Chapter 61

It was a meeting.

In front of the cracked prototype of the "Magic Armor" placed on the table, an old man bowed his head and muttered sadly.

"...Gilbert, that brat, has turned my precious prototype into this...! I never thought it would come back in such a mess after just a few days. Maybe I shouldn't have lent it to him...?"

The old man, Oaken, looked a bit dejected. Sain spoke to him as if he had just remembered something.

"Speaking of Gilbert,

the medical officer assigned to the [Sword Soldier Corps] was lamenting. It seems that recently, he has been frequently seeking treatment. When examined, his bones and internal organs were in a terrible state, and he often arrives on the verge of death. It's apparently very difficult to treat him. Well, the officer is a bit inexperienced, so it might be good practice for him."

Oaken looked puzzled at Sain's matter-of-fact statement.

"That brat getting such injuries...?

What on earth is he doing...?

He can't possibly be going off to slay dragons alone, can he?"

"That's true, it's a bit worrying... But, whatever it is, he seems to be working hard in his own way.

He seemed to have been slacking off lately, so it's a good thing if he's found something to be passionate about."

"Try to consider the feelings of those who have to deal with him...

What does he think of me?

He says things like, 'Fix the armor quickly, I'll need it tomorrow,' ... Fixing cracks alone is quite a hassle, really!"

"Still, Oaken, you can fix it easily, right?"

"Hehe, of course! Who do you think I am?

I am the legendary genius, the [Magic Saint] Oaken, known as one of the [Nine Demons]!

There's not much I can't do!"

While the old man stroked his proud white beard and laughed, Dandalug, who had been listening to the conversation, interjected with a bemused expression.

"...A legendary genius, huh. Well, I won't deny it.

But, old man, how old are you...?"

"Me? I'm 280 this year.

Dandalug, living a long life is a matter of course.

Even at this age, there are still many interesting things in the world... and there are also unimaginable fools who can destroy a supposedly reinforced 'Magic Armor' in just a few days.

...Well, it can't be helped... It will also contribute to data accumulation, so I'll go along with that brat. It might be more interesting that way!"

Dandalug watched Oaken, who had just been dejected but now seemed to have regained his enthusiasm, with admiration.

"...You still seem to have a long life ahead of you, Oaken."

"Hehe, of course!

The secret to a long life is to eat delicious food and enjoy every day.

You should take me as an example."

"Yeah, sure. I'll take you as an example."

Dandalug smiled at the usual energetic old man, muttering to himself, "There's no way you can live that long just by doing that," and then remembered the reason the [Six Saints] had gathered. He addressed everyone in the room.

"──So, how about it.

That kid... Roro's aptitude?

Everyone has seen him, right? Give me your opinions.

We gathered here today for that purpose."

A week had passed since the young demon, Roro, was accepted. After a short silence, Sig was the first to speak.

"As for [Swordsman], he doesn't have much talent.

He's not completely without it, but it's hard to say he stands out."

"Yeah, that's true... [Warrior] is similar.

In fact, I think he's not suited for it at all."

Dandalug agreed with Sig's unusually hesitant words.

"I've also seen him as a [Hunter]... He's weak.

Desperately so.

I even let him try a bow, but there's no hope for his talent there."

"Hehe, the same goes for magic.

There are some issues, it seems."

Everyone expressed their negative opinions. Sain quietly observed them.

"But──"

"But that guy"

"But that kid,"

"But that boy──"

"He is──"

"But that brat..."

"「「「「「「Interesting」」」」」」"

The [Six Saints] agreed on this point.

Sig was the first to speak.

"As for [Swordsman] talent, he has almost none.

Despite his physique, he has the minimum strength to wield a sword... but it's below average.

Most importantly, he is extremely afraid of attacking his opponent.

This is a significant drawback──but, he can see the sword's path, and if given a light sword, he responds surprisingly well."

"Responds? To you?"

"Of course, I'm holding back.

But even then, he endures surprisingly well.

Contrary to his usual timid demeanor, he doesn't flinch from attacks at all.

He fears cutting his opponent but, conversely, he doesn't fear being cut.

Even if a part of his body is injured, he doesn't lose his composure.

He chooses the optimal action, knowing he will be cut.

His mental fortitude is rare."

Dandalug nodded at Sig's observations.

"Yeah. As a [Warrior]... as I expected, his physique is completely unsuitable. He's too frail to be a shield for his allies.

But, he has a lot of determination.

As Sig said, he doesn't fear breaking himself.

He's exceptionally strong against pain and suffering.

He won't stop until someone intervenes.

He reminds me of someone from the past.

──Maybe he'll surprise us.

It might take time, though."

Mianne also agreed with them.

"That's true.

At first, he seemed weak, but he's surprisingly resilient.

He calmly observes incoming arrows, and when pushed to the brink of life and death, he clearly shows the face of someone who has faced death."

"Wait a minute, Mianne.

You pushed him to the brink of life and death on the first day...?"

"What's the problem? We don't have time.

It's better to train properly than to struggle at the last moment."

"Well, yeah, but there's a process, right?"

From behind Dandalug, who was hesitating and looking around, Kallu, who had been standing quietly, spoke.

"...That's unusual, Mianne.

You're really getting into it.

It's rare for you to be so invested in a trainee.

