One day, I was killed by a man just outside of my school. It was so sudden that I didn't even had a moment to realize how my life ended right then and there. You know, I always thought there was life after death...

Who would've thought that I'd be fighting to the death after dying?

"Bind!"

The ropes I had on me were sent flying out towards Nehuet. He easily tore through them with his sword but that was just to buy me enough time to cast my other spells.

"Fireball! Fire Bolt! Create Fire!"

"Magic? How could- Gah!"

Nehuet was engulfed in bright flames while I ran circles around him. None of those spells did any damage to him, but it did buy me a few more seconds to put some more distance between us.

"Arthur! Fight me hono-"

"Snipe! Snipe! Snipe!"

The moment Nehuet stepped out of the firestorm I made, three arrows lodged itself into the slits for his eyes. The red orbs that hovered within his helmet was extinguished. 

"Arthuuuur!!!"

Nehuet shouted in anger while he forcefully pulled out the arrows that obscured his vision. The moment those three came lose, his eyes darted around in an effort to find me.

"Over here, dumbass!"

The moment he heard my voice, he immediately swung behind him. His sword sliced through the air and his eyes blazed like a roaring fire. 

"You missed by a few feet."

I kept taunting him as I charged up my sword for my next attack. 

"Arthur!"

He called out my name as he jumped into the air, his sword raised over his head while he looked down on me from above. The moment he came crashing down, I immediately dashed to the side to avoid the devastating blow of his attack.

"I've had enough of this! Death's Authority!"

"Tch! Shit!"

I immediately lifted up my sword as a wave of mana washed over me. 

"Your life will end here, Arthur!"

"Heh, that's... what you think!"

I immediately rolled to my right as his swing came down on the spot where I was standing in seconds ago. Seeing my opportunity, I decided to counterattack with Thrust since his sides is wide open.

"Thrust!" 

"Argh! D-Damn you!"

The tip of my sword pierced the left side of his armor but Nehuet was still standing. He immediately tried to grab me with his hand but a quick swipe from my sword prevented that from happening.

"Haah... Haah... Whew, I'm feeling quite exhausted..."

I wiped off the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand while Nehuet looked at the damage on his body.

There was a large gash on his side with a few cracks extending out from it. It wasn't some serious damage, but it's still some damage.

Nehuet glared at me once more before pointing his sword at me.

"You're just a Swordsman! How are you using abilities from outside of your class so proficiently?!"

"Don't know, don't care. As long as it helps me beat down enemies, I won't question it!"

"Grr... It was a mistake to fight you like this! Your underhanded tricks will help you no more! Bring me his head!"

In his frustration, Nehuet set his undead on me while he readied his special move. Shit, it's just like a videogame, except you get to respawn if you fuck up in videogames.

I let out a sigh as I was being surrounded by all of the undead present around us. Shit like this is a pain in the ass to deal with and I don't think I have enough mana to take down all of them.

Suddenly, one of the undead dropped to the ground. A fist-sized hole on its chest seems to have killed it. I looked up and found a Brawler with his fists up in the air with a cocky smile on his face.

"Gyaah!"

A head was sent rolling forward as another adventurer joined in the fight. Before I knew it, everyone was fighting the undead with a renewed vigor.

"Adventurer! We got your back! Take that pile of scraps down!"

"We got this, don't worry!"

Everyone cheered me on as I joined them in the fray. Limbs and heads were sent flying as we fought the horde of undead. Even the merchants grabbed whatever weapon they could and beat back the undead that now charged towards the carriages and wagons while the mages and priests used the last of their mana to support us with buffs and shields.

"Heh, y'all got guts! I thought I would be the only one fighting this guy!"

I shouted out to the adventurers with a smile on my face. 

"Don't get too cocky, rookie! Every undead here is worth a ton of cash!"

The Brawler beside me retorted as he bashed the head of an undead with his barefists.

