★

Three days until the duel.

I continued to complete the guild’s requests smoothly, while also honing my sword skills as much as I could. With the final battle against the Sword Saint candidate drawing near, I couldn’t afford to slack off.

During my requests, I sometimes felt a strange warmth.

I didn’t know why.

Even though no one was around, I felt as if I was being protected by someone…

Well, I couldn’t really understand it, but I gained a strange ability during this time.

———————————————————————————–

List of Available Cheat Codes

• Attack Power Up (Small)
• Full Use of Fire Attribute Magic
• Visualization of Target’s Health
• Rewrite Target’s Attack Power (Small)
• ★ Absorption
• ——————————————————————————

Absorption.

I couldn’t really grasp it just by reading the name.

I tried using it in a battle with a monster, but nothing seemed to change. Maybe I’ll understand it later, but it needs further investigation.

As I continued to complete my requests, I enjoyed my slow life in Rastal Village.

There’s no point in being too tense all the time. A proper rest is necessary.

So now, I was relaxing in my bed at home. The request I had been tasked with was complete, and it was already evening. There was nothing to do until Mary finished preparing dinner.

“…”

I sensed an unsettling presence from the door, but I decided to ignore it.

Was she trying to hide?

I could feel her gaze very clearly.

“Hyah!”

Then, with a battle cry, the princess charged at me, and I calmly dodged.

“W-wahhhhh!”

Boom!

Ray, who had crashed into the wardrobe, let out a self-inflicted scream.

…Seriously, this princess never learns.

“Ugh, why did you dodge?”

“Well, of course I dodged…”

If someone charges at you suddenly, it’s normal to be scared.

“Heh.”

As payback, I quickly blew air into her ear.

“Ah!”

Ray let out a cute scream and collapsed, her face turning bright red.

“That’s cheating… That’s really cheating…”

“If you learned your lesson, no more charging, okay?”

“Muuuu.”

Ray puffed out her cheeks in frustration.

Now that I think about it, her attitude was completely different from when she faced Dudley the other day.

Back then, she acted like a “Princess, Your Highness.”

Maybe her real self is like this.

She did say something about “royalty being tiring” a long time ago.

“…So, do you need something? You don’t look like you’re just here to prank me.”

“Heh… Arios, you see through everything.”

I could only guess, really. We’ve known each other for a long time.

“This.”

Ray pulled something from her pocket.

It was a piece of colored paper.

On it were words of encouragement written in colorful letters, covering the entire page.

• “I’ll come cheer you on! Please win for sure! – Kaya”
• “Arios-sama, I believe in you. – Mary”
• “You’re always wonderful! Don’t let Dudley beat you! – Elisa”
• “Be the true hero! – Altro”
• “Arios-sama! Please let me cheer for you too! – Arios-sama’s humble servant”
• “Don’t lose until you marry me! – Miu”

“Th-this is…”

“Hehe, everyone in the village wrote it for you. They’re all cheering you on.”

“I see… I appreciate it… but I don’t quite get the ‘humble servant’ part.”

Come to think of it, for the past few days, Ray had been acting strangely. Normally, we would always be together, but lately, I’d often go out on requests alone.

…I see, she was secretly gathering the messages.

“Everyone’s on your side, Arios. So…”

Don’t lose.

Ray whispered softly and then pressed her lips to my cheek.

“…”

“Hehe, due to my position, this is all I can do right now… but everyone is supporting you. Even if you have an unknown skill, still…”

Her expression, tinged with a little sadness, was something I had never seen before.

“Thank you… Ray. I feel like I’ve gained some strength.”

“Hehe. If you lose, I won’t forgive you.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t back down.”

So many people are cheering for me.

I have to win the duel to repay them.

And with that, sensing the right opportunity, Ray flashed a mischievous smile.

“Hehe. Now that it’s settled…”

And with that, she charged at me again.

This time, I easily dodged, and once again, Ray crashed into the wardrobe.

Those peaceful days passed, and at last, the day of the duel arrived.