“Defeating the country’s most powerful squadron! So, Kyle really is the strongest among the strongest!”
“I’m glad to be a Kyle fan! Kyle is the best!”
“Haha. It looks like everyone loves Kyle, right?”
“You two… please, calm down.”
Although I sighed, deep down I felt immensely happy watching both girls enjoy themselves. It’s quite touching.
I’m really getting old. Well, it’s normal to retire from being an adventurer at my age.
“So, what is the matter you wish to discuss with me?”
The king turned his gaze towards me, with an expression of interest as he asked me. I straightened up a bit, feeling some tension.
“I have matters to deal with the palace’s saint, Lucia.”
“Oh… matters with the saint? And why is that?”
“Due to a curse from the demonic races, I only have a week left to live. There is only one way to avoid death: to break the curse. However, only Lucia in this country can undo this curse.”
“I see. And is that why you have come specifically to the palace?”
The king nodded silently and looked behind me.
“Lucia, what do you think about this?”
“Eh…?”
Suddenly, upon hearing the saint’s name from the king, I was surprised.
Moreover, he clearly spoke as if he were asking the saint directly.
Fearful, I turned to see the masked woman who was blushing.
“Mmm… It would be a great loss for this country if Kyle dies, so I can consider lifting the curse.”
“Eh, eh, eh? Are you really Saint Lucia?”
“Oh, really? You didn’t realize it? I think I’m quite well-known, you know?”
I really hadn’t noticed. In fact, I had never heard that she wore a mask.
“The saint is by my side?!”
“Really?! What disrespect!”
Both girls hurriedly moved away from her.
“Well… it’s a bit sad.”
Seeing this reaction, Lucia seemed a bit disappointed. However, she quickly shifted her focus to me.
“I will help you lift that curse, okay?”
“R-Really?”
Just as I was about to respond excitedly, my lip touched a finger.
“Ah…”
“What?!”
“Eh?!”
It was Lucia’s finger.
With a tilt, she placed her finger on my lips.
What is happening…?
I’m starting to feel excited like a teenager. At this age, my youthful heart seems to be resurging…!
“But I feel like doing it for free wouldn’t be right.”
As she said that, Lucia placed her hand on my shoulder.
“If you manage to defeat a commander of the Demon King’s army, I will lift the curse. What do you say?”
“I will do it!! Please, let me do it!”
“Haha. That’s the spirit.”
Lucia turned around and extended her hand to the king.
“Well, I must get back to work. King, please let me know if Kyle returns after defeating a commander of the Demon King’s army.”
“Understood. Lucia, you may go back to your duties.”
Somehow, I don’t quite understand the relationship between the King and the Saint. In a way, they seem to be equals.
“Kyle, I command you once again.”
As he said that, the king coughed.
“You have been tasked with the mission to eliminate ‘Gian’, a commander of the Demon King’s army, based in the Heroes Cemetery in the southwest of the Kingdom of Rapier.”
“Got it!!!”
“Got it!!!”
“Got it!!!”
Our voices overlapped in unison.
