――Amazing.

I stared at my hands in disbelief while looking at the giant tree that had been sliced cleanly in half from afar.

…Did I really do that?

I, who was cast out of the Macba family as a 《Useless Skill Holder》 for being unable to acquire the Sword Saint skill.

The Engen Style.

It was a swordsmanship created by the first Sword Saint and became the foundation of the Macba sword style.

Those who mastered it were known to move like demons on the battlefield—hailed by allies and feared by enemies.

But precisely because of that, it was difficult to master.
Only those who reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship could wield it—a legendary school of swordsmanship.

And now… I had obtained that power.

This is insane. Truly insane.

Earlier, Farlus mentioned something about passing the power on to the next generation.
I still don’t know the full details, but… does that mean I’ve been chosen as the successor?

Chosen as the strongest heir, surpassing even the current generation of Macba practitioners?

When I opened the Cheat Code list, the strange text 《&%%%$》 from before had vanished.
I never figured out what that was.

“Haha… hahaha…”

No good.
My head’s spinning.

I need to sleep.
Times like these call for rest.

Back home, I found Ray peacefully asleep, softly breathing in and out. She was wearing something rather revealing, so I covered her with a blanket.

“Mm… Ah, Arios… I love you… Ah…”

“……”

She looked so blissfully happy.
What kind of dream is she having?

Leaning against the wall, I drifted off to sleep in a seated position.

Meanwhile, at the Macba family mansion…

“You’re leaving too?”

Arios’s father, Leon Macba, wore a despairing expression.

“Yes… I can no longer follow Dudley.”

“I see. I can offer you a higher reward, but if that’s not enough—”

“No, thank you.”

The servant stated clearly before leaving the room.

“…Haah.”

Leon sighed heavily.

For someone once known as the Sword Saint, it was painful to be treated so coldly.
He used to command respect with his mere presence, but now even that was gone.

He knew the reason.
It was because of Dudley Claise, the supposed heir to the Sword Saint title.

His inability to take a firm stance against Dudley’s tyrannical behavior had eroded the trust of those around him.

Leon understood that. He did.
But Dudley was supposed to be the Macba family’s shining star—a crucial link to the Arceus Kingdom’s royal family. If Dudley ever left, their royal connections would weaken, and the centuries-old Macba legacy would end during Leon’s time.

That was unacceptable.

…I have to endure this, for now.
Someday, Dudley will realize his shortcomings. Until then, I must hold on.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

“Leon! Hey, Leon!”

It was Dudley.
Something seemed off about him—his eyes were teary.

“Dudley? What happened?”

“Your son… What was his name again?”

“Hmm? I believe it was Arios.”

“I knew it…”

Dudley nodded to himself.

“Why? Did something happen with Arios?”

“I’ll never forgive that guy.”

“What?”

Leon didn’t understand, but as he looked at Dudley’s swollen right cheek, he began to piece it together.

…Mary Lobart.

“That damn woman said, ‘I’m going to Arios!’
Even though I’m stronger, she doesn’t see it.”

“Well, Mary has always been infatuated with Arios.”

“I can’t accept that! Leon, tell me—where is Arios right now?”