Chapter 367 - Training Before Going Home

It has been three days since I returned back to Melk from Arturo. The city has gotten quiet now since most people have returned back. But it's still quite crowded.

As for the Arena, the merchant finally organized a tournament to decide who will be the main sponsor of the tournament arranged by the merchant. They will send representative hired by their own group, and fight each other. The winner will be the main sponsor.

As for how it will go, I don't really care. It's just the people of Melk will get busier and the Arena will attract people from outside. Maybe they will make the city bigger in the future.

Steven and Dwight were hired to be the commentators again. They happily accepted it. Though I told them that in the future, I might ask them to be commentators again. I didn't tell them about the big tournament, but they agreed instantly. Saying that they are grateful to me for the chance of getting a better job that they like.

After returning from Arturo, Shirley insisted on hearing the discussion that happen in Arturo, so I told her what I remembered. Including the three guests who arrived at Bernard's mansion, of which one of them is a fake.

"King Harold must be going through such difficulty. But despite his usual attitude, he's still a smart king. I believe he can handle it well."

That's what Shirley said after I told her what happened. I don't know how good he is as a king, but if he could make Bernard gain strength in short period for the battle for the throne, I guess he's just that good.

And it's finally time for them to return home.

"Roy, we decided to go back the way we came here. We will go on foot. Both the capital team and Cassau team will go together to Cassau, then we will split up and go to the capital," Shirley said.

"…you said that it was both teams, but aren't the number is too little? There's just five of you," I said.

In front of me, there are only Shirley, Kayla, Angela, Jewel, and Sara. As for the other team members, I didn't see them.

"The agent from my team, and the two from capital, have something important to do. Probably related to the chaos in the capital. As for Frederick, he returned home quickly with a carriage after hearing the news about the problem in the capital," Kayla said.

Oh, right. He's a noble from the capital. Maybe his family is one of the victims who got captured. Or maybe even killed. I heard from Candy that some nobles fought back and got killed without being taken as a hostage.

"Then… what about the other guy? The laughingstock for the tournament?" I asked. Though he's not that important, I asked just in case. His pride might have been hurt too bad and he would think of taking revenge despite it's all because of his own decision.

"I think it's fine to ignore him. He came here proudly with his family, and left here humiliated. Though I don't know if he will return back to the campus or not. At least he and his father don't have the face to meet other people right now," Kayla said.

"I see. That's good. Hmm? Sophie, you're here?"

Sophie come by while we were discussing about how they will return.

"Yeah. I'm thinking of going back with everyone as well. And Lina said that Sunny will join us," Sophie said.

"Then I'll join as well!"

Suddenly, Victoria left me and transformed into her human form and said that she wanted to join.

"You too?" I asked.

"Yeah. And it's beneficial for us if I managed to defeat more monsters as well. Anyway, what about you?" Victoria asked.

"I'll stay here for a while. Since Mustache left with Albert, I'll be the guard to protect Marie until she returns to the capital," I said.

"That's a good idea. Since Albert is gone, she might be the next target," Kayla said.

Yeah. I'm afraid that the cult has failed many times and they will attack anyone related to the royalty. Not just Marie, but Shirley or Alan, or even Lana whose existence was kept hidden.

"I'll bring the children to Cassau for now with Lina and the others. Well, see you later."

I gathered the kids together, and brought them to Cassau. Well, other than Alan and Lana.

After that, I went to the mansion they are staying and told Marie that I will stay for a while.

"We will leave to the capital tomorrow with the guards. But you can take us three to the capital right away."

That's what Marie said.

In the end, I don't have to guard her anymore and I have some free time. Should I go back to Cassau to hold a lecture? Nah, I'll pass on that.

I'll use this chance to get stronger as well.

I also need to practice my air magic to create hallucination. That time I used depressing gas on the fake Dominic, it might have been luck since I'm unable to do it again. But now Victoria is gone, and I'm too afraid of practicing it on Spot, I need to find a monster to experiment on.

"Roy, where are we going?" Spot asked.

"Training. I want to find a monster whom I can tell its expression for experiment. Do you know any?" I asked Spot.

"Oh, you mean like what you did to Victoria in that forest? Hmm… if it's the depressing one, I know a good one. It's a Vicious Ostrich," Spot said.

A green ostrich that is… vicious. If I remember correctly, it's a flightless bird with a long neck and can run fast. Their kick could even kill someone in one hit. Maybe I'll train my kicking as well.

"Why only depression?" I asked.

"When they are depressed, Vicious Ostriches would bury their head on the ground. If your magic worked, they will do that" Spot said.

That's good. I need monsters that I can tell their reactions from the gases I'd like to test. And Vicious Ostrich is a good target.

After that, I went to look for where the Vicious Ostriches can be found. It's close to the border to Arturo, but since I'm riding Spot, I can get there in less than one hour.

I finally found a flock of ostriches. There are too many of them, but it's good for my kicking practice. Maybe.

The size of the Ostriches is huge. Even their legs are just a little shorter than my height. The legs looked thinner than my arms, but the power behind every kick was so strong. I even saw one during the war before I died that there's a summoner or a tamer who contracted with a Vicious Ostrich and ride it to the war. The ostrich kicked many cult members, but it died because it's weak against fire. The smell of a fried bird was appetizing. I wonder how they taste? Let's find out today.

I dropped from Spot's back right in the middle of the flock. As for Spot, he went away and look for other monsters to feast on since I said that I will take care of the ostriches.

"Alright! Kicking party begi—"

Before I finished my word, a kick was directed right to the back of my head. I barely managed to dodge it.

"Fuck! Their kicks are faster than expected! Well, it's not training if it's not at least this much. Let's go!"

I won't use Reizpear, Blobbies, or any magic. I will only fight them with my legs, and Aura.

An ostrich in front of me tries to kick me, but I also kicked at the same time. Our leg hit each other, and even though mine is covered with Aura, I can still feel the pain.

I think this might be too much. Well, I'll escape if I can't handle it anymore.

The kicking match began, and I'm at the obvious disadvantage. Not only their legs are longer, they are more powerful as well. But I can endure it if I cover my body with Aura.

"Oh? A footwork? That seems useful."

One of the ostriches moved its feet as if dancing. Left, right, I don't know which foot it will use to attack me. Even with Divine Vision that can see its muscle's movement, I still don't know which foot it will attack me with.

And I suddenly got hit right on the chest. I was lucky to keep my Aura covering my body.

"Ugh… wow, that was amazing. I think I can learn more than just kicking. Fine, Bring it on! I will leave some of you alive for my experiment! The rest will be nuggets!"

Even with Aura, I still couldn't hit the ostrich after it used that strange footwork. But after a while, I copied their footwork and I finally managed to get a clear hit on its body.

That's one down and… fifty more to go?

If I'm surrounded, it will be the end of me. I need to make sure they won't be able to surround me and just make it a one on one battle.

The next ostrich spread its wings while doing that weird footwork. I see, it can be used to intimidate the enemy. I also tried to raise my hands above, and its eyes are focused on my hand. It worked as well for distraction.

After defeating the first twenty ostriches, the rest was easy to take care of. I only left about ten tied up to the trees nearby for my air magic experiment.

Coming here is a good idea.. I can still get stronger.