Ch.102102. Spear and Sword (1)

I faced the raging blizzard and fought against green-skinned monsters in the terrible weather.

So intensely that I felt my mana running low for the first time in a long while.

Night came, and after exchanging greetings with Sione.

By the time I returned to my quarters, I was already completely exhausted.

Thump.

“Haah…”

I threw myself onto the bed with a sigh.

It wouldn’t be bad to just go straight to sleep like this.

But there are still things I want to sort out.

Instead of burying my consciousness in silence, I chose to gradually awaken myself through self-talk.

“My level of skill.”

Siabel had mentioned my level of skill.

It wouldn’t be bad to check my combat ability that has grown somewhat over the past year.

I checked my mana. The difference between me a year ago and now was so significant that comparison was meaningless.

The mana that had barely announced its existence from a corner of my heart had now grown to feel somewhat heavy.

Not just the amount of mana, but also thanks to Siabel, Adelheid, and others.

By clearing quests that came about because of them, various abilities had improved…

Unless it was continuous intense combat like today’s battle.

Even if I used spirit magic that consumed so much mana, I wouldn’t be particularly strained.

“Not bad. But…”

Still, I’m not exactly satisfied.

With just this much mana, I’m not even reaching half of my original level before I ended up like this.

What bothers me most is.

“Why on earth can’t I summon spirits?”

My original power that I obtained as a reward for defeating the Arachne.

Spirit Summoning.

Despite obtaining this magic that could be called the essence and core of spirit magic, I hadn’t been able to utilize this power even once until now.

It’s not that I deliberately avoided summoning because it would attract others’ attention.

After all, unless one has low spirit affinity or the caster doesn’t want to reveal them.

It’s almost impossible to confirm and detect their existence with the naked eye.

“Really frustrating.”

There must be some fundamental problem hidden.

No matter how much mana I spend trying to call spirits, something seems to be blocking them.

The spirits scatter their energy without being able to descend from the spirit realm to this world.

I can’t enter the spirit realm and drag one out myself.

I finally obtained this ability but can’t use it…

I clicked my tongue at the deep sense of regret and organized my thoughts.

After closing my eyes briefly to face the darkness, when I opened them again, my thoughts continued to another topic.

“What a cursed world.”

They say that until now, there has never been a single instance of Orcs or Kobolds coming down from the Beltrin Mountains in groups to disrupt the territory.

Coincidentally, after discovering an altar that was staining the surroundings with demonic energy in the Beltrin Mountains and the royal family attacking it, this happens.

Well… it certainly seems suspicious.

Thanks to supporting Sione for a year and living according to my current status.

I seem to have almost forgotten about it lately.

The fact that this world is already a dungeon that swallowed me after being destroyed once.

A world destroyed by demons.

I think I vaguely heard somewhere that beyond the Beltrin Mountains became a demonic realm as a result of the havoc demons wreaked hundreds of years ago.

“Sigh…”

I tossed and turned on the bed with these endless ominous thoughts.

Yet I reminded myself.

Lately I’ve only been fighting incomplete Demonkin and creatures like Orcs, so I haven’t felt a lack in my combat ability.

But ultimately, what I have to face are the demon bastards who toy with this world.

To survive, I need to gain enough power to break their horns and pierce their hearts.

And to do that.

I must continue supporting my master, complete quests, and earn the interest and amusement of the women of Sianella.

I quietly gazed at the back of my right hand.

“How vexing.”

A kiss on the back of the hand, signifying respect and devotion.

She probably kissed it out of respect for my skill level that allows me to easily defeat Orcs despite being a man.

And what she thinks is my talent blessed by God.

‘With this much, she could have at least improved my mana efficiency a bit.’

Unfortunately, all I got was this one ring.

The Status Window that didn’t spit out any other rewards was vexing.

* * *

Just as Siabel was about to head out to the outer fortress with the knights she could mobilize.

Diolia returned and reported the situation to Ainel and me, or more precisely, to the ladies of Sianella.

They had succeeded in eliminating the monsters causing chaos in the west and north.

All that remained was to organize the territory with some knights and soldiers, and those looking for work in the cold winter.

With the territory now calm, and finally returning to normal daily life.

A small event came today.

Sione was so looking forward to today’s duel between Siabel and Aria that she had been anticipating it since morning.

