———


  “……I see.”


  “I’m very……sorry.”


  Erina, who had informed me of my mother’s death, hung her head down without wiping away her tears.

  I don’t know whether that action is from her feelings of guilt for having kept it a secret, or her feelings of powerlessness. However as the person most impacted by the revelation, I was—like a calm in the sea—composed. Normally, being informed that one’s mother had passed away is something that would make one lose their composure.

  However my previous life experiences don’t allow me to do that.

  It was a life where I had repeatedly killed people, and one where countless friends died in front of my eyes. Even though I have sad feelings, tears just don’t come out at all. As someone who is desensitized at those people’s life-and-death, I’m more lamentable.

  “Erina, I’m all right.”


  “But! I lied—……”


  “You were thinking of what was best for me and kept it a secret. Granted that I’m thankful for that, but there’s no reason for me to resent you for it, right?”


  “Even so……I……”


  I return my eyes to the picture. There are many parts that resembled me: to the extent that it would give someone the impression that I unmistakably took after my mother. I wonder what kind of person she was while she was alive.

  “Rather than that, I’d like to talk about my mother.”


  “Eh? Things about ojou-sama?”


  “Yeah. I want to hear about what kind of person she was, what she liked, anything really.”


  “Ok. Miliaria……it’s Aria-sama, but she was a simple and innocent lady.”


  Most likely recalling my mother in those days, her expression slightly softened. ‘Simple and innocent’, but as far as I can see from the picture, she does have a pure, innocent and meek atmosphere.

  “She was the only daughter of one of the noble families: the Eldrand family. A lady overflowing with dignity and with a kind heart that saved me when I had fallen into misfortune and was despairing. A lot of her conduct was not noble-esque, but strangely, she had a charisma that fascinated people. However the Eldrand family lost a fight for political power with another noble family and together with their house, they were divested of their noble title. There was a foolish noble who fell in love at first sight with that Aria-sama. By marrying herself to that noble, she was promised that her parents would be safe.”


  So she sold herself for the sake of her family? I wonder just how much resignation she carried.

  “It was awful after that. The foolish noble kept Aria-sama company just once and then lost interest, and shut her up in this mansion without conferring any status to her at all. The three of us, who had nowhere to go, were employed for this mansion by Aria-sama’s recommendation. Luckily or unluckily, Aria-sama was pregnant with Sirius-sama. As soon as that became clear, though only giving a little bit of money, ‘raise Sirius-sama as a spare heir’……he said.”


  I’m sure they were vexed from the bottom of their heart. Even though that detestable noble is my father, she’s not holding back. That’s fine, the whole time……that was just the resentment piled up for years. I think she’s putting an end to that and spitting it all out. .

  “It was proven afterwards, but the fight for political power was discovered to be caused by that noble because he also wanted Aria-sama. Her parents are also untraceable. How often I loathed that noble…”


  Truly a sleazebag.

  Knowing these facts, if I had met him yesterday, then I probably would’ve done him in. I had the confidence that I could do him in without being affected at all. I’m having dark thoughts, and suddenly Erina-san—who had wrinkled her brow—smiled wryly.

  “However, Aria-sama was different. While caressing her stomach that had become enlarged, she happily said ‘my child’ and was in high-spirits. I also said something impolite like ‘It’s that noble’s child!’, but this is what Aria-sama said:”


  “Neglect it because it’s that man’s child? That’s absolutely not okay. This child is innocent, so we have to raise him well. Besides, my mother and father are alive somewhere, and there’s also Erina, Dee and Noel here as well. It’s an environment where I can feel at ease and raise this child, right? What more can I ask for?”


  “……Being told that, there was nothing I could say in reply. That lady simply thought that as long as Sirius-sama and we were safe, it was okay’, and only that. Moreover, that ‘this child is the child of all of us’. She truly was a lady of high caliber.”


  Indomitable, or perhaps I should say, a really magnanimous person. Even if she wasn’t my mother, I would have liked to have met her once.

  “As her last month of pregnancy approached, Aria-sama’s physical condition suddenly changed. Since she was a lady who had a bit of a weak constitution to begin with, perhaps that was also as a matter of course. ‘Giving birth in that weakened condition is suicidal’. Nevertheless, Aria-sama replied that she would give birth, and then……”


  I was born and my mother died……is what she means?

  “Your name is Sirius. My Sirius, I love you. Please live honestly believing in yourself and without being bound to anything. That’s your mother’s wish. Erina, I leave the rest to you. Give him……my love as well.”


  “Those were Aria-sama’s last words. I was at a loss with the bequeathed Sirius-sama in front of me, but the moment I held you up in my arms, all my anxiety and confusion disappeared. The detestable man’s child; even so, exactly as Aria-sama said, the child is completely innocent. At that moment, I succeeded Aria-sama’s will, and I swore to protect Sirius-sama. Even though I swore to protect you……I—……”


  After that, Erina-san continued to talk about the current situation while crying.

  For example, that yesterday’s noble—my father—was named Bardomir Dorian. That we somehow manage to get by with the scarce amount of money granted to us. That we could live in this house for another five years.

  It was Erina-san who had vented out her heart full of emotions, but now—as if she finally regained her composure—she embarrassingly held her head in her hands. She had likely remembered that the person she was talking to was a three-year-old child.

  “Haa……For me to be showing such an appearance—. I am sorry, I lost my composur—……”


  “It’s fine. As I understood it all.”


