After the fierce battle with the dragons, we explored a bit more before returning to the clan home.
"I'm back~"
"Ah, welcome home everyone. You're back quite early."
As we entered the home, three small, baby-faced boys greeted us—one handling all the clan's administrative work alone.
Wait—no, I'm not mistaken; there really are three of them.
One of them speaks to us as we return.
His name is Miles Lamp ring. Fifteen years old.
Miles has the ability [Clone], which lets him multiply his body.
And apparently, all of them share the same memories and thoughts.
Honestly, if I had that ability, it'd probably drive me insane.
The sense of "self" would get so blurred—I'd be too scared to use it.
"Yeah, thanks to Fuka going berserk."
"Don't say rude things. I didn't go berserk."
"Hah!? You went nuts the moment we hit the 90th floor—scattering magic stones everywhere like crazy—and now you say that with a straight face!?"
"But Hart said we needed a ton of dragon scales."
"I did say that, but I meant take your time gathering them! That's why we started exploring in the morning!"
"Oh... really?"
Pointed out by Kati, Fuka finally seems to grasp the full schedule for today.
Yeah—from now on, we're limiting Fuka to carrying only the bare minimum magic stones.
"Ahaha... Fuka-san is the same as ever, huh."
"Today's was the worst in recent memory..."
"Oh, right. Father is waiting in the reception room, so Leader and Fuka-san, could you please head there?"
Miles's father is the head of the Lamp ring Viscount family.
A few years ago, when we saved Miles from some thugs, he felt indebted—Miles helps with clan work, and his father provides financial support.
We didn't do much, but they're an admirably dutiful father and son.
"He rarely comes here. Got it. Fuka, let's go."
◇
I head to the reception room with Fuka in tow.
Inside is a dignified, bearded middle-aged man and a maid.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Alf-san."
"You're back early."
"We got what we needed sooner than expected. Anyway, you coming here is rare. Some urgent business?"
"Just came to see my son. And I have a request for you all."
"What's the request?"
"It's about the Gratitude Festival in two weeks. You know the martial arts tournament is the main event, right?"
"Yeah, vaguely. Never participated or even watched—too much hassle."
"Up until now, participants were mostly central army or provincial army officers, plus B-rank and below explorers. High-rank explorers rarely joined. Marquis Forgas doesn't like that situation and wants a special section just for high-rankers this time. He personally asked me about it."
"Troublesome. So basically, you want me and Fuka to enter?"
"In short, yes. Sorry, but it's the Marquis. We can't refuse."
"I don't care, but making Fuka participate? Is the Marquis an idiot? He's probably trying to recover the hero's reputation, but if Fuka joins, she'll win for sure, right?"
"I know Fuka-chan is strong, but that strong?"
"The tournament prohibits magic—pure martial arts and abilities, right? Fuka's physical abilities are off the charts, and her ability is definitely top-class. Even with magic allowed, almost no one beats her—without it, there's no way. Right, Fuka?"
"...Probably?"
Fuka—who's been munching snacks like a little squirrel since we entered—gives a vague answer when I check with her.
"You're being modest? That's rare. Is it gonna snow tomorrow? Damn... I already put away my winter clothes."
"Not modesty. I really don't know."
Yeah, she doesn't joke around.
"...The hero is strong, but not enough to beat you, right?"
"...Serious Orun is definitely a monster. But if he's holding back like during the joint subjugation... I can probably win. That's why I said 'probably.'"
...He was holding back. I didn't notice at all.
My observation skills—something I was kinda proud of—are apparently below Fuka's. My value as a person... I might cry soon.
Jokes aside—if she's saying that.
Fuka's ability is [Future Sight].
She can see a little into the future.
That's already an insane advantage, but on top of that, Fuka has physical abilities and combat sense far beyond normal people.
Even before her ability awakened, the strongest swordsman in our homeland said she'd definitely surpass him someday.
In fact, since becoming an explorer, Fuka hasn't taken a single scratch.
She's far superior in swordsmanship to Oliver Cardiff—who was called Sword Saint before being called Hero.
For someone that absurd to not be certain she can beat Orun...
"Sigh... Anyway, I got it. We'll enter the tournament. We owe Alf-san a lot. Just lose at a decent rank, right?"
"No—I want you to go all out."
"...Why? A decent result should be fine."
"Simple. I don't want to see you two lose."
"What about the Marquis?"
"I've already handled that. No problem. Win the whole thing."
Sigh... Sponsors always come with unreasonable demands.
Well, Alf-san has mostly let us do whatever we want until now.
We're lucky with our sponsor.
This is his earnest request. Guess we'll go all in this time.
"No choice, huh. Fuka, we're aiming for the championship."
"Got it. Even if it's Hart, I'll go full power and defeat you."
"No—hold back there... I'll die."