Episode 118: People of the Swordsman Family (1)
In these cases, the line between being lucky and not is ambiguous.
Their priorities are clearly different. Abel is looking for the bodies of his missing parents, and I am looking for the supply of magic stones.
The intentions are different, but the goal is the same. That’s enough.
‘Undead Dungeon.’
I actively sympathized with Abel towards a common destination.
At that attitude, she nodded with a dumbfounded expression.
We continued talking for quite some time after the meal. The main topics of our conversation were scheduling and exchanging information.
Abel sat down next to me on a chair. The distance between us was about a hand’s span.
It was very close, but Abel didn’t care and explained. She showed me a map on her smartphone.
“The Undead Dungeon is located right on the border between Switzerland and France. Normally, there would be a headache over the ownership of the dungeon, but this place is not popular. There shouldn’t be any procedural problems.”
Abel tapped the LCD with his fingernail whenever an important point appeared.
There were marks planted all over the GPS app, indicating that it had been prepared for quite some time.
“And since it’s such a sparsely populated dungeon, there are no separate staff members at the entrance. However, you must clearly list the names of at least three people on the roster to enter. Otherwise, it’s a violation of the international hero law.”
The clear and concise explanation that summarizes only the key points really sticks in my ears. I was secretly impressed by it.
I was not born here. That means I have little common sense and knowledge.
So, when making a plan, I research data through various media. However, there is a clear limit to the information I can obtain by just looking through it with my eyes.
That is also the reason why I want to conquer dungeons with my club members.
To be honest, I have been relying on my subordinates for most of my knowledge.
I’m a very clever person, but I’m also not used to putting things in my head.
‘Honestly, it would have been really difficult to go out and conquer the undead dungeon without them.’
On the surface, it’s a D-class dungeon, the lowest level. However, inside, a S-class demonic beast is sealed.
Draugr was also the most difficult to conquer. Countermeasures had been devised, but the route was blocked.
But, Abel was so sharp. With unexpected luck, the dungeon raid is expected to go smoothly.
“Did you understand the explanation?”
After a moment of deep thought, Abel asked as if confirming.
“Yeah, kind of. I’ve been preparing a lot on my own.”
“…huh.”
An embarrassed reply came back. Only then did Abel realize that he had been too close, and his face turned red.
My academy life is almost at its 4th month.
It’s become a cliché to gradually lose your sense of embarrassment at this point and quickly distance yourself from others.
“Huh.”
―It would be, but Abel just swallowed his breath in vain. She coughed and narrowed the distance between them even more. A faint fruity scent brushed the tip of her nose.
“Focus, this is where the important part starts. I’ve been slowly figuring out the procedures, geography, and inside the dungeon… … .”
Abel continued his explanation, his hair brushed back. His cheeks were flushed through the few strands of hair.
‘You’re so serious.’
Of course, it’s about family.
A situation where they are stuck together like this can be easily ignored. The blushing cheeks must simply be because they are hot.
Abel glanced at me with his eyes wide open.
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. There’s only about thirty minutes left before Shayle comes out to pick you up. If we go back to the castle, there won’t be time for the two of you to talk until the day of your appointment.”
“Can’t we contact you for additional information?”
“… What, didn’t you know? Castle Sigurd is outside the communication range, so it’s a no-communication zone.”
Oh, that’s right. Their house was in the Alps valley.
I didn’t notice it because there weren’t many places to contact me.
Abel twitched one corner of his mouth as he looked at me with pity. Then he immediately protested.
“You, Sword Master, I thought it was because our house was in the mountains! It’s not for the reason you think, but for the security of the Nibelung territory!”
Are all the women in this world passive intoxicated?
Media too, Ryozona, Abel Iena.
As soon as a thought comes to mind, it comes out immediately.
If such an ability really existed, it would be quite creepy.
… But if that was the case, then you would have known that my existence was heterogeneous. Because it was a secret that I had never shared with anyone, and that only I had kept.
