第３２０堀：物は使いよう (Part1)
**Chapter 320: Tools are Only as Good as Their User**
**Side: Popuri Lancer, Principal of the Magic Academy, Disciple of the former Dungeon Master**
Standing before me is Comet Tail, the predecessor to the current Dungeon Master, Labyris.
Although Yuki is currently serving as the proxy, I never imagined she was still alive. Well, she is undead, so technically she isn't "alive," but I never dreamed we would be standing face-to-face, let alone clashing over our differing opinions.
Still, I never expected Yuki—a man of such cunning—to actually grant my request.
"A duel, then?"
"Yeah. That useless goddess, Luna, is insisting on steering things in that direction. I don't know how much I can trust her, but for now, this is a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. Even if it doesn't go as far as a full-blown duel, if we can at least keep those three in check, there won't be anyone left to pose a problem for the Hifi Holy Kingdom. So, Taiki will handle the Honme woman, and I won't interfere. Honme is going to play the adult and stick by the other side. That leaves Hifi and Comet. I want to extract as much information as I can. It’s what you call gathering intel to boost our win rate."
"I see... so that’s why you gathered me and Peace."
As expected of Yuki. His movements regarding these matters are far too precise. There is no better source of information than us.
"Exactly. The Holy Sword users... wait, aren't they 'Convenient-Sword' users? That’s a ridiculously simple name. It’s hard to say."
"She called them 'Betsuken' (Special Swords) herself."
"…Betsuken. Can’t she do something about her naming sense?"
"Don't ask me. Besides, isn't it a sign of someone truly dedicated when they give such grand names to their own creations?"
Well, I generally agree that her naming sense leaves something to be desired, but telling that to my research-obsessed master would be a waste of breath. To her, all that matters is that it’s easy to understand.
"I guess that’s true... Anyway, let’s leave the weapon names alone. So, do you know how Hifi or Comet fight?"
"I don't know anything about Hifi-dono. It’s the first time I’ve heard she was a goddess."
"I didn't know either. I only knew her as someone who provided excellent support to the Master..."
"I see. So Hifi really was just supporting from the shadows. That confirms what Luna said. Well, having unknown variables is a pain."
"I only know she was a priestess of some sort."
"Indeed. She is merely somewhat proficient in recovery magic."
Even so, I still can't believe Hifi-dono caused this entire incident. She was always the kind, smiling older sister figure. I even remember her teaching me the nuances of recovery magic—not my master, but Hifi-dono. My master is the type to achieve results in the most absurd, roundabout ways possible.
"Hmm, I see. At the very least, she can fight while healing herself, so she’s capable of a war of attrition. For Hifi, the only option is to crush her with everything we’ve got at the very start of the match."
"You aren't going to test the waters?"
"Are you not going to gauge your opponent's true strength?"
"Eh? Ah, that’s one way to do it. But for me, I’m the type to crush those kinds of opponents immediately. It’s a trope that things get troublesome if you corner them."
"A trope?"
"…Just consider it common sense from my homeland. Anyway, Hifi aside, judging by your tone, you know about Comet?"
"Of course. She’s my magic mentor."
"And I was the Master’s bodyguard, so I understand her combat style."
" "A pure mage-type." "
Yes, her research was focused on magic and magical power. It was impossible for her not to be able to use magic. In fact, as far as I know, she is the greatest mage to ever live. If you ask how she compares to Yuki, I honestly can't say, as I’ve never seen Yuki go all-out. But my master knew her own weaknesses as a mage and never neglected the research to improve them. In other words...
"And she’s a master who can handle herself in close quarters, too."
"Yes. Originally, the Master is so skilled she doesn't even need a bodyguard like me. But since her main profession is research, I was more of a caretaker than a guard. Along with Hifi-dono, I would carry the Master when she fell asleep in the lab or feed her."
"A nursing-care patient, huh..."
