第６３８堀：何事もチャレンジである (Part1)
**Chapter 638: Everything is a Challenge**
**Side: Yuki**
“……And so, this is the strategy we would like to proceed with.”
“What do you think?”
The ones speaking are Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia. Standing behind them are Kagura and her companions.
“I understand the proposal. I’ve already received reports from Dressa and the others, and after discussing it with Georgin, Duke Kamishiro, the Academy Principal, and Priest Onock, we’ve concluded that this is indeed the best course of action.”
Upon hearing my reply, Kagura and the others beam with smiles, seemingly thinking their plan has been approved. However, we cannot simply accept this strategy unconditionally. At a signal from me, Georgin, Duke Kamishiro, the Principal, and Priest Onock step forward.
“The strategy itself is excellent. However, I trust you understand that it would be pointless if you, the Princesses, or Kagura-dono were to fall in the process.”
“Therefore, we have decided to implement a rigorous screening process for the training you will undergo against monsters.”
“It should go without saying, but simply ‘enduring’ is not enough. This is a mission where failure is not an option. We cannot have you going in with half-hearted resolve.”
“……It’s not my place to say, but that Grand Headquarters is filled with those lunatics. While I fully support the idea of rescuing the Archbishop and bringing them to our side, I must honestly oppose the Princesses going there to achieve it.”
When Dressa and the others first brought this to us, I initially dismissed it. Surprisingly, however, they pushed back. Or rather, when they challenged us to provide a better plan, both I and Georgin were left speechless. It wasn’t as if we hadn’t considered a strategy involving Kagura and the others at the forefront, but the probability of them falling was high. If Steve and his forces were to reveal themselves and act on a grand scale as a result, we risked losing public trust.
Of course, in the worst-case scenario, we could distribute flyers with photographs to every nation to sway public opinion. But that would destroy the prestige of the Haire Church, potentially leading to the persecution and death of innocent, devout followers. It was a delicate and difficult problem.
That is precisely why we agreed to Dressa’s proposal on the condition that Kagura and the others undergo training to ensure they possess the physical and mental fortitude to survive actual combat. It’s not so much a condition as it is a matter of common sense.
“That being said, do you have the resolve for this, Kagura?”
I pose the question not to Princess Carrie, but to Kagura and her friends. The resolve and ability of Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia are beyond question—everyone knows it, so no one bothers to mention it, though I do think it’s a bit misplaced for royalty. Regardless, Kagura and her friends look us straight in the eye and reply.
“I have the resolve. I will do what I can. I don’t want to have any regrets for not doing it.”
“Me too. If anything, I think this is the moment we need to give it our all.”
“I-I will do it, too. If it means keeping the people who have been kind to us from being caught in the fires of war, then struggling here is a small price to pay.”
Seeing the three of them, I honestly felt a pang of guilt, wondering if I had intimidated them too much. I couldn’t shake the suspicion that my previous words to them were the reason for such a forceful response. In truth, I had intentionally stoked their fire because I wanted them to participate. Having gone that far, feeling like a dirty adult for saying all this now is quite ironic. It’s a feeling that hits me even harder when dealing with students.
That is exactly why I decided to confirm their intent and motivation, and ensure they undergo proper, rigorous training.
And so, the training for Kagura and the others began immediately. It wasn’t the grueling infiltration training that Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia had gone through, but rather a focus on maintaining composure during questioning and witnessing the sight of corpses. It wasn’t physical training, but it was the kind of trial where, if you can’t handle it, you never will.
Specifically, the training for dealing with nobles—or rather, former noble Haire Church members—was led by Duke Kamishiro and the Principal, while the handling of corpses and basic monster encounters was conducted in our special Weed training dungeon.
The training period is about one week. In that time, Kagura and the others must forge an unshakable spirit. Why so short? Because that is roughly the time it takes to travel from the Academy to the Haire Church Grand Headquarters by horse or on foot. We couldn’t afford to give the Grand Headquarters any more time, or things might spiral out of control.
*“Kyaaa!?”*
*“Hiii!?”*
*“W-wah!?”*
*“Hmm, hmm.”*
*“Oh, my. This is quite something.”*
Listening to these sounds, we watch the training progress leisurely on a monitor. Well, I have other matters to attend to, so I’m not watching it constantly.
“This is…”
“I had heard of it, but…”
“Truly impressive.”
These comments come from the “bad adults” in the waiting room: Duke Kamishiro, the Principal, and Georgin. They had asked to observe the practical training if possible, so I allowed it. The Principal was wide-eyed at the gate-based travel, his jaw dropped at the cityscape of Weed, and he was left speechless upon seeing the monster-filled dungeon. Fortunately, the other two were used to Weed and helped guide him.
Since they are the first proper visitors outside of Kagura, the Princesses, Georgin, and the Duke, we have a full schedule of hospitality planned for them afterward. In a way, this might be a net positive, as it also facilitates exchanges with Haiden and Findall.
But setting aside the political side of things, Kagura and the others are currently challenging the training dungeon.
*“Ugh, ahhh!”*
*“Ooh, ahh!”*
*“““Kyaaaaaa!?”””*
As expected, we aren’t doing combat training from day one. To help them endure the sight of corpses, we’ve turned the dungeon into a haunted house of sorts, having them chased around. Fortunately, rather than fainting or vomiting, the sense of mortal danger has them running for their lives, which seems to be having a positive effect on their training.
To put it simply… it’s like throwing someone who can’t swim into the ocean; they end up swimming after all. Of course, the ocean carries the risk of actual death, so this is much safer.
The zombies in the dungeon haunted house aren’t my subordinates, but they are dungeon monsters, so they obey my commands. In this instance, they are only tasked with chasing and intimidating the group. Naturally, Kagura and the others don’t know they won’t actually be harmed, so they are running for their lives. Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia, who are with them, have been informed, so they are treating it like an attraction.
The adults here also know the truth, which is why they can watch with such composure. If Duke Kamishiro thought his daughter was in genuine mortal danger from zombies, he wouldn’t be able to watch so calmly. To Kagura and the others, who know nothing, this must feel like a real-life horror game.