Chapter 29

Joanie and the mysterious figure faced off with serious expressions as they clashed swords.

From the perspective of watching the fight, one might wonder, “Is this really the face they make?” but I refrained from pouring cold water on the moment.

“You’re holding up better than I expected.”

Although a few weeks isn’t enough time for someone’s skills to dramatically change, it is sufficient to refine poor basics.

I might be the only one to notice, but to me, Joanie from a few weeks ago and Joanie now are markedly different.

Isn’t that why they can hold their own against the mysterious figure?

“Hah… Ya!”

With a bizarre battle cry, Joanie swung her sword vigorously.

The mysterious figure easily blocked the incoming sword aimed at their chest and stepped back a couple of paces.

The physical ability of the mysterious figure seemed slightly higher than Joanie’s…

Yet Joanie could endure because the mysterious figure’s level wasn’t particularly high either.

I’ve always felt that Apostles are all inept in technique despite their physical prowess.

With that level of physical ability, one would expect their technique to be somewhat decent, but it’s oddly skewed.

They are like someone who has rapidly grown strong without steadily building their strength.

“Is this also thanks to Edel’s blessing?”

“Hah!”

“Ugh…!”

Look at this.

Despite the negligible difference in strength, one is trying to crush the other, while the other is taking it as it comes.

“This is a total mess.”

Still, I’ve definitely identified the problem.

I’ve known what the problem was for a while, but this fight gave me confidence.

Fighting against someone of a similar level is indeed the best way to pinpoint problems.

Clang!

While I observed apathetically, swords clashed forcefully, causing Joanie’s sword to fly from her hand.

They need to pick up their sword quickly or retreat, but perhaps flustered, Joanie was fumbling as a sharp silver gleam rushed toward her heart.

“…Kyaaa!”

“That’s enough.”

Clang!

“Ugh?!”

Thud!

As I swiftly struck down the upper side of the rapidly approaching sword, the mysterious figure staggered and fell.

It was an excellent moment to end their life.

However, instead of plunging the sword into the exposed neck and back, I caught Joanie, who had collapsed, and helped her back up.

After all, what’s so scary about dying if you can come back to life?

Joanie was trembling like a quaking aspen.

When I picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground and placed it in her hands, she finally took a breath and thanked me in a shaky voice.

“Th-th-thank you….”

“Don’t mention it.”

I nodded casually.

“Why suddenly…?”

The assailant, caught off guard like a bolt from the blue, looked bewildered.

It’s no wonder; he must feel wronged to be interrupted just when he thought he had won.

I never intended to let Joanie die, so I was planning to intervene just before the conclusion. But I felt a little bad about it.

Even if she could be resurrected, it would mean another long wait for her to reach this point again.

I couldn’t afford to waste time like that.

I took a coin from my pocket and flicked it with my finger.

Ping!

“Uh? This is….”

It may not have any value as currency, but it could serve as a souvenir. Even if it couldn’t be used as money, it was made of gold, so selling it for cash wouldn’t be a problem.

The assailant reflexively caught the Grasis commemorative coin I tossed but looked dazed.

“Why suddenly…?”

“Your reward.”

Since I played along with the fun for a bit, I figured he wouldn’t have any complaints about receiving a reward like that.

The assailant, looking at the coin this way and that, flipping it over and inspecting it, bowed his waist slightly.

“Thank you very much!”

It seemed to convey gratitude, but why was he being so excessively thankful?

As I tilted my head in confusion at his emotional reaction, the assailant hurriedly stuffed the coin into his pocket, as if worried I might change my mind, then dashed off in a direction and disappeared.

It was as abrupt as his entrance.

While I stared blankly at the spot where he had vanished, Joanie approached me to speak.

“…Canaria, where’s mine?”

“…?”

Did she give it to me?

When I lightly ignored her, Joanie rolled on the dirt ground, throwing a tantrum.

“I want, I want the gift you gave, Canaria! Give it to me!”

“Waaaah!”

“Enough already.”

“…Yes.”

As I shoved the scabbard right next to Joanie’s head, she suddenly sprang up from her previous position on the ground.

Why is it that people only listen when violence is involved?

I can’t understand it.

Tap tap.

…Ugh, dust.

As Joanie dusted off her clothes that had become clouded from rolling on the ground, dirt swirled up. I stepped back to avoid the dust and gathered my thoughts.

Joanie’s issue is, as always, her excessive fear.

It’s the basic principle of combat to inflict damage on the opponent while avoiding damage to oneself. I could let her be cautious about getting hurt, but there’s a limit to that.

You can’t win by just avoiding attacks and playing defensively after finally gaining the upper hand; you have to strike back at some point.

To put it more precisely, it’s like she only attacks when she’s completely sure of victory.

To seize the advantage, you need to take the offensive to some extent, but she seems too afraid of counterattacks to strike.

I had allowed the pesky big sword chick to bother her to help fix this habit, but ironically, the big sword chick didn’t show much interest in Joanie, rendering my efforts fruitless.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen the big sword chick today.

“Where’s the great-sword chick?”

“Yuki? Oh… training. She said she went to train.”

I see. How consistent of her.

Thinking back, I doubt having the big sword chick around would actually help Joanie much.

Considering the significant skill gap between Joanie and the big sword chick, it wouldn’t be surprising if the chick didn’t hold back while sparring with Joanie due to her personality.

The goal is to eliminate her fear, but it’s clear that facing the chick would only make her more scared and withdrawn.

“…”

Eliminating fear…

There is indeed a good way to do that.

The Crimson Aegis, where the elite of Grasis gather…

…That’s a story from the past.

The Crimson Aegis I know is where the nobles with some skill go when they can’t join the royal knights, alongside those who are skilled but not of noble birth.