There are people who know that I am not from this world… It is an unexpected hypothesis. Even if there were, what kind of effect would it have on me?
It would be nice if they were allies, but it would be difficult if they were enemies.
‘Well, that won’t happen, though.’
I smiled briefly to myself and opened my mouth.
“I think you’ve figured out the route and such. The most important thing is the remaining party members. There are only two of us, you and me. We’re missing one person.”
“Huh? Why is one person missing?”
Abel asked back with a look of ‘What are you talking about?’
“There’s Shail.”
“uh?”
“Shailo is also a graduate of the Joaquin Academy. What’s more, he is a senior hero who is exclusive to the association.”
… What is this?
* * *
On the way home to Castle Sigurd. We are climbing a steep slope. Abel must have been tired because he fell asleep in the back seat as soon as he got in the car.
‘Well, it’s understandable that you’d be tired after explaining it so passionately.’
I sat in the passenger seat so Abel could sleep comfortably. I fastened the seat belt tightly and made sure it was working properly.
This line is my lifeline for the next 30 minutes.
-Boooooo.
Shail grips the steering wheel tightly. She steps on the accelerator while keeping her sharp eyes focused on the front.
The 270 degree corner that appears in front is a bend.
The corners of Shail’s mouth twitched and he turned the steering wheel with one hand.
My pupils, chasing the handle, also spun like a whirlpool. My life or death was in the hands of this maid, damn it.
Whirlyrick.
Violent but skilled handling. Shail picks up speed again with a satisfied smile.
A sigh escaped my lips as I clearly witnessed the series of scenes.
‘This reckless driving maid is a senior hero?’
The Association is a hero control organization within the world of ‘Miracle Protection M’.
The association classified heroes under the pretext of more efficient management.
It is a classification method similar to the tier system of a famous game.
However, there are only three of them.
From the bottom, they are “Junior,” “Senior,” and “Warrior.”
The Association itself evaluates and estimates the hero’s performance and assigns a score.
Of course, Academy cadets are excluded. The essence of cadets is academics. A worldview that takes care of human rights in a strange corner.
‘It might not be so bad, right?’
For reference, the score itself is confidential, but it is said that the hero’s classification is made public, and is called Hero Points, or 【HP】 for short.
【HP】If it’s called that, you’ll probably think of the green health bar. However, in the original Miracle Protection M, there was no separate stat called ‘Health Point’.
Well, actually, the concept of a ‘stamina bar’ doesn’t really make sense to me, even as someone who’s fallen from this world.
I would have welcomed it if there was a health bar and potions.
But the world of Miracle Protection M is a harsh reality to me.
If you’re not careful, your limbs could fly off and you could be hospitalized at any moment. What the heck.
‘It’s funny when I look back… … .’
The most basic stat systems are missing.
It’s a mobile game that doesn’t just lack stamina, but also mana, experience, and even levels…
Of course, there were many gamers who were attracted to this difference, but there were also many who said it was uncomfortable.
On a game board where numbers are taken for granted, only a plain interface comes to mind.
In such a game with so much to say and so much to complain about, there exists a ‘hero point’ that is similar to the rating system. It is a strange worldview where a sense of strangeness and familiarity coexist.
-anyway.
From Bronze to Platinum, you can think of them as “Junior,” from Diamond Master to Senior, and from Grand Master to Warrior.
The number of members also varied greatly by tier.
90% of the heroes are juniors, the remaining top 10% are made up of seniors and warriors in a ratio of 8 to 2.
The point is this.
The beautiful maid driving recklessly next to me.
What’s shocking is that Shayle is in the top 10% of heroes.
At first glance, I thought she was an extraordinary maid… … .
Who would have thought that he would be from Joaquin Academy, the cradle of senior heroes and even future heroes?
I now realize why Shail’s job includes security and crime prevention. There’s no security system better than hers.
