Just like what I said at the end last chapter, I left while my party members were dumbfounded by the scene unfolded in front of their eyes.

"Onii-chan!" Iris called with concern as she ran after me.

"Please stay back, Iris. I am afraid I may hurt you unintentionally. Also, my hands are filled with blood, you might get yourself dirty if you come closer." I tried to discourage her from approaching me, however, it seemed look it had an opposide effect on Iris, as she continued to walk next to me.

"No matter how you change, Onii-chan is Onii-chan. You always will be the strong but kind Onii-chan I know." Iris replied. "Besides, you did nothing wrong, I am sure that you must have your own reasons for going overboard."

I really had nothing to say, to be exact, I couldn't find words to express how grateful I am for her unwavering trust in me.

"First things first, let's return to the palace. I can tell you a thing or two about my past. There is indeed a reason for what happened just now." I said as Iris nodded.

In the palace, Iris' bedroom to be exact...

"There is one thing I am sure of, my past memories made me hate immoral people and bullies, or narcissistic people... to say the least." I said calmly as I took a sip from the tea cup.

"Why? What happened?" Iris asked with an engrossed tone.

I took out a blood-red mana crystal and looked at it.

"This Memory Crystal contains my past memories. Mind you, this crystal has quite a bunch of pretty bad things, so it won't taste good. Are you sure you want to proceed?" I warned with a poker face.

"Yes please (Onegaishimasu)." Iris confirmed in a resolute tone as she made up her mind.

"Here you go." I sighed as I handed her the crystal in resignation.

A few seconds later, Iris covered her mouth as her face turned a bit pale.

"What is wrong with this taste? It tastes like iron... with salt! Eww!" Iris tried her best to swallow the Memory Crystal and not to gag on it.

Iris POV

"Are you sure you want to proceed?" Onii-chan took out a blood-red crystal as he asked in a slightly serious tone.

"Yes please." I confirmed in a resolute tone as I extended my hand.

"Here you go." Onii-chan sighed as he handed me the Memory Crystal in resignation, as if he didn't want me to consume the crystal.

Then, I ate the Memory Crystal like the last time; it turned out Onii-chan wasn't lying about the taste.

The taste of that Memory Crystal was sickening, it tasted like iron with a pinch of salt. If I really had to say something regarding this matter, it was like this Memory Crystal was made of Onii-chan's blood and tears.

The Memory Crystal started to take effect as a scene was brought in front of my eyes. In that scenario, I saw children wearing the same clothes, but one of them stood up as a teacher called him out.

"Did you ever use your brain?" The teacher asked the boy.

"No I didn't." The boy replied innocently, meanwhile the others laughed at his answer.

Then, another scenario started to appear as the former one started to fade out.

Three children were throwing insults at the boy, he looked like he got hurt mentally, probably because they were his friends, as he tried his best to pull himself together.

Meanwhile, he got beaten by the trio.

This scenario disappeared abruptly as the next scenario formed before my eyes.

The boy, who grew up a bit was wearing a cool uniform and finally made friends with a junior. Or least I think it was his junior, since the boy had one more chevron. Then, a few years later, he got ignored by the junior he cared a lot and his power almost completely taken away from him. The other uniformed personnel, on the other hand, viewed him as the scapegoat.

There were a few more scenarios, but sadly, I couldn't remember them all.

It wasn't like the boy had an extremely tragic backstory, but still, it must be quite hard for the boy to face betrayals and heartbreaks, right?

And the boy who faced all these was nonetheless the creator of this Memory Crystal, Onii-chan himself.

Seeing all that, I couldn't help but muttered "Terrible (Hidoi)" and feel sorry for Onii-chan.

After Iris ate the Memory Crystal, it seemed like the Memory Crystal started to take effect, since her pupils started to expand.

Two minutes later, her pupils returned back their normal size, which indicated the effect of the Memory Crystal subsided, and she should have looked into my memories by then.

"Well, that was my past. Ever since, I abhor those immoral people and to ensure no one would have to suffer these things like I did." I said as Iris stared at me.

"When I saw those boys, they triggered my memories, as a result, I couldn't help but to stop them. However, I never thought that I would kill them." I continued monologizing as Iris kept staring at me.

"I am really sorry. I thought I would mildly hurt them, but it turned out I killed them in the end. What should I do...? I couldn't wash away the blood on my hands..." I asked as I put my hands on my head and tried my best not to cry.

"Onii-chan..."

"I couldn't control my weapons that well... So before I could have a better control on them, I need to shut myself in." I muttered as I rose from her bed and ready to leave the palace to a place where I can concentrate.

"Onii-chan, then where would you go?" Iris called out to me before I could reach for the door.

"I need to train myself. I realized I was weak in holding back my anger. I could neither take quests with you, teach you other things like the times I did back then, nor could I protect you... Not at this mental state at least." I answered without looking back.

Finally, I couldn't hold back my tears as they started to trickle down my cheeks.

"But (Demo)... how could I find you when I need you...? Onii-chan, please, stay here!" Iris grabbed my left arm and pleaded as tears started to stream down her cheeks as well.

