The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 148.2

Chapter 148 – First Come, First Served

<– Glossary TOC –>

I guess we will go back after saying farewell to Remrona.

After all, she allowed me to meet with the prince as she had promised at first. I face Remrona and speak with a smile on my lips,

“Remrona-san, we are going back to the inn.” (Shuuya)

“I will escort you up to the front door then.” (Remrona)

Remrona responded with a smile of her own.

Being conscientious, she sends us off.

“…Then allow me to join you, I have to meet Saril outside.” (Galkiv)

Even Galkiv, with his broad shoulders and firm muscles, will accompany us.

“Okay.” (Shuuya)

I accept with a slight nod towards Galkiv.

Galkiv and Remrona nod at each other, face the hallway, and start walking.

Is Saril going to come here right after finishing his sky patrol?

He probably believes that I’ve been put into jail. If Saril is wary, he might check on me in the jail and notice that I’m not there…

While estimating Saril’s moves, the two of us left the luxurious room together with the two Great Knights.

As we leave, I could see a tall man walking towards us from the other side of the wide hallway.

Oh, ain’t that Saril?

Great Knight Saril is walking this way.

What great timing.

It looks like he hadn’t been cautious.

He might feel safe after having thrown me in jail.

Thereupon, Galkiv, who noticed Saril getting closer to us, immediately goes into action.

Galkiv swiftly extends his thick arm with its conspicuous musculature towards the Song dynasty spear that leans against the wall close to the big door, grasps it and nimbly rotates it by 180°.

He’s already on the move.

Despite his large build, his movements are fast.

Remrona also runs to the front from behind in order to backup Galkiv’s charge.

While checking their movements, I activate <Hide>.

While maintaining the skill, I move to hide behind a wall pillar on the left side of the hallway.

Viine stuck close behind me, too.

“Nya?”

On my shoulder, Rollo reacts with something like, “You are going to conceal yourself nya?”

—Be quiet for now.

I face Rollo and place my index finger on my lips.

Grasping my intention, Rollo jumps down to the floor, crouches to hide, and flattens her ears a little.

Her cute behavior reflexively makes me want to hug her, but for now, I have to hold back as I need to spy on the Great Knights.

I peek out my head a bit from the wall trench and look ahead.

While I’m at it, I boot up the Kaleidoscope.

Frame displays are added in my right field of vision.

I check the Great Knights.

First, I enlarge the cursor on Galkiv.

As if exposing him to a laser, I scan his body, starting from his feet.

The assumed magic armor and helmet were transparent.

Regardless of whether the life-forms seen by this scope are wearing magic items, the scope seems to proceed with its scan without any interruption.

I see his entire muscular body and his internal organs; it makes me realize he’s quite trained.

――――――――――――――――

Carbon-type Napalm Life Form rc-＃＃＃2

Brain Waves: stable

Body: normal

Gender: male

Overall Physical Strength: 20

Elenium Integration: 357

Weapons: present

――――――――――――――――

That’s shown the instant the scan finished.

Just like I saw, his muscles are amazing.

Next, I will check Remrona.

――――――――――――――――

Carbon-type Napalm Life Form qα-d＃＃＃4

Brain Waves: stable

Body: normal

Gender: female

Overall Physical Strength: 10

Elenium Integration: 421

Weapons: present

――――――――――――――――

I wonder how and under what conditions the number after Carbon-type Napalm Life Form is decided by? Is this civilization-level device analyzing something like genes and displaying them numerically?

Her Elenium value is high, but she isn’t very muscular.

After all, she’s small and stylish.

Last is Saril.

――――――――――――――――

Carbon-type Napalm Life Form ga＃＃＃1

Brain Waves: stable

Body: normal

Gender: male

Overall Physical Strength: 13

Elenium Integration: 341

Weapons: present

――――――――――――――――

I suppose it’s expected with all of them being Great Knights. The Elenium Integration values are high.

As I was checking the numeric values of the Great Knights with the Kaleidoscope, there was a development between them.

