Chapter 41

Returning to Volzard, after finishing breakfast, I will go to the temporary barracks of the guard to pick up the five of them.

Today is Tuesday, the first day of the week, so it’s the day for the beginner combat training.

Whether the five of them will attend the training is up to them, but it’s better to give them the information.

Besides, while the old and new duo and the odd couple sisters are one thing, if I don’t keep an eye on Gase Megane, people in Volzard might think our companions are slackers, which would be a problem.

"So, there’s beginner combat training today. What do you think?"

"Of course we’ll attend, Kazuki."

"Of course, we’ll catch up with Gerek quickly and dominate the dungeon."

Well, as expected from the old and new duo.

"What about the Kobayashi group?"

"A-chan, what do you think?"

"Hmm... I’m a bit hesitant about fighting, but the lecture on monster types sounds interesting."

"Then, why don’t we try it out?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

Alright, the odd couple sisters are joining too.

"What about Yagi?"

"Hmm... What should I do?"

"If you attend the training, you don’t have to work for the day..."

"Then, I’ll try it. If it gets boring, I can just sleep, right?"

"What are you saying... No, never mind..."

I thought about giving him a stern warning, but it would be more effective if Donovan did it, so I’ll leave it at that.

Hehehe, Gase Megane, you deserve to fall into hell.

Before heading to the guild, I informed the five of the progress of Project Misa.

"Great job, Kunito!"

"Damn, I wish I could have seen Kamila in a daze!"

"Wow, I’d be shocked too, but I’ll let it slide this time."

"Really, really, I wanted to see Kamila depressed too!"

Everyone gave a thumbs-up and cheered, but Yagi alone maintained a stern expression.

"What’s wrong, Yagi?"

"Kunito, you’re not thinking this is enough, are you?"

As expected of the newspaper club member known as Gase Megane.

His question hit the mark, and I couldn’t help but smile.

"Of course, the finishing touches are yet to come. Not just in the garrison, but in the streets of Lastock and to Kamila’s own ears, I intend to spread the rumor."

"Hmm, for someone like Kunito, you understand well. Yes, rumors must spread to be effective!"

"And the more they spread, the more powerful they become, right?"

"Exactly, that’s right!"

After taking the five to the guild, my task is to spread the rumor that Kamila wet the bed.

Just knowing that only one person, her personal maid, saw it made her so depressed. If the rumor spreads, it will be quite a sight to see Kamila’s reaction.

"Kunito, the rumor you spread shouldn’t be too long. Keep it short and impactful."

"Got it, short and sensational... Understood!"

"Kunito, don’t hold back. Grind that princess’s nerves down."

"Okay, I’ll do it for all of you."

For the first time since coming to this world, I felt a sense of satisfaction as I headed to the guild with the five.

"By the way, Kunito, where did you go yesterday?"

"Yeah, where did you take Manon with that lie about the free park?"

"Hey, I didn’t do anything inappropriate..."

"Did you finally grow up, Kunito?"

"Hey, what about Yui? What are you going to do about her?"

"Um, well..."

I forgot, Manon had the odd couple sisters lurking behind her.

"Hehehe, I’ll tell you what happened between Kunito and Manon!"

"What do you mean, why does Gase Megane know?"

"Do you want to know? Well, I saw it with my own eyes yesterday, the moment Kunito got slapped and rejected by Manon!"

"Hey, Kunito, what did you do?"

"Yeah, for such an innocent girl like Manon to get so angry... You must have done something weird, right?"

"N-no, it’s a misunderstanding... Manon just misunderstood..."

Because of Yagi’s unnecessary chatter, the odd couple sisters glared at me with suspicion.

Even passersby on the way to the guild gave us suspicious looks.

"What’s this misunderstanding? I heard it clearly, ‘Kent, you scumbag charmer!’"

"I wasn’t called a scumbag charmer... I was called a cheater..."

"Cheater? Does that mean Yui’s existence was exposed?"

"No, it’s not Yui, it’s Beatrice..."

"Kunito-kun, are there other girls you’ve been involved with?"

"It’s a misunderstanding, Beatrice is just..."

"Did you call me...?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the side, and I blurted out a surprised response.

"Good morning, Kent-sama. Please call me Reiche."

Turning my gaze, I saw a beautiful girl with red hair.

The person we were just talking about suddenly appeared, and my brain couldn’t keep up.

Ah, upon closer inspection, she has hidden rabbit ears... I want to pet them.

"Good morning, Beatrice-san..."

"Reiche..."

"Um, Reiche-san..."

"Reiche..."

"Reiche..."

"Kent-sama..."

Beatrice kissed my cheek as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Amidst the cheers from the crowd, Beatrice licked her lips.

