The Tale of A Man Who Believed That His Reincarnation Had Granted Him A Japanese Sword And The Greatest Battle Sense, Only To Have The God Finally Inform Him "Huh, I Didn't Give You Any Combat Sense… That's Scary…" - Episode 13

“This apple pie here is so delicious, it feels like I’m in heaven, Utsuho-san!”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. It’s the hidden gem ‘Précollage’ that even people in Redinbara know about. It’s Utsuho’s favorite café, and I haven’t even told Lady Lyra about it yet.”

On a clear afternoon, Utsuho-san and I, who had been strolling through the city on foot after departing from the Roiji Hotel in the Cloud District of the central area of Redinbara, entered a certain café on the outskirts of the Cloud District at Utsuho-san’s suggestion.

After being shown to the terrace seats, I was told about Ms. Utsuho’s recommended combination and ordered an apple pie and cinnamon tea. When the apple pie came out and I took a bite, it was incredibly delicious. It’s probably not an exaggeration to say it’s the most delicious thing I’ve eaten since coming to this world.

When you gently cut into the steaming hot apple pie with a knife and fork, a warm steam carrying the sweet and tangy aroma of the apple’s wafts through the air. Taking a bite, the sweet, melted apple flavor bursts in your mouth. The apples retain a crisp texture when you bite into them, yet they are soft, tender, and sweet, making them the perfect match for cinnamon tea.

Delicious, so delicious… The refreshing sweetness of the apple and the brain-numbing deep sweetness of the sugar seep into my very being.

“Lord Enri. It seems you are very pleased, and I am also very happy to have invited you.”

“Utsuho-san is the best! Apple pie is the best! Cinnamon tea is the best!”

“Your vocabulary has significantly declined, Enri-sama.”

While happily munching on an apple pie, I was called out to from somewhere.

“Could it be… are you the swordsman from the Grosvenor family rumored to have struck down Lord Roga’s lightning!?”

As I was savoring an apple pie, stuffing my mouth full with each bite, I heard a voice coming from the road in front of the shop.

Since I was sitting on the terrace with Ms. Utsuho, people passing by could see us, but who on earth would call out to someone like me? When I turned my face towards the voice, I saw the figure of a young boy, around twelve or possibly eleven years old.

“Hmm… hmm? Just a moment… phew, finally swallowed the pie. Yeah, I’m the one who cut off that Loga guy’s lightning.”

“Wowww! Is it really true!! Yay! I was wondering if I could meet you during my break time, and I really did! I’m so happy! My name is Arthur Northridge! My title is ‘New Star’!”

Translucent white short hair, a youthful face that seems to fit the words innocent and pure, giving the impression of a boy who still seems very young at first glance. However, he is wearing well-used shoulder and chest armor, and two short swords are hanging from his waist.

What on earth does this boy want with me? He mentioned something about “senpai” and said he was a junior adventurer I met the other day at that scam tavern… Wait! Could it be that he came to take revenge because some random guy was bothering his senpai and he wants to save face…?

“……Arthur, why on earth were you looking for me? Did you come to stab me with that dagger for the sake of your pride because I got involved with your senior?”

“Eh, no! No, no, no!! I didn’t come here to do something like that! I wanted to talk to you just once! Isn’t it amazing that you cut the blessing thunder of the goddess? Please tell me all about it!!”

“Oh my, Lord Enri. The rumors have spread not only in Rhinchest but also in Redinbara. You have truly become quite distinguished, I’m so happy for you, Utsuho…”

The maid, who pretends to cry with a sobbing “yo yo yo,” bounces over to the terrace seat and sits in the chair right next to Arthur-kun, who orders milk.

It doesn’t seem like there’s any hostility or malice, so maybe they really are just interested and came to listen. If that’s the case, that’s fine; it won’t bother anyone, no matter what we talk about.

Since Arthur-kun sat next to me, the question bombardment time from the curious and sparkling-eyed Arthur boy has begun.

Question 1: How did you manage to read and cut through Senior Roga’s lightning!?

“While approaching with my sword drawn, I felt like my body moved the moment I saw a flash and I slashed the lightning.”

Question 2: Where did you get that sword you said you had never seen before!?

“When I was living in the forest, I somehow ended up with it. I don’t know where it came from.”

Question 3: How can I move as quickly as to cut through lightning!?

“Hmm… I-I don’t know, but if you eat three meals a day and train your body, maybe… you can cut it…”

Question 4: Are you actually from some prestigious clan?

“Clan… what is that?”

After enduring a barrage of questions for several dozen minutes, Arthur-kun said with a bright smile.

