73 - an empty speech

Rishi, dressed in his green uniform, had a strange smile on his face.

His expression was a mixture of happiness and sadness.

When the staff of the office noticed that Thor and the others were looking at him, he stopped clapping and gave them a slight bail.

It's wonderful, ladies and gentlemen. It's really wonderful. To kill a herd of rampaging river horses without a scratch! I was deeply disappointed when the five horses we released came this far unharmed. How could we have come so far with more than a hundred men? But you were different. Well, let's not forget that we had the help of the Black Steel class. But--"

"Hey, what are you doing up there?　I don't remember allowing you to do that."

Rishi suddenly started to speak, but was interrupted by Roloff's angry words.

However, the staff member glanced at him and continued to talk as if he was still at the reception desk.

"The way you three are moving, that is the ideal of an attacker, isn't it? Not only do you attack, but you read the game precisely, and when the game is dangerous, you immediately back down. There are many vanguards who cannot do this fatally.

"Oh, you know what I mean. You know what I'm talking about.　Brother."

The second son, who had been happily chiming in, frowned when the first son tapped him on the shoulder.

Beside him, the third son looked at Rishi, who continued to praise everyone with a wry smile.

"And your brothers did a great job. The shooting was so thorough that it didn't attract the attention of the monsters. I'd like to put a feather in the head of all those archers who think they can just shoot at anything. Archers are supposed to be sneaky, aren't they?

Ignoring their brother's words of flattery, the two men look around them with furrowed brows and wary eyes.

Thor, who feels a strong sense of discomfort at the sight of a man talking in the rain on a pile of stones in the river, also checks the situation with caution.

The trio and Dialgo are breathing a little on their shoulders, but still seem to have enough time to spare.

Tapa and Tali look the same as usual.

Yuril, who is still sitting in his chair, seems to be recovering his magical energy, but he has used up all of the available magic of his mid-range branch.

Moe yawns in boredom.

Thor has regained most of his strength and magic, and is only half of what he has left.

Sora has used only four times, and still has some magic left.

There are only the corpses of five monsters on the riverbed, but nothing else is moving.

The river slime should spring up in a while...

Rishi's story continues, not quite sure what he is aiming for.

"But it's you who's brilliant, Mr. Diargo."

"What, me?"

"Yes, you are a perfect passer-by, unafraid of the overwhelming difference in size. And yet, you are able to draw attention to your defenses in the right places. But that's not the only remarkable thing about you. It's your ability to lead the fight to the end. It is rare to find a defender who can lead so well.

Dialgo, who was about to make a nonplussed face, hurriedly shook his head as if to dismiss it.

Roloff and the others put their arms around his shoulders in unison.

"Of course, of course! He's our proud shieldman! Don't tell me that now..."

"Excuse me. And Thor.

Rishi's friendly gaze turns to Thor and Sola, who are standing beside him.

"Why have you been doing this mud scavenging?　For twenty-five years. I can't help but wonder, really. You're a monster, you know that? Oh, don't misunderstand me, it's a compliment.

I don't think it's any of your business.

"And what's that magic trick of yours, Mr. Sola?

"Huh?　Well, what is it?"

"Are you sure it's a lower branch skill?　It's impossible, turning over a rampaging river horse. It's too crazy.

The girl tilted her head in annoyance at Rishi's words, which it was hard to tell if he was complimenting her or not.

Roloff's voice came out low, as if he had lost his patience.

"Stop babbling on and on, and get off my back!

"Well, listen to me. Those rampaging river horses you saw earlier were too much for those of us who will soon be able to reach the upper reaches of the river. But you took care of them with ease. Do you know what this means?"

"You're going around in circles. What are you trying to say?

"You have become so skilled because you have spent nearly two years in this poor hunting ground. That proves that I did not do anything wrong. It's proof that adversity is what makes a man grow!"

"Huh?"

"That's why this is wrong. This bridge must not be allowed to exist. It shakes the very foundation of the system I have created. If people can easily go upstream, they will go on without learning the hard way and without training their skills. What good is an adventurer who fails to work hard?"

Suddenly, Rishi raises his voice and begins to speak in a high tone.

The two brothers respond to his self-important words as if admonishing him.

"...... effort is not something you can force on people."

"There is no need to hurt ...... others."

"That's right, brother. There is nothing more vain and hurtful than to make an effort that ends in vain. However, I am sure that people will thank me when their efforts bear fruit.

Thor notices a thin cord-like object in the pile of stones at Rishi's feet that seems to stretch into the river as he continues to talk like a madman.

Thor, thinking that this might have something to do with Rishi's real goal, quietly approached Tapa, who was still holding the bow in his hand, and whispered in his ear.

"You see that guy's foot?"

"...... something there."

"Can you get a shot?"

With a small nod, Tapa instantly readied his bow and fired an arrow, almost without motion.

The arrow, ricocheting off raindrops, flew straight for the youngest child's feet.

Rishi, who had been talking well, changed the color of his eyes and extended his arm as soon as he noticed the arrow.

The arrow, which should have pierced through the string, shot through the palm of Rishi's hand instead.

The man lets out a slight groan and looks up, smiling ruefully.

"I was hoping for a little more time, but it looks like the curtain is about to come down.

What the hell are you talking about?"

"Yes, I have a gift for all of you who have excelled."

With these words, Rishi pulled up a small bag-like object hidden in the water.

She grabbed the contents and began to scatter them one after another on the pile of stones.

Then, without knowing what was happening, he smiled at Thor and the others who were watching the situation.

The next moment, something large suddenly appears in the space behind Rishi.

It is a huge red mass of water floating in midair.