Chapter 203: The Little Lion and The Room of Memories (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 203: The Little Lion and The Room of Memories (2)
Four hours after the training began.
“Mueeegh.”
With a groan that was difficult to judge as either cute or unladylike, Adelaide lost consciousness and went limp.
She was completely drained, unable to be roused by holy magic or even the witch’s special elixir.
By the standards of knights, for whom it was not uncommon to spend all day rolling and running, it wasn't a particularly long time. However, considering it was four hours of continuous, brutal sparring against the great Tin Knight—a fight that bordered on a real battle—it was by no means short.
This was especially true since the Tin Knight had been rougher on Adelaide than usual today.
“Curious.”
said Gale, who had been watching the training with interest from the side.
“Some scholars claim that humans are rational animals, but in reality, people aren't so rational or reasonable. Even if you know in your head that something is for your own good, you can't help but resent the one inflicting pain on you in the moment. That's why an excellent instructor is often the most hated person of all.”
That was why it was so strange. Gale cast a questioning gaze at the Tin Knight and Adelaide.
“Despite such rough, violent, and difficult training, that young lady seems to harbor almost no resentment or hostility toward her teacher.”
There were too many strange aspects to attribute it simply to a gentle personality.
If she were truly so soft that she couldn't even feel hostility toward others, she would surely hesitate to harm anyone in battle.
In that respect, Adelaide did tend to avoid killing if possible, but she wasn't the type to hesitate when it was necessary.
“Dorothea, do you know why?”
“What do you think? It's because it's more comfortable for her that way.”
Dorothea frowned.
“‘Because I was weak, I couldn't do anything. To achieve something, I have to become stronger.’ That's been hammered into her like an obsession. To put it another way, as long as she's striving to become stronger, she's relatively at peace mentally.”
It was the same reason she'd look miserable during the Tin Knight's brutal training and rejoice at the mention of a break, yet become restless if that break lasted too long.
Of course, that wasn't entirely a bad thing.
Separate from Adelaide's outstanding talent, it was this aspect of her personality that allowed her to endure the Tin Knight's harsh training.
The problem was, the intensity was steadily increasing.
It had gotten to the point where even the Tin Knight, who seemed to lack a human heart, was recommending she take a proper rest. And she had actually started to show signs of finding some balance, but this recent incident threw all that progress away.
Not only did she learn the shocking truth about her family's death, but she was also told to her face by someone involved that her 'effort was lacking' and asked if she'd 'just been playing around all this time.' It would be stranger if her trauma wasn't triggered.
“Hmm, even so, isn't that a bit extreme? For a normal person, even a tenth of that would leave permanent injuries, wouldn't it?”
“That's what makes it meaningful. It has to be intense enough for her herself to think, ‘Isn't this a bit too much?’ That way, she won't push herself any further.”
Then again, Dorothea suspected there were other factors mixed in as to why Adelaide didn't resent the Tin Knight, but she didn't bother to mention them.
She doubted the girl herself was even aware of it, and in any case, it was purely speculation.
Watching the Tin Knight lay Adelaide down on a pre-prepared magic circle, Dorothea let out a soft sigh.
Her companions really were a handful, one way or another.
*
When she came to her senses, Adelaide found herself standing in a long hallway.
Huh? Her confusion lasted only a moment.
She soon realized this was the ‘world inside the book’.
Adelaide blankly moved her body, testing it out.
Blinking her eyes. Clenching and unclenching her fists. Stretching her arms and legs. A few jumps in place.
‘My body feels almost the same as it does outside.’
According to the white witch's explanation, it was a state similar to dreaming. For a dream, however, none of her movements or senses felt dull, and her mind was remarkably clear.
Best of all, while an hour in reality was just an hour, an hour here was only about fifteen minutes in the real world.
In terms of pure time efficiency, spending time dreaming in here was far more beneficial than brawling outside.
Of course, if she only slept, her real body would weaken, so she'd need to learn how to balance it skillfully.
As she was checking her mana levels and other things, a voice suddenly spoke from thin air.
《Ahem. And so, the little lion, heir to the hero's blood, began her adventure.》
“…”
《Ah, if you're perhaps thinking, 'What is this person doing?' please reflect on your actions. Formalities are important in these matters. Even a temporary GM can't just wing it.》
As Adelaide had a thought that would surely make Dorothea flare up—Are all witches this eccentric?—Gale's voice continued.
