CH 102

Chapter 102 – Shield Princess

Side: Yuki

After we decided to postpone the debriefing about what we discovered in the Dungeon, we returned to castle.

By the way, I didn’t return control of Raie’s Dungeon.

Instead, he received my Guardian Appointment and was given the rights to manage it. The reason was because the DP needed to return it cost a ridiculous twice as much as taking it. Not only was the DP cost of the land doubled, but everything including all the traps, monsters facilities and environment as well.

Like this, Raie takes control again and I don’t have to spend any DP.

In the end I put Labiris in a governor-like position.

Well, her small Dungeon isn’t that different from mine though. Lutz and the others, however… 1)

And guarding the gateway between our Dungeons was Delille, so there’s nothing to worry about. I don’t know if a Hero would come and try to invade someday though.

After taking care of this and that, we finally made it back to the castle.

The meeting is still ongoing and they still haven’t settled on where to set up the Dungeon, so they still need a few more days.

In the meantime, finding a way to kill time is our immediate issue.

(Lowell)「Ooh, Seraria’s returned then? If you’re free right now, why don’t we have a bout?」2)

Princess Lowell called out.

(Seraria)「Let’s see. The day before yesterday you almost died. But you’re fine now, is that right?」

(Lowell)「Umu. This time I won’t be negligent. 」

After this short exchange, the two battle loving Princesses head over to the training grounds.

(Yuki)「What shall we do?」

(Lutz)「No, I’m with Kaya, so onii-san should go…… 」3)

Lutz said that and went “see you later” to me.

Well then, I’m bored.

(Seraria)「Ara, Dear, aren’t you coming? If not, I’ll be heartless tonight. 」4)

Seraria said, looking at my face for a while.

(Yuki)「Heartless?」

(Seraria)「Let’s see… If you don’t want it to be debauched, you’d better accept? How about all the wives, including me?」5)

(Yuki)「Seriously, you can’t! Seraria!!」

(Shera)「Are you serious, Seraria-sama!?!?」

Lutz and Shera are looking really excited.

Oi oi, even if you do that, I only have one body so everyone would just end up frustrated.

(Seraria)「I don’t mind, so should we really do it then? It would be fine if you take a year off too. Given the results so far6). 」

Well, in 3 to 4 months the population went from 0 to 10 thousand.

Considering the numbers, it’s probably sufficient now.

(Lutz)「That’s right~. Because I’ve been so busy lately, it would be nice to be filled and eaten by onii-san whenever and however long at the inn♡ 」

(Shera)「That’s true. Yuki-sama isn’t that aggressive on his own. I would like him to attack me at least once during the day♡ It’s training for that purpose. 」

Wow, my wives are so twisted.

What if I fall into depravity because of that? 7)

(Seraria)「Well, I would be thrilled if you end up drowning in our bodies, my Dear. 」

(Lutz)「No problem. We will properly take good care of you, onii-san. 」

(Shera)「You’d have little breaks. And I will restore you even if you fall into depravity too. 」

Ah, but is this alright for Seraria and the others? Lulu would wholeheartedly enjoy a stay-all-day-naked event with me too…..

(Lowell)「Oi, are you coming or not?」

Lowell called out to Seraria, somewhat in a hurry.

(Yuki)「Lowell wants Seraria to accompany her because she’s lonely. 」

(Seraria)「Ara, what a pity. Even if Lowell is all alone in love8), she’s still earnest in her everyday life. 」

I shrugged my shoulders at that unfortunately not so regrettable event before I went to the training ground where Lowell is waiting.

(Yuki)「What’s everyone else going to do then? 」

(Lutz)「I’m very sorry, but I have to plan and select the prices of items for export with Sharl. 」

(Shera)「I’ll stay with Yuki-sama. 」

(Kaya)「…… I’m escorting Lutz. 」

With that, everyone splits up.

Naruja-san seems to be running wild inside the forge of the Royal Capital.

She’s using the knowledge she learned from me, and the knowledge of the ancient fairies. After learning about the secrets behind Galtz’s smithing techniques, she apparently came up with something she’s working on right now.

I hope that it won’t be an OOParts 9)level item.

(Naruja)『Fu, fufufufu… Ahahahahah!! This growth, it’s beyond what I imagined!! This is a premonition, I’ll be able to make something continent-shattering with this!!!』

Yes, she’s making things I’ll end up having to seal away.

It can’t be helped, I have the feeling that such a cheat item would be cursed.

While I was lost in thought, the duel between Seraria and Lowell started with Kur as the referee.

SFX:Gaaan!!

The sounds of clashing metal echoed.

(Lowell)「Guh!? How are your attacks so strong!??」

Lowell received the slash from Seraria with her shield unsteadily, her expression was a display of surprise.

(Seraria)「That’s too bad, so I can’t take this bout seriously after all. 」

Seraria quickly soars through the air, but retreats after she heard Lowell.

