Editor : Amethyst00



Aru approached Leo with a serious expression.

Swoosh—!

In an instant, Aru's kick flew toward Leo's face.

Whoosh—!

Leo bent his back to dodge the attack, and Aru's eyes gleamed as she watched.

"An opening!"

Using the leg that had supported her, Aru launched another attack at Leo.

Thud—!

Leo blocked Aru's attack with his open palm.

Huff—!

Leo's body slid backward for a moment.

Tap—!

He landed firmly on the ground and looked forward.

Before he knew it, Aru's fist was right in front of his nose.

Whoosh—!

Her fist sliced through the air.

Dust scattered in all directions.

Aru flinched.

Leo's hand was suddenly right in front of her face.

"Lost again!"

Aru flopped onto the ground, limbs spread out in frustration.

Watching her, Leo spoke.

"That's the forty-seventh time. At this rate, we'll be up all night."

It was past midnight.

Aru had asked Leo for a sparring session.

Leo agreed without complaint, under the condition that Aru would train with Dweno to build flame resistance.

As long as they were in the dungeon, he would spar with her until she was satisfied.

And so, despite the late hour, Leo was training with Aru.

"I can still go!"

"You've got good stamina."

"Let's do it again!"

Leo sighed as he looked at Aru sitting up energetically.

"Please, let me sleep."

"Hmm?"

At those words, Aru crossed her arms and stared up at Leo, then smiled.

"Well, since the Black Rabbit's begging like that, I'll let you off for today."

"I'm tearing up with gratitude."

Leo sighed and removed his sweat-soaked top.

He had been sweating so profusely it was as if it had rained.

As he wrung it out, he muttered to himself.

'Maybe it's because she's a kid, but she's still so energetic after moving like that.'

Then a thought occurred to him.

'Wait, I'm technically a kid too, physically.'

He chuckled to himself.

'Is it a mental thing?'

He slapped his clothes to shake off the dust and sweat.

Aru watched him in awe.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. Just thought you've got a really nice body, Black Rabbit."

Well-balanced muscles—not too much, not too little.

Compared to the Azonia students, he might seem scrawny, but his raw strength was impressive.

"A feast for the eyes."

She crawled over to Leo, grinning, and poked his abs with her finger.

"Don't touch me without permission, pervy cat."

"You're calling an innocent girl something that awful?! Don't lump me in with Drianna!"

"At least Drianna doesn't tell me to take my clothes off with impure intentions."

"Grr!"

Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, Aru lifted her shirt to show her stomach.

"If you don't like it, you touch! Go ahead! And apologize for calling me a pervy cat! And for putting me on the same level as Drianna!"

In response, Leo grabbed her side and pinched it.

"Aaagh! I told you to touch, not pinch!"

"Who told you to flash your stomach like that, pervy cat."

"You called me pervy again instead of apologizing!"

Aru broke free from Leo's grip and bit his head.

"Arrrr!"

Leo ignored the beast-like sounds coming from Aru and removed the bracelets and anklets from his wrists and ankles.

He rotated his wrists lightly.

They were training artifacts enchanted with weight magic.

They didn't feel heavy to others, but to the wearer, they added a clear burden to the body. Leo had used them since childhood.

Aru, still clinging to his back, got down and sat beside him.

She pouted slightly as she stared at the artifacts.

She knew.

If Leo fought without these restrictions, she wouldn't stand a chance.

Still, the frustration lingered.

As Leo stood and stretched his ankles, Aru looked up at him and said,

"I hope one day we can fight without restrictions."

"Yeah. When are you going to catch up?"

"Ugh!"

At his slightly teasing tone, Aru made an annoyed face.

Leo chuckled and patted her head.

"You're getting stronger fast. So don't be impatient."

"Hmph! Yeah! Among the heirs of the Great Heroes, I'm second best!"

"Second?"

"Yeah. Black Rabbit, me, the gangster elf, and the pervy dwarf! That's the order!"

'Lunia probably thinks the same.'

Leo laughed as he watched Aru puff up with pride.

"You forgot one."

"Huh?"

"Dragon Queen."

"Ugh!"

Aru flinched.

Even the ever-energetic Aru had no rebuttal when Melina was the comparison.

Dragon Lord Melina was a hero who bore the weight of an entire era.

"I'll catch up to her soon enough!"

"Really?"

"Of course! First I'll catch up to you, Black Rabbit! Then Melina!"

Aru shouted confidently.

Leo smiled as he watched her.

'You got the order wrong.'

But he let it go since Aru had no way of knowing.

"What are you two doing so late? On a date or something?"

"Ah! Lord Dweno!"

Aru quickly jumped to her feet as Dweno approached, laughing heartily.

Leo, who had already sensed him coming, glanced back and replied.

