“Is that so... Well, I applaud your determination!! But, be careful, boy!!”
“Huh? What should I be careful of, sir?”
“Well...” Elphabill’s demonically fierce facial features became even sharper with solemnity before he continued! “Let us consider: the Demon Lord Deus and the dragon were, until recently, the ‘Absolute Rulers’ of this continent. But now that you have defeated them both, there is no ruler in this land... but you! From now on, you will be hunted by those seeking fame and fortune as they try to defeat the strongest on the continent...!!”
Wataru’s entire body began to quiver when he heard this! Was he quivering from fear? No! Absolutely not! These were the tremors of a fighter full of anticipation! Every part of his body was shaking with tremendous excitement as he thought of the battles to come!!
“Heh heh... You look pleased, Wataru!!”
Elphabill was quick to understand Wataru’s emotions, and flashed him a smile of recognition!
“You know, of course, that among the individuals aiming to defeat you... is myself...!!”
Despite the terror of his words, which were practically a declaration of war, Wataru simply smiled back at him and said, “I’m looking forward to our next battle!!”
At that moment, a wave of fierce, vigorous energy blasted out from both of their bodies!! When the two waves of energy collided—
SHHHHHHRRRRRRKKKKK!!
Space itself was twisted! Any normal person who might have been present would have collapsed on the spot from the terrible sight!
If there had been a spark within range... This load of dynamite would have blasted right off!!
The whole situation was on a hair trigger!!
—but that was when Elphabelle, looking most exasperated, decided to step in!
“All right you two, that’s enough—stop!! Papa, you will not try to kill my future husband!”
Elphabill slowly came to his senses and the waves of manly, fighting vigor began to abate. “Ah, forgive me, daughter...!! Wataru looked so passionate that I, too, felt myself burning up with enthusiasm for battle!!”
“Ha...” She sighed. “Wataru!” she yelled, pointing a finger right at him, “don’t go gettin’ yourself killed until after I marry you, all right!?”
Wataru grimaced, but still he boldly answered her!
“HA! I have no plans of getting married... and I don’t plan on getting killed, either! No need to worry about that!!”
Elphabelle was as pleased as could be and gave him a most ladylike, gentle smile in return!
“Now then, daughter of mine! We must be getting home soon... I’m concerned about Sebas......!!”
“Okay, Papa! Right then, we’re leaving now!” She leapt lithely up onto her father’s shoulder, sat down, and waved at the three adventurers! “Bye, everyone! See you next time!”
“Yeah! See you around!”
As Wataru gave her an energetic wave goodbye, Elphabill crouched low to the ground, flexed his legs, and jumped into the air with amazing momentum! It was a jump that would give Wataru’s own leaping prowess a run for its money! In the blink of an eye, the two of them had disappeared like falling stars flying beyond the horizon...!!
“They certainly are rather bothersome people, aren’t they...” Aria shook her head with exhausted disapproval in the general direction in which they had gone!
“You got that right!!”
“Anyway, Wataru, what do you plan on doing now?”
Wataru had to pause to think of a reply to Aria’s question!
“Hm... Well, I guess we should head back to the Revant Kingdom for the moment!!”
“Sounds good! Let’s find an inn in the Revant Kingdom where we can relax for the night, then return to the Sky Kingdom tomorrow!”
Wataru turned to ask Résistance about her plans!
“Hey, Résistance! What’re you gonna do now!?”
“Hm, me? I’m going to... take my leave, and continue my journey as I try to become a better fighter.”
“That so? We’ll miss you!! Hey, if you’re gonna do that, why don’t you at least come back with us to the Revant Kingdom! We’ll have a party tonight!” Wataru suggested, with a big smile on his face!
Aria nodded and cheerfully added, “That sounds great! Let’s do it!”
I’ll remind our Dear Readers that both Wataru and Aria are minors, so at their “party” tonight they’ll be drinking not liquor, but orange juice! This fictional work is completely compliant with any and all legal restrictions concerning the depiction of its characters, so of course we won’t have them drinking alcohol here just because we’re in a fantasy world!
After all, this is a healthy, morally upstanding novel series!!
Résistance found herself unable to resist this most excellent offer! “Haha!” she laughed, and replied, “Yes, that sounds excellent! Let’s have a party! Any liquor I drink tonight will taste better knowing that the two of you are partying alongside me!”
“All right! Let’s get going back to the Revant Kingdom!”
“Yes!”
“Yeah!”
And so it was that Wataru, Aria, and Résistance began walking back through the moonlit forest! The three of them were in the highest of spirits, having just successfully won the battle to protect humanity in this world!
But their real fight was yet to come! Wataru, especially, would find himself the target of bloodthirsty warriors from all across the continent!! In time, there may even come a battle where he might struggle to win! But I’m sure he’ll end up all right! After all, he’s got Aria, Résistance, and plenty of other allies!!
Hand in hand with his friends, Wataru will become stronger than anyone else!!
“I’m not stopping, not ever... Our adventure will always go on!”
His name was Wataru Ito! He was a Hot-Blooded Fighting Teen!
And on this day, in a world crammed full with dangers and demons, he would face them all in battle with nothing but his fists!!
The Hot-Blooded Fighting Teen! His Epic Adventures After Stopping a Truck with His Bare Hands!!
THE!!!!! END!!!!!