Chapter 163: To the White Storm Dungeon

With a dungeon map in hand—one that had been distributed for free at the Adventurers’ Guild headquarters—Ryu and his companions continued along their way.

“Let’s see…” Ryu muttered, scanning the map carefully as he walked. “According to this, the White Storm Dungeon is reached by going straight east from the Grand Plaza along the main avenue, exiting through the capital’s eastern gate, and then walking about another hour into the forest. From here, it should take us just under two hours.”

“Hohh… only about two hours to reach a high-rank dungeon,” Esther murmured with impressed amusement. “As expected of a true dungeon city.”

“Looking at the map, there are dungeons of every rank scattered all around the capital,” Ryu continued, tracing routes with his finger. “Low, mid, and high ranks are practically everywhere. There’s even an S-rank dungeon entrance inside the city itself.”

“Whoa~ that’s amazing~” Lena said with sparkling eyes as she leaned closer to the map.

“Um… Ryu-sama?”

“What is it, Stingray?”

“Well… the information broker we spoke to earlier did say that cold-weather gear is essential, didn’t he? Perhaps we should stop by an armor shop before heading to the dungeon…”

Ryu waved a hand casually.

“Don’t worry. I already have winter gear for everyone.”

“…Eh?”

During their journey to Hinomaru, Ryu and Esther had passed through the territory of Duke Mondo, a region infamous for its brutal, bone-freezing cold. While they were there, Ryu had purchased winter clothing—not only for himself and Esther, but also for Lena.

And not just one set.

Including spare outfits, there were enough for everyone.

Alice could wear Lena’s spare set, while Ryoma and Stingray could use Ryu’s extra ones. There would be no problem at all.

“I’ll hand them out now. Put them in your item bags.”

Ryu quickly distributed the outfits one by one with efficient movements.

“Waaah! It’s fluffy and cute!” Alice exclaimed, rubbing the soft fur trim with delight.

“Matching with me… I’m happy,” Lena said quietly, holding the outfit to her chest with a small smile.

“Indeed. The size is perfect for me,” Ryoma said with satisfaction after slipping his arms through the sleeves.

“My set is slightly loose,” Stingray noted while examining hers, “but that might actually make it easier to move.”

Before storing the clothes away, everyone happily tried them on, enjoying the moment like children receiving new winter coats.

Meanwhile, Esther—who was currently residing inside Ryu’s item bag—watched the scene from behind with quiet amusement.

“As for Homura and Axel… there is little need to worry about them.”

“Brrrlll.”

“Gyaau.”

(Despite appearances, we are high-rank monsters, you know.)
Both creatures puffed themselves up proudly.

“Sorry about that, Stingray,” Ryu said with a slightly apologetic tone. “You ended up with my spare. But I never actually wore it, so it’s basically new.”

“Not at all,” Stingray replied immediately. “In fact, I cannot allow my master to wear the older one. Ryu-sama, please take this brand-new coat instead. I will gladly take responsibility for the one you previously wore.”

Her hand reached out eagerly, attempting to swap their coats.

But—

“Whoa, hold it,” Ryu said, dodging sideways with a quick step. “This one’s probably soaked with my old-man smell.”

“Generally speaking, sixteen years old does not qualify as an old man,” Stingray replied calmly while still reaching toward him.

“Too bad,” Ryu said with a grin as he slipped the coat into his item bag. “Normal common sense doesn’t apply in Arden.”

And just like that, the battle over Ryu’s used coat came to an abrupt end.

Stingray looked deeply dissatisfied.

“Eeeeh…”

“Don’t ‘eeeh’ me,” Ryu said bluntly. “There’s no way I’m making a woman wear some grimy guy’s hand-me-down.”

“Well… if that’s the case, I suppose I will reluctantly endure wearing the spare new one.”

(Ahh… it was such a perfect chance to obtain Ryu-sama’s used clothing…)

“Good. I like knights who listen well,” Ryu said with a satisfied nod.

(Stingray’s sense of chivalry really is something else…)

Though their understandings of the situation were wildly different, the matter somehow settled peacefully.

Watching the exchange from the side, Lena leaned close to Esther and whispered softly.

“Esther-san, Esther-san… could this possibly mean…”

“Mmm,” Esther replied knowingly. “Yes. This means exactly what you think it means.”

“I personally have no objections,” Lena said quietly. “What about you, Esther-san?”

“I also approve,” Esther said with a calm nod. “Stingray is… special, after all.”

◇ ◇ ◇

Meanwhile, the three Heroes—Takeshi, Amane, and Kaito—had earlier visited the inn where Ryu was staying.

Unfortunately, they had been politely but firmly turned away at the door.

Now they were wandering through the capital in search of him.

“Hey, Takeshi,” Amane said with mild frustration. “Why don’t we just leave a message with the innkeeper?”

“No,” Takeshi replied firmly. “I’m the one who issued the challenge for the duel. Leaving a note would be disrespectful. I must deliver the message personally.”

“Geez… you’re so stubborn.”

“But that’s what makes our leader great!” Kaito said with a grin.

