My swordsmanship master, Sir Veloren, taught me a lot.
“When dealing with medium or larger monsters, slashing is effective. Evade and attack simultaneously. Add rotation to your footwork to enhance your power, and utilize the sword as widely as possible. Yes, just like that. You’re doing great.”
The knack for facing huge monsters with just one longsword.
“In one-on-one combat, minimize your movements. Excessive power is unnecessary. It’s enough to stab and slash faster, more precisely, and more delicately than your opponent; anything more is a waste of stamina.”
The method to kill people without wasting stamina.
“As you already know, if you take a serious wound while killing an enemy, it becomes meaningless, right? The fundamental philosophy of all martial arts is to protect yourself while achieving victory. Today, let’s practice focusing on defense, deflection, and counterattacks.”
Various techniques to deflect stronger enemies’ swords, redirecting and countering simultaneously.
“Here, step here, twist your waist. Bend your upper body back, and keep the sword in front of your eyes. Then bounce your back foot, rotate, and dive in… Yes, like that, you can penetrate behind the enemy and slash at your desired spot. Let’s do it again.”
Footwork that evades enemy attacks while penetrating.
“I don’t need to teach you half-swording… since it’s almost identical to the spear technique. You can already use it proficiently, right? No? Why not…?”
Using the sword like a spear.
“Yes, like that, strike out suddenly to unbalance your opponent’s stance. With your strength, you could probably go beyond that, right? If you slam down your sword to pin them down… like this, ripping their throat out results in instant death, even with armor.”
Basic unarmed combat techniques to aid swordsmanship.
“If strength is equal, close in and knee them. Even if they’re in armor, you can crush what’s inside.”
And then, there’s the brutally spine-chilling male specific finishing move.
The effect seems definite, but it was so cruel that I hesitated to use it recklessly.
I’d rather gouge out my eyes than smash someone’s family jewels with a steel-plated knee.
Anyway, Master Veloren’s focused training greatly enhanced my swordsmanship. More systematic, more efficient, and dramatically increasing my lethality.
It was still tough, but every day felt fulfilling and rewarding.
◆◆
Maybe because I was getting more accustomed to the daily routine here, I found myself waking up more often.
It must mean my stamina has improved enough to handle the demanding daily schedule.
Friede, like me, seemed to be gaining a bit of strength lately, as she rarely passed out the moment she hit the bed.
It was a good thing. It proved that I was getting stronger little by little, even without exploring dungeons yet.
But there was just one problem arising from that…
“Hey… Hilde. Th-This morning….”
The fact that Friede, now with a bit of extra stamina, started pestering me to sleep together in a slightly different way?
“Ugh…. No. Don’t do this, Friede.”
I rejected her by pulling her hand away from my pajama top, where she had begun to poke around.
“Just a bit longer, okay?”
Calming her in a soothing tone like I was pacifying a child.
“Come on… It’s been days….”
Friede pouted her lips and whined. Yeah, it had been days. But that’s only natural.
We’re not beasts, we should choose the time and place, right?
“I understand your feelings, but… this isn’t an inn; it’s someone else’s home, right? We must maintain decorum while we’re being sheltered. So absolutely, no.”
I whispered into Friede’s ear, speaking more resolutely than ever.
It couldn’t be helped.
If we were in a space like an inn or a cave, that’d be one thing, but asking me to act like a human spray can in a place like this?
Have I lost my mind?
There’d be no way to hide the sounds, smells, or traces, and how was I supposed to face Mari and Sir Veloren afterward?
I wouldn’t even be able to look them in the eye.
“Ugh….”
Maybe she had no arguments left, as Friede puffed her cheeks in discontent.
“I’m sorry, Friede. But let’s just hold out a bit longer, alright?”
I gently held her hands and kissed the back of her hand, trying to soothe her.
“…I don’t know.”
With her cheeks a bit flushed, Friede turned her back to me, looking hurt over not getting what she wanted. It felt childish for a twenty-year-old.
Her cute appearance made that childishness match more than I expected… but it was still childish.
For heaven’s sake, Hero, get a grip. You’re twenty!
“Friede.”
I whispered her name softly, like coaxing her.
“….”
