Chapter 44: In the Underground Training Ground
In the underground training ground of the Knight's Tower, Chester and I faced each other.
Without any preamble, we cut to the main subject.
"I heard a rumor," I said.
"What kind of rumor?" Chester asked.
"The Dragon Knights are feeling a sense of crisis about the future development of flight techniques. Lord Chester, or rather, the Dragon Knights, do you have something you want to tell me? Or is it Lord Greg's policy?"
At my words, Chester's brow furrowed slightly, but it was just for a moment, and he quickly replaced it with a smile.
"Well, what is it?" he asked.
"There's no one else around, so I know you don't have a favorable impression of me, Lord Chester. I'd really like to hear your true thoughts," I replied.
"My true thoughts, huh?" Chester closed his eyes and shrugged.
"Fine. It's true that I don't like you. A filthy mage trying to intrude into our territory as if it were his own. His Majesty is also interested in you. The Guildmaster believes that the banquet won't be complete without you. Do you think I'm impressed?"
I've heard that mages and knights don't get along well. I don't really understand that aspect.
"Why do you dislike mages so much?"
"Why? I've heard about your way of fighting. When facing a demon, you start with a powerful magic surprise attack, then pretend you can't fly and use deceitful moves like an ambush. Mages always do that. It's not the way of an honorable person. Change it while you still can."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course. If you don't come out of the Adventurer's Guild or the labyrinth, that's fine. But I don't want someone like you getting involved with our glorious kingdom. And it's not just me; Lord Greg shares the same opinion."
...So this is about chivalry, huh? I feel like fighting a demon doesn't really have much to do with chivalry.
The way he provokes me, even if it's in a subtle manner, is probably more due to his personality, regardless of Lord Greg's intentions. In other words, Chester really means what he just said, which is usually considered a mere formality.
Strong individuals are highly valued because of the labyrinth, but the kingdom hasn't seen large-scale wars for a long time. Considering the Knight Order's role in guarding the royal castle and the capital, it's probably natural for their mentality to develop in the direction of valuing honor. The knights directly under the royal castle probably have a sense of elitism, and it's understandable that they clash with mages, who are like oil and water to them.
It's true that the Knight Order lost points for failing to notice the kidnapping incident and the infiltration of demons, and they couldn't resolve it in time. But it's probably a case of sour grapes.
"If you were to fight a demon with that way of thinking, you would die, you know?" I said.
"Hmm. You're telling me that, huh? Unfortunately, I've never fought a demon before."
"I'm not joking or trying to make fun of you."
"You just have to overwhelm the demon head-on. With the protection of a Dragon Knight, the miasma is not a problem."
There are ways to counter the miasma. That's true.
If it's the Knight Order, they can receive support from the rear. And if it's a Dragon Knight, they can compensate for the disadvantage in aerial combat. But...
"Or, if you think that's arrogance, are you willing to teach me how to deal with demons?" Chester asked with an irritated tone.
If he can overpower me in close combat after I matched him with Lynette and my staff skills, then he probably believes he can easily defeat a demon head-on.
"I don't mind. It would be faster to prove each other's skills. If a mock battle here settles the matter, let's go along with it."
"Are you serious with that outfit? Besides, you don't even have a weapon."
...Right.
I'm saying it's a misunderstanding.
In the underground training ground, practice spears without spearheads are propped up. The spear's shaft is made of iron. If we're going to have a mock battle... and if it's not a magic-based fight, this should be sufficient as a substitute for a staff. I pick up a suitable practice spear and say to Chester, "Do you think demons will hold back because of your appearance or the state of your weapon?"
"...Interesting. If I win, you will promise not to get involved with the royal castle, okay?"
This probably includes the discussion about flight techniques. At least, if things continue as they are now, it's unlikely that anyone who can rival a Dragon Knight will emerge for a while... but I don't know what will happen if I involve myself.
"That's fine. I never intended to quit the adventurer profession at this point anyway. It would be a relief if you don't bother me if I win."
"Very well."
With that settled, Chester also picks up a practice spear, and we face each other. Chester is a Dragon Knight, so I knew he could use a long-handled weapon even in ground combat.
Now then. Chester seems to dislike grappling techniques with magic, and he believes that if he can somehow handle demons' flight and miasma, his skills will prevail.