Am I going to be eaten? Am I going to be food for a carnivorous rabbit?

Looking in the direction of the cheers, several girls who seemed to be Beatrice’s friends were squealing, and an equal number of boys were sending murderous glares.

Among them, a boy in well-tailored clothes was clenching his teeth so hard that a vein was popping on his temple, glaring at me.

The fuse for a new trouble had been lit.

"Then, I’ll take my leave, Kent-sama."

"Uh... Okay..."

As I stood there in a daze, watching Beatrice leave, I was grabbed by the collar and lifted up.

"You... Kunito! Who is that beautiful girl?"

"Yamada, Yagi, let’s start the interrogation!"

"What are you talking about? You’re too soft, old and new duo. No need for an interrogation, just execute him immediately!"

By the way, Yagi didn’t see that Beatrice kissed me yesterday.

"Given this, it’s no wonder Kunito is called a scumbag charmer..."

"Kunito-kun, to think you’re like this... What should I tell Yui..."

"No, it’s a misunderstanding, a real misunderstanding... Anyway, the training is about to start..."

Using the start of the training as an excuse, I started moving towards the guild, but when I glanced back, that boy was still glaring at me.

Why do I have to get this unnecessary grudge?

As we headed to the guild counter to sign up for the training, by the wall in the crowded area, Muell, Manon, and Gerek were standing.

Manon, who had been talking to Muell, looked like a child caught in mischief when she noticed us.

From her expression, it seemed the misunderstanding might have been cleared up.

But then, the odd couple sisters quickly approached Manon and started whispering in her ear.

No! Manon, don’t listen to that! That girl has a huge tail fin!

No, not a whale, it’s just a minnow.

Trying to rush over to deny it, but with my arms held by the old and new duo, I couldn’t move.

And Manon, who had been whispered to by the odd couple sisters, quickly transformed into a demon.

Moreover, Muell also seemed to be furious, beckoning me with her index finger.

Unable to escape, I was dragged along by the old and new duo.

"Good morning, Muell, Gerek, Manon."

"Good morning... Kent, can we talk later?"

"Yes, of course, it’s all a misunderstanding..."

"Hmph, you pervert..."

"Kent, you were with Beatrice this morning too... Tomoko, Akemi, are you going to the training? I’ll show you how to sign up, let’s go..."

Ah... Manon left with an icy glare.

"Are you all going to the training? Sign up over there..."

"Yes, Muell-san."

"Let’s go, Yagi..."

"O-okay, okay..."

Gase Megane seemed to be distracted by Muell’s chest, but he didn’t notice that Gerek was watching him closely.

He’ll end up being treated like a rag again.

"What are you smirking about, Kent?"

"Ah! No, nothing, nothing at all..."

"Don’t look at Muell with those perverted eyes, got it?"

"N-no, that’s a misunderstanding..."

In the end, the five were led to the training by Manon, while I was grabbed by the collar by Gerek and taken to a corner of the training ground at Muell’s instruction.

"Alright, let’s have a proper talk."

"It’s really a misunderstanding..."

To clear up Muell’s misunderstanding, I told her about being woken up by Donovan and completing the designated request.

"Yes, I did touch Beatrice’s body, but it was for treatment, and Marianna was always nearby watching."

Even after I finished my story, Muell and Gerek exchanged glances, still not believing me.

"Don’t get cocky, a mere F-rank kid can’t take on a designated request..."

"Kent, designated requests are only for B-rank and above."

"Yes, but I was promoted to B-rank recently."

"Are you an idiot? You can’t jump from F to B."

"That’s why... I’ve been promoted twice, from F to D, and then from D to B."

Even showing my guild card and telling them about the Rock Ogre and Gigawolf, Gerek didn’t believe me at all.

"A weakling like you, two ranks above me... Don’t joke around."

"No, I didn’t ask for the promotion..."

"Then, let’s have a match. If you’re really strong, show me by beating me seriously."

"But, a match...?"

"What, are you scared, kid?"

"Of course I’m scared, I don’t want to die yet..."

Glancing at Muell for help, she was crossing her arms and thinking.

"Let’s try it."

"Wh-what, Muell too?"

"Yes, I want to see how strong Kent is."

"But..."

Muell had heard about the Gigawolf from the odd couple sisters but was skeptical.

In the end, to avoid any danger, we agreed to use wooden swords, no attacks above the neck, and magic was allowed.

I had been thinking about having a serious match with Gerek, but I wanted to be on equal footing without him using incantations. This timing is a bit premature.

However, since it’s the beginning of the week, no one is using the training ground, so it won’t draw much attention.

"Get ready, kid, I’ll end this in a second..."

"Ah... Please."