Seeing Galkiv approaching while holding his weapon, Saril apparently considered it odd and thus addresses Galkiv while revealing a puzzled expression.

“…Well, well, Galkiv-dono. What’s wrong for you to show such grave expression?” (Saril)

He says while shrugging his slender shoulders.

At this point, it’s a barefaced lie.

“Saril, put your hands on the back and turn around—” (Galkiv)

Galkiv tells Saril with a dignified tone.

After he finished speaking, he points the tip of his Song dynasty spear towards Saril.

His spear stance is seigan. He’s faithful to the basics.

The cloth with the drawing of a cat and the bundle of strings located at the end of the handgrip sways.

“I won’t show you any mercy if you resist.” (Galkiv)

Remrona also adopts a combat posture.

Following Galkiv’s actions, she draws the longsword at her waist after being slightly late.

In her right hand she holds her longsword, in the left her dagger.

Remrona demonstrates a dual wield stance.

“…Hmm, for Galkiv-dono and even Remrona to draw your weapons…how dangerous. Did I do something?” (Saril)

Saril breathes out thinly and dodges the issue with a sour look, but he shifts his center of gravity some by lowering his waist.

And then he places his right hand on the hilt of his longsword.

His eyes don’t smile.

It’s a stance allowing him to draw the weapon at any time.

“It’s an order by His Highness. Come with us obediently. If you draw that weapon, we will consider it a refusal to obey orders and apprehend you by force.” (Galkiv)

“…What!? His Highness has…” (Saril)

Hearing the harsh words of Galkiv, Saril gasps.

For the first time, discomposure becomes apparent on his face.

Maybe he will get even more surprised if I also join the fray at this point?

I hid right away, but there’s something I’d like to ask Saril. I think I will cancel <Hide> and step out to join them.

“Viine, I’m going to try to surprise that guy.” (Shuuya)

“You will stop spectating and go out there?” (Viine)

“Yes. Saril will likely be caught anyway. He’s the one who arrested me. The revenge for that…well, that’s just half in jest. There’s something I want to ask him.” (Shuuya)

“Okay, I understand.” (Viine)

Viine nods.

At the same time, I cancel <Hide>.

I also rescind the Kaleidoscope.

“Let’s go?” (Shuuya)

“Nya.”

“Yes.”

Taking Viine and Rollo along, I left our hiding place.

We run up to where the Great Knights are facing off.

“Ah, y-you are—” (Saril)

Once Saril saw me suddenly appear from down the hallway, he widens his eyes and reveals a shocked expression.

While watching his surprised face, I give a light greeting and stand next to Galkiv.

“—Yoo.” (Shuuya)

“Shuuya-dono…leave this to us.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv says in a somewhat baffled manner, trying to stop me.

“…Shit, so that’s how it is.” (Saril)

Saril said while looking between Remrona’s and my face.

It looks like he guessed that the account book went into the prince’s hands.

“First come, first served.” (Shuuya)

“…Fuck, it seems you won over the second prince, but it looks like you don’t know who you are picking a fight with here. You will regret it…” (Saril)

“What are you talking about?” (Shuuya)

I ask while knitting my brows.

“Humph, I’m at a disadvantage with two Great Knights as opponents, but I won’t give up—!” (Saril)

Saril shows a panicked and flustered expression, but that was just a pretense.

A strong power dwells in his eyes. While shrinking his hunchbacked body quickly, he crosses both mana-clad arms in front of his chest as if forming a cross and then spreads them to the left and right in one breath.

The instant I could sense a depth from the hue of his tawny gloves equipped on both his arms, a huge amount of pellets came into existence.

The pellets scatter vigorously into the surroundings.

The gloves covering his arms are magic items, eh?

Drawing the longsword at his waist was a feint.

—Tsk.

I summon the Magic Halberd into my right hand while falling back.

I use the halberd to repel the approaching pellets.

