Touring the Imperial Capital (6)

Today is the prairie.

It's a flat expanse large enough for military drills.

And today, Haku-san is with us. And for some reason, so is Misha.

Misha was holding a large parasol to keep Haku-san and Rokuko in the shade.

Isn't that usually Chloe-san's job?

"Chloe can process documents, but Misha cannot. That's why."

I see.

As we strolled, Haku-san laughed with an "ufufu." Rokuko was happily holding hands with her. This is exactly like a picnic.

"However, this area is used for drills, so building a dungeon here would be a bit troublesome. Somewhere closer to the border would be…"

"That place is obviously being used as a battlefield, isn't it?"

"Oh my, wouldn't that be great for DP income? Besides, undead would be cheap there."

She's been smiling the whole time. She must be really happy to have finished her work and be able to go out with Rokuko.

By the way, when I checked the DP Catalog on this prairie, quadrupedal animals like buffaloes and boars were cheaper. Rabbits too.

"Now then, shall we have a mock battle between you and Misha today, Kehma-san?"

Haku-san clapped her hands together with a beaming smile. What is she saying?

"Having an active A-Rank adventurer like Misha personally spar with you—shouldn't you be moved to tears with joy?"

"No, I'm a Dungeon Master. I have to stay back."

"I'd be troubled if you didn't have skills befitting a B-Rank adventurer."

"What about Rokuko?"

"Rokuko-chan is fine. After all, her cuteness is S-Rank, isn't it? And putting a Dungeon Core in danger—are you incompetent?"

Her attitude is completely different between me and Rokuko… but I should be used to it by now. Even though Rokuko is also a B-Rank adventurer.

"Then, as a compromise, how about a mock battle between Misha and Niku?"

Rokuko proposed a middle ground.

I glanced at Niku… She was brimming with fighting spirit.

"Haah, then please give Niku some training. Go easy on her."

"Please, Misha-sama."

"Umu! Leave it to me!"

Misha thumped her chest. It jiggled.

"Well then… Oh seeds, sprout. Grow tall. Stretch—[Grow Wood]."

When Haku-san chanted the spell, a tree grew right there.

Misha put the parasol into her [Storage] and instead took out a cloth to spread in the tree's shade.

… Growing a tree to use instead of a parasol? What is even happening.

"Now, Rokuko-chan. Let's watch from here."

"Yes, Ane-sama."

I also went into the shade. I wasn't allowed to sit on the cloth, but no one complained about me being in the shade.

Niku held her Golem Knife and faced off against Misha.

Misha, on the other hand, was barehanded. I'd just seen at the arena the other day that she was a grappler.

It's a mock battle, but they're using real weapons. Following Haku-san's instruction to use their usual equipment without holding back, Misha confidently agreed as well.

"Now then—you can start whenever you're ready."

"Yes."

Misha stood casually without taking a stance. Right then, Niku suddenly slashed at her.

But Misha's hand gently pushed the flat of the blade aside, evading without taking a single step.

"Hmm, good blade. And your skill isn't bad either. You'll improve. Come on, don't hold back. I won't even take a single step."

"… Hah!"

"Oops."

Gakin! A heavy sound like iron hitting iron rang out.

The source was Misha's foot meeting Niku's Golem Knife.

Looking closely, an aura covering Misha's body had blocked the knife.

"Fufufu, targeting my feet right after I said I wouldn't take a step… your owner's training is excellent."

"You blocked it… huh."

Niku took a backstep to create distance. Misha was scratching her head. She didn't seem intent on attacking.

"What was that?"

"[Hard Qigong]. Makes you incredibly tough… Misha, if you take even one step, you lose, understood?"

"Ehhh?! W-wait, Haku-sama! That's too much! At least let me use kicks!"

"Alright, Niku. Use skills as much as you want. If you win, I'll give you a reward."

"Understood. O flame, become a bullet and pierce my enemy—[Fireball]!"

"Uwah, wait!? A Fireball at my feet?! Hot! It's hot!"

After that, merciless magic skills and ranged attacks from Niku were met with Misha's [Distant Strike] interception. Relentless slashes at her feet were defended with [Hard Qigong]. And then—a counter when Niku got close.

And then—

"Hup."

"Ugh! … U-kyuu…"

Countered by a throw, Niku was slammed stomach-first into the ground. With a hand pressing down on her back, she couldn't stand up or even move.

Match over, huh.

"Phew, see, Haku-sama? I won!"

"Well done, Misha. How very impressive, beating a child."

"Ehhh…"

Niku got up and came over to me.

"I apologize, I lost…"

"What are you talking about? You did well against Misha, an A-Rank."

She was originally D-Rank, so this result was to be expected. I patted Niku's head.

Niku closed her eyes contentedly, her tail wagging back and forth.

"Now then, next is Kehma-san. If you can make Misha take even one step, you win… If you win, I'll tell you about Core Number 666."

Haku-san smiled pleasantly. Did she hear from Amelia-san?

… Is she seriously not going to give me the information if I lose? If I lose the Dungeon Battle, she could legitimately take Rokuko into her custody.

"… Can't be helped. Can I have the first shot?"

"Well, that much should be fine. Is that alright, Misha?"

"Honestly, the dog-eared one is stronger, so it should be fine. Ah, let me change my stance before we start."

With that, Misha spread her feet to shoulder width and lowered her hips.

Maximum stability, huh. Just as I thought that — thud! thud! — she stamped her feet into the ground like a sumo wrestler's shiko… This one's serious.

"Alright, come at me."

Misha looked at me as if to say that.

… I'm going to wipe that smug look off your face.

"Kehma, finish it in one shot!"

"Goshujin-sama, do your best."

"Yeah."

Receiving Rokuko and Niku's cheers, I stood before Misha.

Then I tossed a small magic stone at Misha's feet and chanted a spell.

"O clod of earth, change your form and become my servant—[Create Golem]!"

"Whoa?! The ground under me became a golem?!"

Misha toppled over. My win.