Chapter 68: A Promise to Reunite, and Onward to a New City

"Rey... I want you."

"...Karl."

It happened after we finished packing and went to say goodbye to Sayori.

"We need you."

"...Even if you beg, it won’t help. My body belongs to Sayori."

"...But still!"

There we were, our whole party, bowing our heads before Sayori, whose eyes looked nearly lifeless, desperately pleading.

Let us take Rey with us on our journey.

"Please, Sayori. I’m begging you!"

"U-Um, Lord Karl, it’s a bit much to suddenly bow your head like that..."

"Please, Sayori! I’m begging you... let me have Rey!"

With a serious expression, Karl stared into Sayori’s eyes.

The young leader of Ressal, being gazed at by the one she admired, could do nothing but mumble while awkwardly looking away.

"...This whole situation is just... really uncomfortable."

---

"A Demon King...? You’re saying something like that actually exists?"

"Yeah. It’s not a joke. We’ve clashed with the demons multiple times now."

The day before our departure, we—Karl’s party—told Sayori everything about our journey up to now.

The ape-like monster we fought in Rewin, the artillery battle in Yowin.

Sayori listened with earnest interest to our bizarre tales.

"...I’d like to believe they’re tall tales."

"They’re not lies! Please believe us, Sayori!"

"Of course I believe you. I can’t imagine Lord Karl taking time out of his day to tell such dull jokes."

Thankfully, Sayori didn’t doubt our story and chose to trust us.

All that remained was whether we could borrow Rey.

"I don’t know if I can protect everyone on my own."

The demons are monsters far beyond our imagination.

No amount of fighting power is ever enough. And our party is critically lacking in close-combat members.

Once Karl charges in, the only ones left to fight properly are me (muscle) and little Lev (loli).

Even if Lev and I can hold our own, we’re no match for Silent Blade—Rey.

"That’s why... please, let me have Rey!!"

"Please don’t prostrate yourself, Lord Karl. It’s, well... you’re starting to look like that kind of person."

And so, Karl continued to beg Sayori to let Silent Blade Rey join our party.

That same Silent Blade stood beside Sayori, still in his red fundoshi.

"Aahh... That’s the kind of thing I wish someone would say to me..."

"...Hm? Did you say something, Sayori?"

"I didn’t. Shut up, you."

Ressal is still unstable. There will no doubt be times they’ll need Rey’s help.

Even so, we had to ask. We need your strength—to defeat the Demon King.

"Well, if you’re okay with someone like him, I’ll let him go with you."

"You will?! Sayori!"

"Yes, I will. But in return..."

Sayori gave her permission without hesitation.

Karl looked at her, surprised by how readily she agreed.

"Once your mission is done, come visit Ressal again, okay?"

"...Yeah. I promise!"

"And tell me lots of stories."

Sayori smiled as she said that, though it looked like she might’ve been sulking just a little.

---

"Well, it looks like the local bandits have been wiped out. I think things will be fine... or rather, I’ll make sure they are."

"You're reliable."

According to Sayori, even without Rey, Ressal would manage somehow.

"Honestly, we managed just fine even when Mr. Red Fundoshi here was our enemy."

"Now that you mention it..."

Even when bandits roamed the area, Sayori and her vigilante corps managed to keep things under control.

Now that the bandits are gone, there’s hardly any threat left in the area. And with the vigilantes still around, Rey’s presence is almost overkill.

"In fact, things might even be easier without him around. He is a wanted criminal, after all."

"...Oh right, Rey is a bounty target."

"If any noble happens to recognize him, covering it up would be a hassle. If they find out, he’ll be executed on the spot."

I totally forgot. That’s right, Rey is a wanted outlaw.

If the Margrave recognizes his face, we’re screwed.

"Indeed, hiding him might not be possible."

"Well, I was planning to pass him off as someone else or say he’s a slave, but... if you really want to take him, go ahead."

"You heard her, Rey."

"Hmm."

Rey listened to Sayori’s words and his face turned serious.

He seemed to be considering whether he should really come with us.

"...I owe you all more than I can repay, and I have sins that must be atoned for. If Sayori permits it, I shall lend you my strength."

"Yes!!"

With Sayori’s approval, Rey readily agreed to join us on our journey.

And just like that, our shortage of frontline fighters, the gender imbalance, and all the other little problems were solved.

"That’s wonderful, Lev. Your brother is coming with us."

"...Before that, can we please do something about the red fundoshi?"

"...It’s not like I enjoy wearing this, you know."

Even Lev looked quietly happy.

A reunion with her brother—someone she thought she’d never see again. Of course she’d be happy.

---

It was the final night of our stay in Ressal.

“Oh my my my, Irine-san. What brings you out at this hour?”

“Just taking a walk. It’s my last chance to see the city of Ressal.”

