by Hiro Ainana
Nearby, Nana managed to use her shield to parry an attack from a skeleton soldier wielding a large ax. With the help of her Foundation Magic technique Body Strengthening, she managed to keep up with her opponent, if only barely.
Luckily, Liza was on the scene, shattering the skeleton’s bones with a few rapid jabs of her spear. She appeared to be using the blunt end, not the tip.
When the dust settled, all three of the skeleton soldiers in the room were defeated.
The health gauges of the two shield users had declined slightly, but no one had any noticeable physical wounds.
There were more soldiers heading toward us from the other rooms, so we could probably take care of healing later.
All three of the beastfolk girls had reached level 14 as a result of this battle. Each of them received a new skill: “Strike” for Liza, “Thrust” for Pochi, and “Enemy Detection” for Tama.
However, they wouldn’t be able to use these freely until they’d had a proper rest so that their bodies could adapt to the new skills.
Even so, it had been a closer contest than I’d expected, so it might be wise to fortify the battlefield and make fighting a little easier.
With that thought in mind, I set about creating a barricade.
I wrapped a few poles in cloth and cast the Shelter spell to create a lattice for defense. It was a dome with an entrance and some smaller holes for attacking.
This would keep the rearguard safe while we fought.
Next, I thought I should do something about the lighting.
The Magic Lamp was illuminating the members of my party from behind, so their own shadows would hinder them as they fought.
“Mia, can you light the room?”
“Mm.”
Mia cast a new spell I’d developed.
“… Bubble Light Hotaru Awa!”
Several spheres materialized, like faintly glowing soap bubbles. The only problem with this spell was that the MP cost was high, since I’d used code from a Light Magic spell.
When I checked in on everyone now that the room was lit, I noticed that Lulu was wearing a dark, brooding expression.
Maybe the sight of the attacking skeletons scared her?
“M-master. I-is there anything I can do to be of help?”
Lulu clasped her hands in front of her chest, her voice trembling as she spoke.
Right… She had looked like she wanted to say something after we took care of those professional thieves, too.
I was glad that the normally shy Lulu had spoken to me of her own volition, but I couldn’t put her on the front lines without any kind of training.
While I contemplated how to convince her of this, she pleaded with me further still.
“I—I want to be useful like everyone else!”
“You don’t need to worry about that. You’re already useful, Lulu.”
That was the truth. I couldn’t have her believing she was useless.
Just before I could explain that everyone had their own roles, Arisa tugged on my sleeve. I looked over my shoulder at her.
“Master. Perhaps Lulu could try one of those Magic Guns you used before?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about those.”
We decided to give Arisa’s proposal a try. With that, Lulu should be able to participate in battle from a safe distance away.
I put the Magic Lamp on the floor, took out the spare Magic Gun from Storage, and handed it to Lulu. As a precaution in case of friendly fire, I put it on its lowest power setting.
“Aim this toward the monster. Then pull this bit—it’s called the trigger—and a Magic Bullet will come out from the end of the barrel.”
“R-right!”
I gave the Magic Gun to the nervous Lulu and had her do a test fire at a random pillar.
Her first shot completely missed.
“Lulu, you don’t need to be so tense. Try to relax.”
I moved behind her and put my hands over hers to demonstrate how to pull the trigger.
“Gently, like this. All right?”
“R-r-r-r-r-riiight…”
Hmm? Lulu’s face was so red that steam was practically coming out of her ears.
Right. I’d forgotten, since she’d gotten used to me lately, but Lulu was still pretty uncomfortable with men.
“Sorry, sorry. I was too close.”
I stepped back, and Lulu gave a despairing little “Ah…”
If I was a pubescent boy like my current appearance indicated, I might have fallen in love with that voice.
However, since I’m around thirty years old on the inside, the majority of what I felt toward Lulu was the protectiveness of a guardian.
So, although she was looking up at me with a strangely sexy expression, I remained deliberately serious and had her do another test fire.
She took to the Magic Gun faster than I’d expected, and after a few more tries, she had the hang of it.
However, since Lulu’s magic ran out after just two shots, she had to depend on potions to recover it.
Arisa and Mia wanted to use the Magic Gun, too, so I let them practice while Lulu was taking a break.
With our newly established barricade, the next battle was much easier.
Lulu, Arisa, and Mia took turns using the Magic Gun to attack the skeleton soldiers, then finished them off with spears or stones. Any time one of the soldiers tried to attack with a long weapon, I forcibly yanked it from their grasp.
During the third round of this tension-free, almost gamelike battle, Liza’s spear started producing a red light.
It always happened just as she landed a powerful strike, so maybe it was a visual effect to indicate that a skill had been used?
Liza’s MP gauge had decreased slightly, so magic was involved.
We had a bit of time until the next enemy’s arrival, so I took down the current Shelter wall and put up a new one.
Then I decided to have Liza show me her technique again before the next battle.
“Liza, can you show me that last spear strike again?”
“The last strike?”
