“Why did he come suddenly?”

***

Sujin’s brow raised in question. “So you’re saying you’re a healer?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you asking for healing?”

“I mean… I’m the one who has to heal him.”

“Okay.”

A troubled thought ran through Kazuma's mind. ‘Shit, what do I do now? That Kemuri guy will question us if we try anything... and we can’t even prove it. Think, you idiot mind!’

“Is there any problem?”

“Ah, wait… I’ll tell you.”

– Hey, why are you so quiet?

– I’m thinking about how we should take him.

– Why think so much? We’ll just use a smoke bomb and go.

– You dumb mind! What will they think? How did we vanish? They’ll wonder why too.

– They’ll understand after a while. They have minds too. Eventually, he’ll talk to him.

– Well, it’s your call.

Miya snapped, “Damn, why are you so silent? Are you two using Mind Voice Exchange Art?”

Kazuma thought. ‘This lady… just jumped in like we’re committing a crime. What is she thinking?’

“Sujin-sama, I was silent because I was too embarrassed to say it.”

“Huh?”

“I mean… I’m a healer, but I get shy doing it openly. So if you give me some time, I’ll heal and take him outside.”

Haruto crossed his arms. “Take him, then. Who’s stopping you?”

“I mean, if I don’t do it immediately, there might be a problem… so please understand.”

Sujin asked, “Say it straight.”

“We’ll use a smoke bomb, and I’ll heal him and take him outside instantly.”

Ren spoke firmly, “I request that no one come close.”

Kemuri slowly moved forward. “Well, do whatever you want. I’ll go with Ikari.”

“Hey, I said don’t come. Are you deaf? Kindly accept it, Sujin-sama.”

Sujin sighed. ‘Do healers think like that? …The next match is already delayed.’ “I agree. But do it quickly.”

Kazuma pulled a smoke bomb from his pocket and tossed it. A thick fog burst out.

But before the fog fully spread, Kemuri stepped forward into it.

A sharp slash rang out. “Hey! I said it, didn’t I?”

Kemuri thought. ‘Shit, what’s this guy thinking? Because of that idiot, I lost. I warned him, even though he insisted… Then I’ll also make—Wait there.’

– “Mom, you activated, right?”

– { Yes. }

All conversation within the fog turned to whispers.

Ren leaned close to Ikari’s ear and whispered, “What is the contract of the wish?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Shit… Why agree if there’s a disadvantage? Looks like I’ll have to beat you more.”

– “What’s happening, Mom?”

– { Wait… huh! }

– “What!? Mom, what happened?”

– { I can’t… I can’t sense them. }

***

Inori crossed her arms, one leg over the other. “What’s happening in that fog? Healers don’t think like that.” A bored yawn followed. “Well, it’s boring anyway.”

Inori tugged her sash loose, and the robe loosened slightly—then a sudden sound echoed behind her.

“Where are we?”

“Huh?” She turned back instinctively. “Ahhhhhh!” ‘Shit! I just loosened the sash!’

She spun around quickly, trying to retie it, fingers fumbling.

“Inori-sama, what happened? I heard your scream!”

With a mix of flustered anger and panic, she snapped, “Hey! Don’t come here! Just… some bugs came, so I screamed!”

“...Hm. Well.”

Beneath the bed, Kazuma clenched his fists. – Hey! Is he calling us bugs!?

– All because of you, idiot! We ended up in the wrong place!

– Huh!? You’re the one who didn’t open it properly. Blaming me? Idiot.

Inori turned slightly, squinting at the floor—but they weren’t where they’d entered.

Her eyes narrowed. “Hey. Don’t come out. I see you under the bed.” 

‘Shit… with all this tension, I can’t even tie a simple sash!’

***

The fog cleared.

The crowd scanned the area frantically. “Where are those guys!?”

“Huh? How did they leave?”

“What happened inside that fog?”

Haruto raised his hand. “Stop, everyone. The match is already over.” 

