「 Are both parties ready? Start! 」
The battle began with Gilbert-san’s shout.
I leaned back and readied my wooden spear, wary of Hugo’s first attack.
Unlike Chris, he remains motionless with his axe spear at ready.
A minute passed since the start but there was no sign of movement from the other side.
I thought that he was going to come at me at the start of the fight, but it seems that they’re watching me well instead.
I’ll come to you then.
Instead of closing the gap, I just walked up to him.
It may seem a reckless move at first glance, but I like this better.
Thanks to these skills, I now have a vague idea of the timings of a fight, but it seems that experience is still the key to fighting while keeping an enemy in check.
Hugo doesn’t hide his dubious look at my behavior.
As he watched me approach him, I moved close and was within reach of his axe spear if I took one more step.
「 You’re looking down on me? Or… 」
Hugo sets up a hip side-punch with a shout.
The fact that he doesn’t swing or make a vertical slash is a cautious move.
With that thought in mind, I bounced off the approaching axe-spear off the bottom to prevent the attack.
「 Kuh! You’re overpowering me?! 」
Hugo’s surprised, and the axe spear leaps up, bouncing violently due to the elasticity of the wood.
The look on his face says that he wasn’t expecting that to happen.
With his skill and the attack coming from that physique, an opponent with the same skill values wouldn’t only have to take on the weapon, but also his entire body.
What I did would only be possible for someone with skill level 4 or above, and Euphy, according to the common sense of this world.
When I flicked off the axe spear, his thick arms got raised as well, creating a large gap in front of him.
I raised my wooden spear and aimed at Hugo’s armor, at his solar plexus, and swing it down in an arc, poking him with the tip.
「 Guooh!! 」
Hugo couldn’t react to my movements at all.
The wooden spear strikes a direct hit and a gong rings out like a bell.
Although it shouldn’t have caused direct damage, the vibration from the attack penetrated inside, and Hugo jumped back with a grim look.
Damn, he can jump far with that body.
It’s a sideways glide, leaping off several meters.
I wasn’t planning to take him out on the first shot, but he seemed like a guy who would make it drag long if I cut corners.
Let’s chase him and settle it on the next move.
With that thought in mind, I leaped forward while his legs weren’t on the ground yet.
Immediately after that, Hugo’s eyes opened wide.
「 Ha?! If it’s this much!! 」
He laughed, putting his right hand behind his back, and then he pulled a small bow, held it up with a fluid motion, and fired an arrow at my face without hesitation.
「 Uooh?! Wha? Daa! 」
And he fired three arrows in succession.
Surprised by the arrows at close range, I blocked two of them with my spear and managed to bounce off the last one to the side with my arm and put my feet on the ground to escape the difficulty.
「 That was close. Where did you hide that? 」
「 Huh? You can avoid that?! 」
Seems like it was his killing blow, and his voice was laced in half-anger.
The arrow on the ground had some cloth on the tip to prevent it from piercing.
But still, that was a dangerous projectile.
So that’s what Gilbert-san meant when he said that he’s a stubborn one.
I felt chilly for a moment.
After that, we continued the fight while wary of what he might do. Hugo has a moderately tricky fighting style of melee and bow.
「 Daaaaa! I lose! I forfeit! 」
Hugo, lying on his back, shouts in defeat.
That’s a fair result even for the most powerful knight.
That’s because my spear arts skill is 3(29/36)
During the month we had been moving from the city where the labyrinth was to our current location, I had been taking turns cumming inside Euphy and Nia every day, and the three of us had been improving our skills.
As a result, the fourth level of my skill is within reach, and this skill alone should put me above any top-class knight.
In addition to that, my light armor and shield techniques have been raised well.
If it’s Euphy and me now, there should be no way for us to lose to anyone other than people with level 4 skills, which is just one or two people in this country.
Maybe?
Honestly, if a bunch of level-three skill guys come at me, I don’t know what will happen.
If I get hit by a good attack, we could fold as our fighting ability would drop at that point.
Anyway, I showed them that I’m capable of fighting.
I was about to look around to see what reaction would be the outcome of the match when Hugo’s fallen nearby, and they were staring at me.
