Kazue POV
The story goes back some time.
During the duel with Levethy
Victor tossed the coin up into the sky.
It was high up in the sky that it took a total of about 5 seconds for the coin to fall from the sky to the ground.
I am expecting my opponent to have higher Agility than me.
Which means I have no chance of catching her if I chase after her.
For me to minimize her advantage in speed I must look for a way to force her to come to me instead.
I will let her come after me and that is the only time frame I can catch her off guard.
Luckily, she is looking down on me.
I can use it as an advantage as she does not know what I am capable of.
The only problem now is; if her speed is on the level where I could not even react.
If that is the case then I have no chance of winning from the beginning.
I will just have to hope that she's not on that level.
Well, that will only happen if she's stronger than Hano.
[I doubt that.]
[For that the best way to fight is to focus on countering her attack. For that, I will have to do this]
During my free time, I do practice this technique a lot.
The art of quickly drawing the sword and responding to a sudden attack, "Iai".
For that reason, I changed my stance to best execute this attack.
I also activated my skill (Concentration) and with it, time seemed to have slowed down.
-Ting-
The coin dropped and bounced several times on the floor.
I did not react.
I only focused my attention on Levethy’s movements and decided to wait for her to approach me.
A few moments later.
"Hey! are you not attacking? the onlookers are getting bored~. You will not defeat me if you keep on waiting there. Well... if you want me to go after you then fine." <Levethy>
I knew that Levethy was trying to talk to me but because of my peak concentration and I was only focusing on her movement I was not able to understand her words.
Nevertheless, I did not even try to understand her.
She swung her dagger once to prepare herself, and with that, I knew that she was about to attack.
She started moving.
She was fast, faster than I anticipated but not beyond what I could manage.
[Good, I can follow her movements. Now, I will just have to wait. Block her attack and then counter.]
"This is the end!" <Levethy>
I blocked her attack aimed at me.
I used my sword to direct her attack upward.
As I did, I did not expect that her dagger would be disarmed.
With that, she had no way to defend herself.
From the way her face distorted into a surprised expression, she did not expect me to react to her attack.
[She must have used her full speed in that instant]
As a result, she lost her grip on her dagger and got flung into the air.
I did not let that moment pass and used that time while she was still stunned.
I shifted my body and attacked!
I swung my sword downward.
-clang-
[What?!]
I could barely react.
Something stopped my attack at a speed that was beyond what I could perceive.
I was using (Concentration) and yet I was unable to react to what stopped my attack.
"Oi oi oi~ miss, this is just a duel you don't have to do that" <Victor>
[Do what?]
I then realized that I aimed to decapitate Levethy's head.
If my attack was not stopped, I might have killed her instead.
[Uwawawa~ What the hell did I just do?! I almost killed someone!]
"Uwah! What did I..." <Kazue>
"You almost cut her head off." <Victor>
[Hell yeah, I almost did. What the hell am I thinking?]
My body just moved by itself.
I move the way I did to defeat the undead monster and aimed for her head.
"Sorry! Sorry! It was just a force of habit. I have been dealing with zombies lately and my body moved on its own! umm, uhh! SORRY!". <Kazue>
My duel with Levethy ended just like that.
I immediately apologized to Levethy as I almost accidentally killed her.
She also apologized to me for calling me weak.
We exchanged words and cleared the beef on each other.
I blamed Hano for what happened and Levethy agreed to my remorse.
I was surprised as I came to realize that Levethy was cute.
She thought that I was another one of the girls who are in love with Hano.
But I quickly denied it and said that it was the opposite.
Yes...
I hate Hano.
Why?
Because he's so freaking dense.
I also suspect that he might like me too.
[What? Do you think I am assuming things?]
He does show signs that make me think of him that way.
For Example...
I notice how he blushes when looking at my face.
He can’t even look me in the eyes for more than 3 seconds without blushing.
Only a stupid person would not notice such a thing.
If I am wrong so be it, it's not as if I care.
If he does not like me then that's ok but still.
I do hate how dense he is.
Why?
If he does not realize that my 3 friends like him, what else can I call him?
They are showing him obvious signs that they like him.
I hate Hano for not realizing that.
I would have appreciated it if he chose one of my friends to end their boring chase over him.
In the end, they ended up having a competition to gain his affection.
I just hope it won’t end up as a harem.
[Well, I guess that's not for me to decide]
-sigh-
Now another beauty joined the fray.
[This is just disgusting. I blame all of this on HANO and HANO alone.]
That is how the incident with Levethy ended.
