It looks like Swords disappearance was a Formal Invitation.

As if I could have known that!

And is Ms. Blood Witch Swords former girlfriend or something? Sword had apparently been paralyzed by her, but not only isnt he angry at her, but he also seems to be rather considerate of her, considering that she abducted him.

Does her kidnapping him mean that shes still got some feelings for him? Are we now going to shift from adventuring to a romantic story after coming here!?

Besides, Ms. Bloody is definitely Swords type. Especially her breasts. Whats up with those? Ive never seen such huge breasts. I think my otherworld selfs breasts were a bit more thanhalf as big as hers, but those thingswouldnt they register as I-cup or something like that?

If she doesnt do her best with push-up exercises, things will get really bad for her once they start sagging, wont they? Or rather, maybe she cant even do any push-up exercises because her chest is in the way.

Sword slapped his forehead after stepping out on the corridor and looking downwards.

You sure you didnt kill em?

Because the place ended up looking like a ruin?

I destroyed it flashily because I was carrying out a diversion, but I didnt hit any people, okay? Because they attacked me with paralysis and sleep spells, I went easy on them.

Several women showed up, and clung in tears to Ms. Bloody. The sight of them hugging each other and celebrating their safety had a super strong lesbian vibe.

Hmm? Ms. Bloody is lesbian? Swords ex and a lesbian? I kinda dont get it.

Hey! Sword, get down here! How do you intend to pay for this mess!? Ms. Bloody roared up to us from the entrance with veins popping on her forehead.

Given that Sword went downstairs while scratching his head, I followed suit.

Shouldnt you be the one to pay?

What!?

Look, you abducted me without sayin anythin to my partner, so she came here to rescue me. This kind of damage is only natural if it comes to a rescue mission for an S-Rank, dont you think? Rather, you should be happy that theres no casualties.

Ms. Bloody became flabbergasted.

Partneryou said?

Aye. This is Indra, my partner. From now on, us twoand the golems are goin to form a party.

Ms. Bloody was dumbstruck. But, why?

Hello, my name is Indra. Nice to meet you. In the future, if you have any business with Sword, contact me about it. Since he suddenly vanished, I was surprised and rescued him in a hurry. Since your side went easy on me, I answered in kind, but if not for that, everyone would have been killed.

Sword clapped on my shoulder.

You heard her, so dont kidnap me all of a sudden, kay? Well, were goin to leave this area as soon as we finish our request, so goodbye.

Once I started to walk since I got pushed, Ms. Bloody came to her senses.

W-W-Wai-Wait! What do you mean with partner!? Forming a party!? You, as the top S-Rank!? Theres no way that she could measure up to you, is there!?

She quickly blocked our way so as to detain us. When I looked up to Sword, he shrugged his shoulders.

Measure up to me, eh? I wonder whether I actually measure up to her?

In the first place, can you only become partners if both sides balance out? I mean I wouldnt have wanted to party with that girl with the nasty personality whom I rescued the other day, even if she measured up to me.

My words. Unless its someone I can think of as friend, itd be impossible for me.

Ms. Bloody stared blankly at us.

But, forming a party, with such a small child? You?

Shes not wrong, Im small. At least my current appearance is. Inside Im an adult woman, though.

She certainly looks like a boy at first glance, but dont worry, youll find a proper middle-aged guy inside.

Stop describing me like that!

Why is the part about me being a woman completely excluded here?

Youre saying youre taking her along while being fully aware of how dangerous your requests as S-Rank can be? Do you plan to kill that child!?

Ah, I got it. She kidnaps other people, but she is basically a gentle person as she even worries about some unknown girl.

Danger is unavoidable during adventures. Ill take responsibility for my own life without burdening Sword over it.

Once I clearly declared so, Ms. Bloody looked at me with her mouth open.

Sword commented as if to make a joke, Your truly the definition of manliness, arent you?

