The northern lands' westernmost frontier.
The sacred ground of the sword.
A place where the sound of wooden swords clashing could be heard, accompanied by cries brimming with fierce fighting spirit.
Half the people walking the streets wore training uniforms or similar attire, carrying wooden swords and towels in hand. Occasionally, those dressed like swordsmen could be spotted as well, though upon staying in the town, most would change into clothing more suitable for training.
At the very back of such a town—
Before a large dojo entrance set against a vast expanse of snow—
A woman stood there, clad in a swordsman's garb.
Dark, black-based attire that allowed for ease of movement.
Over it, she wore the traditional jacket and cloak bestowed upon a Sword Saint of the Sword God Style.
Two swords hung at her waist—one of which radiated an aura that made it clear even from a distance it had been forged by an exceptional swordsmith.
Only a high-ranking disciple of the Sword God Style, and a fearsome one at that—a Sword King-class powerhouse—could wield such a blade.
Her figure, combined with her flowing crimson hair, evoked the image of a lion.
Nine out of ten passersby who saw her would step aside.
She was the Sword King.
The "Mad Sword King," Eris Greyrat.
Yet despite her imposing appearance, she was staring down at her own outfit with a worried expression.
"Hey, Nina, does this really not look weird?"
"Yes, yes, it doesn't look weird at all. You look absolutely splendid."
Standing before the red-maned lion was a woman in a dark navy training uniform with her hair tied back—Nina.
She replied in a tone that suggested she'd long grown tired of hearing the question.
"As you are now, anyone who sees you would clearly recognize you as a dignified Sword King."
"But Rudeus said he'd prefer something more frilly."
"Oh, honestly."
Nina sighed in an exasperated voice.
"How would I know whether something looks weird from your boyfriend's perspective?"
"Right, I suppose…"
"Why are you looking at me with such pitiful eyes? I mean, Jino and I… no, never mind that."
Nina shook her head and held up a finger.
"Besides, there's no way you'd find that kind of fashionable clothing around here. Where do you think we are? If you want frilly clothes, buy them in town."
"That's true."
Eris nodded in agreement with Nina's reasoning.
But this exchange had already occurred five times just today.
"And worrying about your outfit now isn't going to help anyway. It'll take at least a month to reach the magic city of Sharia, no matter how fast we travel."
"……"
"More important than clothes is making sure you're properly clean when you meet him. Take a bath, brush your hair, tidy it up with scented oil… you know. He'd be put off by a sweaty woman for sure."
"Rudeus never once made a disgusted face, even when I was all sweaty."
"Well, with that kind of understanding, I suppose you can manage as his partner…"
"If anything, he seemed happy sniffing my sweat-soaked underwear!"
"What a pervert!"
Eris retorted with a slightly irritated look.
"Rudeus isn't a pervert! He's just a little lewd!"
"But sniffing your smell? That's obviously perverted no matter how you look at it!"
"……"
At those words, Eris brought her nose close to her own upper arm and took a few sniffs.
But all she smelled were her freshly washed clothes and the scent of soap.
She had just bathed before the journey.
"He's… not a pervert."
"……Well, I suppose I went a bit too far just now."
"……"
After that, the two fell silent.
A cold wind blew through the frigid sky, stirring their hair.
"……Ghislaine is taking a long time."
"Maybe they're arguing over which disciples to bring along."
"Probably."
Eris nodded at Nina's words.
"……Come to think of it, I heard a few rumors about your boyfriend."
"What kind?"
"That Rudeus Greyrat's eyes pop out of his head."
"That does sound like something Rudeus would do!"
"……And that he likes girls with small chests."
As Nina said this, she looked at Eris.
Eris, in turn, looked down at herself.
There, she found a figure far too voluptuous for a swordswoman.
"………I'm sure it's fine."
Eris's face, as she said this, was somewhat pale.
"I also heard rumors that he conquered the labyrinth of legend, destroyed an undying demon lord, and fought on par with the Seven Great Powers."
"My, as expected of Rudeus. It wouldn't be like him otherwise."