Then—

“…That’s…”

At the far edge of Takeshi’s vision, across the busy main street, the very person they were searching for appeared as if by miracle.

As they walked closer—

“Ryu. I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh?” Ryu turned casually. “Long time no see, Miyamoto… something-kun.”

“…Miyamoto Takeshi.”

“Right, right. Takeshi-kun.”

(Did Lily’s habit of forgetting names infect him or something…? I suddenly have a bad feeling about this.)

That feeling was, in fact, completely accurate. At that very moment, Lily was sprinting at full speed across the vast northern grasslands of the Federation.

“Am I really that insignificant to you?” Takeshi asked quietly, his shoulders drooping slightly. “That you can’t even remember my name…”

“No, nothing like that,” Ryu replied casually. “I’m just excited because my long-awaited dungeon life is finally about to begin.”

“Dungeon life…? Are you heading to a dungeon now?”

“Yeah. That’s why I came here.”

“Which dungeon?”

“The White Storm Dungeon.”

“That’s one of the most dangerous B-rank dungeons!” Takeshi exclaimed. “Are you sure you should be going there before the duel?!”

“Hmm… yeah, it’ll probably be fine.”

“That’s awfully careless…”

(Why is this man so difficult to talk to…?)

Ryu already understood why Takeshi had come.

“You’re here to tell me the time and location of the duel.”

“Correct,” Takeshi said with a nod. “The duel will take place three days from now at noon. The location will be the C-rank Mad Bull Dungeon.”

“A dungeon? Not a training ground?”

“The Grandmaster said, ‘If you go wild, you’ll destroy the training grounds! Use your head!’”

“So you got scolded a bit. Even though you’re a Hero.”

“Yeah… I got scolded. Even though I’m a Hero.”

Then Ryu casually dropped a shocking remark.

“You sure you don’t want a handicap?”

“A handicap…? What are you talking about?”

“How long have you been in this world, Takeshi?”

“About two years.”

“Then you probably still don’t fully understand this world’s swordsmanship and magic,” Ryu said. “Especially since that idiot kingdom sent you to the Federation under the excuse of ‘training.’”

“That’s… true,” Takeshi admitted. “But please don’t call my kingdom idiots. The royal family might be foolish, but the citizens are no different from anywhere else.”

“Sounds like you’ve had a rough time.”

“Not as rough as the Hero who remained in the western kingdom.”

“Saionji, huh?”

“…!”

(How does he know that name…?)

Then Takeshi remembered what Amane and Kaito had told him earlier—Ryu was somehow acquainted with Captain Lily. Perhaps he possessed some special connection.

“Well, worst case,” Ryu said lightly, “I could fight your whole party at once.”

He waved casually.

“Think it over until the day comes. See ya.”

And with that, he resumed walking.

As they passed each other, Ryoma’s eyes met Takeshi’s.

Ryoma smiled quietly.

“…………”

(Ryoma-sama… what kind of leader is the one you follow…?)

Soon, Ryu’s group disappeared from sight.

“Doesn’t it feel like we’re being seriously looked down on?!” Amane said irritably.

“Yeah! We’re Heroes! And our leader Takeshi is Japan’s greatest swordsman!” Kaito added.

But Takeshi felt differently.

“It’s true that there’s a vast difference between someone raised in a war-torn world… and someone like me who grew up in peace,” he said quietly. “Even with the power of a Hero, those years of hardship can’t simply be erased.”

(If I want to obtain Ryoma-sama… I must abandon unnecessary pride.)

“Listen, both of you.”

““?””

“For the next three days, we’re going to conduct one-versus-three combat training.”

“You mean—”

“Wait, does that mean—”

“I’m sorry, Ryu,” Takeshi said firmly. “But I’m going to discard my pride and choose the path with the highest chance of victory.”

He continued calmly.

“Fortunately, the dungeon will be temporarily closed on the day of the duel. There will be no spectators. Only the Dragon’s Path party, us, the Grandmaster acting as referee, and his secretary. The title of ‘Hero’ will not be tarnished.”

Though his voice remained steady, Takeshi’s hands were tightly clenched.

They trembled violently.

Anger at his own lack of strength.
Embarrassment.
And guilt toward Ryu.

“Takeshi…”

“Leader…”

“Well then,” Takeshi said suddenly. “Training starts now.”

“Yes! Let’s go!!”

“If we’re doing this, we’re winning no matter what!!”

The three of them raised their voices together.

“For humanity!!”

And with determined steps, the Hero Party rushed toward the training grounds.

◇ ◇ ◇

Federation Capital — Herz
Eastern Forest

“Ryu,” Ryoma said quietly, “it seems they have decided to take it seriously.”

“…I see.”

“A very wise decision,” Ryoma continued with a faint smile. “As expected of the Kingdom’s Hero.”

Ryu snorted.

“The hero from that trash kingdom turns out decent… while the heroes from the supposedly respectable Empire and Principality turn out to be trash. That’s the best kind of irony.”

Then he added casually:

“Though they’re already dead.”

Just as they were talking—

“THIS IS THE WHITE STORM DUNGEONNNN!!!!”

At long last—

They had arrived at their first dungeon.