At my feet, Rollo also swats the shots with her six tentacles. Viine cuts down the pellets approaching her.

It’s just like a machine gun.

The hallway turns into a beehive, full of holes.

On the other hand, Galkiv, given his large build and that he was at the front, gave a huge target, resulting in him being hit by a large number of projectiles.

Unable to fully block them with his spear, he endures the bullet-like pellets while protecting his face with his thick arm.

Probably because he protected his head in a hurry, a large number of shots pierced into both his arms.

Eww, they are bloodstained.

The torso of his white armor was also hit by many pellets, but they didn’t cause any wounds there.

As expected of a magic item. But the profound stream of blood running down his arms taints his silver-sheened, white armor red.

Pellets headed towards Remrona as well, but as short as she is, she simply retreats while skillfully making her body even smaller.

She blocks the pellets by knocking them down with the swords in her hands.

Having unleashed that magic attack of scattering pellets, Saril quickly turns around.

He turned his back on us and started to run away.

That bastard.

“—Rollo!” (Shuuya)

“Nn, nya—”

As if saying that she was waiting for my order, Rollo changed into a black panther while releasing a throaty growl filled with joy.

As she runs after Saril, the lively motions of her splendid limbs remind me of a black panther as it hunts a gazelle in the Savannah.

RollodeenBlack Panther extends her tentacles and fires them off.

The six tentacles coil around Saril’s feet in the blink of an eye.

“—Geh!?” (Saril)

Saril beautifully tumbles over while leaking a pitiful sound.

His head smashes against the solid, marble floor.

That got to be painful.

Furthermore, she comes running back while contracting the tentacles coiled around Saril’s feet.

Saril was brought at my feet while exposing a disgraceful appearance.

Rollo returns to being a black cat, kneads her paws against Saril’s face, and points her head upwards as if she was going to howl like a wolf.

“Nyao~n.”

It’s the triumphant look of having accomplished her task.

She seems satisfied with catching him.

“What an enviable familiar! Wonderful, strange black cat, thanks—” (Galkiv)

Galkiv yells in excitement.

While extending his gratitude towards us and especially Rollo, he climbs onto Saril’s back, who’s laying on the ground, and restrains him by capitalizing on his large mass.

“Gueee.” (Saril)

Saril was restrained with both his arms put around his back.

Is Galkiv going to be alright, despite his injured arms?

Quite the tough guy…

His arms have open wounds with blood overflowing from them.

Without minding that, Galkiv easily moved his bloodstained limbs.

He twines a pitch-black, zip ty, which looks as if it could be found at a 100-yen-shop, around Saril’s wrists.

So such props-like items exist as well?

Once I check the ty with Magic Observation, I can see mana dwelling within.

Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it?

There’s also a darkness spell that produces restraining shackles I learned. It might be a simple item version of that.

But that doesn’t matter at all right now.

Galkiv tries to carry Saril, who seems to have suffered a cerebral concussion.

“Please wait a moment. There’s something I want to ask this guy.” (Shuuya)

Galkiv shifts his gaze towards Rollo and not me, the one who spoke.

Rollo is in the middle of her personal grooming time.

Rollo-san put down her butt on the floor with a thump and is licking her foot while raising it like a ballerina.

“…Mu, too cute…need more.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv says with his eyes sparkling as he watches Rollo. Then he gave me permission and hands Saril over to me.

“Saril, where did you get to know Eribol?” (Shuuya)

“…gh.” (Saril)

Saril reveals a haggard expression and averts my eyes.

“You’re not worried about your fiancée?” (Shuuya)

“…As if I’d give a shit about such a girl. That was done by force…” (Saril)

He mutters while turning his face to the side.

“Well then. A while ago you talked about regret. What am I going to regret?” (Shuuya)

“Dukes, Marquis’, just how many behind the scenes have…”

After that, Saril refused to speak further.

It’s unclear whether he’s mortified or hateful.

This guy might believe that I became the second prince’s retainer.