I had just finished my sneaky training session outside when I returned to the hideout and ran into Ilyu at the entrance.

So she was still up.

“Walking alone at night is dangerous, hmph!”

“You’re right. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Next time you go for a walk, invite me along! I’ll escort you!”

“That would be much appreciated.”

…Yeah. I’m pretty sure I’m stronger than her, but I’ll accept the offer for now.

Come to think of it, can Ilyu even fight? I remember her mentioning she used to be in an adventuring party.

“And if I manage to protect you well, I’ll squeeze a nice escort fee out of your family—the House of Welmund! Big time!”

“…Could you take back that gratitude I just gave you?”

“The House of Welmund is quite a noble family, after all. I have high hopes for that reward♪”

Well, they are a noble house, but their finances are kind of sad.

The Welmund family has always lived modestly and with upright virtue. Leftover tradition from their military roots means their private forces are well-equipped, though.

“Still, I’m surprised you know about my family. Once you leave the Wynn Territory, it’s rare to find anyone familiar with us.”

“Uh, well… I happen to know a rather famous story about one of your ancestors…”

Ilyu’s face softened with nostalgia as she spoke. Sounds like she’s heard an old tale about my family.

“The hero who drove away the wicked dragon with the power of spirits. That was the founder of House Welmund, wasn’t it?”

“Oh my, you’re very well-informed.”

It seems Ilyu truly does know about our ancestor.

That’s right. That’s how our family history is officially recorded.

Saying we’re descended from a hero sounds impressive, but in reality, blood from that hero centuries ago is so diluted it’s probably everywhere by now.

And today, only direct descendants can claim the title of “Hero’s Lineage.” Unfortunately, we’re not from the main line, so we can’t use that title.

“But we are a branch family.”

“Huh? Not the main line?”

“Our branch actually climbed higher in rank. Thanks to my great-grandfather’s accomplishments.”

That’s how it is. Thanks to Lord Welmund, my great-grandfather known as the “God of War,” who performed admirably in the war against the foreign tribes, our family gained its current status.

On the other hand, the main Welmund house—who do claim direct descent from the hero—didn’t accomplish much in that war and are now just minor nobility.

“Then aren’t you basically the main family?”

“If we consider the ‘God of War’ Welmund as the founder, I suppose we could claim to be.”

Yeah, in terms of power and status, we’re basically the main family. We're only the branch family because we don’t descend directly from the hero.

“Well, Irine-san, you’re still part of the hero’s bloodline.”

“That part’s certainly true.”

They say most nobles today can trace their lineage back to a hero if you go back far enough.

“You know, I don’t know if you’d call it a regression to one’s ancestors or what, but… I really do feel it—some kind of aura coming from you, Irine-san! Like a Hero Aura♪”

“Oh ho ho ho, how flattering. I hope that one day, I might stand and fight alongside you, Karl-san.”

“I’m sure you can. Yeah, definitely.”

With a gentle smile, Ilyu reached out and touched my cheek.

“I’ll do what I can to help, even if it’s not much.”

Wearing a soft, warm smile, Ilyu laughed.

“…Yeah. Thanks.”

“Of course!”

But for some reason, I felt like there was something vaguely unsettling behind her words.

---

The next morning.

The time had finally come for us to leave Ressal.

"Serve Lord Karl faithfully and loyally. And once all is over, return to this Ressal."

Sayori was giving a speech to Rey—who was most likely older than her.

"You were deceived by bandits and endangered innocent lives. What you did can never be forgiven."

"…"

"But this Ressal is your hometown. As long as you do not fall into evil again, I swear I will never abandon our people."

Sayori's lecture had a charisma to it.

That same strength and pull she had when she once went by the name Ryoga hadn't changed.

"…"

Rey remained silent, respectfully listening, even though he was being lectured by someone younger.

Sayori’s words weren’t like Sakura’s wild charisma—they carried the gentle warmth of a parent, embracing and reassuring.

"The old Ressal—the one that treated you so cruelly—is gone. From now on, this will be a Ressal everyone can proudly call their home."

"…That sounds wonderful."

"This is your new home, Rey of the Silent Blade. …Even if you’re still on your journey, if anything ever troubles you, come back anytime—with your sister, of course."

…She’s incredible. Her capacity as a person is just too immense.

Everyone present was awed, quietly listening to the words of this small, younger girl.

So this is it… This is the stature of the one called the hero of the people—the leader of the town’s vigilante corps.

"…Yeah. I’ll come back someday."

"Good. I’ll keep knocking some sense into you in the vigilante corps."

With a soft smirk, Sayori turned her face away from Rey.

Even toward the very man who had been the enemy of her beloved brother, she showed such kindness. She truly, from the bottom of her heart, regarded Rey as one of her people.

"And Lord Karl and your companions—I can’t thank you enough for all you've done for Ressal."

