Chapter 14

"Hmm... I must have passed out, huh?"

"Ah, Penny-sama! You're awake!"

The young girl with chestnut hair swaying shook with joy, her face blooming into a radiant smile. The muscular man in his 30s—krik, krik—cracked his neck before lifting the little girl onto his shoulders and smiling.

"As expected of the Sword Saint, huh? I was no match for him. Guess I showed Emma my pathetic side."

"You were up against an armed opponent—it couldn’t be helped! Besides, Penny-sama’s true strength lies in group battles!"

Emma, now happily perched on her husband’s shoulders, nuzzled her cheek against Penny’s as he softened his expression. If not for the age gap, one might mistake them for an ideal, loving couple.

"By the way, Emma?"

"Yes?"

Yet, the peaceful moment between the two was soon interrupted by the sight before them.

"Uh… what’s that?"

"It seems Sword Saint Rex has committed an indiscretion."

...The nation’s strongest swordsman was currently surrounded by three women glaring daggers at him, flustered and utterly pitiful.

"What!? He didn’t seem like that kind of man… But two-timing is unforgivable, no matter what!"

"That’s right. A man like that should be skinned, skewered, sliced up, boiled, grilled, and devoured!"

"...Yeah. I’d never do something like that, so don’t worry."

"Of course! I believe in you!"

At that moment, Penny’s legs shifted slightly inward.

---

"Hey, Rex. Aren’t parks supposed to be places for taking a little break?"

I glared at the shameless monkey in front of me, lacing my voice with a hint of killing intent. The reason? Because if I explained today’s events to Mei or Karin, an absurd truth would come to light—one they’d never let slide.

Rex had invited me to a park. Sure, parks are places where idle folks and families gather. But there are two parks in this area—the one Rex described as "family-friendly" was further away.

The other park—the one I was lured into today—was...

"That place is basically a dating spot, isn’t it?"

"No, no! I didn’t really know either, okay!?"

"...So? Flatche, why did you agree to go so easily?"

"I didn’t know! I just followed along!!"

"Yeah, figures with you."

Karin shot me a sidelong glance, the kind you’d give an idiot. Honestly, I wanted to complain about that treatment.

"...Rex-sama, were you also unaware?"

"Yeah, yeah, exactly!! I did think it was a little weird when we got there, but there were some people who looked like families, so I figured it was fine!"

"Hmm...? Rex, since when do you even go to parks?"

"More importantly, Rex. You acted completely normal even though the place was full of couples. And when I said we should leave, you stopped me!"

"Gah!? Well, uh—"

The three women (well, two women and a former man) closed in on Rex as cold sweat dripped down his face.

Before me stood my sworn enemy, Rex, more cornered than I’d ever seen him before. Even back when I was a man, I’d never witnessed him this flustered.

...Of all things, to see him backed into a corner over something this stupid.

"It’s not like that, Flatche. Listen."

"Yeah?"

"I just… really wanted to understand you, that’s all! I’m sorry for taking you to a weird place, but we’ve only known each other for a few days, right? I thought we should have a proper heart-to-heart before the big mission!"

Though stumbling over his words, Rex looked me in the eye as he spoke.

"Because I don’t know anything about you. And you… you never talk about yourself. ...We’re comrades, aren’t we? So I just wanted us to talk, just the two of us."

"I see."

His words pierced me. It was true—I hadn’t shared anything about myself. I was afraid that speaking carelessly might give me away.

But I knew Rex’s personality well. Since way back, he’d always been oddly affectionate toward those he considered his own. Deep down, he was a lonely man.

And now, having lost his homeland and left all alone in the world, Rex must have been unconsciously searching for someone to rely on. He probably saw Mei and Karin—his party members—as something close to family.

And now, as a new comrade, he wanted to face me properly too. What a dutiful guy.

"Only a total sword-brained idiot would fall for that! Tell the truth!"

"...Can you honestly swear you had zero ulterior motives, Rex-sama?"

"Well, I mean… maybe a little?"

"""He admitted it!!"""

Back then, I kept my distance from the lonely Rex. Just because of my own stubborn pride.

And even now, I was still hiding my true self. I was afraid of him seeing me in this pitiful state, afraid of things becoming awkward between us.

But in doing so, I’d only made him worry.

"Sorry, Rex. Just give me a little more time. Once I’ve sorted out my feelings… I’ll tell you everything."