Liza repeated the movement despite her puzzlement, but this time there was no red light like before.
I took out a spear from Storage by way of the Garage Bag. I’d gotten this one during the Cradle incident, and it had a similar design to Nana’s rapier.
I tried to re-create Liza’s movement with the spear.
Of course, it didn’t make a red light, and it didn’t even cause a powerful sound like Liza’s did.
It was probably because I was taking care not to put a hole in the floor with my excessive strength, but still, my little fwoosh was disappointing compared to the loud boom that Liza’s attacks normally produced.
“That was an excellent thrust.”
I was a little embarrassed to have Liza compliment me on such a weak attempt.
“Pardon me, master, if I may.”
Unable to watch any more of my repeated failures, Liza stood behind me and put her hands over mine on the spear to explain.
“When you land a thrust, it’s best to flick your wrist to rotate the spear on impact, like so. Keep a loose grip on the spear, then tighten it the moment that you strike. I’ll demonstrate slowly, so please pay attention to my fingers and wrist.”
Liza demonstrated the timing for me with her hands on mine.
I could see why: It was difficult to understand this from a verbal explanation.
Once Liza stepped away, I tried it out for myself.
Yeah, that’s better.
“Impressive as always, master. You’ve taken the main point to heart with just one demonstration.”
“Only because you’re such a good teacher, Liza.”
It was true that her teaching was excellent, but the reason that I’d been able to learn so quickly was probably that I had a maxed-out “Spear” skill.
I tried it a few more times to memorize the sensation.
Now my thrusts looked much closer to Liza’s, but I still couldn’t produce
the red light from my spear.
I probably needed a different skill for that.
The clattering of bones from across the room announced the arrival of two more skeleton soldiers. I had everyone take a strike so that they’d all gain EXP before I finished off the enemies.
I struck the first one in the skull, sternum, and spine in three rapid-fire attacks.
> Skill Acquired: “Thrust”
> Skill Acquired: “Strike”
> Skill Acquired: “Pierce”
> Skill Acquired: “Consecutive Attacks”
Just like that, I gained all sorts of skills.
I put skill points into them and activated them, then defeated the second skeleton.
Sadly, I still couldn’t get my spear to shine.
Maybe Liza had learned some new trick that she hadn’t acquired as a skill yet?
She had used up some magic, and the red glow was identical to that of a charged magic tool, so magic had to be related somehow.
“Master, a newcomer has arrived.”
“I’m good now. Take it down the same way as before, please.”
“Understood.”
I left Liza in charge of directing combat, then tried inserting some magic power into the steel spear.
It felt strange. If I had to put it into words, I’d say it was most like pouring water into a pipe that was clogged with clay and full of holes.
It was hard to get the magic to go through, and even when it did, it leaked straight out like a sieve.
Oh right. I did read in a book about magic tools that iron has a magic-diffusing effect.
When I forced some magic into it, it lit up red for just a moment, but an instant later there was a dry crack, and the tip of the spear split.
Nobody but Tama seemed to notice the sound amid the clamor of battle, so I quickly switched it out with another spear of the same design in Storage and pretended nothing had happened.
As for Tama, I gestured, Don’t tell a soul.
In return, Tama signaled Okay with a hand.
Then I decided to borrow Liza’s spear after the battle and try the experiment again.
“Liza, could you lend me your spear for a minute?”
“Understood.”
Liza handed the spear over to me reverently, and I accepted it and lightly put some magic into it.
I didn’t want to overdo it and break the spear, so I was very careful to use a small amount.
It was far easier to infuse this spear than the steel one, and a faint red light emitted from the joints of the spear.
I tried adding a little more magic. This time, I faintly sensed something sticking. It was the same feeling as when I first tried to replenish Nana’s magic.
Remembering that time, I finely adjusted the strength of the magic flow, clearing the pathway of magic through the weapon as I had with Nana’s body.
> Skill Acquired: “Magic-Tool Tuning”
> Title Acquired: Tuner
This must’ve paid off, because now the tip and other parts of the spear were glowing after just a single point of magic.
When I swung the weapon, it left a beautiful trail of red light.
> Skill Acquired: “Dance Performance”
> Title Acquired: Dancer
This didn’t seem like it’d be useful in combat, since it would let my opponents read the trajectory of the spear, but it might be nice for some kind of dance performance.
“I-is that Spellblade?” Arisa murmured.
“So that’s what Spellblade looks like? Wonderful. Master, I had no idea you were able to use such an art. It takes countless years for master martial artists to grasp.”
Liza melodramatically heaped on the praise.
“Is it a famous art?”
“Well, I think each territory only has two or three people who can use it. Still, if you went to the royal capital of a large kingdom like Shiga, I’m sure there’d be dozens.”
Liza’s hyperbole had me thinking that this was some amazing ability, but I guess it wasn’t all that rare.
…Or maybe it is? If you’re going by people per territory, it’d certainly be rarer than “Item Box” or “Analyze.”
“Should I not use it in front of people, then?”
