“But you’ve really gotten stronger,” Mazel said. “I don’t think I could win against you anymore.”
“I think I’m even less confident in my ability to beat you, Big Bro,” Feli added. “How do I put it…? I feel like even if I won the battle, I’d lose what came after.”
“That’s exactly what it’s like,” Mazel agreed. They really thought too highly of me. Just when did their opinion of me grow so grand?
“You fought quite skillfully, Viscount Zehrfeld,” said Erich. I didn’t really think so, but apparently, I had done great in averting Gezarius’s gaze. I’d managed to pin Gezarius down by timing my attack right before Mazel’s and Luguentz’s, while also drawing his line of sight away from the ones behind him. Or so Erich said. He commended me for giving the others such an advantage, and quite honestly, it left my skin crawling.
“His foot was injured by that stake, his shoulder injured by a ballista, and one of his eyes was gone,” Mazel said. “The Demon Commander was already on the brink of death. I feel like all I did was come in at the end and take the honor of the finishing blow from you.”
“Don’t worry about that,” I demurred. It didn’t matter who actually slew him, and it was true that I felt like we needed to take out Gezarius as fast as possible. I was just happy Mazel hadn’t come too late.
“So what’s next for you guys, Mazel?”
“Well, we’ll be headed to Bauan Island to find the armor of the first Hero.”
I couldn’t help but think, Oh yeah, that’s right, but I kept it off my face. I was half-surprised he was already so far into his quest and half-distracted by how much of a pain that quest was.
Bauan Island was located southeast of the continent, in the lands of the Fahlritz Kingdom. From what I remembered of the game, it was exactly as Mazel said; there was a dungeon containing a suit of legendary armor—the sort you expected to find in pretty much every RPG—that had belonged to the first Hero.
I debated whether to tell him he would come face to face with the Demon Lord there. There wasn’t a boss battle or anything, but right before he reached the treasure chest, the Demon Lord would come out and spit hackneyed villain phrases that—while I didn’t remember for sure—sounded something like, “I didn’t think you would make it so far. I give you credit,” and “This place shall be your grave,” before teleporting away.
Instead, Mazel would battle a dragon summoned by the Demon Lord. It was a hard fight, and I didn’t think I was the only player who yelled at the screen, “How is this thing not one of the Four Fiends?!” This was probably the first spot in the game where even the players who had breezed through the earlier sections had to restart from their last save.
In games, you could get past anything by reloading your save, but did that apply to this world? What would happen if he couldn’t get past it the first time? My conversation with Oldman Uwe had confirmed to me once again that while this world seemed like a game, it wasn’t one.
“An island, huh? If it was me,” I mused, “I’d set up a trap or an ambush.”
“You would?”
“There’s not a lot of places you’d be able to run if it came down to it.”
“You’re right. Hm…” Mazel scowled as he began to think. It seemed like he had become more wary of this leg of the quest. I decided to give him one more push.
“Plus, you’re actually in the most danger when it looks like things are going well.”
“Did you learn that the hard way?”
“Yup.” My glum expression earned a laugh from Mazel. Given what Gezarius had pulled right when I thought I had him cornered, I couldn’t share in his amusement. If Mazel hadn’t shown up, I’d probably be dead.
For a moment, I considered sharing my memories of my past life with Mazel, but for some reason, I couldn’t do it. I just had a feeling—a feeling that I couldn’t open up just yet.
“Yeah, I better be careful.”
“Make sure you don’t let your enemies see any chinks in your armor.”
“So basically, if we want to get rid of you, Werner, we better hurry and take you out on the battlefield.”
“Hey now. Don’t just go killing me off.”
As I was debating the merits of sharing my knowledge from my past life and consumed by foreboding, a line from Luguentz jumped into my ears. He had been carrying on the earlier conversation while Mazel and I carried out our own, and I responded to his teasing with a bitter grin on my face.
Still, just what would happen next? I now knew that the Demon Commanders were after me. With that in mind, I guessed I’d be safe from the Demon army in the capital—for now, at least.
Laura responded to Luguentz with a grin. “I’d be quite mad if you killed Viscount Zehrfeld, Luguentz.”
“Oof. Just the thought of it gives me chills.”
“Wouldn’t it make Big Sis Lily cry?” added Feli, knowing they were joking around. Luguentz had been gleefully giggling beside him. I wondered why Lily had been brought into the conversation, but then I remembered that she had met with Mazel in the capital… Hold on a second.
“That’s right. You met with my parents in the capital, right, Mazel?”
“Yeah, the count was kind enough to let us stay the night.”
Huh? “You stayed at my house?”
“Yes,” Laura chimed in. “Lily and I stayed up the whole night chatting. I have few acquaintances my age, so I really did enjoy it.”
Was this for real? “Laura stayed too?” I was too afraid to ask Laura herself, so I’d turned the question to Mazel.
“Uh-huh.” He nodded like it was nothing. But how could it be nothing? A princess spent the night at a noble family’s house! Even if I wasn’t there, it was still crazy talk!
“There’s nothing to worry about. His Majesty and my brother granted their permission.”
There was no need to say it so casually! I mean, did she understand what she…? No, I supposed this was His Majesty and the crown prince’s doing. They weren’t just expressing their trust in House Zehrfeld. They probably had something else up their sleeves too. Ugh, I’d had it with these stomachaches.
“I mean, no matter how you look at it, Big Sis Lily is definitely in love with you—ow!”
“I don’t care if it’s obvious. That’s not the kind of thing you spread around.” Luguentz pushed his knuckles into Feli’s head. Wait, what had Feli said? I looked at Mazel, but all he did was grin. But, huh? Wasn’t it just the suspension bridge effect? I did hear that was only supposed to be temporary.
“What do you think of her, Lord Werner?” asked Laura. Wow, that was a question. She really seemed to be enjoying herself. Girls her age were supposed to be into love stories and gossip, but I didn’t think that would apply to her too. I would kill for Feli and Luguentz to stop snickering like that.
Seeing all that would be in store for me when I arrived in the capital, I couldn’t help but escape from reality and into my own mind.