And 10 Years Had Passed

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How long had I been fighting? I was so desperate that I could hardly keep track.

It felt like it was several weeks, but also several months.

It also felt like over a year.

 

I picked up the Devil King’s sword.

 

“My clothes are in tatters…and I have no money. Maybe I could sell this.”

 

It had been a bitter fight. The clothes that I was wearing were torn.

It was unfortunate, as these had been expensive clothes with high magic and physical resistance.

 

But now that they were torn, I was practically naked.

I had even lost my Adventurer’s Card. And my magic bag, which had contained my money had also burned away.

I had nothing.

 

Still, if I could get my Adventurer’s Card reissued, then I would be able to withdraw from my savings.

There was nothing to worry about.

 

I was in high spirits as I moved away from the place between dimensions.

 

◇◇◇

 

“…Where am I?”

 

Once I was out, there was nothing but a wide open field.

It was night time.

 

You could never be certain where you would appear when you stepped out of that place between dimensions.

You just had a vague, general idea.

It was supposed to take you somewhere close to the royal capital.

 

“Well, a little walking should take me to a town eventually.”

 

I was nearly naked, with only a sword on my back as I started out.

There were a few monsters I had to kill on the way, then it was more walking.

 

But I was lucky and was able to arrive at a city just as the sun started to rise.

 

“This is…the royal capital?”

 

It seemed quite different in atmosphere from the royal capital I was familiar with, but there was no mistaking it.

I headed for the gate.

Two guards called for me to stop.

 

“W-wait a moment.”

“Is something wrong?”

“What isn’t wrong? What happened to you?”

 

They stared at me up and down. I suppose being nearly naked made them curious.

 

“I was in an intense battle…”

“I see. Highwaymen… There have been fewer incidents lately, but I suppose they still come out now and again.”

“No, not highwaymen…I was in a terrible battle and lost my clothes in the process.”

 

I said honestly, and the guard put a hand on my shoulder.

Both of them now had a much more comforting tone in their voices.

 

“Yes, yes. I know how it is.”

“You’re an Adventurer. It must have been horrible for you.”

 

I denied that it was highwaymen, but they assumed I was just trying to save face as an Adventurer.

After all, it was the job of Adventurers to protect regular citizens from highwaymen.

 

It would be very bad for business to be an Adventurer who got mugged on the road.

And so the two guards perceptively asked no further.

 

“What, what is it?”

A few other guards gathered around.

The first guard who stopped me explained to the others.

 

“Hmm. You are lucky to just be alive.”

“No amount of personal skill can match an enemy that outnumbers you. Such things happen.”

“Do you have friends in the city?”

“Uh, yes. I do.”

 

The Hero, Eric. and the Warrior, Goran should be living here.

 

“That is good. And do you have any identification?”

“I lost mine.”

“Yes, yes. Of course, you did. They probably took it along with your wallet.”

 

They said sympathetically.

 

“We’ll have a temporary card issued for you. Just tell me your name.”

“I am called Ruck.”

“Ruck. A good name.”

“Thank you.”

 

The temporary card was issued quickly.

But I rejected their offer to lend me money.

 

“But, you cannot go in dressed like that.”

“You will be arrested for walking naked.”

 

After talking about it with the guards, they brought me some cloth from the back.

It appeared to be old clothes.

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Koko wa Ore ni Makasete Saki ni Ike to Itte kara 10 Nen ga Tattara Densetsu ni Natteita