Chapter 99: Let’s Go - 1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 99: Let’s Go - 1
“Welcome.”
“I hope I’m not intruding?”
“Fortunately, things are quite relaxed and quiet today.”
That’s strange, I thought. It always looked quiet to me whenever I saw it.
It was the following afternoon. My schedule for the day was wide open, aside from dinner with Sera in the evening. It was still too early for the date Theodora had mentioned in her letter; the earliest available day was three days away.
“Indeed, Aven. I am glad you came. Without further ado, shall we head out?”
“Where are we going?”
“To the training grounds.”
When he mentioned the Mayerbridge Union’s training grounds, I assumed he meant the public one we had visited a few days ago.
“Ah, the place we went to last time?”
“No, we are going somewhere else this time.”
“The Mayerbridge Union has another training ground?”
At that, Delbaheim let out a short chuckle. Suddenly looking quite proud, she turned her back to me, rested her hands on her hips, and shook her head.
“It’s not exactly like that. There is a training ground where the most people in the Northwest congregate.”
“If it’s that crowded, wouldn’t it be bad for practicing?”
“Many may watch, but few actually use it.”
* * *
Located in the very heart of the central district of Northwest Calax, the name of this place was...
“The Nest Grand Hall. It is a massive training facility built through the collective efforts and unity of the various clans, large and small, based in the Northwest.”
“Whoa.”
Priority for using this massive arena was given to members of the clans that contributed most to its construction and operation. Naturally, the clan with the most influence among them was the Mayerbridge Union.
The facility featured a circular arena paved with smooth, sturdy stone tiles at its center, surrounded by something resembling spectator seating. At first glance, it reminded me of a sports stadium or the Colosseum from my old world.
“There are a lot of people.”
Despite it being morning, there were quite a few people moving about. Several members of other clans were already up on the arena floor, using their respective sections for sparring and practice.
The arena was divided into five sections: North, South, East, West, and the Center. The area Delbaheim had reserved was the very center of the arena.
I was told that whenever small to mid-sized clans announced recruitment or interviews while making their rounds through the Northwest or Southwest, this was almost always where they gathered.
Land prices were too high for clans of that size to maintain their own private training grounds. Even if they managed to get one, it would likely be small with poor facilities. Not to mention, the maintenance costs were astronomical.
Thus, clans of all sizes pooled their resources to build one massive arena, coordinating their schedules to use the Nest whenever the need arose.
“Is it really okay for us to spar while other clans are using the space all around us?”
“This facility costs hundreds of gold in monthly maintenance. It is partitioned and well-protected by artifacts, so do not worry.”
“That’s pretty impressive.”
As Delbaheim—whose face was essentially her calling card—approached, the guards stationed at the entrance split to the sides and bowed so deeply their heads nearly touched the floor. She casually waved a hand and walked inside. Despite my first impression of her, she really was a person of great stature.
“Aven, pick a suitable weapon.”
“A weapon? I don’t really...”
“Even I, a Palladium Grade, carry a weapon, Aven. Unless you possess a skill that causes instant death the moment a weapon touches your hand, it is better to have one.”
“Hmm, fair point.”
Right, who did I think I was, walking around without a weapon lately? Especially when I had a storage artifact. Granted, my storage artifact currently held the cutlery and pots I used for meals. I’d have to visit Iris later to upgrade to one with a larger magic crystal.
“Then... hmm.”
“Take a one-handed sword and a shield. They are the essence of armament, reflecting the distilled experience of humanity accumulated over ages.”
“Right, got it.”
In the wide space before the arena entrance, rows of high-quality weapons were displayed on racks, with dozens of each type available. Even among the one-handed swords, the weights and lengths varied wildly.
They say the most important thing is to swing them all and find the gear that fits you best.
This is a bit awkward.
I looked at a sword that was clearly the longest and heaviest among the one-handed options. But for some reason, it didn't feel right.
“You don’t seem to like them?”
“Does it show on my face?”
“Heh, do you know what everyone who comes in here and grabs a weapon has in common?”
“What?”
Delbaheim extended both index fingers and pushed the corners of her mouth up toward her cheeks.
“Like this. When people find a weapon that suits them, they can’t help but smile. It is the heart of a warrior, eager to give it a swing.”
“Haha. Is that so?”
Still, the one-handed swords felt a bit lacking. They were too light, and the reach was an issue. My tail had a longer reach than these; it felt like they wouldn't fulfill their role as a weapon properly.
“Where are you going?”
“Just a moment.”
“That area is for two-handed swords.”
Next to the one-handed swords were two-handed swords with much longer blades and hilts. Their blades were wider, and they carried significant weight.
There were even Greatswords, which would have been dismissed as 'completely impractical' in my previous world. But in this world, where superhuman monsters with skills far exceeding human strength were common, such weapons were practical.
“This should do.”
“That is... a rather heavy Bastard Sword. Do you prefer a two-handed sword over a shield?”
“No, I’m going to use this with one hand.”
I wasn't sure if it was because of my strength, but most one-handed swords felt like I was holding nothing at all. Of course, swinging them repeatedly would eventually fatigue the muscles, making even a light dagger feel heavy.
However, aside from my increased strength, I had the advantage of being able to ignore muscle fatigue. I could simply store the fatigued muscles and bring out fresh ones to use.
