NoveLight ™
Journey and the stranger clashed swords with incredibly serious expressions.
But watching them fight, I couldn’t help but think, "Is that face really necessary for this level of combat?" I didn’t feel the need to spoil the moment, though.
She’s holding up better than I expected.
A few weeks wasn’t enough time for someone’s skills to drastically improve, but it was plenty of time to polish up poor fundamentals. Whether Journey realized it or not, from my perspective, she was noticeably different compared to a few weeks ago.
That’s probably why she was managing to hold her ground against the stranger.
"Hya… yaaah!"
With a bizarre shout, Journey swung her sword fiercely. The stranger easily blocked the blow aimed at his chest and took a couple of steps back.
Physically, it seemed the stranger was slightly superior to Journey.
Yet, the reason Journey could hold her ground was because the stranger wasn’t particularly skilled either.
It always struck me—these Apostles were consistently terrible at technique compared to their physical abilities. With that kind of physical prowess, you’d expect their technique to improve as well, but they were oddly imbalanced.
It was like someone who suddenly gained strength without properly developing it over time.
Could this be another effect of Edel’s blessing?
"Haaaaah!"
"Ugh!"
Look at that. There isn’t much difference in their strength, yet one is trying to overpower with sheer force while the other is just taking it head-on.
"This is a mess."
At least I was able to identify the issue.
I had an idea of what the problem was before, but watching this fight confirmed it.
It’s true—fighting an opponent of a similar level really helps in pinpointing problems.
Clang!
While I was absentmindedly watching, their swords clashed strongly, and Journey’s grip faltered as her sword flew from her hands.
She needed to quickly pick up her sword or retreat, but, flustered, she fumbled around as a sharp, silver blade lunged towards her heart.
"Kyaaaah!"
"That’s enough."
Ching!
"Ugh?!"
Thud!
I struck down the side of the stranger’s rapidly advancing blade, causing him to stumble and fall.
It was a perfect opportunity to finish him off, but instead of plunging my sword into his exposed neck or back, I grabbed the trembling Journey, who had collapsed to the ground.
Honestly, what’s so scary about dying if you’ll just resurrect anyway?
Journey was shaking like a leaf.
I picked up her fallen sword and placed it back in her hands. Only then did she calm her breathing enough to thank me in a trembling voice.
"T-th-thank you…"
I nodded nonchalantly. "Don’t mention it."
"Why did you interfere all of a sudden?"
The stranger looked bewildered. I guess it made sense; just when he thought he’d won, I interrupted.
I never intended to let Journey die, so I was planning to step in just before things were decided, but I did feel a bit bad.
Even though she would’ve resurrected, we’d have had to wait for her to catch up all over again.
What a waste of time that would’ve been.
I pulled a coin from my pocket and flicked it with my fingers.
Ding!
"Huh? What’s this…?"
It had no value as currency, but it was a Grassis commemorative coin. While it couldn’t be used as legal tender, it was made of gold, so he could probably sell it for some money.
The stranger reflexively caught the coin I tossed him, looking dazed.
"Why are you giving me this all of a sudden?"
"Compensation."
After all, he’d played along with our little amusement, and a coin was fair pay for that.
The stranger examined the coin closely, flipping it back and forth, then looked at me in confusion before bowing deeply.
"Thank you!"
I guess that was his way of expressing gratitude, but why was he so thankful?
While I was tilting my head at his overwhelming reaction, he stuffed the coin into his pocket hurriedly, as if worried I’d change my mind, and ran off in some random direction.
His exit was as sudden as his arrival.
As I stared at the spot where the stranger had disappeared, Journey came up to me and spoke.
"Kana, what about mine?"
"…?"
Did I owe her something?
I ignored her, but Journey rolled on the ground, throwing a fit.
"I want a gift from Kana too! Give me one!"
"Waaaah!"
Thunk!
"Cut it out."
"…Yes."
Journey shot up immediately when I thrust my sheathed sword into the ground beside her head.
Why do people never listen when I ask nicely but suddenly cooperate when I resort to violence?
I’ll never understand it.
Pat, pat.
Ugh, the dust.
Thanks to Journey rolling on the ground, her clothes were covered in dirt. As I shook the dust off her clothes, a cloud of dirt rose into the air.
I distanced myself from the dust and began to collect my thoughts.
Journey’s issue is that she’s just too scared.
It’s fine to be cautious in a fight to avoid getting hurt, but there’s a limit.
She dodged and blocked attacks well enough to take the lead in the fight, but then hesitated to attack, only trying to defend herself. How could she expect to win like that?
More precisely, she only took action when she was absolutely sure it was safe.
To gain the upper hand, you need to go on the offensive at times, but she was too scared of counterattacks to do so.
To fix that habit, I had tolerated Yuki’s constant harassment, but Yuki didn’t seem all that interested in Journey, so that plan had failed.
Speaking of which, where was Yuki today?
"Where’s Yuki?"
"Lady Yuki? Um… She said she went off to train."
I see.
That little chick is consistent, I’ll give her that.
Honestly, now that I think about it, even if Yuki had been around, she wouldn’t have been much help to Journey.
