episode_0133

“Though swordsmanship isn’t my specialty, I do have a knack for observing people. Spending years pretending to be a madman gave me a pretty good sense of it—how far someone will tolerate me, what their defining traits are, how they fight others, things like that. Surprisingly exhausting, wouldn’t you say?”

“……”

“And among them, the four of you—including you—were especially high-priority subjects. You asked how I dodged your attacks? It’s because I observed them. Even if someone’s oblivious, swinging a sword hundreds, thousands of times? A fool would catch on eventually.”

I described everything I’d seen to Luciella exactly as it was.

“Your attacks—they always start with a diagonal slash from the right, don’t they? So I figured you’d swing the same way against me. Of course, since I’ve never seen what comes after, I’d lose from that point onward.”

“From the start… I was just playing along on someone else’s chessboard, wasn’t I?”

“Right. You’re strong, but that comes with a weakness—reading people. If you’d thought about it even a little, you’d realize I had no reason to challenge you like this. But we’ll save that for later. First, I need a favor.”

“Hm… ‘Learn how to lie,’ was it? I remember.”

“More precisely, ‘Become familiar enough with others to lie convincingly.’ You must’ve felt it too, right? That first strike you threw—you thought no ordinary person could dodge it?”

Luciella silently nodded.

“Of course, in most cases, you’d be right. You’re far stronger than me, and in battle, relying on instinct to swing even a split second faster beats overthinking. But the enemies you’ll face from now on? They aren’t the kind you can beat with something that simple, are they?”

In a previous round, Luciella’s sword hadn’t even scratched the Demon King before being deflected.

Even I, watching from right behind her, could hardly believe it—so she, of all people, must’ve felt utterly powerless.

“Lying isn’t just about thinking. You can’t do it unless you truly understand others.”

Unless you gauge what they know, what they’re thinking, or what they’re feeling, a natural lie is impossible. Ordinary people manage this effortlessly, but for Luciella, who’s especially dense about emotions—hers and others’—it’ll be far harder.

“So you’re saying I should become skilled enough to lie?”

“Exactly. Always ask yourself: What if your sword fails? What if you can’t wield it at all? What if you’re separated from Chris and everyone else? Play out every scenario in your head. Fighting like a beast, relying only on instinct and talent—that won’t cut it anymore.”

“‘Like a beast’? You talk as if you’ve watched my swordsmanship for years.”

“Call it a hunch. Though you aren’t wrong.”

“Did you… see it in a prophecy?”

“Yeah. Among other things. Why?”

“Thinking ahead, considering every aspect of the opponent… I’ve never once done that.”

“Naturally. But you have to now. Otherwise, your sword will shatter before it even reaches the Demon King. And learning to think this way? It’ll help outside battle too. People will understand you better. More will stand by you.”

Most of the “masters” I’d introduce her to were damaged personalities with screws loose somewhere.

Luciella’s honesty would serve her well in dealing with them—but only to a point.

Unlike previous rounds, she’d meet them earlier this time, and without me by her side. So she needed training to handle herself.

“I see. Slow and cautious—cutting down the opponent’s options step by step.”

“Nope.”

“Huh?”

“That’s a basic skill you should’ve had already. At your speed, you should be doing it now. Expecting enemies to wait while you analyze?”

“But—”

“I know it’s hard. I understand the kind of person you are.”

Most couldn’t do it. Easier said than done—it’s like rewriting everything you know.

“But trust me on this: Believing in you is why I’m saying it. Not as an ordinary person, but as Luciella—the future hero who’ll surpass them all.”

“What if…”

Luciella’s expression darkened further.

“What if I fail?”

“I’ve got no plans. I’ve set minimum goals for all of you. This? It’d be nice if it works out—if not, so be it.”

A lie. The others might be fine, but unless Luciella changes, things won’t go well.

Luckily, she has time, and her talent hasn’t hardened beyond correction. But if I push her too hard now—

Once lit, her passion burns terrifyingly bright.

If I train her to read emotions as relentlessly as she swings her sword—what havoc would that wreak?

“You aren’t following someone else’s path. I believe you can walk this alone—that’s why I’m showing you.”

“Ah… I understand. I’ll try!”

As Luciella’s expression brightened slightly, I smiled back.

“Good. That’s enough for now. I’m not expecting sudden change—if you did, I’d wonder if it was even you.”

—

Somehow, I succeeded in launching Luciella’s formal socialization training.

Forced or not, systematic training was a success. Cheap trick—but without it, she’d just stubbornly swing her sword alone.

A gamble, but I won. Now, work with me.

We’ll fix speech habits and lying later—first, socialization and people-watching. Come on, let’s hit the streets—

Growl—

A loud sound erupted from my stomach.

“Ah, sorry.”

“Come to think of it, we haven’t eaten. My bad, Eric. Wasting your time on someone like me.”

“‘Someone like me’? Your self-esteem’s too low. Knights haven’t eaten either, right?”

“I’m not dense enough to ask, ‘When are you serving?’ over comms. Probably three hours after night training.”

“That’s insane! What’s even left by then?!”

“Scraps. Nothing fancy—might not suit a noble’s palate.”

“You’ve been eating that daily?”

“Yeah. Sometimes the guild master or others helped.”

“Well, I refuse to eat sludge.”

Seems we’ve found Luciella’s first destination—before even meeting her swordsmanship mentor.

“You still don’t know why I brought you here?”

“Right. You dragged me to Training Hall 3 in a rage after watching me swing my sword, then back here for this setup duel.”

“Sigh… The reason I need you… Well, it traces back to a group project with Chris and friends…”

Channeling a chatterbox baseball player from my world, I quickly explained everything to Luciella.

Thankfully, she understood without stumbling or questioning—she’s bad at speaking, not listening.

“An escort mission? Understood. Wait a moment—I should change clothes and weapons…”

“……Just come.”

“Like this, I’d only be a hindrance.”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re both staying at my place tonight.”

“Huh?”

“It’s too late to go anywhere. Obviously, we’re heading home.”