Before I could wonder what they were looking at, he turned to the knights and started talking loudly.
「 Did you see that? Kotori-sama has managed to overwhelm me. This strong man is leading us together with Euphy-sama! I accept it! I approve of Kotori-dono! What about you? 」
Huh?
Where did that rebellious vibe from earlier go?
Hmm?
He looked at me and gave me a light wink?!?!
Wait, that attitude earlier was an act?
「 Hugo? Are you sure? 」
「 Yes, Gilbert-dono. This explains the unbelievable things I heard from you.
However, my bow didn’t even hit him. Even though I got a hit on Gilbert-dono on our first match 」
「 Don’t remind me of the old days 」
Although Gilbert-san’s probably older than him, their relationship doesn’t seem to have much age difference.
Their conversation sets the mood.
But this makes it look like the match had been set up.
I was wondering if I should complain or not to the two knights who were in agreement with each other, but then several knights looked as if they wanted to say something.
I wondered if they felt the same way, but it seemed like they were looking at me instead
They have a little skepticism left in their eyes.
When I noticed it, Hugo’s already brushing dust off his body, he also noticed and gave me a curious look.
「 Is there anything else? 」
The voice was tight, but the Adicilton knights weren’t intimidated by it.
One knight opened up with a calm look of suspicion.
「 I sure recognize his strength to overpower Hugo 」
「 So why do you give that look? What do you doubt? 」
「 Isn’t Kotori-dono from Nyhied? I don’t begrudge everyone from that country, but he can’t come out of nowhere and ask us to accept him. How can we forgive those from Nyhied 」
Oh, that’s it.
We reached that point.
「 Hmm. That’s true, but… 」
Hugo-san looks troubled when told the reason
That’s probably because he feels the same way.
Hugo-san was unable to speak back, but I could see how his feelings were infecting the knights around him.
One by one, they start looking this way doubtfully.
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable and wondering what to do with the situation, Euphy speaks up with a clear look on her face.
「 Worry not. I’ll keep the reasons confidential, but you don’t have to be concerned about that 」
The princess’ voice doesn’t seem to stray off, it took away the air of suspicion about me from the knights, but it didn’t have much of an effect, as there was nothing concrete to say why that was the case.
Hmm, how about we tell them now?
I don’t have to hide that I was summoned to this world.
I mean, it’s better if I tell them that.
I’ve come to understand a lot about this world, but I don’t know much about common sense that I ask not just Euphy but also Nia.
I don’t like it.
What if I say something strange and the knights look at me as if I’m an idiot?
「 Euphy, I’ll do the explanation 」
The knight’s expression didn’t change from the response, but when I spoke to Euphy who wonders what to do with them, she looked apologetic and lowered her gaze.
「 I don’t really mind it, don’t make that face. Okay, I can understand your doubts. I would feel the same if I were in your place. But just as she said, you don’t have to worry about it. After all, I was never a citizen of Nyhied. Or should I say, I wasn’t from this world to begin with 」
I simply told them that I came to this world summoned as the hero, and they seemed to have accepted it more easily than expected, just like Euphy and Nia did
Perhaps it’s because I showed that I can overpower Hugo-san.
「 And so, I guess you could say that I’m part of the Adiciltons because I want to fulfill Euphy’s wishes, right? Oh, I’m not asking you to bow your head to me, do that to her. All I want is to be accepted as an ally 」
I talked a little longer, but by the time I spoke my thoughts out, the knights looked at me differently.
「 I believe everyone now has a better understanding of Daiki-sama. He has the strength to win against Hugo without any scratches, he has the talent to create wealth that we’re not wise enough to do, and he dispelled your concerns by exposing his identity that he should’ve been hiding from us. I have no doubt that Daiki-sama will lead us on the right path. Please believe in him. The restoration of the Adicilton house is possible with Daiki-sama!
Euphy says enthusiastically, speaking as if it’s already going on.
She’s fired up because she tried convincing them earlier and failed.
In the end, she even struck a winning pose with her hand raised up.
I looked at the knights to see their reaction, then Gilbert-san who was listening next to Euphy, shouted angrily.
