Demonlands Training

We arrived at Aidi's Master's training ground… that is, their home arena. Although I was there with Niku, Aidi and Rokuko would arrive later after they were done with their preparations. Ichika was off working on the rat race.

"By the way, Aidi's Master, what should I call you?"

"… Well, I was born in a random village and called by a random number, so I don't have a name. If you really want to call me something, the closest thing would be Human Ranch 5, Number 52."

The heck's with the serial number? This is a Demonlands thing or what?

"Saying that's too annoying. That's the same as with Dungeon Cores."

"Us human ranch slaves have apparently been granted the oh-so-fucking-gracious honor of possibly sharing a name with the Dungeon Core-samas."

This butler's got a foul mouth. Is this his true nature? Is he really broken in, this guy…?

"Well, it's true that it might be hard for an otherworlder guest such as yourself to call me that… that's right. Since I'm a butler, how about calling me Sebas?"

"Oh, did I say I was an otherworlder?"

"Ojou-sama informed me. And you were wearing clothes from another world before, weren't you?"

I suppose I was wearing a jersey when I first met him.

I'd started to wonder if this guy was also an Earthling and felt some kind of sympathy for him, but I guess that's not the case.

"Alright. How shall I refer to you, dear guest?"

"What's with all that formal talk? I mean, just call me Kehma, alright?"

"It is due to my education, or my trainingbreaking, rather. Understood, Kehma-dono."

Sebas took out a wooden sword. At first I wondered if he was going to do some practice swings, but he took up a stance towards me.

… This is it, huh? He's going to start with a mock battle right away. Here we go, Demonlands.

"Mind if I do some warm-up exercises first?"

"… I suppose so. However, in the Demonlands, it's common to start a battle right away. Be sure to get your warm-ups done as soon as you wake up in the morning. Though there are those who'll come at you before you've warmed up."

Dayum, the Demonlands is savage.

"Then, I will take over in the meantime."

In sheer contrast to me, Niku took up a stance with her wooden swords next to me. It seemed like she was in a good mood.

This girl's crazy for any chance to get stronger… probably a good fit for the Demonlands.

"Are you done with your warm-up exercises?"

"I, am Goshujin-sama's tool. I can be used, at any time."

"Good state of mind. You'd be a good fit for the Demonlands. You. What do you think of living here?"

"No. I will stay by Goshujin-sama."

Niku said something cool. Though even if she calls herself a tool, she's not a weapon, she's my hug pillow. Technically.

With that, Niku took up a stance with her wooden swords. She held two swords in a two-sword style, one in each hand. However, they were shorter than Sebas's.

"Whenever you want."

"…"

Not saying anything, Niku slashed out at Sebas.

It was a blow like an upward slash from the lower left. However, it was easily deflected by Sebas's sword. The sound of wood rubbing against wood. Proof that it didn't hit him head-on.

However, Niku still had another sword. She swung her left sword at Sebas… but he lightly sidestepped that one too.

And then, as if it were only natural, Sebas sent a kick into the torso of Niku, who had missed both attacks.

Niku was sent flying backwards, broke her fall with a single roll, and came up standing.

"Hoh, didn't even let out a peep? Dogs generally like to howl when they attack."

"My voice won't intimidate you, anyway."

Howling would be to encourage oneself and intimidate the opponent. If intimidation wouldn't work, then it would only server to encourage oneself, so it was a matter of one's own mindset. If not necessary, then there was no need to do it. Or something like that.

"Good call. Including the fact that you jumped backwards on your own."

It looked like Niku had taken the attack head-on to me, but she'd actually jumped backwards in response to the kick. She'd taken minimal damage, apparently.

… I don't think I'll be able to keep up with this.

"Already fighting then?"

"We're here, Kehma! Oh, it looks like Niku and Aidi's Master are sparring already."

Aidi and Rokuko had arrived. For some reason, they were both wearing gym clothes. The bloomers are fine since they were sold in the capital too, but… the shoes are sneakers. I don't think those were sold even in the capital though.

"Hey, what's with those shoes?"

"What? That's the first thing you ask after seeing my outfit? Come on, say it's cute or something."

"I mean I get that you wanted to change into something more suitable for exercise, but sneakers? Do they even sell those?"

"Ah, Rokuko got them out with DP for me. They're apparently exercise clothes and shoes from another world."

"I made sure to sell them to Aidi at a high price! With a friend discount!"

Calling it a high price then also using a friend discount… not what I want to hear.

Well, if she got them out with DP, that makes sense, but…

"Is it fine to just sell them like that?"

"Don't worry about it. [Dungeon Produced Curiosities] are common in the Demonlands."

I see, just saying that it's dungeon produced is convenient. It really is from using DP, so it wasn't a lie. It's just that she could pick and choose whatever she wanted to sell.

"By the way, Niku and Aidi's Master look pretty evenly matched, I guess? What do you think, Aidi?"

"Yeah, my Master's just playing around."

"Really? It looks like Niku's going all out though?"

"He's handling every one of her attacks, isn't he… I'll have to teach you how to watch a fight like that too, won't I, Rokuko?"

As the two talked next to me, I didn't really understand what they were saying, but I could tell that Sebas was in control of the situation and that Niku wasn't.

They continued to strike and slash at each other with their wooden swords until Niku's broke.

As a matter of course, Niku lost as her weapons were broken.

… It feels like Niku keeps on having losses by way of her weapons breaking. Should I give her weapons that are more durable? If I mix in some orichalcum, I'm sure I could make weapons that don't break.

"… This dog's suitable as an assassin."

"Thanks."

"However, I could see you going for my neck. Even if you use feints, it's easy to tell if that's all you aim for."

"… Understood."

"Also, the fact that your weapons broke means there's a lot of waste in your movements. You've been doing nothing but fighting and skipping practice swings, haven't you?"

"…"

With the nail hit on the head, Niku kept silent. Rather, how were neither of them even short of breath after moving about that much? They did seem to be sweating a bit, at least.

Sebas then looked at me and spoke.

"So, are your preparations complete?"

"Oh. Sorry, I forgot."

Right. I was supposed to be preparing while Niku fought.

Seeing it had immersed me so much I just didn't prepare.

"… Hey, dog. Your master is a fool. He will die straight away on a battlefield."

"I will protect Goshujin-sama."

"Even if you were to protect him with your life, it would be meaningless if he just stood around spacing out until you died. Make sure you drill that into him properly."

"Mm."

Although it was a harsh thing to say, it was the truth… Next on the list was a mock battle between me and Sebas, but I don't think I can win against someone who not even Niku could beat.