E-book Bonus: Original Short Story [A Certain Day]
 

Leon’s day starts early. As he takes pride in being a sword saint before being a count, he can’t skip his daily sword practice. He rises with the sun and swings his sword as if to shake off the sleepiness.
 
As his body awakens, he begins to trace several forms. Some are traditional forms that have existed for ages, while others are new ones he created himself. Neither is better or worse; what’s important is keeping his body ready to move gracefully at any time.
 
After thoroughly loosening up … Read the rest

Epilogue
 

Is there anything a Great Sage can’t do?
 
We were able to reach the kingdom in an instant using transfer magic, something I’d only heard about in fairy tales.
 
Sophia’s mouth hung open in amazement. Being a magician herself, she probably understood just how incredible it was. She was once called a genius too, though there’s no trace of that now.
 
“It’s not that convenient since I need to use the magic circle in my mansion as a starting point,”
 
Solon said with a somewhat smug expression.
 
What is this Great Sage saying?… Read the rest

Once again, we set out to hunt monsters today.
 
Some poor folks with no money came asking for help, saying, “Goblins are nesting in the mountains.”
 
“Why am I still working as an adventurer when I’m not short on money?”
 
I grumbled as we made our way into the mountains in search of goblins.
 
“Because it’s your hobby, isn’t it?”
 
Efsei answered with a laugh.
 
“It’s not a hobby. If anything, it’s more like a way to kill time. But I’m getting on in years now, so I’d like to retire soon.”
 
I’m … Read the rest

Chapter 8: The Queen’s Request
 

 
“Do you remember the adventurer named Leonard?”
 
It had been six years since then. This happened a few months after Zack returned to the royal capital.
 
Summoned by the queen, Zack was asked such a question.
 
The queen had started coming out of the underground shrine and was now alone with Zack in a room in the royal castle.
 
“I remember. He’s the one who fought against the demon Belzera in Garnahazza, right?”
 
“That’s right. He’s the one you helped when you listened to my wish.”
 
Zack … Read the rest

 
[Your fighting was admirable. If not for Ares, you might have been the hero.]
 
Belzera praised Leonard, who had managed to wound him.
 
“That’s nice to hear. After all, I’ve only ever been called good-for-nothing by humans.”
 
Leonard mocked himself.
 
[That’s why humans are foolish.]
 
Belzera’s great sword swings down mercilessly.
 
(Luke. As I thought, I wasn’t good enough…)
 
Leonard quietly gazed at the approaching death.
 
There was no regret. He felt he had done his best, and this time, he didn’t run away.
 
However—
 
With a high-pitched clang, … Read the rest

 
Nina struck the demon with her rod again. The demon’s face contorted in annoyance.
 
She immediately leapt back to dodge the horizontal swing of the club that followed.
 
(My body is in pain…)
 
Her current self was moving more nimbly than an average warrior, but the toll on her body was severe. It was incomparable to when she had fought goblins or ran from hobgoblins. She wouldn’t last much longer.
 
But even so, Nina felt fulfilled. She was happy that she could fight against a demon. She was no longer the person who had frozen … Read the rest

 
“At your age, your magical power won’t increase much. But since you haven’t trained your body until now, your stamina can improve. If you can cast spells while running, it’ll broaden your options in battle.”
 
When Leonard told her this, Sophia obediently trained her body.
 
She was told that Lei had undergone the same training.
 
As a daily routine, She imposed running training on herself, practicing casting spells while out of breath.
 
At first, it didn’t go well, but after continuing for half a year, She became able to recite spells while running. It was thanks to this that Sophia … Read the rest

Chapter 7: Garnahazza 2
 

“Are you Leonard?”
 
The demon Belzera’s voice was low but resonated throughout the surroundings.
 
“That’s right. Are you Belzera?”
 
“Indeed. I’ve heard about you. I’ll guarantee the lives of you four. In exchange, kill the hero Ares. I don’t care how you do it.”
 
Belzera’s words were concise, containing only the bare minimum without any waste.
 
“If you’re directly guaranteeing our lives, then there’s no problem. By the way, are those three behind you your only guards? Isn’t that a bit careless?”
 
“This is enough. I judged that bringing … Read the rest

Interlude: The Prophet
 

 
“Are you really going, Ares?”
 
The man asked in a skeptical voice to the young man with chestnut-colored hair walking ahead.
 
The man was tall with an impressive build. His short blonde hair framed a face that exuded both bravery and nobility. A great sword was strapped to his back.
 
“Of course, Leon. It’s the prophet’s words. ‘Help the man named Leonard,’ they said. We can’t disobey, can we?”
 
The young man called Ares turned back, smiling sheepishly.
 
“But Ares, we’ve heard rumors about this Leonard everywhere, and none of … Read the rest

Interlude: Leonard
 

 
“Luke, I’m really scared.”
 
When I said that, Luke laughed. It wasn’t to mock me. It was a gentle smile that seemed to accept even my pitiful state.
 
“You know, dying would be pointless. I became an adventurer because I wanted to be cool like you. I didn’t want to fight for the world or for people. I just wanted money and to be popular with women. That’s all.”
 
Even after hearing my shameful confession, Luke nodded quietly.
 
“Isn’t that what being an adventurer is about? We take on requests and get paid. It’s just a job. … Read the rest