第１８６０堀：彼からの評価 (Part1)
Chapter 1860: His Assessment
Side: Sia
"Hiyah!"
"Hup."
Before my eyes, Vilia and Archbishop Dodona are holding wooden swords, engaged in what I suppose we could call a skill assessment.
They are holding back their strength, which naturally keeps their speed in check, making for a surprisingly balanced match. Vilia isn't accustomed to holding back; she rarely has the chance to dial down her speed while maintaining control over her power. After all, she is usually surrounded by people far superior to her, where she is constantly outclassed in both speed and strength.
Well, it’s not as if she never faces those weaker than herself, but it’s difficult to gauge exactly how much to hold back against someone you’ve just met.
"It’s actually turning into a real match, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It’s working because both are placing restrictions on themselves. Vilia is suppressing her true ability, and Archbishop Dodona is avoiding any openings. They’re perfectly matched."
You’re right, Nina. Your analysis is spot on. I believe the Archbishop has a fair amount of skill, but he doesn't possess Vilia’s raw talent. What he does have, however, is a wealth of combat experience. It’s genuinely surprising to see him hold his own against Vilia like this.
If she were to let her guard down for even a second, Vilia’s strike would land. The fact that it hasn't suggests his technique in close-quarters combat is exceptionally refined. Or perhaps, it’s because Vilia is consciously avoiding landing a clean hit. Even so, he has enough skill to make it seem as though she simply cannot break through his defenses.
But if this stalemate continues, Vilia—who is learning exactly how much she needs to adjust—will eventually...
"Hah!"
"Ngh!? Oh!?"
She begins to corner the Archbishop with perfect precision. Since she was only losing in terms of combat technique—her base specs were overwhelming from the start—all she had to do was ignore his "tricks," if you could call them that, and match her output to his level. By crossing blades with him, she is absorbing his technique. Above all, when it comes to this kind of skill and underhanded maneuvering, Yuki-san is leagues ahead of anyone here.
"Got you."
As Vilia calls out and swings her sword, the Archbishop’s weapon is finally sent flying. The wooden sword spins through the air before embedding itself into the ground.
A moment of silence follows.
"...My, I yield."
The words leave Archbishop Dodona’s lips. Oh? Was losing to Vilia a bit of a humiliation? Still, he chose this path himself, so he can hardly complain now. I was prepared to step in if things got out of hand, but then...
"Wahahaha! I intended to measure your skill, but it was I who was measured! To think that if you’d gotten serious, it would have been over in an instant! Truly, a masterpiece!"
He suddenly bursts into loud laughter. What kind of mindset is that, to be so happy after losing?
"Um, Archbishop Dodona... are you alright?"
"Did you hit your head?"
Kishua and Nina are concerned by his out-of-place, boisterous laughter. Though, Nina’s comment sounded like a standard insult. Honestly, I don't know what to do about that girl’s personality—she definitely does that on purpose.
"Oh, my apologies. I am simply delighted to see such strong youths appear."
"Ah..."
Vilia, receiving his gaze, offers a vague response, unsure of how to reply. Honestly, I’m in the same boat.
"Er, anyway, Archbishop Dodona. It’s fine that you’ve gauged Vilia’s strength, but what now? Are you going to spar with the rest of us, too?"
"Ah, yes, let us do that. Even if my own ability is lacking, I have identified Vilia-dono’s weaknesses—or rather, the areas where she is still lacking. Well, it might seem bold of me to say after losing."
"No, I would be grateful if you could point out my shortcomings. I will be operating in the North from here on, so if you could teach me about movement and the like, it would be appreciated."
"You have such a drive for self-improvement. With that much power at your age, one might expect a certain arrogance—not that 'arrogance' is the right word, but you have every right to be confident. Yet, neither you nor Kishua-dono and the others seem to possess that. It is a curious thing."
Ah, I understand what he means. Before we met Yuki, we were proud of the fact that we possessed the highest individual combat capabilities within the If Continent. But that was... no, we had realized it long before then.
"Ah, that’s simple. We’ve been through all sorts of unreasonable things with countries and organizations. We know there’s a limit to what an individual can do. That goes for me and everyone else here."
As Kishua speaks for us, the Archbishop’s expression turns slightly sorrowful.
"I see. People do go through many things, don't they?"
"That’s right. If we had lived our lives without incident, we never would have met you, Archbishop. In that sense, I suppose we were lucky."
"I see. When you put it that way, it isn't so bad."
The Archbishop smiles at Kishua’s retort. Well, I wouldn't say we aren't haunted by the past, but we are looking forward. Looking toward the future, rather than what was lost. That is what it means to live.
"But, I have talked too much. Now then, Kishua-dono, shall we have a match?"
"Yeah, let’s do it."
And so, we proceeded to spar, starting with Kishua, and then myself and Nina. As for the results, since Vilia was able to win, I’ll just say that there was no chance of us losing.
"Truly, you are all very strong. I have no complaints regarding your combat ability. There is no doubt that you are among the finest in the North."
After the fighting concluded, we returned to the church to receive his assessment. Among the finest in the North, are we? It seems the people of this continent aren't as strong as I thought. No, they are still level 80 or above, which puts them above the Magic Sword Users of the If Continent, but the presence or absence of monsters makes a difference of nearly 20 levels in the average. It simply means there are fewer places here to gain combat experience.
"I see. In that case, we should be able to make it as adventurers without issue."
"Yes, that will be no problem. As for the rest, as I mentioned earlier, there are a few things I noticed about you all. Please, take this as the advice of an old man."
"Yeah, go ahead."
As Kishua says this, the Archbishop turns back to Vilia.
"First, Vilia-dono, when you sparred with me, there was a hesitation that the others did not have. You are not very accustomed to fighting people. Or rather, have you never been in a life-or-death struggle? Against bandits or soldiers, that hesitation could be fatal. You don't need to kill them if you decide they are your enemy, but it would be best to incapacitate them first."
"...Yes. Thank you for your advice."
Yes, he isn't wrong. After all, Vilia has never taken a human life in military action.