Or perhaps it’s a place for those truly filled with patriotism, eager to fight the enemy.

The ones who get into the royal knights don’t have to take dangerous risks fighting against the enemy, while the nobles or royal family can always secure their lives with their elite guards.

It’s a dark humor, really, that they died before us.

Still, the Crimson Aegis wasn’t a place with significantly inferior skills.

The leader of the Crimson Aegis holds the position of the strongest person in Grasis, so it actually raises the bar even higher.

The purpose of the Crimson Aegis was ignored, yet they rigidly adhered to such traditions, which was quite absurd.

‘…I got a little distracted.’

Anyway, there were often timid ones among the members of the Crimson Aegis.

‘Hii, hiik?!’

‘I-I can’t do it! Please just kill me!’

Those who stiffened like logs or retreated in fear.

This reaction was common when guys who had honed their skills through sparring with others on the training grounds faced monsters for the first time.

Of course, there were many who could fight calmly even without real combat experience.

If they fought properly, they could win without breaking a sweat, but they just ran away in fear.

And my simple solution at the time as the deputy leader was straightforward.

‘Go.’

— ‘…What?’

‘Go and fight.’

— ‘…Did I hear that wrong?’

‘Then I’ll make sure you hear it clearly.’

— ‘Wah! I curse you, Deputy Leader!’ seaʀᴄh thё NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I’d force them into a situation where they had no choice but to fight.

— ‘D-Deputy Leader?’

‘Yeah.’

— ‘…Why are you giving me your sword?’

‘Because you asked me to kill you.’

— ‘…’

‘…’

— ‘…Bring it on, you damn monsters!’

…Or give them even greater fear.

It was a little hurtful that they were more afraid of me just for unsheathing a sword than they were of the monsters, but isn’t it better if it works out well?

Oh, and for reference, the one who cursed me became incredibly brave after fighting the monsters for several days and even challenged me to a duel.

— ‘Hii, hiik…! Deputy Leader, I’m scared…!’

It seems like another phobia developed afterward, but that’s none of my business.

Even if they’re apostles blessed by Edel, they’re still human.

There wouldn’t be much difference between the kids I taught and others.

In other words, if I push them hard enough, the problem will resolve itself naturally.

“W-Why am I suddenly feeling chills…?”

Did she sense something? Joanie trembled and looked around.

I’m not doing this because I want to; I’m doing it for your own good, okay?

“Got it?”

***

[I got a gift from Kana, lol!]

(Grasis Commemorative Coin.jpg)

It doesn’t look like imperial gold, but it’s shiny and pretty. From now on, this is my house’s treasure.

[Comments]

—No way!

┗ I’m serious!! If you don’t believe me, go watch Joanie’s broadcast replay.

—I’ll buy it.

┗ Nope, not for sale~

—ㅠㅠ

—I was wondering who the brave soul was, and it turned out to be you.

—Is it really true?? How did you get it?

┗ I went head-to-head with Joanie, and when she tried to kill me, she gave this to me.

┗ Wow, I’m so jealous;

[I want to receive a gift from Kana-chan too!]

So, are you saying that if I follow Joanie around and pick a fight, I can get a gift from Kana-chan?

Huff, huff… a gift touched by Kana-chan…

I can’t resist this; I’m going to beat Joanie up. See ya!

[Comments]

—That’s a bit much…

—I bet you’ll get cut up immediately.

—Get out of here;

—Please die.

So far, people who could only gaze at Kana through broadcasts due to her vigilance and barriers were starting to have their suppressed desires boil over, especially after learning she wouldn’t immediately draw her sword just because they met.

[Can’t I ask for a head pat instead of a gift?]

I want to pet Kana’s head too…

[Comments]

—You had hands, but now you don’t.

—???: Just mix it in a bit. Losing your hands like this…

—X cuss: my hands…!

—Are you hoping to become Captain Hook in the future?

—Is being chopped off guaranteed? LOL

—Our Kana doesn’t bite. Instead, she’ll cut you up.

[Wow! A fan meeting!]

So, if I go now, Kana will chat with me, shake hands, hug, let me pet her, and even give me a gift?

I can’t resist this, lol.

[Comments]

—What are you even talking about?

—This is driving me crazy;

—You’re a pedophile…

—Dude, are you going to live like this again this year??

With her cute and gentle appearance contrasting her indifferent demeanor, Kana was secretly caring for Joanie while accepting her affection, drawing people in.

Those who wanted to get close to Kana and those who simply admired her heard the news, and players who happened to be nearby started to gather, as if they were heading out to see a celebrity visiting their town.

As a result, a large crowd of players gathered around Joanie and Kana as they headed toward Ordo.

— “Ah, don’t push me!”

— “Please form a line! Keep your order!”

— “It’s not order; it’s sequence, right?”

— “I’m selling corn! I’ve got popcorn too!”

Before long, even merchants joined in, creating utter chaos.

Kana really had to think deeply.

“Should I just kill them all…?”

Since the day the imperial army invaded, Kana’s view of the Apostle had plummeted, though her mood had improved somewhat.

But the biggest victims weren’t the onlookers like Kana or the Apostles facing death.

— “Hey, wanna fight? Let’s have a go!”

— “Do you fight that well? Come up to the rooftop with me.”

— “Joanie! I’m a fan! I’ll hug you!”

— “Eek! Wh-what are you guys?!”

On their way to Ordo, while having a pleasant time, Joanie ended up receiving a mountain of challenges, becoming the biggest victim of the situation.

Joanie was horrified by the countless PVP requests and looked around, but everywhere she turned, she was greeted by eyes that looked like they were staring at delicious prey.

“Waaaaah! Kana! Help me!”

In the end, Joanie threw her dignity aside and clung to Kana’s leg, bursting into tears.