Unlike the stranger earlier, the gap between Journey and Yuki was quite large, and with Yuki’s personality, I doubted she’d hold back if they sparred.
Trying to overcome fear by sparring with Yuki would probably make it worse.
A method to overcome fear, huh…
Well, I did have one good method.
The Crimson Flame Knights were once known for gathering the best of the best from Grassis.
That’s a thing of the past, though.
The Crimson Flame Knights I knew were filled with nobles who couldn’t make it into the Royal Guard or skilled commoners with good backgrounds. Or, occasionally, someone with burning patriotism who was determined to fight against the enemy.
The Royal Guard got the prestige without needing to face real danger, and the nobility gained more protection for themselves.
In a twist of irony, those in the Royal Guard often died before us.
But the Crimson Flame Knights weren’t weak. In fact, the commander of the Crimson Flame Knights was always the strongest in Grassis, so in some ways, their peak was even higher.
It was amusing that they ignored the original purpose of the order but still followed that tradition.
I’m getting off track.
Anyway, even within the Crimson Flame Knights, we occasionally had recruits who were utterly terrified.
"H-heeeek?!"
"I-I can’t do this! Just kill me instead!"
These were the guys who froze up like logs or scrambled backward in fear the first time they encountered monsters. Usually, they’d been trained by sparring with humans on the drill field, but monsters were a different matter.
Of course, some managed to fight calmly even without practical experience.
They could easily have won without breaking a sweat, but fear made them run away instead.
As the vice-commander at the time, my solution was simple.
"Go."
"H-huh?"
"Go fight."
"S-sorry, what?"
"I’ll make sure you hear me loud and clear."
"W-wait, I curse you, vice-commander!"
I’d just force them into it.
"V-vice-commander?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you drawing your sword…?"
"You said you wanted to die."
"…."
"…."
"…Alright, you monster bastards, bring it on!"
Or, I’d terrify them even more.
I was a bit hurt that they found me scarier than the monsters, but hey, a win’s a win, right?
For the record, the guy who cursed me became so brave after fighting monsters for several days straight that he even challenged me to a duel.
"Heeeeek! Vice-commander, you’re scary!"
He might’ve developed a new phobia after that, but that wasn’t my problem.
Even Apostles with Edel’s blessing were still human. They wouldn’t be that different from the soldiers I trained.
In other words, if I push her hard enough, she’ll get over it.
"Wh-why do I suddenly feel so cold…?"
Maybe she sensed something, because Journey was trembling as she looked around nervously.
I’m not doing this because I want to, Journey. It’s for your own good.
You understand, right?
* * *
[Received a gift from Kana lol]
(Grassis Commemorative Coin.jpg)
It’s not an Imperial gold coin, but it’s shiny and pretty. From now on, this will be our family heirloom.
[Comments]
[I also want to receive a gift from Kana-chan]
So, if I follow Journey around and pick a fight, I can get a gift from Kana-chan too? Huff huff… A gift touched by Kana-chan… I can’t resist; I’m off to beat up Journey. Later!
[Comments]
Until now, people had only been able to watch Kana from a distance through Journey’s stream because of her wariness and the protective barrier around her.
But once the bird left the nest, and it was revealed that she didn’t immediately draw her sword upon meeting someone, unlike in the past when she’d cut down anyone she encountered, the pent-up desires of people began to stir.
[Can I ask her to pat my head instead of getting a gift?]
I want to pet Kana’s head too…
[Comments]
[Wow! A fan meeting!]
So, if I go now, Kana will talk to me, shake hands, hug, and let me pet her, plus give me a gift?? I can’t resist this lol
[Comments]
Kana’s cute and gentle appearance was at odds with her indifferent attitude. And yet, she accepted Journey’s physical affection and subtly took care of her. This combination of a prickly personality, yet allowing herself to be cared for like a cat that only lets its owner touch it, captivated people.
Hearing about this “fan meeting,” where Kana didn’t avoid contact and even gave gifts, news spread to people who admired Kana and those who just thought she was cool.
Like when a celebrity comes to your town, players in the vicinity started flocking over.
That’s how, on their way to Ordo, Journey and Kana were suddenly surrounded by a crowd of players.
“Hey, stop pushing!”
“Get in line, get in line! Follow the order, please!”
“Isn’t it called ‘order,’ not ‘line order’?”
“Selling corn! Popcorn here!”
Even vendors flocked in, and the whole scene turned into utter chaos. Kana seriously contemplated:
Should I just kill them all…
Ever since the day the knights attacked, Kana’s slightly improved view of Apostles plummeted again.
But neither Kana, who was becoming a spectacle, nor the Apostles, who were facing death, were the biggest victims.
“Hey, come on! Let’s fight!”
“You think you’re tough? Meet me on the roof.”
“Journey! I’m a fan! Let me hug you!”
“Kyaah! Who are you guys?!”
Journey, who had been happily traveling with Kana toward Ordo, was suddenly bombarded with a mountain of challenges.
Completely freaked out by the endless PVP requests, Journey looked around frantically, but everywhere she turned, it felt like she was being stared at like a juicy prey.
“Waaaah! Kana! Help me!”
In the end, Journey threw away her dignity and clung to Kana’s leg, bursting into tears.