"Besides, we ain't gonna let you hog all of the glory!"

An adventurer carrying a pair of shortswords chimed in while he cleared the zombies on my right.

Nehuet watched as we tore through his small army ferociously, a small path slowly being carved through that led towards him. Any semblance of order now washed away as the fighting grew more fierce that some adventurers even tore the undead we their bare hands.

Through this, Nehuet and I glared at each other as we readied ourselves for our final confrontation. The mana around him is now dense enough that it made it hard to breathe while his sword's runes glowed even brighter than before.

"Shit! I need to get to him now!"

I shouted out as I cleaved one of the undead that tried to block my path. The Brawler beside me nodded and charged ahead of me.

He drew both of his arms backward as hetook in a deep breath. Mana gathered around his fists as tensed up his muscles.

"Piercing Blow!"

His fists glowed brightly as he released a powerful punch infront of him. The force of his attack pushed back the undead around him while those infront of him were sent flying by his strength.

"Haaaaah... Crap, I'm beat!"

The Brawler panted as he gave me a thumbs up. 

"Beat his ass for me."

"Thanks."

I flashed him a smug smile before dashing through the path he made for me. While the other adventurers handled the zombies, I was hacking my way towards Nehuet while he unleashed more and more of his aura by the second.

With a final cleave, the last of the walking corpses that blocked my path was gone. Nehuet stood there, his mana now swirled around him violently that some of the undead around him were sliced apart by the force of his mana. From beneath that helmet of his, I could tell that he was smiling at me.

"I won't let you use that-"

"Too late, Arthur! Far too late!"

In an instant. the mana around him burst outwards. The force of his Mana Burst sent me flying backwards, but I managed to reposition myself midair as I fell to the ground. With a slight twist, I managed to roll safely and regain my footing. 

But it was too late. The familiar glow around his sword and his stance told me that he was about to unleash his most powerful move on me once more. 

"Damn it! I will not die like this!"

"Toil as much as you want, Arthur! All your efforts will soon become futile!"

I immediately put up my sword between him and me, preparing myself for the worst.

Nehuet loomed over me with the familiar stance that nearly killed me earlier. No, this one is different. I don't know if it's just me but looking at the insane amounts of mana pouring out of him, but this attack is possibly more powerful than the last one.

"It was nice knowing you... Arthur Pendragon."

"Yeah, it's been a fun day..."

「2nd Technique, Hidden Blade of the Forest」

Streaks filled the air while I activated Farsight and Enemy Detection. If I was correct, Farsight improves perception while Enemy Detection improves senses as well. In this situation, it seemed pointless to activate anything but this is my last Hail Mary, so what the hell could I possibly lose?

[New Skill aquired: Boost Sense]

Oh? It actually turned into a new skill? That's-

"Gah! F-Fuck!"

My thoughts were interrupted when one of the streaks struck my arm and left a deep gash near my shoulder.

Still, the blurry streaks around me seemed to have slowed down enough that I can make out the shape of the greatsword as it flew all around me. Even if I can make out his attacks, it was still far too many and far too fast for me to block, parry, or dodge.

I grit my teeth in frustration as more and more attacks landed on me, each leaving gaping wounds or gashes. Nehuet's greatsword moved so fast despite its size and with such force that I found myself being pushed backwards slowly. The storm of magical steel that swirled around me will tear me to pieces eventually, so I decided to gamble on something once more.

"Parry! Block! Counter! Thrust!"

I activated those Skills while I pumped even more mana into my sword. 

[New Skill acquired: Advanced Counter: Offensive]

Like the last time, the skills I activated formed a new one. This time, my body moved fluidly as the skill activated. The black streaks that flew all around me were met by streaks of white, sending out sparks as they collided with one another. 

"Haaaaaaaah!"

With a loud cry, I poured out all of my strength just to deflect all of his attacks. The sheer speed of his flurry is no joke, in fact, I don't even know how he could wield his greatsword with such speed and accuracy. Still, a moments lapse in my concentration could lead to my head being sliced off so I have to be- 

"Release."

