Naturally, the more serious and experienced warriors understood that and didnât participate in the drinking party.
During this moment, those warriors were busying themselves with training or maintaining their weapons.
The training methods of martial arts were varied. Some used goblins that they caught along the way as their practice target.
Naturally, the goblins were bare-handed but the point was training against a living enemy.
This training method wasnât just used by freedom fighters, the soldiers and knights used this method too.
Occasionally, it turned into something like a bullfight.
ăChiyuki-san. Heâs looking at us.ă
Rino, who stood beside me, said so while smiling.
We were in the middle of dinner along with Portos and co.
Various dishes were prepared on the table in front of us.
It wasnât the portable meal being carried by the soldiers or warriors, the bread was the soft and fluffy one which was eaten by nobles instead of the hard and tacky bread eaten during a march, nor was the soup the salty vegetable soup.
Moreover, the meal was the most lavish one so far to raise our spirits since tomorrow was the start of the battle.
They even prepared a minstrel to sing a song for us.
And the one who was referred as âHeâ by Rino was none other than that minstrel.
This minstrel wasnât there yesterday.
I heard that he came this far to meet Reiji.
A minstrelâs goal was to create a song about a hero or brave after all. And the person himself had confirmed so.
But then, that kind of thing wasnât that rare either. He was only one of the many minstrels who wanted to create a song about Reiji.
But then, something about this minstrel made me believe that he was different from the other minstrels.
`I mean, he was TOO FRICKING HANDSOME.
Well-ordered nose, long and shiny hair, and a handsome face almost as if it was sculpted by all the best sculptors in the world. He also had a beautiful voice on top of that, thus we werenât the only ones who got mesmerized by his beautiful heroic songs he sang, all people who gathered in this place got mesmerized by his voice.
He sent a meaningful gaze toward us every once in a while. His line of sight was simply charming.
Thus, Rino, who stood by my side, became restless.
And it wasnât just limited to Rino. Our female attendant who came along with us was getting pretty restless too.
Reiji might not be too amused by this situation. Though he looked calm and composed, who knows what he felt inside.
Everyone gave their applause when the minstrel ended his song.
And then, the minstrel started walking toward us.
ăGreetings, Hero Reiji-dono. Nice to meet you.ă
The minstrelâs eyes were looking at Reiji.
Rino and the other women suddenly raised a stir upon seeing the two handsome men facing each other.
ăThe two of them make quite good picture right, Chiyuki-san?ă
Even Nao ended up getting infected by Rino and the other womenâs rotten air.
The said person, Reiji himself, wasnât interested in that kind of hobby. If he did, it would be the greatest eye candy for us.
Reijiâs expression didnât show any change even when the minstrel greeted him.
ăYes. By the way, who are you? Youâre not a human, right?ă
The minstrel plucked the string of his harp the moment Reiji said so.
ăEh?ă
Rino was the one who reacted to the minstrelâs change.
Reason being that except for me, Reiji, Rino and Nao, the other people here couldnât move at all.
Portosâ eyes were empty. The same went for the other people.
It was definitely magic. And the minstrel before us was the one who invoked that magic.
Who in the hell are you??
ăAs expected of the Hero of Light. Thereâs also the fact that youâve been called by Rena. You mustâve noticed my identity.ă
ăNope, I donât know you. But, I know that youâre not a mere human. Who are you, ladykiller?ă
Reiji stood as he asked the minstrel with a daring smile on his face.
This was his expression when he was facing his opponent. Thus, all of us raised our vigilance at once.
ăIâm not coming to fight you today, Hero of Light Reiji. And the beautiful ladies over there, be at ease, I mean no harm. My name is Alphos. Renaâs big brother.ă
He revealed a sweet smile as he introduced his name.
Rino, Nao, and even I were left speechless upon seeing such a dreamy smile.
And then, I recalled Alphosâ name.
It was the name of the God of Song and Arts, Alphos.
According to the rumour, he was the most handsome man in Elios.
In addition, he was also the big brother of Rena, Goddess of Wisdom and Victory. And that god had appeared right before all of us.
I looked at Alphos.
Alphos raised his right hand, while still holding his harp in his left hand, expressing his intention that he came in peace.
ăI see. Renaâs big brother, eh? Your face does resemble her. So? Are you looking for me because Iâm your little sisterâs lover?ă
ăIndeed. I came to meet her rumoured boyfriend. But, I guess it was a foolâs errand.ă
ăWhat? what do you mean?ă
ăItâs exactly as I say. I donât think that youâre Renaâs lover. Thatâs why I came to confirm with my own eyes. I thought that Iâd know the truth when I came to meet and talk to you, butâŠă
Alphos shook his head.
Even the way he acted was much more elegant.
ăEven if you canât believe it, itâs the truth. I do understand your feeling of not wanting to see your adorable little sister get taken away by another man though.ă
Reiji said so while puffing his chest with a proud look on his face.
ăI see⊠Well, letâs just treat it that way. But, aside from me, there are many more people who arenât convinced. What are you going to do when they challenge you?ă
Alphos was looking at Reiji as he asked.
Reiji didnât flinch and stared back at Alphos.
ăIâLL KICK THEIR ASSES OF COURSE!!ă
ăQuite confident, eh. Their numbers arenât small, you know?ă
ăI wonât back down since Rena is at stake. Iâm gonna win and prove that Iâm her destined man.ă
Reiji replied with a confident look on his face.
ăSo much confidence, eh? Have you never doubted Renaâs love?ă
ăNEVER! MY MEETING WITH RENA WAS DESTINED BY FATE!!ă
I almost doubted my ears upon hearing that. How could this guy have so much confidence in himself?
Well, I guess that he was acting like usual.
ăI see⊠Well, I guess Iâve nothing more to say. I guess youâve no problem with them challenging you. Iâll see the show from the side. Oh right, let me give you a warning. I donât care even if you accept their challenge, but you should never think about killing the black lion man if you want to get Renaâs love.ă
Alphos smiled as he said those remarks.
ăWhatâs that? Youâre talking as if Iâm not the person who Rena loves.ă
But then, Alphos ignored Reijiâs remark.
ăIâve warned you. Hero of Light.ă
Alphos plucked his harp again as he spoke.
Thereupon, his figure vanished like a mirage.
ăEh? Whatâs happening here? Whereâs the minstrel from before? Chiyuki-dono, what happened just now?ă
Portos and co started moving again right after Alphos vanished.
ăItâs nothing, General Portos. The Whimsical god just left.ă
General Portos tilted his head in puzzlement upon hearing my remark.
But, explaining this matter to them would be a real pain.
ăHeâs so handsome, Chiyuki-san.ă
Rino spoke cheerfully to me.
It seems she was really elated to be able to meet someone whose looks rivalled that of Reijiâs.
ăYeah. Heâs really handsome indeedâŠă
Nevertheless, what was the real reason for him to come? I just couldnât get that matter out of my head.