45　A Dog’s Misfortune

 

　After the meeting I was about to leave the bar, then a long-haired man who gave me a bad feeling approached me.

 

“Are you Se-Second-sama!? “

 

　What’s with this guy? How does he know my name?

 

“Yes, I am.”

“I knew it!　I’m a Spirit User, my name is Seram!　I spoke to Chérie-sama, that’s where I learned about you, Second-sama! “

 

　Hee. An introduction from Chérie.

 

“I am the spirit of wind, my name is Nymphe. I heard that you, Second-sama, were the master of the Great King-sama, thus, I came to pay my greetings as the wind spirit.”

 

　The spirit with a bit of old-fashioned Japanese came closer. A serious-looking female spirit with emerald-colored hair named Nymphe. If I remember correctly, this spirit had about 17,000 in strength.

 

“So, what do you want? “

“That is, hmm…… by all means, I would like to see the Great Spirit King……”

 

　The long-haired man rubbed his hands together and tried to suck up to me.

　I really hate this type of person, the ones that just try to curry favor with you.

 

　――Hmm?

 

　The team-limited communication.

 

　The sender is Yukari. The contents are――”Is familiar with assassination, be wary”……?

 

 

　……Oh, ehh?　Does she mean this Seram guy?　Is he familiar with assassination?　Are you kidding me?

 

 

“How is it?　As expected, is that a no? “

 

　This Seram guy, with his long hair and frivolous grin, looks more like your usual tavern customer. No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t look like an assassin at all. Rather,  his appearance would even make you doubt he’s a Spirit User, so I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. It might be part of his technique as an assassin in order to approach their target unnoticed. No, I bet that’s what it is. It’s so unbelievable I’m sure that’s what it is.

 

　Well, whatever. Let’s suppose Seram is indeed an assassin. What is his purpose?

　While thinking about this, I noticed my mind went on a tangent.

 

　What does this guy gain by seeing Angolmois?　I have absolutely no idea.

 

“Why do you want to see him that much? “

 

　So, if I don’t know, I just have to ask. That’s my style. It doesn’t matter that there’s an assassin here.

 

　After having a look of puzzlement for a moment, Seram opened his mouth.

 

“He’s the top of the Spirit World, the one who made the Great Spirit of Earth say he was a “scary existence”.　It’s very natural as a Spirit User to want to see him no matter what!　Such an opportunity only comes once in a lifetime! “

 

　That’s indeed a convincing answer. If he was a true Spirit User.

 

“…………”

 

　Hmm.

　Ohh, I just came up with something good.

 

“Okay, I’ll show it to you.”

“Se-se-seriously!?　Great! “

 

　Glancing at Yukari, she had an expression that said “Is that okay? “. It’s alright.

 

　Using 《Spirit Summoning》, I called for Angolmois.

 

　Then, without further ado.

 

“（Have him kneel.）“

 

　I gave him instructions in my mind.

 

“（As you wish.）“

 

　At the same time that Angolmois manifested, red lightning flashed and tied Seram to the ground.

 

“Wh……oaaa!　W-what is this!? “

 

　With his knees and head touching the ground, Seram was in a groveling posture. And for some reason Nymphe also got into the same position.

 

　……I wonder, how does this thing work? If he could use this skill in battle it would be pretty overpowered.

 

“（This is my privilege as the Great King, the lightning of domination. However, since it only applies to the spirits and their masters, its use is limited.）“

 

　I see. Forcing the person who was already lowering their head to lower it even more, it sure would frighten them. How awful…… as expected of Angolmois and his terrible personality.

 

“Great King-sama. It’s my pleasure to meet you.”

 

　Said Nymphe, with her head still on the ground, while trembling slightly.

 

　She truly looks pitiful. It might be time to let them lift their faces.

 

“Lift your face.”

 

　How wonderful is this sense of unity. At the same time as I thought that, Angolmois told them to raise their faces.

 

　In addition to bewilderment and fear, Seram had an expression of excitement, and Nymphe had one of awe.

 

“Ohhhh. A-Amazing……The Great Spirit King-sama……！ “

 

　Opening his eyes wide, Seram exclaimed in admiration. That reaction alone was enough to really make me believe he wanted to get close to me to see Angolmois with his own eyes.

 

　However, there are two people who didn’t miss his clever performance.

 

“（……This man, there’s something weird. I’ll investigate through Nymphe. Wait for a moment, my Second.）“

“Master. That man, he’s looking for a chance to run away.”

 

　Those were Angolmois using telepathic communication, and Yukari whispering to my ear.

　These two are really useful.

 

“――――Uuu! “

 

　What is he thinking about?

　With a sudden electrical shock, Nymphe collapsed on the spot.

 

“W-what is this!? “

　Seram became impatient.

 

“Don’t move, brat.”

“Guuuu!! “

 

　Angolmois forced him down with the lightning of domination. The Great King does as the Great King wants.

 

“（I got it. This guy is a spy for the Marubell Empire. Seems like he was sniffing around the adventurers of the Castall Kingdom.）“

“Hee! “

 

　I involuntarily spoke out after hearing that nostalgic word.

 

　Marubell Empire―― Back in Mobius, it was famous as a ‘military nation’. Since it’s a country that has a deep love for war, sooner or later it should be at war with the Castall Kingdom.

 

　And a person from such a place called out to me.

　Is it for reconnaissance? Or maybe an invitation? I’m not sure which one is it, but neither of those is a good reason.

 

“W-what’s the meaning of this? ……Did I do something rude to you……? “

 

　Seram began to show a frightened appearance. After asking Angolmois to raise his face, he was shaking a little, with tears in his eyes. If this is acting, then he’s really good. As one would expect from that Empire, even its dogs are top notch.

 

　I don’t really hate the Marubell Empire though. The way they deal head-on defeating the neighboring nations in a battle of power, without any cheap tricks, their meritocratic principles… they are somewhat similar to what being the rank one in the world is.

 

　……Alright.

　Well then, let’s make this man never forget the name of the world’s top ever again, and then let him go back home.

 

　As I thought so, I opened my mouth while grinning.

 

“You’ve had it hard, Empire’s dog.”

 

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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