Creatures that attack human beings— Monsters.
They were nothing out of the ordinary in this world, and there was a simple answer as to how they are born.
Monsters are born from miasma that accumulates in the air, takes on some form, and lives in this world as they are.
“—It’s also known as the ‘cursed town.’ Or at least that’s what other people call Minaura.”
Siva explained that, compared to other towns, Minaura had a significantly higher level of miasma surrounding it, which is why there were many monsters residing in the city, thus getting its infamous name.
“And since there’s a lot of miasma, the quality of the monsters is different and much stronger than usual. Most of the people on their way to Minaura died because of that very difference.”
The more miasma there was, the higher the quality of the monsters were born.
And being called the “cursed town,” the quality of the monsters born in Minaura’s vicinity wasn’t hard to guess.
“All the more reason for me to take part in cleaning out monsters in Minaura, which is the most suitable place for me to make a name for myself. I’m beginning to get tired of being a nobody in so many ways.”
Saying so, Siva tapped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
“This is a renowned sword— Gracia. The only reason that I’m frequently targeted by bandits is that my sword is more well known than I am. I don’t want to lose to my sword, so I’m trying to get my name recognized too.”
“Hmm~?”
I guess he knew I was a stranger to this world, having just come out of the village, so Siva frequently talked to me on our way to Minaura.
And judging from what I’d heard so far, perhaps it was better to think that Minaura was filled with the “mutant species” that were mentioned by Lilea and Lowe, the adventurers who always came to our village.
“By the way, Julius.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been wondering since earlier, where in the world did you learn to fight? Who taught you how to use a sword?”
Ever since the wolf incident, and after several encounters with monsters, he was probably curious about my swordsmanship, as such questions had been asked unexpectedly.
“The fact that you’re a villager makes me think that you’re self-taught… but your swordsmanship is far too thorough to be what one would execute if he were to learn independently. But if you were taught by someone, I don’t think there’s anyone out there who could teach you how to use a sword with such a refined skill to cut and slay enemies…”
My swordsmanship was the result of devoting all my heart and soul into the effort of Slaying the Stars.
I wasn’t sure if he was praising or criticizing it, but one thing that I knew was that his words shook my eardrums.
…Really, I couldn’t think of any reply I could give Siva right away, but then, after a few seconds of silent contemplation:
“It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”
I let my face break out in a smile.
It was something only I was granted to have.
Therefore, I proclaimed how great his swordsmanship was.
“But no matter how much I envy you, it’s something I can’t tell you. There’s no one in this world who could’ve taught me everything I know about the way of the sword, after all.”
Rather than being dead, he wasn’t even from this world to begin with.
As far as I knew, I’d never heard of anyone in this world who had devoted his life hoping to Slay the Stars, and thus, I got my answer.
“……”
Siva’s face was overtly clouded with regret, as if he had heard something terrible.
I thought of telling him that he was not dead, but no one would believe me if I said that my teacher was a swordsman that I saw in my dream.
If anyone were to believe me, it would probably be only Sofia.
So, although I felt sorry for Siva, I decided to let him be mistaken.
“That’s one of the reasons why I want to be a Star Slayer. I want to prove that that swordsman’s technique was truly capable of reaching the stars.”
I wanted to make it known that my longing was the strongest of them all, and could even reach the stars.
“…Hm, I see. So even an idiot who’s willing to sacrifice himself for his ideals is an idiot who has a firm resolution that he can’t compromise, huh? That’s good. I don’t particularly dislike that kind of trait.”
—And that trait was rather to his liking, he said.
I guess my ideology must’ve tugged Siva’s heartstrings.
He muttered, as his face contorted into a joyful, happy expression.
Then, he laughed without effort, thinking it would be tactless to ask for further confirmation.
“If you have such a good reason, I won’t say anything more. I’m thinking of beating you to death to make a brat like you understand, but I quit. I won’t call someone who has that kind of determination a brat. Well, then… Let’s go to Minaura, kill those monsters, and immediately make a name for ourselves!!!”
Wildly, he shouted the words all over the place.
And then a huge, worn-off, old wall stood before our eyes.
A wall so high it reached the sky.
And soon after that—
“—If you’re the gatekeepers, make sure you do your jobs and kill the monsters who dared to step out of Minaura. Get him, Gladiator.“
His magic unraveled.
A moment later, a jet-black sword sprouted from the ground— and stretched high to the sky.
According to Siva, his magic was very similar to mine, aside from his ability to cast a sword anywhere.
However, his magic was only temporary, and he couldn’t use it as his own weapon as I could.
Not long after, something fell with a thud.
It was a winged insect-shaped monster.
“A… magic user…!”
“Why are you so surprised? It’s not so unusual to find magicians nowadays. There’s your ‘Warrior Princess,’ me— hell, even Julius here can use magic. So don’t treat me like a freakish creature.”
In front of us stood a towering wall.
Siva spat out his words as he stared in dismay at the several men who stood near it, who looked like gatekeepers, then walked up to them.
“I don’t know which of you has the name register, but hurry up and bring it out.”
A name register?
A question mark appeared above my head, but it lasted only for a moment.
“…Julius, you came here in Minaura because you’re been drafted, right? If that’s the case, we have to make sure we settle with that list first.”
It reminded me of Viera Islebark’s words, that if I arrive here, then I’ve complied with the draft.
Certainly, if I didn’t leave some kind of trace that I had been here, the whole thing would be for naught.
“The country does some underhanded things with no hesitation, but on the other hand, they are also pretty adamant when it comes to the things they declare.”
Something happened in the past, then.
While Siva was rhetorically putting words in my mouth, the man at the gate, who had understood the situation, smiled and said that I, a villager, was a daredevil for coming here, and offered me a list of names.
I looked down at the list of names handed to me.
And it was a map drawn in a fine piece of paper that Viera had seemingly given to him.
“You know where your village is, right? Just put your magic seal there and the process is done.”
A magic seal.
It was a requirement in this world when a contract was made between two parties.
Lilea told me that I would need it if I came to the capital someday, and since I had learned how to make a stamp when I was in the village, I did as I was told and put my thumb on the spot where my village was located.
“The people from other villages won’t come anyway, so make sure to stamp a big one.”
With Siva smiling happily by my side, I stamped my mark on the paper in a manner very similar to the way I handled magic.
“Your village won’t suffer from higher taxes anymore. But on the other hand, you won’t be able to back out now too, Julius.”
“I’m only able to stand here because I broke the promise I made to my childhood friend. I have no intention of turning back now.”
“…Jeez, what a terrible friend you are.”
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