In my room at the inn. Rolling around on the tatami floor.
Feeling the cool touch and the distinctive scent of the tatami, I became nothing more than a creature that simply breathed. I'd been rolling around in the Clan Master's room too, but unlike back then, shoes were strictly forbidden on tatami, so I could roll around without a care.
In this moment, I was one with the world.
Unfortunately, both Riizu and Citry were out, and I was the only one in the room. Riizu had gone to the mountains looking for hot spring dragons, and Citry had headed out first thing in the morning with a spring in her step to deploy golems or something. Those two simply couldn't sit still.
Outside was a cloudless blue sky, and since we were at a tourist destination after all, I felt like going out for a stroll — but after making Arnold angry, that was out of the question.
Treasure Hunters are violent creatures. And I have the worst luck, so whenever I go outside during times like this, I almost always end up suffering terribly.
I end up suffering whether I have a bad feeling about it or not. I'm about to cry.
When would Arnold disappear? Once Riizu got back, maybe I could ask her to go investigate.
I'd shoved the bill onto Arnold, but because of that man, my vacation was ruined. What on earth had he against me?
I was confident that among all the Hunters residing in the Imperial Capital, I was the most harmless person around — truly.
I pressed my body flat against the floor, spacing out and fully enjoying the pull of the earth's gravity, when there was a discreet knock at the door. Before I could answer, Tino walked in.
I'd given her a spare key since she often spent long hours in the open-air bath.
When Tino saw the pathetic Mastaa rolling around on the tatami, her eyes went wide.
"Pardon the intrusion, Mastaa... What are you... doing?"
"Training. I'm feeling the earth."
"F-feeling the earth...?"
"It's a form of spiritual cultivation. There's nothing else to do anyway, so I was feeling the world. ...Luke became strong enough to snap an iron sword with a wooden one through this very training I came up with."
"Luke did!?"
Why the heck did just rolling around increase his attack power? That guy was definitely not right in the head.
If that actually boosted attack power, then mine should be off the charts by now from all the rolling I do. I really don't understand talent.
Tino's eyes went even wider with shock at my words, which were half-joking and half-truthful.
No matter how you looked at it, my posture was clearly just rolling around, but Tino had those "extraordinary big sister" goggles on, so her expression held no trace of looking down on me or being exasperated.
Tino was still wearing her yukata as usual. After staying here for several days now, she seemed to have gotten the hang of wearing it.
As I gazed up at Tino's graceful figure upside-down, an idea suddenly struck me.
"Oh right, Tino. Sorry to bother you, but could you go check on — "
I'd been about to ask her to look in on Arnold and his group, but thinking more clearly, sending a subordinate against that rage-filled Arnold was a terrible idea.
Arnold knew Tino's face, and I doubted Tino could escape from Arnold, who had been certified at Level 7 based on his abilities.
Above all, even I was aware that I was putting too much of a burden on Tino.
"...No, never mind."
"...Mastaa... Please, give me any order you wish!"
Tino showed her usual loyalty, but her expression was noticeably lacking in energy, the opposite of her forceful words.
It was probably because she'd been through so much lately. But I wanted her to believe that I never intentionally tried to make her suffer — it just kept happening.
I thought for a moment, then extended my right hand while still lying down.
"Tino, want to roll around with me too... I mean, do this training of feeling the world? You're free anyway, aren't you? Physical exercise isn't the only kind of training."
"Eh!? Th-that is... you mean, with you, Mastaa?"
Tino took a step back and stared at me. Her pale cheeks were tinged with a faint blush.
I wasn't entirely sure what she was so embarrassed about. I hadn't meant anything by it, but now that I thought about it, inviting a young girl to roll around together probably wasn't the best wording.
"Well, I'm in my yukata right now... I understand it's training, but — n-no, no! Of course I don't mind, Mastaa. If it's in our usual outfits — "
"No, no, there's no need to go change. It suits you well — "
"Ahh — "
I actually thought her usual outfit showed more skin than the yukata.
As I smiled at the flustered Tino, she sprang to her feet with a heave.
It wasn't like I was actually doing any real training. Both Citry and Riizu were out, I was free, and it had been a while since I'd had a good chat with Tino.