**********************
I joined up with my temporary party members.
We exchanged some words asking how we do.
After that, they accompanied me to the inn where I stay.
There I joined the merchant girl that stays there with me.
I also take the opportunity to introduce them to the girls.
"... and this is the party leader, Charlotte"
The Braided girl with thick-framed glassed held out his hand to shake hands with Charlotte and then introduced them to the other members of the Water Oath Party.
"Hello~ It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot from you guys from Rio. I am Asano Reno" <Reno>
With a bright smile, a small girl copied Reno and shook hands with Charlotte and the others.
"Hi! I am Ueda Emika!" <Emika>
Meanwhile, the girl with short hair extended her hands to them to follow Emika and Reno's example.
"I am Chino Akemi" <Akemi>
After that.
The three girls interviewed my party members about me.
All I heard was...
"She's so unreasonable..." <Amy>
"She's so cool..." <Lucas>
"Kazue is reliable..." <Charlotte>
[What? why are they talking about me? why Am I the focus of their conversation?]
I can't relax when things are like this.
"So you cook some monster in camps?" <Akemi>
"Yeah, we do. I think it's a must-have skill for an adventurer." <Charlotte>
-grumble-
Emika's stomach grumbled.
"Sorry, after talking about food I suddenly became hungry hehehe~" <Emika>
She became hungry after the conversation had started to point in the direction of how adventurers eat during their quest.
"Well, how about we eat something?" <Reno>
"Ah... come to think of it I do feel really hungry." <Kazue>
I touch my stomach, I wanted to eat something.
"Well. you've been asleep for two days you haven't eaten anything after all" <Charlotte>
"Oh! that makes sense... I would love to grab some food." <Kazue>
"Oh! Oh! If we’re going to get food how about we eat in the guild's pub? I wanted to experience eating there." <Emika>
Emika also wanted to do so.
She suggested eating at the guild pub.
"Come to think of it we never ate in the guild pub before." <Reno>
Reno said with a little bit of surprise on her face.
It seemed that she only realized that fact now.
She always had an interest in trying out the food in the guild pub at least once.
But, since they had been busy all this time, she never had the chance to do so.
All of the food they had were food from the castle.
They also had food at Shaina's place in the scale atelier while learning about merchant-related things.
They had been busy selling goods in the plaza.
They only ate in the inn and some street food.
As a result, they never had the time to try out the adventurer’s guild pub.
It was a perfect time to eat in the adventurer's guild.
"It's decided then! We shall go to the guild pub to eat!" <Emika>
"That's not a problem" <Amy>
"I've always wanted to try the food in the guild at least once." <Reno>
"It's fine, right? everyone?" <Charlotte>
"Yeah" <Everyone>
And so! we head out of the inn and walked toward the Adventurer's guild to eat.
Right now, I am with the members of the "Water Oath" party Charlotte, Lukas, Amy, and Grace together with my former classmates Rio, Reno, Emika, and Akemi.
We are all walking side by side while casually talking with each other about random stuff.
It did not take us long to arrive at the guild which was just a few minutes walk away from the inn where we stay.
We entered the guild and look for a table to eat at.
As I entered, I saw a familiar face.
"Uhmm... If I am correct, you're... Luna, Luna Nightfall am I correct." <Kazue>
"Hmn?" <Luna>
The little girl wearing a Miko outfit was standing beside the door and looked at me as I called her out.
I knew her, she was the one who helped me defeat the ghoul just before I passed out.
"Ah, you're that girl..." <Luna>
"It's Kazue." <Kazue>
I bowed my head at the little girl.
Despite her appearance as a little girl I knew for a fact that this person is at least as strong as I am, hell she might even be stronger than I am.
Just like the last time her expression did not change.
Her aura reminds me of some "Kuudere" characters in games.
"Thank you for helping me at that time, I really appreciate it." <Kazue>
"No problem." <Luna>
She casually waved me off.
"Oh, where is your sister I want to thank her too." <Kazue>
"Ah... if it's Stella she's over there." <Luna>
Luna pointed somewhere to the right.
It did not take me a long time to find Stella, after all, her outfit stands out from all other adventurers.
And yes, I saw Stella in that direction and she was talking with several other people.
"Kazue, that person is?" <Charlotte>
"Oh, yes. This is Luna Nightfall. She was the one who helped me defeat the ghoul I fought during the monster stampede." <Kazue>
"Oh, so she was the one who helped you at that time." <Charlotte>
I nod in reply.
Charlotte went over to Luna and say her thanks as well.