Ah... Well, if it comes to this, let’s go all out. I’ll make him scream until he’s hoarse.

But, even with armor and a wooden sword, how should I fight?

Light attribute attack magic could be dangerous if it hits the wrong spot, and the only thing I can use is the Dark Shield, but I haven’t tested its strength.

Wait, instead of making him scream, I might be in big trouble.

Gerek, standing about 10 meters away, didn’t doubt his victory for a moment.

"Here I come, kid. Mana, oh Mana, ruler of the world, gather, gather, flow through me, flow, flow, flow, Mana, become my strength!"

After the incantation for body enhancement, Gerek’s body seemed to swell.

As usual, he stepped forward with his left shoulder, right upper guard, and with a wolf-like grin, he kicked off the ground.

Fast! Much faster than usual, Gerek closed the distance in an instant.

"Stumble!"

The match ended in an instant.

The Dark Shield was stronger than I thought.

I placed a Dark Shield at his feet to trip him and another in front of his face as he fell forward, causing Gerek to self-destruct.

Yes, Gerek sprawled out on the training ground, blood streaming from his nose, looking quite ridiculous.

"Um... Should I cast a healing spell?"

"Ah... After you take the wooden sword away..."

"Ah, got it."

"Kent, what was that? No incantation?"

"That’s called the Dark Shield, and I’ve never used an incantation for it."

"Unbelievable, but seeing it with my own eyes, I have no choice but to believe."

Taking the wooden sword from my right hand and placing it on his swollen face, the bruises disappeared, and Gerek regained consciousness.

"This kid!"

"Gerek! It’s over!"

The moment he regained consciousness, Muell stopped Gerek from lunging at me.

Gerek, who froze in place, re-evaluated his situation and began to tremble.

"No way... I lost to this brat..."

He understood the situation but couldn’t accept it.

I also didn’t like winning in such an unexpected way, as it might lead to complaints.

"Well, since Donovan recognized you as B-rank, there was no room for doubt."

"Then, there was no need for the match, right?"

"But, Gerek wouldn’t have been convinced without it... right, Gerek?"

"L-lie... I, to this brat... Lie..."

Gerek, standing unsteadily, took a few steps back and then fled the training ground like a rabbit.

Yes, a perfect victim character for Gerek.

"Gerek has never lost to anyone his age or even a bit older, so he might need this as a lesson."

"Is he okay? I don’t want him to challenge me to a fight when Muell isn’t around."

"What? Boys settle things with their fists, right?"

"No, I’m not that physical."

"Really? Well, it’s probably fine... So, Kent is more capable than I thought."

Yes, yes, that’s right, Muell. I’m quite capable, so you can fall for me if you want.

"So, did you understand that it was all a misunderstanding?"

"Hmm... About half?"

"Half...?"

"Well, even if you had the intention to tease, you wouldn’t kiss a girl in front of everyone, right?"

"Ah... That’s true... But, why?"

"Hehe, Beatrice is quite a standout... Think about it yourself, okay? Bye..."

Muell left with a teasing smile, but nothing was really resolved.

It’s all a mess because of Beatrice.

"Trouble, Kent-sama."

"Exactly, the only good thing is that the Dark Shield is stronger than I thought..."

"Using the opponent’s strength to win without doing anything, a brilliant move."

"Ugh... It’s not satisfying, but let’s move on to the finishing touches of Project Misa."

"Then, let’s head to Lastock."

We moved to Lastock from the shadow of a warehouse in a corner of the training ground.

The next task is to spread the rumor about Kamila, and I already have the lines prepared.

First, I targeted the knights in the garrison.

In warehouses and toilets, I found knights alone and acted out a scene, playing both parts.

"Kamila-sama wet the bed?"

"Idiot, keep your voice down, what if someone hears..."

Using this basic pattern, I spread the rumor throughout the garrison.

Knights who heard my voice were shocked and some even ran towards me.

After the garrison, I moved to the streets of Lastock.

In alleys, by wells, and through walls, I spread the rumor everywhere.

"Kamila-sama wouldn’t wet the bed."

"I agree, but I heard it from a knight in the garrison..."

The townspeople were shocked, confused, and tried to find the source of the voice.

In the market, school corridors, and church chapels, I adjusted the lines to fit the audience.

"Have you heard the rumor about Kamila-sama?"

"Wet the bed... No way..."

Whether positive or negative, the important thing is that the rumor spreads.

I spent the entire morning spreading rumors in the town, then headed to the infirmary in the garrison.

I promised to support the overworked committee leader.

The committee leader was treating a girl with a head injury.

The wound was bleeding heavily, and the committee leader was working hard to treat it, but she looked more exhausted than the girl receiving treatment.

However, the wound on her forehead seemed to be healing nicely.

"