Book 20 Chapter 29
Episode 193
A break was given to all soldiers for the restoration and reorganization of <Shuriganakus>.
It was probably natural that soldiers who had fought two fierce battles in a short period, from the <Langbard> battle to the <Shuriganakus> naval battle, would need rest and replenishment.
It was a break while the Water Dragon Yeriserica observed the future to find out where the villain was going and what he was trying to do.
- Are we really resting? Us too?
- Yeah, well. Got a complaint?
- It's just strange. You said you missed the most important guy, right? I thought you guys would be the first to rush out to catch him.
The reason the hero party also readily accepted the rest order was precisely because of the activity limit that Lista's body had reached.
- Hey, actually, um…
As Friede's lips twitched at Rin's cunning question, Lista suddenly stepped forward and spoke.
- The Red Dragon Legion is conducting a wide-ranging search in our stead, and Her Highness the Water Dragon is looking for his whereabouts through 'observation', so there's no need to rush.
Although she didn't know the true intention, whatever the reason, it was excellent from Rin's perspective.
It couldn't have been any better.
Because during the break, she could fully enjoy the waves of knowledge at the Holy City Library.
“Hoooh…”
When not in combat, Rin always wakes up early in the morning, sits in a lotus position, and performs magic meditation.
Originally, it was to keep a promise with Dean Atlante, but after receiving praise from Julak Keppel, a different kind of passion even emerged.
After squeezing out all the magic of the 'curse bind' with mana, one can greet a very refreshing morning. At least, that's how it was supposed to be.
“Finished?”
“Ah, what now.”
“Alright, then let's start another vigorous day in the training grounds today!”
The chaotic start, where Lista always waited for this meditation to end, began four days after the <Shuriganakus> naval battle.
- Staff? What staff? Why a staff?
- Rin has that Golden Staff, right? So I thought about it… learning staff martial arts would be perfect!
- What's a mage doing with staff martial arts? That's like a shrine maiden swinging a holy sword.
From the start, the Golden Staff was merely considered truly cumbersome when not in combat.
Since she had to read books, she often carried it strapped to her back, and because of this, it got caught in doors more than once or twice.
Of course, the power amplification of lightning-attribute magic is immense… so the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, which is why she carries it.
'It was also possible to store [King's Flesh], but it was all taken last time, so it has no meaning now.'
But Lista told her to learn staff martial arts using that Golden Staff!
What close-quarters combat for a mage?
This is like telling a lion to eat grass.
- Do you remember when Rin was isolated in the last battle and almost died at the hands of Omek (06)? She would have died if it weren't for Link.
- …!
- If Rin had the skill to perform very basic evasive maneuvers, she could have avoided it.
- …
- So you have to learn it. It's not difficult. I've only picked out five movements to suit Rin's personality.
Because of such absurd reasons, she can't even use the [Reading a Grimoire to a Cow's Ear] mode now. It's because her palms are tearing and hardening, causing pain.
“Ah, really! I don't want to do it. Why do I have to learn such barbaric techniques every morning!”
“Rin, to solve mathematical equations well, you need to know a lot of mathematical formulas, right?”
“That's true.”
“It's the same with body movements. Even if you only master a few, there are endless ways to use them. Just like mathematical formulas.”
How could saying that rekindle her interest? Is she a born mathematician!
“So, grab your staff again, Rin.”
“Tsk.”
“Look at Tureina. How spirited she is.”
Tureina spun her staff, then made a solemn expression with a gesture of tipping an imaginary conical hat.
“I am, [The Strongest].”
Whack! Rin's staff struck her crown, making Tureina's face crumble!
“I told you not to do that. Do you want to die?”
Friede glared at Rin while soothing Tureina's bump with a spell.
“Already making girls cry, your future is clear, you Swallow Tribe rascal.”
“Shut up. No, shut up.”
“Swallow Tribe, Swallow Tribe, kill the traitor Rin.”
“I'll be a Sun Parrot Tribe instead of a Swallow Tribe.”
“Save Rin, save Rin, absolutely save her.”
Tureina, hearing that Rin was learning staff martial arts, came forward to learn with her.
It wasn't surprising that a girl who wanted to imitate Rin's movements, as well as her speech, would want to learn staff martial arts with her.
Lista also welcomed it.
Because it meant Rin, who was practically a beginner in close-quarters combat, had gained a suitable sparring partner.
“Ha, seriously. Why do I have to do this every morning? Normally, I could have been immersed in a sea of books by now.”
Rin pulled out various books from the Golden Staff. Friede shrieked in fright.
“What, hey, you! Where did you get all those books?”
“The Holy City Grand Library.”
“They lent them to me?”
“I borrowed them by writing your name.”
Rin fully opened the sub-space of the Golden Staff.
Then countless ancient books and scrolls tumbled onto the sandy ground.
Kiess grinned while Friede turned pale.
“Th-th-this crazy bastard! Hey, how many priceless volumes are those! Go return them right now! You lunatic!”
“I borrowed them legally? Oh, I'll return them later. Who said I'd keep them?”
“Wow, how much more of a scumbag is this guy going to become? If he grows up, the world might face ruin. Let's get rid of him right here, Pipi!”
Friede pulled Rin's cheeks from both sides.
At the same time, Pipi pecked furiously at his forehead, and Rin screamed.
Lista wore an extremely calm smile.
“To read a lot of books, you need stamina. And the best way to build stamina is, of course, exercise.”
“Yeah~ A nap is enough.”
“What if there's a book you want to read right now? But you don't have the energy to run to the library? Can a nap fix that?”
“Ugh, that's a bit much.”
“Even when you're old, you'll be able to read books with your back straight, not bent. Is that all? If you meet a formidable foe… and I can't be on the front line, and Friede and Kiess can't support you, I'll give Rin the ability to fight alone.”
“Why do I have to fight alone? I wouldn't fight in such a situation.”
Rin asked purely, but Lista couldn't answer her honestly.
'Even from now on…'
The heart that had to be honest but absolutely couldn't speak, was it because she herself wanted to deny the inevitable farewell?
'Rin, I can't always be by your side…'
Those unspeakable and inexplicable feelings could only be expressed with a pitiful, shattering smile.
“Anyway, stamina and physical strength, you see? They touch upon the entire realm of daily life, meaning they'll always help Rin!”
“Hmm.”
“Then each time, thinking, 'Ah, the reason I have this stamina is thanks to Lista who trained me back then!'… will you remember me?”
Friede exhaled the bitter smoke from his pipe like a sigh, and had to hide his miserably distorted smile from his comrades.
'Now… you're preparing for farewell, Lista. It must mean your body is so battered that you have to.'
Rin at that time couldn't say anything in the somewhat solemn atmosphere, but later, when Rein looked back on this period, she would cry tears.
'Lista, you idiot…'
Even without this staff martial art…
Even without this one catalyst…
I could never forget you my entire life, so why on earth were you smiling so sadly back then…?