Chapter situ-rona: Before The Human-Demon Great War – The situation of Ronant

Before The Human-Demon Great War – The situation of Ronant

Author’s note: Ronant’s point of view, shortly before the war.

「Long time no see.」

「It has indeed been a long time, teacher.」

I meet with Apprentice No.1, the Hero Julius, for the first time in a while. It’s been many years since I’ve seen him in person. Because of interference from the Divine Word Religion, I can’t even meet with him properly. Really, it’s so frustrating.

「I’m glad to see you’re doing well.」

「Likewise, teacher. You are already an elder, yet here you are still on active service and full of spirit.」

「Who do you think I am? I’ll be blasting away on active service until I die.」

「Sounds like you, teacher.」

Apprentice No.1 gives a refined smile. When I was taking care of him, there was still some innocence left in him, but he’s already become a fully-fledged adult now.

「Julius... oh, Ronant-sama, when did you arrive here?」

The one who entered without even knocking, was called Hyrinth or something I think? He’s one of Apprentice No.1 friends-cum-comrades.

「Just now.」

「He suddenly teleported in. I’ve told him so many times not to shock me so much by doing that though.」

「You still have a long way to go if you can’t even perceive the teleportation omen.」

I ignore Apprentice No.1’s complaint. If I don’t meet in secret like this, then the Divine Word Religion gets annoying.

「You are the same as ever.」

The Hyrinth brat sighs, but I at least adhere to the minimum standards of decency.

「So? Teacher and Hyrinth both, what is your reason for coming to visit me?」

「Hrm. The Hyrinth brat has an urgent matter so he can go first.」

My matter is nothing important. Just some meddling. So I can just put it off.

「Brat huh. Well, I guess I might be a brat from Ronant-sama’s perspective.」

「What’s wrong with calling a brat a brat? If you want to object then you can start by trying to defeat me.」

「Please forgive me.」

After a bitter laugh, the brat suddenly puts on a serious expression.

「Ronant-sama. What I’m about to discuss is a military secret.」

「Sure, I got it. I promise not to disclose anything about what’s happening here.」

The brat would have preferred it if I stepped outside I’m sure, but he’s already given up on getting me to leave. We don’t know each other that well, but he understands at least that much about me. Sure enough, he begins the report with a resigned expression.

「There is always someone better than you. You should well understand that yourself, right? Only the strong can protect others. You are weak. So weak you can’t even defeat me.」

「Teacher, you can only say that because you’re strong.」

To Julius’s timid objection, I bark out a laugh.

「There are ones better than me too. You should well understand that yourself, right?」

Since Julius likewise knows about “that person”, he should understand. An existence with such strength that us humans couldn’t possibly oppose it.

「You got it? If it becomes dangerous then run away without hesitation. You are more or less the Hero after all. Compared to having the Hero escape, it would be far worse for the Hero to die. Get that into your skull.」

「It’ll be fine. I shall protect Julius after all.」

The brat is spouting some drivel.

「Having that come from someone more feeble than Apprentice No.1 isn’t persuasive at all.」

「Ouch, that’s harsh!」

I’m sure he took a playful attitude here in order to improve the mood. To raise his spirits so that Apprentice No.1 won’t head towards the battlefield depressed. His fighting strength is a bit unreliable, but he’s a good friend.

「Heheh. Well, I guess I’ll have you protect him then.」

「You bet. Please be at ease.」

As the brat intended, it seems that Apprentice No.1 cheered up a bit.

「Even so, Ronant-sama, worrying over your apprentice and scolding him – you’ve got a cute side to you.」

「I, I’m not particularly thinking such a thing!」

What the heck is this guy saying!? I thought he was a good friend of Apprentice No.1, but it looks like I was mistaken!

「Look! He’s blushing, he’s blushing.」

「I’m not blushing! Dammit! I’m going back now!」

「Teacher, thank you for everything today.」

「Humph.」

I activated teleport, and left the place.

That was, the final farewell between Julius and I.

Reference data :

Ronant at the time of “P, please wait!” : status values of 1500 in magic types, 300 in physical types.

Ronant at the time of the elf village war: status values of 4000 in magic types, 400 in physical types.

Despite having passed not only his growth period but having already started the descent into old age, he still managed to more than double his magic type status values like a FREAK.

Julius: average status values of 2600

Just a bit stronger than Kunihiko and Asaka.