I dont get what youre saying. Rather, I believe myself to be feminine. In the first place, I feel that its the men who tend to push the responsibility of life and death on others in this world?

Sword apparently reconsidered, Maybe youve got a point there. Well then, let me correct myself. Your very feminine, missy.

I nodded.

Your right, the requests I accept are often dangerous, but as far as its limited to this girl here, shes standin at my side because shes got the ability allowin her to rescue me, you know? I cannot deny that she still lacks experience, and no matter how you look at it, shes got the habit of takin things too lightly, but Ill cover for those parts. She also covers the parts I lack. And even if she didnt have the necessary ability, shes got the right personality to stand next to me. For this reason shes my friend. He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed.

Come to think of it, men sure like friendship and camaraderie, dont they? Thats a typical pattern youll find in any shounen manga.

But, Im a woman, right? Is Sword someone believing in friendship between men and women? Thatd make him a rare exception for a man, wouldnt it? I mean, theres absolutely no way that hes forgetting about me being a woman, right? Right!?

Oh well, I follow the principle of All people are equal, so I can stand besides anyone. Besides, I doubt that Sword thinks of me as liability. I mean, he probably doesnt want to die yet.

Its okay. I dont think anythin like that, so dont consider killin me with that big, taboo magic of yours, kay?

He roughly stroked my head around. Does he intend to calm me with that?

What is this about!?

Ms. Bloody somehow seemed awfully upset.

You turned me down, and yet you party with such a youngster!?

Okay, its set. Shes his ex.

When I looked at Sword, slightly amused, Sword had become dumbstruck.

Haah? Ive turned you down? Your a weak, magic maniac who always stays indoors, arent you!? Why are you suddenly talkin bout me turnin you down when you always hide yourself in here and hardly ever do any requests? In the first place, you never brought up talks bout formin a party with me, have you?

Hmm? Her former boyfriend hasnt noticed? Wait, is the element of popular guys, Thickheaded Man, going to suddenly trigger here?

Y-Youre right, I didnt mention it! I didnt think of it! But, who would expect that you suddenly form a party with someone after having avoided doing so for all the time!?

Oohhh, Ms. Bloody is a tsundere! A tsundere woman and a thickheaded guy. Isnt that an exemplary template?

The thickheaded guy, Sword, is blankly looking at Ms. Bloody exactly because hes thickheaded.

I dont think that it concerns you with whom I party though I wasnt teaming up with anyone to begin with, or rather, no one seemed willing to seriously form a party with me.

.Whats got seriously to do with forming a party, I wonder? But more importantly, Ive been thinking so each time, but the type of adventuring in Sword mind is quite a hard mode, isnt it? Kinda like a combatant whos been recruited for an extreme war.

Adventurers are people going on adventures, you know?

S-S-Saying it d-d-doesnt concern m-me

Tsundere Bloody flaps her mouth open and close like a fish, just for blood to quickly rush into her head.

But yep, saying that it doesnt concern her is pretty mean.

Sword, isnt it cruel to say that to your ex-girlfriend?

Haah?

Eh?

The air froze.

Umm? Shouldnt I have said that?

You went out with each other in the past, didnt you? Shes your type, and I can sense such a mood in all parts of your conversation

The instant I did a thumbs-up, signaling that I totally got it, I earned myself an iron claw!

Eeekk!

Aint no way in hell that we were a couple! Your just dreamin bout any such mood! Or rather, whats this about her bein my type!?

N-No need to be so embarrassed about it

I aint friggin embarrassed!! Im troubled!!

But, Ms. Bloody is embarrassed, you know? Shes wriggling while holding her cheeks, okay?

W-Wait, something like that Youremistaken and its a bother No, not really, but still

Ah, her dere side has come out!

The thickheaded guy ignored her and tried to drag me outside while still keeping my head in his tight grip. But, robed women suddenly bustled around us, blocking our way.

The madam went out of her way to invite you over, so if you do not mind, how about staying over for the night?

