Ever since I was on the verge of death, the distance between Eris has felt somehow really close.
Previously when we were sitting in the carriage, there was more of a slanted feel to how we would stand,
"It's balance training, why don't you try it as well Rudeus?"
Is how she said it, but recently it's become sitting.
Right by my side.
With a distance where her thighs were glued to mine.
After getting to that distance, there were various things that came into my sight.
For example this is about a certain day.
I could peek in at the skin from the hem of Eris's pants and clothes.
And then after peeking at such a thing, the human heart wants to unintentionally caress such a thing.
Since that's the case I just unintentionally caressed with my right hand to see, then I get glared at with a bright red face.
Here as expected, even I was hesitating a bit.
That's right, she won't hit me.
Eris won't hit me.
Everything I've done until now that she would hit me for, but now she won't hit me anymore.
She just glares at me with her face bright red.
Just staring at me like that.
Moreover, unchanged as always Eris continues to sit down as if she's stuck to me again.
Until now if I had made such actions then she would have pulled back a certain distance.
However, our current distance has remained close.
Being serious though, I'm starting to feel like I want to just stick my hand straight into her pants, so I'd like for her to separate for a bit around now.
I know there are things that you can finish with a laugh and can't just laugh off.
And even I understand that I want to do the things that can't just be laughed off.
I'm enduring it.
Unknown to that kind of conflict within me, Eris's distance is close.
"..."
If I were to let my hand do as it pleases then it ends up stretching out in the direction of Eris.
Therefore.
Currently, I've started the operation where I'm creating magic with my left hand and then using my right hand to disturb that magic power.
It's the magic Orsted used.
If I remember correctly it was called, "Ran Ma" [Magic Disturber].
Just before the magic power that comes out of my hand takes shape, I use a different magic power to interfere with it and cause it to scatter.
It's simple and it consumes a very small amount of magic power, but it's an amazing technique.
After thinking about it, the King Class Barrier used a similar method to nullify magic.
It's simple to say it in words, but it's actually considerably difficult to put it into practice.
I wonder if it's because I'm trying to use the magic with my left hand.
More often than not the magic fails to take shape.
In order to completely nullify it like Orsted did, it must take a considerable amount of practice.
However, even just this much should work as a restraint.
No, he really taught me something good.
"Hey Rudeus, what have you been doing since just now?"
"I'm trying to imitate the magic that Orsted used."
After saying that Eris fixed her gaze on my hand.
In my left hand a small warped rock part was created and then suddenly fell to the ground.
Another failure.
It feels kind of like trying to play rock, paper and scissors with both hands.
I always end up allowing my right hand to win.
I can't just do whatever is relevant.
Most likely, there's some sort of rule for the magic power to operate along or else it won't work.
Yeah.
The fact that whatever works, won't work means there's some sort of rule at work during the time it's being disturbed.
Then, if I were to take into consideration the rule when I release the magic power, in reverse would I be able to nullify [Magic Disturber] as well I wonder?
The dream is spreading out.
"What kind of magic is it?"
"It's magic that nullifies magic."
"Can you do such a thing?"
"That's what the purpose of this practice is for."
"How do you know about something like that?"
"Since there have been a number of cases where my magic has been sealed and I've been unable to do anything recently, I'm researching it after all. Well, in the case that we end up meeting Orsted and have to fight again, don't you want to at least be able to run away?"
Eris was at a loss for words after hearing that, she just kept silent.
After a short while, the sound of the rocks falling and rolling around continued.
"Hey, why is Rudeus that strong?"
Eris was silent for a long time, but suddenly she came out asking that.
I wonder if I'm strong.
No, there's no way that can be the case.
I'm not bragging, but these past few years, I haven't felt the reality of my own strength at all.
It was an everyday life with nothing but powerlessness.
"I think Eris is the strong one though?"
"That's not the case."
"..."
"..."
There the conversation paused.
Eris seemed to want to say something, but she kept silent since it seemed difficult to say.
I wonder what it is.
I don't know.
No, it isn't that I don't know.
"Are you still bothered by the fact that we were beaten so easily the other day?"
"...Yeah."
I'm sure that can't be helped.
Just as Hitogami said, that guy is the strongest in the world, Dragon God-sama.
Even that Ruijerd was lightly dealt with.
The opponent was bad.
In this world, there exists a domain that can't be reached through just hard work.
In my previous life, I tried a variety of things, and I was able to reach a reasonably high level in some of them, but I never even once was able to reach the highest level.
Playing a game, if it was this then I thought I could be unbeatable, but there are always those who can go above you.
It seems that Orsted is impeded by a number of restrictions as well.
Even with that in terms of physical techniques he exceeded Ruijerd, he dealt with Eris with one hand, and completely rendered me powerless.
Furthermore, he fought and defeated us in such a way that the greatest amount of damage to our HP[1] would accurately be hit.
It seemed he still had plenty of spare energy remaining as well.
I have no idea how strong he would be if he got serious.
It seems he can't become serious because of the curse, but...
Even if he doesn't get serious, you can't win against that guy.
Most likely, no matter how much effort you put in you'll never win.
"The opponent was bad, that can't really be helped."
"...But."
I understand Eris's worried feelings.
At any rate, Eris was defeated in a single blow after all.
He just caught her sword and just like that she was blown away.
"Eris is still young, depending on your effort you can still become stronger."
"I wonder if that's true."
"Yeah, Ghyslaine and Ruijerd both said it didn't they?"
Eris suddenly raised her face.
She was looking straight at me.
"Rudeus was about to die you know? How can you be that... how can you say it so simply?"
That is... because the feeling doesn't really remain very much.
I'm not thinking about fighting at all.
The next time I see that guy's face, I'm running away like a rocket.
Or else like a mouse, hiding in the shadow of something.
If I can't run away then this time I might beg for my life.
If my wish can be granted, I really hope Eris doesn't have to see that spectacle.
However, putting that pathetic intention into words is embarrassing.
"Since I don't want to die next time."
"...That's right, you don't want to die right."
"Please feel relieved. Even if Eris gets into a dangerous situation, I'll make sure I can at least escape holding on to you."
Eris made a complicated face and placed her head on my shoulder.
If I were to caress her head here right now, I thought it might end up happening, but my right hand is currently in the middle of Magic Disturber.
"Well, in any case, it won't be good if I don't get a bit stronger."
A bit more.
That's right, a bit more.
As expected, I won't be able to become the strongest in this world.
The ceiling of this world is way too high.
I couldn't even become the best in the world in my previous life.
Without even a glimpse of that talent, even the means of my effort was incompetent.
I don't know how much talent I have in regards to this world, but it doesn't seem like I can believe in something so simple about myself and be devoted to it.
However, I want to at least be able to run away if I end up running into some kind of weird guy and suddenly get attacked.
I buried my face in Eris's hair, [Sniff] [Sniff], while smelling the scent, I was thinking about that.