  “You……understand? But for a three-year-old to understand that…”


  Erina-san was making a face of curiosity, but as I tell her about yesterday’s conversation, her face becomes dyed with surprise. If you’re that surprised just from me having eavesdropped on the conversation, then I wonder what will happen with what I’m about so say next.

  “Erina, what I’m about to talk about is something crazy.”


  “What……are you going to talk about?”


  “My secret. You might not believe me, but I want you to listen and then make a judgement.”


  Without a fragment of innocence. I’m giving off something similar to a overbearing atmosphere: I wonder how she will perceive me. We are silently looking hard at one another, but Erina-san gave a smile.

  “Please let me hear what you have to say without making such an anxious face. Whatever happens, I am on your side.”


  Mu, is it shown on my face? Perhaps it’s strongly influenced by the immature body, I’ve been lax in my control of my expression.

  “Does Erina have dreams?”


  “Yes I do, I’ve had them several times but it’s often the case that I don’t remember them.”


  “What if one was able to see that clearly, and moreover, remember it?”


  ‘Hey, my previous existence was in another world and I have the memories of a person who lived until they were over sixty.’……even if I were to explain it like that, it’d only be troublesome in various ways. If that’s the case, then it would be okay if I make my whole previous existence a ‘dream’.

  “Although I forgot when it started, I’ve been continuously seeing a certain man in my dreams. It’s as if I became that person; everyday I have various experiences, I study various things. Even when I wake up, it remains in my head, and I acquire that knowledge when I become aware of it.”


  “That sort of thing is… Ano, do you have those dreams even now?”


  “I still have them. Recently I participated in a war and learned how to fight. That’s the reason why I could defeat those goblins. Although I don’t know why it turned out like this, I think it’s a good thing. I was thus able to save Erina because of it.”


  “…………”


  I tried telling Erina-san my secret while summing it up; I feel that it’s going well, but she had a pensive look on her face.

  Honestly, my rate of growth is abnormal; thus it wouldn’t even be strange for her to call me a monster.

  Her reply was……to hug me.

  “Rarely crying, reading the letters of the alphabet in merely a year, and comprehending magic. I had various doubts, but to think that there were such reasons for it… Not to mention things like war……you have been through many hardships haven’t you?”


  Uuumu, I didn’t think that she would believe it this easily. She said that my mother was a big-shot, but Erina-san is every bit a ‘big-shot’.

  Iya……it’s different. In regards to me, she is unconditionally on my side. Even if I was a criminal or whatever, she would continue to protect me.

  “The aforementioned is my secret. Therefore I comprehend the current situation. I will be chased out after five years, right?”


  “Hai, it is as you say. If I only had more power……”


  “Come now, it’s not like that. I’m here right now because Erina has done her best. It’s also why Dee and Noel are also able to be here, smiling.”


  “I am not worthy of those words.”


  The affection that Erina-san is directing at me can only be seen as the love one has for their own child. I think it’d be okay if she revealed a bit more of herself, but since there’s her position and everything, let’s respect her wishes.

  As she is an attendant, what I’ll say is this:

  “Once again, thank you Erina. I’m counting on you from now on as well.”


  “Hai!”


  It somehow worked out amicably. I was also able to explain my current state of affairs, so I can most likely move around flamboyantly from now on.

  “Sirius-sama, if it’s alright with you, what do you think about also telling Dee and Noel what we just talked about?”


  “To both of them as well?”


  “Like me, the two of them were saved by Aria-sama, and we have been through hardships together. They are people worthy of your trust.”


  “I understand. Let’s explain it to them when they get back. I wonder what kind of face they’ll make when they find out the current state of affairs and the truth.”


  “They’ll be astonished. I look forward to seeing just how much that expressionless face of Dee’s will crumble.”


  Erina-san and I laughed while imagining the pair’s response. Noel losing her cool, Dee calming her down while expressionless, Erina-san smiling. Things weren’t just going back to how they were; from now on, it’s not just me, we’re all going to become stronger.

  Afterwards, I tidied up the kitchen, boiled some water and wiped down Erina-san’s body. Erina-san did nothing but modestly decline, and yet she smiled delightfully when I wiped her down.

  I prepare the black tea again, and at around the time the sun goes down, the two people who had gone out had returned. They came back, but they’re strangely noisy. They ran around the house while making the sounds of large footsteps, and opened the door of the room without a knock.

  “Erina-san! Are you alright?!”


  Noel was breathing roughly and burst into the room. One step behind her, Dee also burst into the room. It was so noisy that Erina-san held her hand to her forehead and sighed.

  “Noel, you are being noisy. First get through reporting of your return to Sirius-sama.”


  “A, hai! I’ve returned home, Sirius-sama! Ah, not that…Erina-san, medicine! Demon’s Water disease is spreading widely in the town, and we hurried back!”


  “I understand, so settle down and explain it calmly.”


  Noel was completely in a state of confusion; we had a hard time calming her down.

  To summarise her story, the Demon’s Water disease recently started to spread widely in the town. The town was in chaos but due to the medicines on reserve, they safely restored the peace; however, our house had run out of medicine. They had planned to replenish it on this shopping trip, but that the disease would spread with this timing was a misjudgement. However, the house is a long way from the town. With that distance, they probably thought that she wouldn’t get infected, but then they remembered the reason for why they had come to the town.

  This time’s shopping trip was in order to not meet my father, but that father is to meet with Erina-san. And the Demon’s Water disease had also spread widely in the neighbouring town from where father had departed from. The possibility of water-attribute Erina-san being infected was extremely high.

  Having realized that today, they returned in a fluster.

