“What danger…? It’s all hogwash, huh.”

“No, perhaps… the King of the forest died or something? Or the demons already cleared out the place.”

“Still, be careful, guys.”

It took them a mere five days to reach Valdavia through the forest.

Unlike what they expected, no beasts came out to attack them. It was the opposite.

Not only did they not attack, even those that had met them half-way immediately turned back from the party, as if the beasts themselves had no interest in going head-to-head against the group.

“…Well, it’s better than getting stampeded by a bunch of beasts, though. As weird as the situation is.”

Ryouta glanced at the white-haired fairy next to him. Remembering some of the details from the girl’s status, he had an inkling as to why this was happening. He had vague memories of similar things happening in the past, though not as exaggerated as it was currently. Back then, most of the places they passed through were rather tame as compared to the Central Forest, after all, so he did not pay much attention to the occurrence.

“Shiro…”

“Hm?” The girl looked back at him, eyes sparkling innocently. It was the exact same expression that she had given him back when he interrogated her about the ‘blood contract’ thing that gave him the [Shiro’s Master] title.

He stared speechlessly at the girl who was acting clueless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry; the scene invoked a sense of déjà vu in him.

“Guys, we’re finally here. Get ready to fight,” Miss Vell took out her weapons which have not seen blood since the past few days. “Make sure not to get yourselves killed, yeah?”

Hal smirked at her words, “None of us are rookies here, hey. We won’t die so easily.”

“You better mark your words, Hal!”

Hal grunted in response. “I’ll head east and slaughter my way to the survivor camp.”

“Then I’ll take the west entrance.”

“Ryouta, you come with me. We’re going to burst through straight ahead and act as the reinforcements for the Hero Party!” The guild master took out his weapon, his eyes shining with killing intent. Ryouta who was a newbie had never seen the guild master who were usually emitting a harmless and amiable aura acting this way.

Finally, Ryouta’s most feared moment in life had come.

Now, the only choice he could make was to fight the demons and protect the continent.

“Since things have come down to this, then I have no choice…” Ryouta closed his eyes, hardening his resolve.

“Charge!”

At the guild master’s signal, the party dispersed into different directions, charging straight into the swarm of demons currently roaming around and terrorizing the citizens.

“Reinforcements have arrived!”

“Reinforcements have arrived!”

“Reinforcements have arrived!”

Accompanied by a cacophony of battle cries, voices of relief and hope could be heard.

Shiro trailed behind Ryouta who was currently hacking a demon into pieces with bloodshot eyes.

The demon stood no chance against the Level 102 ex-Hero even though the guy was only wielding a simple, nondescript sword.

Other demons who noticed his activities began to gather around him. Although all sorts of physical and magical attacks came his way, Ryouta did not look frazzled.

“Shiro!”

With just one word, the girl materialised her wings and silently latched on his back, erecting a barrier in the process.

With Shiro’s protection, Ryouta was simply an indestructible god of war. The weak demons standing in his way was easily blown apart with his [Divine Lightning Magic] and countless sword rays.

“Hooh, a maggot that’s slightly strong, huh? I’ll tak—bugaaah!”

Sorry, what? Can’t hear you over the level gap, LOL.

Shiro shook her head in pity. Ah, a Level 50 mini-boss can’t defeat a level-capped player~

After destroying a few more high and mighty demons, Ryouta finally encountered one of the Heroes.

Seeing a demon ambushing the [Magic Knight] Hero, Ryouta quickly summoned multiple sword rays, turning the demon into a porcupine.

A few of the sword rays strayed from its intended target.

Luckily, though, Ryouta managed to control them at the last minute, and instead of accidentally engaging into friendly fire, he used them to attack the other demon that the Hero was currently facing against.

“!” The Magic Knight, Nanba Anna, was startled, but soon felt glad. She knew now that more reinforcements have come to help them.

After two years of constant fighting, Nanba Anna changed from a youthful gal into a battle-hardened warrior. No trace of her previous mischievousness could be seen. If one looked closely, one could even see premature wrinkles forming on the 18-years-old’s face.

“You—!”

Nanba Anna’s eyes widened in surprise. This guy, she recognised him.

Although she had vague memories of the classmate that turned out to be a normal person that got caught up in their summoning, Nanba Anna could still recognise the man due to his predominant Japanese features.

“Yo. It’s been a while, Nanba.”

Ryouta knew that it wasn’t the time to dilly-day. After giving a brief greeting, he immediately went back to his massacring.

Soon enough, the area, too, turned into a graveyard of punctured bodies, black blood and severed limbs.

“Let’s save the greetings for later. You...” Anna’s tongue tied. She couldn’t remember his name. “I’ll lead you to our camp.”

Ryouta threw a glance at Anna, noticing the large gash that was still bleeding on her leg, “can you walk?”

“…” Noticing his gaze, Anna winced. Although she had been holding on for so long, her leg was really not in the best condition. “We have a healer at the camp. She can fix me up in a flash. For now, can you…” She wanted to ask him to carry her, but found that it was embarrassing for her to ask that of him, especially since she didn’t even remember his name.

A complicated expression flashed in her eyes.

“Shiro.” Seeing her predicament, Ryouta sighed. It was not the time for him to keep an eye on an injured person. “Take her to where humans are gathered most.”

“Got it~” Shiro flew over to the woman, grabbing her from under her armpits.

“—?!”

Shiro carried the woman upwards. “Uuuuuu! Heeeeaaavy!”

“Bear with it, Shiro,” Ryouta chuckled. “Now, go!”

“Yes~”

“Uwaaa—?!”