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“Ughh…”
 
I groaned as I lay sprawled on the floor of the inn, feeling utterly drained.
 
My whole body felt heavy.
 
I couldn’t muster any strength, and waves of intense nausea washed over me.
 
My body temperature was high, like I had a fever, and my breath was ragged. It was clearly the symptoms of magical exhaustion.
 
This is the worst… I shouldn’t have gone overboard like that yesterday.
 
Was it a mistake to use healing magic to cover the entire Reconstruction Zone in a desperate attempt to help all the beastmen who … Read the rest

 
Passing through the training ground and walking down the main street of the city for a while, the scenery gradually changes, leading to a promenade lined with green trees.
 
Residents are leisurely strolling around the area.
 
After walking for several tens of minutes, we arrived at a desolate scene beyond the promenade.
 
It was an eerily quiet space.
 
Piles of rubble lined the edge of the promenade.
 
Collapsed and abandoned houses.
 
In front of us, a large wall loomed over us as if blocking our way.
 
It was the wall that separated … Read the rest

Come to think of it, maybe she just wanted someone to take care of her when I first came here. I really hated it back then and wanted to run away.
 
“…”
 
Silently, I gently poke her soft white cheek.
 
“Mm… stop it…”
 
She murmurs in her sleep but shows no signs of waking up. She’s hopeless.
 
Watching Francesca breathe softly, I let out a small sigh.
 
…I’ll wait just a little longer for her to wake up.
 
///
 

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scene transition
 
 

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After a few more minutes, Francesca, rubbing her … Read the rest

I don’t understand, I don’t understand, I don’t understand.
 
I hate studying. It’s just so bothersome. So, if I could avoid it, I would rather not do it at all.
 
However, this time, I needed to study to win “that match.”
 
So, despite my tired body, I was diligently studying. Dammit…
 
“Seriously, what are you doing? Could you keep it down, this is library”
 
Maybe feeling sorry for me groaning, the woman approached with steady footsteps, expressing her displeasure.
 
“Nobody else is here, so it’s fine. Besides, this is your room.”
 
“I’m here. … Read the rest

 
“Hmm? Oh, isn’t he an acquaintance of Fina-chan?”
 
“Just an acquaintance!” “No, he’s my fiance!”
 
They cheerfully asserted. Oh boy.
 
“No, we’re not. We’re not even lovers or engaged.”
 
“That’s right! We’re not. I’m sorry…!”
 
Despite my desperate denial, the girl blushed and stammered as if she might be misunderstood–Rafine. She has black hair because she has taken the form of Fina with the Ring of Transfiguration.
 
“Then, I’ll leave it to Fina-chan here!”
 
“Yes, leave it to me!”
 
The waitress who had been taking the order left, and Rafine, her eyes sparkling, stayed behind.
 
At the same time, the … Read the rest

 
“Hobbies… magical tools? you love sleeping, and if you have free time, you always sleeping. you don’t drink alcohol or smoke. you have a bad habit of putting off things you don’t want to do. Your recent worry is… about relationships with women–“
 
“W-Wait, wait, wait!”
 
When I tried to interrupt, Norman, with a calm expression, asked, “What’s wrong?” Scary, scary, so stop it.
 
Huh? What? Is this still fortune-telling? It’s beyond accurate. It would be more convincing if he said it was some kind of ability.
 
“So, do you understand my abilities now? Now, let’s see your ‘destiny.'”
 
I … Read the rest

” …You really believe in this stuff, huh? There’s no such thing as a ‘Hero Lien.'”
 
“Oh no, whether Hero Lien actually existed or not is not the issue. It’s the belief in your heart that saves our fragile souls.”
 
“Well, that may be true, but… asking for ten thousand liens as a monthly donation is ridiculous. And god shouldn’t demand money.”
 
“Haha, indeed, that may be so. However, all of that is to raise awareness of the Hero Church and increase the number of people saved.”
 
“Hmm, well, it’s not my money anyway, so whatever…?”… Read the rest

Chapter 1: The Hero’s Guild
 

As winter passed and the warm spring approached,
 
there came a day when the wind blew a bit chilly against the skin.
 
“I’m tired… exhausted… I just want a job where I can sleep all day…”
 
I, once again, found myself toiling away at my construction work, despite feeling like this.
 
It was almost noon. I had been tirelessly repairing the outer walls of the city since early morning, and my entire body was protesting. As I tried to loosen my shoulders and stretch my arms, they made unpleasant cracking … Read the rest

Interlude: The Ceremonial Sword

A red-haired man stood still.

In his right hand he held a ceremonially decorated sword. The man was surrounded by trees, and nearby was a small, dilapidated shed. Overgrown ivy covered most of the shed, making it look abandoned.

The man looked at the ceremonial sword in his hand.

A small red gem was embedded in the hilt. A sword that emitted a faint white light. For the man, this sword was an unforgettable object. It was a sword once held by his beloved family – his brother.

He understood that it was just a magic … Read the rest

Epilogue: The way back home

After a spectacular landing from the clock tower, we made our way back home.

Rafine and I walked side by side down the slightly darkened street on our way back to the stable.

Thanks to Rafine’s constant chatter, our conversation never stopped. Though really I just nodded along as Rafine talked cheerfully.

“Welcome back, did you have fun?”

When we arrived at the stable, Eve was sitting on the hay casually reading a book, as if she hadn’t come with us.

“Yes! It was so much fun! Wasn’t it, Master Jirei?”

“Oh…yeah, I guess so.”… Read the rest