"Alright, here I come," I said.
"Bring it on," Chester replied.
With his consent, I kicked off the floor of the training ground and closed the distance in one breath. Chester opened his eyes wide and tried to intercept me with his spear, but his reaction was slow. I swept it aside and slammed my body against his, using the shaft as a shield and supporting myself with my knee. Since this isn't a wooden spear, I can handle it a bit roughly without channeling magic.
"What the...?"
Chester received my attack and widened his eyes in surprise. It seems he didn't expect to be pushed back by a child using only pressure.
What I just did was a test and a way of showing my hand. Since it's a mock battle and I can't use highly lethal magic, and I can't infuse magic into my weapon, I will still reinforce my physical abilities through circulation. It's the foundation of my combat techniques.
He stepped in as it was, gripping the middle of the spear and launching attacks from left and right as if rowing an oar. My iron spear clashed with Chester's, resonating with the sound of metal. The distance was in my favor. Despite having the same weapon, our styles were different from the beginning. I countered Chester's thrust and swept it aside. Our positions swapped rapidly as if dancing a waltz.
Having accustomed himself to attacks from the sides, Chester suddenly changed his trajectory, attacking from the side and then downward. He transformed it into a sweeping blow as if scooping me up.
"Kuh!"
Unable to dodge completely, I received the blow with my left vambrace, but Chester came at me again, sweeping widely with his spare right-hand spear. I leaped back to avoid the attack.
"I no longer see you as a child!"
Taking advantage of the opening, Chester readied his spear at his waist, and his body and spear were enveloped in a blue fighting spirit.
Martial technique, Meteor Thrust―― He thrust his spear forward, charging at me with tremendous force.
"Naive."
Knowing that I would be at a disadvantage if we engaged in close combat, he must have become impatient to win.
While Meteor Thrust was certainly fast, such grand techniques required destabilizing the opponent's posture beforehand. Otherwise, you'd be in for a painful counter.
Responding to a martial technique with another martial technique, I employed staff technique, Mist Sweep.
As our spear tips met, I deflected the force and swept his attack aside. It felt like gliding along a rail created by the fusion of fighting spirit and magic. Simultaneously, I changed my posture and faced him directly.
"What!?"
Chester's body was redirected along with the trajectory of his charge, and he ended up rushing toward the wall of the training ground.
"Gu!"
Just before crashing into the wall, he managed to stop himself. I nonchalantly approached him and struck him with the spear from the front.
Although he narrowly managed to parry the blow, Chester's stance was greatly disrupted. He got into a crouch and then straightened up, launching a strike with a twist aimed at my side.
Receiving the attack, which concentrated a spiral force, I allowed my body to flow in the direction of his twist. I pulled back the spear for a moment, swept his feet from under him, and as he rolled, I thrust at his neck level.
――
With the tip of the spear against Chester's throat, I asked:
"Do you acknowledge defeat?"
"...Yes."
Though his expression was filled with frustration, Chester nodded.
"To be treated so handily, it's been since I received guidance from the Captain and Lord Oswald..."
That was true. To put it bluntly, our experiences were different.
While my training was honed through countless Player versus Player battles in BFO, it was built upon a vast number of trial and error.
In normal training, you couldn't go that far, pushing beyond the limits and struggling against each other. We'd do it day in and day out, going all out. Which techniques to use, where to execute them, and how to handle them. The next move, the best move in each other's actions.
Both martial techniques and magic and even items. I've gone through battles with everything allowed, and I've worked hard to overcome tricky situations and turn them around.
With such extensive experience and knowledge, as my body kept up with that information through repetition, it wasn't easy for me to lose.
"I certainly lost. However, I don't believe I was wrong. If you can do all that without using magic... Even against a Demon, you wouldn't need any tricks, would you? That's what I believe."
If he thinks that, he's mistaken. My magic is most effective in close combat, and Miasma Bullets are not something a person can endure. If you take a direct hit, you'll die, so I need to create a situation where he can't do that and approach.
"...What happened with the Demon? What did they do to you?"
Seeing my expression, Chester furrowed his brows.
"It's a common story. There are no witnesses, but I believe the promise will be kept."
Leaving those words behind, I left the underground training ground, leaving Chester with a bewildered expression.