“So? Do I not deserve some kind of explanation by now? Why was I attacked out of nowhere? Not very heroic of you…”

  Arms crossed, tapping my foot. I’m actually mad now. What was supposed to be a conversation to set our differences aside turned into a fight without me even doing anything. Makes no sense…

  I should have known the moment I realized we were in an arena. This is a place to fight, not to talk.

  “Sorry… I’ll explain everything. Don’t take this the wrong way.” I managed to win by the skin of my teeth by hitting Galene’s blade to the ground. Without my sword at her neck anymore, she bent down and picked up her sword. Dusted off and back to the sheath. Is she done?

  “Well? I’m waiting. I wasn’t told about any duels… What’s with the ambush? Did you plan this with Bea?” She and Flanne were still back by the tunnel behind me. The fight’s over, so they should be joining us soon. “Grrr… That little…”

  “It’s not her fault. This was the condition I set for her, so she’s not the one to blame.”

  Galene seemed satisfied since our fight started. Why? She should be feeling sorry after what she did. “Condition? Luring me here so you could attack me off guard was your condition? Good one… What was that supposed to do?”

  “There’s a good reason for it, I assure you. Crossing swords was the only way for me to clear my doubts about you. In moments like these, people like us can understand each other by crossing swords. We can see the other person’s true self and whether or not we can trust each other, right?”

  No way she believes that… There was a certain sparkle in her voice, and she was clearly passionate about it. Was this really her reason?”

  “Not right. Are you stupid? You’re not going to connect with someone during a fight. Someone’s just going to get hurt.”

  Her dignified posture and expression cracked under an icy glare.

  “Th- that’s not true… Don’t you know what I mean? When you spar with a friend, aren’t there moments when you can see new sides to them? Surely, you must know what I’m talking about.”

  “When I’m sparring, with someone, I know they’re not trying to kill me. Whatever you’re trying to get at doesn’t work if you bring me out here and keep me in the dark.”

  Every time an argument was shut down, she grew more agitated.

  “But that’s no reason to call me stupid! I mean… How was I supposed to know whether I was seeing the honest you or a front? You could have changed your swordsmanship to hide your true intentions.”

  “That’s just as stupid. Wasn’t the point of the fight that the true nature would come out regardless? What’s the point of doing this if it’s possible for a person to ‘hide it with their swordsmanship’? Makes no sense!”

  Bea and Flanne now watched from up close, but they had no idea how to step in. Neither did Abby, who entered from the other tunnel and joined them in the sidelines.

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  “Wh- what’s going on? I’ve never seen Galene acting like this…”

  “*Sigh…* Iroha has a certain talent for disrupting others’ pace. Good thing we’re the only audience they have. What would the people think if they saw the great Hero of Humanity bicker with a girl her age?” Bea took the initiative and interrupted our back-and-forth with two claps.

  “Now now… Isn’t it time for you two to calm down? I get that you’re still excited from swinging your swords around, but that childish bickering doesn’t befit you.”

  Bea successfully brought the heat down, and the tension wore off…

  “Ahem…” Galene was ashamed of how she was acting and straightened up. “Either way, my intent was to see if I could trust you with this fight. After crossing swords, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re someone who acts with good intentions.”

  Even though I’m horny all the time? Goes to show how good a method that was. “That’s nice, I guess…”

  “That’s why now I know what happened with the wolves wasn’t your fault. You were trying to help in whichever way you could, and I went and blamed you for what happened. It was my fault.”

  Finally, she was looking a bit regretful. “If you don’t mind, I would be willing to make up with you.” Her hand outstretched toward me.

  “…” I looked her in the eyes. “Why did you say it like that? Like you’re doing me a favor? I don’t like it.”

  Galene flinched. “I- I didn’t mean it like that… It was just a figure of speech…” Stiffly, her hand remained in place.

  “I’m the one who’s willing to make up with you. After being falsely accused and attacked without a reason.” I reached forward and grasped her hand. Her face contorted. She probably had something to say but held it back. This would have been so much easier if she was always this agreeable.

  “*Sigh…* You’re right… It was my fault, I’m sorry. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, just say the word.”

  My fortune turned around in an instant. “Wait… Seriously? I do have a lot I want from you!”

  After all, she said the thing that no one should ever say. ‘I’ll do anything’, if anyone says that, they’re just asking for trouble, aren’t they? Learned that the hard way. Hehehe… She’s mine now!

  “Y- you do?” Galene realized the error of her ways but kept up a strong front. “Well, I stand by it. How can I make it up to you?”

  “To begin with… I want you to accompany me to the Forest of Illusion.”

  “Huh?” The request was not as bad as she expected. “The Forest of Illusion? Why do you want to go there?”

  “It’s a long story, but basically, I’m looking for someone, and I have a lead that takes me there. I’ve already got a guide, and we just need your protection now. I’ll tell you more later.”

  “A- alright… If that’s what you want, I can accompany you. Is that good enough?”

  “No…” Since I got the opportunity, I might as well make the most of it. “It’s not for right now, but I also want your help to get to the demon territory in the future.”

  “The demon territory?” Hearing that, they all went quiet.

  “Where did that come from, Iroha? You didn’t mention that to us before…” Bea was alarmed. The demon territory is a place to stay away from, not a place people want to go.

  “It’s just something on the back of my mind. I’m not trying to rush it or anything. Galene was offering, so I thought I might as well.”

  “Just so you know, I’m offering to make it up to you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you take advantage of me. Why do you want to go there?”

  “Well… Let’s just say I have some enemies there…” Enemies that will cause a catastrophe by merging our worlds together if they’re not stopped.

  I meant to sound ominous with that, but it came off as something funny. At least for Bea. “You have enemies in the demon territory? Who doesn’t?” She laughed while covering her mouth.

  “I think she’s holding a grudge over what happened to Ririna.” Whispered Flanne. That too, yeah…

  “Ahem… I think I understand now. My journey is no doubt on the path for a larger clash with the demon civilization. When the time comes, I’d love to bring you with me as an ally, and you can settle your score then. Is that acceptable?”

  I nodded. “Thanks… That will work.”

  And thus, my negotiations with Galene were a resounding success.

  Not only did I manage to regain her trust, but I also managed to rope her into helping me search for Ayumu and take us to the demon territory. I’m still not sure it’s possible, but the path for preventing the worst-case scenario, the merging of our worlds, is opening up.

  Bea gave me a ride to the arena, but I’m walking back on foot. Sarasa tried to help me make up with Galene, so I should drop by to tell her the news.

  With how busy people are on the streets, preparing for the tournament, there’s a good chance that she might not be home. Adventurers do tons of odd jobs, right? I bet there’s no shortage of work right now. We’ll see…

  “*Sigh…*” I do wish I had the ability to go into the Forest of Illusion by myself, though. I’m dragging people into my problems again… Meaning I’ll have to be extra careful… Don’t want them to be put at risk because of me like Katja or Narumi were. “What do I do?”

  As if to answer my muttering, I suddenly heard a whisper in my ear. “Cut ties with her and stay away.”

  What the…?! I instantly jumped back and put distance between us. The one who whispered was a blonde man. One that I assumed was a random passerby when he walked my way. He stopped after whispering and arrogantly grinned at my reaction.

  “Who are you talking about? Did you get the wrong person?”

  “Galene.” He scoffed. “Does that ring any bells? Stay away from her.”

  No… This was not a mistake…