"You don't need my help? Wait a minute, you're going to take on an entire kingdom alone? Takeru, don't do anything rash. Even if we are Heroes, if we really anger them, they'll definitely kill us, right?"
Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi tried to persuade Takeru. Having finally found someone who understood him, Naofumi didn't want Takeru to just die like that.
"Don't worry, I'm not that kind of fool. Since I dare to say that, naturally I have my methods. I can also exonerate you then, and even leave revenge to you. The price, however, is for you to become a general of the kingdom afterwards. Also, put in good effort during the waves." Looking at Naofumi, Takeru spoke directly.
"Since you're willing to believe and help me at a time like this, I'm not the kind of ungrateful person. Whatever you instruct then, I will definitely do my best to help you." Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi spoke seriously.
"In that case, let me lend you three treasures first." Hearing his words, Takeru said with a light laugh.
"Three treasures?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi became curious. Via also looked at Takeru in surprise.
Then, before their astonished eyes, Takeru consciously entered his portable space and took out two slimes. He also took an item from his item bar: a storage bracelet. It was one of the bracelets bought from Konomi. After distributing them to Ai and the others, one was left over, which came in handy now.
"These are... slimes?" Looking at the purple and blue slimes in Takeru's hands, Naofumi showed a surprised expression. He was also extremely curious.
Via was also dumbfounded, looking at the two monsters in Takeru's hands.
This world didn't have slimes. However, Naofumi didn't know that. But he did know one thing: slimes represented the lowest level of monsters.
"Let me introduce them. This purple one is a Demonized Slime. It can devour monster corpses to grow stronger. It can also transform into the form of monsters it has devoured."
As he spoke, Takeru signaled the Demonized Slime to transform. Soon, it turned into a balloon monster.
Then, to Naofumi and Via's surprise, it turned into a Rabbity, and then again into a Needleboar.
If these only surprised the two, when the slime turned into a blue sub-dragon, they were shocked.
Although it was only a sub-dragon, it was still a type of dragon, a top-tier existence in any world.
"You're lending this to me?" Looking at the fierce-looking sub-dragon, Naofumi swallowed nervously.
"Of course. You can form a party with it. Then you can share a portion of the experience points from its kills. It can also serve as your mount, making the rest of your journey easier." Hearing his words, Takeru said with a light laugh.
"I see. Thank you. So, what about the other one?" Then, Naofumi looked at the other blue slime.
"This one is different. Transform into a sword." Looking at the curious Naofumi, Takeru said to the blue slime.
Hearing Takeru's words, the slime quickly transformed into a long sword, allowing Takeru to hold it in his hand.
"Could this be..." Looking at the long sword Takeru was holding, Naofumi became excited.
"This is a Weapon Slime. As the name suggests, it can transform into various weapons. Of course, it can only transform into weapons it has devoured in the past. Currently, it has devoured long swords, short swords, daggers, spears, whips, staffs, and so on."
"Although it's a slime, its hardness is no less than steel. It can continuously devour weapons to improve itself. Also, because its original body is a slime, the Holy Weapon doesn't reject it. It also has regenerative abilities." Naofumi, who had already suspected as much, became even more delighted upon hearing Takeru's words.
"Experience these for yourself." Smiling, Takeru directly handed the slime in his hand to Naofumi.
"Transform into a sword!" After taking the slime, Naofumi eagerly said to it.
As his words fell, the blue slime quickly formed a long sword. It had a pitch-black luster with blue highlights, appearing extremely hard and sharp.
Most importantly, Naofumi didn't feel any rejection from his shield at all.
Seeing this, Naofumi finally showed a happy smile. He then eagerly swung the sword at a nearby tree.
To his surprise, he found he barely felt any resistance. The long sword easily cut down the tree, and the cut was extremely smooth.
This scene stunned Naofumi and Via once again.
'Such a sword could completely compare to a Holy Weapon, couldn't it?'
After a while, he calmed down, suppressed his excitement, and looked at Takeru. He knew Takeru still had one last treasure to lend him.
"The last item is this storage bracelet. Although the internal space is only three cubic meters, you can put small monster corpses you've killed inside. The method of use requires mana. You can practice using it. I've also put some supplies inside for you to use in emergencies." Looking at the now-calm Naofumi, Takeru handed him the bracelet.
"Thank you." After taking the bracelet, Naofumi completely calmed down. He knew he owed a huge debt of gratitude now.
Someone was willing to believe him at a time like this, extending a helping hand and lending him so many treasures, enough to help him survive the difficult early stages. No amount of gratitude would be enough for this kindness.
"I'm temporarily entrusting these items to you. Also, because of your reputation, it probably won't be easy for you to sell the items you hunt. So, I'd like you to sell them directly to me. I'll buy them at the market price." Finally, Takeru spoke to Naofumi again.
"How can that be? If you need materials, Takeru-sama, I'll just give them to you." Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi quickly said.
"Haha, I don't lack money. I'll just buy them normally. And Naofumi, one last piece of advice: the Holy Weapon's abilities are very strong. Develop it well. Via, let's go back." After patting Naofumi's shoulder, Takeru called Via and left.
"Thank you." Watching Takeru's retreating figure, Naofumi knelt down in his direction. Takeru's actions had finally given him a glimmer of hope.
At that moment, the clouds in the sky had accumulated to a certain point, and it began to rain heavily.
Rainwater quickly fell on Naofumi's face. Feeling the baptism of the rain, Naofumi's mood was completely different from half an hour ago. He was now filled with hope, as if he was reborn.
After a while, he finally came back to his senses. He quickly stood up, put on the bracelet, and started trying to use it.
After fiddling for a while, he finally succeeded in connecting his mana to the bracelet.
He saw the space inside. There were some clothes, some food, a tent, and most importantly, eight bottles of potion.
Taking out the potions, he also saw the labels on the glass bottles: Recovery Potion and Purification Potion. Their uses were clearly written, making him even more appreciative of Takeru's thoughtfulness.
'Thank you. I will definitely work hard to become someone who can help you, even if it costs my life.' Looking at the items inside, Naofumi vowed silently.
...
Meanwhile, Takeru and Via, who had left, were unaware of Naofumi's vow. Only Via seemed a bit distracted.
"Takeru-sama, are you truly going to rebel?" After hesitating for a while, Via couldn't help but ask.
"What, are you afraid?" Hearing her words, Takeru asked calmly in return.
Although it was raining heavily, with just a telekinesis barrier, Takeru could easily keep the rain out.
"Yes, but although I'm afraid, if this is Takeru-sama's goal, I am willing to give it my all." Hearing Takeru's words, Via paused for a moment, then spoke seriously.
"Right now, you don't have the strength to say those words." Hearing her words, Takeru shook his head.
"..." Hearing Takeru's words, Via was speechless for a moment.
Because of the rain, Takeru decided not to go leveling or do anything else. He led Via back to the inn, ordered lunch, and then brought Via back to the room.
"Since you've chosen to stay by my side, with your current level of strength, you'll only be cannon fodder. How much do you know about magic?" Looking at the nervous and uneasy Via, Takeru spoke directly.
"Knowledge about magic? Magic is a spell gathered by mana through special circulation and construction methods. It is then controlled and released through spiritual power. The stronger the spiritual power, the stronger and more precise the spell one can control." Hearing Takeru's words, Via quickly spoke.