Then he thought to himself. ‘By the way… how did they escape? Did they use a temporary flex or…?’

He continued firmly, “Well, you should leave too. The next match has to start. I don’t think they went far. They’ll return. That red-haired guy still has a match left.”

“Huh? Haruto-san, they went with Ikari. I summoned him!”

“Then he’ll come. Why are you worrying?”

“Th-that… well, nothing…”

***

– “Mom, where did they go?”

– { I don’t sense Yui. They suddenly vanished… Sorry, I didn’t fully focus. }

– “It’s okay, Mom. Why are you saying sorry? They’ll come anyway.”

– { Did they use teleportation or…? Even if I push my ability to the full scale, I can’t sense them if they went too far. }

– ‘Can I talk now?’

– { Yuki, you can talk anytime. }

– ‘I think… they used dimensional travel.’

Miko’s eyes widened with surprise. – { Dimension!? Only two people in this kingdom can open portals—at least as far as I know. I didn’t know he could. }

Yui snapped, – “Let’s not talk about that now, Mom. Yuki says that Ren can open dimension portals.”

– ‘Yes, maa. By the way—’

Yui cut abruptly, sharp with anger. – “Shut up, Yuki. You said he can open, right? Then say how he opens it.”

Yuki pouted, voice softened. – ‘Why are you suddenly so angry…? Well, according to my dream, he can open it using his katana.’

– { Katana!? }

– ‘Yes, maa…’

– { My mind is spinning. We can’t do anything about it now. Let’s drop it—we’ll talk later. }

– “Yuki… I didn’t expect that. But yeah—Mom said it right. We’ll talk later.”

***

“Haruki…?”

“I think they took that Ikari guy. Honestly… it’s probably for the best.”

“I know. I didn't question that. But how did they escape? Temporary flex or teleportation or…”

“In any case, that guy’s strong.”

“Hmm… now this is getting interesting… I’ll go after a few more matches.”

***

Kazuma said, – Hey. He’s unconscious. Did that bastard hit him too hard?

– First, you idiot. We have to escape now.

– Well, even afterward, we still have to meet her.

– …

– What is she doing?

– Maybe fixing her dress to look more presentable?

– Huh? Why do you think that?

Ren said uncomfortably, – Umm… after we entered, she turned toward us, right? Her sash looked a bit loose…

– You noticed that too, idiot? It’s just the sash—she’s still wearing the rest, right?

Ren snapped, – Shut up.

He turned toward Hisagi, concerned in his eyes. – This boy… Why didn’t he just admit defeat? It’s just a fight… First we have to heal him …And besides, couldn’t you two handle just two guys?

– Huh!? That bastard and this idiot are both heavy! Plus, the fog was about to fade—so I lost balance and fell on you!

At the same time—

Inori stepped toward the door, adjusting the folds of her robe. She opened it, her expression composed. “Kenzo, you can go now.”

Kenzo blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Hey. I said—you can go.”

“Ah—I'm going!”

Inori’s gaze sharpened. She turned. “Hey! Come outside. How did you even get into this room? Weren’t you just on the arena floor?”

Under the bed, Hisagi and Ikari lay still—unconscious.

Slowly, awkwardly, Ren appeared from the right side, rubbing his temple. Kazuma emerged from the left, brushing dust off his sleeve.

“Through teleportation.”

Ren said simultaneously, “Through dimension opening.”

They both froze. Their heads turned, locking eyes.

– Hey… why are you talking like that? Kazuma asked.

Inori’s expression shifted between confused and pissed. “Hey. You! You said teleportation. How do you even know this room?”

– Th-that’s why I said dimension opening.

Her gaze snapped to Ren. “And you—you said dimension opening?”

“Ah… that was, uh… accidental. Not intentional.”

“Huh? I didn’t ask how you came here… I asked how you can open dimension portals.”

“I can open it… with the katana.”

Inori's eyes widened. “Katana!?”

“Yes.”

