第１１１６堀：実力差 (Part1)
### Chapter 1116: The Gap in Ability
**Side: Yuki**
The mock battle I’d requested of Deryu had gone well, all things considered. I was able to confirm both Wazfi’s capabilities and the deployment potential of Nilua’s tools.
“...Though it’s a bit late to be saying this, I can’t deny that compared to Deryu, Kagura and the others are lacking in real ability.”
“Well, the difference in combat experience is overwhelming, after all. Even if they catch up in terms of stats, it’s meaningless if they can’t utilize those specs effectively.”
“That’s the crux of it.”
Exactly. What had been brought to light this time was the staggering gap in ability between Deryu and Kagura’s group. Naturally, neither Wazfi nor Nilua had ever harbored the slightest delusion that they could defeat Deryu. I felt bad for them, but since I’d known from the start that Deryu was vastly superior in both specs and experience, I’d only held a faint hope that they might put up a fight worth watching. In that sense, it was fortunate that Deryu had concluded they would at least be able to protect themselves during the Great Sea of Trees survey.
The real issue that had surfaced was the significant disparity in ability among my wives.
“Even Agil and Stasia, who should have had proper combat experience, didn’t last long...”
“Isn’t that because those two are, for the most part, in positions of command?”
“That’s part of it, I’m sure. But I can’t just leave things as they are. I’ve been busy with everything going on around me, but from here on out, while investigating the mana depletion phenomenon, I need to think of ways to strengthen my wives—or rather, my family.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Master, but talent for combat is something that varies from person to person. How do you intend to handle that?”
“Well, the reason Kagura and the others are weak is simply a lack of experience. The proof is that Tori and the others, who have been training with Deryu consistently, are putting up a decent fight.”
“Ah, indeed. They are clearly superior to Lady Tori and the others. I see—you want them to reach at least that level?”
Kirika nodded, having grasped my intent.
“I’m not asking for the impossible—I’m not telling them to beat Deryu. But I think it’s reasonable to expect them to reach Tori’s level. It’s not as if Tori and the others were particularly strong to begin with.”
“True. In terms of raw talent, Lady Kagura and the others are actually superior.”
“Right? They’re descendants of heroes, compared to just ordinary adventurers. Well, maybe it’s wrong to demand talent just because of their lineage...”
“Yes. Lady Kagura and the others have a track record of fighting properly, so I don’t think it’s a matter of lacking talent. There may be some aptitude differences regarding combat, but I doubt any of them would hesitate to fight for their lives.”
Exactly. As Kirika said, it’s not that they lack talent. If anything, their past battles prove they have it. That’s why I believe they can reach the level of Tori’s group.
“However, how do you plan to increase their experience? Looking at the battle just now, it feels as though they haven’t yet learned to control their own power.”
“I agree. Kagura and the others have raised their levels and boosted their specs, but their training to acclimate to those abilities hasn’t kept pace. Even Agil and Stasia, who should be used to combat, were struggling, so perhaps that gap is larger than I thought.”
“Indeed. When you think about it, since the Haiden-Findall War, Lady Kagura and the others have been guiding us on the front lines without any proper training. Once the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance began moving, they took on roles as diplomats, and after they married, they were busy with coordination with their homelands—not to mention the negotiations with the Sea-facing Seasifo Kingdom. And to top it all off, the great war between the Zurabl Empire and the Hain Empire.”
“You summarized that easily, Kirika, but looking back, it’s been a whirlwind lately. It’s no wonder they lack combat experience.”
“Yes. When I re-examine the situation, it’s a wonder they ever found the time for combat training at all.”
“Well, I did have them gain experience during important moments, like the battle against the Sea Dragon.”
“Lady Kagura and the others did manage to win that time, but it was a narrow victory. Given their stats at the time, one could say the result was rather difficult to justify.”
“Which just goes to show how little combat training they’ve had. In other words, they’ve been insanely busy.”
That’s the truth of it. Kagura and the others have truly been doing their best... After all, paperwork is genuinely important.
“On the other hand, Tori and the others are essentially part of Weed’s internal administration.”
“Yes. It goes without saying for Lady Seraria, but since Lady Tori and the others work in the police force, training is essential for maintaining public order. Lady Milly is in the Adventurer’s Guild, so she has to keep the ruffians in check; Lady Eris works in accounting but never skips her combat training, which she does as exercise after her shift; and even Lady Rurua trains with the others whenever the opportunity arises. And as for Sister Aslin and the others, they train at full power every day as a form of play...”
“Well, Aslin and the others are fine. Playing is their job, after all. I see. The members from Weed—or rather, the Rogali Continent—basically have a high level of proficiency. What about Ria, Jessica, Cleena, and Samantha?”
“There is no room for doubt there. Those four are your guards, Master. They understand well that training leads to the success of their duties. That is to say, it protects your precious life. Therefore, when they aren’t guarding you, they are almost always training in earnest.”
Well, that makes sense. It wouldn’t be a laughing matter if my own guards were undertrained. Samantha and Cleena have to mediate with their homelands, but they aren’t so busy that their guard duties are neglected, and their homelands are considerate of that as well. Or rather, a proper negotiation route with Weed has already been established.
Thinking about it that way, Kagura and the others are in a position where, due to the recent chaos, those diplomatic negotiation routes are still ambiguous.
“...I see. Given the situation, to make time to train Kagura and the others, is it important to establish a proper diplomatic route with their homelands that doesn’t rely on them?”
“Yes. That would be the most certain way. Setting aside Lady Mikos, the others have their original positions in their homelands, so it is difficult for them to ignore requests. But if they keep prioritizing that, they will never...”
“Improve their combat experience.”
“Yes. So, rather than saying directly that you want to train your wives, perhaps you could suggest taking some time off to relax as a family? Given everything that has happened, I don’t think they could ignore a request from Weed, and if they can no longer use Lady Kagura and the others as a go-between, it would serve as a catalyst to build a proper, standard diplomatic route.”
“That sounds like the best approach. But we can’t just do it immediately, can we?”
“No. For now, I believe you should report the results of this mock battle to Lady Seraria and prioritize the survey of the Great Sea of Trees and the support for the Lancer Academy of Magic.”
You’re right. It would be incredibly rude to just abandon my work for training, and I know Kagura and the others would be the first to worry about it.