"We were training."

"Hardworking, aren't you. Aren't you two already strong enough?"

Dweno stroked his chin, looking impressed.

Leo said, "This isn't nearly enough. You know that best, don't you, Dweno?"

His slightly sarcastic tone made Aru jump.

"B-Black Rabbit! Don't talk like that to Lord Dweno!"

"No need to worry, I don't mind."

Dweno laughed and approached Leo.

"I knew he was a cheeky one from the first time I met him."

Thump—thump—!

Dweno slapped Leo's shoulder with a hearty laugh.

Though it seemed light, it felt like being hit with a metal club to Leo.

"You old perv, why are you hitting people?"

"Was that a hit? I thought I just patted you. You look strong but you're more fragile than I thought."

Clicking his tongue, Dweno shook his head.

Leo grimaced and pushed Dweno's face away with his foot.

"You pervy old geezer!"

"Pervy, huh? That's a first! Maybe Enniha would call me that! But why am I a perv now? Ha ha ha!"

Dweno chuckled, rubbing his chin, then swung a fist at Leo.

Leo dodged the dangerous punch and kicked in return, but Dweno dodged easily.

"Ughhhhhh."

Aru, witnessing such irreverence, didn't know what to do.

But the two, who had been fighting so intensely, soon sat across from each other and began talking calmly.

"So, the scouting report says we're completely trapped?"

"Yeah. No help from outside."

"Can't magic break it?"

"…It's a barrier formed by Erebos's power. It's impenetrable."

"I see."

Dweno looked grim.

Leo spoke.

"There must be a core around the fortress creating the barrier. We destroy that."

More accurately, it was an entrance to the heart of the Legion's world.

Through it, they could invade, find the Legion's record, and destroy it.

Doing so would collapse this Hero Dungeon.

Lying to Dweno, Leo continued, "So starting tomorrow, we're planning to explore the area around the fortress."

"Need anything?"

"Hmm. I'd like to work with the warrior trainees from Ivaldi."

"With those kids?"

"We need to divide our manpower."

Aru, Drianna, and Eliana couldn't move due to training.

Carl was tied up brewing potions for the Tartaros battle.

So Leo's party was currently shorthanded.

The Ivaldi warriors were needed to guard the walls, so asking for help was impossible.

"But the trainees have done scouting and monster hunting around the fortress. They'll be helpful."

They lacked raw power compared to Leo's party.

But their experience surviving the Age of Calamity far exceeded that of the hero candidates.

So they'd be valuable assets for exploration.

Dweno, after thinking it over, nodded.

"Alright. I'll inform the warrior trainees."

He looked at Aru and smiled.

"You've got a good friend as a comrade."

"Right?"

Aru beamed, and Dweno chuckled.

"He's got a nasty attitude, but there's a lot to learn from him. Learn well."

"Why are you picking a fight again?"

As Leo scowled, Aru jumped up and shouted, "Yes! I'll get strong with Black Rabbit! So strong that I'll defeat Erebos! In honor of Lord Aaron!"

Her eyes sparkled as she clenched her fists.

Dweno said, "Reliable!"

"Ehehehe."

"Be sure to bring down that hateful black flame."

"Of course! Even if I have to give my life, I'll defeat Erebos—"

"No."

"Huh?"

"Never die. Defeat him without dying."

Dweno said firmly.

"Yes!"

Aru replied enthusiastically, and Dweno nodded with a smile.

"Then wash up and sleep early for tomorrow's exploration."

"Yes!"

Snap—!

Splash—!

Water poured over Aru as Leo snapped his fingers.

Drenched, she grabbed Leo by the collar with burning eyes.

"What was that for?!"

"I gave you a bath."

"Couldn't you be more gentle?! Gently!"

Shouting her complaints, she shook her body, splashing Leo with water.

Then with a snort, she turned and stormed off.

Watching her retreating figure, Leo smiled and followed.

"I'll be going too."

"Leo. I have a question."

"What?"

"If you destroy the core of the barrier… we win, right?"

"Probably."

"What happens… to the people of Ivaldi?"

"…"

Leo was momentarily at a loss for words.

'They disappear.'

But he couldn't say that.

To him, this was just a fragment of the past. But to Dweno, this was the present.

"We'll have to escape and go to Godthrone. This place is still a danger zone. If we deal a major blow to the Giant King's forces, we'll create an opening."

"…"

Dweno stared at Leo's face.

Leo met his gaze.

"Then we'll need to prepare for a large-scale evacuation."

Dweno smiled slightly and nodded.

"Yes. Prepare thoroughly."

Nodding, Leo returned to the tent.

Aru, waiting in the distance, walked back with him.

The two figures slowly faded into the distance as they walked side by side.

Dweno remained standing in place, silently watching their backs.