"Wait... th-that can't be — your training — "
Was she being too honest? Only Luke could get training benefits from lying down.
Tino had dark circles under her eyes from sleep deprivation not long ago, but thanks to the hot springs, she'd recovered. Her complexion now was excellent. There had been all sorts of trouble with hot spring dragons, but it seemed the vacation here had served as genuine therapy for Tino.
Now, how to convince this earnest junior of mine... After a brief moment of thought, I spoke to my adorable junior, whose face was now red up to her ears.
"It's not just lying down that counts as training. You can do it standing up too. ...Right, I can't go outside right now, but let's do that other training — the training of drinking tea and eating sweets!"
"Tea... and sweets... There's training like that!?" "...Mastaa. I'm not doubting your words, but what would one gain from that?"
There was absolutely nothing to gain. I was the product of years of eating sweets and drinking tea. But right now, I wanted to drink tea while eating sweets.
However, I was genuinely worried that someday she might get scammed by a bad person. She was almost like a little sister to me, so I didn't think much of it, but Tino was cute by any standard and had a great figure too.
I wanted her to not take my words at face value just because they came from me, and instead act with a healthy dose of skepticism. With that in mind, I said: "If I had to name something — blissful time, I suppose."
"...Eh?"
Tino's eyes went round. Even at this point, she still wasn't questioning my words.
"Well, you'll understand once you try. Sorry, but could you ask the inn staff to bring us some tea and sweets? I'll leave the selection up to you. Let's do the training of eating sweets and drinking tea together."
"...Yes. I'll be right back, please wait!"
"Within ten minutes."
"Yes!"
Tino hurried out at a pace just fast enough not to disturb her yukata. When she got back, I'd stuff my face with sweets and tea while giving her a lecture.
I watched her back as I yawned, then lay back down on the floor in a spread-eagle position once more.
§ § § "You're leaving already, old man? You came all the way to a hot spring town, so why not stay longer?"
"Shut it! Arnold is a busy guy! Besides, we just got here. There's no time for lazing around."
Gilbert's characteristically tactless words prompted Ei's usual retort.
Having completely recovered overnight, Arnold and Ei's group were at the only gate in town, preparing to depart.
Near the wide but poorly fortified gate, a guard post was manned by only a handful of soldiers. A group of several people who appeared to be Hunters — likely tourists — were going through the exit procedures.
The Thunder Dragon of the Mist had changed dramatically over the course of this journey. Their equipment and carriage had been replaced multiple times through fierce battles, making them look rather shabby for a party led by a Level 7 Hunter.
However, the expressions of Arnold and his team members were not as dark as one might expect.
As long as their leader and title-holder Arnold didn't break, the Thunder Dragon of the Mist was immortal. The fact that not a single member had left the party despite encountering the terrifying existence known as Thousand Transformations proved this strongly.
Even Carmine and Ruda, who had come to see them off, wore looks of admiration at the sight of the fully restored Mighty Thunder Flash.
Treasure Hunting was a brutal profession. Through battle after relentless battle, many Hunters' spirits wore down — and even if their bodies survived, mental trauma could prevent them from ever picking up a sword again.
Some even lost their confidence after witnessing brilliantly talented individuals and retired from hunting altogether. And indeed, the sight of Arnold collapsing the moment he laid eyes on Klye Andrich's face was certainly enough to suggest that outcome.
Receiving Ruda and the others' gazes, Arnold furrowed his brow. The narrowed golden eyes beneath those brows glinted fiercely.
"I made a fool of myself. But... I've figured out that man's methods."
"You haven't given up yet, have you?"
"Of course not, Ruda! There's no way Arnold would just concede defeat like that. After all, our goal is — to be the strongest! We've got a winning chance too. Someday, even Thousand Transformations will regret it — showing pointless mercy to a man like Arnold Hale!"
Ruda's exasperated words were met with a snort of derision from Ei, who stood beside Arnold in his stead.
There was strong conviction in that voice.
Thousand Transformations certainly possessed extraordinary power, living up to the rumors. But there was one weakness — one that even Ei could see.
It was composure. That man was looking down on Arnold Hale.
