“Oh, it’s Arios!”

“He’s here, he’s here!”

“Grandma, hurry up!”

Many people came to greet me when I arrived at Rastal Village.

By the way, I’m coming back home after taking a rest in the royal capital.

I was really tired.

As an aside, after fighting Dudley and Vanitas Roa, I was able to acquire two new abilities.

――――――

List of Usable Cheat Codes:

• Attack Power Up (Small)
• Full Use of Fire Attribute Magic
• Visualization of Target’s HP
• Rewrite Target’s Attack Power (Small)
• Absorption
• ★Invincibility Time (Extremely Small)
• ★Ancient Weapon Summon (I)

――――――

Yeah.

Both of them have a seriously dangerous vibe to them.

First, 《Invincibility Time (Extremely Small)》.

I can sort of guess the meaning from the words, but—if it really works that way, it’s absolutely monstrous.

What on earth is this?

And the other one, 《Ancient Weapon Summon (I)》.

At this point, I don’t even know what to think.

First off, what even is an ancient weapon?

It’s a term I’ve never really heard, but it does exist in fairy tales, right?

As the followers of the goddess, though.

…Wait, could it be?

If this really means summoning an ancient weapon, that’s totally off the charts.

It would be extremely powerful, and certainly not something you’d casually use.

I’ll have to observe this for a while.

But right now, more than that—I’ll enjoy this brief peace.

After all, everyone came to greet me at the entrance.

“Arios-sama… we’ve been waiting for you.”

The first person to bow her head was my maid—Mary Lobart.

“I believed that Arios-sama would definitely defeat that Dudley. And that courageous act of protecting the audience… Hehe, it was just so cool ♡”

“Haha… thanks.”

“So, how about it? Tonight, the two of us…”

“That’s enough from you!”

Ray’s sharp retort came instantly.

And it was really fast, too. Even I almost missed it.

“Hehe, but seriously, that battle with the big guy was incredible, wasn’t it?”

Kaya also joined the conversation with a bit of a wry smile.

“His flawless movements, accurate situational analysis… Even apart from swordsmanship, I can’t compete with Arios.”

“No, no, that’s not it…”

It was only thanks to 《Rewrite Attack Power》 and 《Visualization of Target’s Health》 that I was able to win.

For an A-rank adventurer to say that to me is a bit too much.

“So, Arios, tonight, how about I teach you sword techniques…”

“You too, stop it!”

Once again, Ray stepped in quickly.

This time, even Kaya was startled, going, “Ah!”

“Honestly. Both of you are always so careful, it’s unbelievable!”

Ray muttered under her breath. I really don’t get why she’s so passionate about this.

“Anyway,” Ray turned back to me and asked again, “What are you going to do from here? Staying in Rastal Village is just temporary, right?”

“Yeah, about that…”

I’m going to live here temporarily.

At first, that was the plan. After all, I had nowhere else to go, and I thought things would just work themselves out.

But now, I’ve got a goal.

To become stronger—and to become the true Sword Saint.

And besides, unlike the royal capital, this place is quiet.

Spending time surrounded by my companions and taking it easy isn’t such a bad thing. In the royal capital, the days passed by in a blur, but here, I can actually relax.

“If the villagers don’t mind… I’d like to live here from now on.”

I quietly looked around at Ray and the villagers and said, “I may not be able to do much, but as a fledgling adventurer, I’d like to help everyone if I can.”

“Hahaha. Why are you saying something so stiff?”

As he said that, the Guild Master Altro put his arm around my shoulder.

Has he been drinking already?

His face is bright red.

“Arios is already a full-fledged villager. No one’s going to refuse him.”

“Yeah, yeah!”

“You can even stay forever!”

“Don’t forget to marry me!”

The villagers, following Altro’s lead, raised their voices one after another.

No one was rejecting me—not a single person.

“Everyone… thank you.”

I’m so grateful they’re welcoming me so warmly.

This place—what a wonderful place.

“Hehe, I’m glad♪”

Ray intertwined her arm with mine, showing me her brightest smile.

“See? I told you coming to this village was a good choice.”

“Yeah… I’m in a great mood.”

“Wait a minute, Raymira-sama, it’s not fair for you to go ahead!”

“Ray, you…!”

“Wa-wait, wait…!”

Now Mary and Kaya jumped in, and it was Ray’s turn to fluster.