‘Wait!…’ Without warning, he stepped in close and gripped both of Inori’s shoulders with urgency.

“Huh—You—!”

Before he could finish, Inori’s knee slammed into his midsection—right at the center point.

Ren’s breath hitched. His body crumpled forward, arms instinctively wrapping around his stomach. ‘Huagh… her kick—what the hell was that!?’

– Hey, what happened to you? You’re not Ren now. Besides, it's not even that serious. Why’d you even go up to her—for healing?

Inori stepped back, brushing off her shoulders with a puzzled expression. “Why did you grab me like that? You do know I’m the Queen, right? I just look young—I have four children.”

Kazuma rolled his eyes. ‘Huh. This dumb-minded girl… She thinks we fell for her?’

He glared. “Hey! He didn’t think like that! Don’t think you're that beautiful!”

“Huh! Hey, first give me respect.”

“I don’t give respect to someone until I feel they’re worthy.”

“What!?”

Still bent over slightly, Ren forced himself upright, gasping as the pain faded. – Hey… call her with some respect. You’re the one who said we’re not Ren and Kazuma.

He paused, catching his breath. – You already call Sujin-sama, don’t you?

– That’s in public. She can’t go around saying ‘he disrespects me’ in front of everyone. And besides… we know her. She doesn’t really care.

Inori looked between them, flustered. “Why so silent? Answer me!”

“I already said… I only give respect when I feel someone deserves it.”

She let out a long breath, shaking her head slightly. “Hey... I’m not even getting angry at you. But still, you should respect those older than you.” Her gaze swept around. “And where’s that boy?”

Ren turned slightly. “Would you heal him?”

Inori stepped forward, giving Ren a slow, top-to-bottom scan. “First, you defeat my son.”

Both froze. Nervous tension slipped into the air. Their expressions stiffened. Ren calmly asked, “So… because of that, you won’t heal him now?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t heal. I’m not that cruel. But… What did you say to him? His eyes looked like they were about to cry.”

“Umm… What did I say? Nothing.”

“Huh. I know my son. Don’t lie to me. Well… you’ll tell me—after I heal him.”

Kazuma silently walked over, lifted Hisagi from beneath the bed, and gently placed him on it.

Inori stepped beside the bed. Her palm hovered over Hisagi’s chest as a soft golden aura spread from her hands, soaking into his body.

“He’s not fatally injured, but he needs time to recover.” She paused, brow furrowed. “Why does this boy, with such low Kairo energy, try to fight so hard? What drove him?”

Kazuma shrugged. “Nothing. He’s just a fool.”

“Huh!? Hey, at least give him some respect! Why are you talking like this from the start?

I knew a guy like you once—talked crap all the time. Arrogant idiot.”

Ren and Kazuma glanced at each other. 

– Don’t worry. We didn’t give any clues. But she called me an idiot, right? Said I talk crap? How dare she. I’ll kill her.

Ren hid a soft laugh behind his hand. – Calm.

– Don’t tell me to stay calm! She’s insulting me!

“I think that guy was intelligent, good-looking… and a hard worker, too.”

“Stop! He’s not like that!” Her voice cracked in comedic frustration, spoke in gibberish, “Inthellhhgent? Good-thooking!? I already said—he’s an idiot! ...He disappeared… without a word.” Her voice broke again. Her face darkened at the end.

– Hey. Change the topic.

Kazuma threw up his hands. “Fine, fine! I agree with what you said, heal that fool. How much time to recover?”

“You said he’s your disciple, right? If you call him that, it’s fine—but if he does, you don’t say anything?”

“Well… he is a fool. He could’ve just admitted defeat.”

“Tch. My fault for even asking. He’ll need three days—if he doesn’t do anything rash from now.”

Kazuma turned toward the door. “Well, I’m going to the arena. Ken, you deal with that guy. Hey—come out. Stop acting.”

From beneath the bed, Ikari slowly emerged, an awkward smile on his lips. “I thought I’d ruin the mood… so I didn’t come out.”