"If you need me, held onto the Core and believe." I pointed at the milky diamond shaped Core. "I will be there and answer your call, I promise." I looked back with a smile as tears still flowed down my cheeks.

"Good grief, I looked pathetic. That was really unsightly of me. Keep this a secret, will you?" I said with a slightly joking tone as I wiped my tears. "See you around, Iris." I waved at Iris before I opened the door and bumped into someone else.

"Ah, my apologies..."

"It's okay..."

I teleported myself out of the palace after I stepped out of the main gate.

Meanwhile, in Iris' bedroom...

"Come in." Iris responded after someone knocked on the door.

The door was opened. Behind the door was a blonde girl with mid-length long hair and dark blue eyes. She also wore a combat outfit. It was the girl that I bumped into a few moments ago.

"Iris-sama- What happened to you? Why are you crying?" The girl approached her as she wiped the tears off Iris' cheeks with a handkerchief.

"It's nothing. Thank you." Iris thanked the girl with a smile.

"Iris-sama, you don't have to carry this burden all by yourself. Please tell me what just happened."

A few minutes later...

"I see..." The girl nodded in realization as she heard stuff about me from Iris.

"Iris-sama, I can tell he really cared for you. After all, he wanted to be stronger to protect you."

"But-"

"I am sure that you will see him again soon." The girl consoled Iris with a reassuring smile.

'I would like meet him in person too...' The girl thought to herself.

So I went to the Town of Beginners, Axel. I trained for two months there, I also wrote a journal during that, but I would just put a few days I wrote in the diary, since it could be too long.

Day 1 since I left the palace.

Today is the first day I left the palace. To come think of it, it feels a bit excruciating when I got separated from Iris. I got to get stronger, in order to meet Iris once again as soon as possible!

In this day, I returned back to square one and fight some basic monsters, without using any Core or support. It turns out I have much to learn, as I got myself covered in slime from the Giant Toads, it stinks so much that I can't help but to cleanse the outfit using the Water Core after taking them out. It would be the best for me to improve my speed.

Day 2.

I still ended up being covered in slime. It was gross, sure. But when I look at my Adventurer Card and see that my speed has improved a little bit, I couldn't help but smile as that small improvement helped me to return to my party as soon as possible.

I know I can do this if I kept on training. I will definitely protect Iris with my own hands!

Day 3.

Today, I ran into the annoying Swordmaster again, and he challenged me to a duel as usual, but, I have improved my emotional quotient. So this time, I tied him up instead of kicking him in the vital spots, albeit feeling pissed by his narcissism, but the bondage type would have to be exotic for some reason, making this like a scene in a doujin, the differences between that and a doujin were the person who got tied up was a boy instead of a girl, and that the person in question wasn't wearing any tights. And... I got sent to the police station because of that. As a result, I sent a letter to Iris to bail me out, which the knights in the police station promised that they would listen to my explanation more carefully if I did something indecent on accident.

I will be sure to thank Iris for her help the next time we meet as well.

Day 6...

Today, I have become stronger (literally) as my strength stat rose due to restless training. This ain't much, but it's honest work. I hope I can become stronger at a faster rate. I can't wait to meet Iris again, and to tell her how strong I have become... with my actions.

Day 9...

I received a message from Informant Sierra. She has finally located where Volras' Cult is located. Huzzah! Now I just need to be better in my stats and emotional quotient, so that I could take them out once and for all.

Day 11...

I started to take out the Giant Toads with hit-and-run tactics. It turned out it was quite effective in killing them. And I think someone was following me. But well, as long as that person didn't really intrude my privacy or do something that threatens my life, I am probably fine with it.

But I would consider subdue that person if he/she followed me to the inn or somewhere like that.

Day 28...

After 4 weeks worth of training, being drenched in Giant Toad slime, dirt and monster blood, I finally got a lot better than I was before! It's good and all, but I ain't going to stop right there. I will advance, to the point where I am stronger than anybody else in the Belzerg Kingdom!

Not to mention, I have learned a new skill from the owner of a beginner's item shop, even though it sold a bunch of high level magic items or some bizarre items that must have at least one idiotic drawback. I mean, I wouldn't mind buying the high-level items, but still, why would she sell this kind of magic items in a town mostly comprised of low-level adventurers? Anyway, I can now absorb or transfer mana directly through physical contact. This would help a lot in healing Saki, considering the fact that healing magic she masters will inflict great damage back on herself as she is a lich right now.

If one day, the Cult and the Demon King Army both got defeated, and everyone can live in peace, how great would it be? I can't wait for the day I can return to my party and fight against those bad guys once again.

Iris POV

Two months had passed since Onii-chan's departure. Today I finally got a day-off, so I went to the Operational Base to the rest of my party members.

"Good morning!" I greeted them with a smile. "Let's take a quest today!"

One hour later...

"Let's all work hard to take the dragon down!" I said as I drew the sword Onii-chan gave me and charged towards the dragon.

