Chapter 10 β An exceedingly idiotic fight between men
The next day. Since the dragon auction will be mid-morning, I decided to spend the time at the training field until then. Elizabeth went to the place where the Axe of Twilight was. Sheβs probably curious about Narnia-san. I entrusted Sati to Samson-san, then, since Sergeant-dono seemed busy, I started practicing knife-throwing at one end of the training field.
Then Crook and Silver came over. I have a feeling that itβs been quite a long time since Iβve seen them. We put our heads together in a corner so we donβt get in other peopleβs way.
βDid you come to see the dragon auction too, Masaru?β
Crook asked.
βOf course. I wonder how much will it turn out to be.β
βSomething to look forward to, huh!β
That was also Crook. The auctionβs value directly correlates with how much reward we will get. It should be no wonder we are interested in it.
βAside from that, take a look at this.β
Hoh. He got a new armor. It must have been kind of a shock when he took an orcβs arrow to the leg. This time, even if itβs still made mostly out of hide, but it looks to be a higher performance version that wonβt easily let an arrow get through. Silver also showed me his shield. I had a feeling I saw it somewhere already and as it turns out, it was the same as the one that the Axe of Twilightβs memberΒ had.
βI couldnβt get the same oneΒ since it was expensive, but I got one with the same design.β
An economic version, huh. Indeed, the guy with that shield was awesome that time. As a shield user himself, he must admire him greatly.
βThen Masaru, did you buy something from the reward? I heard that you rented a house.β
βUhm, yeah.β
I guess the fact that I bought a slave didnβt leak out yet. Well then, what should I do.
βYou racked up plenty of money, right? Didnβt you go and have a look at that?β
By that, heΒ means slaves of course.
βUhm, yeah. I went to see.β
βThen? You didnβt buy one?β
βUhm, yeah. I bought oneβ¦..I guess.β
Crook gets up with a clank.
βWh-what did you say! You traitor!β
βH-hey. Youβre too loud. Everyone is looking at us.β
First of all, what traitor, I didnβt make any promises to these guys.
βTh-then, did you do it already?β
Crook lowers his voice and asks me.
βNo yet, no.β
After hearing that, Crook seemingly calmed down a bit.
βThatβs right, huh. But it must be nice. Itβs not like you have her sleep beside you or wash your back during bath, right?β
He said jokingly. I avert my eyes in silence. She does both of those in fact.
βWhat!? You, donβt tell me!β
That time, with the worst possible timing, Sati called out to me. Itβs probably rest-time for her.
βMasaru-samaaaa!β
Sati is waving her hand this way. I reluctantly wave back at her.
βY-you. Donβt tell me, that girl isβ¦β¦β
βYeahβ¦..that girl.β
Itβs hopeless now. Crook stands up and smoothly draws the sword on his waist.
βAlright, die.β
βI will lend a hand.β
Silver also drew his sword and readied his shield. These guys pulled out their real swords!? Even if this is a training field, if you pull out the sword on your waist that means war.
The two of them are gradually decreasing the distance between us. They both really want to kill me! Did they forget what happened during the short class? Donβt think you can win against me just because there are two of you against me! Come at me bros!!
I draw the sword on my back. Shit. The first blood it will draw belongs to a friend, what an ill-boding black sword.
βYouβve been a good friend, but itβs your fault for betraying our friendship!β
Crook said.
Some people started gathering, wondering whatβs going on.
βHoh. You can sure spout nonsense. In consideration of that spirit, I will not use Fire Magic. Since if I use it, you bastards would be turned to ash in one move.β
βDonβt regret it later!β
βOo-! Donβt just bark there, come at me alreadyyyyy!β
Our surroundings got excited. They started cheering by saying βDo iitβ or βDo it alreadyyyβ.
Β
The two of them attacked at the same time. Did you think that if you attacked together you would have a chance of winning!