“That’s amazing, Enri-san! There was absolutely nothing that could be of any reference! When they asked me ‘What’s a clan?’ I thought they were making fun of me!”

With an untroubled smile, the boy known as the rising star writes in his notebook that there are no useful references, the tall maid enjoys her tea without caring about the state of the person she is taking care of, and I, who can only talk about battles with no specificity and feel out of place, sit at a terrace table, savoring apple pie and cinnamon tea while chatting amicably. The peaceful afternoon passed by.

And then, after the sun had completely set, Arthur-kun casually brought it up.

“Enri-san, would you duel with me?”

Silence… as if planned, the cheerful tea party was suddenly devoid of sound. Unable to believe the words I had just heard, I looked at Arthur-kun, and it felt as if a certain determination, which hadn’t been there a moment ago, had taken residence in his eyes.

Why, why all of a sudden… a duel?

Utsuho half-closed her eyes, cast a sidelong glance at Arthur-kun, chuckled softly, and then quietly returned the teacup she was about to drink from to the saucer.

“Mr. Arthur Northridge. The duel you have requested is with Lady Lyra Grosvenor, the only daughter of the wealthy Grosvenor family.”

“I understand. I… I… have to fight Enri-san…!”

When Utsuho-san hears Arthur-kun’s words, she silently stares at me. No, Utsuho-san, I won’t accept a duel. Besides, suddenly fighting a boy who is about a decade younger than me, with whom I was happily drinking tea, is just too much of a plot twist to handle.

“Utsuho-san, I won’t duel with Arthur-kun. First of all, there’s no reason for me to fight him, right?”

“Indeed, what Lord Enri has said is quite reasonable. Therefore, Lord Arthur, I sincerely apologize, but it seems that Lord Enri has no intention of accepting your duel.”

“Ugh… please, fight me, Enri-san! For me, fighting you is incredibly important!!”

Bang! Arthur slammed his fist hard on the table with the teacups and apple pie plates, standing up with an excited look. His face was dead serious, and at the same time, there was an unmistakable sense of desperation, as if he couldn’t back down.

However, no matter how much I’m asked, I have no intention of fighting someone I’ve just met and had a pleasant chat with. Moreover, once I draw my sword, I will probably end up letting my reincarnation bonus of combat sense take over and kill him. If that happens, all that will be left is the boy’s body with his head and torso severed.

“No, no, besides, there’s a swordsmanship tournament coming up soon, so if you want to fight, you can have plenty of matches there, Arthur-kun. Well then, shall we head back to the hotel, Utsuho-san?”

“Yes, understood. Well then, Arthur-sama, let’s meet again somewhere.”

Confirming that the katana is sheathed in the sword belt made by Sophia, I stand up from the terrace seat of the café. Looking to the side, I see Utsuho respectfully holding the hem of her maid dress and bowing to Arthur. As expected of a maid, it’s quite elegant.

“………..!!”

Clang! Crash! I heard the sound of the table being overturned and a teacup shattering. When I looked towards the sound, I saw Ms. Utsuho, who was supposed to be bowing to Arthur-kun, had lost her balance and fallen, with Arthur-kun holding a dagger to her neck.

“With this… do you have a reason to fight now, Enri-san?”

His eyes are serious. Seriously, he’s trying to kill Ms. Utsuho. As for Ms. Utsuho, she usually has a composed expression, but now she is biting her teeth in a way that suggests she realizes the gravity of the situation and shows signs of panic. The thin skin on her neck is torn, and bl00d flows silently.

What the hell is going on? Why? Why does he want to fight me so badly? It’s not like I have any status or money, and there shouldn’t be anything between Arthur and me that would make him harbor any murderous intent. So why is Arthur going this far…? To be honest, I can’t hide my confusion. Plus, his motives are so mysterious that I can’t help but feel scared. What the hell, are all the boys in this world just battle-crazed junkies?

“I don’t know the reason, I have no motivation, and I don’t want to do it… but Arthur-kun, if you’re going to lay a hand on our precious maid—I’ll make you spill your guts.”

Without waiting for Arthur’s response, I threw a chair at him. He skillfully deflected the chair’s trajectory with a dagger, avoiding a direct hit, but in that moment, I kicked Arthur in the face.

Arthur was blown away, spinning like a top, and rolled onto the road in front of the café.

“Utsuho-san, I’m sorry. I think it might trouble Lyra-san, and I don’t really understand why, but… since you laid a hand on me, I have to go and cut you a bit.”

After saying that to her, who was sitting on the floor after being released from her restraints, I headed towards the road in front of the café.