Ren returned to the manor before evening, where Mireille met him with a look of utter shock.
"Ren, did you... did you kill all of these yourself!?"
"Yes. These things attacked me quite aggressively, for some reason."
There were twelve of them in total.
Thanks to the haul, his proficiency in both Magic Sword Summoning Arts and the Wooden Magic Sword had increased by that same amount.
"It’s rare even for your father to bring back this many... Wait! How on earth did you carry them all!?"
"I carried half of them on my back. As for the others, I tied them together with some vines I found in the woods and dragged them back until the vines gave out."
"I-I see..."
(...The part about finding them in the forest was a lie, though.)
In reality, the vines were a product of his Wooden Magic Sword as well.
While experimenting to see if he could manifest anything else, he had tried to replicate the Nature Magic from his days in the game. The results were promising.
It hadn't been particularly difficult. He simply had to focus on a strong mental image—Roots, emerge! Vines, grow!—while swinging his sword.
(Nothing else happened, but I suppose that’s to be expected since it’s only Nature Magic (Small).)
Naturally, the vines and roots vanished the moment he dispelled the Wooden Magic Sword.
(I should also be careful not to overdo it.)
He knew that pushing the Nature Magic too far would be risky. He felt a sensation similar to the one he experienced when summoning a magic sword coursing through his body, making it clear that it consumed a significant amount of mana.
He reaffirmed his need to keep expanding his mana capacity. Beside him, Mireille let out a cry of surprise as she inspected the Little Boars.
"This is incredible! These hides will sell for much more than the ones your father brings home!"
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Because there aren't any major wounds. Your father does his best with a metal blade, so the pelts inevitably get damaged. But because you’re fighting with a wooden sword, there’s hardly a scratch on them!"
Though she seemed a bit bewildered by it all, she didn't look suspicious.
"I was surprised when you told me you didn't need an iron sword, but..."
"I feel more comfortable using what I'm used to. Besides, my Skill might be one that increases my physical strength."
"I suppose so... You’ve been a huge help to both me and your father. But you must never push yourself too hard, Ren."
"I know. I only plan to do this until the Baron’s reinforcements arrive. I’m just going to do my best within reason."
"For 'within reason,' you’re outperforming your father."
"It’s just a coincidence. The Little Boars only attack because they think I’m an easy target."
The fact that the monsters came to him saved him a great deal of effort in searching for them.
(I hope I can keep this up tomorrow.)
At the very least, he needed to hold out for another week.
Ren offered a silent prayer to the Main God Elfen, then stretched his back with a long exhale.
"Ah! That reminds me—you didn't get lost in the forest, did you?"
"I was fine. Just as you told me, Mother, I kept my eyes on Sword Rock to keep my bearings."
"That’s a relief. It would be a disaster if you got lost in those woods."
"Ahaha... definitely."
Standing there, he realized how exhausted he actually was. Engaging in his first real hunt in the forest had taken more out of him than he had realized.
"Phew... I’ll have to work hard tomorrow, too."
As Ren muttered this, his profile was etched with an expression of powerful determination.
On the second day, he hunted the same number of Little Boars as the first. On the third day, the number increased, and on the fourth and fifth, his results continued to grow every time he entered the forest.
He reached the seventh day without injury. It was around the time the sun began to dip toward the horizon.
"The young master is incredible!"
"Truly the heir to the house!"
"Oh, you worked hard again today, lad!"
The voices of the villagers reached Ren’s ears as he returned from the forest.
Lately, people spoke to him far more often than when he had simply been out for walks. Since the first word out of everyone's mouth was praise, it didn't feel bad.
However, because Ren was living through days of constant tension, he didn't let the compliments go to his head.
(Looking at this pile, I really have defeated quite a lot...)
After responding to the villagers, Ren peeled back his armor and looked at his Bracelet.
- Wooden Magic Sword (Level 1: 97/100)
He didn't bother checking the proficiency of his Magic Sword Summoning Arts. He knew that defeating a Little Boar only granted one point of proficiency to both the Summoning Arts and the Wooden Magic Sword, so the next level for the Arts was still a long way off.
He had a long road ahead. However, he had something to look forward to once the Wooden Magic Sword leveled up.
Specifically, it was this:
- Iron Magic Sword (Unlock Requirements: Magic Sword Summoning Arts Level 2, Wooden Magic Sword Level 2)
The thought of unlocking a new magic sword made him put even more effort into his daily battles. Based on the name alone, it sounded like an ordinary blade, but Ren suspected it would have some special power, just like the Wooden Magic Sword.
Currently, touching the text for the Iron Magic Sword provided no explanation. It was likely something he would only be able to read after it was unlocked.
(I can’t imagine iron having a special power, but we'll see.)
Regardless, he was excited. Knowing it would undoubtedly be unlocked tomorrow, he was practically vibrating with anticipation. Ren’s step was so light he felt as though he might burst into a skip.
Even so, he was dragging a massive pile of Little Boars tied up with vines, which made for a bizarre sight to any onlooker.
—However.
Those light steps came to a sudden halt as he approached the manor.
"...What’s going on?"
Through the manor windows, Ren saw silhouettes rushing frantically through the hallway. Even from a distance, he could tell who they were. Without a doubt, it was Mireille and Granny Rigu.
