Kays Translations

Chapter 13: After a Few More Days Pass

One night, Ren dreamed of Legend of the Seven Heroes II.

Near the climax of that game, an enormous monster appeared offshore from the Imperial Capital’s harbor. The incident was connected to people seeking the Demon King’s revival. Yet the most shocking scene occurred immediately after the battle.

Chronois Highland—the world’s greatest magician and a warrior comparable even to a Sword King—was found in the Great Temple of the Imperial Capital with Ren Ashton’s sword driven through her chest.

Players had been stunned. There were no signs of a great battle within the temple, so many concluded that the game Ren had killed her through deception or an assassination-like attack. The story never gave a clear answer.

Ren Ashton offered no motive. He continued appearing before the protagonists afterward and occasionally gave them advice, but he never explained why he had murdered Chronois.

One detail had always felt wrong. Chronois had announced that she would join the battle at the harbor, yet she never appeared there. Somehow, she ended up alone in the Great Temple with Ren instead.

The Ren dreaming of that scene still did not know the truth.

That ignorance was exactly why he had to prevent the future from occurring.

“Ugh…”

He woke with a groan and sat upright.

It was a terrible way to begin the day. Returning to sleep risked seeing the dream continue, so he opened the curtains and let the morning sunlight wash away the lingering dread.

He had moved into the old manor only a few days earlier and was still adjusting to the unfamiliar bed.

“I can only keep trying.”

After slapping his cheeks lightly, Ren dressed and left the room.

He occupied a modest chamber near the entrance, furnished only with what he needed. He cooked for himself in the manor’s kitchen. His meals were simple and his experience limited, but he could feed himself without difficulty.

By the time breakfast was finished, his mood had improved.

The old manor was now his responsibility. He cleaned it, cared for the grounds, and handled its daily maintenance without relying on the household. Licia had once offered to help, astonishing the servants, but Ren refused because the work was part of his agreement with Lessard. She had puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.

After an Imperial Swordsmanship lesson with Weiss, Ren left the estate for the Adventurers’ Guild.

Summer had advanced while he settled into his new life. Clausel’s elevated streets offered a broad view toward the horizon, and the clear morning air refreshed him as he walked downhill.

“Good morning, hero!”

“You are energetic today, Ren-dono!”

Stall owners and townspeople greeted him along the way. By now, he had become a familiar figure.

The guild was already busy with adventurers preparing to depart and food stalls serving breakfast. Ren checked the bulletin board but found no unusual notices.

(It will probably be another ordinary day of surveying and hunting.)

His stomach growled.

He had eaten at home, but an eleven-year-old body that trained and fought regularly demanded more food than expected. Ren looked around, hoping no one had heard.

“That was a rather cute sound.”

A woman’s voice came from behind him.

A stranger sat at a nearby table. Pure white robes covered her body, and a deep hood hid everything but her mouth. A small amount of silky blond hair escaped from beneath it. Her voice had been altered by a magic tool, though its feminine quality remained faintly audible.

“Come here,” she said. “Would you like to eat with me?”

Ren hesitated.

“My treat, of course. Do not be shy.”

She apparently assumed he lacked money.

“You need not pay for me. I have enough.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ren sat nearby and ordered with the ease of a regular customer. The woman tilted her hooded head.

“You come here often?”

“I do.”

“You are remarkably composed for your age.”

“I have simply become accustomed to the place.”

“Hahaha! Even that answer sounds mature.”

Her food arrived first, but she waited until Ren’s additional breakfast was served before beginning.

“You did not have to wait,” he said.

“I wanted to. Think nothing of it.”

As they ate, Ren became increasingly curious about why she had approached him.

“Why did you speak to me?”

“I heard your adorable stomach and wondered what kind of boy made the sound.”

“And what did you decide?”

“I was thinking about how to kidnap you.”

Ren dropped his fork against the plate.

The woman laughed.

“I am joking. The knights would catch me immediately.”

“I see…”

He decided not to examine the joke too closely.

She ate only a small amount, then watched him with obvious amusement.

“If you are so interested in me, why not come to the Imperial Capital?”

“I absolutely will not.”

“My, what an immediate refusal. That hurts.”

The woman rose abruptly and turned toward the exit.

“I would have liked to speak longer, but I have business elsewhere.”

At the door, she looked back.

“I hope we meet again.”

“Perhaps we will.”

“Then tell me about your mysterious power next time.”

She left with light steps.

Ren dropped his fork a second time.

“Mysterious power?”

The phrase almost certainly referred to Magic Sword Summoning. Few people should have known enough to describe it that way.

He hurried outside, but the white-robed woman had vanished completely.

“Where did she go?”

His startled cry drew the attention of every nearby adventurer.

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