(Lowell)「It’s the same for me after all!!」

Lowell plunges in where Seraria landed, thrusting her shield forward.

(Seraria)「Seriously, this rush is annoying!!」

Seraria avoids the shield tackle as she utters those words with a dodge that took advantage of her level.

(Lowell)「Hou, then how about this? Just like before, it’s time to receive each other’s blows. 」10)

Even though Lowell was surprised, she managed to resist the attack with her shield.

I understand. The tackle from before was some sort of technique that made use of one’s body weight to attack the opponent.

Having said that, it’s quite a difficult situation. If you don’t escape outside the range of Lowell’s shield, she can knock you off balance with her shield and then strike with her sword.

In other words, even if you avoid the tackle that’s rushing at you, you still have to deal with her sword.

It’s a nearly unavoidable tactic when used against an opponent of the same level.

Unless you’re much quicker than your opponent, you can’t escape from the range of this attack.

However, Seraria who had seen it coming a mile away, criticized it.

And once again, Seraria prepares her sword……

SFX: Suh

An almost silent strike!

Although it was hindered by Lowell’s shield, it was handled without any sound.

(Seraria)「Huh！?」

Seraria jumps back immediately.

The blade hit the now empty space where Seraria was supposed to be.

(Lowell)「You also dodged this, you’re even quicker than before. 」

(Seraria)「That’s my line. Please don’t judge me so easily. 」

(Lowell)「Don’t give me that. Because if it’s like this, I have no choice. 」

Lowell said before waving her shield.

Oi oi, I don’t know her level, but Seraria’s should be higher.

It’s incredible how she can compete with her shield just by relying on her instincts and technique.

(Shera)「Are you surprised?」

(Yuki)「Yes. 」

Shera asked me.

I mean, there’s no way I would have thought that Seraria would struggle this much.

I thought it would be an overwhelming victory because of the level difference.

(Shera)「Fufu, there’s no doubt. Only Lowell can do such things. However, that is thanks to how uniquely she uses her shield. She doesn’t receive her opponent’s attacks, but instead deflects or eludes them. Besides needing incredible talent, she also needs to know her opponent’s habits. 」

(Yuki)「I see. 」

(Shera)「We from Galtz have committed to protect our comrades first. If you protect your comrade first, they won’t die and can help you in return. The shield is for the sake of that purpose. To protect our friends for a long time, we specialize not in contests of strength but in technique. Well, only onee-sama can do it this well though. 」

While we’re having this discussion I’m watching the bout and how she manages to handle it safely despite the overwhelming level difference.

It’s seriously amazing.

(Seraria)「Same as ever, it’s incredibly bothersome in a one on one fight, that shield… 」

(Lowell)「I can’t let you surpass me so easily. 」

There’s a difference coming through little by little, after all.

It’s physical strength and stamina.

Their difference in levels is starting to show off. Mental and physical fatigue… It’s strenuous to handle an opponent so far above you.

(Lowell)「Fufu….. I can’t continue anymore. Sorry Seraria. But please, go all out with the last blow. 」

(Seraria)「…… Still the same, there’s no reason to fuss over who wins or loses. Okay then….」

Lowell admits her defeat and asks for a last blow. Seraria, who acknowledges it, puts her hand on the katana hanging at her waist.

(Yuki)「Hey, Seraria!!」

That aura smells like trouble.

For the Shield.

(Lowell)「Yuki. Don’t worry. This is what I wanted. I’ll manage somehow. 」

Lowell prepares her shield, ready to take on Seraria.

Seraria and I spoke without incident, she enters a posture to use her quickdraw technique. 11)

(Lowell)「Come!!」

(Seraria)「Yes!!」

What with this Janbari12) development…..

They collide with each other.

The bout was decided in an instant.

Lowell’s shield split in two.

With Seraria’s katana and skills, the shield stood no hope.

(Lowell)「…… Seriously, that trump card at the end is something else. 」

(Seraria)「Ara? I won’t show my hand so easily. Even Lowell didn’t bring “that” shield, right?」

(Lowell)「That’s because that shield is a national treasure. It must only be used in emergencies. But this shield was a perfectly good one. 」

(Seraria)「This sword of mine is also pretty decent. 」

(Lowell)「About its capacity, there’s quite the lead. 」

The two people are smiling. It’s that kind of scene. Wow, don’t you have more of a Hero’s spirit than me?

(Shera)「My onee-samas, this bout was wonderful. The soldiers in our surroundings are also very surprised, they’re speechless. 」

Just after she spoke.

Certainly, applause began to rise as the soldiers who watched returned to their senses after hearing Shera’s voice.

(Shera)「… But. Onee-sama, that shield. It was a custom made one. Once again, this match was superb. However, I can’t have you breaking equipment on a whim. Please fix it with your own finances. No, it looks like you can only purchase a new one. 」

(Lowell)「eeh!?」

Ah, Shera.

That’s splendid, quite strict.

It seems that Lowell won’t be receiving any salary for a while. 13)