It appears as if he’s trying to threaten me by pretending to borrow the power of various nobles of other factions, but what’s the point in telling me about that? I don’t have any bonds to them.

Besides, if it’s a duke or marquis, it is likely they will be able to even obtain information from the underworld. There’s absolutely no way for them do something as stupid as go after my weak points or picking a fight with me, who’s reputed to have crushed 【Owl’s Fangs】 by himself.

Though they might approach me to form a contact.

If they made a move on me or my friends for argument’s sake…

Now then, let’s stop the delusions at this point.

It looks like he has no intention to talk any further, So I guess I will hand him over.

And so, I pass Saril to Galkiv.

“…You done?” (Galkiv)

“Yeah. Cya later.” (Shuuya)

“Yeah.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv nods and roughly grasps Saril’s collar.

He looks to be leading him to the room where the prince is.

“Shuuya-dono. This is as far as I go too. See you.” (Remrona)

Remrona bows her head while speaking and then returns to walking behind Galkiv.

Her eyes are coldly staring at Saril who’s hanging his head.

I guess a hell of an interrogation awaits Saril from here on out.

I pity him a bit for the events that will follow.

“Well then, shall we go?” (Shuuya)

“Yes.” (Viine)

“Nnn, nya.”

Rollo nimbly jumps up and returns to my shoulder.

Together with Viine, we left the prince’s extravagant mansion.

◇◇◇◇

It’s already late at night.

I produce a light ball without putting the recovered ring back on.

I walk while lighting up the way.

Since I just remembered it, let me try asking about it.

“I was just reminded, how did you sneak into the Great Knight’s mansion, Viine and Rollo?” (Shuuya)

“Rollo-sama and I independently chased after you, Master. But, on the way Rollo-sama told me to get on her back and forced me to mount her… Before I even realized it, we were on the mansion’s roof.” (Viine)

Haha, it looks like Rollo gets things done.

She probably ran the whole way at a speed that caused Viine to be frightened.

“I pulled myself together and infiltrated the mansion through a roof window while using <Hide>. After that, I tried to look for you, Master, but Rollo-sama was able to pinpoint your location. She guided me with her tentacles as if telling me to follow her. The rest was me following Rollo-sama, us defeating the prison guards and then finding you easily.” (Viine)

“Nya.”

Rollo purrs as if saying “That’s right nya.”

She taps my shoulder with her tail.

“As expected of you, Rollo. Viine you also did well to come for me.” (Shuuya)

I caress her small cat head, I reach out to her ears and massage them.

Rollo immediately releases a throaty purr.

“Yes…” (Viine)

She sends a respectful, somewhat passionate gaze at Rollo.

Now finished, we walk back to the inn while Viine and I talk about various things as if we are continuing our after-dinner conversation.

Once we return to our room, we enter the bath while I admire her beautiful nudity.

In the middle of the bath, Viine clad her body with mana in an instant and whispers something under her breath with her face dyed bright red

Since her eyes and expression are kind of scary, I step out of the bath first.

Viine watches me as I get out while looking disappointed, then leaves the bath, wiped her body, and begins to put on her clothes.

Then she dries her wet silver hair with a wind spell of Life Magic while sitting down on her bed, arranges it, lies down, and falls asleep.

As expected, she was probably tired. She dozed off right away.

Well, various things kept happening one after the other, after all.

There’s no way that she can keep going at my pace.

Even Rollo curled up at Viine’s feet and fell asleep.

Since I’m free, I leave the room and walk down to the first floor.

There’s no one in the dining room.

Well, I guess it makes only sense for no one to be here right now.

Just when I was about to peek inside the counter with a light-hearted feeling of “How nice would it be if there was some booze,”

“Wait a sec, Shuuya-san!” (Mel)

“Huh? You told me that he was taken, but isn’t he right there?” (Veronika)

Mel and Veronika appeared at the inn’s entrance.