  Having finished explaining, Noel finally calmed down. While expressionless, Dee is also calm, and seeing Erina-san’s face in good health, the pair let leak a sigh of relief.

  “Iyaa, I feel relieved. It’s really great that Erina-san wasn’t infected.”


  “I’m glad.”


  “I was infected.”


  “……eh?”


  Noel’s smile solidified.

  “Oh come on, you are full of life aren’t you? Please stop joking around.”


  “It’s not a joke. I was infected with Demon’s Water disease, but I drank the medicine and have recovered completely.”


  “We ran out of medicine didn’t w—……aah, was there in fact just one remaining?”


  “We had run out. Sirius-sama compounded some for me.”


  I was sitting beside her and she went to pat my head but stopped, however I catch ahold of her hand and forcibly make her pat my head. In all likelihood, knowing my true nature, she probably thought that it would be rude to pat my head; but she would have normally patted my head before, so I resorted to telling her with my body: ‘isn’t it fine if you pat me without reserve?’. It seemed like it got through to her; she patted me. My interior is an ossan, but I am a child so it’s fine.

  “Heeh, as expected of Sirius-sama. Who would’ve guessed that he could also……do……eeeeeeh!”


  “Erina is convalescing, so if you could be a bit more quieter…”


  “Ha, hai! But, how did you do the compounding? Even though there wasn’t any Water Demon grass in the house…”


  “About that, there’s something I need to tell you. Dee, Noel, not a word to anyone about what I’m about to talk about.”


  “Eh? Eh? What is, what’s going on?”


  “I understand. Noel, calm down a bit.”


  Noel started to become confused once again, but Dee changed his posture to intently and exclusively listen to me while calming Noel down. As Erina-san was looking over here, I nodded and invited her to continue. I entrusted the explanation to Erina-san. It’s by no means because it was troublesome. That way they could accept it more easily, and if she makes a mistake, then it’ll be okay if I point them out.

  While interjecting in Erina-san’s explanation, the sun had completely fallen around the time we finished talking. Now then, as for the two who found out my secret…


  “ “………” ”


  Just as I thought, they are speechless.

  Noel’s face is swinging between rejoice and worry, and Dee was expressionless with a furrow on his face, earnestly submerged in the swirls of his thoughts. Well, yeah, you wouldn’t be able to act normally after being slapped with that information all of a sudden. It seemed like the stillness would last for a long time, so I re-make several people’s worth of tea, I place it in front of the two of them, and they finally restarted.

  “There are various things which I can’t believe, but there are also points which I understand. Moreover, this is also……”


  Noel drinks the black tea which I had prepared, and gave a satisfied nod.

  “This black tea, it’s not a flavour which can be brought out very easily. Actually, isn’t it more delicious than the one I make?! It’s mortifying……er no, has Dee-san taught Sirius-sama how to prepare black tea before?”


  “……I haven’t.”


  “I haven’t either. Erina-san hasn’t either right?”


  “Of course. Since preparing the tea is our job.”


  This girl sometimes displays penetrating insight.

  Like Noel said, the three of them didn’t teach me how to do it. In my previous life, my shishou was a black-tea-otaku, so I was just forced to memorize it. It’s okay since I don’t have an obsession with it, but if my shishou was to drink the black tea of this world, it’s an established fact that we would undergo a lecture course while sitting in seiza.

  There’s a standard for black tea called the ‘golden rule’; in this world, that standard is crude. The temperature of the water is low, the steaming time is short, etc.: there are various points but I received the best parts of the method.

  The discussion has gone off track. At any rate, this means that Noel is convinced by the fact that I could use a method of preparing tea which I wasn’t taught.

  “Ume~……it’s delicious but it’s vexing. Don’t you think so too, Dee-san?”


  “It’s delicious, but not vexing. Please teach me next time.”


  “Ouch! I never would’ve thought that it would be backwards and I would be the one taught; as your onee-chan, I’m……eei, please teach me too!”


  The pride of the older sister is cheap. Maa, I also drink black tea, so let’s show the three of them how to prepare it next time.

  Just as everyone had accepted the story, Noel’s stomach growled. Her face was bright red, but there’s no helping it as it’s already past dinner time.

  “I’ll exchange the magic tool, and immediately make preparations.”


  “Uu, please do.”


  “Dee, as the fire I ignited some time ago is still left on, I think it’ll be okay if you leave the exchange for after you’ve made dinner.”


  “Understood. To be able to handle the fire stone, as expected.”


  “About that, the box had fallen and all the stones had cracked; I had a hard time because of it.”


  “ “ “Eh!?” ” ”


  Was there something weird with what I said?

  However, the three of them all had their mouths open and are speechless…


  “Dee, there wasn’t supposed to be a spare magic square, right?”


  “There isn’t.”


  “And I, of the fire-attribute, had also gone out.”


  “Sirius-sama, I am sorry but how did you prepare the fire?”


  “I used frictional heating on the live coals, was it something unwise?”


  “Frictional heating?”


  I have a feeling that we’re not quite on the same conversation wavelength.

  It’s said that the proof is better than the argument; it’s in the bedroom, but I prepare the same things as I did yesterday and created just the live coals. Good kids, don’t copy me too much.

  “No aria? This isn’t magic, is it?”


  “Amazing, doesn’t it mean that magic squares and fire-attribute holders are unnecessary for this?”


  “This is the first time I’ve seen it. This is revolutionary.”


  Such a primitive method is revolutionary?

