episode_0047

In typical RPG games, the growth system involves gaining experience points and leveling up to become stronger, which is the most fundamental gameplay method.

It has been around for almost 30 to 40 years, making it one of the most basic and traditional ways of playing RPG games.

However, in modern RPG games, acquiring experience points is not limited to just defeating monsters.

There are various ways to gain experience points, such as completing quests for rewards, exploring maps to find growth elixirs that fill experience points, among others.

In addition, convenient methods of filling experience points through various means were usually present in “typical” RPG games.

This was because RPG games tended to create differences in character growth balance based on the player’s preferences.

Some players may roam each map, defeating all monsters before advancing to the next area, while others may engage in minimal battles to progress through the main storyline.

Balancing the game to ensure both types of users do not get bored by setting appropriate difficulty levels was crucial.

The issue arises when these extreme playstyles clash within the same game, leading to inevitable dissatisfaction for at least one player.

Setting monster strength at a reasonable level was thought to be adequate, but what seemed easy to one player could feel challenging to another, highlighting one of the persistent issues in RPG games.

Hence, game companies often included items or facilities within the game to allow players to acquire experience points beyond just hunting monsters.

The “Luminor Academy,” a game I enjoyed in my past life, was no exception to this practice.

One of the experience point acquisition methods created within the “Luminor Academy” was the ‘Training Facility.’

By entrusting companion characters other than the protagonist to the training facility for training, experience points could be gained without necessarily hunting monsters together.

Typically, these training facilities were designed with conditions that clearly indicated their purpose.

Places like the ‘Novice Adventurer Training Camp,’ ‘Apprentice Mage Training Hall,’ or ‘Low-Rank Soldier Training Ground’ regularly accepted a few new trainees to hone their skills, serving as both training grounds and nurturing centers.

“I used them a lot to train late-game characters early on.”

Placing characters in the training facility, allowing them to grow while adventuring, proved to be a helpful system for progressing through the story.

Of course, carelessly leaving heroines in the training facility could decrease their favorability, so it was mainly used for developing male party members.

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the training facility was not for any other purpose.

Admitting new soldier candidates once or twice a year, providing them with basic training to fulfill minimal roles, and allowing them to gauge each other’s abilities and grow through sparring matches.

This place, the ‘Blackwood Territory Guard Training Grounds,’ perfectly aligned with my memory’s criteria for a ‘training facility.’

In other words, training here without necessarily hunting monsters was sufficient to accumulate experience points.

“I don’t need much… Just need to raise one more level.”

Raising just one more level to be able to cast Mana Blast somehow.

If I can learn just that one skill, I’ll feel much more secure in the future.

It would be too regretful to let go of the imminent opportunity for leveling up that was right in front of me.

Under the premise that one must cut their losses, I began to propose this idea to Emilia.

“After having explored the simulation training grounds, how about moving on to outdoor physical training grounds…?”

“…Miss Emilia.”

“…What is it, Lilith?”

“Could it be possible to actually experience this simulation training ground?”

“Pardon?”

“…A maid?”

Emilia reflexively questioned my unexpected statement, while Ethan, a beat late, turned his head towards me.

Although I sensed similar emotions in their gazes, I couldn’t pass up this rare opportunity that had come my way.

Supplementing my expression a bit more, I continued with the proposal I intended to put forward.

“It’s a simulation training ground used by new recruits. It might be beneficial for you to experience it firsthand to aid in your patrols, don’t you think?”

“…For the Lord?”

“If the Lord were to personally engage in combat, there would be a risk of harm. Moreover, those individuals may find it difficult to face Ethan Lord with a proper mindset, so that is naturally impossible.”

“…Maid, what are you trying to say…?”

“So, I will go and experience the simulation training ground of the Blackwood Territory Guard. Understanding how things work at the Blackwood Territory’s simulation training ground and gauging the skills of the new recruits could also assist in the Lord’s patrols.”

“….”

“….”

Emilia and Ethan stared at me with incredulous expressions as they stiffened.

I hadn’t anticipated such looks coming my way.

Ethan, witnessing his personal maid insisting on wielding a sword and fighting among soldiers, was understandable.

From Emilia’s perspective, a maid suddenly expressing a desire to wield a sword and fight alongside her troops would indeed be bewildering.

However, it was a valuable opportunity for gaining experience that might not come again anytime soon, so leaving like this would be too regrettable.

“Lilith, I understand your desire to gauge the skills of the new recruits at the simulation training ground, but I am concerned that you might get hurt in the process.”

“It’s fine. I haven’t experienced any major injuries before, and since I volunteered, I will bear any injuries myself.”

“No, it’s not safe. There’s no need for a maid to go that far just to check. If you really think it’s necessary, then I can…”

“As I mentioned earlier, we cannot accurately assess the skills of the new recruits when facing the Lord himself. Above all, shouldn’t the Lord preserve his precious body?”

“Maid, it’s not allowed.”

…As expected, their attitude is firm.

