Chapter 12 Do I Look Like A Guy Who'D Back Down To Authority?
"Yeah, Sword Dance Maiden is definitely more suited for long-range Jobs than close combat."
"Haa... haa...!"
"If you're gonna use various skills, wouldn't it be better to focus on [Flying Slash] and master it? I think you can take down most monsters with just [Sword Dance] and long-range skills."
"Haa... haa... ugh... I'm trying my best, I'm practicing, I swear...!!"
As I stand in front of Fiona, who's panting and taking deep breaths, I tap my shoulder with a wooden sword while summarizing our mock battle.
The strong point of Sword Dance Maiden is that [Sword Dance] can increase the power of their slashes. Therefore, it's more effective to keep the distance and use long-range skills instead of engaging in close combat, which might interrupt their dance.
I've pointed this out several times, but she still hasn't broken the habit of trying to engage in close combat. Well, she was originally a hardcore Infighter, so it's not easy to change her fighting style suddenly. With [Sword Dance] strengthening the attacks, it's no mistake that her close-range skills are more powerful than her long-range ones, and she might think it's faster to get up close and personal.
"Well, it looks like your [Flying Slash] skills have improved."
On the other hand, she's been taking my advice and has been practicing [Flying Slash] diligently. Her power has definitely increased compared to before.
The fact that her power has increased this much in such a short time means she must have been practicing intensively.
This girl may have a bad mouth, but she listens to what I say.
If she were just recklessly charging in, I wouldn't have bothered with her so many times.
"So, what's the reason you were going all out today? Was it because of that?"
"Haa... haa... don't call me 'you (omae)'...!!"
Normally, we wouldn't continue our mock battle until our magical energy is depleted. But today, it felt like she was going all out from the start.
I turn to face the unusual reason behind this, which is different from usual.
As our mock battle ends, 2 people approach us directly.
One of them was a large man in his mid-40s, dressed in what looked like mid-range explorer gear. He didn't quite fit into it, and it seemed like he usually wore different equipment. The gear looked inferior compared to him.
The other was a suspicious-looking woman with a hooded robe that covered her entire body. But despite the loose robe, her chest was surprisingly prominent, and she seemed to be drawing the attention of the men around her with her provocative proportions.
Neither of these people was an acquaintance of mine. Well, I couldn't see the woman's face, so...
If I had to say, the big guy seemed somehow familiar. Not like an acquaintance, but more like someone I'd seen somewhere before.
"Hey, that was an amazing fight!"
The big guy spoke up first, saying something like that.
I had no idea what he wanted from me, but it was annoying that my schedule was getting messed up like this. It was cutting into my time to explore the labyrinth.
No, I wasn't struggling financially, so taking a day off from work wasn't a problem or anything.
"So, what's the deal? Did you guys set this idiot loose?"
"Who's the idiot?!"
I pointed my wooden sword at Fiona, and the real culprit herself raised an objection.
Well, I'll just ignore that.
"Ah, actually, I'm acquainted with this little missy. I asked her to let me see you fight, and I begged her to go all out."
Is that so?
So that's why she was so fired up today.
I glanced at Fiona, and she quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact. In other words, she was confirming it.
"This little missy only listened to our request, so please don't blame her too much. Well, it's not like we can say it's our responsibility or anything."
What was this guy misunderstanding? He said something like that, so I shrugged my shoulders.
"No big deal. It's not like I'm bothered by this guy charging at me without thinking about my troubles."
"Hmm, I see. You 2 seem to get along pretty well."
The big guy expressed his thoughts about the day after tomorrow.
"So, can we get to the main topic already? Or should we just head back?"
"Ah, sorry. Can you wait a bit before going back?"
Saying that, the big guy turned his gaze to the woman in the robe. After confirming that she nodded once, he turned his gaze back to me.
"Today, I have a small request for you. However, I can't talk about it here. If possible, I'd like you to come to my lord's mansion... that is."
At that point, the big guy's atmosphere changed completely.
He shed his gentlemanly mask, revealing his true wild nature hidden beneath.