  I don’t really understand the conventional wisdom of this worl—……wait a second?

  In that instant, I realized that I had made an unexpected misunderstanding.

  Ending with this one insight, the incident this time was resolved.

  Volume 16, Intermission: Let’s Start by Giving Up First

  — Beowulf —


  The Swordsman Saint.

  It was one of the famous swordsmen equal to that famous Strongest Sword, Lior.

  And… he was the person that I admired most.

  But… since such a father passed away and left me and my sick mother behind, I also hated him at the same time.

  Until a while ago…


  I was defeated by Sirius-san at the Fighting Festival where many strong people gathered.

  I was completely defeated by an overwhelming difference in strength.

  It was frustrating to be defeated, but thanks to that, I was able to hear about my father from Sirius-san.

  The reason why I wanted to be strong was because I thought that if I got close to the strength of my father, I might know the reason why he left my mother.

  That was why I was only thinking about becoming stronger, but… something within me changed from that day.

  I didn’t know about my father much.

  For that reason, I thought that I would like to learn more, and I went on a trip again.

  It was said that the Strongest Sword, Lior… took care of father at his last moment, so I kept traveling to look for that man.

  —


  “I’m sorry. I don’t know.” (??)

  “There are many people who adore the Strongest Swords and have greatsword. Where is the real one?” (??)

  “Oi oi, there’s a rumor that the Strongest Sword is already dead, you know? It’s just a waste of looking.” (Beowulf)

  However, even if he searched from him, the Strongest Sword had suddenly disappeared decades ago. Hence, there was little information since he was publicly believed to have been dead.

  Even when he gathered information from pub or people who walked down the road, he was told that nobody knew about the Strongest Sword.

  “But, there is no doubt that he is still alive.” (Beowulf)

  I didn’t think that Sirius-san and Reus-kun who had such strength would tell a lie, and since Jekyll-san who knew the Strongest Sword more than anything, he told that Reus’ ‘Single Strike Ultimate Destruction Sword Style’ was not an imitation.

  I heard that he was considerably old, but there was no doubt that the Strongest Sword was still alive.

  “Besides, I don’t expect the existence who hold the strength that much to be conspicuous. If that’s the case… he may be in disguise or may have changed the name.” (Beowulf)

  That was why I changed aim a little. I would try to find an elderly man with a greatsword…


  And Sirius-san told me another clue when we parting.

  <Since he was thinking to join together with us, you may meet him if you go back the way we’ve come through.> (Sirius)

  Because of that, I went to the town that Sirius-san mentioned while collecting information, and I had been coming to the Mellifest Continent from the Adload Continent.

  This was the first time for me to be in the Melifest Continent.

  It would be good if I could find the Strongest Sword in this continent, but…


  —


  “An old man with a greatsword? That remind me, I feel like I heard about him the other day.” (??)

  A couple of days after coming to the continent, I finally got such information at a tavern in a town a distant away from the port town.

  “Really!? Where is that man?” (Beowulf)

  “No, I don’t know where he went. I heard that he was an old man who earned money by annihilating all bandits used to be around this area. That old man had a greatsword…” (??)

  “Thank you very much. I will head to the guild at once!” (Beowulf)

  Based on the obtained clues, I went to the Adventurer Guild of the same town.

  Since the Adventurer Guild was a place to receive rewards of eliminating bandits, more information could be obtained there.

  I immediately asked the receptionist, but…


  “He certainly came here a few days ago. I remembered him well because he was amazing.” (??)

  “Yes. After destroying almost ten groups of bandits, he brought the bandit leaders together but it was amazing because half of it weren’t restrained. They couldn’t escape because they were too scared of the old man.” (??)

  In a short moment, I was delighted to get the information. However, the receptionist, who saw me wanting to see the old man, showed a difficult expression.

  “That old man said he was heading to the Adload Continent. If you are not chasing him in hurry, you won’t make it in time.” (??)

  It seemed that we were somehow gone past each other.

  I immediately set of and returned to the port town for the public ship service that was same from the Adload Continent.

  —


  While waiting for a large sailing ship departed from the port town and went to the Adload Continent, I was sitting on the rail of a ship and vaguely looking at the scenery.

  ‘What would I ask if I meet the Strongest Sword?’


  ‘Will it be about father’s last moment?’


  ‘Is it about his strength?’


  No… would he talked to me in the first place?

  Either way, I wouldn’t know until I met him.

  As I decided, suddenly the sound of the bell on the ship being hit hard echoed.

  “Enemy attack! Enemy attack! It’s pirates–!” (??)

  When I turned around, I saw a ship bigger than the ship that I got onboard was coming closer.

  I felt like they were used to this attack from the point of attacking at somewhere far from the land. It seemed impossible to escape because the speed of that ship was faster, so the battle seemed unavoidable.

  Since I carried weapons as always, I spoke to a sailor nearby who was preparing for interception.

  “I am an adventurer. I will lend a hand by fighting them.” (Beowulf)

  “Ooh! That really helps! Please help us fighting the pirates.” (Sailor)

  “Understood. By the way, who is that pirate?” (Beowulf)

  “Recently, there is a pirate group that make its presence felt in this area. We are trying to hire escorts here, but… there are more than expected.” (Sailor)

  They are other adventurers who had similar thoughts as me and we were the escort onboard the ship, but it seemed that there were more enemies than imagined as the sailor said.

  There was a considerable difference in battle force, but… I wouldn’t be defeated.