“Time is moving so slowww—”

Sione muttered, wrapped in blankets on the bed.

She suddenly glanced at me and put something in her mouth.

Munch munch.

I quietly gazed at my master who belatedly pulled the blanket up to cover her mouth.

If you’re really going to eat, you should sit at the table. Eating in bed makes crumbs fall everywhere.

“We agreed not to eat cookies in bed.”

“Mmm…?”

“Pretending not to know doesn’t work when I’ve already seen everything.”

“Hehe…”

Sione, who was trying to smooth over the situation with a broad smile, took her hand out from under the blanket.

“Want one too…?”

Another cookie emerged from under the blanket. I have no idea when she had stashed them there.

As we spent time chatting and bickering, the topic shifted from cookies to today’s duel.

“Who do you think will win, oppa?”

“I’d like to hear your thoughts first, if that’s alright.”

“Me? I—”

In response to my question, Sione’s eyes began to sparkle brightly.

“I think Sister Siabel will win. Though I hear her friend is also famous for excellent spear techniques and improvisation… but in the end, she’s a sword user. There’s a big difference starting from the aura blade.”

“I see.”

“Now it’s your turn, oppa!”

“I think… whoever has their senses more sharply honed today will win.”

“Whoever has their senses more sharply honed… even if Lady Allenar is in better condition, it seems difficult to beat an expert like my sister.”

I shrugged at Sione’s words and replied that we would see how it turns out when we watch.

Sione furrowed her brow, seemingly running a mental simulation of the upcoming duel.

I patted her head and said:

“Sione, would it be alright if I speak less formally when we’re alone?”

“…?”

“It feels a bit awkward for an older brother to always speak formally to his younger sister. If you’ll allow it, I think I could converse more comfortably.”

When I said this with a slight smile, Sione nodded as if entranced.

“I… I’ll allow it.”

Now I can speak more comfortably.

I smiled broadly at Sione’s words.

* * *

With the recent return of soldiers and knights who had been dispatched to the western and northern parts of the territory, the once quiet training ground was once again filled with people.

Soldiers continuing their training under the instructor’s guidance, and knights reflecting on their swordsmanship alone or correcting each other.

And visitors including Lavi and mages from the Marquisate of Allenar.

Their gazes all converged on one spot.

“It looks like it’s finally starting.”

Just as Sione said, Aria and Siabel, both in full armor, stood facing each other.

For a mere duel, an intense psychological battle was visibly unfolding from the start.

Clearly, both Siabel and Aria were burning with competitive spirit, thinking they couldn’t lose to the other.

“…It’s fierce.”

With shoulder guards, leg protectors, and all manner of protective gear.

I had the intuition that this duel wouldn’t end until one of them was beaten to dust.

In the midst of this.

Aria, who had been holding two spears, planted one in its place.

As a cloud of dust rose, Aria, standing at its center, gripped the shaft of the spear stuck in the ground and said:

“I’m thinking of alternating between two spears. Is that alright?”

“Of course. You’ve always done that before. Why ask now, all of a sudden?”

“Well—”

Aria, who had always maintained a cold demeanor, slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

Her characteristic cold and sharp aura disappeared, and a gentle atmosphere faintly emanated from her.

“If you’re afraid of my spear techniques, I’m willing to face you with just one spear—”

“Aria.”

Siabel cut off Aria’s words as she gradually raised her fighting spirit.

“Whether it’s one or two, it’s just increasing the number of toothpicks. Do you think I’d be afraid?”

“…Tch.”

Aria clicked her tongue at the grinning Siabel and also readied her stance.

Diolia, confirming that Siabel and Aria had completed all preparations to begin the duel.

Tweet!

As soon as she blew the whistle, their fierce auras erupted.

Swish!!

Aria’s spear, thrust instantly without a moment’s hesitation, aimed straight for Siabel’s face.

Siabel, with a cold expression, tilted her head and narrowly avoided the spear.

“I told you clearly.”

Siabel narrowed her eyes at Aria’s first attack, which was sharper than imagined.

Aria, who had maintained her coldness throughout, suddenly bloomed with a full smile.

“Prepare to be crushed by my hands like a northern bear.”

It seemed that Aria had taken that message from the banquet hall more deeply to heart than expected.