“Ah, Mel and Veronika. I just got back a little while ago.” (Shuuya)

“I got back…don’t give me that! I was worried when they took you, you know? I somehow managed to call Veronika back in a hurry, she was protecting our new turf.” (Mel)

Mel gets angry as she makes a gesture similar to a crab with both her hands.

“Ah, sorry…” (Shuuya)

I had no intention to make her worry, but…

I didn’t speak up since I felt bad for Mel who worried about me.

“Geeze, I hurried too much, didn’t I? …Veronika, as you see, it seems he was alright. Although I made you come with me…sorry, okay?” (Mel)

Mel apologizes to Veronika.

“Don’t worry~ Bene-ane is standing in for me. Besides, it will probably be fine since I have the horned skeletons protect the turf together with the troops over there. If strong opponents such as Mad Knight or the Massacre Sisters came attacking, even they might be broken though.” (Veronika)

It looks like I ended up causing them trouble while they were busy with something.

But, they got here just at the right time.

There’s something I want to ask Veronika.

Before that, I will apologize for getting in the way of her work.

“Veronika, sorry in various ways.” (Shuuya)

“It’s okay. I wanted to meet with you anyway, Shuuya.” (Veronika)

She gives a bright smile.

“Oh, I see, actually—” (Shuuya)

“—So, what did happen with 【Nine White Great KnightsWhite Nine】? Why were you released without any wounds?” (Mel)

Drowning out my words, Mel begins a barrage of questions.

There are many things I can’t talk about, so let’s dodge the issue here.

“…You know, even I’ve got connections.” (Shuuya)

“Bah, sarcasm again?” (Mel)

Mel was fed-up. While revealing her displeasure, she folds her arms above her chest.

Her bulging tits compress due to the pressure of her arms…how erotic.

“…There are probably things you’re better of not knowing. That’s how it is. Rather than that, there’s something I want to ask Veronika…” (Shuuya)

“What’s the matter?” (Veronika)

Veronika swiftly draws her small face near.

As if she’s pestering me for a kiss.

“I’d like Veronika to return to the 【Flavor Block】 right away though…” (Mel)

“Eeeh — even though I’m able to smell Shuuya’s scent after quite a while; isn’t it fine for a little bit?” (Veronika)

It’s the words of Mel as leader of the dark guild 【Remains of the Moon】, but Veronika grabs my arm and throws a tantrum in a manner of “I won’t let go.”

“…Geeze, only a bit, okay?” (Mel)

“Yaaay. I love you, Mel. —So, Shuuya.” (Veronika)

Uhh, she brings her face close again…

I’m happy since it’s a cute face, but her nostrils flared as she began to breathe in the air around her excitedly.

“I got it, so give me some space!” (Shuuya)

I pry Veronika off the arm she is hugging.

“—Uguu, that hurts. What’s up! I want to keep sniffing your scent!” (Veronika)

I will be cold-hearted since she’s so tenacious.

“Well, then it’s enough already. Mel, you can take her with you.” (Shuuya)

“Uhh, I got it. I won’t hug you anymore, okay? You have something to talk about, don’t you?” (Veronika)

Veronika has a cramped expression, similar to “shit, oh no!” She suddenly becomes docile, tilts her face and asks me that to curry favor with me.

If she acts like this, I can’t regard her as anything but a normal, spoilt little girl though.

“…Yes. I want to ask you about <Bloodkin>.” (Shuuya)

“<Bloodkin>, eh? Do you have some favorites on your mind?” (Veronika)

Veronika showed a huffy expression.

Is she jealous? Well, let’s put it in slightly jokingly words then.

“Yeah, there’s plenty.” (Shuuya)

At that moment, Veronika’s eyes became bloodshot and the blood vessels next to the outer canthus pop up. Her nails grow like blades.

Scary.

“…Well, apart from that joke, there’s actually one person I want to turn into my <Bloodkin>, I guess?” (Shuuya)

Veronika speaks while licking her upper lip with her tongue.

