第１３１０堀：仕事の予定変更、穴埋めが意外と大変 (Part1)
**Chapter 1310: Changing Work Schedules, Filling Gaps is Surprisingly Hard**
Side: Oriel
*Clang! Ring! Sh-sh-shhh…*
The sharp resonance of steel on steel reached my ears, followed by the heavy slide of boots against the ground.
“Um… what exactly did we come here for again?”
“W-we came to ask Raiya-san to help with the t-teaching positions,” Yayui stammered, answering my question.
She was right. We had come here specifically to request Raiya’s cooperation for the teaching roles that had just been decided upon. And yet, the man in question was currently locked in a fierce exchange of blows with a smiling Lady Fiora.
“Ahaha… Lady Fiora looks like she’s having a wonderful time,” Hovis remarked.
Just as Hovis said, Lady Fiora seemed to be genuinely enjoying her competition with Raiya. I knew she had participated in the battle royale with Lady Bitz and the others the other day. I also knew she had been defeated early on because the other wives possessed such overwhelming strength. And, of course, I was aware that she had been seeking out personal duels ever since.
It was a testament to the pride and confidence she held in her own martial prowess, but to let it interfere with Lord Yuki’s work was another matter entirely. The other wives had already cautioned her about this.
However, this was a side of Lady Fiora I had never seen—a streak of selfishness so unlike her usual self that I had been slow to react. This was the moment I needed to step in and stop them, even if it meant risking a reprimand. If the swordplay remained at this level, I could still force my way between them to end it. If they accelerated any further, even I would find it difficult.
Just as I tensed my legs to move—
“Easy now. I don’t particularly mind,” Lord Yuki said, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder.
“Are you sure, my lord? You are in the middle of work.”
“Well, normally it wouldn’t be ideal, but I think this is Fiora’s way of communicating her feelings to Raiya.”
“Her feelings?” I blinked.
“Haven’t you experienced it, Oriel? That feeling during training where you can sense what Kirue or Deryu are thinking?”
“I… I’m not sure I follow.”
“Ah, it’s hard to put into words. It’s that sense of knowing whether your opponent is truly trying to kill you, or if they’re pushing you to grow, or if they’re just guiding you. Even outside of combat, you can read a person’s intent through their attitude.”
“Ah, I see. I have felt that.”
Some people are harder to read than others, but Lady Deryu, for instance, throws her emotions directly at you, making her intent very easy to grasp.
“So, you’re saying Lady Fiora is currently conveying her feelings to Raiya-san?”
“It might not be perfectly clear, but I’m sure he’s realizing she has no ulterior motives. If I had come alone, he would have been on his guard, you see.”
“Ah… I think I understand that,” Hovis chimed in.
“Wait, H-Hovis, you shouldn’t say that!” Yayui squeaked.
“Indeed. To suggest that one would be on guard just because Lord Yuki arrived…”
I couldn't exactly deny it. Experience had taught me that when Lord Yuki was involved, the unexpected was almost guaranteed to happen. No, I shouldn't think that way. Even if it were true, Lord Yuki is my master, and my respect and affection for him are absolute. Above all, weaving such schemes is simply his way of doing things.
“No need to force the flattery,” Yuki said with a chuckle. “I like this style, and I know there are people who find me difficult to deal with. Raiya knows it too. Still, being on guard is only natural for an adventurer. If this helps him relax, then it’s a good thing. Besides, look.”
Lord Yuki gestured toward the pair. Before I realized it, the match had reached its conclusion. Lady Fiora stood frozen; Raiya had bypassed her spear and was holding a dagger to her throat.
“Match over,” Lord Yuki announced.
Both of them lowered their weapons immediately.
“Sigh… It seems I still have a long way to go,” Lady Fiora lamented.
“No, I’d say you’re more than capable for a princess,” Raiya countered. “Actually, aren’t you a general? You shouldn’t even be on the front lines in the first place.”
“I would like to agree, but I am currently Lord Yuki’s guard. Our opponents will be no ordinary foes. I must possess enough strength to repel them. As it stands, I still cannot hold a candle to Lady Seraria and the others.”
“Ah, well, that princess—or rather, that Queen—is a true martial fanatic. Plus, she’s been trained by Yuki.”
“By my husband?” Fiora asked, surprised.
“Hm? Come to think of it, have you not trained Princess Fiora, Yuki?”
Lord Yuki? Hovis, Yayui, and I all looked at each other and tilted our heads in confusion.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy,” Yuki replied. “Besides, my wives generally hate sparring with me.”
“Ah, that makes sense. They’re busy, and your fighting style tends to snap a person’s very will to fight. It’s probably too early for her.”
*Too early?* What did he mean by that? I knew Lord Yuki was strong, but was he truly that formidable?
While we were pondering this, Lady Fiora turned back to us.
“I would dearly love for you to instruct me sometime, if the opportunity arises.”
“If there’s an opportunity,” Yuki replied. “But for now, we have work to discuss.”
“Ah! My deepest apologies!”
Lady Fiora bowed her head, seemingly realizing that she had let her selfishness get the better of her. I, too, had momentarily forgotten our purpose. We were here to recruit Raiya-san as a teacher for the school for international students. We hadn't come here to fight.
“Oh, right, that’s what this was about. Work regarding the international students?” Raiya asked.
“You’re quick on the uptake. It helps,” Yuki said.
“That’s about the only thing I can help with. I’m not suited for surveying the Great Forest. Unless a Great Stampede is breaking out, that is.”
“Wait, hold on. Raiya, you and your team have experience with Great Stampedes, don’t you?”
“Yeah, we’ve dealt with small-scale ones a few times.”
“Do you do preliminary surveys before a Great Stampede occurs?”
“Of course. We’re the ones with the most experience in that field, after all.”
“If you have that much experience, you’ll be incredibly useful.”
“You think so?”
“I do. But that’s a separate matter. For now, it’s the school. Shall we head to the faculty room?”
“No, that place is… actually, that’s fine. It’ll save me the trouble of explaining things.”
With that, we followed Raiya’s lead toward the faculty room. We had all attended this school in Weed for our own studies, but since we were part of the intensive short-term night courses for adults, this was our first time seeing the school during the day. The sheer liveliness of the place was a bit of a shock.
“Whoa, Mr. Raiya is amazing! He totally overwhelmed that lady!” one of the students cheered as we passed.