We fought the dragon for a few hours. I really wished Onii-chan was here to witness this wonderful scene unfolded before my eyes, where everyone was doing their part, Chris and Karu distracting the dragon, Yunyun and Loby chanted magic to weaken it. With the solidarity the party showed, we defeated another dragon in a few hours' work.

"Let's go to the Adventurers' Guild and celebrate-"

Suddenly, the sky darkened and clouds began to gather. Thunder roared as a black silhouette emerged from the shadows.

"Who are you?" Karu asked.

The black silhouette attacked without warning.

I turned on the Light Core, and Onii-chan's outfit appeared, or rather, materialized on my body.

"Let's get him!" Loby shouted as he pointed his staff at the black silhouette.

"Well, it looks like I have improved significantly!" I cheered. "Well, time to go bac-"

I felt something was up.

"Iris is in trouble!"

I got into my gear quickly as I prepared to help her.

"Here we go, Core Teleport!"

'Wait for me, Iris, I am coming!'

Iris POV

Right now, the black silhouette knocked Loby and Chris down and damaged Yunyun and Karu. I was the only one standing in front of it.

"It would have been nice if you were the Magic Swordmaster instead." It said with a bit of loneliness in its voice as it extended its hand.

Black beams shot out of its hand, but then I deflected the beams using Onii-chan's sword.

However, due to the unfamiliarity I had with the Light Core, I was lying on the ground after fifteen minutes of fighting.

"Die now." The silhouette extended its hand once again.

I closed my eyes as I put my hands onto the Light Core on my chest, praying that Onii-chan would come and fight.

A mass amount of energy gathered on the palm of the black silhouette, but I ignored it and kept believing Onii-chan will be there.

However, all of a sudden, a boy wearing a simpler version of the outfit I was wearing appeared and kicked him in the face. He had short black hair, and he had the broadsword on his back.

"You can't be..." I muttered as I looked at his rear profile.

After I cast Core Teleport, I did got teleport to somewhere near the Light Core.

But the thing is, I got teleported at a higher altitude, so I fell from the sky like another scene from an epic anime opening.

I skydived as I tried my very best not to shit my pants and found Iris and the rest of the bunch.

So, I readied a kicking stance before I hit the ground.

'Please let me make it...!' I prayed as I maintained the stance.

After that, I kicked the black silhouette in the face before he could kill Iris.

"You are...!" The black silhouette expressed his disbelief of the one who was currently standing in front of him - me.

"Onii-chan..."

"Hello, my name is Guardian. You messed with Iris. Prepare to die." I greeted the silhouette with a sneer as I drew my sword.

"Onii-chan, catch!" Iris shouted as she tossed the Light Core at me.

I made a 360 degree turn as I caught the Light Core.

"Thanks!" I looked back at Iris with a smile as diamond patterns appeared on the trenchcoat. The sword started to change colour as I channeled my mana into the sword.

"You come at last, Magic Swordmaster. Fight me!" the silhouette yelled as he lunged at me.

'Concentrate.' I thought to myself as I closed my eyes.

"You are finished (Todomeda)! Retribution!" I released the light magic stored in the sword as I slashed downwards.

The black silhouette disappeared after the skill dissipated.

I sheathed my sword without looking back at my party members.

"As expected of my champion. But don't think this is over yet. I will be back." A dark, creepy voice whispered in my head.

I put my hands on my head as it hurts so bad.

"Just to remind you, I am not and I never will be your champion. Deal with it." I said between heavy breaths.

The voice disappeared after it said "Huh".

I turned to Iris and the rest of the party.

"It has been a while, Iris." I started the conversation with a warm smile.

"Thanks (arigatou), Onii-chan!" Iris said cheerfully as tears started to form at the corners of her eyes. "Where have you been? I missed you!"

"I will tell you the details of my training later on." I replied with the same smile on my face.

"Oh, so you have improved as well." I turned onto the Swordmaster (I forgot his name, was it Mizuhi...? I don't know anymore...), who stood there and waited for that nice moment to end. "I know you are going to challenge me to a fight again, but you have my sincerest thanks for not ruining this moment. This really meant a lot to me. I will fight you someday as a reward for not ruining this moment, see you around."

I then turned my attention onto my party members.

"Let's have dinner at the Operational Base. I have received some intel from Informant Sierra." I said calmly as I regained my composure.

"Explanations later, let's-" I continued as I received doubtful gazes from my party members.

"Fight me." Another voice said.

"What the fk mate! Just when I thought-" Before I could finish, Mitsurugi gave me a look that wrote "It wasn't me".

"If it wasn't you, then who was it-" Again, before I could finish my line, I saw a black robed man standing in front of me, or us, considering I was standing in front of my party, but oh well.

"Now who the hell are you?" I asked.

A/N: A little heads-up for the next chapter, it contains content from LN Vol. 13, it isn't an extremely big spoiler to be honest, but a spoiler nevertheless, as the black robed man was a minor one-shot character in that volume.

So it is up to you whether you should read the chapter, if you don't mind mild spoilers that is.

I truly hoped you enjoyed the story and stay tuned for the next chapter.