In front of Lyuka, the Gaun soldiers widened their eyes and fell silent. However, they quickly returned to a resolute gaze and glared at me.
“Y-You intend to make such a child fight!?”
“How despicable! Do you think we’ll go easy on you because of that!”
So that’s what they’re going with this time. With Gerard’s gaze from behind me, I’m in a sandwich. If I’m going to be squeezed, I’d prefer it to be by a woman’s gaze.…… Not that I’m an M, you know?
“I’m not a child! I can fight too!”
See, Lyuka is also angry at their rude remarks.
“Will you speak like that on the battlefield as well?”
“Y-Your Majesty Beast King…”
At the Beast King’s words, the Gaun soldiers fall silent. Their frivolous demeanor from moments ago is gone, and a serious atmosphere emanates from them.
“Judging others by their appearance is the mark of a second or third-rate individual. Don’t disappoint me.”
” “W-We apologize…” ”
“If you want to participate in the Beast King Festival, convince me. Show me results, not just words. …… Do you understand?”
” ” ” “Hah!” ” ”
The Gaun soldiers no longer seem hesitant. Seeing this, I can tell they have the makings of leaders.
“Kelvin, my apologies. It seems those who gather under me tend to get heated. Honestly, Jereol and Yujil were thrown into arenas and dungeons at that child’s age.”
I think that’s a bit much.
“No, please don’t worry about it. Rather, they were probably angry out of concern for Lyuka.”
“It’s helpful that you say so. And apologies to you, young warrior.”
“Hmph, I understand. I’ll forgive you this time! Big Sister!”
“……Thanks ♪ Big Sister is so happy!”
……Still, I don’t quite understand this Beast King.
“Alright, has everyone chosen their weapons?”
Another soldier brought the weapons that Lyuka and the Gaun soldiers had chosen. Lyuka chose a dagger, her accustomed weapon, an iron dagger of Rank D. The four opponents had each chosen a different weapon: a longsword, a greatsword, a spear, and knuckles. All were made of iron, just like Lyuka’s.
“Ideally, we should also equip armor… but it’s fine for now. Our soldiers will wear leather training gear, and you have a maid outfit. There should be no problem.”
Huh, is that okay? I think there’s quite a problem. Well, Gerard is worried too, so it’s probably not worth pointing out.
“Then we shall begin as is. Lyuka, do your best.”
“Yeah!”
Leaving Lyuka in the center of the training ground, we moved to the spectator seats so as not to get in the way.
“Oh dear, oh dear… I’m worried…”
“Gerard, your character is breaking. Just trust Lyuka already. You’ve seen Lyuka’s efforts up close more than anyone, haven’t you?”
“Y-Yes… that is true, but…”
He’s such a doting old man.
『Also, rest assured. The apprentice maid outfit Lyuka is wearing was made by Efil. Swords of that quality won’t cut it. They probably won’t even hit her, though.』
『What? Then, I guess I can relax… No, but what if…?』
Efil often does sewing as a hobby, not just for combat. Most of Sera’s casual clothes are custom-made by Efil, as are the uniforms for her subordinates. Furthermore, she’s always trying to improve their performance in her spare time. It’s common for her to say things like, “I altered it while doing the laundry.” The official name of that outfit Lyuka is wearing was probably Apprentice Maid Outfit VI. It’s now finished to the level of A-Rank equipment. I no longer know what’s considered apprentice work.
“Master, it seems to be starting soon.”
“Oh, is that so?”
I’ll leave Gerard alone for now. Taking a breath, I’ll concentrate on Lyuka’s fight.
“Now, I, Jereol, will be the judge for this match. To confirm again, this match will be held in imitation of the Beast King Festival. The use of magic is prohibited, and the use of equipment and items other than the designated weapons and armor is not permitted. Is that understood by both parties?”
” ” ” “Hah!” ” ” ”
“No problem!”
While the Gaun soldiers were full of fighting spirit, Lyuka was her usual calm self. Yes, that’s a good state to be in.
“First up, Captain of a Hundred, Gobera! Step forward!”
A beastman carrying a longsword walked to the center of the training ground and faced Lyuka.
『Now, I wonder how many seconds it will take.』
『I’ll bet the right to room with me at the inn today on 3 seconds!』
『You’re too generous, Sera Nee. I think the current Lyuka will break 2 seconds.』
『Please wait. We need to clarify what constitutes the decision. If it’s forcing them to declare surrender, it will take a few seconds of lost time.』
『Isn’t it fine to count until they assume that posture?』
『Then let’s go with that plan.』
Amidst the tense atmosphere, our female party members were not worrying but were rather chatting via telepathy. ……Wait, what are they betting on?
“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a child. If you’re going to resent someone, resent your master.”
“Why? There’s no need to resent Master? I’m always grateful.”
“……Pathetic.”