Followed by my other party members and Rio.
Just like when she did when I thanked her, she also waved them off.
"Everyone, Wait for a bit." <Kazue>
"Oh, okay we'll look for a table as you do." <Charlotte>
"Thanks" <Kazue>
Our group looked for a table as Charlotte said.
I went over to where Stella to thank her.
I thought of waiting for her to finish talking with the people she was with but I realize that I also knew those people.
So, I decided to just walk over there and talk to her.
“”"yes sir!"””
They said in a loud voice.
It was Hano and the girls.
I poked Stella from behind.
She turned around and saw me.
"Oh, you're that girl from that time... if I am correct, your name is Kazue? was it?" <Stella>
"Yes, It’s Mizusawa Kazue. Thanks for that time." <Kazue>
"Oh, no problem. Who else would help adventurers than your fellow adventurer right?" <Stella>
"Kazue?” <Chiho>
I smiled at Chiho after she noticed me talking to Stella.
“You know this woman?" <Chiho>
Chiho asked if I knew this person.
For some reason, she was looking at her suspiciously.
[What happened?]
"Yes, I know this person. She was the one who helped me defeat the unique ghoul I fought during that time. No, it’s more like she saved me." <Kazue>
"I see..." <Chiho>
Chiho's gaze at Stella soften.
I just noticed but even Mizuko and Eiko were looking at her with the same look but when I said she was the one who helped me they seemed to have lowered their guards.
"Well now, Miss Kazue, it seems that you know the hero and her party are you perhaps friends?" <Stella>
"Ah, yes, those girls are my friends." <Kazue>
"Oh~ I see..." <Stella>
I somehow feel that Stella realized something.
To what exactly it was I did not bother to know.
"Well then, Everyone, I will have my leave for now." <Stella>
Stella excused herself by making a courteous bow and a graceful raising of her skirt.
[Wow~ she looks like a Lady of an aristocratic family... how elegant]
"Oh, is that so miss Stella, Thank you once again." <Kazue>
I subconsciously added miss to her name as I was very impressed with her “Lady Aura”.
"Fufufu~ don't mind it. It was nothing." <Stella>
She giggled and tapped my shoulder before walking toward the exit.
Luna followed after her as she exited the door.
I watched them disappear.
[I did not think of this at that time since I was more focused on defeating the ghoul but those sisters were beautiful. I would even think that those two are human if not for their odd body part]
I realized this as I talked to them today.
Stella had a horn on her head while Luna had a pointy ear.
"KAZUE!!!" <Chiho>
Chiho shouts my name which made me jump in place.
I knew that tone, she makes this tone of voice when she’s angry about something.
"W-w-what?" <Kazue>
"I heard that you got trapped inside a dungeon a few days ago?" <Chiho>
"Yeah... what about it?" <Kazue>
Chiho raised one of her brows.
"WHAT ABOUT IT? I heard you almost died." <Chiho>
[Sh*t! It was about that?!]
Cold sweat started to pour down from my head.
[I must escape for now!]
"Uh... uh... ah! Right, I was going to eat with my friends over there! BYE" <Kazue>
I felt something grabbing my shoulders as I turned around.
"WAIT, why the rush? Kazue." <Chiho>
Chiho was smiling at me.
It was a sweet smile but I feel something ominous about it.
"Oh, right we were also going to eat as well, I think it would be alright to talk about this as we eat. RIGHT?? Kazue." <Chiho>
"But! we might bother you guys and all." <Kazue>
"No~ not really. Kazue" <Chiho>
I feel a dark aura coming off from Chiho
She would not let me go unless we talked about what happened in the dungeon.
"But..." <Kazue>
"Hmm? what's the problem? Kazue" <Chiho>
Her smile gave me chills and I could not think of a reason to avoid her.
"It's ok if we eat with Kazue and her friends, right? Hano, Sir Victor?" <Chiho>
Chiho asked her companion.
Mizuko, Eiko, and Levethy sensed Chiho’s threats so they agree out of fear.
Hano could only agree as he sensed this as well.
"KAKAKA, why not I am a little bit interested in that friend of yours." <Victor>
"Then it's settled!" <Chiho>
"That's!" <Kazue>
I tried to resist for the last time but…
"Any problem?" <Chiho>
"... no" <Kazue>
I went toward my party members with Chiho and the rest.
"I'm back" <Kazue>
"Oh, Kazue! hmm?" <Charlotte>
Charlotte notices that there are some people behind her which made her tilt her head in curiosity.