“Perhaps not. I’ve heard that nobles consider it a status symbol to employ knights with the ability, so if people find out that you can use it, you’ll be in high demand.”
So using it in public would seal my fate, huh?
I thanked Liza and returned her spear, then tried doing it with the steel again. It didn’t go well, though, maybe because I didn’t have the skill for it.
Clearly, weapons made with monster parts like Liza’s spear were well suited to Spellblade use.
I would guess that the Holy Swords and sacred blades in Storage would work even better, but it would be silly to test that out here.
After twenty skeleton soldiers, their assault was over, so now it was our turn to attack.
However, a situation arose that made me wonder if we should retreat instead.
Lulu wasn’t looking too well.
“Lulu, are you all right?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me.”
Arisa hovered over Lulu with concern as she sat on the floor.
“Maybe she has level-up sickness.”
“Really?! So that’s not just an urban legend…,” Arisa said with surprise, and I nodded.
Lulu had gone from level 2 to level 6 in the battle and gained four skills: “Casting,” “Shooting,” “Driving,” and “Cooking.” The other kids hadn’t leveled up at all.
The “Casting” skill seemed to be a result of her having practiced magic with Arisa a long time ago. I was really very jealous.
After a moment of discussion, we decided that I would carry her on my back. It would be dangerous to leave her alone here, after all, and she’d be safest if she stayed close to me.
It was then that I made a new discovery.
Although not much time had passed since we’d first met, Lulu’s chest had grown. She had been an A cup before, but now she’d definitely crossed well into B-cup territory.
She is in her growth spurt, after all. Let’s hope this trend will continue as she gets older.
As I cheered her on in the depths of my mind, we arrived safely at the underground third floor, in front of the room where the wraith was lurking.
Along the way, we’d defeated six more skeleton soldiers that tried to stop us. They were a bit stronger than the ones on the upper floors, but there was nothing else of note about them.
Since the wraith in this room had a Paralysis attack, I decided to make anti-paralysis potions for everyone.
It was a pretty simple recipe, so I blanked out my name and produced them easily.
All right, now we’re ready to go.
“Finally, it’s time for the boss battle!”
“The boss can use Ice Magic, so I’ll head in first and take it out. The rest of you, wait a bit before you come in after me. There are four stronger skeleton soldiers in there, too, so I’m leaving those to you.”
“Understood.”
“Seriously, Miss Liza? We can’t just let him charge in there on his own!”
“Arisa, master can defeat a single wraith with ease, I report.”
Arisa was the only one opposed to my strategy.
“I’ll be fine, all right? You don’t need to worry about me unless the enemy’s a greater hell demon or something.”
“Greater…?”
I gave a joking reply, then had everyone evacuate to some distance away from the door.
“Master, please use this, at least.”
Liza handed me her beloved spear.
“I believe the spear you currently have will not allow for effective Spellblade use. Ideally, I would prefer to accompany you, but I understand that I am not nearly strong enough to do so. And if I can at least offer you my spear—”
“All right. I’ll borrow it for a minute, then.”
I accepted Liza’s spear and handed her the steel one instead.
I had planned on using a Holy Sword to get the “Spellblade” skill once I got inside, but I didn’t want Liza’s kindness to go to waste, so I accepted her loan gratefully.
“Kweh-heh-heh… So you have come to seek your own deaths, foolish vandals. The great house of Marquis Muno will…”
When I entered the room, the wraith started giving some kind of speech, but I didn’t really care enough to listen.
The hall had a high ceiling, like an audience chamber. At the far end was a throne, upon which sat a skeleton dressed in the tattered remains of aristocratic clothing.
The semitranslucent wraith was superimposed on the skeleton, and its pallid complexion most likely bore a faint resemblance to what it had looked like in life.
And four skeletal guards in full-plate mail flanked it.
Still ignoring the wraith’s speech, I approached the throne briskly, powering up Liza’s spear as I did so. I was careful not to use too much magic, lest I accidentally break it.
“…And so, with the house of the marquis buried under this land…”
I was only about fifteen feet away, yet the wraith was still just pontificating.
It was probably controlled by an obsession it had had when it died.
Once I got the “Spellblade” skill, I figured I’d exorcise it with a divine blade. If I used a Holy Sword, it was more likely to obliterate the soul than send it to a peaceful rest.
With a firm step forward, I swept out the spear for an instant, creating a trail of red light.
My “Strike” and “Thrust” skills activated, and the momentum carried me into a powerful attack through the wraith’s soldier into the empty space beyond.
The moment the glowing red tip of the spear touched the wraith, it vanished away, leaving behind a ripple like a single drop of black paint on the surface of a lake.
> Skill Acquired: “Spellblade”
…Oops. Was that too strong?
Just then, either I got too distracted or I messed up by using unnecessary skills, because Liza’s spear started vibrating strangely.
Oh crap.
It must have been reaching its limit. Red streaks were starting to appear on the black surface of the spear, like it was about to crack.
