face, terrified that his child might be harmed.

"Don't cry."

"... Okay."

Truly, it was so soft and warm.

"Wait, wait. Um, did my child perhaps make some mistake..."

"No. I didn't make a mistake. Right, mister?"

And because of that... I wanted to cry even more.

"... You didn't make any mistakes."

"See! Dad is a dummy!"

"I-Is that so? Then that's a relief..."

I wish I had parents who would come running for me too.

Even though I was a thirty-year-old man, still.