"Huh!? Flatche’s already completely convinced!?"

"What is with this person!? This is beyond just being gullible!"

Hm? Why were Mei and Karin so shocked?

"A-Anyway! Look, General Penny’s awake now, right? Let’s get down to business!"

"..."

"Oho, finally moving on!? I was getting bored, Rex!"

"I’m still not satisfied, though… Well, the person in question’s already been won over, so..."

With that, the tension eased, and Rex wiped his brow in relief.

Yeah… Even for Rex, he wouldn’t invite a girl he barely knew to a dating spot. He really just wanted to talk.

---

The little girl straightened her posture with a snap and, from the deepest seat at our table, began speaking with documents in hand.

"Now, though unworthy, I, Emma—Chief Staff Officer under General Penny—shall explain the details of this request."

"...Emma-chan’s leading the meeting? Shouldn’t an adult handle this?"

...Why is no one questioning this?

With all these adults gathered here, it’s absurd for a ●-year-old girl to take charge. Even Rex acts like it’s perfectly natural for Emma to run things.

"Bwahahaha! I’ve no patience for formalities!"

"I’m… not good with words. So I leave this to Emma."

"For what it’s worth, I do have experience as a civil officer. If everyone permits, I’ll continue."

...Now that she mentions it, the other two from the National Army are utterly unfit to lead a briefing. Get it together, you two.

"The background of this request: Recently, sporadic reports have emerged of 'unmapped caves' near the capital. These caves are suspiciously unconcealed for newly discovered ones—so much so that it’s strange they went unnoticed until now. Sensing something amiss, many adventurers chose not to enter and instead reported them to the Guild."

...Ah. Come to think of it, the cave I entered also had a blatantly obvious entrance. If I’d been wary, maybe I wouldn’t have died.

...Nah. Sooner or later, that cave’s investigation would’ve landed on me as a Guild-designated adventurer. My fate wouldn’t have changed.

"Subsequently, Sword Saint Rex’s investigation revealed a new hostile entity known as the 'Demon King’s Army.' We now suspect these caves may serve as their strongholds and have come to formally request their exploration. We’ve been informed Rex-sama has already accepted this task."

"Yeah."

Here, Emma paused—hah—before pulling out a sheet of paper and pinning it to the wall for all to see.

Drawn on it was... a mountain even I recognized as famous.

"Northwest of the capital lies the volcanic city of Saikoro, a mining town built by dwarves. There, a cave—'one nobody had seen until last year'—has also been discovered."

"Volcanic city… You mean that hazard zone right next to the volcano?"

"Correct. Its danger keeps the population low—mostly miners—but it’s also a famed magic-stone production site. If the Demon King’s Army exists as Rex-sama reported, this would be an ideal base for them."

"The terrain’s too risky for large-scale military deployment, and it’s rich in magic stones. A two-for-one deal for them."

"Additionally, wild monsters there are exceptionally strong, making it highly defensible. To minimize military casualties, we’ve opted for a small elite squad—including Rex-sama—to investigate."

The paper showed Saikoro Volcano, encircled by rivers of lava.

I’d only heard stories, but apparently, the ground was so unstable that missteps could trigger fissures, plunging victims into molten rock. Not exactly human-friendly.

...Ugh, no thanks. Depending on the temperature, my sword might melt.

"Worry not! With me here, I can lower the ambient heat!"

"How convenient."

I’d been sweating over whether I could grip a superheated sword, but Clarice’s smug grin instantly eased my fears.

Ah. I’d wondered why a long-range black mage like her was being brought into a cave, but this must be why.

"Now, regarding specific environmental intel—"

Emma then detailed threats like local monsters and nearby bandit activity—all meticulously researched.

...Honestly, this little girl might be the most competent person here.

"This concludes the briefing."

"Thanks for leading, Emma."

"If anyone has questions, feel free to ask anytime!"

Emma beamed cheerfully, while General Penny and Clarise nodded in satisfaction. This was supposed to be YOUR job.

"We depart at dawn tomorrow. Penny, Emma-chan, stay at my place tonight. Plenty of guest rooms left."

"Much appreciated—saves us lodging costs. Penny-san, shall we accept?"

"Yeah. We’re in your care, Rex."

And so, tomorrow, our party would finally head to the cave likely harboring the Demon King’s Army—my first official mission as a full-fledged member of Rex’s team.