《Additionally, this is just a pre-recorded message, so active conversation is impossible. Therefore, if you have something to say, I'd appreciate it if you'd ask after you wake from the dream.》
《I explained the escape methods before you entered, but I'll repeat them in case your memory is hazy.》
《One is to say the words 'Wake up' three times in a row. The second is to open the door at the very end of the hallway, not the ones on the sides. The third is to simply wait until the allotted time is up. Furthermore, as a precaution, please note that the third method will wake you automatically even if you, Lady Adelaide, refuse.》
《If you have any more questions, please wake up now.》
After Adelaide remained silent for about ten seconds, the voice from the air spoke again.
《It seems there are no particular issues. Then, let us resume the story.》
《First, you must decide on a helper to accompany you on your journey.》
Three large spheres of light appeared before Adelaide's eyes.
《First is the reliable teacher! The Tin Knight!》
《Second is the versatile witch! Dorothea... who said she was busy and sent the Tin Knight in her place!》
《Third is the wise advisor! Miss Sophia... who was replaced by the Tin Knight, who insisted on coming himself!》
《Now, what is your choice!》
“But… there are no choices?”
Adelaide couldn't help but retort, even knowing the voice couldn't hear her.
But life is what you make of it.
Telling herself it was a good thing she could choose without having to worry about it, Adelaide selected the Tin Knight.
《Yes, your choice has been confirmed. It may take a moment due to the time-rate synchronization process, so please wait.》
After what felt like about a minute, the sphere of light Adelaide had chosen suddenly emitted a brilliant flash, then split in two with a crack, and something popped out from within.
A body made of metal. A gleam of light shining from between the slits of its helmet.
That's right, it was the Tin Knight.
“Sir… Knight?”
To be more precise, it was a Chibi Tin Knight.
With a large head and short, stubby limbs, the Tin Knight, who somehow resembled a toy soldier, hopped up and down and waved at Adelaide.
Feeling her heart pound for some reason, Adelaide quickly held out her palm to the Tin Knight.
As the Tin Knight hopped onto her palm, she felt its gentle weight.
It was strangely light for a palm-sized lump of metal.
It almost felt as if it were hollow inside.
《Additionally, due to the game book's limitations, the Tin Knight cannot fight alongside you. As I said before, please think of him as just a helper and advisor.》
[The 'Tin Knight' pounds his chest, declaring that his advice is perfect!]
A smile bloomed on Adelaide's lips at the comical yet reassuring sight.
“Yes, I'm counting on you!”
《When you are ready, please choose one of the doors in the hallway and begin.》
At Gale's voice, Adelaide looked at the doors lining the hallway wall at regular intervals.
<Room of the Labyrinth> <Room of Struggle> <Room of Memories>
《The Room of the Labyrinth follows the original story of this game book. Not the version you experienced before, where various magic books got mixed up and caused problems, but the 'original' story. However, this is more for fun, so the time efficiency might be a bit poor.》
《The Room of Struggle is a place where you can fight the enemies from the Room of the Labyrinth consecutively in an arena, ignoring the background settings. I've set it so the enemies get progressively stronger, so it's probably the most convenient for training.》
《The Room of Memories is for advanced users, so to speak. You can summon a suitable opponent from the memories of the participant and the helper to fight. However, this is a kind of hidden feature my master put in, so even I don't know exactly what will pop out. Please be careful.》
Adelaide paused, lost in thought.
Given her purpose, she set aside the Room of the Labyrinth, leaving the Room of Struggle and the Room of Memories.
Adelaide thought the Room of Struggle seemed like the most sensible choice, but as she expected…
[The 'Tin Knight' passionately argues that she must choose the Room of Memories!]
[The 'Tin Knight' insists that a boss replay room is irresistible!]
‘Well, that's Sir Knight for you.’
Adelaide considered trying to talk him out of it for a moment, but then simply nodded obediently.
She had a feeling his personal desires were heavily involved, but it was a matter of trust in a master who had never once led her astray when it came to the martial arts.
Adelaide opened the door labeled "Room of Memories" and stepped inside.
—A searing heat caressed her skin.
“Hahaha! Stay still, you bastards!!”
“Kill anyone who resists! Don't let a single one get away!”
A fallen torch had set the undergrowth ablaze.
Rampaging bandits. Screaming domain residents.
Soldiers trying to fight back against the bandits but being overwhelmed, and a carriage being protected in their midst.
And, inside that carriage, herself.
Clank!
The bandit leader, staring at her through the half-broken door.
Looking at the man who had captured her in the past and sold her into slavery, Adelaide realized what memory this stage was based on.
[The 'Tin Knight' cheers on his pupil, telling her to show them the true taste of a regression story!]
As always, the Tin Knight's words were hard to understand.
But his intent was clearly conveyed, allowing Adelaide to steady her body, which had begun to tremble from the old memory.
“…Yes!”
The little lion burst from the carriage and charged.