An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"I don't need your apology, and I don't hold the past against you. To me, you're not worth being my equal, so no matter what you say, I won't listen. If you understand, then get out of here! You're so annoying!"

Although Kondo and the others were infuriated by Hajime's attitude, when Hajime, with a broad smile, said to Hiyama, "Hiyama, you understand, don't you?" Hiyama shuddered, nodded silently, and offered words of comfort to the others. He knew that Hajime had not forgiven him for his past actions, and he could hear the hidden meaning behind them, which was why he deliberately cooperated with Hajime.

Although Kondo and the others were surprised by Hiyama's sudden change of attitude, they also realized that Hiyama's suppression of his emotions was unusual, so they reluctantly gave up trying to persuade Hajime.

Finally, finally, there were no more strangers to hinder Hajime and the others' departure. During the brief moment when Kaori returned to the hotel to get her luggage (Hiyama and the others wanted to follow her, but were stopped by Hajime's "intimidation"), Shizuku glanced at Ryuutarou and the others busy digging Kouki out of the ground and said to Hajime:

"How should I put it... I feel so sorry for you in every way. Also, I want to thank you again, thank you. Thank you for saving us, and thank you for coming to see Kaori alive..."

Seeing Shizuku apologize for the trouble they had caused and thank him for saving her and Kaori, Hajime couldn't help but laugh. Shizuku was confused by Hajime's sudden laughter and asked with her eyes, "What's so funny?"

"No, I'm sorry. How should I put it... I can't help but laugh when I think about how hard you're working. Back in Japan, you used to sneak over to apologize like this, and you're still the same in this other world... If you don't tone it down a bit, the wrinkles between your brows won't go away, right?"

"...You don't need to worry about that. You've changed a lot. I can't believe you have so many women serving you, even a daughter... I can't imagine you back in Japan."

“There’s only one person I like…”

"...I'm not in a position to say this, and I know it's very willful...but I hope you can look at Kaori a few more times. Please."

"..."

Hajime didn't answer. He had no intention of returning Kaori's affections, and he didn't think it was right to take her along. It was Yue who finally pushed him forward... Why would the woman he loved accept one woman after another following her? How had it come to this? Hajime, ignoring his own dependence on Yue, gazed off into the distance.

Seeing that Hajime didn't seem to be listening, Shizuku's concern for her friends came out again.

"...If you don't treat her well...you'll be in big trouble, okay?"

"? Trouble? What do you mean—"

"What do you think of the 'White-Haired Eyepatch Executioner'?"

"……What?"

"Or would you rather write 'Destruction Tour' and pronounce it 'Out break'?"

"Wait, y-what are you talking about..."

"There are others like the 'Dark Tyrant' and the 'Red Lightning Alchemist', right?"

"I, I'm telling you, you're not..."

Hearing Shizuku suddenly list several incomprehensible nouns, Hajime was confused at first, but when he saw her looking him up and down, he immediately understood her intention and his face turned pale.

"Hehe, now I'm the 'Apostle of God' and a member of the Heroic Corps, so my words spread easily. Probably like the neighborhood housewife gossip website, right? Well, Nagumo-san, what nickname would you like to be given? You seem like someone who's easy to name, so let me spread the word."

"Wait! Wait, wait a minute! How did you learn this method of hurting people!?"

"Because I study with Kaori. She's been reading popular manga and anime and delving into otaku culture just to chat with you. I often watch with her, so I've acquired a similar level of knowledge. I remember that Nagumo-san's style would be classified as medium--"

“Shut up! Please don’t!”

"H-hmm, the effect is better than I thought... I see you're self-aware."

"You, you devil..."

At this point, Hajime's legs trembled like a newborn fawn, and he fell to his knees. His mind flashed back to the dark past of his junior high school days. Those things sealed deep within his memory seemed to be shouting, "Looking for me?" and poking their heads out.

"Hehe, then, you will take good care of Kaori, right?"

"..."

“Hoo, Shotgun Chaos, Reverse Calamity…”

"I, I get it! I'll be obedient, just stop giving me such awful nicknames!"

