Camus stared blankly at the scene before him. His thoughts had stopped.

'What? What just happened? The magical beast? What happened to the magical beast, and what is that red rainbow, and why is that damn guy looking at me and smiling?'

But Ashuban, as if he had no interest in it, approached the corpse of the magical beast that had been split in half and danced with his shoulders.

"You disrespectful bastard. Are you saying you're that guy's brother? Were you trying to get revenge? But you have no chance. I'm not the me you knew before. Got it? The man who cuts down guys like you in one fell swoop, that's the Devil of the Red Eyes. From now on, all the magical beasts in Maia will tremble at the mere mention of my name. Got it? Ah, this really rolls off the tongue. Got it?"

"...."

"Master. Look at this. This is a B-rank magical beast. It's a step above the C-rank guy we saw before. Isn't it disgusting? Isn't it terrifying? ...What? An A-rank magical beast? Those guys aren't easy to see. Even B-ranks are hard to see. For now, be satisfied with this. ...No, is this also trivial? Master. Look at these claws. Look at these sharp teeth. How terrifying is that? If you get grazed, your limbs will be torn off. It's a serious injury."

Camus stared blankly at the red-eyed man with his mouth half-open. He was muttering to himself like a madman and touching the fallen magical beast.

Then, suddenly, the nagging words he had poured out at him came to mind one by one. Starting with the tale of valor of barely defeating a B-rank magical beast with six people... pointing out his swordsmanship, lecturing him on how to deal with magical beasts, correcting his posture when swinging a sword, and even the arrogant words that he would take him on a magical beast hunt for a while.

Only gold-rank mercenaries or noble knights can defeat a B-rank magical beast alone. But that crazy guy who was doing a sword dance on the magical beast's corpse didn't look like a knight at all. Nevertheless, he had defeated the B-rank magical beast. And with a single sword strike.

Then...

'At least gold-rank. Or even higher.'

If it's higher than that?

'...Platinum-rank!'

Camus's one remaining eye widened rapidly. Come to think of it, he suddenly remembered the rather random question he had been asked a little while ago.

'I heard that the Sherwood Mercenary Corps has been disbanded, is that true?'

Where is the Sherwood Mercenary Corps? Isn't it a place teeming with monsters in human skin? Starting with Gustan of the Greatsword, the Red Witch, the Two-Faced Magic Swordsman, the Braggart Dofang, the Unbelieving Saint, etc... The best mercenary corps in the Maia Kingdom, where all members are platinum-rank, is the Sherwood Mercenary Corps.

If the man in front of him is a member of the Sherwood Mercenary Corps, then everything is explained. From that immense strength to that insane personality.

'The Sherwood Mercenary Corps.'

...Thud.

Camus's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.

At that, Shushruta, who had jumped down from the carriage, ran over and nagged Ashuban, who was doing a sword dance.

"Ashuban! What are you doing! The sun is already setting!"

She had no particular reaction to seeing the B-rank magical beast split in half. She just pointed at the setting sun and nagged the red-eyed man.

"There's no time to be dancing! We have to hurry!"

"Ah, already?"

Ashuban checked the yellowish sky and then immediately reached for the magical beast's split chest. With a squelching sound, the magical beast's magic stone was pulled out.

Ashuban shook off the blood on the magic stone and approached Camus. Then, seeing Camus sitting on the ground, he asked with a bewildered face.

"Did you hurt your leg?"

Camus looked up at him and muttered softly.

"...Ashuban?"

The man with the bloody eyes nodded.

"That's me."

"Were you a member of the Sherwood Mercenary Corps?"

Ashuban grinned.

"You're quick on the uptake."

"...Ashuban. I've never heard of you."

Chiiik—

The blade of the sword in Ashuban's hand sparkled, and the magical beast's blood on it evaporated. The rising smoke gently enveloped him. The red eyes flashed through the hazy smoke, and a deep smile hung on his lips.

"The secret weapon of the Sherwood Mercenary Corps. That's me."

