“I mean, I can’t deny that. We’ve had a rough time too,” L’Arc admitted.

“So give me some details,” I said.

“This battle here today was just like with Kyo. And that guy like Kyo was the one leading them all. So having lost their lynchpin, his nation will have no choice but to surrender,” Glass said, breaking it down for me.

“All sorts of stuff happened. We’ve been training between each wave. And other than Kizuna, we’ve tried hard to contact the other holy heroes,” L’Arc continued.

“Kizuna is pretty laid back. I bet she’s off fishing somewhere, saying ‘whatever will be, will be.’ Or something like that,” I said. There didn’t come a reply. “Hey. You’re not going to deny it?” Seriously! I’d known it already, but Kizuna always had a pretty positive outlook. She’d fulfilled her duty as a hero without losing it too, meaning this world was probably a softer one to end up in.

All things considered though, her laid-back nature was one of her good points. She was also strong too, even with the handicap of not being able to attack directly.

“We’ve also had a few chances to talk to other holy heroes. They weren’t interested in what we had to say—not at all. But Kizuna said she understands what you went through,” L’Arc continued.

“Sounds like things shake out the same in every world,” Itsuki commented, still in monotone. I wasn’t sure he was really one to talk about such things. But at least I’d hammered the power-up method into the other heroes, added them to my forces, and unified us against the waves. Maybe things weren’t so bad, I conceded.

“I’ve been meaning to ask . . . You’re—” L’Arc started.

“Yes, one of the four holy heroes from the same world as Naofumi. I am Itsuki Kawasumi, the Bow Hero. It is nice to meet you.” Itsuki completed his self-introduction and displayed his bow.

“Right. We fought at the Cal Mira islands, no? I think I saw you in the Spirit Tortoise too, right?” L’Arc said.

“That’s right,” Itsuki said.

“Kiddo, is this guy right in the head? His voice sounds kinda flaky,” L’Arc said. All he needed was the slightest opening to start calling me “kiddo” again!

“That’s right. Itsuki had been through a lot. He sunk to the use of cursed weapons and ended up suffering from paralysis of his individuality and other emotions,” Ethnobalt explained.

“I see. So this is the hero that Rishia talked so passionately about,” L’Arc said. Itsuki remained silent. But did he look a bit embarrassed?

“Fehhhhh!” I just ignored Rishia, with her strange noises and bright red face.

“We had all sorts of issues, but I managed to secure the other three heroes, and we are all sharing information now. Didn’t Raphtalia tell you this?” I asked.

“Yeah, she told me. It sounds like it wasn’t easy,” L’Arc responded.

“I wish Kizuna had learned more from your example, Naofumi,” Glass commented.

“But she hasn’t been slacking off too much, right?” I checked.