In other words, a fierce smile that seemed like it would pounce on me at any moment.
"I can't bring a guy who doesn't understand to my lord's mansion. So, can't you and I have a match? As fellow Swordsmen, wouldn't it be better to exchange swords and understand each other's abilities rather than exchanging a hundred words?"
He was radiating an intense battle spirit that made my skin crawl.
You're a Swordsman, so you'll naturally accept, right? The unspoken pressure was like a challenge. If I backed down here, I'd lose my "manhood".
It's rare for an explorer to not accept a challenge like this. Of course, explorers are basically just thugs who rely on their own strength to fight monsters and kill each other every day. We can't afford to be looked down upon by anyone ―― that's the common understanding among explorers. So I――
"Uh, I'd rather not?"
I rejected him normally.
I, who had been called "talentless" and "idiot" and received all sorts of insults, wasn't going to get riled up by this level of provocation.
Besides, this big guy was clearly strong.
I'm not a battle-crazed person who would fight a strong opponent without a reason, so it's only natural.
"...... No, um, can't you do something about that?"
The big guy's face looked worn out, but he was still pushing forward.
"No way. I'm tired."
"...You didn't use that much magical energy in the fight with the girl, right?"
"Magical energy might be okay, but my physical strength is a different story. I'm exhausted, you know."
"...Although it does not look like it?"
"What, am I just pretending to be tired in front of my disciple?"
"――Who's the disciple here?!!"
The disciple said something, but as usual, I ignored it.
"...This guy's in trouble, lady."
The big man looked at the robed woman with a genuinely troubled face.
In response, the woman took a step forward. Then, with a deliberate motion, she removed the deep hood she was wearing.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Aaron Gale. I'm Eva Kirkee. I apologize for the impolite request, but may Logan have the pleasure of fighting you?"
"――――!?"
The one who appeared was a beauty with golden hair and golden eyes.
Eva Kirkee.
It was easy to figure out who the woman in front of me was even before hearing her name. That's because humans with golden irises, like hers, only exist within the bloodline of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] after searching the entire continent.
In other words, the woman in front of me was a noble lady from the Kirkee family, one of the [Four Great Families of the Seals].
"...Looks like a big shot has shown up, huh."
I made a wry face.
The [Four Great Families of the Seals] aren't nobles or royalty, but their position, power, and influence are unmatched, even surpassing that of a small country's king.
For example, would a commoner dare to refuse a "request" from a noble of their own country?
"Or should I say, Logan is serving the Kirkee family?"
And with Eva Kirkee's words, I realized another fact.
The big man standing beside the noble lady ―― I thought I had seen him somewhere before, and that was indeed the case. He was a former explorer, active until about 10 years ago.
"Could it be, ≪Sword Saint≫ Logan Abrams...?"
When I asked, the big man smiled brightly.
"Oh, you know me? What an honor."
――I know, but it's not like I can say no!!
If people mention "Sword Saint Logan" in the explorer community, it's like talking about a legendary figure. After all, the Adventurer Party led by Logan was the only one to reach the current deepest layer of the labyrinth, the 46th floor.
You think I can take on someone that powerful?
It's already decided, I won't do it!!
"Fuuh... I'm being looked down on too..."
"Eh?"
I say to the lady Eva, who's staring at me with a surprised expression.
Normally, someone like me, a regular citizen, wouldn't be able to refuse the "request" of Kirkee House's young lady. But...
"Do you think I'm the kind of guy who would bow down to authority?"
"Is that... refusing my request?"
Lady Eva looks at me with a piercing gaze.
It's the attitude of someone who's used to giving orders to others. The unspoken pressure of not allowing anyone to refuse their "request".
But that kind of intimidation doesn't work on me. That's why I said it.
"Just once, okay?"
"......Eh?"
"It's just once. I'll only fight once."
"Eh? ...Uh, is that... yes. I, I mean, it's okay with just once, right?"
Well, it's not like I need to say it, but...
I couldn't win against authority, after all....
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