In a mere instant, the directions of Nehuet's attacks changed. The shape of his attack resembled the jaws of a great beast as it clamped down on its prey or a pair of hands about to grasp a small insect. In the middle of it all, his sword glowed bright green as he prepared to thrust into me with a fatal blow. With his sword above his left shoulder abd with blazing red eyes, he looked like a boss in some videogame.

Yet even in the face of such an attack, I can't help but notice his swordsmanship. It was fluid, natural, beautiful. He wasn't just throwing out random attacks, his attacks were precise and calculated as if he was painting a work of art. In fact, his strokes resembled...

"Leaves falling in the forest floor..."

I muttered out as Nehuet's attack closed in around me. For a moment, I saw that his eyes glimmered with joy at my words.

"Farewell, Arthur Pendragon."

"You too, Nehuet."

Our farewell was shortlived as the storm of blades closed in around me while a powerful thrust shot through the center of his attacks. That thrust must've been the finishing move since mana crackled down the length of his blade as it pierced through the center of his storm. The moment it reached the end, everything around his sword came to a complete stop. 

His attack was finished, his arms were extended outward as he held his greatsword straight infront of him. He was like a statue, unmoving and silent. The red orbs that floated within his black helmet stared down the length of his greatsword while they blazed like a roaring fire.

And I...

I was standing below him, my sword deep inside his chestplate. There was an uneasy silence around us as the sword I thrusted into him slowly purified him from within his armor. I still can't believe that there really is nothing inside his armor.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"To think... My technique isn't perfect after all..."

There was sad yet content emotion behind his voice as his eyes stared at me.

Moments before his blade blew a hole in my chest, I dashed forward towards Nehuet. It was hard to pull off, but using my Dash along with Boost Sense allowed me to avoid the dangerous thrust attack by moving beside it. Still, it was like running beside a train, the force of it passing through was almost enough to drag me with it.

Before I knew it, I was already under him with his chest wide open. No battle cry, no one-liner, no flashy moves, just a simple thrust deep into his unprotected chest. His armor cracked as my blade's tip pierced through his heavy armor.

"Ahh... It seems I've lost even with my perfected technique."

"It seems you did."

Nehuet's body groaned in protest as he slumped backwards. There was a loud thud beside me as he dropped his greatsword. 

"Even though I have lost... I feel... contented."

There was a warmth in his voice when he spoke. His eyes that burned like wildfire earlier were reduced to a faint glimmer within the darkness of his helmet.

"Arthur... I have a request. Selfish as it may be, I hope that you would grant it."

"If it ain't something bad, I'll try."

"Heh, I won't resort to such trickery..."

Nehuet chuckled as he looked up to the sky, His armor is now cracking in different places yet he remained unfazed.

"I have claimed countless lives both directly and indirectly and I cannot be forgiven for that. My only wish now is that you purify the undead under my command for I have damned them with my actions. They do not deserve the fate that awaits me in hell."

"Okay."

His right arm fell off and crumbled into metal shards. Wisps of black smoke rose from the empty socket of his armor. Seeing this, Nehuet took off his helmet and placed it beside him.

"I can finally die in peace after meeting a warrior like you."

Nehuet's helmet rolled over so that he is facing me. There was a glow in his eyes that could only be described as peaceful. I pulled out my sword, cracking his chestplate even further in the process. The moment I pulled out the length of my sword, Nehuet's body tumbled over with a loud clang while his legs turned into dust.

"I pray that..."

I placed both of my hands on my sword's handle and gripped it tightly. The blade glimmered in the sun as I pumped more mana into it. 

"You find your peace, Nehuet."

"W-What are you doing?"

"I'm putting you to rest."

With that, I plunged my sword into Nehuet's helmet. Bright light exploded from within as the Holy magic purified him. I let out a sigh as I pulled out my sword from his helmet.

