The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
Reincarnated in another world, I swung my sword with single-minded determination.
It was all to protect my comrades. Precisely because I couldn’t use magic, I decided to do whatever I could. So whether it rained or snowed, I kept swinging my sword—until my arms could no longer lift, and even when my bones were broken.
As I kept this up, before I knew it, those around me began to call me by this name.
—The “Sword Saint.”
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“Come on, dragons, bring it on! Your prey is right here!”
To divert their attention away from Rika, I dash around the dungeon.
The dragons, with their simple minds, all turn their gaze toward me at once. Then, three of them open their massive jaws and roar.
This is the sign that a scorching breath attack is coming.
As soon as I see their movements, I assume a defensive stance.
[Gaaaaarrr]
And so, the flames were unleashed.
Faced with despair closing in from three directions, yet—
“Sorry, but that won’t work on me.”
I pulled a small knife from my pocket and sliced through that despair.
This was the state I had reached in this other world to protect my comrades. It was the pinnacle I had attained after devoting my entire life as a human to the sword with single-minded determination.
Yes, I—can “sever magic.”
“—Well then. You’re wide open, Dragon san!”
The dragon, having unleashed its breath, was temporarily incapacitated.
Seizing that opening, I leaped forward and plunged the knife into the dragon’s throat. As I slashed, a blossom of fresh blood bloomed in the air. Before I could even glance at the rain of blood, I slit the throats of the remaining two as well.
Then, the dragon vanished, letting out a death cry.
Watching this, I shouted,
“What now? It looks like your numbers have been cut in half.”
I shouted those words at the top of my lungs.
My words echoed through the dungeon, and after a brief silence, the remaining dragons melted into the darkness of the labyrinth as if hiding behind a cloud.
It seemed they had realized they couldn’t defeat me.
After confirming their presence had completely vanished, I saw Rika sitting on her butt at my back.
“Are you hurt, Rika?”
I reached out my hand, just as I had done before.
My childhood friend wore the same expression as always, though she seemed a bit more mature than before. But that lasted only a moment; she gave a small smile and took my hand.
And then,
“Waaaaaah!! Thank you, thank you, Saito-kun!!”
“Whoa, wait… don’t just suddenly hug me like that, okay!?”
Her fear from just a moment ago was nowhere to be found.
She hugged me in her usual way, pressing her whole body against mine. But I didn’t push her away; instead, I sighed and ruffled her hair.
Rika looked surprised and tilted her head.
“Huh? Is it okay to stay like this?”
“There’s no one else here right now, is there? If that’s the case, I don’t mind.”
“Hehe… Thanks, Saito-kun!”
“Still, I think we’re getting a little too close…”
At my words, my childhood friend flashed a childlike smile and rubbed her cheek against my chest.
Watching her, I felt my own cheeks relax naturally. Even if there was a hint of exasperation mixed in, if I could protect a Rika who looked this happy, I’d have no regrets.
As I was thinking that,
“The fact that Saito-kun is this strong is our little secret… right?!”
My childhood friend laughed proudly.
And of course it is. Because the only reason I use this power is—
“Yeah. …This is our little secret.”
—To protect someone precious to me.
If anyone were to hurt Rika, I’d fight them without hesitation.
“So, this is our little secret too… right?”
“…………Huh?”
Rika said that as she leaned in close.
The next moment, something soft touched my cheek.
It took me a moment to realize what had just happened—
“W-what the… what are you doing, you!?”
Feeling the heat rise to my ears, I instinctively turned my face away.
My childhood friend looked at me with a smile, and the calm atmosphere returned.
“Hehe… You’re special, Saito-kun.”
“…Idiot.”
But I knew that those moments were undoubtedly precious.
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――While Saito and Rika were savoring the relief of knowing each other was safe,
a man stood in the darkness of the dungeon, resting his hand on his chin and wearing a defiant smile. In the dim light, it was impossible to tell his age or build.
Yet the figure murmured in a voice tinged with laughter:
“I see. How interesting. …This looks like it’s going to be unexpectedly fun.”
Amid the lingering sense of foreboding, even the sound of raindrops dripping from the outer wall echoed loudly.
Maiban