A flush of red crept onto Eris's face.
Hearing that Rudeus had been working hard just as she had made her happy.
"He really is quite the monster. Normally, no one would believe any of it."
"Right?"
Eris puffed out her chest, a grin spreading across her face as she let out a proud "hmph."
"But I also heard some strange rumors."
"What kind?"
"That Rudeus Greyrat is a womanizer who always has different women at his side."
Eris's grin froze.
"There are stories that he abuses his strength to do as he pleases…"
"……"
"Hey, Eris—I'm just wondering, but…"
Nina spoke in a small voice.
"You haven't been forgotten, have you?"
Nina's left hand moved at high speed.
The next instant, accompanied by a sharp crack, Eris's fist was caught.
"……"
Though Nina caught the fist, she couldn't withstand the fierce intensity in Eris's eyes and averted her gaze.
"Sorry, sorry, it's just a rumor."
Eris pulled back her fist and crossed her arms.
She planted her feet shoulder-width apart, turned her face away, and pursed her lips into a firm line.
Then she raised her chin, huffed, and looked off to the side.
"……"
"……"
"Ghislaine's here."
In the direction of Eris's gaze stood four horses.
At their head was a beast-race woman.
Sword King Ghislaine Dedoldia.
Already approaching forty, she still possessed a tough, sturdy frame as she held the reins of two horses.
Behind her, leading a horse, was a beautiful woman of elegant age.
Though dressed for travel, her flowing hair radiated a captivating allure.
Water King Isolte Cruel.
On the horse she led, the figure of Water God Reidar Ria could also be seen.
"Kept you waiting."
Ghislaine said, then handed the reins of the luggage-laden horse over to Eris.
"Fighting again?"
"It's Nina's fault!"
Eris pouted as she spoke, and Nina simply shrugged.
Seeing this, Ghislaine murmured "Is that so?" and let out a soft chuckle.
"My, my. That boy of Garu's didn't even come to see you off, did he?"
A voice came from atop a horse.
The strongest old woman in the area was looking toward the dojo with a displeased expression.
"Master. The Sword God is weak with alcohol, you see."
"Left over from last night, was it? Carrying on at her age… Say, Nina. You might be able to beat her now. Why don't you challenge her?"
The old woman on horseback egged Nina on, but Nina merely smiled wryly.
"No. I've decided that when the time comes to surpass the Sword God, I'll do it fairly and squarely, face to face."
"……You're such an honest, good kid. With your talent, it won't be too far off. Keep at it."
"Yes. I'll train hard so as not to waste all the guidance you've given me."
Nina bowed her head to Reidar, then turned to face Isolte.
"So, what will you two do from here? You're traveling with Eris for a while, right?"
"Yes. We'll be returning to the Asura Kingdom. I've already been invited to serve as a swordsmanship instructor at the castle."
"Oh, I see… It'll be lonely without you…"
When Nina said this, Isolte smiled gently.
"Nina, if you ever find yourself in the Asura Kingdom, please come visit. I'll give you a tour of the town."
"No way. If someone like me—a country bumpkin—went to the Asura Kingdom, I'd just end up doing something foolish and getting laughed at."
As Nina said this and scratched her nose, Eris let out a sharp breath.
"Hmph. Anyone who laughs at us, I'll just cut them down."
At Eris's dangerous words, Nina recalled exactly who the three of them were, and let out a quiet laugh.
A Sword King, a Water King, and a Sword Saint.
Those who would mock such a trio could only be warriors beyond their reach, or fools who knew nothing of the world.
"Eris. We should get going soon."
"Got it!"
At Eris's spirited response, Isolte smiled wryly and leaped onto her horse.
Eris, too, leaped onto her own horse.
The animal bucked at the rough mount, twisting its body in protest, but Eris gave its neck a light pat, and it immediately calmed down.
"Everyone, stay well."
Before she knew it, tears had welled up in Nina's eyes.
Over these past few years.
She was remembering everything from the time Eris had arrived.