“Gobera, no idle talk. Now, the match to decide participation in the Beast King Festival begins. Are you ready?”
“No problem!”
“Okay!”
Gobera, the Gaun soldier, held his longsword at a mid-level stance, while Lyuka lowered her body and held the iron dagger in a reverse grip. If one ignores her maid outfit, she looks like an assassin.
“……Begin!”
Jereol’s arm swung down as the signal to start the match.
“First strike―――!?”
“Checkmate.”
Gobera stepped forward simultaneously with the signal, but at that moment, he had already lost sight of Lyuka. Lyuka was not where he stepped. And what was Gobera thinking upon hearing a cute voice from beside his ear and feeling the cold touch of metal on his neck? Confusion, or fear? Lyuka’s small body had landed as if fitting into Gobera’s right shoulder, and she had aimed the iron dagger at his neck.
“……What!?”
“Hey, it’s checkmate, you know? Do you surrender?”
The iron dagger pressed against him slowly increased in force.
“I, I surrender!”
“Match over! Winner, Lyuka, the apprentice maid!”
“You can leave out the ‘apprentice’!”
Gobera, the loser, looked stunned, while the victor, Lyuka, huffed and moved away from the center. One victory for now. It was over in an instant as expected. She skillfully used her strength, her speed, and her ‘Stealth’ skill.
“Hoh, it seems your words were not false.”
“Ah, he might be faster than Guin, the captain of a hundred who qualified first. ……Father, don’t bring such strong opponents. Aren’t they the party of ‘Grim Reaper’ Kelvin, an adventurer of the same rank as you? The weakest one is dangerous.”
“It’s a small gift from me to my slacking child. Accept it gratefully.”
The remaining three Gaun soldiers who are about to fight don’t seem to understand what happened yet, but the Beast King and Jereol clearly grasped Lyuka’s movements. While the Beast King is an S-Rank adventurer, I’ve heard that the Lion Prince is also a powerful individual close to S-Rank. Lyuka has become quite strong, but she’s still not strong enough to fight those two.
“Uooooh! Lyuka won! Efil, did you see that? Did you burn it into your eyes?”
“Yes, I saw it clearly. This is also thanks to the guidance of Lord Gerard.”
“No, it’s because Lyuka worked hard up until now. Oh, the next match is starting!”
Where did all that excessive worry from earlier go? Should I just leave Gerard to Efil from now on? Efil can probably handle Gerard well.
“Second up, also Captain of a Hundred, Bander! Step forward!”
Oh, it’s already the next one. I should stop thinking about extraneous things and just cheer for Lyuka.
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
“……Match over! Winner, Lyuka, the apprentice maid!”
“Hey, hey, this is the fourth time? Is this harassment? Is this harassment?”
The following three matches also ended without any particular upsets, with Lyuka securing a straight, flawless victory. Even with different weapons, no matter how much they were on guard, if they couldn’t perceive it, it was meaningless. The “checkmate” declaration at the moment the match began. The stunned opponents, the puffing Lyuka. The match content was all the same. There was truly no disturbance.
“With this, all matches are concluded! The four slots for participation in the Beast King Festival will all be obtained by Kelvin and his party! No objections?”
” ” ” “……” ” ” ”
The Gaun soldiers remained silent. When you lose so cleanly with no room for complaint, you can’t say anything.
“Everyone~! I did it~!”
“You did well, Lyuka.”
“Lyukaaa~! Oh, my tears of emotion won’t stop! My heart!”
We all greeted Lyuka, who was hugging Efil. Leaving Gerard aside, Lyuka truly did a great job.
“Lyuka, here’s the promised Mithril Dagger. Please use it carefully.”
“Master, thank you! I’ll use it for cooking—”
“I’ll make you a separate set of knives, so please don’t use it for cooking…”
It’s for self-defense, that’s all. As I handed Lyuka the Mithril Dagger, I checked her status.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Lyuka 10 years old Female Human Apprentice Maid
Level: 94
Title: Grandchild of the Sword Sage
HP: 316/316
MP: 277/277
Strength: 202
Durability: 134 (+22)
Agility: 390
Magic: 99
Luck: 438
Skills: Swordsmanship (Rank A)
Martial Arts (Rank D)
Acrobatics (Rank D)
Stealth (Rank D)
Service (Rank F)
Cooking (Rank B)
Sewing (Rank F)
Auxiliary Effects: Concealment (Rank S)
Cooking/Durability Increase (Large) (Rank S)
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Lyuka is not blessed with talent. However, she is now on par with Touya when I first met him. I can’t thank her enough for the ‘Experience Sharing’ skill. Old man, your granddaughter is like a Hero. Have more confidence.
……However, is it because she’s been investing points mainly in combat skills that she’s still an apprentice maid with this level of power? Or is it because she’s not recognized as a full-fledged member by those around her? Her foundational skills as a maid are improving though…
