For every 10 reviews = 2 bonus chapter, and for every 100 PS = 1 chapter. Go wild xD.
---
"Ehhhhhh—!"
Wiz stuttered when she heard the number.
"S-So much money?!"
"We… we're rich?!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Chishiya-san, we're rich!"
Chishiya smirked.
Seriously.
As far as business goes—
He now had enough capital to get truly started.
Next step: expand his business territory.
Go big, go strong.
Make more and more money...
And finally enjoy a life of lying around in heaven, doing absolutely nothing.
He handed a portion of the profits to Wiz.
An extra 40 million Eris.
Then, Chishiya said solemnly:
"Wiz, this money is a corporate subsidy for you and Vanir."
"You can only use it if both of you agree."
"Got it?"
Wiz nodded, eyes serious.
"Don't worry, Chishiya-san."
"I'll follow whatever you say."
"Because you're a powerful boss, and I believe in you!"
Chishiya smiled.
Then opened a portal.
"I'm heading back."
Wiz nodded eagerly. "Yes! See you tomorrow, Chishiya-san!"
---
Ancient Kingdom of Belzerg
The royal capital was still lively, even at night.
The streets were full of pedestrians celebrating something.
Both sides of the city gate were packed with people holding bouquets.
"It's the Sword Saint! The Sword Saint has arrived!"
"As expected of the Sword Hero, he defeated the Demon King's army!"
"So cool!"
A blond-haired boy in blue armor walked through the crowd, waving with practiced charm.
"Sword Saint-sama!"
A shy young girl rushed out of the crowd, holding out a bouquet.
"Sword Saint-sama, please accept this…"
The boy accepted the flowers with a charming smile.
"Thank you very much."
He sniffed them and said gently, "This flower is as beautiful as you."
"KYAAA!!!"
The girls around him went into heart-eyed hysteria.
Mitsurugi Kyouya smiled and headed toward the palace.
A celebration banquet was being held there.
As soon as he arrived, a wave of nobles swarmed in to flatter him.
"As expected of the Sword Hero, your strength has grown immensely."
"Your technique is peerless. That strike earlier was unforgettable."
"It's incredible how you took down an entire Kobold army with just a single slash."
"Shame the Demon King's officers showed up. Otherwise, the rest would've been finished too."
"Yeah... those cadres really are on another level."
The thief girl standing next to Mitsurugi scoffed.
"Hmph."
"Mitsurugi-sama was caught off guard! If it was a head-on fight, he could've easily one-shotted that Demon King officer."
"Exactly," the pink-haired girl beside him chimed in.
One-shot a cadre…? If he could really do that, why was he almost killed?
The watching nobles twitched their lips in discomfort.
But they held their tongues to stay in the good graces of the "hero."
They raised their wine glasses and smiled politely.
"Yes, yes... of course, you're absolutely right."
Mitsurugi took a sip of wine and scanned the hall, as if looking for someone.
At that moment.
A commotion broke out behind him.
A blonde girl in an elegant gown walked in, escorted by two court instructors.
"Mitsurugi-sama, thank you for your service."
The girl bowed slightly.
She looked to be only around 12 or 13 years old.
So beautiful... Mitsurugi snapped back to reality and swallowed.
"No, it's nothing, Princess Iris. It's simply my duty as a hero."
The woman in a beret beside the princess stepped forward.
"Thank you for the rescue."
"The Demon King's army officers are incredibly strong. The fact that you managed to protect the troops and retreat safely... we're deeply grateful."
Mitsurugi quickly set down his glass and waved his hands.
"Ms. Rain, you're too kind."
"It's just unfortunate that the Demon King's officers appeared. Otherwise, I could've wiped them all out."
He clenched his fists, clearly frustrated.
Truthfully, he'd barely escaped last time, even with the Cursed Sword in hand.
His companions quickly jumped in to console him.
"Mitsurugi-sama, it's alright. You're already incredibly powerful."
"You might be the only adventurer who can even try something like that."
"The Demon King's leaders may be strong, but next time, we'll be ready."
"Yes, exactly!"
"Everyone…" Mitsurugi's voice cracked a little.
That's right... Kyouya Mitsurugi, you're a hero.
If anyone can defeat the Demon King, it has to be you.
You can't be discouraged over something like this!
He clenched his fists, ready to say something inspiring to Princess Iris.
"Report—!!!"
A knight burst into the banquet hall.
"Princess Iris! Something terrible has happened! Axel has been attacked by Hans of the Demon King's Army!"
"Miss Lalatina has been seriously injured and is currently unconscious!"
"What?!"
The banquet fell into silence.
Commander Claire instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword, her wrist trembling slightly.
"H-How can that be? Isn't Axel just a beginner town?!"
Iris began to panic.
"How's Lalatina?!"
Mitsurugi's expression darkened.
Hans... One of the top four on the bounty list?
Even he wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Damn it...
But even so—
As a hero, he couldn't back down now! Mitsurugi stood up and declared firmly:
"Please rest assured. I will leave immediately and ensure no one else is harmed!"
He turned toward the knight.
"How many troops did the Demon King's army send? How long has the attack been going on?"
"Take me there now!"
"Ermm..."
The knight hesitated, then slowly raised his head.
"You... don't need to go."
Mitsurugi froze.
Edgeworth clenched his teeth. "What... Don't tell me... Axel has already..."
Fallen...
The knight replied calmly.
"Because Hans has been eliminated."
"...Huh?"
Mitsurugi and the others stared at him.
"NANI——?!"
The knight continued, "Though Miss Lalatina was injured, her life is not in danger."
"She has already been returned safely to her home."
Not your bro?
Why are you breathing so hard while talking?
If the guy's dead, just say he's dead! This dramatic delivery is giving people heart attacks!
Edgeworth sighed and wiped his forehead.
"Phew, thank goodness he was taken out…"
"Taken out…"
Mitsurugi casually lifted his wine glass.
"That's good to he—"
PFFT!
"Cough— Wait a minute!"
Mitsurugi suddenly choked and spat out his wine.
His eyes shot open.
Taken out?!
A top-four ranked Demon King officer was actually killed?!
Everyone in the banquet hall froze as realization hit.
"Hans is dead?!"
"That poisonous slime?!"
"My gods... Who on earth could do that?!"
Iris's eyes were wide in shock.
Mitsurugi stroked his chin, trying to analyze.
"To defeat a Demon King cadre... this person must be extremely powerful."
"And they were active in Axel again…"
"Could it be some powerful human warrior who's been hiding from the world all this time?!"
Yes!
After hearing Mitsurugi's theory, the nobles began nodding in agreement.
It was entirely possible that a hidden elder warrior had made their move.
Claire asked, "Have you identified who it was?"
"We must treat them with the utmost respect."
"We must not tarnish the royal family's image."
"This..." The knight hesitated before speaking slowly.
"The person who defeated Hans is... an ordinary adventurer who just registered."
"Seems... like a complete newcomer…"
"WHAT!!!"
(To be continued.)
***
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