I heard that you mostly left Noll's training to himself. What's the reason?"

"Are you talking about Noll?

That's obvious.

He had everything except bow skills from the start, so there was nothing I could teach him.

I just taught him how to read the wind, and the next moment, he was hitting all the targets within his range with plain stones... He even performed the advanced skill 'Arrow Avoidance' with his natural physical abilities. He broke training bows and crushed the personal bows I lent him... What could I teach him?"

"Well, that's true."

Kallu recalled that the trainee he had trained also broke through everything on their own and nodded deeply.

"By the way, the princess mentioned that Roro performed 'Tenfold Chanting' when he faced the [Gray Phantom]. His growth shows no signs of stopping."

Sain agreed with a smile, and Oaken, who was next to him, nodded while stroking his beard.

"Hehe, that kid has always been a bit strange.

But, tenfold chanting?

That's amazing... ju?

ju───────────??

ju─────────────!!!???"

"I don't even want to imagine what his [Stone Throwing] is like now. If we give him a piece of mithril, he might be able to handle border security on his own...?

...Anyway, thinking about that kid is a waste of time.

But, I still have a lot to teach him.

I can't send a child to a dangerous place without proper preparation!"

"Right, but don't overdo it..."

Dandalug, feeling a bit uneasy about his wild colleague, then looked at the masked man standing quietly behind him.

"So, what about Kallu?"

"Right... It seems Roro has a talent for [Thief].

I don't know his background, but he is very sensitive to detecting presence and is exceptionally good at 'erasing' his own existence.

He probably had to do this regularly.

It's not a happy thing, though.

...He has already manifested several [Skills].

Even in a short time, he still has room to grow."

"Got it... So, what about the old man Oaken?

If you find him interesting, he must have a talent for [Mage], right?

...Hey, Oaken? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"ju────────────────────Heh?

W, what were we talking about?

I, I was just thinking...!"

"It's about Roro. Hey, are you really okay...?"

"S, so it was that.

I, I was just thinking...!

Hehe, that's it──Roro can't use magic.

So, he's not suited for [Mage].

In fact, it's impossible."

"Can't use magic? What do you mean?"

"More accurately, 'demons' are not allowed to use magic.

I heard this when I was young, so I tried various things with that boy──the rumors were true. Roro's body has too high an affinity with magic."

"High affinity? Isn't that a good thing?"

"Actually, it's the opposite.

His affinity is so high that when he tries to increase his magic power, his body reacts excessively and starts to mutate. If not careful, he could die quickly."

"Is it that serious...? I've never heard of that."

Dandalug was speechless at the unexpected answer.

"Well, the constitution of 'demons' is not widely known.

In any case, it's a matter of blood. There's nothing that can be done.

However, his sense of manipulating magic is quite impressive.

Because of his constitution, I had him try a special method of manipulating magic, and he did it beautifully.

Normally, it's impossible to spread internal magic on the surface of the body, but he can do it.

From my perspective, he's quite talented.

That's why I think it's best for him to handle 'magic items'.

There are risks involved, but if it goes well, he might grow.

He seems to have the determination."

"Yes, I can sense a positive will in him.

Although I can't let him train as a [Priest]... he is very serious.

Every day after your training, he comes to the monastery's library.

I teach him reading and writing, and he diligently acquires knowledge, even sacrificing his sleep."

"Every day?"

"Yes.

I'm a bit worried about his health, but Ines and I are carefully monitoring his condition.

If this continues, he will soon be able to read books.

It's exciting."

With Sain's statement, Dandalug looked around at everyone and summarized.

"Then... that's it for the first report meeting.

Regarding Roro's future training... everyone will continue, right?

From what I've heard, it seems you all find meaning in your respective roles."

"Of course, no objections!

...Then, can I take my leave now?

I just remembered something important!! Hehe!!"

Without waiting for everyone's response, the old man hurriedly left the meeting room. Dandalug and Sain exchanged glances.

"...Hey. Didn't the old man say he was free today and wanted to play with magic items?"

"He's very competitive, Oaken is."

As the two smiled wryly and tried to leave the meeting room... a low voice came from behind.

"──Dandalug.

Do you have time after this? You're off duty today, right?

Can you come with me?"

Turning around, Dandalug saw Sig, who had his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, looking straight at Dandalug's massive body.

"Yeah... I forgot there was another one who never grows old.

...Can't it wait until later...?"

"He's still growing even as we speak.

There's no end to sword training──I can't think of anyone else to spar with besides you."

Dandalug held his head.

"Of course, that makes sense... Hey, Sain. Can you come too?

I don't think I can handle this guy alone."

"Sure, I'd be happy to. I've been feeling a bit out of shape lately, so let's have a joint training session."

"Good. If Sain is coming, I can swing my sword without holding back."

"Yes, I'll make sure to revive Dandalug no matter what state he's in, so you can swing your sword with peace of mind."

"──Wait a minute.

I didn't mean for you to participate in that way...

...I suddenly feel cold and think I'm getting sick. Can I go home?"

"It's fine. I'll make sure your condition is perfect. And I won't let you die, so don't worry."

"Then, let's go."

"...What about my opinion...?"

Thus, the second 'Six Saints Meeting' ended──Roro's training would continue under the guidance of all the [Six Saints].