I quickly put some distance between us with a backstep, then along with Covert Action + Stealth Movement I use some sidesteps to get around to Crookβs left side. With this, it looks like Silver lost sight of me. However, Crook turns my way and swings his sword. I brush it away using my full power. With the level ups and the Physical Enhancement my power is much greater than Crookβs. Crook lost his balance because his sword was deflected. With that, I close in and deliver a blow to the back of his neck with my hand. Crook falls over. Good, then all thatβs left is Silver.
Silver is wearing heavy equipment and he hardened his guard, I slash at him a few times, but none of those became decisive blows. Itβs really bothersome. But there is a way.
I attack him head-on with all my strength. Of course itβs been blocked with the shield, but I have the power advantage. I kick the leg Silver wanted step in with to plant himself firmly and keep his shield steady while we were locking armaments. I shoot an γAir Hammerγ at him while he is out of balance.
Silver goes flying. Even if he is wearing a metal plate armor, if you take it head-on the shock should be immense.
βKhβ¦..didnβt you say you wouldnβt use magicβ¦β¦β
βHn. What I said I wouldnβt be using is Fire Magic, right?β
βYou cowardlyβ¦..*collapse*β
βEvil has fallen! Iβve triumphed!!β
I thrust my sword towards the heavens and let out a war cry. Uoooooooooo, the crowd rejoices.
Sati pops out from the crowd of people.
βMasaru-sama, these people are evil?β
Crap, they were my friends!? Crook! Silver!? Donβt dieeeeeee.
I will use Heal on you right now!
βYou are using recovery magic on usβ¦..even though we tried to kill you.β
βWhat are you saying! Arenβt we friends! There, γHealγ γHealγ.β
βGetting swept away by our violent emotions, what have we doneβ¦β¦..β
βI understand. It must have been frustrating. I didnβt take your feelings into consideration and replied honestly. Iβm the one at fault.β
βMasaruβ¦β¦β
βCrook, Silver. Itβs fine. Itβs fine already. We are friends. It should be alright with that, right?β
ββMasaru!!ββ
Looking at us hugging it out, the audience is clapping.
βMm. It was a fine battle.β
Said Sergeant-dono.
βHowever, I canβt condone drawing your swords for a squabble. You all, come. Time for a scolding!β
Sergeant-dono got quite angry at us. When we got released, the dragon auction was already over.
Β
My share from the dragon materials turned out to be about 38000 gold. Itβs approximately Satiβs worth and then some, huh. My total funds have increased to a total of 66000 gold. I donβt really have anything special to spend it on, so I guess I wonβt have to work for a while. By the way, as it turns out the dragon was indeed of a high-class race, so the auction was a big success.
Β
After reaffirming my friendship with Crook and Silver, I decided to invite them to my house. Both of them also got their rewards for the dragon so they are in a good mood.
We swung by to Tilika-chanβs place and since she finished her work during the morning she came alongΒ with us.
Crook and Silver were puzzled as to why the Truth Offices came with us, but when I told them she is Satiβs friend, they had an expression like they do and yet donβt understand.
Apparently, in the eyes of the general public, the Magic Eyes are somewhat scary and she is a hard-to-approach existence. From my point of view, itβs just a somewhat high-performance version of a lie detector. Also, cuteness is justice in my opinion.
By the way, I also talked to Angela and Elizabeth about Tilika-chanβs circumstances. I thought it wouldnβt exactly be fair to let them stay near someone whose life might be targeted without telling them at least. Neither Angela nor Elizabeth lacks fighting abilities, so if someone like that comes, they will send them flying apparently. Quite reliable.
Β
Currently, as I walk behind Sati and Tilika-chan who are walking in the front hand-in-hand, I secretly tell Crook and Silver about what happened at the Slave Merchant.
βThen when we got to a big room there were eight people there.β
βEeh? When I went, there were only four.β
That old slave merchant guy. When he said that I was in luck and that itβs a gathering of pretty ones, it was really the truth.
