The World’s Strongest Martial Artist who has Worked too Hard, Survives in the Magic World With Ease

After I dropped Mr. Nina off.

We reunited with Mr. Fermina. We came to the restaurant.

Meat dishes line up on the table.

"My luxury today! Takusa, eat!

"I'll get it out, too."

"You can say it! I'm getting a lot of money, and I want to ask Ashkun for something!

"What do you want me to ask?

"Yeah. But we'll talk about that later. The meat tastes best when it's hot! Look, if you don't eat fast, I'll eat it all! If that's about it, it's going to go away!

He's an irresistible meat lover and an irresistible eater.

I haven't seen your face in a hiss, but it's Mr. Fermina as usual.

But there's only one thing that's changed about Mr. Fermina like that.

"Mr. Fermina, have you had any special training lately?

Yes, Mr. Fermina has been stronger than Mr. Noir for a short time, even though he used to be a blue dot!

I'd love to hear how you got stronger!

"I didn't train. I fight demons every day, so I'm busy. Especially these days. Ash-kun, do you know what sand anto is?

"Of course I do."

Sand Ant is out of breeding power, even among demons. I see it everywhere.

Even when I was Mr. Ringrant's baton before, he was attacked by a flock of San Doants in Nemnesia.

"What's wrong with that?

"Actually, there's been a massive outbreak of sand ant lately. That's why I fought San Anto all morning and all night."

"Then shouldn't we get on the nest hole?

It says in the book that Sandoant hunts outside during the day and returns to the nest hole with his bait when the sun sets.

It's not hard to find a nest hole.

Well, it's hard after we get in the nest hole.

You're scraping rock beds with jaws that snap round the marutai and stretching nests deep into the ground.

"By the way, have you found the nest?

"Yeah. I found it in a lot of places."

"In many places..."

So, there's a lot of people who need to do something about it.

If Sand Ant's nest was connected in the ground, he'd get out of the nest hole.

"So, at Eina's behest, we were to attack the nest simultaneously."

I see.

Was it because Eye seemed busy directing this operation?

"What do you mean, Mr. Fermina's in charge of the nest hole near this town?

"Yeah. It's a dangerous assignment, so newbies didn't have to participate. The captain asked me to join him in the operation!

"I'm sure Mr. Fermina was recognized for his strength."

"Ugh! That's why I was so happy at first... I got scared day by day"

Always bright Mr. Fermina sighs with a dark face.

You really scared me, but you're telling me you visited this town with courage?

Maybe that has something to do with dramatic power-ups.

If you're ready to put your life on hold, you'll be stronger, and your magic will go up.

But even if I know that, I can't manage.

Because an event that requires me to be ready to die won't happen to me.

But besides being prepared to die, there are other ways to increase your magic.

"If it's not annoying, can I join that operation?

Mr. Fermina, you said it on the phone.

If I'd fought to protect someone, I'd have gotten stronger at some point.

Besides, even though I'm on a mission, I can't shut up and drop off my friend who's trying to make his way to a dangerous place.

That's why you want me to protect Mr. Fermina!

"Of course you're welcome. Yikes!

"Really!? Me, not the Magic Knights, okay!?

"Ugh. Some troops hire good hunters because they're understaffed! I'm comfortable with you, Ash, and I was hoping you'd join me if you could!

Was this what you were saying, 'What I want you to do'?

"I'd like to join you."

"Nowa's welcome, too! If the four of us join forces, we can wipe out Sandhunt!

"Four?

Me, Mr. Noir, Mr. Fermina, and who else?

"It's the Magic Knights of the Kingdom of the Rhine. There are more sandwiches in the Rhine kingdom."

You mean it's no other human resource for the Kingdom of Rhine?

This looks bigger on the scale than I thought.

"When are you going to rendezvous with that one?

"I'll see you at this store tomorrow at lunch. That's why I'm here today!

For the bottom line, I'm serious about eating and drinking, but it's a good thing Mr. Fermina's doing everything she can!

"Look down, I'll work with you!

"I'll eat, too."

"Whoa! You're both willing to eat! I can't lose, either.

That's how we chewed the meat dish until we were full.

◆

And the next afternoon.

After the inn, we came to the restaurant at the rendezvous point.

That's where I've been waiting...

"Ah! Don't be Mr. Ash. Awesome!

He was Mr. Chloe, head of the Magic Knights of the Kingdom of the Rhine and Western Crusade Squad.

"The other member was Mr. Chloe!

"Are you sure you remember me?!?

"It was an impressive encounter!

I met Mr. Chloe on a day when my first partner was only patterned.

The moment I took my partner out of my nostalgia, a kamaitachi occurred, turning the Dark Knight (Odin), the Black Emperor (Black Road), into a true two.

It was Chloe who was there.

"Why is Mr. Ash here?

Explain to Mr. Chloe, who is confused, our relationship and how this happened.

"I see that's how it went! It would be comforting if Mr. Ash would join us! but...... how strong is Mr. Noir?

In response to that question, Mr. Noir opened a map showing the whereabouts of the mighty.

"I'm stronger than you."

"That's a graduate of the prestigious Elstadt School of Magic! If so, thank you for joining us in the operation!

To put it mildly, Mr. Chloe suddenly turned to the truth.

"But there's no guarantee of life. Because the sandwich that we fight is the strength that sets us apart from normal."

"Really?

"Yes, besides the strong sandwich, it was small."

"Small means toddlers, right?

"Yes. In other words, individuals of strength are born with tremendous momentum that draw a line with the sand ant we know. I can handle it now that I'm a toddler..."

When this grows up, even Mr. Chloe won't be able to help?

Humanity will be extinct if such demons as Mr. Chloe handles push over like a herd of inago.

"Why did that happen?

"I don't know what caused it... but I'm guessing there's been a mutation in Queen Ants (Mother Ants) with spawning abilities"

Queen of mutations.

I was only distracted by the Demon King, but I didn't know there was such a demon lurking in the ground.

"Ash would be fine."

I don't know what Mr. Noir will say, but I don't know what will happen if you don't keep your mind tight.

Anyway, the Queen Ants are giving birth to the struggling Sandoanto one after another.

The strength of the queen ant, its parent, should exceed that of Mr. Noir.

Yet the map does not show the presence of queen ants.

I'm sure this map can't measure up to the strength of the demons that are hundreds of meters underground.

Then the strength of the queen ants is unknown.

Instead of protecting everyone, there is a chance of payback.

That's why you can't just run away!

Defeat Sandovant, defeat the Queen Ant, and protect Mr. Fermina.

And I'm gonna be a big wizard for you!

"The sweep operation is due tomorrow, with sunrise. Today I will be the one to luxury. Eat lots of meat, build strength and prepare for tomorrow's battle"

"Yes!"

"I agree with you!

"I'll eat a lot."

That's how we motivated ourselves to cheek the meat dish until we were hungry again.