"Kazue, they are?" <Charlotte>
"Hello~ I Am Sakata Chiho, you can call me "Chiho" I am Kazue's old-time friend." <Chiho>
"Chiho?" <Emika>
Emika, one of the merchant girls hears this name she shifted her attention toward Chiho
"Oh! Chiho!" <Emika>
Emika called out for Chiho while waving her hands in the air.
Chiho looked around for a bit and found other familiar faces
"OH! Emika, even Reno and even Akemi are here?" <Chiho>
"Rio is also there." <Kazue>
I add, pointing at Rio.
"Right. I did not expect you girls to be with Kazue! How are you doing?" <Chiho>
"We're doing fine. Hehe~" <Emika>
Emika scratches the back of her head as she replied to Chiho.
"How did you end up with Kazue?" <Chiho>
Akemi replied to answer Chiho.
"We hired her to be our guard for our work." <Akemi>
Eiko joined in their conversation.
"Work?" <Eiko>
"Ah, yes we're working as merchants now. We work for the Scale Atelier" <Emika>
"Uhm... For now, sit down." <Kazue>
"Oh yes." <Chiho>
Chiho and her party members joined us at our table to eat.
Charlotte notices the others who sat with us.
She also noticed other adventurers looking in our direction so she got curious as to why.
"Uhm, Kazue, these people are?" <Charlotte>
"Oh right, let me introduce you to them." <Kazue>
And so, I introduced them one by one.
"As you all know, this one girl over here is Chiho" >Kazue>
Chiho smiled at everyone.
"Next to her is Muto Eiko" <Kazue>
Eiko waved her hands with a smile.
"You can just call me Eiko nice to meet you!" <Eiko>
"Next is Haga Mizuko" <Kazue>
"It's Mizuko, I am pleased to meet you." <Mizuko>
"Next, that boy over there is Hano." <Kazue>
"Hano Ryuusei, nice to meet you." <Hano>
Hano said as he bows his head.
"That beautiful girl over there is Levethy" <Kazue>
I smiled at Levethy and she also smiled back.
We just became friends a while ago so it was a mysterious feeling to introduce her to my other friends.
[I feel that I becoming more and more sociable after I got transferred to this world.]
She smiled and made a graceful bow to my party members.
"Hello, everyone my name is Levethy Pau Artesia. Nice to meet you." <Levethy>
"Uh... this uncle over here is... Uh… " <Kazue>
[Sh*t! I don't remember his name]
"KAKAKA, I am Victor Meister Nice to meet you" <Victor>
I looked at my party members.
They looked shocked.
[Huh? did I say something weird?]
"V-v-v-v-Victor M-m-me-Meister?" <Lucas>
"L-L-l-Levethy? ARTESIA? Did you just say ARTESIA" <Amy>
"What's wrong everyone?" <Kazue>
"K-k-k-Kazue!" <Charlotte>
Charlotte's eyes were rolling all over the place.
"What's wrong?" <Kazue>
"Victor Meister! Isn’t that the Empire's Knight Master?!" <Lucas>
"Le-Levethy? You don't mean "that" Levethy RIGHT?! The third Princess of the Empire?!" <Amy>
"If these people are here... This means that miss Chiho and the others are the members of the Hero's Party?" <Charlotte>
[Right! Come to think of it I did hear Levethy was a Princess!]
[It’s just natural to be surprised if you happened to meet the hero, right?]
[Uwah~ I did not realize this before but these guys over here were actually big shots, right? I forgot since I knew most of them personally…]
They looked at Chiho and waited for answers.
"Well, if you mean “that”, I think we are that hero party. Right?" <Chiho>
Chiho looked at Mizuko and Eiko to confirm
Mizuko and Eiko nod at Chiho to confirm this information.
"You mean that handsome young man over there is the hero." <Amy>
Amy was looking at Hano while blushing and clasping her hand over her chest.
Even Charlotte was looking at him like looking at a prince charming.
[Oi oi stop. That person is...]
-tsk-
I clicked my tongue and glared at Hano
"What did I do?" <Hano>
Hano was made a back after seeing me glaring at him.
"Don't even try" <Kazue>
"Try what?" <Hano>
I stood between Hano and the two girls, Amy and Charlotte.
"Hey..." <Grace>
Grace who was often silent talked.
"I was wondering... The hero and his party members are from another world, right? Since Kazue was an old friend of Miss Chiho… Then that means..." <Grace>
"Ah" <Kazue>
My eyes went “O.o” after hearing this from Grace.
[sh*t, this is supposed to be a secret right? About the fact I am from another world?]