βSo every one of them was wearing a thin clothing, you see. So you can catch glimpses.β
Crook is nodding and Silver is looking envious. While walking at the front, Satiβs ears are twitching. There is some distance and Iβm speaking in quite a low voice, but that probably means she can hear everything.
βSo the first one was a voluptuous girl with sex appealβ¦β¦ β
Β
As I started to explain about the fourth girl, we arrived at the house.
βOoh, thatβs a nice house, isnβt it.β
βThough Iβm just renting it. The garden is also quite big, see?β
βYou live in this house with Sati-chan, just the two of youβ¦β¦β
Well, yeah. Although itβs not just the two of us. However it might just be oil to the fire, so I shouldnβt say anything.
βAah, letβs go letβs go. I will treat you two to lunch, so letβs go inside.β
When we went inside, not just Elizabeth, but Angela was there too. Sati and Tilika-chan already went inside, so four ladies greeted us as we entered.
βTook you long enough. Iβm hungry already.β
βWelcome back. Here, I brought the books we talked about yesterday.β
Crook and Silver, who came in after me, stiffen a bit when they see the girls.
βOi, why is Elizabeth-san here? And also, who is the other beautiful girl?β, Crook asked with a low voice.
βAah, right. I should introduce everyone. These are my friends, Crook and Silver.β
First, I introduce the two of them.
βI was thinking of treating them to lunch so I brought them over. So, this is Angela-san, a Priestess of the Temple. You know, I talked about her before, right?β
Crook is nodding with an βaah, herβ expression. Elizabeth is already acquainted with them, so I will leave her out.
βUhm, so. The two of you should wait in the living room. We will finish the preparations.β
I lead them to the living room, then I return to the kitchen/dining room.
βAlright, then letβs start preparing lunch.β
βWe will handle this with Sati and Tilika-chan, so why donβt you have a talk with your friends instead?β
Angela said.
βIs that so? Then maybe I should let you handle it. Ah, use this meat for it.β
I take out a lump of wild rabbit meat from the Item Box and give it to Angela.
βThey look like they can eat a lot, so make more than usual please.β
Elizabeth doesnβt look like she intends to help out, but she will stay in the dining room anyway.
βGo and have a talk just between you guys. I will stay here.β
Β
I return to the living room and the tree of us encircle the table. Crook immediately began the conversation.
βWhy are there four girls here?β
βUhm, well. You know about Sati. Then, Tilika-chan is friends with Sati and she often comes to play. You also know that Elizabeth is teaching me magic, right? Lastly, Angela is here to teach Sati how to cook.β
βJust explode.β
Silver says quietly. Crook nods many times.
βNo no, why does it come to that? I explained why they are here, right?β
AlthoughΒ itβs not strange if Iβm told to explode if I explain it all like this.
βIf we didnβt come, then Masaru, you would be having lunch surrounded by beauties, right?β
βThat canβt be forgiven.β
From other peopleβs perspective, this is indeed an enviable situation. But aside from Sati, there is nothing really going on. Although I have a slight feeling there might be.
βItβs not like there is something just because we ate together. Hey, you get eat Angelaβs home cooking today. A chance to eat the home-made cooking of a beautiful Priestess does not come often. Be grateful.β
βI guess thatβs also true. Rather than that! The continuation of that topic from beforeβ¦β¦β
The rest of the story about the Slave Merchant, right. I think I left it at the number four girl.
βSo, about the fourth girl, oh she was beautiful and she had a great figureβ¦β¦β
Β
After finishing the story about the Slave Merchant, I also told them about Sati. That her eyes were bad since she was little and she was bullied because of it, then she was sold by her parents and became a slave. Then, she wasnβt selling at the Slave Merchant either, so I bought her just before she was to be sent to a brothel or a mine, then I treated her eyes.
