Mock Fight

I decided to accept the mock fight.

I could have refused or left it to Niku, but it would also be a good test of how the Cloth Golem incorporating an A-Rank adventurer's movements performs.

Niku and Ichika have their own fighting styles, so they only use it for power assistance.

So we came to the inn's backyard. Naturally, Niku was with me. Being alone with two unknowns would obviously be bad.

"I'm ready anytime!"

"Alright, here I go. Go easy on me, I'm a mage and stay in the rear."

I faced off against Setsuna. Rather than holding a sword, I had mock fight gloves on. Since the movements I was using were based on Misha's, a pugilist, I couldn't use a sword. Well, Misha herself could probably use one, but I hadn't had her show me how.

But magic was a different story. I chanted [Water], and a ball of water floated in the air.

"It'd be dangerous if I used fire."

"It's a mock fight, so you don't have to hold back though."

Setsuna bounced around during her warm-up. Her large chest also bounced up and down. Fun to watch, but doesn't that hurt?

"Alright, here I come."

"Okay, I'll take your first shot."

Setsuna raised her fists. At that, I moved forward along with the water ball.

From here, I left my body to the Cloth Golem. All I had to do was focus on using magic to throw her off. I had to endure some pain though.

A sharp punch—the kind that would give me muscle soreness with a single swing—was deflected by Setsuna with the back of her hand, redirected away. As for the water ball, her other hand punched through it, bursting it.

"Aha, weren't you supposed to be a mage?"

"It was going to end up in close combat anyway, right? Saves the trouble."

The conventional Cloth Golem's performance couldn't reproduce most of Misha's martial arts—she being an A-Rank adventurer. At best, it could slowly imitate her already-slowed movements.

But right now, I was reproducing about 50% of Misha's ability. This was thanks to the newly developed orichalcum-infused joint supports.

"Ahaha, not bad, Village Chief-san!"

"I'm pushing myself quite a bit here though."

Whoosh—Setsuna's fist shot past my face. My neck snapped to the side to dodge, but my head shook from the jolt, and that itself dealt damage. Ugeeh.

If I push too hard, my body's going to fall apart. Maybe I should focus on relaxing and enduring the sudden movements rather than trying to use spells?

Setsuna's attacks flowed smoothly. Low kick, roundhouse kick, backfist, headbutt, grab, elbow strike, jab, backfist, then a hammerfist—no time to breathe. Without Misha's footwork and defensive movements, I'd have taken a hit immediately and been knocked out.

I was dodging with minimal movements, so the damage from getting shaken around was relatively light, I think… ow, a sudden sway-back really makes my head spin.

I got a bit of room. Time to chant [Water]—ugh, I keep getting interrupted. I don't actually need to chant, but I really don't want to show chantless casting. Faking the chant isn't an option either since Setsuna might catch on.

I managed to stutter through the whole incantation and produced a water ball, but—

"Ho—"

It was easily knocked down.

This is bad, I'm out of options. Ah, my head's getting fuzzy, need to breathe.

Crap. My vision's going black. Guhah. I just want to pass out and sleep right here.

"H-hah, c-can we stop here?"

"Ehh? But it's just getting fun."

"I've hit my limi—whoa!"

I slipped and fell. Landed on my butt and my breath caught.

"Kuh…"

"Got you—!?"

As Setsuna swung her fist down at me for the finishing blow, I grabbed the front of her clothes and executed a tomoe nage.

THUD! The surprise throw landed beautifully—you could call it a clean "Ippon!"

… Come to think of it, there were moves like that too… guhh.

"Nkyu. Not bad, Village Chief-san. That really looked like you actually tripped."

"… Y-yeah. It was a fluke… Well then, let's stop here."

"I lost huh… That's the first time I've lost in this village."

"It was more like a draw. No, I'm the one who lost. I can't even move anymore."

I was already gasping for breath, while Setsuna was still full of energy. Plus, she seemed to have a trump card left. After all, she hadn't used any skills.

If this had continued, I definitely would have died from oxygen deprivation. I need to put some kind of limiter on the Cloth Golem…

Besides, I was so desperate that even though I'd planned to lose at a reasonable point, I ended up not doing that properly. Damn. I have no choice but to insist that I lost.

"Well, you said you were B-Rank level in strength, and that's absolutely right. I give up, I give up."

"No no, the Village Chief-san who landed a clean throw on me is the strong one!"