"...Why did you purify me?"

"Saves me some time. If I purify you, I could purify all your undead with you instead of purifying them one by one."

"I-Is that so?"

Nehuet chuckled while his body slowly crumbled away. The black smoke that rose from what remained of his armor gradually turned to white. The undead around us have stopped attacking as well, their souls now freed from Nehuet's control. 

The corpses slumped forward, the green glow that came from them dimming gradually. Nehuet quietly watched as their souls finally found respite, his body slowly crumbling away as well. Finally, all of the undead turned to heaps of dust and the faint cries of the damned eventually disappeared.

Finally, it was jsut me and Nehuet's head. His body have already turned to dust and his helmet was already cracking at the seams. He was still hanging on for whatever reason but the pair of orbs that floated within his helmet is close to disappearing.

Honestly, I didn't know that purifying him will purify the other undead. It just felt like the right thing to do.

I stood over him, silently watching Nehuet as he looked around him. Nehuet's aura around him felt serene, peaceful, I think content is the right word for it? I don't really know, but the guy looked happy.

"To think my soul was purified in the end... After all I have done..."

His voice is weaker now, it's a whisper compared to earlier.

"Go tell Illyria I sent you there. She probably already knows anyway, but go ask forgiveness or something from her. I don't really care..."

"You really are... blessed by the Gods, aren't you?"

"How could you tell?"

"The eyes of the undead... see the world... differently."

Nehuet's helmet chipped a little as his eyes looked up at me. 

"To me... You are a pillar... a pillar of light in the darkness..."

Nehuet laughed weakly, his voice growing even softer as he did.

I let out a laugh as I sat down beside him. Just as I did, Nehuet's helmet finally crumbled into dust. The orbs within his helmet floated and whizzed above the pile of dust before fading away. A sad but fulfilled emotion washed over me as the heap of dust that was once Nehuet's helmet was blown away by the wind.

Nehuet the Dread is no more.

"He's finally gone."

I muttered to myself as I moved my hand a little. A hard object grazed the tip of my fingers and my eyes immediately darted to what I just touched. 

"Huh, it's still here."

Nehuet's greatsword was still lying on the grass. Without thinkin, I picked it up to see how heavy it was. Like its bearer, however, it immediately crumbled away as well. 

I was about to toss it away when I noticed that it's handle is still intact. With another glance, I was surprised to find the sword not in pieces but fairly intact. In fact, I don't think it is a greatsword anymore since it's just as long and wide as a regular longsword.

Speaking of swords...

"Your name, huh? I still haven't named you."

My sword glowed faintly at my words.

"Maybe something generic like Excalibur? Or some edgy shit like Demon Slayer?"

I don't know if it's just me, but I felt the handle of my sword heat up a little bit.

"Hmm... Ah, I know!"

I lifted the sword and placed it on my lap.

"Something simple... Cutter."

I whispered out as I let my body fall backwards onto the soft grass below. It seems the exhaustion finally caught up to me as the fatigue, pain, and even hunger finally set in. Every inch of my body seemed like it was on fire but I didn't even have the strength to do anything about it.

The only thing I could do now is close my eyes and rest.

Ahh... Maybe I should sleep after all.

----------------------------------------

-Illyria's Realm-

"Eh?"

"Oh, Arthur! Did you die from exhaustion?"

"Ah, it's the idiot that's currently being carried by his female companion."

Illyria was talking with Nehuet, who is now wearing a white armor like a generic Paladin or Crusader in videogames. The Goddess Illyria meanwhile, was wearing a very loose white shirt and baggy shorts while her hair was wrapped with a damp towel.

"Still, to think that the afterlife is this empty..."

"Nah, I'm just here to determine what will be your penance for your sins."

"... Why is he here?"

I pointed at Nehuet while he filled out some paperwork on Illyria's cluttered desk.