Besides, the muscles I primarily used were the muscle fibers of Orc Warriors who used to swing wooden clubs and crude iron axes weighing dozens of kilograms with one hand.
“This shield looks good, too.”
“Mmm...”
I picked out a long Tower Shield that reached up to my solar plexus even when resting on the ground. It was quite thick and had a satisfying weight to it; it looked very useful. Watching this, Delbaheim pressed a hand to her forehead, clearly not fond of my choice of equipment.
“Ugh... the essence of armament, reflecting the distilled experience of humanity...”
“It’s still a sword and a shield, isn't it?”
* * *
“Let’s call it a day after covering this much.”
“Ugh, my head is throbbing.”
“I must admit, it is an excellent skill. To maintain your movements for hours while wielding such heavy equipment in both hands.”
We had gone through a basic training session on how to properly grip a sword and shield, how to swing a sword correctly, and how to effectively utilize a wide Tower Shield.
I was, far more than I had expected, someone who simply relied on good skills and fought haphazardly. Delbaheim, on the other hand, was a magnificent fighter armed with precise techniques and finesse.
“A Bastard Sword and a Tower Shield... it is a rather intimidating loadout. Do you understand now?”
“Yes...”
“A person with one life and solid fundamentals lives longer than a person with ten lives and no basics. From the next lesson, please ensure you are equipped with a standard one-handed sword and a round shield.”
“Of course...”
I definitely had the longer reach, and I felt like my reactions were very fast. I wasn't lacking at all in terms of the weight of my strikes, either. And yet, my sword was easily parried by Delbaheim.
He had bypassed the wide defensive range of my Tower Shield and struck me from all sorts of angles, leaving me completely helpless. It was... quite embarrassing.
“Look at the time. The sky has turned red.”
“Ah, is it already...”
Looking at the sky, the sun had almost completely set. Wait a minute.
“Crap. Is it really this late already?!”
“Is something the matter, Aven?”
“Uh, well, you see. I have a dinner appointment, and I don't think I should be this late...!”
“Oh dear, you had better hurry.”
Come to think of it, if Sera was out, who would look after the inn? Of course, Tresha and Auntie were there, but Tresha didn't cook yet. That meant all the kitchen work would fall entirely on Auntie.
I can't let that happen!
I couldn't leave my precious Auntie to work all by herself.
“Delbaheim! Do you happen to know how to cook?”
“Cooking? I can manage most dishes. I have lived a long time, after all.”
“You said you were free today! Please, give me some of your time!”
“Hmm...? Whatever could be the matter?”
* * *
“Sis, weren't you supposed to have dinner with him today?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
As the hour grew late, customers were gradually trickling in for dinner. She had promised to eat with Yoo Eon tonight, but she had been so excited that she hadn't prepared a backup plan for the inn.
The innkeeper Auntie had overheard that Sera and Yoo Eon were going out for dinner, so she had signaled that it was fine whenever Sera tried to enter the kitchen. However...
There are so many customers...
Just as Sera was about to take an apron out of the drawer and tie it around her waist...
—Neigh!!
A large carriage pulled up right in front of the inn door, and a horse with a silvery-white mane let out a loud whinny. Tresha, who was serving food in the hall, flinched at the sound and stepped outside for a moment. An unfamiliar woman approached and spoke to her.
“This is undoubtedly the Mounted Goat Inn, is it not?”
“Ah, yes... it’s the Mounted Goat Inn...?”
“Is Miss Sera Otmarie inside?”
The woman’s voice called out for Sera as she slowly stepped into the first floor of the inn. The people eating dinner stared at her blankly; some dropped their spoons, while others gasped in awe.
“I-I am Sera Otmarie... May I ask who you are...?”
“I have come to take over the kitchen duties on your behalf this evening. I believe you have a dinner appointment with Aven.”
The woman who smiled brightly and snatched the apron from Sera’s hands to tie it around her own waist was none other than Calax’s Ice Lotus, Raya Delbaheim.
“A carriage is waiting. Leave this place to me and go enjoy your meal.”
“Huh...?”
Delbaheim, having tied the apron around her slender waist and given it a quick pat, walked past the stunned Sera and straight into the kitchen.
“Did that brat send you?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Well... fine then.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
She exchanged brief greetings with the prickly-looking Auntie.
“Oho? Who’s this lass?”
“A-A child is drinking...?”
She also had a moment of bewilderment at the sight of Roland gulping down beer.
* * *
—Step, step.
Sera still hadn't quite come to her senses, wondering how on earth this had happened.
Yoo Eon sent a carriage...?
There were many strange things about this, but all doubts would end once she confirmed the carriage in front of her. Since he said he had found a place to eat, only he knew the location.
She had expected Yoo Eon to walk with her to the restaurant, but she hadn't expected him to bring a carriage.
—Knock, knock.
Sera gently knocked on the carriage door, but no answer came from within.
Tresha watched Sera from the hall through the entrance, swallowing hard. Just as an awkward silence began to settle...
“Please, get in, Sera.”
“Eek?!”
He suddenly appeared from behind, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulder as he opened the carriage door.
“Y-Yoo Eon?!”
Dressed in the same noble-like attire she had seen before, Yoo Eon lifted her up and into the carriage.
“Let’s go have dinner.”