No reply. Is she planning to sulk and ignore me while showing off her hurt feelings?
Just because we hadn’t done anything for a month, I wondered what her reaction would be later, feeling a bit scared for the future.
“Um, Friede…?”
“….”
Still silent. I felt like no matter how many times I called, it wouldn’t change.
…What should I do with her?
“Sigh….”
A sigh escaped my lips, causing Friede’s ear to twitch slightly. Seeing that, I silently clicked my tongue, thought for a moment, then—
“Okay.”
I shot my arms out like lightning, thrusting them into Friede’s clothing.
“Hyahhh!”
Friede stiffened in shock.
She seemed unable to react to my swift fingers. The results of training, perhaps.
“Hey, wait, Hilde. Th-that was sudden, ugh…!”
I firmly grabbed her side with newfound strength and began to mercilessly tease her with nimble fingers.
“Stop, hee! Your fingers, aching! So ticklish, hee! Hyaah!”
Friede writhed helplessly, unable to resist as she let out weak moans.
“Stop! Ahhh…! Fingers, hee! It tickles, hee…!”
With every sensitive spot—her sides, back, armpits, and soles—being relentlessly tickled, she was completely overwhelmed by my ruthless touch.
Tickle tickle.
Tickle tickle.
Ten snake-like fingers crawled over Friede’s skin, spreading laughter she couldn’t resist.
I’m sorry, master. Your unworthy disciple is using the techniques you taught me in a place like this.
Then again, having successfully surprised a Hero, perhaps I’m using them correctly, right?
“Are you going to keep ignoring me?”
I tickled Friede endlessly until she finally surrendered and begged me to stop.
Laughter is known to be contagious, after all. My smile was unintentionally lifting like hers.
This is kinda fun.
“Hee, no more, I won’t do it anymore!”
Finally, the declaration of surrender. Overwhelmed by the tickle torture, Friede acknowledged her defeat and pleaded to stop.
“Good. That’s how our Hero should be.”
I grinned victoriously and stopped the tickling. But I didn’t pull my hands away.
“Haah… haah… Hoo, really, suddenly what….”
Finally freed from the tickle torture, Friede gasped for breath.
“Friede, you look cuter when you’re smiling rather than sulking. It’s much nicer to see.”
“…I’m not sulking!”
All sulking kids say that. I ignored her protest and placed my hands on her arms and shoulders.
“Ah?! Alright! I’ll admit it! So please stop the tickling…!”
Did she think I would tickle her again? Friede hurriedly confessed the truth.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I wasn’t really planning to.
“Since you’re cute when you laugh, I’ll give you a reward.”
“Please stop the tickling…? Huh? A reward…? What will that… oof?!”
I swiftly turned Friede to face me, burying her red face from the tickling deep against my chest.
Her pajamas were half undone, exposing her warm skin.
I then wrapped my legs tightly around her lower body, pulling her upper body closer until we were completely pressed together.
Ah, so warm.
Friede has a high body temperature, so it felt just right.
“What do you think? This counts as a reward, right?”
I grinned as I released her face from my grasp, gazing down at her wide eyes, which were meeting mine with curiosity and surprise.
“Ugh….”
Startled by the sudden lack of air, Friede fidgeted. But the moment our eyes met, she suddenly calmed down as if it were a lie.
Golden eyes slowly half-closing.
Her small, slightly protruding lips.
Her flushed face clearly displayed what she wanted, almost causing me to burst out laughing.
Yeah, a kiss should be…
That’s just fine.
I gently supported the back of Friede’s head with my hand, leaned down, and kissed her lips.
Just a light kiss, without using my tongue, merely pressing our lips together.
After a while of staying like that, I noticed her breathing gradually calming down. My own eyelids began to droop.
We fell asleep, tightly embracing each other while our lips remained connected.
◆◆
The next morning.
Sir Veloren couldn’t look me in the eye while training, seemingly avoiding making eye contact with me.
His gaze strangely directed elsewhere, as if he was shy.
The side of his ear exposed from his long braided black hair was as red as an apple.
…Crap, I’ve been caught.
Yeah, Friede’s laughter might have been a bit loud, right?
I buried my head deeper in embarrassment.
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