"Well, you did used Purification on him so his soul was immediately freed of his mortal shackles or whatever. He got sent here since he can't go to Heaven and since I'm in charge of Human souls, I have to handle this."

Ah, so she does work. Perhaps I was wrong about her being a shut-in that just sits in front of a computer all day. Wait, is there even day time and night time in this place?

"Usually, I'd have some angel do my work. But since this guy is one of the Demon King's strongest warriors, I had to personally handle his punishment. So, how does being a cockroach for at least three lifetimes sound to you?"

"A cockroach? Could I instead choose to be a rabbit or a butter-"

"You can either be a cockroach, a frog, or at the very least, a lizard. You've been a devout follower after all even after you became one the Demon King's lackies."

"W-Well... I'd prefer the frog then. I always wanted to be kissed by a maide-"

"Frog it is! Nehuet, prepared to be reincarnated!"

"Wait! At least let me say goodbye to Arth-"

"Reincarnate!"

In a flash of white, Nehuet disappered from his seat. Illyria smiled proudly before slumping back into her chair.

For some reason, I feel sorry for that guy. His faith must've been shaken after seeing his Goddess like this, especially in his final moments.

"Now, on to the next problem... What are you doing here?"

"How the fuck would I know? I just got here after taking a nap!"

Illyria let out a sigh before rubbing her temples. 

"You've been taking a nap down there for at least 5 hours now."

"S-Seriously?! O-Oi... D-Did I really die? Did I fucking die? Where the hell is my body?"

Illyria flashed me an exasperated look before shifting her gaze back onto her computer. 

"Can you shut up for a second? Stop asking stupid questions and just let me watch some anime."

"Answer my damn questions first!"

"God! Fine! You're not dead! You're in someone's house and sleeping! Happy?! Jeez, you're so annoying!" 

Illyria snapped at me with an irritated scowl on her face.

"Look, I don't think you'd be waking up anytime soon since you drained your mana and exhausted yourself. Why don't you go bother Eahna or something."

I wonder how this girl even became a goddess with that attitude. The more I look at her, the harder I want to hit this damn goddess. 

Right now, that girl is watching something with her feet on top of her table. She reminds me of my a middle-aged divorcee in the middle of their afternoon. She was no longer paying attention to me since her eyes are fixated onto the show she is currently watching.

With a heavy sigh I sat down and quietly watched her. For the first few minutes, she didn't mind. After that, it was clear from her expression and constant glances that I'm clearly irritating her. She let out a frustrated sigh before pausing the video she was watching.

"What are you doing?"

"I've... I've got nothing to do. Can't you like, well, instantly heal my body?"

"Figures. Well, I could heal your body, but it won't be helpful. Your mana has been spent up and it's likely your body is busy repairing itself. Instantly healing you could cause your mana to go wild."

"I-Is that so? So how will I-"

"You can spend the time by shutting your mouth."

"C-Can you at least send me to Eahna's place or something?"

Illyria scratched her head before glancing to the door in the distance. She let out a sigh before returning her gaze back at the computer.

"Eahna went off somewhere. That damn girl is probably doing who knows what down below, probably tending her gardens or what not."

"W-What?!"

Illyria's calm expression means that she's probably used to this kinds of things.

"Yeah, she goes there sometimes to take care of her "children" and her gardens. Well, I don't think it's against the rules since she isn't meddling with mortal affairs but..."

Illyria trailed off while she scrolled through some memes and shitposts. Wait a minute, I know that site.

H-Hold on, is she a moderator? What the fuck...

"Anyway, I guess it'll be alright for you to stay here for now. One of the girls in your party is currently stripping you down."

"Which one?"

I immediately stood up from my seat. Illyria let out a faint squeak in surprise as I slammed down my hands onto the table. With a serious expression, I leaned in closer towards Illyria.

