第１８５９堀：現場復帰のために勉強中 (Part2)
Well, I doubt there are many issues in the port town of Glass that would require our direct intervention, but given that rumors have started circulating regarding the kidnappings of Usano and A-e to the New Continent, staying vigilant is essential.
That aside, it’s time to check on Vilia and the others' training.
"You've been able to monitor the footage of Vilia and her group, right?"
"Ah, yes, my apologies for the digression. Indeed, we can view it even while out in the field. Though, the information is certainly more precise at the operation command center. Would you like to watch it?"
"Yeah. I’m curious to see how they’re doing. I’ve pretty much finished assessing the current situation, so I thought I’d use this as a reference for what kind of training they’re undergoing."
"Oh, that sounds like a good idea. May I join you?"
"Sure. But are you okay with your work?"
"Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the situation in the south has reached a stalemate. I have enough leisure time to teach Ria, as you can see."
"Haha, I suppose having too much free time is its own kind of hardship."
"Well, if anything happens, I’ll be incredibly busy again. Shall we take a look?"
With that, Fiora and I decide to pull up the footage of Vilia and the others on the call screen.
*BOOM!*
A sound so thunderous it rattles the ears erupts, causing both of us to recoil and clap our hands over our ears.
"W-what was that?"
"What on earth? Actually, let’s turn the volume down."
Fiora immediately lowers the volume to ensure our hearing remains intact, and in the meantime, I focus my eyes on the screen.
Then...
"Wait? Are they outside?"
The screen displays a landscape littered with boulders. It’s hard to imagine such a place existing within the royal capital of Giadana.
"...It would appear so. That sound from a moment ago was the result of a rock shattering—or rather, the impact of a shockwave."
Indeed, in the center of the screen lies a rock that has been—well, shattered is an understatement; it’s practically pulverized. Even so, the remaining fragments are larger than a human head.
As I wonder where Vilia and the others are, their voices drift through.
*“Oh my, I never imagined you possessed such strength. My, my, I’m glad you showed me beforehand. Had I taken that hit, I would have been reduced to dust.”*
*“Don’t worry, you would have been blown into the sky long before you turned to dust.”*
*“No, I’d die from the landing. Pull your punches, Nina.”*
It seems Nina was the one who pulverized the rock. As always, she’s rather heavy-handed with these things, though I suppose if you want to demonstrate raw power, that’s the most efficient way to do it.
For someone whose primary role is intelligence, Nina certainly has a penchant for such blunt displays. Then again, I’ve heard that because she’s a woman, she’s often underestimated; perhaps this is an effective way to dispel those notions and prove her capabilities in one fell swoop.
*“Hahaha. That is terrifying. Nevertheless, for women like you, Nina, demonstrating your strength in this manner is quite effective. You are often looked down upon simply for being women, so as long as you choose your location wisely, showing your power like this is a valid strategy.”*
Oh, Archbishop Dodona doesn’t seem particularly surprised; he’s actually praising Nina’s skill and her method of demonstration. Most people would be taken aback, but perhaps he’s accustomed to such things.
*“And what of the rest of you?”*
*“Ah, yes. We can all do what Nina-san just did.”*
*“That’s right. We can all punch it just the same.”*
*“Indeed. It’s just the basics for us.”*
Vilia and the others answer honestly. Well, if only Nina could do it, she’d be the only one evaluated, and the others would just be seen as dead weight.
*“Oh, that is magnificent. Prime Minister Daeda has sent even better people than I anticipated. Now, let us observe your movement. I shall be your opponent. Ah, please do pull your punches—this old body isn’t what it used to be.”*
Indeed, if Nina and the others were to land a full-force blow on Archbishop Dodona, he wouldn’t stand a chance. There are exceptions who could withstand it, but we aren't exactly looking for those kinds of anomalies right now.
*“Yes. We look forward to it.”*
Vilia replies, and I continue to observe alongside Fiora as they move on to testing their technical prowess.
Ria is truly diligent in learning new things and expanding her capabilities. Of course, that’s partly because with people like Prol and Orelia around, there’s less for Ria to do herself.
Still, Yuki seems to believe that Ria actually has a hidden talent for instruction. After all, she does have the track record of getting the Canary flower shop off the ground. Even though she was taught the know-how of operations and store arrangements, she was the one who spearheaded the entire process.
Ria is surprisingly versatile.
By the way, I hope she hasn't forgotten that she’s a Hero, has she?