I do mind, no thanks. Were goin back. Sword snarled with a sullen face.

Eh? Why is he so angry about me pointing out that theyd been an item in the past? Did something happen between them?

Now, now, allowing guests, who especially came all the way here, to go back just like that goes against the good conduct of our kind madam.

Dont screw with me. Ive told you were goin back. If you keep detaining us by force, Ill completely destroy the rest of the mansion, got it?

Swords displeasure and attempt to go back by all means are a riddle.

Is something the matter?

Otherwise I wouldnt be talkin bout goin back! Ive gone through terrible experiences each and every single time!

I see.

Makes sense. I sure dont want to experience anything terrible either.

By the way, what kind of terrible experience are we talking about?

Shes a goddamn honey trap!!!

Eh?

Honey trap, he says!?!

Anyway, if your here, you cannot afford to eat or drink anythin, sleepin is out of the question as well, and if you dont discover a means of escapin without bein careless, you never know what will be done to you!!

I was slightly shocked. He doesnt want to take responsibility to such an extent?

Why are you so wary that youd actually say corny lines youd normally hear from a virgin? Isnt it fine? If both of you agree, you can screw her all you want, no? The other party is more than williou-ou-ouuuch!

His fingers are digging into my skull!

If I did that, Id be immediately forced to take responsibility and get locked up here for life, you know?

The hell? That sounds super scary. Lets escape.

This is the very definition of a witch mansionno, the mansion of an unpopular woman. No wait, isnt this more like the hive of a wasp spider? Ms. Bloody pretends to be a tsundere, but in reality shes a yandere!

W-Wait a moment! Throwing me off guard and running away is unfair! Ms. Bloody rushed over.

No matter how much you want to be together with him, locking him up is a big no-no, you know? Your life is yours to manage, but Swords life is his own. If you walk separate paths in life while having differences in what you want to do, youll respect each other, so you should honestly follow your own path, okay? That said, were going back. I want to go on adventures, and we still havent completed our request either.

Im also far from done with adventurin. Or rather, I just recently realized that I havent even started yet. See you. Good luck with your magic studies while secludin yourself in here. Sword waved a hand without looking back.

Considering how much shes fussing over him, its kinda heartless. Well, even so, I dont want to be locked up in here. Then again, escaping will be easy since weve got the Ryokus with us.

.Just as I thought that, Ms. Bloody started to tremble all over, and suddenly tears welled up in her eyes.

Waaaahhh! And here I was so happy that I could meet you again after such a long time!!

Oh my, oh my, she ended up bawling.

You think your sob story is goin to fly with me? In the first place, thats a trap as well. Sword said over his shoulder.

Just how terrible had been his past experiences with her?

Its working on me to some extent. She looks awfully pitiable, so lets stay the night.

Sword widened his eyes.

You go back. Ill keep her company.

Sword flapped his mouth open and closed.

No, I mean, you What? How do you plan to keep her company?

Women have their own ways too, but this time I wont do anything like that. Rather than that, being confronted with such terrifying traps that they scare you makes me excited.

Sword became dumbfounded. Since he loosened his grip, I whirled around, and declared, Im really looking forward to it! Sorry, but this time you have to make do with me. Dont hold back anything and come at me!

Now I cant go back as Im scared what your goin to do!

The unpopular women looked at each other.

Hey, itd be smarter to let us go without a hassle, you know? This one here got no common sense, but her perverted mind is nothin to scoff at. Your bodies are goin to get messed up to such an extent that you wont be able to marry anymore!

How rude!

The unpopular women were wavering about what to do, but since Ms. Bloody desperately insisted that she wanted me to stay, Sword gave up.

Feel free to go back.

Sword sighed, Leaving you all alone here is too damn frightenin, so its impossible. In a certain sense Im envious of your ability to get so easily excited. But, protect my chastity, okay?

Yeah, yeah, I got it.

For heavens sake, hes such a sissy.