“What, so it was a joke? It’s great that I didn’t have to kill a lot—” (Veronika)

And yet she’s saying something frightening so nonchalantly…

“…Please answer my question.” (Shuuya)

“…Ufu, eyes that give me the chills!?” (Veronika)

“If you can’t give him an answer—” (Mel)

Mel tried to get into the conversation.

“I got it, I got it…I will talk. Even for the Valmask family, one of the 12 founding clans, it’s usually just one bloodkin. But the top of the Valmask family, who are direct descendants of the originators extending to the empress, are different. The originals can make three <Bloodkin>. And even the direct <Bloodkin> can, of course, make three new <Bloodkins> as well. But, since they will lose a great amount of mana and mental force, they rarely make <Bloodkins>. Besides, since the original’s power declines with each new generation, you can likewise say that it doesn’t happen much for new <Bloodkins> to be made. Though their power grows with the passage of time. As a consequence, there’s a rule among them, so…” (Veronika)

A shadow befalls Veronika’s face.

“I see. Paulsen mentioned that it’s just one <Bloodkin> for him.” (Shuuya)

“Yeah. Contrary to me, Paulsen belongs to a branch family of normal vampires which you might call a branch of the Valmask family.” (Veronika)

“Mmh? You previously said that you are from a branch family as well, didn’t you?” (Shuuya)

“C-Correct. It’s even being called a sect, a branch family that’s hostile to that sort of main family…” (Veronika)

Veronika’s good mood becomes dampened and she reveals a somewhat flustered expression.

She mentioned before that she’s the offspring of a branch family that’s much older than the Paulsen’s, but that’s a lie, huh?

She told me that she’s equal with the founder, to keep that a secret, and that I have the same smell as her father…

Extrapolating from those facts, she might be a member of the founding originals.

Probably she doesn’t want to be confused with the guys from the Valmask family that killed her father. Does she want to sever any connections to them? That might be the reason why her mood took such a hit.

Well, if she feels like talking, she will do so.

Anyway, three <Bloodkins> for direct descendants of the founders.

And just as Paulsen said, it’s usually one <Bloodkin> per vampire, eh?

I’m a true ancestor, so I can have three <Bloodkins> just like the founder?

“…I see. And do you think that they will also inherit the light attribute in my case, seeing as they will inherit my blood?” (Shuuya)

“I wonder about that. Since you aren’t a normal vampire, I can’t make any prediction what might happen. But, being able to become Shuuya’s follower, that child is enviable…” (Veronika)

Veronika says while looking sad.

“Sorry.” (Shuuya)

“No, well, it can’t be helped. I’m sad, but I…am a genuine vampire after all. But, I have my position as your senpai, so I will be okay!” (Veronika)

She pretends to be tough.

“Aye, my cute senpai-san, I was able to ask about everything I wanted to know. Thanks.” (Shuuya)

“It’s been my pleasure. So, anything else? Want to spend some time in bed together?” (Veronika)

“How did it come to this…there’s nothing else. Mel is waiting, so go and do your best at your work.” (Shuuya)

“He’s right. Veronika, right now is an important period of time, okay?” (Mel)

Mel shows a smile while tilting her face at the end of her words.

“—It’s a joke. Mel, I know that.” (Veronika)

Veronika smiled and separated from me, obviously shaking weakly.

“Shuuya, see you again~” (Veronika)

Blood dances around Veronika and just when it amassed into something like a blood sword, she quickly dashes away.

“Fast!” (Shuuya)

“There’s currently no one here. So she probably used a skill to move.” (Mel)

Mel added.

Is it a unique spell using blood magic?

“Well then, since I also have stuff to do, I will excuse myself at this point. Good night.” (Mel)

“Ah, yes.”

Mel opens the door leading to the basement and leaves the dining hall.

I’m bored. What should I do?

Guess I will get up to the rooftop and train the basics until Viine wakes up.