***

Clip-clop— Charrrr—

Inside the shaking carriage.

I wiped the magic stone and then looked at it. It was a fist-sized magic stone that looked like a ruby. The color was more transparent, and it sparkled. Someone who didn't know might mistake it for a jewel, but it was clearly a magic stone with a considerable amount of mana concentrated in it.

A B-rank magic stone can be sold for a very high price. But I'm not a man in need of money. The legacy of Ophosis. I am its owner, so how could I be short of money?

As I was thinking about other uses for it, an unexpected idea flashed through my mind.

'Instead of an elixir?'

Come to think of it, it makes sense. Elixirs are also things that have absorbed the energy of nature for a long time. Magical beasts are similar in that regard. It's just that they can move and their nature is very ferocious.

"What do you think, Master?"

[Impossible.]

The Heavenly Demon unexpectedly objected.

[Just throw it away.]

"Why?"

[Unlike an inner core, its energy is very turbid and dark. You'll only be able to absorb turbid ki from it. You've filled your dantian with only pure energy, are you going to contaminate it with turbid ki?]

I thought for a moment, tossing the magic stone in the air and catching it, then said.

"Then what if I purify it?"

[Purify?]

"I don't use the magic stone as it is. It's usually used after being purified by priests. Siri used to purify them for us."

[Who is this Siri?]

I let out a small laugh and answered.

"There is. A funny girl who is a saintess but doesn't believe in God."

I threw the magic stone to Shushruta and said.

"Don't sell that, keep it."

Shushruta caught the magic stone and replied.

"Are you going to use it?"

"We'll see."

"Understood."

I turned my gaze to Camus, who was still staring at me blankly. He still seemed to be unable to come to his senses.

"Hey."

"...."

"Hey, Kamui."

"...It's Camus."

"Right, Camus. That guy's corpse is frozen solid, so if you're planning on taking it later, bring a big carriage and get it."

Camus nodded.

"I will."

And then he added in a small voice.

"...Thank you."

"Don't mention it. This much for a savior."

"...."

Even though I had taken the magic stone, a B-rank magical beast is not a common sight. Except for being split in half, the rest of the corpse was relatively intact, so it could probably be sold for a very high price. It was a reward for the kindness he had shown.

But for some reason, the hunter's face was redder than usual.

Just as Camus was about to open his mouth to say something, Linda shouted.

"Devil! I see the city wall!"

I immediately went to the driver's seat and shared Linda's view. In the distance, a huge city wall came into view. A smile automatically formed on my face.

Finally, we had arrived in Schirnberg.

***

The checkpoint was passed without any problems. Shushruta had already prepared an ID to be used in Maia. A journey is so much easier with one competent thieving cat. Of course, I had an old mercenary tag, so I presented that.

Since it was a large city, there were many people trying to pass through the city gate, so the guards just glanced at the IDs and let them pass.

Camus, who was staring at my mercenary tag from the side, said.

"Can I see that for a moment?"

I gladly handed him the mercenary tag.

"...Sherwood Mercenary Corps. It's real."

"Of course it's real."

"But why is it a silver tag? Weren't all the members platinum tags?"

Before, I would have gotten angry, but now I had the leisure to laugh. Is this the leisure of the strong?

I grinned and answered.

"I told you. I'm the secret weapon."

"Hmm."

Camus returned the mercenary tag with a convinced expression.

Then he pointed at the sack loaded in the back and said.

"Can you drop me off in front of the mercenary guild? I have to submit this guy."

"Not difficult."

I skillfully guided Linda and led her to the mercenary guild.

In front of the mercenary guild where we had arrived.

Camus, who had taken the sack down from the carriage, asked.

"Have you lived here before? You seem to be familiar with the geography."

"For a little while as a child."

"...I see."

He seemed to be a little offended, so I made an excuse.

"I wasn't trying to deceive you. You didn't give me a chance to speak. It just happened."

Camus waved his hand as if he didn't care.

"Don't mind it. It's my fault for jumping to conclusions."