"You'll treat Kaori well, right?"

"...I can only promise not to deliberately ignore her."

"Well, that's all. If I keep threatening you, you'll probably go crazy... If you dare to break this promise, whether in Japan or here, I'll make you the protagonist and write some novel or something. You must be prepared, okay?"

"You're actually the final boss, right? Is that correct?"

Hajime, his sense of shame severely wounded, was on the verge of collapse, clutching his head in agony. Yue, Nagayama, and the others, who were watching the interaction from a distance, trembled for Shizuku—after all, she had brought Hajime, a peerless powerhouse, to his knees with just words.

As Hajime was struggling with his past and his appearance, Kaori came back. Her eyes widened when she saw Hajime bowing to Shizuku.

Light was very concerned about Shizuku, who made Hajime's knees soften, and exchanged relevant information with Kaori. Light murmured "Hmm~" to Shizuku, who interacted with him and gave him a verbal punishment in the end. Kaori thought to herself, "Oh, those two seem to be whispering together a lot..." and looked at Shizuku and Hajime alternately. The two finally came to a conclusion -

Could it be that even in the women's war, she is the final leader?

While Hajime and the others worried about Yue and Kaori, who were showing an indescribable expression, they made final preparations for departure. To see them off, female classmates Shizuku and Ken, along with Nagayama's team, and Captain Meld, who had rushed over after finishing his report, all arrived at the entrance of Holyard.

Although the Nagayama Group, Ling and the others, as well as Captain Meld, all had a bit of embarrassment and lingering confusion, they still expressed their gratitude to Hajime and the others and wished them a safe journey.

After seeing Hajime take out Britt, their expressions went beyond surprise to shock.

Shizuku and Kaori held each other's hands and took a moment to say goodbye. Then, Hajime took out the longsword in its black scabbard from the "treasure vault" and handed it to Shizuku.

"This is?"

"Yaegashi, you lost your original sword, right? This one's for you. You've always been a hard worker, and now that Shirosaki's gone, you've lost your 'spiritual healing', right? Consider this a token of gratitude for all the help you've given me throughout Japan."

Shizuku took the longsword from Hajime's hand and slowly unsheathed it. A pitch-black blade emerged, seemingly absorbing all light. It had no hamon, its blade barely curved, and a double-edged edge at the front. It resembled Japanese swords forged using the so-called Koguro method. Hajime, though not a specialist in Japanese swords, had crafted this one, like the kodachi he had given Hauriya, through a process of refinement, drawing inspiration from Japanese swords depicted in manga.

"I've compressed the world's hardest ore to create this, so its hardness is guaranteed. As for its sharpness, even an amateur's casual swing is enough to tear through steel. When using it... I don't think I need to warn you, but please be careful."

"...Such an amazing weapon... As expected of a master refiner. Thank you. I'll take it without hesitation."

Shizuku took a few test swings, feeling the sensation that even the wind could rip apart. She couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, then smiled and thanked him frankly. In fact, the Yaegashi-ryu swordsmanship she'd learned was originally based on a Japanese sword, and with her previous longsword, she'd always felt a bit awkward when executing moves. Therefore, she was frankly delighted to receive the Japanese sword, and her smile naturally took on a touch of charm.

"...The final boss?"

“…Shizuku-chan?”

"Eh? What's wrong? Why are you two looking at me like that?"

Yue's eyes were filled with caution, while Kaori's were filled with confusion. Shizuku, bewildered, seemed a bit overwhelmed. Finally, in an indescribable atmosphere, Hajime and his group, having been bid farewell by Shizuku and the others, left the Inn City Hallyard.

The sky cleared, and their next destination was the Gulun Volcano, one of the seven great labyrinths in the Gulun Desert. After a miraculous reunion, Hajime and his companions, now with their new companions, headed west.

Volume 4 Finale: Madness, Confusion, and the Approaching Silver Hand

“Damn it! Damn it! What the hell! Is this a joke!”

In a suburban park in the city of Holyard, a forest of trees stands tall. Late at night, a man is seen pounding on one of the trees, cursing under his breath. His name is Hiyama Daisuke.

