159　Prerequisites

"All right, here's the schedule."



　As soon as we arrived at the Treo dungeon, I distributed booklets for the Martial Arts camp for two days and one night to everyone. Yukari wrote a clean copy of my scribbles.



"Ehh……You can't mean……!? "



　El voiced her surprise. I merely smiled and nodded.



　I'm sure everyone would be surprised. Because there were detailed instructions on how to learn all the 【Martial Arts】 skills from Soldier to Dragon King.



"We will enter the dungeon in two groups: me, Cubero, Lily, and El; and Renko, Sylvia, and Akaneko. This way, probably no one will die."



　Renko and Silvia have 《Transform》 and Akaneko has 【Sword-drawing】, so there should be nothing to worry about for a C-class dungeon. As for the servants whose skills are not yet up to par, I can take care of them.



"Everything you need to do is written in the booklet, so I won't explain it to you. If you have any questions, ask me as needed."

"Can I ask one thing?"

"Very good, Silvia Virginia."

"Uhmm, this, uhh……1,000 takedowns without a break, or this ‘10 combos in a row’. What do they mean?"

"It means exactly what it says."

"You said two days and one night, right? "

"Yeah. We've already booked our lodging."

"……Will it be done in time? "

"It will be. Meeting adjourned."



　End of the Q&A session.



　Silvia has not yet read all the booklet, apparently. The answer to that question now can be inferred from the information in the column "Characteristics of the Treo Dungeon" on page 6 of the booklet.



　『Treo』, a C-class dungeon―― this is the dungeon with the largest number of spawned monsters in Mobius. Also known as Warriors' Dungeon. If certain conditions are met, the dungeon turns into a thrilling action dungeon where you can mow down tons of monsters as if you were playing a Warriors game, like Dynasty or Samurai.



　The requirement is that two or more people enter the dungeon and defeat at least 20 monsters at approximately the same time. In this way, you trick the spawning rate into doubling, causing monsters to spring out like a fountain.



　The monsters that appear in the Treo dungeon are mainly earth-attribute insects, such as Large Ground Ants and Earth Mantis, and most of them move in packs. Although they are weak against fire magic, in this case, it does not matter much since we are hunting with 【Martial Arts】 to fulfill the learning requirements for it.



"Then we'll attack in fifteen minutes."



　Everyone responded to my order, and then it was time to prepare.



　Incidentally, tonight's lodging is a luxury inn where I once stayed with the First Court Magician Division during the political strife. It was quite a distance from the Treo dungeon, but with Anko there, that was not a big problem.



　The inn there was quite nice, and I wanted to go back, so I asked Anko and the maids to get a reservation for me, but unfortunately, I could not get private rooms this time because it was a last-minute thing. Still, they said the best room happened to be available, so they were able to slip in and make a reservation.



"Second-sama, we are ready."

"Everything is set on our side too, Second-dono."



　They all seemed to be ready to go.



"Let's go."



　Ah, I'm looking forward to it. I want to acquire it quickly and quickly play ping-pong and cards at the inn!







　　＊　＊　＊



Cubero's side







　Like a dream come true…… Might not be an understatement.

　Lilly and El, these two must feel the same way I do.



　Second-sama himself is teaching us 【Martial Arts】with his own hands. Our master, the most powerful Triple Crown winner in the history of the world, in person. It is so valuable that it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a lifetime gift.



　Ah, what happiness!



　I tried not to miss a single word, not to miss a single move, and to concentrate all my attention on the Treo dungeon with my eyes and ears.





　There was just a mountain of things to learn.



　Second-sama explained to us how to hunt monsters safely and efficiently, the characteristics of the dungeon and how to take advantage of them to fulfill the conditions for learning it, the many techniques in Martial Arts that would make the scales fall from one's eyes, and even how to use the yet unfamiliar 【Martial Arts】 skills, in a detailed and hands-on manner.



　I was reminded. That the 【Martial Arts】 I had been using so far was like a baby's plaything.





　With this one fist, I, a man of twenty-four years of age, had risen to the rank of young captain of the righteous bandit R6. I am ashamed to say that I was a "decent user," or so I thought to myself.



　……It was stupid. There was still more up there. A steep mountain road continued on, so steep that one could not see the path ahead at all. And today, I was finally able to stand at the foot of it.





　Strangely, I was not impressed by the fact that I had learned a new skill.



　As I go through my days from now on, the effect may gradually come back to me like a liver strike, but as I agreed with Second-sama's opinion that "it is natural to learn everything," I am even conscious that I should not be moved by this much.



　But right now, I was very strongly moved by something else entirely.



　Second-sama taught me 《Rook Martial Arts》, 《Dragon Horse Martial Arts》, and 《Dragon King Martial Arts》―― this was an indisputable fact.





　I was chosen, anticipated, and recognized among the many servants.



　I must live up to these expectations. No, I want to exceed his expectations and bring a smile to Second-sama's face.