『Helme, we are going to train.』 (Shuuya)

『Yes, I will keep you company.』 (Helme)

『Got it. We are moving to the roof.』 (Shuuya)

『Okay.』 (Helme)

I return to the second floor and invoke <Hide> to not wake the sleeping Viine. I sneak outside through the bay window.

I walk atop the dark roof, midnight has already passed.

Same as the last time, I commenced my training at a place with bad footing as it’s a slanted triangle close to the top of the roof.

『Helme, you can come out of my eye.』 (Shuuya)

『Yes, Your Excellency!』 (Helme)

Helme appears from my left eye in a slippery, smooth manner.

She materialized into a woman shape right after being released.

Her bluish and bluish-black skin flutters as if rustling.

She doesn’t even quiver as she stands on one leg.

She stood still with a great balance.

“First I will do some clone training.” (Shuuya)

“Okay.” (Helme)

I recall the time when I trained on the 【Training Path】 with its bad footing. 1 I invoke Sage Arts.

A large cloud of fog covers the vicinity.

“…Fufu, that feels nice. It’s a wonderful fog.” (Helme)

Helme begins to dance within the fog as if it is a rhythmic gymnastics contest.

Her face was enraptured.

Next, I create the ring’s mist mirage, producing a clone.

“So, this is your clone. Its appearance is just like yours, but as expected, it’s impossible to reproduce the mana of your main body, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

Ah, I see.

As it resembles me quite closely, I didn’t pay too much attention to the details.

If the hostile party is an owner of Magic Observation or has a high-level observation, it will be immediately exposed, huh?

In situations where I use this clone, I have to suppress my mana in advance by containing it with mana manipulation, otherwise, it will be no good.

If I can keep down the mana of the main body to the same level of the clone, it will turn into a perfect clone.

“…Helme, thank you. I failed to notice something so obvious.” (Shuuya)

“Yes! I’m glad that I could be of help to you, Your Excellency.” (Helme)

“Well then, let’s have little mock battle while including the clone? Being too flashy is not allowed. Make sure to not wake those below, okay? It’s a training with space limited to this narrow foothold — Come.” (Shuuya)

“Yes—” (Helme)

After speaking, Helme transforms her left hand into an ice sword and her right hand into a black rapier, and then assaults me.

That’s something new. She transformed the tips of her arms into swords.

Helme’s ice sword closes in on the top of my right shoulder, trying to cut into it.

Once I dodged it by twisting my body, she extends her darkness rapier, trying to stab my right pec.

I use that extended rapier against her.

Drawing an arc with my Magic Halberd, I entangle the rapier with spear tip while closing in on her and sweeping her legs.

“Kyaa!” (Helme)

I deeply scythe down with the red ax to gouge out Helme’s chest now that her footing was thrown in disorder.

Helme liquefies with a with a hiss.

She immediately returns to her female form.

“—As expected of you, Your Excellency. Even though it’s such a close distance, you parried me so easily.” (Helme)

“That’s spear kumite, after all. Now then, come and give it another go.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Helme)

After that, I use the Magic Halberd to mix in the clone as a fake.

In the end, the bad footing only affects me.

Helme started to fight while floating so as to not make any sounds.

I won’t call it unfair though.

Helme’s magic sword arms are cool.

In the middle of the training — in order to imitate her — I cast the elementary water spell 《Ice Blade》 and used it at short range to fire it like an arrow while imagining a lightsaber.

—Helme and I continued to train like this until the morning sun rose.

I guess it’s about time to stop.

“Helme, let’s wrap it up.” (Shuuya)

“…Y-Yes!” (Helme)

“You can return into my eye.” (Shuuya)

“I will go back right away—” (Helme)

Helme looks at me with an exhausted face and transforms.

She leaps into my eye.

Helme settles into my eye without even appearing in my field of vision.

It looks like she’s taking a rest.

『Helme, what’s wrong?』 (Shuuya)

『Your Excellency!』 (Helme)

Appearing in my visual field, is a dead tired Helme whose resting her butt on the ground.

