.I suppose the improvement of [Throwing Axe Techniques] was the result of the harpy hunting.
Moria-san’s skill configuration was fundamentally that of a first-cla.s.s swordsman, but she could function adequately as a scout with skills like [Sense Presence] and [Stealth Steps].
I suppose she was a particularly outstanding warrior among the Zkornash clan who were the retainers of firedrake Agnia.
As far as I can see from her status, Gazaine’s level might be out of her reach, but even so, the abilities she possesses are excellent enough to give me quite a good fight.
“——Begin!”
Together with Hoffman-san’s command, Moria-san rushes out.
I threw one of my swords at her with a sense of desperation.
“Sh!”
With a sharp exhalation, Moria-san parried the sword I threw out with one of the swords in her hand.
Ignoring this, I throw my other sword.
I was a bit lax with the first throw, but the second throw was a serious throw, making use of my [Throwing Techniques] skill.
Frowning, Moria-san parries the sword I threw with the sword in her other hand, in the same manner as before.
In that state, Moria-san closes in on me.
Of course, it wasn’t like I could escape with that, and Moria-san’s dual swords approached me——
“&md
ash;—Cch!?”
Moria-san suddenly twists her body.
It was the wooden sword I had thrown at the beginning.
The impatient expression I had just now was, of course, fake; it was a trap to divert her attention away from the wooden sword.
I use [Flying Swordsmanship] to manipulate the two wooden swords, and commenced a continuous a.s.sault without pause against Moria-san.
“Wh-what is this!?”
While astonished by the two wooden swords that were attacking by themselves (although they were actually being manipulated by me), Moria-san dodged those attacks with her superior agility.
As expected of someone with [Discern], they don’t even graze her.
Well then, how about this——?
“λ (wind) · v (spread) ——《Windblow》!”
“Khh—!”
The strong wind produced by me blows against Moria-san’s body and slows down her movements.
I had confirmed beforehand that magic can be used if it’s to the extent where the opponent will not be hurt.
Moria twists her body while facing the strong wind, and narrowly avoids the attacking wooden swords.
However, it seems Moria-san had still been forcing herself, as her stance crumbled greatly.
Throwing knives——were likely to be avoided.
I boosted my [Leap] with [Psychokinesis] and accelerated, moving the knife in my hand towards Moria-san’s neck——
The moment I tried to strike, my arm was caught.
“Take this!”
“What!?”
It seems Moria-san appearing to stumble was her luring me in.
I spin my body around with [Psychokinesis] and somehow land on my feet but,
“—Alright, that’s the end.”
Along with the sound of a *thwack*, a wooden sword in Moria-san’s hand was thrust out at me.
That involved quite a bit of acrobatics.
“That’s it! It’s Moria’s win!”
Hoffman declares.
“Ugh…”
My shoulders dropped in disappointment.
To be honest, I had underestimated Moria-san.
Certainly, one of the best a.s.sa.s.sins——when compared to a interpersonal fighting expert, Moria-san, whose main opponents were monsters, had an upfront fighting style without vices.
However, Moria-san was an adventurer who had climbed to the ranks of A-rank as a woman.
I can probably win without revealing my full power——She wasn’t such a sweet opponent you could fight and win against with such negligence.
“Well, I don’t think this is your full power though.”
Said Moria-san
“If we were to kill each other with lethal spells and weapons, I would be the one at a disadvantage.
But you know——”
Moria-san walked up to me determinedly and brought her face close to mine.
“——With such a fighting style, you’ll die.”
“…Huh?”
“You underestimated me.
Did you think I didn’t realise?”
“…”
She saw through me.
I have no words to reply.
As I sunk into silence, Moria-san grinned at me.
“Well, it happens a lot.
Moria-san said, and pulled her face back.
At the same time, she pat my back.
“Sometimes it happens.
When that happens, whether they try to keep it in mind or not, arrogance slips into the depths of their heart.
Everyone else also gathers around me and Moria-san.
“And, while they are unaware, they will be controlled by their pride and undertake a request that doesn’t fit their stature——and then the next time they will draw a joker.”
“Drawing a joker after hitting a jackpot… It’s a famous story between adventurers.”
This was said by the scarred man——no, wait, Andrew-san.
“Hey, hey, 《Baby Scarlet》.
You lost, even though I went and bet on you.”
Then his companions started picking a quarrel with Andrew-san as he said such a thing to me.
“You always target the dark horse, Andrew.
As promised, you’ll treat us to a drink.”
Mr. Andrew, who says so to me, becomes entangled with his companions.
“Tch, can’t be helped.
If they fought ten times, this brat would take a few of them, wouldn’t he?”
“Fufu, what a sore loser, Andrew.
A loss is a loss.”
“What did you say! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
Andrew-san returned to the bar whilst chatting with his companions.
After watching them off with a wry smile, Moria-san turns back to me and says,
“——To be honest, Julia asked me to do this.”
“Moria-san shrugged her shoulders while saying that.
“Eh? Mum did?”
“That’s right. She said ‘Our Edgar-kun is always drawing jackpots all the time, so I think he will eventually draw a joker."”
As expected of a former partner, Moria-san’s imitation was rather accurate.
“So, am I being chastised?”
“That’s how it is.
I thought I would show you how it is in reality, but I was almost done for at that rate…
What a wild child, good grief.”
“That’s right! Even I have never won against him!”
Miguel says boastfully for some reason.
“But, it’s strange.
I wondered if he was going easy you, but it seems to be different. ”
“Ah, I was bothered about that too.
To begin with, unlike our Miguel, Edgar is the cautious type.
Well, pride is something that will slip in somehow anyway, so it’s good to regularly fight against someone stronger to grasp your strengths.”
Miguel and Moria-san tilt their heads in sync.
As expected of parent and child, even their gestures were similar.
There, Hoffman-san who was silent until now (although he’s almost always silent) opens his mouth.
“He was certainly strong… but I saw some hesitation.”
“——Hesitation?”
When I asked in response, Hoffman-san nodded.
“To fight is to hurt one’s opponent.
Edgar was thinking that he didn’t want to hurt his opponent… I think.”
“That is…”
The first time I fought was, not including the slasher from my previous life, the fight against at Ranzrack Fortress.
To defeat the enemy——No, to kill the enemy, I didn’t feel any resistance against it.
In order to protect, I had to fight.
But——I see.
“Oh, do you happen to know something?”
“Yeah… I just thought of it.”
“Hmm… With that appearance, it doesn’t look like you’re going to talk to me about it.”
“…Sorry.”
“It’s fine.
Becoming independent and facing your own heart, that’s necessary if you want to become stronger.”
Moria-san said, but,
“How reserved.
Even though you gave everyone advice in < p="">
Miguel says like that.
Certainly, there is some truth in what Miguel said.
“…My bad.
Let’s take on a request together with everyone when that’s settled.”
“Oh, sounds good!
After all, even the firedrake turned tail and ran away!”
I make a sardonic smile at Miguel who was talking glibly.
I parted with parent-and-child Moria-san and Miguel, who seem to have some errand to run or something.
When I casually asked Miguel “Where are you going?” as we were parting, he answered, “W-we’re going to buy something” with a startled look.
I think it’s still a little early for him to hit p.u.b.erty, but…
Well if he was. .h.i.tting p.u.b.erty, then he was. .h.i.tting p.u.b.erty, although his mother wearing a bright red bikini armour might be a little tough on him. She’s a beauty though.
Thus came the no good thought.