After the duel, Vergil and I commend each other on our respective performances.

Vergil: “That was an amazing fight. I would love to cross swords with you again like this.”

Arata: “……I ask for a rematch in half a year.”

We firmly shake hands, but I definitely do not want to do a duel of this level again and again.

In a game duel, even if you kill your opponent, they can respawn. But in this world, there’s no room for carelessness.

This duel with Vergil…

I keenly felt that this world differs from a game with regards to things like 【Iaijutsu】 techniques, abilities that deviate from the system, and skills that surpass special abilities.

I may need to reconsider my understanding.

If I’m careless, I could die even fighting low-level monsters.

If my opponent is a high-level NPC with hostile intentions, the danger increases further.

More than ever, I need to hurry to enhance my status and acquire skills.

In addition, collecting weapons and items is a future task.

The  『Knockback Nullification』 ability of the  『Sharp Sword 【Kurikara】』 was ineffective against Vergil’s 【Iaijutsu】.

However, I felt that if I had been fighting with a weapon other than 【Kurikara】, it would not have ended with just a knockback.

About the 『Dragon King’s Gauntlet』 as well, if I hadn’t equipped it, my arm might have been broken due to the difference in STR.

In this world and in the game “Regicide of Saga”, the meaning of armor may be different.

After all, the meaning of VIT seems to have changed as well.

In the game, VIT literally represents defense power.

Its main effect was damage reduction.

But what about VIT in this world?

While it does seem to enhance my defense power and resilience to some extent, I don’t feel it has a superhuman effect.

If I swing a sword, I can easily decapitate, and if I deliver a blow, bones can break.

I don’t intend to say that “attack is everything in a battle”, but it seems to me that in this world, emphasis is placed on attack.

It would be better to collect armor to protect oneself and items for recovery.

While looking at the 【Iaijutsu】 characters newly added to the skill list, I make future plans.

For now, let’s raise the status and skills with the skill points from the acquisition of awards.

There are skills and release elements that can be acquired by leveling up, but it’s okay to solidify the basics first.

For the time being, should I try a little harder to collect awards with Rose?

 

＊＊＊

 

Vergil: “I’m sorry, but in a duel-style exam, you can only be promoted to rank A by regulation.”

When I return from the training ground to the Adventurer’s Guild, I am led to Vergil’s office.

There, I hear his explanation about promotion to A-rank adventurer.

Come to think of it, there was such a setting.

When I was urged by Aya to submit my guild card, I wondered what it was all about, but I finally understand.

If you win a duel against Vergil, or if you can avoid becoming incapacitated for the 10-minute time limit, you can be promoted to A-rank adventurer, even if you are low-rank.

Having said that, it can’t be helped that I forgot.

Vergil is an NPC boasting unrivaled strength, and a player who can defeat him or draw with him can raise the adventurer rank as much as they want during the process up to that point.

Vergil: “Even with your strength, I’m confident you could handle a higher rank… but rules are there to be followed.”

Arata: “I understand.”

I let Vergil, who looks apologetic, know that I understand.

Surely, if a person who hasn’t achieved anything is suddenly promoted, it would stir up jealousy and suspicion of unfairness from other adventurers.

It would not be a good example for residents, merchants, and nobles who issue requests, not just for adventurers.

However, today’s purpose was to talk with Vergil, and the promotion to A-rank is just a bonus.

Vergil: “Well, it will take some time to process your A-rank promotion. —Let’s talk in the meantime.”

Arata: “!”

Vergil: “It seems the captain of the Second Knights did something interesting on her triumphant return a few days ago? The castle has been suspicious recently. Is it related to your coming here?”

I’m grateful he gets straight to the point.

I told Vergil that I am sheltering the Seventh Prince at Rose’s mansion, and asked him to back her up in case of emergency.

Vergil: “The captain of the Second Knights, huh…”

Arata: “What do you think?”

Vergil: “Given my position, it might be difficult, which is probably the reality.”

I thought so.

This issue is quite complex.

Is the issue within the royal family, or is it a larger one involving the nobility?

It seems that Vergil is gathering information, but he doesn’t seem to have a clear picture yet.

However, it’s clear that there’s a problem at the heart of the country, given that the prince is involved.

Here, the stance of the Adventurer’s Guild could be an obstacle.

The Adventurer’s Guild is an organization aimed at protecting the residents from the threat of monsters and intervening in the country’s affairs is not possible.

If they were to permit it, the country would be nurturing a group that could potentially become rebels – the adventurers.

Then, the country would attempt to bind the adventurers, and their activities, as before, would be regulated.

As a result, there could be a vicious cycle of increased damage to residents due to monsters.

Vergil: “Of course, this is assuming the worst-case scenario. However, if we treat the rules lightly, it sets a bad precedent,” he said with heavy words.

Those words are strong and heavy, especially because they are said by Vergil, who has a strict personality.

I thought it would be difficult, but it’s disappointing because I wasn’t completely without hope.

Vergil: “—Granted, there are times when flexible thinking is required.”

Arata: “That is…”

Vergil: “Like the stampede that occurred in the town of Loine recently. There were many strange points about it.”

According to Vergil, the stampede in question had obvious anomalies compared to what had been confirmed until then.

One of these anomalies was the large-scale movement of monsters.

According to investigations, it became clear that the Goblin Emperor had staked out his territory in the Warts Great Forest, a few weeks’ walk from Loine.

It’s not entirely impossible that they could invade Loine from there, but the route seems a little too straight.

—MPK (Monster Player Kill)

Also called a train, it’s a method of luring NPCs or enemy mobs and causing them to attack the player.

Vergil: “For that kind of item creation, a skilled potion maker and secret medicine are essential.”

Arata: “In other words, Vergil, you suspect that the merchant, the nobility, or the royalty is behind the stampede?”

Vergil: “Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.”

This is troublesome.

There’s too little information to narrow down the suspects.

Moreover, it’s even doubtful whether the matter of the seventh prince is related to the stampede.

I was good at solving riddles, but I’m not good at playing detective.

Especially in cases like in a drama where it’s hard to narrow down the suspects.

“This could be seen as a challenge to the Adventurers Guild.”

Arata: “Well then,”

Vergil: “As the Grandmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild, or personally as Vergil Spada, why don’t I back up the captain of the Second Knight’s Order, even if it’s difficult?”