Well, from Ethan’s standpoint, my participation in such a simulation training would only add to his headaches.

If by any chance I were to participate in this training and end up losing, it would just be an annoyance from Ethan’s perspective.

So far, based on my attitude alone, I appeared to be nothing more than a naive maid eager to wield a sword in the simulation training ground.

However, I had prepared suitable excuses to justify this insane behavior, ready to present them to both Emilia and Ethan who were trying to stop me.

“No. I will engage in the training, my Lord.”

“Maid…!”

“By proving my skills in the training, I must completely dispel any doubts you have about me, Emilia.”

…Emilia slightly surprised, meeting my gaze with my next words.

And for a moment, her eyes momentarily flickered between me and the training ground.

Yes, that’s how it should be.

I could sense that deep down inside, she wanted to ascertain whether I was truly capable of defeating Galgorion or not.

Was it really out of her own goodwill that Ser willingly conceded and recorded my achievements?

Or perhaps, it was about whether the maid was indeed a skilled individual beyond her expectations.

Despite being unable to voice it due to Edan’s firm stance, doubts about me lingered in her heart.

Seeing how readily such a proposal sprang from my lips, Emilia would surely want to address that aspect decisively as well.

As I read the subtle shift in emotions in her eyes, Edan abruptly left my side and began approaching Emilia.

“…So, the maid is willing to wield a sword among those men all because of that woman who still harbors doubts…?”

“…Ah, no. I do not doubt you, my lord. Absolutely not!”

“Because the maid kept blabbering nonsense…!”

Of course, to allow this situation, it wasn’t Emilia’s opinion that mattered but the permission from Edan, the highest authority.

Approaching Emilia with a stern response this time, he continued to persuade her, even while seasoning his words with content that Edan himself couldn’t easily dismiss.

“Are you worried that I might get hurt in the mock combat with the new recruits?”

“…It’s only natural. No matter if they are new recruits, the opponents are adult men. If the maid were to face them, getting hurt is inevitable.”

“So, my lord, can I assume that you believe I am weaker than the new recruits?”

“…Maid?”

“Indeed, my lord, you also had your doubts. It’s just as I said, based on my record of defeating Galgorion.”

…!

Edan now wore a surprised expression, much like Emilia did earlier, in response to my words.

If Edan, who previously referred to me as his “most trusted servant” in the office, starts worrying about me here, it naturally leads to the conclusion that he doesn’t fully trust my record of defeating Galgorion either.

In other words, his actions in the security office, where he surrounded me, would reveal that it wasn’t genuine trust but merely a ploy made for political advantage.

At that moment, he wouldn’t achieve his original goal of “creating an intimidating presence in preparation for seizing power.”

Here, Edan nodding in trust was the only viable solution to handle the situation.

“You started this, Edan.”

Just as Edan had used me to create a sense of authority at the border patrol, it was now my turn to earn experience points by using Edan.

If he were to halt my training out of concern for my safety, it would be a hypocritical and contradictory attitude.

Ultimately, to avoid tarnishing the image of a ruler who speaks with one voice, Edan couldn’t obstruct my participation in training, at least not for trivial reasons like fear of injury.

Frankly speaking, regardless of the outcome, making me participate in the training was a win-win situation for Edan.

If I performed well in the combat, I could demonstrate the virtue of a good lord who trusts his subordinates.

On the other hand, if I failed miserably and he cut ties with me, claiming I had betrayed his trust, then so be it.

…Of course, in the latter case, I would also be somewhat affected, so I thought I might win somehow.

…And so, Edan was essentially waiting for a decision with only one option left.

For some reason, permission to participate in training just wasn’t coming out of Edan’s mouth.

“Mmm….”

‘Why is that?’

Logically speaking, letting me participate is the easiest solution, isn’t it?

If he blocks my training participation here, things will get messy, won’t they?

…Surely that chubby guy isn’t really not allowing me to train because he’s worried about me.

Seeing Edan worrying needlessly about something that shouldn’t be a concern, I quietly approached him once more to provoke him to make a decision.

In a voice so soft that it wouldn’t reach Emilia’s ears, I whispered as if to speak.

“Understood. Since you think that way, there’s nothing I can do.”

“…Maid?”

“Just a moment ago, you seemed to say that I was the most trusted servant, but it seems like I misunderstood.”

“Ah, no! The maid is truly the person I trust the most!”

“Yes, of course. Until a moment ago, you didn’t doubt that I single-handedly dealt with the Hookfangs, but now, expressing concern that you might get hurt in a sparring match with new recruits, your words are truly trustworthy.”

“Ah, no… That’s not what I meant…”

Edan must be fully aware of this. Whether I win or lose in the sparring match, having me participate is the least dishonorable way.

Finally, after much deliberation, Edan took a step forward with his decision.

He calmly met Emilia’s eyes from where he stood and declared:

“…Emilia.”

“Yes.”

“…Provide my maid with proper equipment and protective gear so she can participate in the mock battle with the new recruits.”