"No no no, I clearly can't move anymore. I've completely lost."

"No no no no, the moment you scored that point, it was my loss!"

And so, while both lying on the ground, we somehow entered a deflationary spiral of trying to yield victory to the other.

… In this battle, the winner loses!

"Ah, how about we call it a draw then?"

"… Fine, let's settle on that."

"It's a draw then! —Though I still think I'm the one who lost!"

"What are you talking about, I'm the one who thinks I lost! —Let's stop. We'll just keep repeating this meaningless battle."

"Ahaha."

In the end, we agreed on a compromise. It was officially a draw.

"Good work. As expected of you, Goshujin-sama."

"Village Chief-san, you're strong, but your stamina is seriously lacking. Are you injured somewhere?"

"Hahaha…"

Niku helped support me while handing me a cup of water. I moved my exhausted arm to take it and drank… Pwah, delicious.

At the very least, I confirmed that I could use a fair amount of Misha's martial arts. And I didn't get killed, apparently.

I had transformed into 'myself' in case I did get killed, so I was prepared, but I'm glad it wasn't needed. I really don't want to test out dying if I can help it.

By the way, even when transformed into myself, ability restrictions still apply. My physical abilities are unchanged, but I can't use my specialty [Create Golem]. Even if I transform into other people, I probably can't use most of their abilities either.

"Hey, Kuro-senpai. Want to have a mock fight? I lost to Village Chief-san, so I'm all fired up～"

"… I accept. I won't lose this time."

I said it was a draw. I retorted silently in my head.

Niku faced Setsuna, holding wooden knives for mock fights in each hand.

And then a high-level mock fight began.

Slash, parry, strike, dodge, kick, block, grab, twist, throw, repeat. Their positions kept switching back and forth—the moment I thought one was on the left, she was on the right, and then suddenly soaring upward. Just watching made my head spin.

… I haven't made the orichalcum joint supports for Niku yet though…

I made my supports by recollecting the orichalcum I'd used at [White Beach], but for Niku's, I'll need to break down the orichalcum sword I got from Father first.

(I finished the research and development during the Dungeon Battle preparation period, so I was able to make mine right away.)

Huh, was I moving like that earlier too? Seriously? No wonder I got so dizzy. That's way faster than spinning at full speed on a teacup ride.

"Hah! Hyah!"

"Kuh, but…!"

Just then, the moment Niku slashed down with her wooden knife, Setsuna's fist snapped the blade.

"Guess it's my win?"

"Kuh, not yet."

Niku threw the broken knife at Setsuna while simultaneously dropping low and dashing along the ground with her remaining knife. As they passed each other, there was a dull sound of something hard hitting flesh. The broken knife she'd thrown clattered to the ground at Setsuna's feet.

What happened…?

"U-guh…"

"Too bad. So close, Kuroinu-chan."

Niku crouched down, pressing her hand to her head.

Apparently, Niku had tried to slash at her shin while passing by, but instead got kneed in the head. That looks painful.

"I lost…"

"Want another go? I'm good for as many as you want. I love strong kids, so come at me!"

"Um…"

Niku glanced at me. I gently placed my hand on Niku's head… Ah, I can't use [Healing] either. [Super Transformation]'s restrictions are pretty strict.

"Well, I'm heading back to my room. Do what you want."

"… Then I'll come with you."

"Alright. Well then, Setsuna, let's stop here for today. Please spar with Kuro again next time."

"Muu, too bad. I'll let you off today, but I'll definitely beat you next time, Village Chief-san!"

"Ahh, you can just say you won already. Anyway, I'm tired so I'm going to bed. Night."

"That's no good! Let's have a proper match to decide it, okay? Night～!"

I waved to Setsuna as I returned to my room.

I released [Super Transformation] and used [Healing] on Niku and myself. Ahhh, that feels so much better.

Anyway, Setsuna is genuinely strong. I don't know how strong Nayuta is, but she has extensive knowledge of alchemy.

… I'd like to keep these sisters as allies. But since they're not unreasonable existences like the Hero or Rin, I think I could handle them if something happens. Probably.

I'll think about what to do while I sleep. I'm already exhausted today. Carry me home, Patrasche.

Should I ask to use the Divine Comforter… No, let's not. I'm a child who can wait. It's not like I want to use fatigue and muscle soreness as an excuse to stay asleep or anything. And it's definitely not because I felt a slight chill down my spine just now.