“Latrie, what are you doing? Dealing with this strange old woman… wait, what happened! Someone, Latrie…!”
“Huh? Did you say something? Little lady over there… Honestly, all of you… I suppose I’m an old woman to you teenagers, but you shouldn’t say that out loud, right?”
“I merely stated a fact… Perhaps I should rephrase to ‘a lady who has aged gracefully’?”
Latrie looked up at the sky as if involuntarily.
Seeing Wakako take a deep breath, ‘I’ also involuntarily covered my ears.
“You should have just called me ‘big sister’! Are you looking down on me?! You brat!”
A furious roar like wildfire…
Wakako’s angry voice and glare caused Listis to fall onto her rear in shock, utterly stunned.
A few other members of the guard were sitting down and sobbing… This is… terrible.
“Ah… what, my legs… are they weak? No! What’s happening… this! No! I can’t… stand… me, being intimidated like this?”
“Heh heh, if being stared down by me only results in that, you’re actually quite promising. Latrie, do you need a handkerchief? Or rather, I’m sorry… it seems the others are also in quite a tough spot, so why don’t you go change?”
“Ah, ahaha… ha…. I… I’ve realized there are people in this world who will absolutely never be defeated… Listis too… this person… we mustn’t go against Wakako-san!”
“M-me, go against you… what just happened? I… why? Oh, s-sorry.”
Listis, with Wakako’s help, stood up.
She’s amazing, as expected.
With just a glare, she easily took down these two who should have been quite strong.
Even I felt a flutter of fear… Ah, scary, scary.
“Well then, now that we’ve established the power dynamic, I’ll be in charge from now on! I understand you newcomers want to prove yourselves, but you must realize the situation is worsening and becoming unmanageable while you dally. Let me tell you, I won’t tolerate any complaints… Param-san, you’re okay with this, right?”
“Yes! As Wakako-sama commands… I’ve always thought you were the strongest!”
“Good spirit. I don’t dislike good men. Well then, our strategy moving forward as the assailants will be no forceful subjugation of the culprit. Guard members, you will only surround the building. The black-clad snipers on the roof will also withdraw. If Rein-chan is against us, sniping with a crossbow is pointless. Those who were scattered from the roof will be reassigned to reserves… Your role, if the culprit were to suddenly emerge, is to intercept them with your bodies! They’re a bomb-wielding maniac… if they self-destruct, it won’t end well, but we absolutely must not cause harm to civilians. For that, we may need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves. Do you understand this?”
At worst, we’re being ordered to become human shields… In response to Wakako’s ruthless command, the guard members all shouted in unison, “Yes! Ma’am!”
Even though an unfamiliar person was leading the unit, somehow all the team members were looking at Wakako with the same gaze as if they were watching their prince charming… This must be the prince aura that fascinates women that my husband talked about.
“Oh, you’re all responding surprisingly well. I thought you’d complain more… So, is that understood? From here on, no one, including the culprit, our allies, or civilians, will be harmed… We’ll finish everything within 30 minutes… let’s go quickly!”
“Please wait! You don’t intend to let the culprit live? T-that would set a bad precedent… Also, relying on civilians… it’s shameful for a soldier!”
“Hah? And who was it that went limp and trembled after being glared at by those civilians? If you still disagree, shall we fight right here and see who is the strongest? My fists can shatter magic barriers and armor with ease, you know?”
“Th-that was just a surprise attack… I’m not convinced! If that’s the case, Wakako-nee-sama… could you perhaps teach me one thing?”
Listis smiled defiantly, unfastening the clasp of her sword’s scabbard with a click.
Seeing this, Wakako casually clenched her fist.
“Oh, you’re playing that card? But you’re right… your eyes haven’t yet surrendered to me. Rather than force reluctant obedience, a little playful training might be amusing.”
“…Listis, you should stop… It’s a blessing to be shown mercy. The difference in ability between you and Wakako-sama is so vast, it’s not even a contest!”
“…Shut up, Latrie! Wakako-san, don’t look down on me. I am also a warrior, after all… I cannot admit defeat without even crossing swords once… The difference in ability is indeed stark… however!”
Listis took a sideways stance, lowering her body as she glided, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Seeing this, the guard members let out a chorus of cheers.
…Both of them are the type that women like.
It’s no wonder it’s so exciting.
“Oh… Iaido? Well… as you say, you seem to have some skill, but your body is honest… Your knees are trembling.”
“…Th-this is fighting spirit…! Heh heh, to be honest, I realize this is a reckless challenge… But when facing an opponent far stronger than oneself, real battles don’t have the luxury of picking opponents, so I’ll consider this a good opportunity!”
“I think it’s best not to overdo it, but I don’t dislike your earnestness, and your spirit is admirable. I’ll praise you then… Well then, let’s start with some mental training! First, withstand my killing intent pressure for one minute! If you can stand until the end, we’ll proceed to the real match…!”
Wakako took a slightly pigeon-toed stance with her legs spread and her fists clenched at her sides in a unique posture.
This is…!
A stance from Ryukyu Karate… Sanchin-no Kamae.
‘I’ am knowledgeable because I researched martial arts when drawing action scenes for manga.