"Is it Maria? Maria or Zel? They're the only ones that look like the type to care for the wounded in that party. I'd prefer if it was Maria-"

"Olivia. Olivia is the one begrudgingly doing it after the others forced her. In fact, she's complaining how you smell like an undead right now."

"... Send me back."

"Eh? W-What was that?"

"I said send me back!"

Illyria shrunked away, her eyes now filled with confusion and disgust.

"To think that you're targeting one of my precious-"

"No, you damn idiot! If they're stripping me down, I don't want Jin or Olivia to see what's down there! Send me back!"

"Just... Just wow..."

Illyria's blankly stared at me, her lips curling into a scowl of disgust.

Honestly, I'd be fine with it if it was Zel or Maria giving me the "thanks" I deserved after that battle. Sure, she might be healing me, but after a battle like that, things are bound to develop romantically between those four girls. It's the norm in anime and games after all.

It's not like I don't like Olivia or anything, after all she was the first one I met in this world, but I'd rather have Maria or Zel massaging my aching body after changing my clothes. 

"Ugh, your thoughts are as dirty as your- Argh, nevermind... Your body would hurt the moment you go back, but I think you deserve that, pervert."

"Tch, don't blame me! It's natural that women would fall for me after I gave it my all in that battle! It's basically the norm in isekai anime!"

"W-Whatever. Just leave my sight already, you're ruining Isekai for me."

Illyria shoved me backwards with her hand, sending me backwards as my vision became dark. As I fell into the abyss, I saw Illyria's disappointed expression while her disgusted glare burned itself into my mind.

"To think I had high hopes for you..."

Her last words echoed as my consciousness was thrown into the depths of the darkness.

----------------------------------------

"H-He's awake! He's awake! Mister is awake!"

*Pomf*

"Oof! Ughh... M-Miia, is that you?"

"Miia! Arthur's in bad shape! Be careful!"

The first thing I here after waking up is Olivia being worried about me and teh first thing I felt is the weight of Miia on top of my broken ribs.

"G-God dammit, this hurts... Illyria was right, I shouldv'e just stayed there for a bit..."

It seems the wounds on my body was still not treated. The fatigue was still there, but not as bad as before. 

"Good afternoon, Arthur. A-Are you feeling alright?"

The familiar calm voice asked behind the slightly ajar door. I can see the top of her white head peeked out from behind the wooden door.

"Well, I'm in pain... But I'm alive. Hehe, anyways... Where are the-"

The door flew open and a small girl with black hair dashed in before jumping beside me. She firmly grasped my shoulders with her hands while her eyes scanned my body.

"I-Idiot! I thought you were never going to wake up! Do you know how worried we were?!"

"Sorry about that... Had a little chat with Illy- Wait, Jin, are you crying?"

"Of course I am! Do you know how worried I was for you?! You nearly died three times today! Three times!"

"S-Sorry..."

Jin shook my shoulders fiercely as she said those words with tears in her eyes. 

"Ah, he's finally awake. Olivia, have you finished healing him already?"

"Hm? I was about to do it but he suddenly woke up in the middle of doing it."

Maria walked into the room carrying a small tray with biscuits.

"Well, it can't be helped then... I have... *yawn* I have already finished... extracting the corrupted mana in your body."

Is it just me or is Maria looking tired and groggy? Her voice and movements were sluggish as she slowly approached my bed.

"S-Sorry, my mana was... drained... ealier... zzz...."

"Oi! Maria! The tray! The tray!"

Zel did a dive as the tray slipped out of Maria's hands. She caught it with one hand while and Maria on the other before letting out a relieved sigh.

"Maria becomes sleepy after using up at least 70 percent of her mana. Pardon her for startling you."

Maria spoke calmly while she laid down the tray beside me.

"It's fine. H-Here, she can take my be- Uwah?! M-Miia?!"

Miia wrapped her hands around my waist while she stopped me from getting up. She puffed out her cheeks as she hugged me tightly.