That was Peace's role back then, wasn't it... Honestly, alongside Hifi, I saw her as a mother figure, and the orphans the Master brought in loved her. That’s why I understand perfectly why she was so furious at the Holy Sword users for destroying that life. I couldn't side with either, so I simply protected the orphans' sanctuary and waited in silence for the conflict to pass.
"Well, I get the picture. But that was back then. It wouldn't be strange if she’s even more skilled now."
"That’s true. It’s safe to assume she’s gotten stronger."
"I agree with Popuri. It’s impossible for the Master to be the same as she was back then."
"Then, can you tell me more? Predicting from her favorite magic, her personality, and so on..."
"Wait a moment, please. I have a proposal."
It was a long shot. I opened my mouth, hoping to gain a chance to confront her—my master—after dumping the cleanup work on others.
"We will be the ones to face Comet-sensei. The duel format is a round-robin, right? Before you fight, Yuki-dono, let us make her reveal her hand."
"I see, that’s good. I’ve been inconvenienced by her enough, so it’ll be a nice bit of payback. To force an opponent to show their hand, when you know each other this well, you have no choice but to show them your new techniques or the ones you’ve been hiding."
I had proposed it with internal trepidation, but he accepted it easily...
"As an extra, take Sia and Kishua with you; they’ve calmed down recently. The other Holy Sword users are still unstable due to the mental conditioning, but those two will lend their strength to you and Peace. It’ll be four-on-one, but they were her own people. She won't say no to that."
"…You recommend four-on-one, but does that mean you think we two are no match for the Master, Yuki?"
"You aren't. Popuri and Peace have both been boosted, but according to my appraisal skill, Comet’s level is over 400, and Hifi is over 800."
" "..." "
I’ve trained, but I’m at most a little over 200. Peace is 250, and the Holy Sword users are at most 150... Looking at the numbers, there is no chance of winning.
"Four-on-one, and you already understand some of Comet’s tricks. That’s your best chance. Well, I’m waiting in the wings, so why don't you just go at her with everything you’ve got?"
Even though defeat was almost certain, Yuki didn't stop us from fighting. Perhaps it was to soothe the feelings of my master, Hifi, and ourselves. He had taken our feelings into account.
As I opened my eyes, the sight of cherry blossom petals falling deeply spread out, dyeing the ground in shades of peach. And there, before my eyes, stood my master, Comet, looking at us happily, staff in hand.
"Yes. Both sides are full of spirit. Then, let the match begin... Start!!"
Luna-sama gave the signal for the match to begin.
"We’re going all-out from the start!!"
"Good magical power. ...Show me!!"
In response to my words, my master answered. As planned, she intends to watch our attacks. Whether it’s the nature of a researcher or a desire to see our growth, I don't know. But this is our first and last chance. If Yuki’s intel is correct, the level gap is so vast that if we try to probe her defenses, we will surely be crushed by sheer power first.
If so, we must pour everything into the first attack, where all four of us can strike in perfect formation. We had practiced and coordinated as much as time allowed. All that was left was to execute. To strike her with the time we spent after she was gone!!
I immediately unleashed the highest-power magic I could muster. A beam of pure magical power, converted into heat, headed straight for my master. If she took it head-on, she wouldn't just be scorched; she’d be turned to ash.
"Ho-ho. Indeed, this is efficient for doing things without wasting time."
Even seeing that, my master didn't panic. She simply countered it head-on with the same magic, dissipating it. Using the same technique as Eris-dono... that just shows the difference in our ability.
But I knew that perfectly well. I attacked with volume, setting the trap. I fired in rapid succession, forcing her to focus on me.
"Yes, yes. The rate of fire and precision are acceptable. But surely, this isn't all you have?"
"Of course not."
Then, as planned, one of the shots I fired was cleanly intercepted, and a flash of light enveloped the area.
"Ohh!?"
This was a recreation of a stun grenade, something I learned from Yuki.