　With that single-mindedness, I faithfully followed Second-sama's teachings and continued to hunt monsters.



　I don't even bother to question. Lilly and El would probably think the same way.



　As a result, by the end of the first day's agenda, all three of us had worked our way up to learning Dragon King.



　With a pleasant sense of fatigue and accomplishment, we returned to report back to Second-sama.



　Then Second-sama smiled with a mixture of surprise and joy and said, 



"Maybe next time, or the time after that, you'll be able to come."





　……The summer title games, or the winter title games. The three of us might be able to compete there, he said.



　When I heard those words, the back of my brain went numb, my eyes became watery, and the bridge of my nose twitched.



　At last, the time will come when I will be able to stand on that glorious stage as a servant of the Firstest household.



　We received that seal of approval from none other than our own master……!





　You never know what will happen in life. I really do agree.



　To everything that has brought me up to this point, to everything that has kept me alive, to everything that has brought me here, to my parents, to my brother, to my R6 family, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.



　I have been given wings to fly out into the world by my beloved Master.

　Please watch over me as I make my way over there from this hell.







　　＊　＊　＊



Lilly's side.







　I'm surprised. I was unexpectedly skillful.



　It's just, that there was simply no place to make use of it. That said, there was no place in the country where such a lady as me could be put to good use.



　But then I realized something.

　Just being watched by someone you love is enough to make you work so hard.



　I know that these feelings will never reach him. But, you know, it's also possible to live for a love that you can't reach for the rest of your life, isn't it?　Especially for me.



　Second-sama. My dearest Second-sama. Oh, my master.



　He is so honest. When I met him at the cafeteria, he said, "It's like a work of art." Somewhere in my mind, I thought he might just be making fun of me, but that was not the case.



　Second-sama is always watching me very carefully!　These muscles!



　But not only that. "You're even more toned now, can I touch you? ". He touched me after saying that, can you believe it!?



　I can't take it anymore, Oh, I'm at my limit. ...... Oh, but I can't!　Even if it's just admiration, I'm sure I'll be a nuisance to him!



　Ahhh, what should I do!?　This Lilly-chan is in trouble!!



　I guess I'll have to put these feelings into Martial Arts!?　I guess that's it!?



　Oh no, my wavering love…… Oh Lilly-chan, you really are a maiden!　But don't worry, I'll do my best for you, Second-sama.



"Lilly-chan is coming……! "







　　＊　＊　＊



El's side.







　The 'lady' next to me is thinking something really creepy, most likely.



　And then there's the butler guy who seems to have even more sickening things on his mind than that.



　Then, there's me thinking something even more unpleasant ....... I'm the worst.





　There is something wrong with me.



　I am working with my Master at an unprecedentedly close distance. It must be because of that. This situation might not be good for me.





　First of all, it's Master's smell. I know I shouldn't speak like that perverted cane-wielding maid, Cosmos. But, you know, he smells good, seriously!　Just a whiff is enough!



　Then, what else?　This visual overwhelm!　Every time the master does something, I get the urge to make a painting of it, hang it in my room, and admire it all day long!



　The extraordinarily exquisite technique. It's not right anymore. I think I know Master's greatness better than anyone else in this group because I go to the dungeon every day. All I can say is that it's just not right anymore. What?　Master, have you lived for a good number of years?　Have you been practicing Martial Arts for over 40 years?　Otherwise, there is no way to make sense of it.





　No use. In my head, I know, but no.



　I'm a maid. Nothing more, nothing less. But, you know, it's no good.



　I'm falling more and more in love with him. It is becoming more and more endearing.



　It is so arrogant of me to want to stand next to him.



　I was so overcome with a kind of uncontrollable lust that overflowed, far exceeding the respect I had always held for him.



　……Well, I will be patient. There is definitely a line that must never be crossed. It's okay, I can still hold on. It's still okay.



　As Firstest's maid, captain of the El Corps, and El of the Ten Great, I will never do anything that would make me neglect my pride.



　But, I don't know, this smell, this scene today, I don't think I'll be able to forget it for a while……





"Damn it!! "





　I hunted and hunted and hunted so that I could somehow forget this ridiculous desire.







　　＊　＊　＊



Renko's side.







"You guys are awesome……"



　I couldn't help but mumble to myself.

　But that's how awesome these guys were.



　Silvia, the woman with a bow, said, "Hmm, I see," after reading the training camp's booklet for a few minutes during the preparation time. After that, she learned the 【Martial Arts】 skills at an extraordinary speed with only a few advices from me.



　On the other hand, Akaneko, the woman with the katana, took her time at first, but once she got the hang of it, she was absolutely brilliant. Without the slightest hesitation, she jumped into a group of monsters and was now hunting them at a speed as fast as Silvia.





　……I still thought there was something special about me. The only lady-in-waiting who was personally taught by Saint Raspberry Bell. I don't see how I could not be special, and in fact, looking at it in general, I would say that I am probably quite special.



