Takashi slowly read out the title written at the top.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">''The Legend of Champion Hartline''</em> huh?"


    "Yes. Lord Hartline. He is the hero who saved this world from the once-ruling tyrannical Dragon King. Lord Hartline, despite the loss of one of his arms, fought back, and in the end, defeated the Dragon King and saved the world."


    While listening to Exce''s story, Takashi flipped through the book. On a double-page spread was an illustration of the tall, muscr Hartline splitting the sea in half with a sh of his sword.


    The description read—


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>The Champion, Hartline, with his Sacred Sword, Excaliburrus, cut the sea in two.</strong></em>"


    "What?! T-This, this is, so cool–…!"


    Takashi''s mouth naturally emitted an exmation of admiration.


    "I know, right!"


    Exce eximed and clenched both fists in front of her chest, her face flushed with excitement.


    "It has been passed down as a legend that a sh of Lord Hartline''s sword split the sea in two! Anyway, his cool-looking figure is just so wonderful!"


    Takashi was surprised to see how excited Exce was, something he had never seen before. Exce''s eyes were the eyes of a woman in love.


    (I see. Exce likes a manly, cool-looking man, huh.)


    "Some schrs try to rationalize and say that Lord Hartline never existed, but I do not believe them! Lord Hartline absolutely did exist! It was said that Lord Hartline was the one whoid the foundation that led to the Grumbarrel Empire''s establishment 300 years ago..."


    Exce rattled on and on excitedly.


    Takashi muttered in a whisper—


    "I want to be such a cool Champion too."


    Exce, in response—


    "Of course you can! No! Lord Hero is already so cool-looking!"


    "R-Really!?"


    "Yes!"


    Exce showed a big smile. Takashi felt a little embarrassed at that sight and scratched his cheek. Exce looked into Takashi''s face with curiosity, wondering about his reaction.


    "What''s wrong, Lord Hero?"


    Takashi''s heart also fluttered the other day when Nephira told him he was "cool-looking."


    (Yeah! I knew it! I''m happier being told that I''m cool-looking rather than cute! Alright! I''ll do my best to be called as such! Like the Champion Hartline!)


    "Thank you, Exce! I really do feel a little better!!"


    Hearing the story of the manly Champion who saved the world, Takashi felt inspired and regained his strength.


    (That''s RIGHT! I need to live up to the expectations of the people I care about! I can''t afford to fail over something like this!)


    "First of all, we must start by rebuilding SuzukiLand! Let''s go, Exce!"


    He said to Exce, having thought of starting with doing the things he could do right now.


    "Yes!"


    At that moment, the door opened wide with a bang. The twin demons, the Meru-Kiru sisters, came barreling into the room.


    "Whoa!? Meru and Kiru!?"


    Takashi hurriedly hid the book behind his back as quickly as he could. He was not sure how the twins would react to seeing the book about the human Champion.


    "Suzuki! I didn''t know you were in a ce like this! I''ve been looking for you all over the ce!"


    "Lady Nephira is calling for you—!"


    They both informed Takashi with a smile.


    ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆


    "T-The Imperial Capital again!? I just got back!?"


    Takashi raised his voice upon learning from Nephira about the demon training program he was invited to attend. However, Nephira spoke to him in a serious tone, not epting any rebuttals.


    "You don''t have a choice. It''s an order from Lord Demon Lord. You will have to participate in the four-day, three-night demon induction course. That''s already decided, and it''s final."


    (Just when I thought about moving forward to get Suzuknd restored to its former glory, things got messy again. Or rather…)


    "You have an induction course? In spite of being fiends…"


    Takashi muttered to himself, and Kiru, who was listening by his side, wrinkled her brow.


    "Hey,e on, Suzuki. Do you think we''re like animals, huh?"


    "Ye— Ye—. My sister and I have alsopleted our training program as well! You know—?"


    Meru''s cheeks were slightly puffed up as she responded to his mutterings.


    "Ah... I''m sorry."


    Takashi bowed his head meekly. Indeed, he may have looked down on this world as agging civilizationpared to Japan. Takashi reflected a little in his heart. Looking at the three of them, Nephira cleared her throat with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gohon.</em>"


    "Anyway, a demon must be strong. I''m purposely throwing you into a den of fiends. Learn well at the demon induction course ande back well-trained."


    Contrary to Nephira''s dignified speech, the two sisters eximed happily.


    "All—Right, Meru! Let''s make preparations for our trip!"


    "Yeah, Yeah—!"


    Nephira red at the two and sternly spoke to them.


    "Denied. You gals stay behind."


    ""EEHH–!!""


    "It is a longer length of stay thanst time. It''s impossible to allow two top brass leaders of the Thunder Lance Charge absent from Leirune for that duration."


    "Ugh… For Real?…"


    "Wait–"


    The twins were not able to refute her words. Takashi, wondering, turned to Nephira and asked.


    "Well, then, Nephira. Does that mean I''m going to the imperial capital alone?"


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