Hiyama's eyes were filled with hatred, hesitation, and anxiety. His eyes were ugly and cloudy, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was crazy.

"As expected, you're furious... But it's understandable. After all, your beloved Princess Kaori was taken away by another man right before your eyes. No wonder you're angry, right?"

A voice filled with mockery and a hint of sympathy came from behind Hiyama. Hiyama turned around with a sudden force that threatened to snap. Upon realizing the person standing behind him was the person he was meeting with, a look of relief flashed across his face. Then, he clenched his fists and responded with a wild animal's roar.

“Shut up! Damn it! This shouldn’t… shouldn’t be happening! Why is that guy still alive?! Why do you think I did that…?”

"Stop being crazy and talk to me properly, okay? If someone sees us having a secret meeting, it'll be really hard to come up with an excuse to get away with it."

"...I no longer have any reason to obey you...My Kaori is already..."

Hiyama spoke bitterly, shaking his fist at the tree beside him. The figure before him was a silhouette, lurking in the shadows cast by the moonlight in the forest.

Hiyama assisted this person's plan because he heard that doing so would make Kaori his own. Now that Kaori was gone, he had no reason to help. Even if the person threatened to reveal his attempt on Hajime's life, the victim herself might reveal it herself, so there was no need to obey their orders at this point.

However, the figure in the darkness grinned like a crescent moon and tempted Hiyama again like a devil.

"If it's stolen, we can just get it back, right? Luckily, I have some good bait."

“…Bait?”

Hiyama was confused and didn't understand what was going on. The man grinned and nodded at Hiyama.

"Yes, bait. She prioritized her own feelings and chose to leave her companions... but I doubt she would abandon her friends and childhood sweetheart once she knew their plight...?"

"you……"

"Calling her out is easy. There's no need to be pessimistic. Especially this time, although I was terrified... but looking at the result, it wasn't bad. Well, you could say it was a fluke. After we return to the capital, we'll enter the final stage, right? Then... your wish will come true, okay?"

"..."

Knowing it was a waste of time, Hiyama glared fiercely at his accomplice lurking in the shadows of the trees. The figure before him bore his gaze impassively, his sneer still wide.

Hiyama didn't know the other party's full plan, but from what he had just said, he realized that it did include a plan that would endanger his classmates. He also realized that he had almost easily betrayed his classmates who had shared hardships for his own selfish purposes, and he didn't even feel any guilt about it. Hiyama realized his own coldness and felt a chill run down his spine.

(This guy is still as disgusting as ever... But I can't turn back. To get my Kaori back, I have no choice but to bite the bullet... That's right. There's no need to be lost. I'm doing this for Kaori. My choice is right!)

Hiyama didn't realize his thoughts had become disorganized. He had been following the instructions of the other party as an accomplice, but he turned a blind eye to it, constantly justifying his actions and putting all the blame on Kaori.

The figure in the shadows had already seen through the silent Hiyama's thoughts. Therefore, a smile played on his face as he waited for the answer he already knew.

“…I understand. I’ll continue assisting you as usual. However…”

"Yeah, I know. I take what I want, and you take what you want. Give and take. That's a nice saying, isn't it? Now comes the crucial moment. After we return to the capital, I'll continue to entrust you with my services, okay?"

The figure paid no attention to Hiyama's distorted expression, turned around, and disappeared into the woods.

Only a depraved young man remained at the scene. His eyes, once dark and murky like mud, now shone brightly.

At the same moment when a suspicious conversation was taking place in a suburban park, two young men and women were standing in the moonlight in another place.

Unlike the private conversation on the other side, the two were on a small arch bridge built over the waterway that ran through the town's alleys and shops.

Due to the large number of restaurants and accommodation facilities, many waterways were dug out of necessity. The waning moon was reflected on the slowly flowing water, and the reflected moonlight illuminated the handsome face of the young man standing on the bridge staring at the water.

To be precise, he wasn't actually staring at the water; dejected was a more accurate description. His handsome face was shrouded in a shadow, a far cry from his usual bright and cheerful demeanor.