"You need to rest! Your body is all covered in wounds!"

Yeah, my body is covered in wounds, that's why you should stop hugging me tightly.

"It's alright, Arthur. I'm sure Maria wouldn't mind if she takes a nap on the couch."

Zel giggled as she gently walked the half-asleep Archmage to the couch on the farside of the... room.

Wait a minute.

"H-Hey, whose room is this?"

Everyone except Maria looked at each other before back at me. They all had that expression of "Oh right!" on their faces.

"Ah... Yes, you were unconscious. Currently, we're in the house of-"

"You are in my house."

Everyone turned towards the voice that cut off Zel.

Standing in the middle of the doorway is a slender girl with long black hair and a pair of black eyes. Her skin was like the pristine snow and was free from scars or blemishes. She was wearing something akin to a Japanese school uniform and a monocle on her left eye.  She had the aura of a class president around her as she scanned my features, her stern expression made me feel like I was being judged by this girl that looks to be about my age.

"Interesting... I've never met one like you before..."

"Eh?"

Hey, I know that I'm about to enter my harem phase but this is a little bit too much. Shouldn't there be some development between us first? I don't even know her name yet.

"Olivia-san, please heal him. I would like to speak with him in private later."

"Ah, right, you said you wanted to thank him for saving your caravan."

The girl smiled kindly at Olivia before looking back at me.

"I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Watanabe Ryoka, Merchant class and head of the Yellow Dragon Trading Company."

Ryoka bowed and handed me small card with both of her hands. 

"Ah... a business card."

I took it from her hands and curtly nodded my head.

"A-Arthur Pendragon, Swordsman and uh... Yeah, just Swordsman."

Ryoka smiled slyly, her black eyes intently gazed at mine.

"Pendragon... What a weird name."

"I know right? Haha, yes, a weird name for-"

"Well, Olivia, I believe that you need to heal Pendragon-san of his injuries."

Ryoka cut me off as she turned around and walked towards the door. 

"Oh right, his injuries. Arthur, your shirt is in the way so please take it off."

"Ah, right. There we... What the fuck?"

My entire body was covered in bruises and cuts. Some have already clotted while some are still wet with blood. Everyone winced as they looked at the wounds all over me.

"Pendragon-san, would you mind going to the office when you are able to walk? It's down the hall to the righ."

Ryoka didn't even spare a glance as she spoke. The way she said it reminded me of my teacher. 

"Sure."

The door closed behind her as she walked out of the room. The sounds of footsteps going down the hall slowly faded away as we were left in silence.

"Ryoka has never taken that tone before with us..."

Zel said while she took a biscuit from the tray. The soft crunch of the biscuit resonated within the silence of the room.

"She must've been nervous of Arthur here."

"M-Miia, can you please move? I need to heal Arthur."

"No! My hug can heal him!"

I ignored the voices of the girls around as I pondered about Ryoka and her life here. Looking around the room, one can tell that it is clearly the home of some wealthy person. From the stacked bookshelves to the biscuits served to us, it is a stark contrast to the medieval feel of the town.

Maybe I should ask her about how she got wealthy later.

I knocked on the second to the last door in the hallway. The door itself is simple, but the wood feels pretty damn sturdy.

"Pendragon-san? Is that you? Please come in, the door is open."

I said nothing as I gently opened the door.

Ryoka's office is simple and is more akin to a study than an office. She was sitting behind the desk that sat in the middle of the room, writing something on a notebook silently. There was a set of bookshelves around us, a chest tucked away in one corner of the room and large windows that let in a large amount of natural light from the outside.

"What do you wanted to talk about?"

"...Your name."

"Eh?"

Ryoka let out a sigh before putting down her pen. She looked at me with those piercing black eyes of hers while she folded her arms together. Her gaze sent a shiver down my spine while she continued to look at me with a cold and serious expression.

"That isn't your real name, right? Pendragon-san."