“That’s right. To get stronger in a short time, you need to do at least this much. I don’t usually buy this potion because it’s not cost-effective, but…”
Trao smiled pleasantly.
“It’s cheap for your sake.”
‘…What’s this? I’m not happy at all. I wish he’d say such words when giving a more thoughtful gift.’
“Oh, don’t worry. This isn’t the only one. I’ve prepared plenty.”
“Plenty?”
‘I felt like I’d been sentenced to death.’
The thought of having to repeat the hellish battle we just went through many more times made Rio want to cry.
Seeing Rio’s expression of despair, Trao, misunderstanding something, gently said:
“It’s okay. I won’t let you die.”
While it sounds like a loving statement to an outsider, its actual meaning is:
“If you’re about to die, I’ll forcibly revive you and make you continue fighting.”
So there’s no “romance” or “love” in it.
What exists is “life” and “death.”
Rio drank the potion she was given in one gulp, feeling somewhat reckless.
Day and night, Rio continued to swing her sword.
Whenever she was about to die, Trao would appear from nowhere and make her drink the highest-grade potion.
By the way, Lilith and Dominique are slowly progressing along the path that Rio has cleared of monsters and made safe. This is also partly due to Dominique’s stamina issues…
As this harsh battle continued, Rio felt her movements changing significantly.
It was as if her actions were being optimized, becoming more efficient.
Seeking efficiency, she began to swing her sword more accurately, aiming for the enemy’s vital points.
Rio was undoubtedly leveling up as a warrior.
And before hse knew it, she found himself longing for Trao’s presence.
(Could it be that I… for senpai…)
Although Trao was the root of all evil, with Lilith and Dominique lagging behind, there was no one else around. In this harsh ordeal, Trao had become the only presence for Rio.
This phenomenon of mistaking fear and anxiety for romantic feelings is common among male and female adventurers, but Rio doesn’t know this.
Of course, this wasn’t Trao’s intention either.
Trao had two objectives for this battle: to level up Rio and to exterminate the monsters along the path to the shrine.
If the Yamato Apes disappeared, it would reduce the cost of future maintenance work. In other words, future expenses would decrease. Considering this, even the highest-grade potions weren’t too expensive.
Trao was in a good mood because the plan he had devised was working well.
He was completely unaware that Rio’s gaze towards him had become feverish.
And so, over three days and nights, Trao and the others traversed the sea of trees.
However, what awaited them was a sacred mountain boasting one of the world’s highest peaks.
Dominique, who had finally reached the foot of the mountain with Lilith’s support, was dejected.
“I’m going to die…”
“It’s okay, Dom-chan. I’ll cast lots of fatigue recovery magic on you, okay?”
Lilith gently persuaded Dominique, who was reluctant to climb the mountain.
Watching them from the side, Trao and Rio were talking.
“Yamato Wolves appear on this mountain. They’re more ferocious and stronger than Yamato Apes, but you can handle it, right?”
“Yes, senpai. I can do it!”
Rio responded briskly to Trao’s words. Her eyes were brimming with deep trust for Trao.
(What’s that? Isn’t Rio in a dangerous state?)
Dominique whispered to Lilith.
(Something’s strange about Rio, isn’t it?)
Lilith also felt that Rio’s behavior was odd.
Although Rio had always trusted Trao the most among the three, it wasn’t to this extent before.
Over these three days, she seemed to have deepened her affection considerably. Although Trao’s attitude remained the same as always.
Rio saluted Trao and started running up the mountain path like the wind.
With the scent bag still attached, the Yamato Wolves quickly swarmed around her, but Rio was slashing away, letting them come at her.
If anything, she even had a smile on her face, as if enjoying the battle.
Trao watched this scene with satisfaction.
“…Rio has become quite strong, hasn’t she?”
Dominique was astonished at the transformation of her friend.
“It’s not just that she’s gotten stronger, it feels like she’s become a different person.”
Lilith also felt as if Rio had gone to a distant place.
Originally, Rio excelled in agility and had received knight training, so she had plenty of potential as a warrior, but it seems to have blossomed all at once in this short period.
Thanks to Rio’ success, Garnet steadily progressed towards the shrine.
──
The shrine was located near the summit of the sacred mountain.
It was quite old and starting to weather. Being in a place rarely accessible to people, repairs couldn’t be done.
After waiting for Dominique and Lilith, who were lagging behind, to arrive, the four of them stepped into the shrine.
Upon entering, the first thing that caught their eye was a huge boulder at the back. Looking closely, a magnificent sword was stuck in it.
Furthermore, behind the stone stood an imposing figure.
While this person looked like a Yamato human, they had a giant body about twice the size of a normal person, holding a sword in each hand. And they were enveloped in a green, flame-like aura.
Without a doubt, it was Kusanagi, the god renowned for martial arts.
