*
In popular media, willpower is often expressed as something unbroken.
But I think it’s like a flame that appears to be extinguished but still smolders, ready to burst into flames again.
What matters is giving your best. People are those who get back up, even if they break or bend.
The cart’s wheels rattled and came to a stop. It was the remnants of a land where tribes with animal characteristics lived.
“Here we are. Iron Wolf Village.”
We arrived at Iron Wolf Village. Thanks to the spacious plains, wheat and barley are the specialties here. Another notable point is…
The fame of Rock Grancia, who hails from this place, and the reverence for Tardun, the God of Will.
“Mr. Helmet! Look over there! It’s His Majesty the Emperor!!”
As soon as Ariel stepped out of the cart, she jumped excitedly, pointing at a giant statue. An Inrang tribe member wielding a long halberd.
“…No. The scar is too short.”
Beside me, Pina pointed out a mistake while looking at a statue resembling her father. I thought it looked pretty much the same.
She sometimes has an unusually sharp sense.
Wolf King Rock.
A powerful and charismatic overpowered character who led all the Ten Heroes during the Demon God War.
They say just swinging an axe can change night into day.
“That’s how the nickname ‘the wolf that eats the sun and bites the moon’ was born…”
The scenes from the game’s PV were truly a spectacle. Rock merely swung an axe in front of the Demon Kings, and day and night flipped like a pancake.
It’s a world apart when I couldn’t defeat the Magic Hat and free Queen Bellin from the cards. Currently, Demon King Kill was a makeshift Dragon Kill.
The Head wasn’t completely dead either, and I almost perished. The other ultimate move, the 3D Magic Circles, requires a handhold with Pina, making it hard to use in emergencies.
“So, is this Pina’s hometown?”
“Yeah… the Empire existed after I was born.”
Kainel glanced around the bustling village crowd.
Though it wasn’t as grand as the Empire, it was still Pina’s hometown. She had a chance to visit it in the game.
“Good quality meat has arrived!!”
“Looking at you, your fur looks great today! Where did you go?”
“I think it’s the stance that’s the basics of swordsmanship. It’s more about posture than techniques.”
I saw beastfolk with animal ears and tails chattering excitedly. If it’s Tardun’s shrine, I believe we need to climb the mountain from here.
“Pina, have you been here before?”
“Just a little… when I was young.”
Ariel chatted with the unarmored Pina. Pina’s pure white hair danced in the wind.
The name Pina Grancia hasn’t been publicly exposed.
If it were Rufus, someone might notice, but no one would think a white-haired Inrang tribe woman was a princess.
“Pina, is there anywhere you want to go? I suppose we should visit the shrine tomorrow…”
The sun was high in the sky. If we started climbing now, it would set quickly. We should stay here for the day and head to the Rufus Mountains tomorrow.
“I need to gather information about the shrine too.”
I thought I could gather all the information about the Demon Kings at the Library of Truth, but there were too many variables. Adequate preparation is necessary.
“Accessory shop.”
Pina stopped in front of a building with a sloping old sign that read [Sleeping Cat].
I had heard that name before. It was also a place I came to with the Nameless Saintess when she was still Pina.
Did we buy a ring here back then? I think we focused on protective items, trying to guard the weakest saintess.
“Sounds good. Let’s go in.”
Creeeak, as we opened the squeaky wooden door, a woman with black cat ears was slumped at the counter.
“Nice to meet you, meow…”
Is this person still here? I have no idea how old she is. The shop owner lazily scanned us four with a drowsy expression.
“Hello!”
“Welcome to [Sleeping Cat]… yawn…”
“Are you going back to sleep?”
Ariel cheerfully greeted her, but the cat girl went back to snoozing.
Even if she looks like that, she’s probably the fastest person to move if someone tries to steal.
The name I remembered from the game is Krunya. She’s a level-max shop owner, famous among players as an NPC.
“Pina, but why suddenly an accessory shop?”
“When I looked outside… it looked pretty.”
Upon arriving here, I did see many people wearing earrings or necklaces. But I figured there would be plenty in the Imperial Palace too.
I looked around at the items. Contrary to the shop’s shabby appearance, the items here were of reasonable quality.
“Kainel.”
“What, Licht?”
I casually tossed words at the lone blond hero. Ariel and Pina had somehow moved to the corner, checking out cute accessories.