It had been an unpleasant first meeting.
It began with humiliation and subjected her to bitter hardship time and again.
But thanks to that, Nina had learned to use her frustration as a springboard.
Since Isolte came along, her gentle manner of speaking and advice had helped Nina on numerous occasions.
If it weren't for the two of them, she'd still be in the same position as any ordinary Sword Saint.
She never would have reached the level of aspiring to become a Sword King.
In other words, without them…
"Hey there! Got a delivery here. Sign here, please!"
A carefree voice suddenly rang out.
Nina's moment of emotion was shattered. Though slightly irritated, she turned toward the source of the voice.
There stood a man bundled in puffy winter gear, with a cheerful, oblivious look on his face.
With an air that suggested he had no idea who was present, he exhaled a puff of white breath and reached into his bag for an envelope.
"Oh, who is it from?"
"Uh… it's addressed to Eris Boreas Greyrat."
At those words, Eris furrowed her brow—and then her eyes went wide at what followed.
"It's from Rudeus Greyrat."
"Rudeus!"
Eris immediately leaped off her horse and snatched the envelope from the man.
She moved to tear it open on the spot, but the man panicked and grabbed her shoulder.
"Hey, please sign first! Without that, my payment…"
"Where do I sign?"
"Ah, just a moment, let me get…"
The man fished a receipt-like slip and an ebony rod out of his bag and handed them to Eris.
Eris held the ebony rod and thought for a few seconds.
She was trying to recall the characters.
Then, in a flowing but sloppy hand, she wrote the name "Eris Greyrat."
The man stared at the writing intently, managed to make out the character string "Eris," and nodded with a satisfied "All right."
"There we go… and done. Man, that was an easy job…"
He took the signed receipt and headed back the way he'd come with a jaunty step.
Eris couldn't have cared less where the man went. She set about opening the envelope.
She was about to rip it open when the words "Eris Boreas Greyrat" written on the front caught her eye.
Rudeus's handwriting, for certain.
(Such a worrier, that Rudeus. I don't use the Boreas name anymore, though… Ah, I suppose he doesn't know.)
Thinking this, she flipped it over and saw "Rudeus Greyrat" written on the back.
As always, meticulous—yet somehow there was a carelessness to the handwriting.
She remembered how she'd been made to practice copying those characters over and over again, and the corners of Eris's lips turned upward.
Then she tried to open the envelope by scratching at its edge with her nail.
It wouldn't open.
Scrape, scrape, scrape—after three attempts, Eris reached for the sword at her waist.
Tossing the letter into the air, she drew her blade in a flash.
"Ha!"
A single flash of steel.
The letter was not shredded—instead, only the very edge was sliced cleanly in both places, and it fluttered back into Eris's hand.
She tossed aside the scraps and pulled out the stationery within.
With an eager, excited expression, she began to read.
She started reading, turning the pages.
But little by little, her expression shifted into one of visible displeasure.
"Wh-what is it, Eris? What does it say?"
"……………………"
Nina asked, but Eris didn't answer.
She simply kept her fearsome expression, eyes fixed on the page.
"Hey, I'm talking to you."
"Shut up! There are just a lot of characters I haven't learned yet, so I can't read it! That's all!"
"Oh, I see…"
"Nina, you read it!"
"Huh? I can't read."
"What do you mean, you can't read! You'll be in real trouble if you can't read when it counts!"
"Big words from someone who can't read it either!"
Their bickering drew Isolte down from her horse.
"Now, now, please calm down. I'll read it for you."
"Oh, yeah. Please."
Eris readily handed the letter over at Isolte's offer.
Isolte let her eyes fall to the page, and began to read slowly to herself first.
However, her expression gradually grew more and more severe.
After she finished reading, she raised her voice in barely contained anger.
"……What is wrong with this man?!"
"Wh-what? What does it say?"
"Eris. Is this really the kind of man you've been working so hard all this time for… Oh, how pitiful you are… Lady Millis, please save her…"
Isolte clasped her hands together and looked skyward, then gazed at Eris with eyes full of pity.