At first glance, it looks like just standing facing forward, but it’s a defense-oriented stance that can respond to attacks from the front and both sides, three directions.
Originally devised as a stance for fighting unarmed on an unstable ship, it has incredible stability and is said to be the ultimate stance.
When a woman does it, it’s surprisingly cute, like a ‘capy’.
But in Wakako-sis’s case, it’s completely serious… this is.
…This is nothing less than an impregnable fortress…!
For a while, both remained motionless, glaring at each other…
Or rather, Wakako-sis’s pressure is insane! Just a glance made me feel paralyzed…
Yes, I can see it… the moment she steps forward, a counter straight punch will explode!
It’s impossible to block or evade that blow… truly a one-hit-kill powerful fist!
…What is this person! Is she really human?!
In just about thirty seconds, Listis, sweating profusely, stumbled and fell, landing on her hands and knees, panting.
“…To this extent… a monster…”
“Heh heh, thirty bouts and all wins? To be able to endure by seeing the image of being defeated by mere killing intent is quite something. As for that girl Latrie over there, she panicked and soiled herself before even reaching that stage… To be able to stand until her spirit reaches its limit, you might have fought well in the real match… Can you stand?”
As she said that, Wakako extended her hand, and Listis, seeming pleased, clasped it.
“…Th-thank you! Wh-what was that just now? The moment I drew my sword, I was instantaneously struck down… I saw that image repeatedly…”
“That was like an illusion created by your reaction to my killing intent… But not drawing your sword until the end was the right choice. If you had drawn it, I wouldn’t have held back. In short… the result would have been exactly as you ‘saw’.”
…Listis is completely defeated and is looking at Wakako-sis with sparkling eyes of respect! I can see lilies blooming in the background… am I mistaken?
Kirika-san, Radcliff-aniki, and even Ursula-san of the Ogre tribe.
Under the pretense of testing their skills… many warriors challenged Wakako-nee-san…
They all apparently declared their defeat just by glaring at her.
Therefore, no one has ever actually been beaten by Wakako, or even seen her fist swing…
It was hard to understand why such strong warriors would admit defeat without a fight…
Now I understand… this person is on the level of “strongest human”!
“…Please, I would be honored if you would teach me again! Wakako-san! No, I shall address you as Wakako-sensei!”
“Stop it… Honestly! And what about you, the gentle one? Are you motivated?”
Wakako pointed at Selma-chan.
Anna-san stepped forward with a stern expression.
“Ahaha, m-me? Yes, I don’t understand what’s going on, but I know I shouldn’t go against Wakako-nee-sama. Yes, she’s just like an older sister, isn’t she? So wonderful!”
Anna-san sighed heavily and slumped her shoulders.
But it seemed she realized there was no chance of winning or any benefit in going against Wakako, so she couldn’t say anything more.
“Being honest is a good thing. Well then, the objective is a peaceful resolution! I’ll go in and talk. Just in case, the ones at the front, wear your helmets. Mon-chan, let’s go! Accompany me!”
“Hey, hey! As you command! Wow, as expected of nee-san! You’re already the strongest!”
‘I’ am following along, rubbing my hands!
With this sister in charge, everything will be fine! How reliable is she!
“First though… we’ll use Shunpo (Flash Steps) to get to the front of the store. Mon-chan, you can do that, right?”
Immediately after, with a “shwoosh,” Wakako-sis warped to the front of the convenience store in a single step.
Even with ‘my’ eyes, I couldn’t keep up! What kind of cheat is that!
It looked more natural than my husband’s… It seemed like she was just walking…
Literally, it looked like the ground shrank…
Isn’t this “shrinking ground” literally…
Rushing to keep up with the pure high-speed movement…
…Seriously, what is with this cheating sis?
The automatic doors of the convenience store slid open with a “gaa.”
The Manager-san and Rein-chan stared at Wakako in astonishment, followed by the culprit’s reaction.
“Y-you! When did you…! D-don’t move…”
Right after, Wakako was standing in front of the culprit, instantly snatching the dynamite from his grasp and tossing it towards ‘me’… I hurriedly caught it.
At the same time, Wakako-sis lightly touched the culprit’s forehead, and he rolled his eyes and collapsed.
Instantaneous defeat!
“There, it’s over! Manager-chan, and Rein-chan. Both of you, playtime is over… If you continue, I’ll have to punish you!”
“W-what?! Wh-who are you… weren’t you just a delivery person!”
Rein-chan barked frantically, but Wakako clicked her tongue and calmly said,
“It’s not ‘you’, is it? It’s Wakako-san… right? And besides, Rein-chan, you still want to play? It seems you’re planning something trivial, but unfortunately, it’s over now.”
“Over… suddenly appearing and bossing everyone around! I am a genius beautiful girl healer… countless people worship me as Rein-sama… Wh-what! That scary face? Hiyiiiii!”
Rein-chan collapsed and fainted with a single glare from Wakako, her eyes rolling back, spraying a generous amount of holy water from between her legs…
Whoa… what a terrible face.
Her tears and snot were streaming, her tongue hanging out, it wasn’t an “ahegao” but rather horror…
…This is… I get it now. I understand why my husband said she was desperately disappointing “loli”…