“How about buying a ring? One to match with Miss Ariel.”
“What are you talking about?”
Since you two will get married later, why not wear an engagement ring now? You’ve got to stack the flags in advance, or the route might go off-track.
“Here, we have rings that enhance swordsmanship… and rings that improve mana sensitivity.”
I showed Kainel two silver rings encrusted with purple amethysts.
The flower representing the hero couple is lavender. This one should match. I spoke while hiding my devious intentions behind my helmet.
“If you don’t believe it, you can test it.”
“Go ahead and try, I swear…”
Kainel put one on and drew his sword. Swish, a slash cut through the shop. A clean and smooth blade path. His movements became lighter and more precise than before.
“Oh? It’s better than I expected…”
“I said so.”
Kainel exclaimed in astonishment as he noticed how much lighter his swordsmanship became with just one ring on.
“They’re called the Ring of Willpower and the Ring of Intelligence. They’re rare items, so they’re not common.”
Of course, they are! This is one of the hidden pieces. In the game, certain items often have affinities with each other.
For instance, with the Mana Rose, a Mage could surpass several levels in circles. I wanted to gift that to Pina, simply because it’s called Blue Rose.
“Customers, please refrain from using swords inside the shop, meow.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
At that moment, Krunya raised a claw and warned us. There was a system that got mad if you attacked inside the shop. I almost forgot.
“Kainel.”
“Hey! Look here!”
Two figures appeared behind us while we were chatting. Some strange items were placed on their heads. Animal ear headbands.
“Hehe, puppy ears are cute! Kai..!”
“…Licht, that wouldn’t work for you.”
Those guys must have gone to check this out before. Head accessories also count as ‘accessories’ anyway.
Kainel had long puppy ears, and mine looked sharp like a wolf.
‘I used to play with those back in the day. It brings back memories.’
The helmet I used in the game could be removed. When I donned headbands, the Nameless Saintess Pina jokingly said it suited me so well that I looked like an Inrang tribe member.
“I really can’t take this helmet off…”
Pina has been trying to pry off my helmet, looking disappointed as she keeps trying.
“Pina had a great idea! Don’t you have a mana stone? We need to capture this look!”
“Ariel… this is embarrassing!!”
I guess she’s envious of the hero couple whose operation went successfully. Even if she struggles, pushing against me wouldn’t work. Must be the helmet of conviction or something.
“…I thought it would suit Licht better.”
“I’m sorry, Pina.”
I offered an apology to Pina. This isn’t something I could control.
*
When Licht paid the bill and stepped out of the shop.
“Any other wolf ears…? Something that can attach to the helmet…”
Pina didn’t give up and opened her mouth again, seeking out Krunya. The shopkeeper’s voice was accompanied by the swaying of her black cat tail.
“If the helmet’s a problem… why not just buy a necklace, meow…”
“A necklace…?”
Krunya pointed with a yawn to the right wall. As she gestured, a hidden space that hadn’t been visible before revealed itself.
“It’s not necessary for it to be animal ears… If you’re expressing affection, this is more popular, meow…”
Only accessories that hang around the neck, like necklaces or chokers, were organized in a special display.
A magically enlarged phrase read, ‘Show me you belong to me!’
“Why is it… more popular?”
“It’s a custom among the Inrang tribe to ask men to put them on… You’re not from the Empire, are you, meow?”
Pina walked over to that area and started browsing the items. For humans, rings symbolize marriage, but for the Inrang tribe, necklaces are a mark of being married.
In reality, it’s meant to be put on by a spouse or partner. Krunya, feeling sleepy, chopped off her previous explanation.
“Yeah, I didn’t know such customs existed.”
But Pina didn’t know. Though she understood that her father, Emperor Rock, and Queen Bellin always wore necklaces,
Her doting father hadn’t shared stories about Inrang tribe love with her.
Among the displayed items was a dog collar connected with a chain. It was large enough to fit a person.
“No, something cute…”
For a moment, a naughty thought crossed Pina’s mind, but she quickly shook her head, worrying only about how to get cuter for Licht.
She didn’t realize that worry was an emotion called love, but Licht was precious to her.
She didn’t want to suppress the comfortable feelings that kept pulling her in. When she felt anxious or sad, just being next to the Black Knight brought her peace.
“…I think this one is good.”
After some hesitation, Pina bought a black choker and smiled with satisfaction.
