落とし穴３２掘：新入りの日常 (Part2)
"Don't worry about it. I'll be using a doppelganger. Since its level is even lower than yours, Jessica, it'll make for good training."
"That’s exactly what I’m worried about..."
"Hmph-fufu. Don't underestimate a Demon Lord. Even if the level is inferior, there is no way I would allow a mere girl to land a single blow on me. Especially not on the stomach. Even if it’s just a doppelganger and won't affect my true body, I don't know what kind of shock it might cause. That is precisely why I won't be taking a hit from you, Jessica."
"You said it, Demon Lord."
"Fufu... this isn't a place that can be reached by the stick-waving of a girl who is neither a Hero nor a wife."
*Fine. I’ll make sure to land at least one hit.*
The office work is just filing papers anyway; I can leave that to Steve or John.
"Achoo."
"Achoo."
"What are you imitating me for?"
"No, that’s my line."
"Besides, don't be munching on a cucumber from the morning. You're going to grow a plate on your head at this rate."
"Shut up. You worry about such trivial things; that’s why you can’t get a woman."
"Oh? Ohhh? There are things in this world you shouldn't say, you know?"
"That’s my line. Anyone who mocks cucumbers will be forced to eat them 365 days a year until they change their mind."
"Scary!? That’s scary!?"
*Boom, boom, boom!!*
"Come now, where did that momentum from earlier go!?"
"Guh, this is absurd. Using a body with a lower level and stats than mine, and yet...!?"
I am currently desperately dodging the attacks of the Demon Lord Deryu.
I’ve grown, certainly. Even if it’s just a fake doppelganger, the essence inside is a genuine, battle-hardened Demon Lord, even if slightly degraded.
The experience and skill she uses to corner me, ignoring the level gap—I can only admire it.
"Everything is about how you use it. Jessica, you have more than average experience from your past and the improvements you've made since coming here—no, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call you strong—but you are still lacking."
*Clang!!*
"Guhhh!?"
Deryu’s fist exploded against my shield, sending me flying backward.
However, Deryu didn't pursue; she just watched me.
"If you intend to stand by Yuki’s side, you must be stronger. The path my husband walks... I doubt that level of strength alone will be enough to assist him."
"…I am well aware of that."
"Then, we shall continue, shall we?"
"Of course!!"
And so, the intense training continued.
"That’s enough for today. Your movements have lost their luster. This isn't exactly training in an extreme, life-or-death situation, after all."
"…*pant*… *pant*… Understood."
In the end, the training finished without me landing a single blow.
"Well, you did well enough. You trained with a Demon Lord for two hours straight, after all. But why did you bring a shield today? Isn't your basic style just a one-handed sword, Jessica?"
"…Can you really say that after looking at the state of this training ground?"
"Hm?"
Deryu looked around. Naturally, the area was cratered and riddled with holes.
I had prepared the shield to desperately mitigate the damage. I had asked Narjia to make a simplified version of the shield Ria uses for multi-barrier deployment, but even then, it ended up like this. If I hadn't had the shield, I might have died.
"Hmm, Ria usually keeps up just fine, though."
"That’s because she’s a Hero!!"
"No, the others like Seraria and Riel can manage well enough, too. They land hits and trade blows with me normally."
"…I haven't reached that level yet."
"Then you’ll have to reach it soon. The negotiations with Zilba are going well. You’re planning to disperse soon, aren't you?"
"That is the plan."
"Then, you must at least become capable of landing a hit when facing me or Ria."
"…"
This is going to be exhausting every day from now on, isn't it...
***
That was Jessica’s level-up training.
Sorry for the irregular updates. My physical condition has been a bit off, so I’ve been incredibly sleepy. I just collapse the moment I get home from work.
Everyone, please don't push yourselves too hard.