“Ah, I feel so refreshed.”
Kent returned to the living room after taking a shower.
“You feel refreshed? You were late, though. I wonder what you decided to refresh.”
“Was I a bit late?”
“You were late. I had to reheat it again, even though I had already warmed it up.”
Catherine, who was in the kitchen, looked quite displeased. It was understandable, as when she entered the bathroom to shower, Elnet and Marie had come in with her. What was supposed to be just a shower turned into something more exciting, and in the end, she had released inside them both once. Time had passed considerably. While saying this, Catherine diligently reheated breakfast for all three of them.
“You all are going to the sanctuary today, aren’t you?”
“Ah, yes, that’s the plan.”
“Marie, you asked me to confirm.”
Marie asked, seeking confirmation. Elnet and Kent answered her.
“In that case, I’ll clean the house while you’re gone. Oh, right. The last time I cleaned, I found a questionable book under Kent’s bed, so I’ve returned it to the bookshelf.”
“Thank you for going to that trouble.”
The questionable book was forcefully lent to him by his classmate, Bobby. In this world, without the technology of printing, all books were handwritten. They were also expensive, something only the wealthy could afford. However, Bobby ran the largest trading company in this town and had an abundance of money. Because of this, he engaged in the propagation of questionable books among his classmates.
“I understand that young people are interested in such things, but since we’re here, you should ask us when you want something like that.”
“That’s right. If you ask, I’ll remove as much as you want.”
Marie said this with a blush, while Elnet, making a ring with her right hand and moving it up and down, was a stark contrast.
“Yes, yes, enough of your sweet talk. Eat your breakfast quickly.”
“Yes.”
Affected by Catherine’s grumpy aura, the three of them obediently complied and ate their slightly delayed breakfast.
“Speaking of which, I don’t see Al or Hanako.”
“They’re at the shop. They said to call them if you were going to the sanctuary.”
“I see.”
Kent asked about Al and Hanako, whose presence he hadn’t noticed since waking up. Catherine then mentioned they were at the shop.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Kent and his companions finished their breakfast.
“I’ll take care of the cleanup, so the three of you can head to the sanctuary. It’s a combat training session, so please be careful not to get injured.”
“Understood. Well then, Marie, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“I’m off.”
“Mother, I’m off.”
Kent and his companions left the cleanup to Marie and headed for the sanctuary.
“Hey, we’re going to the sanctuary now.”
“Yes, I understand, Master.”
“Mm, understood.”
“I understand, Master.”
On the way to the sanctuary, they stopped by Marie’s Bakery. Kent called out to Al, Hanako, and Emily. Instead of entering through the front, they entered the premises through the back entrance of the shop, which led to the sanctuary grounds.
“Well, now that everyone is here, we will begin combat training.”
In the sanctuary’s plaza, all twenty Holy Knights were neatly lined up. Facing them, Kent, Elnet, Al, Hanako, and Emily stood in a row. Catherine, standing in the center, turned towards the Holy Knights and began to speak. Currently, in her role as a Saintess, Catherine was clad in a white Saintess robe and had let down her braided hair. Unlike her usual self, she exuded presence and grace.
“This time, as a first-time experiment, we will train in methods of dealing with magical attacks. Although it is still in the experimental stage, the Holy Knight Order is a unit organized to deal with magical attacks, and it is anticipated that they will handle both normal combat and magical combat. While normal combat is routinely trained, our country is far behind other nations in magical combat. Therefore, we have planned this session to allow you to experience magic firsthand by inviting special instructors.”
Catherine began the overview of the training to the Holy Knights.
“Holy Knights are selected from among knights who possess magical power. With training, some may even be able to use magic. Furthermore, some magical attacks cannot be dealt with using conventional weaponry. The white armor you are wearing has special enchantments, and by combining it with magical power, you can defend against magic to some extent. This is what we will primarily be training today. Now, I will hand over the progression of the training to the Captain.”
“Yes, understood.”
Otsupain, who had been entrusted with the authority to proceed by Catherine, responded with a salute.
“Very well, we shall begin the training. Who will be the instructor first?”
“Yes, yes. I’ll go first.”
Otsupain said this as he looked at the instructors. Emily then raised her hand and volunteered.
“Then, Emily, is there anyone who would like to spar with her first?”
“Alright, I’ll do it.”
When Otsupain asked the Holy Knights, one person volunteered.
“Then, Holy Knights, please equip your training wooden swords. Emily, what will you be using?”
“I usually use this, but it’s metal, so it’s probably not a good idea. Master, do you have anything I can use?”
“Huh? I’m not sure what you want me to say you can use. A wooden sword, the same as theirs, should be fine, don’t you think?”
“Understood. Then I will use a wooden sword as well.”
Emily’s usual weapon for fighting was a metal fork used at the shop, but for safety reasons, she asked Kent what alternative she should use. As Kent had advised, Emily took a training wooden sword in her hand.
“I will not directly use magic. I will fight by strengthening my body with magic.”
“So, you mean I can just fight normally then?”
“Yes, please don’t worry about appearances and attack with all your might.”
Emily explained her fighting style and basic combat methods. Her attire was the same as when she worked at the shop: a long skirt and a maid uniform that looked difficult to move in.
“Let’s begin!”
At Otsupain’s signal, the fight between Emily and the Holy Knight began.
“Aren’t you going to guard? Alright, then I’ll go first! Huh? What? I couldn’t see your movements. Gwah!”
The match was decided in an instant. The moment the Holy Knight tried to close the distance, Emily was already right next to him. With a light swing of her wooden sword, she struck the Holy Knight, sending him flying.
“So strong…”
The match ended very quickly, and the Holy Knights watching were astonished.
“As expected of you, Emily.”
Elnet, who had followed her movements with her eyes, said this with admiration.
“Next.”
“Gwah.”
“Next.”
“Ugh.”
The purpose was not to have a representative fight, but for them to experience magical attacks firsthand. Therefore, Holy Knights one after another challenged Emily in a round-robin. However, unable to even touch Emily, only one person remained.
“Captain, do your best!”
“Show us the pride of a Holy Knight!”
“Ugh, don’t put so much pressure on me!”
Otsupain, cheered on by the other Holy Knights, said this with a bitter expression. Although he was nominally the captain, he was not the most militarily capable in the unit and his abilities in normal combat were not significantly different from the other Holy Knights.
“Alright, come on!”
Otsupain assumed a stance with his wooden sword and faced Emily.
“I’m coming!”
“Kk!”
“Ooh!”
Otsupain blocked Emily’s attack, and they were locked in a stalemate. Since he was the first Holy Knight to withstand Emily’s attack, a loud cheer erupted from the Holy Knights.
