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The person who is most famous among the warriors is none other than Kazuo.

Not long ago, he accomplished the remarkable feat of cutting through a landslide, a man known as the Japanese warrior.

In a group of warriors who are already quite full of themselves, a warrior who managed to carry out such a feat inevitably draws more attention—regardless of the already rocky relations between the two nations, or perhaps because of it.

On one hand, there’s curiosity and interest regarding the warrior who achieved such a difficult task in a good sense, while on the other, it might verge on a sense of pride and jealousy in a bad one.

However, the conclusion tends to point to a similar outcome regardless of the side taken.

Duel.

As was said, seeing it with your own eyes is better than hearing about it a hundred times.

The ‘physical conversation’ of the warriors was straightforward yet effective.

Especially for gauging the other’s level.

Right before the operation?

On a rocking boat?

What does that matter?

It’s not a life-or-death situation; it’s merely a duel!

It’s not like I’m the only one carrying the disadvantage—both sides are in a fair situation where we each bear the burden!

Would you even consider yourself a warrior if you crumbled under that level of adversity?

Most of the warriors on the boat genuinely thought that way.

“…Ugh. Those brain-locked guys.”

“There’s a reason we call it the warrior’s brain. Their thought process is entirely different from ordinary people.”

And while witnessing such a scene, the wizards felt sickened.

To their ‘intelligent and wise’ minds, warriors really did seem ignorant.

Especially since they gave off a smell of sweat merely by existing.

“Hmm. I agree that that scene doesn’t look very intelligent… But I can’t agree with the idea that most warriors have muscles in their brains.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“It can be described as an error of survivorship bias. The intelligent and smart, respectable figures who mostly practice martial arts don’t easily stand out; they are reclusive or training in secluded places, so they aren’t easily visible in situations like this… Naturally, those inclined towards such behavior are the ones who are often seen.”

“Oh. That’s a fresh perspective. And it seems quite valid. Right… survivorship bias. Indeed. Just like the impression of our warriors in society likely comes from the loud voices and active individuals among the minority rather than the thoughts of the majority of ordinary people… Quite valid, indeed.”

Of course, there were those who tried to stop them, but even then, it didn’t escape the realm of blame. The attack saying ‘most warriors are ignorant’ simply morphed into ‘the warriors present here are ignorant.’ If anything, it means the scope got narrower but became a level difficult to ignore.

“…Hey, wizards. We can hear you.”

“We know. Your hearing is good, after all.”

Naturally, this wasn’t just a gathering of the group to vent frustrations about outsiders.

Everyone knew the fact that the warriors have sharp senses, and the wizards who spoke poorly of them were well aware of this common knowledge, too.

Yet, to blatantly say it out loud instead of using indirect methods like telepathy or magical visualization… it was clearly intended to pick a fight.

Of course, there was a justification.

“Just look at what you’re doing. Are you going to duel before heading out to face the Great Evil Spirit? Are you crazy?”

It’s not just some friendly social gathering; it’s not an operation that few present can handle with ease. They’re going to confront an evil entity, one that could evolve into a Great Evil Spirit—even when they should conserve their strength, they’re wasting it on a duel?

In this situation?

“Even if your body itches, hold back a bit. You’re not beasts. Soon enough, you’ll be able to fight to the point of getting bored, so why all the fuss…”

Thus, from the wizards’ perspective, the warriors were bound to be bothersome.

Especially knowing that those warriors would soon stand against them made it even worse.

Yeah.

Perhaps the wizards’ attitude stemmed from the realization that their safety was at risk, awakening the fact that their chances of dying were rising.

“…Tch. Well, there’s some truth to that. But let me say just one thing.”

Thus, the warrior who had initially raised his voice, instead of grabbing and tussling, slightly frowned and said this.

“If we’re too relaxed, you all are too tense. If you can’t release that tension before the battle starts, you’ll be in big trouble.”

You guys are far too fixated on the thought that you’re going into battle.

It’s because you’re too tense that you’re acting like that.

…And upon hearing those words, the wizard understood what the warrior was saying.

“…I know.”

And so he simply said that and moved into the midst of the wizards.

“…”

“…”

A silence ensued.

The warriors realized that their actions, aimed at relieving tension in response to the wizards’ admonition, could be seen as problematic, while the wizards began to question if raising their voices aggressively had unnecessarily disrupted their bond.

However, that silence didn’t last long.

On the now noticeably quieter deck.

“Everyone.”

The shaman’s voice echoed.

“It’s coming.”

—

Tangerines, tangerines, tangerines.

With their bright yellow peels and green stems.

The indented bottom.

If you press your thumbs into the lower part and apply strength to split it open,

it can be pulled apart.

When you split it,

the bright yellow peel comes apart in half.

With orange, yellow, and white.

A sour and refreshing scent bursts forth into your nostrils, and sticky droplets scatter everywhere.

As you reach for a piece to put in your mouth,

Ah, if it doesn’t fall apart completely, its flesh is revealed.

If you look closely at its bumpy form, it might seem off-putting yet also whet your appetite.

Tangerines, tangerines, tangerines.

A rare fruit that’s fresh and tasty.

『 The skin is merely a form and a vessel, and the essence contained within it shifts according to the shape of that vessel, thus the soul is water, and the body is the vessel. Regardless of what the vessel may be, if the soul resides within, the form of that vessel cannot deny its existence. 』

『 Continuing, it is said that the form does not define its value, nor does it determine the existential value of a person. Therefore, one must deem a person’s inner self far more important than their outward appearance, and that inner self is neither the flesh that splits from the belly nor the red and blue blood flowing through the body, nor is it derived from one’s status or lineage passed down from generation to generation. It is rather the radiant value that a person holds within themselves. 』

So, what is that tangerine?

Must a tangerine be small enough for a child’s hand to fit perfectly?

What if it’s smaller than a fingernail?

What if it’s bigger than an adult’s fist?

Or even as big as a head?

Does it cease to be a tangerine or remain one according to its size?

Do people truly think that way?

『 Discussing the vessel, a fool asks the wise, “If so, what then defines a person? If the form of the body has no meaning, then what bestows meaning upon it?” Is it the unseen soul? Is it the spirit that feels less tangible than the soul? What constitutes a person to be regarded as such? 』

What is the answer?

Deeply pondering.

And then splitting.

Dissecting each and every tangerine, regardless of size.

『 However, as the wise could not respond, the fool said, “Since you previously stated that the essence merely alters form according to the vessel, I believe I can grasp the true essence of your earlier claim that the contents are more important than the vessel,” producing a clay vessel and placing the wise’s essence within it. 』

And then realizing.

Ah, the inside resembles each other.

Thus, regardless of the size, it is indeed a tangerine.

So, people are the same.

『 This small clay pot is indeed the vessel, while what resides within it is the essence of the wise, so indeed, this can be claimed as the wise’s vessel. 』

Truly, if the contents are the same, I can acknowledge that their forms are alike.

Thus, beings who hold blood within and possess a soul,

you should cast aside the form of your body and perform what you are meant to do.

[ Tosses. ]

Do not ask what that is.

Has a person’s behavior ever carried inherent meaning?

So, perform your duties as you ought.

Even if it appears meaningless, do it.

[ Tossed. All. ]

Grabbing something similar in your hand.

Like before, you are to toss away what you need to.

[ Tosses. Why? ]

…

…

[ …Heehee. ]

—

On the coast teeming with demonic energy.

[ Kihiihihihihihi! ]

Countless fruits.

Fruits that wear human faces, giggling as they soar through the sky, now starting to fly towards the ship.

 

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