「 Everyone, I will follow Kotori-dono! Just as the princess said, we can move forward on a new path! 」
Hugo also raised his voice.
「 Did you hear Gilbert-dono? I feel the same way! Our Princess and Kotori-dono’s guiding us! We will bring the Adiclton back! 」
「 Uoooooh! Euphilite-sama! Kotori-sama! 」
「 Princess, you’re the best! Princess, so cute! Princess smells nice! 」
「 Glory to the Adicilton! 」
When the three pressed forward, the mood changed immediately.
Well, I did my explanation.
But you know, I hear a dangerous line from someone there.
「 Geez! Daiki-nii! Daiki-nii!!! 」
Nia also joined in, and she shouted while raising her fist!!
Hugging her from behind is Caria, the female knight as if it’s natural.
Well, Manos-san and the group are also speaking up.
I find that all the knights, big and small, seem to accept me.
Chris is the only one who’s still not accepting, but when his eyes meet mine, he raises his fist with a pout.
Gilbert-san was right, he’ll listen to what I say after I made him understand.
Even so, he must’ve thought that this was a good opportunity to raise my reputation to the top at once.
But still, I’m a little worried because I always thought of doing those things gradually.
I look at Euphy with such thoughts, but she’s in a good mood, turning her smile to the knights without realizing it.
「 Fufu, thank you everyone. Nothing can go wrong if you follow Daiki-sama. Fufu… 」
Oh well.
She seems to be having fun.
But deep in those eyes and cute smile, I sense a kind of fanaticism that burns like a melting pot.
It’s been hiding lately, but now that the knights are supporting her, it’s starting to come out.
She rummaged through the magic bag on her waist and pulled something out, putting it on herself.
Why are you wearing an armor?
「 I have something else I want to let everyone know. Gilbert, shall we? 」
「 Yes, I’m ready 」
Gilbert-san who was wearing a white shirt and slacks earlier, is now wearing armor, just like Euphy.
Seems like the two want to show off a fight.
Speaking of which, Euphy hasn’t shown her strength to everyone yet
There hasn’t been an opportunity to show it to this many people.
People have gathered, so she should show off for a bit.
If so, I moved to a better spot with my arms crossed, and Nia approached.
「 Euphy-nee’s about to fight. Can she win against Gilbert-san? 」
「 You’ll know soon. I don’t think you have to worry about that, Nia 」
Nia seems concerned, but this is a demonstration of power.
A few moments after placing my hand on Nia as she hugged me tightly, thinking that the outcome wasn’t that important, they reached a conclusion immediately.
A single attack.
Euphy rammed in like Chris, but her speed was off the charts.
Even watching from a distance, I saw Euphy approach in an instant, smashed Gilbert-san’s armor, and knocked him to the ground, pointing her wooden sword at his throat to finish the fight.
「 You’ve become stronger once again. I can no longer keep up 」
「 What are you saying? Gilbert-san would’ve been able to hold me off if you had your shield. I still need to get stronger. And Daiki-sama helps me with that 」
Euphy pulls Gilbert-san up.
Although that scene may not have been impressive in itself, the knights were quite impressed seeing Euphy’s combat skills for the first time.
「 H-Hey, Kotori-dono’s strength is surprising, but isn’t the princess more amazing? 」
「 Yeah. I heard that she gained sword art, but what was that? She took down Gilbert-dono in one hit? Is that possible? 」
「 M-My princess. Stronger than me… Uuuuu 」
「 H-How was she able to gain that much power? 」
Euphy shocked them.
No, that’s obvious.
Euphy never had a single combat skill until I had done it with her, so they would be surprised if she could defeat Gilbert-san in one attack.
No matter how you look at it, doing it in one hit is too much.
She looks confused, maybe the knight’s reaction was different from what she was expecting.
「 H-Huh? Did I overdo it? 」
I guess it’s fine that she’s self-aware, but she looks like she wasn’t expecting this.
Even the most outlandish Adicilton knight would be when the princess they’re supposed to protect shows the power that they can’t beat even though they’re on the same team.
Something tells me that Euphy took it all in the end, but I’m not going too worked up about the fact that this is the extent of my treatment.