“Your Majesty, do you have anything to say?”
Shail asked, his eyes fixed on the glass window.
Even so, it seems like he felt my gaze.
I took a moment to choose my words. My thoughts were brief.
Eventually, you have to go to the Undead Dungeon with Shail and Izawa.
Also, in terms of status, she would be Abel and I’s guide.
At this point, I feel more inclined to speak frankly.
“I heard from Abel earlier. Mr. Shail will also be accompanying you to the ‘Undead Dungeon’… … .”
“Yes, my skills are lacking, but I will do my best not to cause any inconvenience to you and your maid.”
When humility is excessive, it can sound like a joke.
A senior hero of the rank of instructor or higher says, “I won’t hold you back.” It’s something that would shock anyone who hears it.
“I’m telling you now, but I’m truly grateful to you, Master Geomma.”
“…yes?”
Shayle looked at Abel reflected in the room mirror. Abel was sleeping soundly. Shayle smiled at the sight.
“Before entering the Academy, Miss Abel was always lonely. There was no one her age in the Nibelung territory besides me, and because of her personality, she didn’t actively build relationships with anyone.”
I was a little surprised.
Shayle, who usually just knocked silently, started talking fluently. His pronunciation and voice were clear, like an announcer’s.
“As you may have heard from the young lady, I graduated from Joaquin Academy.”
Shayle turned the steering wheel half a turn with one hand. With his skillful movement, the scenery outside the window changed like a film.
“It is all thanks to the Nibelung that I was able to attend the Academy and that I am still alive today.”
Shail’s honest story continued. His expression was indifferent, but the content was not dry.
“I was taken in by the parents of a girl who is no longer with us 10 years ago. Until then, I was at a center, or an orphanage.”
“okay…….”
Shayle laughed out loud at my reaction.
As if trying to ventilate the heavy air.
“Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t have a story? I was lucky. There are so many crooked nobles who were hired by the Nibelungs.”
It makes sense. In an aristocratic society rife with filth, there are few families as upright as the Nibelungs.
“Furthermore, I am always grateful to the lady’s family who admitted me, a mere maid, to the academy, saying that I showed talent.”
“Mr. Shail is also amazing. He’s a senior at the age of twenty-one. I guess he’s no ordinary talent.”
“I owe a lot to the Nibelungs. All I could do to repay them was to work hard. I can’t say I have no talent, but I’m just average in front of you, Sword Master.”
In the car speeding at 200 km/h, Shail’s voice was filled with a soft regret. The sense of disparity created a tremendous sense of discomfort.
“Anyway, it was purely my request that you accompany me into the dungeon, even though my skills are lacking.”
“Mr. Shail?”
Shayle nodded.
“It’s about finding the parents of the young lady who gave value to my life. Rather, I spoke to the young lady first.”
“ah.”
Shayle turned her head slightly towards me. There was a delicate crescent moon hanging in her eyes. It was a smile from the eyes of an older woman.
‘This is an adult… …?’
I coughed and changed the subject.
“By the way, what did you mean when you said thank you to me?”
“… Woof.”
Suddenly, a sound of Abel waking up from his sleep was heard from behind.
Then Shayle smiled faintly and moved only his lips as he spoke.
‘I too was a special promotion student. That’s why I feel so refreshed whenever I see an article about Mr. Geomma giving me a good education.’
“…ah.”
‘by the way-‘
Then her gaze lingered on me. How could she have looked away while driving at such an incredible speed? A scream came to my lips.
Shayle giggles quietly and then opens his mouth in a sarcastic tone.
‘―Isn’t it too much to wear tracksuits for a date? Miss Abel must be really upset~’
“… … .”
I was about to say something, but I stopped myself. Because, this biker maid was behind the wheel.
Suddenly, the silhouette of Castle Sigurd appeared beyond the windshield. Shail’s dazzling gear snap followed.
-Boooooooooo
