When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master.

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Dual Blade Assault…!? That was the name of the first swordsman recognized as a rival by the First Hero.

Is it trying to replicate that!?

“Initiating imitation…”

Super Robot-kun’s hands transformed into swords. I readied myself, taking a step back. At the exact moment, the part I slashed on the robot began regenerating, and it came at me again.

“If it’s truly replicating him, then…”

“Double Boost, Commence Attack!”

A rain of slashes came from all directions: up, down, left, and right. This was different from the sword technique used earlier. The sheer volume of the attacks forced me on the defensive.

The Double Burst was a simple magic spell that enhanced both swords. It was written in the heroic tales of the First Hero, Albert. Its simplicity was what made it so formidable. Regular blades would break if they endured too many such powered slashes.

Using the two swords overwhelmed the opponent with the sheer number of attacks, sealing their movements and delivering the finishing blow. It was indeed being replicated perfectly.

The situation was becoming perilous for me. I managed to dodge and deflect the blows, but I could feel my sword slowly creaking under the strain.

“Will want to switch out?”

“N-no, I’m good!”

I had almost forgotten Ban-san was there. I wish he would run away, but…

“Will, duck!”

“Huh!?”

Reacting instantly to the warning, I ducked. Just then, a knife shot out from the mouth of Super Robot-kun, whizzing past where my head had been.

—Had I not ducked… Would it have pierced my head!?

“Lift your right leg!”

“Y-yes!”

This time, a knife shot up from the base of the robot’s leg, targeting my right leg. Not only was it mimicking Dual Blade Assault’s sword techniques, but it was also using these tricks…

Did Ban-san know…? About this?

Could it be that he’s seeing more of this battle than I am…!?

“Will, you better finish this soon. The enemy seems to adapt and learn. Dragging this out will put us at a disadvantage.”

“Y-yes.”

… The Hero Dan had told me during our training. Remove this weight. I needed some distance, so I backed away, stripped off my outer garments, and released the consequences.

“…Whew.”

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I readied myself.

Hero Dan once solely relied on his sword skills for combat. While he did get some magical training from Linlin Frontier, he found it hard to master magic, taking him a significant amount of time. Hence, he put his all into the sword.

His strategy was straightforward. Initially, Hero Dan had limited moves, so he used them efficiently. At first, he’d limit his movements, letting the opponent recognize his patterns. From there, he would show activities vastly superior to what the opponent had seen. He delivered unexpected strikes by suddenly displaying his full strength, making it his unique weapon. I could do that now. Having removed the weights, I’d reach my peak speed, surpassing the movements the robot recognized—

—I’d catch up right behind it.

“System level… Wha… This is… Beyond expectation… Surpassing Albert’s predictions…”

“—Gale Blade.”

At my fastest, I sprinted and slashed through Robot-kun. By the time I realized, sweat was pouring from every pore, and I was panting heavily. Battling the recreation of Dual Blade Assault had taken a toll on my body.

“Ah, well done.”

“Hah… hah… Th-thank you…”

Ban-san approached, clapping his hands in appreciation.

“However, it seems there are still more.”

“What…?”

“System level exceeded expectations. Optimal optimization. Replicating Hero Albert deemed effective.”

“—Wha…?”

Recreating the First Hero, Albert…!?

Is that even possible…!?

The robot I had slashed earlier wasn’t moving. It seemed like I had destroyed it entirely. However, from the depths, dozens of identical robots appeared. Their eyes glowing blue,

『『『『『『Initiating Hero Albert replication… Complete』』』』』』

All of their hands transformed into swords, emitting a divine light. Could it be that they have embedded ancient magic into the blades…!? Excluding Hero Dan and the Grand Sage Linlin, others could use ancient magic… Indeed, tracing back, Hero Albert was the origin. Hence, it isn’t surprising that robots from his ruins could do so—

I’m in trouble. My stamina is nearly gone…

Engaged in relentless combat, I was already battered and bruised. My legs were shaky, and I was leaning on my sword like a walking stick, trying to stand. Damn it, can I still go on? But against Hero Albert’s replica… My consciousness is fading…

“You’ve exerted yourself a lot. It’s probably your limit now. Rest.”

“I can still fight—”

“—Seems like it’s too early for the next generation to take over.”

By the time I realized it, I had fallen. With barely opened eyes, I continued to watch the unfolding scene. Ban-san had witnessed the previous skirmish. But to think he had the strength to counteract Albert’s replication—

“Using the First Hero’s ruins to embed an attraction is fine, but this seems excessive.”

He walked forward calmly. He wasn’t holding a sword, and no sign of him using magic.

I watched the scene with vacant eyes, wondering if this was all a dream and if I was already dead.

“Obstacles detected. Our objective is to—it, gagagawaaaaaaa!!!”

It must be a dream.

After all, Ban-san was crushing a robot’s face with just one hand.

“Processing level… unable to measure… It’s unbelievable… someone surpassing Albert—”

“—Of course. No one can match me.”

Ban-san swung his right hand. It’s just a simple swing. He hadn’t done anything special. He just lightly waved it.

—An overwhelmingly potent force.

It left a trail that made one think he was born in the wrong world.

With just that swing, he exuded a potent aura, a beacon of hope amidst utter despair.

Inside my fading consciousness, I saw it.

Just a swing of his right hand manifested an immense power. With a resonating crack, dozens of robots were reduced to dust. The administration didn’t just stop there; its impact radiated outward.

“Warning! Measurement failure! The processing level exceeds the limit!!! Extremely dangerous! Extremely dangerous!”

Indeed, with that simple gesture, all the robots vanished. Silence reigned and beckoned by the stillness, my eyes closed.

◆◆

The exploration of the ruins had come to an end. It was disappointing that it concluded merely with an encounter with some unusual robots, but oh well. While Wil lay unconscious, I entrusted him to Alfred and decided to return home.

“Ban, welcome back,” my mother greeted me upon my return.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s time for you to start living on your own.”

“You’re probably right. Living at home is getting old.”

“Good. Why don’t you go house hunting with Lin? It’d be helpful to have a female perspective.”

“Uh, sure.”

I should probably invite Lin then…

—The hero sets out to buy a house.