◇ ◇ ◇

“Oh, we’re in the same waiting room in Orn today, huh?”

　While I’m watching Will’s battle from the waiting room, a voice calls out to me from behind.

“Haruto, and Fuuka.”

　The two from “Lacquered Evening Mist”.

　　◆

　Haruto Tendou.

　The leader of “Lacquered Evening Mist”.

　About 10 centimetres taller than I am.

　His clothes are designed to look like a combination of eastern clothes and the clothes around here. 

　And regarding his abilities, I think he’s got more than enough to be S Rank.

　In the joint subjugation, he didn’t show everything he had, but he was still able to work on an equal footing with the people around him, so he must have a lot more in store. 

　His style is hand-to-hand combat without using weapons, and from that light stature, you wouldn’t imagine he could be capable of delivering those powerful blows. 

　Even in yesterday’s first round, he was breaking his opponent’s weapons with his fists.

　I know there must be some trick behind that, but I can’t discern what it is. 

　　◆

“It’s been a while, Orn. About two months, isn’t it? You’ve sure been very popular lately.”

“The last time was probably around the joint subjugation, right. I’ve only been popular because I was blessed by my surroundings.”

“Don’t be modest. –Oh, Oliver’s got the upper hand.”

　Haruto, watching the battle between Will and Oliver, voiced.

“Fuuka, can you already see the result of this match?”

　I ask Fuuka casually.

“That’s–“

“Oh hoh, that’s a no go. Fuuka, you can’t just reply so honestly.”

　I asked the question because I wanted to confirm how far ahead Fuuka’s [Future Sight] could see, but Haruto notices my intent and stops her. 

　Well, they obviously wouldn’t let me know. 

　……Though I feel like I could have heard if Haruto wasn’t there.

“But, he asked.”

“Just because he’s asking you’re going to answer? He’s your enemy, alright.”

“……? Orn isn’t an enemy?”

　Fuuka tilts her head doubtfully as though saying “what are you talking about”. 

“……Eh? Am I the one who said something wrong? Is it my mistake?”

　And in response, Haruto falls under the illusion that he was actually mistaken. 

　Haruto was undoubtedly the one who was right during that exchange. 

　As I’m thinking that they’re definitely interesting people while watching them speak, there’s a development in the fight between Will and Oliver.

　Just when I thought Will was going to be pushed back, he, even if somewhat forcefully, parries Oliver’s sword and deflects its trajectory.

　One blade of his double-edged sword catches Oliver and sends him backwards.

“Oh, Wilkes, you’re good. That should have worked on even Oliver.”

　Haruto, talking with Fuuka, is impressed by Will’s counterattack, which must have been invisible, coming from a blindspot. 

　However, contrary to Haruto’s expectations, Oliver is standing as if nothing had happened.

　As Will’s surprised face widens, mana gathers in Oliver’s blade and golden magic materialises.

　Will must have judged that to be [Heavenly Flash]. 

　As he closes the distance to deal with the slash before it’s released, Oliver enters Will’s range and swings his sword at Will’s abdomen.

<This is the decider~! The winner is Oliver the ‘Hero’. Wilkes did try valiantly to counterattack, but was still unable to reach him.>

　Wilkes’ counterattack was probably prevented by [Mana Convergence].

　In the past, Oliver regarded [Mana Convergence] as sacred, or rather, he regarded it too specially and never used it for anything other than attacking.

　However, in this battle, he used [Mana Convergence] for defence twice.

　Has he had a change of heart?

　The sense of discomfort I’m feeling towards the members of the Hero Party is growing larger inside me. 

(Does Luna know anything about this? But I don’t want to do anything conspicuous like going to the mansion. –Ah, what should I do?)

　Will, who had fainted, is brought to the waiting room on a stretcher.

　The colour of his face isn’t too good.

“How’s Will?”

　I ask the staff member who had brought Will.

“He is not in a life-threatening state. However, there’s a possibility his ribs are broken, so we will be bringing him to the infirmary for treatment.”

“Understood. Can I come with you?”

“There’s no problem. Then, let’s go.”

　I did want to watch Haruto and Fuuka fight, but I think it would be a bit discouraging for Will to wake up without any of his friends around.

　I would like to stay with him at least until he wakes up.

　　◇

“Will!”

　After we reached the infirmary and were waiting for the Healer to treat him, the door suddenly opens with a slam and Lucre enters. 

“Hey! Is Will going to be okay?”

　She asks with an anxious face as soon as she enters.

“Lucre, calm down. Will will be fine. He’s suffered some physical trauma, but he’s going to be okay.”

　She finally regains his composure after hearing what I said.

“I see. Great….. Sorry for making a fuss. –Um, do you mind if I take care of healing Will?”

“Well…….”

　Troubled by Lucre’s sudden offer, the Healer looked over at me. 

“She’s the Healer who’s in a party with Will and I.”

“I see, so you’re the Healer from ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’. If that’s the case, then there’s no problem.”

“Thank you.”

　The Healer gives up their place, and Lucre, standing by Will’s side, instantly activates the advanced recovery magic, [Ex Heal].

　As usual, she’s quick in building the formula. 

“For now, this should be okay?”

　Lucre, confirming the effect, murmurs reassured as she looks at Will’s face.

“…….Then, I’m going to go back to the waiting room. Can I ask you to take care of Will?”