Even if they couldn't win right now, Mighty Thunder Flash — who had barely scratched the Treasure Halls in this region — still had room to grow.
And the Arnold Hale that Ei Laria knew had never gone back on his word.
Sooner or later, Arnold and his team would surely defeat Thousand Transformations. If the opponent possessed exceptional foresight, then all they had to do was acquire power that surpassed it.
"I'll have to come up with a good taunt for next time, Arnold."
"...You fool! I'm... nothing like that man!"
"S-sorry!"
One of the members spoke, and Arnold barked at him. It seemed he'd been subjected to some particularly grating mockery.
Emotional control was nearly essential for high-level Hunters. Arnold, who had mastered it to an impressive degree, was not someone easily angered — so the fact that someone had genuinely provoked him spoke volumes.
Well, his ability to rile people up was probably worthy of Level 8...
Chuckling at the odd thought, Ei looked around at Ruda and the others — the ones who had been his companions through all of this.
He shook hands with each of them and exchanged farewells.
"Well, see you back in the Imperial Capital. If you're staying here long, keep an eye on that man."
"We'll be fine. Even Klye wouldn't do anything in a hot spring town like this, would he?"
"Heh heh heh, who knows. We're heading out anyway. But it doesn't hurt to stay cautious."
Ei had encountered all manner of Hunters in his time, but none were as inscrutable as Thousand Transformations.
Once they returned to the Imperial Capital, he'd need to thoroughly reassess all available intelligence on Thousand Transformations. Assisting the leader however he could — that was Ei's role, and it never changed.
The sky was cloudless. It was a perfect time to set out.
He stretched broadly and glanced back at the gate.
It would take several days to reach the Imperial Capital Zebuldia by carriage. The journey now — free from Thousand Transformations' schemes — would be far more peaceful than before.
After finishing their goodbyes, the group began walking toward the gate with Arnold in the lead.
Being a tourist destination, the gate didn't look particularly sturdy. The guards stationed there were few, and their capabilities were nothing compared to the knights who defended the capital.
He'd heard that thieves had reduced the number of tourists, but the situation seemed to have changed — several groups of travelers were visible at the gate.
A fresh start. The results of this trip would have a major impact not only on Arnold but on every member of the Thunder Dragon of the Mist.
They would replace their broken and lost equipment and items, explore high-level Treasure Halls, and hone their skills. Including compensation for the hot spring Arnold had destroyed, the party's assets were nearly depleted, and there would be no rest for some time.
But once they started over from scratch, Arnold Hale and the Thunder Dragon of the Mist would stand on a higher plane than ever before.
Physically, the fatigue still weighed heavily, but the hope of a new beginning filled him with an uplifted spirit.
It was the complete opposite of how they'd arrived in Suruga. His companions' faces also carried an air of having found renewed resolve.
"...Next time, I won't lose, Ei."
"That's the spirit. That's the Arnold I know."
At Arnold's quiet, restrained voice, Ei responded with his usual words of praise.
Just then, they passed a party that had been entering the town — a mixed group of men and women, five in total.
...Soaking tourists? They're remarkably lightly equipped for Hunters.
All of them traveled on foot in light attire. They carried swords, but wore no armor or helmets. They had cloaks draped over them, making detailed equipment hard to assess, but they had no carriage. If they'd been walking around like this with so little baggage, they were either supremely confident in their abilities or just plain broke.
When they spotted Arnold's carriage, the fresh-faced man at the head of the group gave a slight bow and stepped aside to let them pass.
"Much obliged."
Their carriage — ranked near the bottom of all carriages — rumbled heavily along the cleared path.
Just as Ei, following behind Arnold, had passed about halfway through the opening, the man who'd stepped aside spun into a wide rotation right before Ei's eyes.
For an instant, Ei's consciousness went blank. It was a movement as fluid and beautiful as flowing water.
The man wore the same gentle smile he'd had when bowing. There was, by even a Thief's standards, an unbelievable absence of killing intent or hostility in that strike.
His hand moved naturally to the short blade at his waist and drew it in a single arc. The gleaming edge of that polished blade pointed directly at the neck of their leader, who had just passed by.