βI think I misjudged youβ¦β¦β
βYeah, thatβs not something anybody would usually be able to do.β
βRight, right. I most certainly didnβt buy her with improper intentions. I absolutely bought her because I sympathized with her.β
βI really wanted to butcher you when I heard about how you slept together with her and had her wash your back, but if thatβs the case, then I guess there is no helping itβ¦β¦β
βYou guys also got quite a bit of income this time, right? You will be able to buy one soon too, no?β
βIt wouldnβt be enough even if we put both of ours together.β
βThen how about I lend you the rest?β
ββ!?ββ
βNah, donβt want to go into debt for thatβ¦β¦β
βI want to fall in love normallyβ¦β¦β
It looks like neither of them can make up their minds. Well, normally, buying a slave to make her your wife is something of a last resort. They are somewhat interested in slaves, but,Β in the end, they want to fall in love normally. All boys are like that, right~.
βAlso, recently there is someone I came to likeβ, said Silver.
Ooh, he gave up on Liz-san and found another love.
βI was thinking that Narnia-san is nice.β
Said Silver. I have no words to say. Why are these guys always after some impossible girl.
Indeed, Narnia-san is lovely and she was free until very recently, butβ¦..
βYeah, Narnia-san is cool and strong and also beautiful. For me I would like more of a, gentle type I guess? Someone like Angela-san would be nice.β
βAngela is out of theΒ question.β
Angela would be wasted on someone like Crook!
βYeah, I know I know. Donβt glare at me like that.β
I guess I should tell Silver about itβ¦β¦
βUhm, Silver. About Narnia-san. You see, she has someone she likes. You know, Orba the leader of Twilight.β
βEh, but I heard that she isnβt seeing anyoneβ¦β¦β
Silver is dumbfounded.
Even if they are not dating, she could still have someone she likes. He shouldβve gone a step further to find out if she had someone she likedβ¦β¦ Also, by now they are probably seeing each other already.
Iβm curious how things turned out. Letβs ask Elizabeth about it later.
Β
I asked Elizabeth about it the next day, but apparently their immediate surroundings could somehow tell that Narnia-san was in love with Orba-san, but she didnβt act like it at all, so Elizabeth was about the only one who knew. It would be harsh to blame Silver for not investigating it enough.
Β
βI-I now. Letβs all go and take a look at what the Slave Merchant has next time. Right? You said you wanted to see. I will go with you!β
Crook said.
As the two of us tried to console Silver, Sati came to tell us that lunch is ready.
Β
The downhearted Silver seemed to haveΒ cheered up a bit from the delicious food.
Crook frequently tried to strike up a conversation with Angela by flattering her cooking skills and such. Although he said he knows, this guyβ¦.. Letβs make certain not to invite him in the future when Angela is here.
The meal ended without anything particular happening, then Crook and Silver went home. I told them to stay and eat dessert too, but they declined because they had training in the afternoon too.
Maybe they read the atmosphere and refrained because of it.
Angela and Elizabeth were about 30 percent more peaceful this time.
I saw them out to the front door when they left.
βWeak people should go and make an effort to train. When Iβm free I can serve as your opponent again.β
βToday I only let my guard down a bit! I will make you grovel on the ground one day for sure!β
βHahhahha. If you want to do that then you should get another person at least. Three against one might even be a challenge. Ah, someone like Lazard-san is not allowed!β
βGot it. I will tell Lazard-san that Masaru wants to do it! Bye then!β
After saying that Crook quickly ran away.
Silver thanked me for the food and also walked away.
βHey, wait, you! Thatβs not funny!β
Shit.
What should I do if Lazard-san really comes? I remember his inhuman moves he displayed at the dragon fight.
I absolutely canβt fight against that.
I will get split in half!
Thanks for the chapter
Thanks for the new chapter!
Thanks for the chapter! π
Actually noticing there might be some affection pointed at him, Masaru is about 30% less dense than the average protagonistβ¦ π
Well, he seek it and hope it happen to him but afraid to execute the planβ¦
At least he is not as dense as number 1 dense chara in the universeβ¦
XDβ¦
that certain Or**ura Ich*ka? OR Kamij*u To*ma?