Why on earth were they being so frantic...?
"...! Could it be...?"
Ren immediately sensed that something had gone wrong.
He dropped the Little Boars roughly and rushed into the manor. Mireille, caught up in her panic, didn't even notice Ren’s return. Feeling a cold dread settle in his stomach, Ren chased after her, following her up the stairs.
"Mother! What happened!?"
Just as she reached for the handle to Roy’s room, Ren placed his hand over hers.
"R-Ren!? Oh... it’s already time for you to come home...!"
Her behavior was erratic. It wasn't that she was being unkind, but she looked as if she wanted to brush his hand away and vanish into the room immediately. Her eyes darted restlessly, unable to meet his.
"Um—"
As Ren opened his mouth, Granny Rigu, who had approached from inside, cut in.
"Young Master! Move!"
Granny Rigu approached with a grim, terrifying expression. She pushed Ren aside forcefully and opened the door. In her hands, she clutched a wooden bucket filled with a herbal decoction.
"Madam, stay outside! You’ll only be in the way! Do not enter this room!"
With a loud thud, Granny Rigu slammed the door shut.
Ren stood there, stunned. Beside him, Mireille reached out with a trembling hand. She sank to the dusty floor and pulled Ren into a tight embrace.
Her entire body was shaking.
"Something happened to Dad, didn't it?"
Mireille’s grip tightened. The trembling grew even more intense.
"Mother. Is there anything I can do?"
"...There isn’t."
"Anything is fine. If there’s anything at all—"
"There isn't! Not for me, and not even for Granny Rigu!"
"—What do you mean?"
Mireille pulled back to look Ren in the eye. Tears spilled down her cheeks, dripping onto the floor.
"Listen to me, Ren. Your father... he might not make it."
She spoke in a broken, trembling voice. It had all started about an hour ago.
"Right after Granny Rigu came to check on him, your father’s condition took a sudden turn for the worse."
According to Mireille, Roy’s health had deteriorated in an instant. Now, his life was being sustained only by a constant application of precious herbs. At this rate, they might be able to stabilize him if they kept using the herbs until he passed the critical stage.
"If he’ll be okay as long as we have the herbs..."
"...No. We don’t have any more. There’s only enough Rondo Grass left for tonight..."
That was the reason she believed it was the end.
Ren was speechless. He didn't expect a reward for his hard work, but a surge of hot anger rose within him at the sheer unfairness of it. His fingernails dug into his palms until fresh blood dripped onto the floor.
"Madam! Go fetch the compounding box from my house! My husband will know which one it is! Quickly!"
Granny Rigu poked her head out from the door just long enough to bark the order.
"U-Understood! Ren, don’t get in Granny Rigu’s way! Stay in your room and be quiet!"
No one present cared that a village apothecary was ordering around the wife of a knight. Mireille scrambled to her feet, hugged Ren one more time, and then sprinted out of the manor.
Once she was gone and Granny Rigu had returned to the room, Ren stepped inside without hesitation. Mireille had told him to stay away, but he couldn't just sit in the dark without knowing the truth.
Inside the room, Granny Rigu was working without a moment’s rest, compounding herbs with frantic speed.
"Granny Rigu!"
Ren called out, his voice steady despite the chaos.
"Is there none of the herb you need nearby!?"
"It doesn’t grow wild around here anymore! It used to grow at the base of Sword Rock, but a harsh winter ten years back wiped the whole lot of them out!"
The reply was sharp and annoyed. Anyone would be irritated by an interruption while fighting to save a life.
(The herb’s characteristics...)
Ren looked at the plants before Granny Rigu processed them. Fortunately, some unprocessed samples were lying out. It was a distinctive plant with leaves shaped like a five-pointed star.
(...The 'herb' was Rondo Grass.)
Rondo Grass was a standard medicinal item in The Legend of the Seven Heroes. It was common enough that even a protagonist born in a rural village could buy it in a city shop. But this village wasn't just rural—it was a frontier at the very edge of the world. Merchants and adventurers almost never visited. They had a small stock for emergencies, but nowhere near enough for a crisis like this.
(It’s an item I used a thousand times in the game. I couldn't possibly be mistaken.)
If that was the case, he could go and gather it himself. He couldn't bring himself to believe the Rondo Grass was extinct until he saw it with his own eyes. He couldn't just sit here and watch his father die.
But he was afraid.
The sun was setting, the forest would be dark, and the threat of the Thief Wolfen was still very real. To head all the way to Sword Rock alone... he was terrified.
However...
(Now isn't the time to hesitate.)
If he did nothing, his father would die. That thought eclipsed everything else. The window of opportunity was closing by the second.
(I have to go. There’s no other way.)
Ren tightened his fists, squeezing out every ounce of courage to make his choice. Without a word to Granny Rigu, he slipped out of the room. Through a hallway window, he saw his mother running down the path toward the village.
"...I’m sorry, Mother."
He whispered an apology to her retreating figure and turned toward the dark treeline. He gave a single, sharp nod and focused his gaze deep into the woods.
Staring toward the distant silhouette of Sword Rock, he sprinted from the manor with every ounce of strength he possessed.