Inori didn’t hesitate. Her voice was sharp. “You arrogant loser. Now you’re talking like that?”

Ikari looked down at Hisagi. “…Well, I didn’t think he was that weak. He didn't even want to fight. Of course, I can’t take back what I said.”

Kazuma grabbed his collar firmly, eyes sharp with irritation. “You didn't even say sorry. You think those words are fine? Now how do you plan to leave?”

“Okay, sorry. Is that enough? I could apologize a hundred times, but it won’t change the fact that I hurt him and insulted him… Well, I’ll figure out a way to leave.”

Ren called, motioning forward. “Come with me.”

Kazuma also waved his hand. “I’m going.”

“Inori-sama, please take care of him. I’ll come back for him later.”

“Hey, stop. I said after I heal him, you have to tell me exactly what you said to him.”

“I already told you—nothing. I just said he should speak up if he wanted to.”

Ren and Ikari moved toward the shimmering portal, ready to step through.

“Huh!? Really you opened it with that? … Wait, after the matches are over today, you must come. I’m inviting you to dinner.”

“Huh?”

“Come, and we’ll talk about the details. And don’t bring that red-haired guy.”

“Ummm. I’ll see.”

“Hey, be clear about it!”

“Ok.” The portal shimmered closed.

Inside the vast purple space, the air shimmered mysteriously.

“Hey, go to the other world first. You can talk to him later. I’ll contact you.”

“Huh, you know the details!?”

“That’s not important. If you wait too long in my world, you won’t be able to go until—.”

Before Ren could finish, he said, “Well, I will go... Thanks and sorry.”

“I don’t forgive you. Don’t think you’re a good guy.”

“I know. That’s why I said sorry. If anything’s in my hands, I’ll return the favor someday.”

Ren stepped forward and opened a dimension portal to another world. Ikari moved through the portal, which shimmered closed behind him.

Ren chose not to go to the arena, and instead gazed out over the Capital City.

***

– ‘By the way, I forgot—where is Yuta? He can sit with us, right?’

– “Oh, I think he’s outside the arena, watching the fights on the screens somewhere.”

– ‘Huh? Why? What if his number gets called?’

– “He’s got some sentiments about it. Well, if his number comes up, he’ll come, or maybe another number will be drawn.”

– ‘I don’t want to watch these fights. Can we go look for Yuta?’

– “Huh, Yuta will come? I think you want to meet that guy.”

– ‘No, no. Maa said, right? I shouldn’t interfere.’

– “Umm, well, let’s go.”

“Mom, we’re going outside, just for sightseeing, and we’ll look for Yuta too.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Mom. We’re just going. Yuki said she wants to go look for Yuta, so we’ll go and come back.”

“Yuta’s not a kid. He’ll come. I think it’s related to his sentiment.”

– ‘What sentiment? Does he believe something good will happen if he follows?’

– “It’s nonsense. He just believes nothing will come of it.”

– ‘What if everyone has to play the round?’

– “He’ll wait in that round.”

– ‘Give me control.’

A pleading voice from Yuki. “Maa, well… I’ll be honest. I think that guy might be outside. I want to meet him—but only if we run into him by accident, of course. I won’t interfere. We’ll just look for Yuta. Please.”

“Go.”

Yuki wrapped her arms around her in a childish embrace. “My sweet Maa, I know you’ll allow us.”

Miko pushed back, embarrassed and awkward. “Stop, this feels weird. Yui doesn’t act like that.”

“Okay, anyway, I’m going.”

***

Yuta stood near a clothing shop, his eyes fixed on one of the large screens placed at important locations in the Capital City.

He thought anxiously. ‘My number is 44. I’ll go after eight fights. Please, God… don’t let them call it too soon.’

***

While walking, she asked, “Where do you think Yuta might be?”

Author’s Note:

Please read the Author’s Note in Chapter 17.5 for details.