After speaking with Gildart, I went around the Bradley Adventurers' Guild to greet the adventurers who had helped me during the previous duel.

This might be our final farewell, but I desperately tried to hide those feelings. If possible, I wanted to have another joyful toast with everyone, just like we did after the duel.

Using teleportation magic, I traveled from Bradley to Egerton. It’s a shame that this incredibly convenient magic will soon become unavailable to me.

First, I stopped by the Adventurers' Guild, but Lilith and the others weren’t there. Ian and his group were, so I told them the same thing I had shared with Gildart. Just the other day, we had been making a ruckus in the guild’s dining hall, and I never imagined things would turn out like this.

"Masayoshi onii-chan!"

"You always recognize me so quickly."

After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, I headed to Lilith and the others’ party house. When I knocked, as usual, Nenea was the first to come flying out. Since there didn’t seem to be any adventuring requests today, she was in casual clothes instead of her armor.

"Oh, Masayoshi-niisan, what brings you all the way to the party house?"

"Ah, Nonoha-san. I have something important to discuss. Are Lilith-san and Lulune-san here?"

"...Those two went shopping. They should be back soon, so why don’t you wait inside?"

"Alright, I’ll take you up on that offer. Also, may I borrow your kitchen for a bit?"

"Yeah, of course."

While waiting for Lilith and Lulune to return, I borrowed the kitchen to cook with the remaining dragon meat. I wasn’t sure if Ande’s storage magic capacity would increase once I transferred my magic to him. I planned to use up as many ingredients as possible before that happened.

"Hmm? Someone’s here?"

"Oh my, something smells absolutely delicious."

"Lilith-san, Lulune-san, welcome back."

"Oh, Masayoshi!"

"Masayoshi-sama!"

Before long, the two returned from shopping. Seeing them in casual clothes instead of their usual adventurer gear felt refreshing.

"What brings you here so suddenly? And what’s that amazing smell?"

"I borrowed the kitchen for a bit. The food is almost ready, so just wait a little longer."

"Alright, before we talk, let’s eat while the food is still warm!"

"...I don’t really get what’s going on, but are you sure it’s okay for us to have this?"

"Yes, I’ll explain later, but I want to use up all the food I have right now. So please, eat as much as you can."

"...Are you sure? This is the same dragon meat we had before, isn’t it?"

"What!?"

"For various reasons, I might have to throw it away otherwise. So, I’d rather share it with all of you."

"...I don’t really understand, but are you really sure, nya?"

"Of course. Alright, let’s eat!"

Since everyone seemed hesitant, I took the first bite. It would be easier for them to start eating after I did. Besides, it had been a while since I last had dragon meat. This stuff was among the best ingredients in this world.

"Mmm, it’s as delicious as ever!"

Today, I made dragon steak, dragon cutlets, ginger stir-fry, and a dish cooked with sweet miso. If I had more time, I would’ve liked to try making roasted dragon or dragon stew.

"Whoa, this is amazing!"

"Yes, it’s absolutely delicious!"

"Yep, Masayoshi-niisan’s cooking is always the best!"

"It’s tasty, nya!"

"………………"

…I really love moments like this—sharing delicious food with everyone. Even if I lose the power I inherited from the Grand Mage, I want to experience this again and again.

"...Phew, I’m stuffed."

"That was wonderful."

"Yeah, I’m completely satisfied."

"Thanks for the meal, nya!"

"Glad you liked it."

Since it was a meal for five, we managed to go through a good amount of dragon meat. I had cooked extra, so I stored the leftovers using storage magic.

"...So, Masayoshi-niisan, wasn’t there something important you wanted to talk about?"

"Yes."

With the meal finished, it was time to get to the main topic. The atmosphere shifted as all eyes turned toward me.

"The truth is... I am not from this world."

"「………………」"

I could have explained it vaguely, like I had with Gildart and the others. But these were the people who had told me they cared about me. To them, I wanted to tell the truth.

I told them how I came from another world, how I had inherited the Grand Mage’s power and used it, how I was only able to help them thanks to that power, and how the portal to my original world was closing.

And finally, I confessed that I was going to transfer the Grand Mage’s power to Ande. Even if I managed to return one day, I would no longer possess that power.