This person was none other than the "Brave" Amanogawa Kouki. He looked like the former owner of a small company that had gone bankrupt and was burdened with massive debts.

“…You’re not going to say anything?”

Guanghui said this while gazing at the moon on the water. The person he was speaking to was his childhood sweetheart of ten years, and a close friend of the girl who had left, Yaegashi Shizuku.

Unlike Kouki, Shizuku leaned against the bridge railing, leaning back to gaze up at the moon floating in the sky. Her long ponytail, her trademark, swayed on the other side of the railing, seemingly toyed by the breeze.

Hearing her childhood friend's words while staring at the moon's reflection on the water, Shizuku answered quietly without turning her head away.

"What do you want me to say?"

"..."

Kouki didn't answer. No, he couldn't. Even as he gazed at the moon reflected in the water, his mind was filled with the sight of Kaori confessing her feelings to him. Seeing Kaori, hiding her anxiety and joy, as she spoke her true feelings to him like a prayer, coupled with that expression—even Kouki, who was almost insensitive, was convinced that what she said was true.

Guanghui and Kaori had been friends for ten years, but he had never seen Kaori make such a sympathetic yet poignant expression. He even felt a pang of melancholy and heartache watching her. This was what they called a bolt from the blue was like.

Whenever I think of her expression, an indescribable feeling surges in my heart, a heavy, dark, and thick feeling that cannot be dissolved.

He had always believed, unconditionally and without basis, something he took for granted. He had always assumed that his childhood sweetheart, Kaori, would always be by his side. It had always been that way, and it would never change. He even considered Kaori his property. It was all jealousy, to put it bluntly.

Was this jealousy born of admiration or possessiveness? Guanghui himself wasn't quite sure. In short, Kaori had been snatched away from her. This thought stirred a fierce vortex in his chest.

However, Kaori had indeed decided of her own free will to leave with Hajime, the culprit who had "taken her away" (though she vehemently denied it). Furthermore, in an effort to deny this unacceptable reality, she decided to duel Hajime, only to be defeated in a matter of seconds. A complex mixture of feelings, including her own pity, anger towards Hajime, and suspicion of Kaori, left Kouki's mind as chaotic as an overturned trash can.

That's why he hoped that his childhood friend, who had been standing beside him without him noticing, would show some concern for him...but her response was cold and indifferent. With nothing to say, Guanghui could only remain silent.

Shizuku glanced at the silent Guanghui beside her, frowned, and said with a helpless look:

"You're thinking wrong now!"

“…Wrong?”

Hearing Shizuku's sudden words, Kouki could only repeat them like a parrot. Shizuku turned her gaze from the moon to Kouki and continued:

"That's right. Kaori was never yours from the beginning, you know?"

"What do you mean... Otherwise, is she Nanyun's?"

Because Shizuku hit the nail on the head, the pained Guanghui's eyes began to wander, and he couldn't help but refute with an almost rude attitude. To this, Shizuku flicked his forehead hard in response. Guanghui cried out "It hurts!?" Pressing his forehead, Shizuku looked at him with disdain and scolded him in a cold voice:

"Idiot. Kaori is definitely her own person! What she chooses and where she wants to go are all hers to decide. Of course, who she wants to belong to is also...hers to decide."

"...When did it start? You already knew about this, right?"

Shizuku didn't ask what Guanghui wanted to ask, but just nodded.

"Kaori met Nagumo in middle school. However, he had forgotten about it...or rather, he didn't even seem to know that they had met each other."

"...What does that mean? What exactly is going on?"

"You can ask Kaori yourself when you get a chance! I can't just say things like that."

"So, Kaori chatted with Nagumo in the classroom several times...is that because...she likes him...?"

"Yes, that's right."

"..."

Shizuku casually told him the truth he didn't want to hear, and Kouki looked at her with resentment. However, Shizuku remained completely indifferent.

Perhaps he was beginning to feel angry at her attitude, Guanghui acted like a naughty and disobedient child, speaking out his thoughts.