  From thereupon, those who couldn’t fight entered the cabin. There were several adventurers had unleashed magic toward the pirate ship, but there were also magic unleashed from the pirate ship and intercepted them.

  The magic unleashed hit each other’s ship, but since the magic was intermediate level at best, it wouldn’t sink the ship. It was probably because they had no plan to sink their prey which was our boat.

  After all, their battle force was focus more on close combat.

  “But, this is what I want.” (Beowulf)

  And then, as the pirate ship was lining up, many ropes were thrown and the ships were tied together. The pirates wearing black clothes like marks on their heads started attacking this ship.

  The number of pirates that attacked was nearly twice the number of us, but it seemed that they weren’t strong enemies based on their movements.

  I didn’t only targeted the incoming enemies but also I randomly swung at random.

  “Just because you have two swords… guhaa!?” (??)

  “What’s with his movement, so fast…. gyaa!?” (??)

  “Damn, this is a strong one! Call that guy!” (??)

  More reinforcements came after we cleared up nearly half of them, but there was one person was clearly different from others.

  An adventurer was swinging sword to that man, but far from stopping him, that man sliced the adventurer together with the sword he had.

  That strength… apparently, he seemed to be the captain of the enemies.

  Since we couldn’t afford to reduce our battle force, I rushed out to try to take on that man.

  “I will not let you do that anymore!” (Beowulf)

  “Uoo!? Aren’t you doing well!?” (??)

  “You stopped my sword very well. But…” (Beowulf)

  If compared to Sirius-san and Reus-kun, he was slow.

  The man intercepted my swords couple of times, but he couldn’t respond with the swift speed which gradually became faster, and I slashed the man’s body with my sword at the end of exchanging blows.

  “It can’t be… I…” (??)

  “…Phew. Next is…” (Beowulf)

  “Alright, break it quickly! If you want to take the hostage, they are here!” (??)

  “It seems I have no time to relax!” (Beowulf)

  While I was a bit delayed because of that man, several pirates tried to break the door to the cabin.

  Perhaps they wanted to weaken our movement by taking civilian as hostages, but I wouldn’t let them.

  When I approached the pirate who was trying to swing an ax down to the door of the cabin from behind…


  “Too noisy!” (??)

  When I thought of that loud noise which suddenly reverberated to the point it shook the ship, the door of the cabin was blown away by shockwaves… No, it was shattered.

  That shock wave, which seemed to have been unleashed from inside the door, blew the pirates, who tried to shake down the ax, in the sky and fell in the sea.

  While the enemies and allies were stunned due to that sight, a large old man to the point of making me looked up, came out from cabin, and he appeared with a greatsword with length similar to his height in one hand.

  “You are noisier! This old man…!” (??)

  “Well then, you are just loud!” (L???) (TLN: You know who.)

  A pirate nearby swung a sword to the old man, but when I thought whether his wrist was blurring, the pirate were cut into two together with his sword. In addition, there was a large cutting clearly remained on the ship.

  To swing such a greatsword easily… maybe this old man was…?

  “Nuhh… Although I was sleeping comfortably, what is this all about!?” (L???)

  ‘No, let’s leave him for now.’


  The reason was… this old man seemed to be in a very bad mood.

  Although he looked frustrated to be woken up in that way, I could feel the fear of touching God’s wrath from that intimidation and bloodlust. If I spoke poorly, I might be cut in two.

  As I instinctively swallowed saliva due to the strength that I had never felt before, the old man turned face over to me.

  “The youngster over there! If you are not an enemy, tell me what’s going on.” (L???)

  “What’s going on… is it?” (Beowulf)

  “What’s with these pirates?” (L???)

  “Uhmm, they are real pirates and this ship is currently being attacked…” (Beowulf)

  “Hmm… so the pirates are the ones that wrap cloth on their heads, right?” (L???)

  “That’s right…” (Beowulf)

  I instinctively realized that it would be useless to oppose this old man.

  And with the way I was at the present… I absolutely couldn’t win against him no matter what.

  “Kuh… This is troublesome. Oi, the youngster over there. Since you have skills, stay there.” (L???)

  “Ha… Haa…” (Beowulf)

  Without listening to my reply, while the old man was yawning, he started walking toward the pirate ship.

  Of course, the pirates were unlikely to miss such an impressive old man who was walking. The pirates, who had been paralyzed by the intimidation and bloodlust, regained their minds one after another. And then, they assaulted the old man…


  “You’re hindrance! If you are rushing, I will do it!” (L???)

  Six pirates were jumping at the same time and when I thought whether the old man’s arm got blurred again… all the six pirates fell to the sea while they were cut into two.

  I could see it barely but perhaps the number of times the sword was shaken… was three times.

  First, he slashed half of the pirates that approach from the side. Then, he cut the remainder with counterattack. Lastly, he greatly swung while generating wind pressure at the same time to blow off the pirates.

  …I could say nothing but ridiculous.

  While being taken aback, the old man came aboard the pirate ship by himself and killed the pirates at the same time.

  “Oo, oi oi!? What’s that old man doing?” (??)

  “Leave him alone! Do you have time to worry about that old man!?” (??)

  The adventurers who were fighting nearby were amazed with his behavior.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t understand their amazement feeling, but if my imagination about that old man was right… I felt that it was rather dangerous if he stayed on this ship.

  The strength and sword momentum were too strong. Every time he sliced a pirate, the ship was also damaged. If this was the case, the ship was likely to sink before the pirates were annihilated.

  As the old man got into the pirate ship, the enemy’s reinforcements also stopped. So, we defeated the pirates on our side and let out a breath.