Well, I’ll do my part well enough to meet expectations.

---

And so, that night—

“…Hm. Practicing swings at this hour, are we, girl?”

“Oh, General Penny.”

Unable to sleep from the thrill of a big mission after so long, I’d snuck out to the backyard in the middle of the night to swing my sword around.

I figured I’d head back once I was satisfied—but I didn’t expect Penny had been tailing me.

“…Did I wake you up?”

“…It’s a habit of mine. No matter how far away, if I sense a sharp killing intent, I jolt awake. I’ve been burned by ambushes one too many times.”

“My apologies, then.”

“No need to say sorry. If anything, I was impressed. You’re diligent.”

With a low chuckle tinged with self-deprecation, General Penny laughed. Come to think of it, didn’t Rex say this guy was a “veteran hero who’s saved countless lives”? If someone’s swinging a sword nearby, of course he’s going to react.

“But still, girl… you haven’t trained all that much yet, have you?”

“…”

“You seem to be one of Rex’s favorites, so I’ll give it to you straight. The monsters in that area are tough. Half-baked skills will just drag everyone down—especially on the front lines.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“A warning. I think you should decline the mission… That hand of yours, it’s full of fresh sword calluses. In other words, your grip isn’t used to the blade yet. Until recently, you weren’t even wielding a sword—am I wrong?”

Looks like Penny has a sharp eye too. My hands really were full of blisters and fresh calluses. As he said, the original owner of this body probably never held a sword before.

No real muscle on this so-called swordsman’s body either, and the hands are a mess. Yeah, anyone would take one look and think I’m a total beginner.

“…If you’re unsure, want to test it for yourself? My skill, I mean.”

“Hmph… All right. You wouldn’t be talking like that if you didn’t have some confidence.”

“Pretty much.”

That said, I wasn’t about to let myself be the only one left behind from the mission. Sure, this body might be new to the sword, but inside, I’m Rex’s former rival—a guild-certified adventurer.

My sword style never relied on brute strength to begin with. Once he sees it for himself, even General Penny should understand.

“I’ll stop just short. You’re free to come at me however you like.”

“Got it. Try and block this, girl.”

I quietly drew my blade, goading the general. He smirked with interest, then stepped a few meters back to take his position.

It’s been a while since I fought anyone besides Rex.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”

With that, General Penny raised his fists… and calmly stepped forward.

—A rush of wind tore through the air.

By the time I heard the sound, a fist powerful enough to crush my skull was already right in front of me. Just one step—and Penny’s strike was almost touching my face.

It was a blow of incredible speed and precision. Lethal, no doubt.

“…It’s over.”

But the fist stopped just short, never touching me. The sheer pressure of it alone made my hair flutter. From the start, Penny never intended to hit me.

That’s precisely why he was able to stop at the last second.

“So? Any complaints about my skill?”

“…”

Of course, I trusted that Penny would stop his punch before it landed. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to aim my blade right at him.

But a sword and a fist have different ranges. Even a fully extended punch can’t beat the reach of a ready blade.

Penny’s fist stopped just a few centimeters from my face. Meanwhile, the tip of my short sword was already pressed gently against the side of his neck. If this had been a real fight, I would’ve taken his head before he touched me.

Anyone judging the outcome would call it my win.

“…I underestimated you. Forgive me, swordswoman.”

“Just call me Flatche. You were only trying to look out for me, right? No need to apologize.”

Trying to contain the faint high from my first victory in a while, I drew my blade away from Penny’s neck and sheathed it.

Good enough for now. I’ve got an early start tomorrow—time to sleep.

“I’m heading in. Goodnight, General Penny.”

“…Yeah.”

Heh. If I remember right, it took Rex a few seconds to beat General Penny, didn’t it? I settled it in an instant.

That means—doesn’t it kinda mean I beat Rex, indirectly? Gufuh… gufufufufuh.

No, no—don’t get cocky, me. I know it was mostly a matchup thing. My style’s built for counters, and someone like Penny, a close-range brawler with short reach, is pretty much my ideal opponent.

And so, lost in such aimless thoughts, the swordswoman returned to her room.

Watching her back, faintly pleased with herself, the unarmed general murmured softly.

“…Can she… see the future, that girl?”

—With a hint of dread tightening his face.