"No need for that. We just did what we had to for our comrade. If anything, we’re the ones who owe you—for the food and lodging."

"Such words could never repay the debt we owe. So we’ll celebrate your visit in grand style. Please come again, Lord Karl. It’s a promise."

With that, Karl firmly shook Sayori’s hand.

"…"

No other words were exchanged between them. They simply gazed into each other’s eyes in silence.

Karl and Sayori had fought side by side. Surely, something unspoken had passed between them.

"It truly pains me to see you go. But I suppose it would be wrong to keep you any longer."

"It’s not like I’m complaining, but…"

"I’ll believe in the day we meet again. Until then, farewell. May fortune smile upon you, Lord Karl."

After staring into his eyes for several long seconds, Sayori let go of Karl’s hand and pulled something out of her bag.

"…A parting gift. I stitched it myself, actually."

"Huh? O-Oh, thank you."

Sayori handed it to Karl, and then—

"Ah!!"

She planted a quick kiss on Karl’s cheek.

"AAAAAHHH!!!"

"Eh, eh, eeehh!?"

"That gift has my feelings stitched into it—please take good care of it, okay?"

Maika and Lev looked utterly furious at the bold display, but Sayori remained unfazed as she gently stroked Karl’s cheek.

…Whoa. A perfect surprise attack. Well played.

"Uh, um, that’s—"

"When you return to Ressal, I’ll be waiting to hear your answer… I'll be waiting, always."

"EEHHHH!?"

Even this dense fool couldn’t stay oblivious in the face of such open affection.

That’s some serious strength there, Sayori. She just left the two who’ve been traveling with him—yet still dithering—completely in the dust.

“……”

The two of them looked like they wanted to say something—but couldn’t.

Yeah. Figures. What could they even say?

---

"Whew, you're quite the ladies' man, sir. Looks like you could settle down in Ressal anytime now."

“C-Come on, Master. Don’t tease me.”

Apparently, for Karl, this was the first time in his life he'd ever received a confession from a girl.

His face bright red, Karl awkwardly said goodbye to Sayori.

“What will you do now? What will you do?”

“C-Cut it out, Irine...”

“She’s a nice girl, spirited too. You should keep her. I'd even want her under my command, honestly.”

There’s nothing more entertaining on a journey than this, so Sakura and I took the opportunity to thoroughly mess with Karl.

Well, about half of it was also to provoke “the two” just a little.

“Come to think of it, Commander... Sayori was up late last night sewing something. Was it a gift for you?”

“Bro. Why didn’t you stop her?”

“Uh... was I supposed to?”

The newly joined traveling companion, "Silent Blade" Rey, didn’t seem to grasp the situation at all.

She didn’t seem to notice her sister’s crush or Maika’s feelings, either. Rey might be the type who’s not great at reading emotional cues.

“What did she give you? Armor or something? Or clothes?”

“Oh, right, I hadn’t opened it yet.”

Prompted by Ilyu, Karl reached into the bag he’d been handed.

The shock of the kiss had made him forget to check the contents, but maybe he should have opened it in front of her to say thanks.

“Um... this is...”

“...Wow.”

Demon Lord Ilyu and Hero Karl peeked into the bag together and let out admiring sounds.

Curious, I leaned over to see what it was too—

“A red fundoshi?”

“...Yup. That’s a red fundoshi.”

“...Seriously?”

Inside sat a neatly folded, ornately decorated red fundoshi—more impressive than the one Rey had been forced to wear.

“Wait, was this a prank? Does Sayori actually hate me or something?”

“With how she acted, I don’t think that’s it at all.”

“...No, I think it’s genuine affection. Sayori did say something like that.”

While Karl stood there baffled by the red fundoshi, Rey began explaining with a completely straight face.

“Sayori said she gets excited by men in red fundoshi.”

“Wait—that’s her kink!?”

...So the time Rey had to wear that thing wasn’t just for humiliation—it was actually because of Sayori’s fetish.

“D-Do girls like red fundoshi?”

“Uh, not at all...”

“I can’t say I really do either...”

Maybe if it’s on a really muscular guy...? But still, it’s not like I have any special fondness for them.

“If you marry Sayori, you might have to wear a red fundoshi as your default look.”

“That’s kinda pervy, huh♪”

“...Yeah, I really don’t want that.”

Unfortunately, the handmade red fundoshi from Sayori caused Karl’s feelings for her to plummet.

Could it be that she’s... just naturally airheaded?

...Maybe her brother Ryoga is the type who’d be happy to get a red fundoshi?

“Sister... perhaps giving underwear to someone of the opposite sex wasn’t such a bad idea after all...?”

“Bro...”

While we all reeled from Sayori’s unexpected tastes, Silent Blade was quietly getting slapped by his sister in the background.