  However, there were still pirates left on the other ship.

  Leaving the defense to other adventurers, I jumped onto the pirate ship after the old man, and the sight that was spreading there… was already a disaster.

  “Ooooo—!” (L???)

  “““Gyaaahhh–!?””” (??)

  Every time the old man, who was surrounded by nearly fifty pirates, wielded his sword, the pirates were killed, danced in the air, and blown off into the sea.

  “Although I was sleeping comfortably, because of you, you woke me upppp–!” (L???)

  “Do-don’t know about that… guhaa!?” (??)

  “Help…. gahaa!?” (??)

  “You can choose either you will be cut off by me and be fed to fishes, or you can jump into the sea yourself and become a fish feed!” (L???)

  “Whichever we choose, we still die!?” (??)

  As I expected, every time the old man swung the sword, the ship was also damaged.

  It seemed like he was venting his anger, so I wasn’t sure now who was the bad guy.

  “Magic Team, stop him before the ship is destroyed! Cast magic all at once!” (??)

  “What a fool!” (L???)

  “Wha!? What’s going on!?” (??)

  “One more time… gaahh!?” (??)

  Far from clearing away all the magic that were unleashed, he approached them while they were surprised, and he mow them down.

  Rather than being knocked down, it seemed the pirates went all out because of their current situation being trampled. From the cabin that the man I fought earlier came, four people who seemed to be strong appeared.

  Among there, there was a man who had a similar size ax with the old man… and from the feeling of intimidation and bloodlust that could be felt even from a distance, he seemed to be the enemy’s boss.

  “Ca-captain Black! Help… aarggh!?” (??)

  “Cheh… when I think that guy won’t return, this happens, you know. Oi, the old man over there!” (Black)

  “Ooooo—!” (L???)

  “Old man! Are you listening!?” (Black)

  “Oraaa–!” (L???)

  “Don’t ignore me! If you don’t want to hear it, everyone, kill him!” (Black)

  Although the other side was calling, the old man completely ignored him and he continued slashing the pirates.

  When Black, who got impatient in that situation, gave instruction, the three people, who were in the vicinity, approached the rampaging old man.

  Although they were not at the degree of Black, those three people seemed to have considerable abilities.

  But…


  “We are the four heavenly kings of the pirate Black, I am the spear Jio–…” (??)

  “So, what!?” (L???)

  A man holding a spear was cut in half…


  “Wha!? With my axe, I will–…” (??)

  “If you have time to talk, swing your hands!” (L???)

  Unlike Black, the man who swung down his big axe was slain before he finished swinging…


  “The back is empty–…” (??)

  “You’re slow!” (L???)

  The man who went around the back, was slain by the old man who turned around faster than him.

  They were exaggerated bunch who called themselves, but they were easily disposed off.

  While other pirates started to be scared by the overwhelming, Black was the only one who had a fearless smile.

  “Heh, you can do that, huh. You came onboard alone.” (Black)

  “Hmm… you seem to be different from other small fishes.” (L???)

  “Of course. I am Black. In the streets, I am known an the Strongest Arm, Black, but… don’t you know that?” (Black)

  “Nope.” (L???)

  The old man replied as if he didn’t care, but I knew the Strongest Arm, Black.

  He was more or less one of the famous veteran adventurers by the guild, but he disappeared on a certain day. However, I didn’t expect he became a pirate in such a place.

  Furthermore, the giant ax that man had was said to be made of the heaviest ore… It seemed to be made of Gravilite or something, but given that size, it would be heavier than the sword that the old man had.

  In other words, it seemed he was known as the Strongest Arm because of how easy he swung that heavy ax.

  “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know. By the way, you might be the Strongest Sword–…” (Black)

  “It’s Ikki-Tousen!” (Tousen)

  “Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, I am confident that I won’t lose to anyone. Even if my opponent is an old man… So, shall we have a contest of strength?” (Black)

  “Hoo… that’s bold. Fine, shall I accept it?” (Tousen)

  And then, they both were swinging weapons with all strength at the same time.

  According to the rumor, Black was said to have strength that surpassed the Strongest Sword. As the rumor said, the speed of Black’s swinging axe was on par with the old man’s.

  If it was me, I would choose to avoid without hesitation, but the old man swung the sword with a slight delay…


  “…Ha?” (Black)

  “Only your strength is higher, but…” (Tousen)

  Not only Black’s weapon, I also heard that the old man’s weapon was made of Gravilite.

  When weapons made of the same material hit with nearly same amount of strength, a violent shock and a roaring sound reverberated, but as the weapons collided, the sound I heard was the sound of something falling into the distant sea.

  When I looked at Black and the old man who swung their weapons, only the black’s weapon had the blade part cut completely.

  “Well… It is a movement that relied on that weapon. ‘Single Strike Ultimate Destruction Sword Style’ is not only about strength, it is something to be wield with spirit and determination.” (Tousen)

  “Wa-wait!? I am the loser in this match–…” (Black)

  “Now you’re begging for life, huh! Nuoooo!” (Tousen)

  The old man swiftly swung the sword and cut Black in two.

  Although it appeared cruel, I didn’t feel that way. When he lost after challenging the other side, he begged for his life… it seemed that he wasn’t overwhelmingly prepared for the fight.

  Thus, Black, who was the leader of the pirates was killed, but another problem came up.

  “Ru-run!” (??)

  “Retreat! It will collapse!” (??)