“Eh!? Ah, yeah! Leave it to me! Orn, all the best! Win for Will too!”

“–Ah. I’m off then.”

　I leave Will in Lucre’s hands and return to the waiting room.

　　◇

“Orn, welcome back.”

　I arrive at the waiting room and Fuuka greets me.

　Normally, I’d have definitely replied, but currently, I’m too stunned by the sight before my eyes. 　

“…….What’s with, that amount.”

“……? Lunch. Next is me, before that I thought I should eat up.”

　On the floor of the waiting room, Fuuka has laid out a blue sheet, and lined up on top of that is a huge amount of food.

　More than enough for several adults.

　She probably bought everything from the food stalls.

“No, isn’t that too much? You’re going to be fighting later, right? Won’t it be tough?”

　For me, I wouldn’t mind if she lost, but I couldn’t help but point out the problem.

“Eating just this much, won’t be tough later, it’s okay.”

　She answers my question while happily chomping down on grilled octopus.

　……I think I can understand why Katina said she ate too much the other day.

“…… I see.”

<Oh oh, just like in the first round, Haruto has destroyed his opponent’s weapon! With this, both contestants have no weapons. Will this be where Haruto presses!?>

　Hearing the commentary, I move to a position where I can see Haruto’s fight. 

　In a situation without an ally’s buffs and without weapons, there was no way for Haruto’s opponent to win, so what I got to see was Haruto’s one-sided domination.

　Haruto’s opponent, Olaf from “Blue Autumn’s Rain” is guarding and trying to persevere. 

　On the other side is Haruto’s light footwork, allowing no gap for retaliation and striking from every conceivable location. 

　Finally, Olaf can no longer endure and his guard slackens when Haruto comes in with a powerful strike, which ends up being the decisive blow. 

“This is the finish! Haruto overcame the disadvantage of using no weapon and won the match! This is the power of an S Rank explorer!”

“Ah~, I’m tired. –Oh, Orn, you’re back.”

“Yeah, just a few minutes ago. Congratulations on your victory.”

“Thanks. Though, was fighting against someone used to support magic. Can’t lose, right?”

“The way you say that, sounds like you’re not used to being buffed.”

“Well, who knows. –Wait, what the heck are you doing?”

　Haruto walks into the waiting room and when he sees Fuuka, can’t help but point out.

“Lunch.”

“If Katie scolds you, it ain’t my business.”

　Even though Haruto is shocked, he isn’t saying anything to stop her, so eating this much might just be a daily thing for her. 

　　◇

　After about an hour’s break from the end of Haruto’s match, the third match begins.

　The combatants are Fuuka and Keiron from “Amber Flash”.

　They’re already facing each other in the middle of the arena.

<Well then! Let the third match of the second round begin! –Eh?>

　Immediately after the announcer calls the start of the fight, a stunned voice follows. 

　That’s not surprising.

　As soon as the match started, Fuuka moved to the spot where Keiron was standing.

　And that Keiron is now lying unconscious near her.

　For the first time that I know of, the entire arena falls silent.

“We still have to fight?”

　Fuuka asks the referee.

　Because it’s such a quiet space, even Fuuka’s soft voice is clearly audible to those around.

“The, the winner, Fuuka from ‘Lacquered Evening Mist’!”

<It’s, it’s decided! To think it was an instant finish! I have completely no idea what just happened!?>

　The spectators are also astir.

　That’s natural.

　Yesterday, although Fuuka had also won with a single strike, it was at least a counter to her opponent’s attack. 

　No one in the audience could have imagined such a result.

“Why did you use ‘Ki’……”

　Haruto mutters in a voice so quiet that it would normally be missed.

　Right now, to not miss even a single movement of Fuuka’s fists or feet, I’ve activated [Dexterity Up] [Quadruple], [Sight Up] along with [Vision Up] on myself, so I was able to catch that.

“What’s this ‘Ki’?”

“Hmm? You heard me? You’ve got good hearing. ‘Ki’ is a general term for a technique that’s been passed down in my family. Sorry, don’t plan on telling you any more than that.

　By “my family”, you mean the Tendou family?

　But Fuuka’s family name is Shinonome. And she can still use ‘Ki’, he just said.

　It’s not simply a secret hereditary technique, it’s definitely something that Fuuka has mastered.

　I don’t know what this “Ki” is, but should I assume that it’s directly related to Fuca’s strength?

　…..Let’s do a little research.

　　◇

“Well, let’s pull ourselves together! The third match was over in a flash, but the fourth match is once again a showdown between S Rank explorers!! The ‘Hero’ Derrick Moseley,  versus the ‘Dragon Slayer’!>

　After finishing my preparations, I walk to the centre of the arena.

　From the other side, Derrick is staring at me with a demonic look on his face.

　He looks like he’s holding a serious grudge over yesterday. 

“Small fry explorer, yesterday, even for a surprise attack, you’ve gone and done it! I’ll kill you, get ready!”

“…..Killing is against the rules. Why’s someone like a ‘Hero’ doing things like that?”

“Shut up! Even if you cry and apologise, I won’t forgive you!”

　……If he’s letting this much blood rush to his head, there might not even be a need to be careful. 

　I pull out my short sword from my waist and hold it in my right hand in a reverse grip. 

　Now, let’s get this over with.

–

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