Chapter 168: Training and Worry
[space_man][space_man]Tempera stopped at a place so far away that the original location was no longer visible. Eld also stopped, following suit.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Around here, even if we go a little wild, it won’t bother them over there.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld looked back to check their original location. He could only vaguely discern human figures moving about.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But I feel a little sorry for that Goddess.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Why?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The reason I put up such a wide barrier was so that if we changed our minds and decided to attack the humans, you guys could run away. But you, the one who’s most worried, are acting like this, wanting to fight the demons recklessly.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see……”Eld looked around.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Take your weapon and attack me. Let’s see how much strength you have.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With those words, Eld took out his spare sword and held it at the ready. He steadily closed the distance and slashed at Tempera in one swift motion.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmph…… not bad.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera said, turning around.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You don’t have a single scratch on you, so you can skip the flattery.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I actually think you’re amazing. Even though you were using me, you cut something that a demon was wearing.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is that so?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Demons unconsciously leak magic power outside their bodies, assimilating the things they wear with their own bodies. Since you cut through that, you have the potential to fight demons. But just being able to cut isn’t enough to win a fight.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera took a stance. Sensing a change in Tempera’s atmosphere, Eld adjusted his grip on his sword.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”First, it’s about dodging. Keep dodging my attacks.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera started to move.
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”They’re at it, huh.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Huh? What is?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Those two over there. Tempera’s moved.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”How do you know that? I can’t hear anything, and my magic detection is unreliable because of this barrier.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mary said while arranging the dishes she had finished preparing. The mountain of dried meat had disappeared, becoming Mary and Meteor’s snack along with the alcohol.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh ho~, sorry for making you do all the work. It’s delicious. Well, it’s like they say, you can’t compare the weak five senses of humans with those of demons. I have particularly good hearing. I can hear from that distance.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Mary’s expression clouded over.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’ll be alright. Tempera may seem like that, but he’s actually caring, and he’s used to training opponents weaker than him. If anything happens, I’ll fly over there and stop them in a flash!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor said, standing up and swaying.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Aren’t you drunk?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”My legs are just numb! Ouch……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Meteor poured himself another drink while swaying. Seeing that, Mary became certain that he was indeed drunk.
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld continued to dodge Tempera’s approaching fists.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s wrong? Your movements are getting sluggish.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I-I’m getting tired! How much dodging do you think I’ve done! And why can your arms stretch like that?!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The minerals that make up my body can be altered by applying heat. By adjusting each part with heat magic, I can stretch or increase the number of my arms and legs.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera’s arms increased to six and attacked Eld. Eld dodged them while trying to approach Tempera, but he was caught by a newly grown arm.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Demons can do anything, can’t they……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Let’s take a short break.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera released Eld and returned his arms to normal. Eld took out a cup from his subspace and drank the water he filled it with using water magic.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Want a drink, Tempera?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t need it. I don’t sweat, so I don’t need water.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld thought to himself,”I thought mineral-based beings would sweat.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Before we continue, let me point out your flaws.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Flaws, huh? From a demon’s perspective, everything about me probably seems flawed.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That smart mouth of yours…… well, never mind. First of all, you’re moving forward too much. You’re more adept at magic, aren’t you? It seems like that sword was made with that in mind.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, I was surprised that you could imbue your sword with magic and then add another type of magic on top of it. Even I, in my magic sword state, have tried that before, but when I’m in that state, if I try to add magic other than heat magic, I get an automatic rejection reaction.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I know that well. You go wild, don’t you?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The next bad thing, or rather, something that bothered me, is that do you want to use that sword as a weapon? Or do you want to keep it as a showpiece?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What do you mean?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”When you cut with that sword, your hand stops for a split second. If it’s something so precious that you hesitate to use it, then you shouldn’t use it as a weapon.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Eld gave a wry smile.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, that’s right…… This sword, my father gave it to me when I started as an adventurer. I recently found out that it was made by a famous master craftsman. Well, even without that, it’s a memento of my father, so I guess I don’t want to use it unless it’s a time like this.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Whether it’s a memento of your parent or whatever, decide now whether you’re going to use it or not. If you’re going to use a different weapon, your fighting style will change.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld looked at his sword for a while. Then he looked at Tempera.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’ll use this. My father gave it to me for this reason. Well, I found you, Tempera, after about a year, so it became a spare weapon.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera sighed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Can’t you go without saying something unnecessary? Oh well, fine. If you’re going to use that, use it with the intention of breaking it. Half-hearted feelings will dull your attacks.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’re right.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……By the way, what’s the inscription on that sword? Every weapon has an inscription. The Demon King once told me that you have to call weapons by their inscription, that it’s a way of showing respect. I don’t use weapons, so I don’t really understand the feeling, but there were some among my subordinates back then who definitely improved their skills by calling their weapons by their inscriptions and showing respect.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The inscription on this sword…… Come to think of it, there might not be one……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Not there? Not that you don’t know?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Of course, it’s also that I don’t know, but this sword was originally made specifically for me. So, if the maker didn’t inscribe it, there might not be one. Usually, it’s engraved on the blade, but this one only has a pattern.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Then you give it one. You can engrave it later, but give it an inscription now.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Even when told that, Eld was troubled. He thought about it for a while and came up with something.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Magic Ruler…… how about that?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It seemed like he was talking not to Tempera, nor to himself, but to the sword in his hand.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As soon as Eld declared the inscription, he felt as if the sword responded.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Now that the inscription has been decided, let’s resume.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Tempera increased the number of his arms again and took a stance. Eld also held Magic Ruler at the ready and stared at Tempera.