  Hmm… I overdid it, huh.” (Tousen)

  “Why are you so calm about it!?” (Beowulf)

  The aftermath of cutting Black was also cut the mast which was also the center of the ship.

  I didn’t really care since it was a pirate ship, but the direction of the collapse was bad. It seemed the ship on which we were onboard would be damaged.

  We were in the sea that was far from the land, so I couldn’t let it break our ship.

  “If I can deviate it even a bit…” (Beowulf)

  After losing to Sirius-san, I also had train my strength in order to freely swung two weapons.

  If I gave a blow from the side before the mast fell…


  “[Break Thrust]…Unleashed!” (Beowulf)

  It was a technique I came up when looking at the battle between Sirius-san and Reus-kun.

  By receiving a shock from repeatedly hitting two swords, the direction of the falling mast was slightly deviated and it didn’t hit our boat.

  “Phew… that was dangerous.” (Beowulf)

  “Hou? You used an interesting technique…” (Tousen)

  I was horrified by the gaze like a beast that aimed at prey, but the remaining pirates completely lost the intention to fight when their leader was defeated. It could be said that they were scared by the overwhelming ability of the old man, but anyhow, this problem was solved.

  We left behind the pirate ship that could no longer be called as a pirate ship returned to our ship. When we returned to our ship, the sailors and adventurers delightfully celebrated the victory.

  The voices of praises were directed to us, but since the old man casually waved hands while returning to the cabin, I chased him in a hurry.

  “Excuse me! Are you…” (Beowulf)

  “Hmm? If you want to talk, do it later. Because I’m busy.” (Tousen)

  “Y-yes. Would you give me some time later?” (Beowulf)

  “Hmm… well, when the ship arrives in town, come and get me. I am sleepy!” (Tousen)

  He was busy… because of that?

  However, it seemed that he would hear since he was telling me to wake him up, so he wouldn’t disappear from the ship.

  I saw the old man went off into the cabin, and when I tried to explain the details to the captain or the crews, the ship suddenly swayed greatly.

  “Yeah, what is it?” (??)

  “Look, there are bunch of something on the ship…!” (??)

  “Something is coming out!” (??)

  When I think whether a violent water pillar had risen from around the pirate ship, something innumerable appeared and it was hitting the ship.

  It extended to this ship, and it wrapped around a nearby sailor and tried to drag him into the sea.

  “Wha-what’s going on!?” (??)

  “Damn, don’t get separated!” (??)

  “Don’t let go, [Phantom Flash]!” (Beowulf)

  The foundation of the [Phantom Sword]… it was a technique wielded by the speed that made it look like there were several swords, and with that, I cut the thing countless times in one go.

  Accordingly, as I confirmed, he was wrapped by tentacles of something, and a water column that was bigger than earlier rose up.

  “That’s huge… what is that monster?” (??)

  “Is that Gelsylla!?” (??) (TLN: The name in raw is ゲルスキュラ)

  “What is that?” (??)

  “It sunk a lot of ships these days. For us, it was a devilish monster. However, it shouldn’t appear unless we are in a sea that is further away from the continent. So why it is in such a place?” (??)

  “Maybe… it is because of blood. Perhaps, the blood of pirates sunk in the sea brought it here.” (??)

  A huge molluscan creature rose to the pirate sea from the sea while extending countless tentacles and it exposed itself on the deck of the pirate ship.

  It was huge… it was almost as big as a ship.

  As expected, I couldn’t handle that size. Whether the sailors understood it, they moved the rudder and mast to the get away from the pirate ship.

  Apparently, the monster seemed fixated with the corpses remained on the pirate ship, so if we didn’t poorly provoked it…


  “It’s a monster!” (??)

  “I will burn it with my magic!” (??)

  However, whether the adventurers lost their composure after seeing a huge monster, several of them shot Fire Magic.

  The magic couldn’t get through maybe because it was an intermediate magic, Flame Spear. On the contrary, it was distracted, and a tentacle attacked us once more.

  “You stupid! What are you doing!?” (Beowulf)

  “Bu-but…” (??)

  “Talk later! Now, cut the tentacles and earn time!” (Beowulf)

  Anyhow, that was the only way to escape.

  In order not to let the ship be dragged by the tentacles, we continued slicing the extending tentacles.

  However, no matter how many times we sliced it, the tentacles kept extending, and by the time we were overwhelmed by the numerous tentacles… violent footsteps sounded from behind.

  “I told you… it’s too noisy!” (Tousen)

  There was no need to look back.

  The old man, who came from the inside of the ship, jumped over us and was getting closer to the monster that was hanging on the deck of the pirate ship.

  While the anticipation voice came from sailors and some adventurers saying that he was reckless, the old man swung his sword…


  “[Shattering Strikes]… aarggh–!” (Tousen)

  When the sword was swung down with that yell, the monster… and the ship… were cut into two.

  And then, the monster and the ship that were cut into two sunk into the sea… and what remained after that was the wreckage of the ship and the sliced tentacles.

  While all the people, including me, who were looking at the sight were stunned, the old man came back to the ship with the debris as a foothold.

  “Damn it… now I am completely woke up.” (Tousen)

  —


  After that, the ship proceeded smoothly and finally, we saw the harbor of the Adload Continent which was the destination.

  The people and the ship were pretty worn-out, but they raised the voice of joy.

  However, no one dared to approach the old man even though he was a hero, except for some. It seemed that there were few people longing for his strength on this ship.

  Since the old man was gazing the sea on the deck alone, I approached and called him.