『I used too much mana…I consumed an extreme amount of mana to take you on, Your Excellency.』 (Helme)

『Sorry. I thought that it would be alright since your body regenerated right away.』 (Shuuya)

『It’s fine if it’s a few times, but since I was gouged out each and every time during hundreds of bouts…』 (Helme)

Saying so, Helme lowers her face as if crying while assuming a maiden’s sitting posture.

Ugu, I did something pathetic, didn’t I?

I pour mana into her as a reward.

Helme disappears, but,

『Auu—an!』 (Helme)

『Did you recover from this?』 (Shuuya)

『Aaaan…yesh. It’s plenty. Thank you very much…』 (Helme)

She releases a seductive voice, but, well, I guess I can allow that once in a while.

Alright, after turning around the Magic Halberd once with such a force that the wind booms, I make it disappear.

Afterward, I look up to the bright sky.

It looks like we will have fine weather today.

There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky; a clear blue is spreading down to the horizon.

How nice~ Shading my eyes, I hum while recalling the elf’s singing.

Now then, I suppose I will stop humming and clean off the sweat from training.

Let’s take a light bath in hot water as well.

I return to my room through the bay window, take off the leather clothes and prepare a leather cloth.

After I threw the clothes on top of my bed, I placed the leather cloth close to the bucket and entered while completely naked.

I make hot water sprinkle down from over my head with life magic.

As I was pouring hot water on myself as if it’s a shower, Viine and Rollo woke up.

“Master, good morning.” (Viine)

“Aye. Mornin’.” (Shuuya)

“Nyanyaa—”

Rollo, who had just woken up, jumps up and tries to play around with the water pouring down out of thin air.

“If you do something like that, you’ll be covered with hot water.” (Shuuya)

“Nyaon.”

Once Rollo purred something like “Sure, that’s fine,” while looking cheerful, she jumps into the bucket where a bit of hot water had gathered.

For her to enter willingly.

“Very well. Isn’t this a great time to wash you—” (Shuuya)

While laughing, I grab Rollo’s nape, who was splashing in the hot water below her feet, and lift her up.

With her neck as a focal point, Rollo-san flails her limbs, swinging them back and forth.

From there, I carefully wash her, making sure that no hot water enters her ears.

“Nnn.”

The washed Rollo releases a throaty voice without saying anything in particular.

Looking like she’s feeling good, she shut her eyes with her strength drained.

“Rollo, recently you have gotten really used to water and hot water, haven’t you? Does the massage feel so good?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, nyaaa.”

Her answer feels like 『It feels great nya』.

“Fufu.” (Viine)

Looking on from the side, Viine smiles.

“Was there anything funny about it, Viine?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. No matter how often I see it, it’s always a pleasant sight.” (Viine)

“Hahaha, well, I guess you’re right. Viine, you want to come in as well?” (Shuuya)

“No, it’s fine—” (Viine)

At that moment her stomach rumbled.

“Oh…haha.” (Shuuya)

Viine’s bluish-white face becomes bright red and she pins down her belly.

It looks like she’s hungry.

I suppose it’s time to have breakfast soon.

“I’m also hungry. Shall we go to the dining hall?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. I’m sorry.” (Viine)

Once I finish the relaxing shower time, we all head to the dining hall.

I sit down at a table with Viine and order breakfast from the inn’s waitress.

It appears that Mel isn’t present.

The served breakfast was stereotypical.

It’s only rolled eggs, sausage bread, and milk.

I eat it together with Viine.

I also had plenty of sausages served for Rollo.

If there’s the technique to process pork intestines, something like hamburg steak should be possible as well, shouldn’t it?

The taste of the sausages is okay due to the spices and herbs but not great. The meat quality is fine though.

I feel like they have a strong aroma, but it works out somehow.

Once we finish breakfast, we return to our room and put on our adventurer outfits.

Viine also put her silver mask back on and got her silver hair in order by combing it.

I explain today’s schedule to the beautiful Viine.