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[Well done for making it here, brave ones.]
Kusanagi spoke to Trao and the others in a majestic voice.
[I know your purpose. You’ve come to pull out this sword to defeat the Demon King…]
“Ah, we don’t need that sword.”
Trao interrupted Kusanagi’s words.
[Huh?]
“””Huh?”””
Everyone except Trao let out a dumbfounded voice.
“A sword that can only be used by special individuals and exists in just one copy lacks versatility. If something happens to the person who can use it, we won’t be able to defeat the Demon King.”
[Oh, well, that’s true, but…]
Kusanagi looked perplexed at these unexpected words. Rio and the others were also confused, not knowing why they had come here.
“Rather, I have a different matter to discuss with Kusanagi.”
[…What is it?]
“I’ve been concerned for a while that despite having such a great god like Kusanagi, faith in this country seems a bit weak.”
[Hmm, I’ve been thinking the same thing for a long time.]
Kusanagi nodded greatly at Trao’s words.
“I thought that might be because Kusanagi is located in a bit too challenging place.”
[That may be so, but I favor the brave. To face me, one needs to undergo appropriate trials.]
“That’s true, but doesn’t that mean that Kusanagi’s greatness isn’t conveyed to the majority of people who aren’t heroes?”
[Hmm, I see. You may have a point.]
Kusanagi listened to Trao’s argument.
“I think just climbing this high mountain is sufficient proof of faith in Kusanagi. If so, why not improve the path to the shrine? Then, many more people would come to worship Kusanagi.”
[Hmm…]
Kusanagi groaned. He seemed to have various thoughts.
[But would the people of this country do such a thing now? It pains me to say this, but it would cost an enormous amount to improve the path up to here. I don’t think those people with weak faith would do that.]
Due to the lack of human visitors for a long time, Kusanagi seemed to have fallen into mild misanthropy.
“Leave that to me. I’ll negotiate with the king of this country and secure a promise to definitely improve the road.”
[Is that true? Lying to a god is not permitted, you know?]
Kusanagi seemed to be placing hope in Trao’s proposal.
Meanwhile, Rio and the others were once again realizing that Trao was quite the unscrupulous con artist.
“There are no lies. However, Kusanagi, this will be an offering to the gods. If no benefits are given in return, it would tarnish Kusanagi’s name.”
[That might be true…]
“How about this? Even if they’re not as powerful as the sword stuck in that rock, why not prepare a hundred swords that anyone can use and that are effective against the Demon King? Then Kusanagi would be worshipped by people all over the world as the god who saved the world.”
[A-a hundred swords!]
Even Kusanagi showed an expression of shock.
[Human, that’s going too far in terms of reverence for the gods…]
“I also promise to rebuild this shrine anew.”
[Alright. Let’s do it.]
The God Kusanagi showed a moment of hesitation, but quickly agreed to Trao’s proposal. He probably disliked the idea of being enshrined in a decaying shrine.
“However, human. I need orichalcum to forge the swords. To make a hundred of them, I’d need to gather almost all the orichalcum in the world. Can you manage that?”
Kusanagi challenged Trao, as if testing him.
“I have already prepared it, sir.”
“What?”
Trao took out his item bag and pulled out a large quantity of orichalcum. Though varying in size and shape, it was undoubtedly the legendary metal. Rio and the others had collected it from around the world before departing for Yamato.
“…How did you obtain this?”
“Through the power of lowly money, sir.”
Trao bowed his head slightly.
“I see. This is indeed enough. It will take some time, but I will certainly prepare a hundred swords for you.”
“Thank you very much!”
Trao prostrated himself, and Rio and the others followed suit.
“Now then, God Kusanagi. There is one more thing I’d like to request…”
“What is it? You have more?”
Kusanagi’s voice sounded a bit annoyed.
“Rio here is a warrior, and I was wondering if you could bestow your divine protection upon her.”
Rio, suddenly called out, flinched.
“Hmm, that girl’s power is a bit lacking to receive divine protection…”
Despite her significant level-up, Rio’s abilities hadn’t yet reached a level Kusanagi deemed worthy.
“As a token of gratitude, we will erect a stone statue of God Kusanagi in the center of Yamato.”
“Very well. I shall grant her my protection.”
Kusanagi floated towards Rio, placed his hand over her head, and shared his green aura with her.
Rio felt a power rapidly growing within her.
“Thank you very much!”
Rio bowed her head to Kusanagi once more.
—
Afterward, as promised, Trao provided funds to Yamato. The country mobilized all its resources to improve the path to Kusanagi’s shrine and rebuild it anew.
This allowed Kusanagi to receive many human visitors, especially warriors.
The massive stone statue of Kusanagi erected in the center of Yamato became a tourist attraction.
Yamato prospered, and Trao, who secured half of the interests, also reaped sufficient profits.
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