"I'm telling you for your own good. Eris, don't go to Sharia. Come with us to Asura. A wonderful woman like you shouldn't be deceived by a terrible man."
"Just tell me what it says already! I'll slice him in half!"
"Very well. Listen—this is what it writes."
Eris's hand moved to the sword at her waist, but Isolte began reading the letter in an irate voice.
"Dear Eris.
Rudeus Greyrat here.
It has been five years now since we parted ways.
Do you still remember me?
I will never forget what happened back then.
The first night I spent with you. I swore in my heart that I would grow old by your side.
But when I woke in the morning, you were gone.
The sense of loss and emptiness I felt then cast a deep shadow over my heart.
Those three years were painful, bittersweet, and fleeting…
I no longer hold any grudge about what happened.
However, I would be grateful if you could understand just how deeply I had fallen into despair.
The reason I have taken up the pen is that a certain person told me about your feelings, Eris.
I had always assumed that you had cast me aside and departed on your own journey.
But that person told me I was mistaken—that Eris's heart has always been pointed toward me.
I currently have two wives.
Both of them saved me when I was mired in darkness and despair.
Even if my assumptions about Eris were wrong, the fact that I had fallen into such deep despair was real, and the fact that they saved me was also real.
However, if Eris truly still harbors the same feelings as before—
If you wish to marry me and live together with me—
I am prepared to accept you.
I realize this may not be what Eris prefers, but since I have no intention of parting with my current two wives, this would make you the third wife.
If this is unacceptable to you—if there is truly no way you can forgive it—I am prepared to receive your fist.
I would appreciate it if you could keep it to two or three blows.
But if possible, I would rather not fight with you.
Even if we cannot become family, I hope we can maintain a good relationship as friends.
That is all.
From Rudeus Greyrat."
"……"
Upon hearing those words, Eris froze.
Seeing Eris frozen, Isolte let loose.
"What a terrible man! The fact that he already has two wives is absurd enough, but to casually say 'the third one is fine if you don't mind'—the sheer audacity! He clearly doesn't take women seriously!"
"Really? I thought he showed quite a bit of consideration for Eris, actually…"
Nina grimaced at the letter's contents but offered a rebuttal.
"Consideration?! There isn't a single word saying 'I love you' in this letter!
And yet he talks about accepting her as though he's doing her a favor! That condescending attitude!
I cannot bring myself to like this person called Rudeus!"
"He wrote that he suffered for three years thinking Eris had abandoned him, right? Eris does bear some responsibility for leaving him behind like that!"
"Those are obviously just empty words! He's only after Eris's swordsmanship and her body!"
"Well, if that were the only reason, I think keeping Eris around would be a bit too risky…"
Nina groaned while Isolte fumed.
Eris remained with her arms crossed, gazing up at the sky.
Her eyes reflected nothing anymore.
The sky was blue. Her mind was blank.
"Oh? There's one more page."
Isolte then discovered a second sheet of stationery inside the envelope.
She pulled it out and read aloud.
"Let's see… what does it say…"
"P.S.
I am about to challenge the Dragon God Orsted to a fight.
I do not know if I can win.
By the time this letter reaches you, I may no longer exist in this world.
If I survive and return, let us continue this conversation."
When she finished reading, Isolte's face was frozen solid.
Nina's face was frozen as well.
Both wore expressions of sheer horror.
The mere mention of challenging the Dragon God Orsted sent chills through them.
But on Eris's face alone, a smile had appeared.
The light had returned to her eyes, and within them burned the flames of both resolve and madness.
"We'd better hurry, or we'll fall behind."
With that, Eris leaped onto her horse.
In that moment, only a single thought remained in her mind.
"Let's go, Ghislaine!"
Eris shouted, and urged her horse forward.
The horse kicked through the snow as it galloped, and Ghislaine gave chase behind her.
The two of them knocked the letter-delivering man aside and, in the blink of an eye, vanished into the distance.
All Nina and Isolte could do was watch them go, utterly dumbfounded.