Kaedehara Kazuha isn't particularly interested in the Courage Test. Having wandered the world, he's encountered plenty of "supernatural events." He's only here for the Traveler.
Knowing there are rewards, he guessed the Traveler would show up—and sure enough, she did. He knows her too well.
Lumine can't resist rewards, and neither can Paimon.
Walking with Kazuha is completely different from walking with Ayaka. While Ayaka trails behind the Traveler, Kazuha walks side by side, neither ahead nor behind, perfectly positioned.
Kazuha also shares a story with the Traveler, but his is a real experience.
He recounts a local ghost legend from a place he visited. Curious, he went to investigate, only to find the "ghost" was just a person in disguise—not scary at all.
When Kazuha mentions that the couple posing as ghosts argued over splitting their spoils, even Paimon isn't scared anymore—just exasperated.
[???: "I'm so wronged…"]
It's that same whining, ghost-playing NPC again, just as unprofessional as the couple.
The difference? He doesn't even have a partner—worse off than them.
Kazuha isn't fazed and even wants to help, but Paimon stops him.
[Kazuha, puzzled: "Doesn't he have some grievance? I want to ask—maybe I can help."]
He's so genuine, it's heartbreaking.
Not just me— that NPC is probably heartbroken too. This job is just too hard.
Thankfully, Paimon, the scaredy-cat, doesn't press the issue and drags Kazuha away.
At the spot with the small firework trap, Kazuha notices something's off and immediately shields Lumine, saying:
["Careful, there's something up there."]
After the fireworks fall and explode, Kazuha calmly waves away the resulting smoke.
Honestly, doing the Courage Test with him means there's nothing to fear.
When they reach Itto's ambush, Itto, as expected, tosses out his beetle, Ushi.
[Kaedehara Kazuha, shielding Lumine again, wary: "Who's there?"]
[Arataki Itto, confused: "Weird, this shorty isn't scared? Ushi, louder!"]
[Ushi, trying hard: "Moo!! MOO—Moo!!"]
This shorty… Let's just say Itto gets beaten for a reason. No beating is undeserved.
When he met Xiao, why didn't he call Xiao a shorty? Instead, he said Xiao was as cool as him. Is Xiao not short enough, or is Kazuha not cool enough?
Kazuha's fans are also displeased. Thankfully, it's Itto saying this—his story is well-loved, and readers know his personality is harmless.
Otherwise… well, readers wouldn't do much, maybe just submit complaints about Itto to Yae Publishing House.
Kazuha, ever easygoing, doesn't mind Itto's nickname and even plays along, pretending to be scared. He's so kind, it's moving.
After passing Itto's ambush, they find the Dango Milk, completing the first round.
As expected, Raiden Ei makes another "casual passerby" appearance. Her large, eye-catching purple presence stands out.
Kazuha notices but doesn't want to meet the Shogun. He asks the Traveler to send his regards and takes the Dango Milk to submit.
Kazuha's also incredibly considerate—he leaves half the Dango Milk for the Traveler, clearly meaning it as a gift for the Shogun.
Ayaka's group didn't leave half for Ei because the three of them drank some.
Compared to Ayaka, Kazuha provides an overwhelming sense of security. If winning is the goal, Kazuha's the best choice.
But Ayaka's reactions were so adorable, making it hard for readers to choose.
Finally, there's one more person—Gorou! The fact that Watatsumi Island's general is participating in this event sparks curiosity about his reasons.
When the Traveler asks, Gorou explains he was delivering a letter but fell for Yae Miko's provocation.
That sly fox suggested he join the Courage Test, taunting, "Surely the great general of Watatsumi Island isn't scared?"
He fell for it easily at the time, only now realizing he was tricked!
That cunning fox, so skilled at schemes! Impossible to guard against!
Now wary, Gorou suspects the Courage Test is a trap set by Yae Miko, with ambushes waiting.
"Bad fox, huh?" Yae Miko says with a sly smile.
"Lucian calls me a shady fox, and you call me a bad fox. Am I that bad?"
[Gorou: "Maybe that bad fox is hiding in the shadows, waiting to laugh at me. She might even record it with a Kamera and send the photos to Watatsumi Island…"]
Yae Miko laughs: "He's really on guard."
"But this does give me an idea. Hmm, I should set up some Kameras in advance."
Nearby, Kitsune Saiguu, quietly reading, raises a hand and gives a thumbs-up.
In the story, Gorou, unsurprisingly, shares a legendary tale with the Traveler.
He describes an army short on rations that saw a feast appear. As they gorged, they noticed countless red eyes watching them.
Granting desire before despair—what an intriguing tactic.
As they talk, that NPC appears again, this time with a new line.
["It hurts so much… No head, it hurts so much…"]
[Gorou: "Who's there? Who is it!"]
Gorou's vigilance matches Kazuha's, but, wary of Yae Miko's schemes, he doesn't investigate and leads the Traveler away.
At the firework trap, Gorou notices it too, stopping the Traveler with a "Wait."
This shows that Kazuha and Gorou, seasoned in battle, are highly alert. Ayaka, though skilled with a blade, lacks their combat experience.
However, while Gorou spots the trap, the illustration shows him startled by the sudden noise, his tail puffing up.
Finally, Itto appears, and this time he succeeds in scaring Gorou—scaring his most beloved idol.
[Arataki Itto, laughing wildly: "Hahaha!"]
He's thrilled, unaware he just sabotaged Miss Hina.
Lucian can only say: He's happy because he knows nothing. I'm happy because I know everything.
Gorou was startled because Ushi's dust got in his eyes, and he thought it was Yae Miko's ambush.
So, it wasn't Itto who scared him—it was Yae Miko.
A "living" Itto can't compare to a "scheming" Yae Miko, who scared off a "living" Gorou.
Their group also finds the Dango Milk and sneaks a few sips.
Gorou loves the flavor, but Dango Milk's short shelf life makes it unsuitable for long-distance transport or army supplies—it'd turn into yogurt, like Katerina's milk.
In the illustration, our dear Ei, true to form, dutifully makes another background cameo, strolling by blankly.
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Character Voice · Ei: About the Courage Test · First Half
"My dear student Lucian says he's deliberately tormenting me. I gave him a slash, but he dodged. He's improving."