“Huh?”

Something feels off.

Could it be that this guy is seriously injured?

No way, no way. That can’t be right.

After all, he’s the strongest swordsman.

There’s no way he’d collapse from something like this…

“I-it hurts! It hurts so baaaad!!”

However, the man on the ground continues to cry out in pain.

The bravado he had earlier is completely gone. Instead, he’s genuinely writhing in agony.

It’s clearly not an act.

“Arios-san, good work out there.”

Kaya approaches with a wry smile.

“K-Kaya. What’s… this?”

“Fufu. Sorry about this. The truth is, this guy just recently reached C-rank. He’s been bullying newbies a lot, and I just couldn’t let it slide anymore.”

“I-I see… wait, that’s not the point.”

With the inherent strength of the Engen Style, combined with 《Attack Power Up (Small)》…

This attack might have been overkill against someone who wasn’t an S-rank adventurer.

Sensing my concern, Kaya shakes her head.

“Ah, don’t worry. This guy actually has a skill called 《Grit》. It allows him to survive up to five fatal attacks per day. Of course, he’ll still suffer severe injuries, though.”

Wow.

That really is a strong skill.

Maybe that’s why he kept teasing me, calling me a 《Useless Skill Holder》—out of a sense of superiority.

“…Well, that might explain his arrogance. Sorry for keeping this from you.”

“…I see. So that’s how it is.”

Well, I did end up beating him to a pulp, though.

He’s probably reflecting on his actions now.

“Hey, pull yourself together.”

With a strict expression, Kaya forces the man to drink a potion.

Leaving him in such a battered state would indeed be cruel.

“Phew…!”

A few minutes later, the man regains some of his strength and abruptly sits up.

“You damn brat! I’ll never forgive you! I’ll crush you!!!”

Correction.

He wasn’t reflecting at all.

“…Sigh.”

Kaya lets out a weary sigh before turning a sharp glare toward the man.

“If that’s how you feel, how about we have another match? You want to fight, right?”

“Uh, n-no, that’s not…”

The man’s tone falters.

He must’ve remembered the earlier attack. When our eyes meet,

“Eep!”

He lets out a pathetic squeak.

He starts scooting backward on the ground, completely undignified.

“…Maybe it’s time you admit defeat.”

Walking up to him is Ray.

Usually carefree and nonchalant, her demeanor takes on a regal air when she’s angry.

Sensing her shift in attitude, the man’s eyes widen.

“H-huh? Wait a second. Are you… by any chance…?”

“Took you long enough to realize.”

Ray places one hand on her hip, looking down at the man with an icy gaze.

“I am the Second Princess, Raymira Rii Arceus. By the way, do you recall the words you directed at me earlier?”

“M-m-m-m-m…”

In that moment, the man drops to his knees at an astonishing speed, bowing his head deeply toward us.

“I am so sorry! Please forgive me, Princess Raymira! Arios-sama!”

Even I’m being addressed with “-sama” now.