Touma not u know, that Stratos is yesβ¦
XDβ¦
Apparently Ichika actually isnβt dense, but acts dense because he doesnβt want walking WMDs getting yandere over him if he dares pick any single one. This is a matter of life or death you know!
Pretty sure I heard once from someone that the author said that heβs in love with Misaka and the only reason theyβre not dating is because of neither having the courage to ask the other one out.
I only addressed the Infinite Stratos MC. Touma is a different story entirely.
I think I meant to reply to the comment above yours. Sorry βbout that.
Touma isβ¦..special since he keeps dying you know how many times did his personality get revive now? 3 or 5? I remember someone saying he died and kept resurecting for thousands of years now.
So cant blame him if he cant figure out if and why the girl is in love with him, since he has βforgotenβ them.
Thank u always for ur great workβ¦
^^β¦
βKhβ¦..didnβt you say you wouldnβt use magicβ¦β¦β
βHn. What I said I wouldnβt be using is Fire Magic, right?β
Ahahahaha, he is not wrongβ¦
XDβ¦
Also, cuteness is justice in my opinion.
All hail, Cuteness!!!
XDβ¦
βNo yet, no.β
βNot yet, no.β ???
Too bad for then, Narnia and Angela is already taken xD
Orba should die and Masaru should explode!!!
ty 4 cap
Thank you for the chapter.
I really like this peaceful atmosphere, but I do hope heβll go on another adventure soon. Too much of the same stuff will get boring fast. π
Thanks for the chapter~
On one hand, Iβm a little worried that Sati will take the whole βI bought her because I pitied herβ thing poorly, on the other hand, I hope sheβll finally accept that rather than a waifu, sheβs more of a daughteru.
In any case, Masaru is a really fun protagonist. He might be carefree, impulsive and friendly, but heβs far from an idiot.
Thanks for the chapter^^
Thanks for the chapter..
Look forward for next chapter
Thanks 4 the chapter!
Itβs all in the detail. People should listen carefully when others make promises! Promising not using a certain magic is not the same as not using magic. Promising to be loyal to a king is not the same as promising to be loyal to a certain king.
Thanks for the chapter π
Thank you very much!
ββββββββ ../Β―Β―Β―Β―\.. ββ ββββ ββββββ
βββββββββ .β³. ββγ\ββββ/γ/γββββ
γββγββββββββββ\γββγβγ ββββ
γββγββββββββββ ββββ\γ\γββββ
.ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ
.ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββγγβββββββββββββγββββ
βγοΌΌγβββββββββββββγββββ
βγγοΌΌβββββββββββββγββββ
ββοΌΌγγββββββββββββγββββ
ββγοΌΌγβββββββγγγβββββββ
ββγγββββββββγγγβββββββ
Depressed no more?
Yup, depressed no more (β§ββ¦)
Ty for the chapter^^
I want a new harem member!!!!!
Thanks for doing this chapter π
Thanks for the chapter.
Thanks Aniki
Keep them chapters coming
Thanx 4 the chapter & good work. ^_^
Thank you for your hard work!
thank you for the chapter
Thanks for the chapterβ¦ and I hadnβt fallen yet!
ββββββββ ../Β―Β―Β―Β―\.. ββ ββββ ββββββ
βββββββββ .β³. ββγ\ββββ/γ/γββββ
γββγββββββββββ\γββγβγ ββββ
γββγββββββββββ ββββ\γ\γββββ
.ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ
.ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
ββγγβββββββββββββγββββ
βγοΌΌγβββββββββββββγββββ
βγγοΌΌβββββββββββββγββββ
ββοΌΌγγββββββββββββγββββ
ββγοΌΌγβββββββγγγβββββββ
ββγγββββββββγγγβββββββ
iβm used to be a great hunter. then i took an orcβs arrow on knee
Not sure why masaru would be considered a dense protagonist though, he hasnβt gotten any confirmation from the girls so heβs playing it by the same standards I wouldβ¦