His tone had already changed from that of an advising senior to that of a colleague.

Camus lifted the sack and slung it over his shoulder, then said.

"If you're planning on staying for a day, I recommend the 'Horned Black Goat'. Their black beer is delicious."

"Oh. Is it still there?"

"A good inn is never short of people."

"A wise answer. Well then, see you later."

"Yes."

The carriage started again, and Camus, dragging the sack on his shoulder, entered the guild building and muttered to himself.

"Ah, shit. How embarrassing."

***

That evening, Camus bought.

How dare he show off his money to the owner of the Ophosis legacy? I was about to punish him severely, but he said he wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise with a red face, so I had no choice but to eat deliciously. Because sleep is important.

And so, after drinking cool black beer and catching up, the next morning.

I gave Shushruta and Linda a mission each and then set off. Information about the Sherwood Mercenary Corps for Shushruta, and food supplies for Linda.

I'm planning on leaving right away.

I had said my goodbyes to Camus over a glass of liquor the day before, so there was no need to see him separately. It is the life of mercenaries to part like the wind and then reunite like an unexpected rain one day. Many words were not needed.

I walked the streets of Schirnberg for the first time in a very long time. In my memory, everything in Schirnberg seemed to be big, but now I see that it wasn't so.

I walked through the wide square with a fountain and the clean streets. I walked through the gloomy streets that were shaded even in the morning. The wary eyes of those hiding in the shade followed me, but I didn't care.

Perhaps because I was wearing a cool sword, I didn't get into any particular fights.

Do painful and difficult memories become fond memories after they pass?

I walked the streets without getting hurt much and shared my memories with the Heavenly Demon. The Heavenly Demon listened quietly without saying much.

And so, I walked back and forth between the bright streets and the shaded streets, picking up memories...

[Are you going to go empty-handed? Take a flower with you.]

I bought a flower. It was a flower with a sky-blue center, surrounded by white petals.

I held the flower carefully and walked with a somewhat awkward gait.

The place I finally arrived at was a cemetery that had been created like a park.

I looked around for a moment at the tombstones lined up in an orderly fashion like well-trained soldiers, and then moved my feet.

The well-maintained cemetery was clean without a single flaw. It was only natural, since it was a cemetery where nobles were buried.

The morning sunlight that quietly settled on the cemetery created a reverent atmosphere.

I walked through the paths between the tombstones, feeling the unique atmosphere that was quiet and solemn. Even the sound of birds is quiet in this strangely quiet place. It seems even the birds are watching the dead and crying.

Of course, that's nonsense.

I let out a small laugh and walked the path between the tombstones.

Although it is a place where nobles or those of equivalent status are buried, even those who are not nobles can be buried here as an exception. Those who have gained great fame, or those who have donated a huge amount of money.

Of course, in my case, it was the latter. I had used all the money I had earned as a mercenary here. Because she was a girl who didn't belong in the dirty back alleys.

The members of the mercenary corps had tried to dissuade me, saying what's the use of it after you're dead. But what does it matter? I was satisfied. My heart was much more at ease.

"...Then what's the use."

After she was laid to rest in the grave, I never visited once. This is my second visit.

Like a fool. I had poured out all the money I had, and yet I hadn't visited once. I had run away. I hadn't even come near Schirnberg.

'Why?'

Did I want to forget? Did I think I could erase you? Did I believe that?

'...I don't know.'

I always become a sinner when I stand before you.

I walked the path between the tombstones... and finally found her grave.

"Tina"

"May you be happy there"

"...Damn it."

It was a cliché epitaph. I should have chosen something cooler if I had known. At that time, I was so out of it that I just nodded at the stonemason's words.

A belated regret washed over me. Even that was a cliché regret.

A leaf had gently settled on her tombstone.

As I approached, smiling like a pathetic man, to remove the leaf that had fallen on her head, I stopped in my tracks.

Because a tombstone was standing next to it.

"Ashuban Sherwood"

(End of Chapter)