　But in terms of degree of specialness, I'm not as special as that guy. It's frustrating, but I can assure you of this.



　It was obvious when you think about it. And there's no way women brought by that special guy wouldn't be special themselves.





"But I won't let myself be defeated."



　I have already mastered Dragon Horse and Dragon King. Because Raspberry Bell-sama has taught me the conditions of learning.



　But you know what, it still surprised me.



　The last page of the booklet. Here is what it said.





"Learn them all, at grade 9. This is the prerequisite."――





　……It's frustrating. Very frustrating. And very annoying.



　But…… is completely and utterly right.





"Let's do this."



　Watch it, Second.



　I, too, will participate in the Toushini (Battle God) competition.

　Even if I don't win the title, I will put up a good fight against you.

　I will use my strength, my true strength, to get you to recognize me.



　Because right now, the closest to the Toushini is―― me!







　　＊　＊　＊



Akaneko's side.







　Interesting.



　I was surprised to learn that Martial Arts was so interesting, though not as interesting as Sword-drawing.



　Also, the dungeon locations were very fresh and exciting.



　I had heard rumors about it from afar, but when it came time to actually enter, it was a different story. I often felt nervous. However, after entering the place once, one can see how insignificant the place is. It was the perfect place to get used to the situation, with response-less monsters springing up from all directions.





　……Just as I was getting complacent, Silvia, perhaps suspecting my pride, offered me a word of advice.



"Don't let your guard down. You better expect twice as many to spring up."



　She seemed to be a veteran of many battles and was clearly accustomed to dungeons.



　I'm grateful for that. So, I decided to listen to her honestly.



"Your advice is greatly appreciated."



　Placing both hands on my thighs I bowed, and Silvia nodded and smiled with satisfaction, saying, "Umu".



　Then, exactly as she said, the number of monsters more than doubled. That was reason enough for me to trust her.





　On the other side, Renko was also dependable.



　She seemed to be the only one who had already learned all the Martial Arts skills, and she was by far the most talented of all.



　And I know, having grown up among the Samurai.

　She is a "mad dog,"―― so to speak, with eyes hungry for more power that will bite down on any opponent with fangs bared, never doubting her own power.



　……I see, I can tell by looking at her. Martial Arts, like Sword-drawing, are not "learned and done".



　Second, no, Master has taught me this. Use Martial Arts as food for Sword-drawing, he said.



　I simply interpreted it that way, that the muscle strength and agility gained from learning Martial Arts could be applied to Sword-drawing.



　But it's different, isn't it? I noticed this when I was looking at Renko.



　Does this mean that by being serious about Martial Arts, there are things that one can discover?



　Learn Sword-drawing through Martial Arts. Learn indirectly, that must have been what Master was instructing.





　Oh, if I stay clueless forever, I will ruin the name of the samurai.



　I, Akaneko may have abandoned the Tobatsu school, but I have not abandoned its spirit, the soul of a samurai.



　Even if it is Martial Arts without drawing a katana, it is still the same!



"This Akaneko is charging in! "







　　＊　＊　＊



Silvia's side.







　I wonder? Akaneko's cute……?



　At first, I was depressed, wondering if I would have another rival, but as I got to know her better and better, I came to believe that there was no need to be disheartened.



　An honest junior, I guess. She is a type I have never been around before.



　In any case, I am so glad to have a decent person like her because all the people around me are really reckless.



　And when I give her advice like this without referring to Second-dono, I am aware that I am undeniably a "strong person". I can look back at myself.



　But that's only normal. I'm the winner of the Kisenshou tournament, allowed to challenge the title holder, remember?　It's an honor I can be proud of for the rest of my life. However, just by being with Second-dono, the value of that drops to "So what?" levels.



　Well, I know it's only natural, and I know that Second-dono is the reason for this honor, but, hey, sometimes it's nice to feel a little better!



　I quite like Akaneko. I like her just because!　Alright, let's keep liking this honest and earnest junior. I've made up my mind!　Then, I'll slowly assign her the second Tsukkomi role, gradually reducing my burden!







　　　＊　＊　＊



Eko's side.







"Yummy-kret! "



　This is delicious!

　A taste unlike anything I've ever tasted before!



　Sprinkled with sesame seeds, the fish may taste even better!



"Seconds-fret! "



"Eko, stop that."



　……Yukari was upset.

　Maybe I used too much?



　Ahh.



"Yukari-fret."



"Eko, I will not say it twice."



　……Scary.



　But still, it's really tasty, you know?



======



Thank you for reading.

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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》                      Quick and powerful piercing attack
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      Rush piercing attack
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　  Powerful ranged attack in all directions
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       Most powerful range attack, takes time to prepare

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     Defense +chance to parry
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      Rush attack
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       Powerful shield attack, takes time to prepare

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 Area of Effect piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack, takes time to prepare

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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