  “Excuse me… old man. Everyone is just afraid but they don’t dislike you. Please don’t mind about it.” (Beowulf)

  “What are you talking about, youngster? I was thinking that the monster was delicious. It was a rare monster, and I should pick the tentacles up as much as possible. It is regrettable.” (Tousen)

  “…” (Beowulf)

  …Yeah.

  It seemed better not to mind when this person was thinking like that.

  Anyway, let’s arrange the thought. Since he said he wasn’t sleepy anymore, it seemed that I could achieve my purpose this time.

  First, I should start with the topic of Reus being the disciple of this old man, and when I was thinking how to start the conversation, the old man turned face to me.

  “Youngster. Your swordsmanship… could it be the [Phantom Sword]?” (Tousen)

  “Aah… yes. My father is… the Sword Saint.” (Beowulf)

  “…Is that so? I see.” (Tousen)

  “You are the Strongest Sword, Lior-sama, right?” (Beowulf)

  “…Yes. But, I am not the Strongest Sword, Lior, now. I am Ikki-Tousen. I am just an old man who pursues strength.” (Lior)

  Although Lior-san talked as if he was a defeated man, he was smiling and talking proudly for some reason.

  I wanted to say that he was joking, but… I could somehow understand why. I understood because I could fight.

  Lior-san was surely… to Sirius-san… but it wasn’t possible for me to win.

  For that reason, since he became interested when I told about Sirius-san, I told everything that happened during the Fighting Festival.

  “You’re his friend, huh… speak freely.” (Lior)

  “No, I’m not asking you to teach me. I would like you to tell me the final moment of my father…” (Beowulf)

  “Wait a moment, I want to hear something before that.” (Lior)

  “What is it?” (Beowulf)

  Since he was asking to the point of interrupting my question, I guessed that it was considerably important.

  “The Silver Wolf-kin girl who was close to him… Was she fine?” (Lior)

  “…Girl? The boy is Reus-kun?” (Beowulf)

  “The boy doesn’t matter. It’s Emilia. Tell me about that girl who look like a cute grandchild.” (Lior)

  “Uhmm… she is fine. She seems to be Sirius-san’s lover, and she is quite clingy.” (Beowulf)

  “Is that so? If she’s fine, it’s all good. However… she is that guy’s lover is it? If it is true, there is no problem then, but… I’m so jealous when he is with Emilia!” (Lior)

  …Why, Emilia?

  Although there were many mysterious, this was how I met the Strongest Sword, Lior… no, Ikki-Tousen.

  —


  Extra

  Misunderstanding, Beowulf-kun.

  “Excuse me… the girl, Emilia, was still young, so with Tousen-san’s age, it is a bit…” (Beowulf)

  “Youngster. Are you thinking that I am interested in young girls?” (Lior)

  “N-no, no! I mean…” (Beowulf)

  “Really? You’re not thinking even a single fragment, right? Be honest… or I will slice you.” (Lior)

  “…I thought of it for a moment.” (Beowulf)

  “Alright, let’s have a mock battle to see your strength. It will not end until one of us dies.” (Lior)

  “Do you really mean that!?” (Beowulf)

  —


  TLN: The author writes this as a supplementary explanation-

  The [Hard Break] of ‘Single Strike Ultimate Destruction Sword Style’


  Currently, it was classified as the ultimate technique among the ‘Single Strike Ultimate Destruction Sword Style’ techniques.

  To be brief, it was similar to [Strong Heaven] and it was merely swinging down of the sword, but the sword that was loaded with mana, fighting spirit and determination could slice up to hundreds of meters ahead.

  The appearance was like a laser being swung down.

  It was like that at the moment, but it was still developing and it would evolve further… maybe-

  The reason why Lior was sleepy.

  With the money earned by annihilating bandits, he made uproar by drinking and eating in the port town, and he got onboard the ship in a sleepless night condition-

  The way Lior’s waking up

  If you get close when he wakes up, you need to be caution since he swings the sword, but it doesn’t fall with the reach.

  It is better to prick him with a stick or call from a great distant.

  Since he will unleashed [Shattering Strikes] by chance, just give up if you get involved.

  He is an old man who does as he pleases, so it is better to let him sleep when he wants to sleep and wait until he wakes up by himself.

  As for the exception, if it is with Emilia’s voice, it will be completely safe-

  Black

  He was an advanced adventurer who was quite famous in the adventurer guild. He was overconfident with his strength and got carried away, so he became a pirate with four people who were his colleagues when he was adventurers.

  He held strength to the point of being arrogant, and he was actually better than Lior when it came to pure strength.

  However, because there were a lot missing like readiness, determination and techniques, he was killed by Lior-

  Black’s Four Heavenly Kings

  The companions from the time when Black was adventurers.

  It was an exaggerated name, but everyone was as strong as an intermediate adventurer-

  The spear, Jio–… (The name was not said until the end.)

  He was a man with tremendous handling in spear, but he was killed by Lior… *make a hand gesture of praying*-

  The man with an ax. (The name wasn’t mentioned.)

  A man who was treated as Black’s younger brother. However, during the long introductory, he was… blown off-

  He approached Lior from the back, and…


  Although he was good at surprise attack with a knife, he was done by Lior…
-

  He was cut down by Beowulf…


  Pretty much…
-

  Gelscylla

  The appearance image was a kraken with countless tentacles… or rather a squid.

  It had countless legs and fast regenerative ability, but it was cut by ‘Single Strike Ultimate Destruction Sword Style’.

  It wasn’t the only one in the kind, but there were some of them here and there around the world.