Chapter 55

The next day, after finishing my business, I logged in, and the first thing I heard was a sharp sound slicing through the air.

I opened my eyes and looked over to see two figures.

It seemed that Hishin was instructing Rumin, who was swinging a wooden sword.

Observing this, I couldn't help but widen my eyes. Compared to before I logged out, Rumin's practice swings had improved significantly.

The way she applied force with her feet, the way she held the blade, and the way she shifted her weight—all of these had improved to the point where she was almost unrecognizable.

Although only about two days had passed in-game, even considering that, this was not a normal rate of improvement.

Without any level-ups, I hadn't expected her to improve this much.

(Sprites are a race like this... or perhaps it's due to Rumin's own enthusiasm. In any case, she's a talent beyond my expectations.)

Even if she can't match Hishin, this can be called considerable talent.

Regretting that I couldn't instruct her myself, I slowly got up.

Suddenly, Hishin, who had noticed me, smiled gently and spoke up.

"Welcome back, sensei. How do you find Rumin?"

"Yeah, honestly, I'm surprised. If my students could grow this naturally, it would be a different story."

"The first correction is always the hardest..."

After all, children have little patience.

When teaching the basics like foundation etiquette and practice swings, they get bored quickly.

Well, even if they give up or do something else, I don't change my teaching methods.

If someone quits at that point, they won't amount to much anyway. It would be a waste of time.

However, Rumin doesn't mind the monotonous training and performs it diligently even when no one is watching.

Moreover, her rate of absorption is impressive. This kind of progress motivates the instructor as well.

"I made some minor adjustments to her practice swings. Her foundation etiquette has improved a lot. I think it will be sufficient after the next level-up."

"...But, I couldn't do it."

In response to Hishin's praise, Rumin looked somewhat dissatisfied.

She seemed a bit dejected, looking at the wooden stick standing vertically.

Apparently, she hadn't had enough time to learn the bamboo split.

Or rather, if she could do it in just two or three days, we wouldn't have a job.

"Hmm. Show me then. How is it now?"

"Um..."

Nodding, Rumin moved in front of the stick, took a deep breath, and got into position.

While her movements weren't perfect, her stance had definitely improved.

At the very least, it was far more solid than that of an average novice player.

Then, she raised her wooden sword and, with a sharp exhalation, brought it down.

"Huff!"

Rumin's strike cleaved the air, coming down straight and colliding with the stick, which was then deflected inward.

The stick, rebounding, struck Rumin's wooden sword again, sliding along its surface and settling on the side.

Observing this, I was speechless.

I hadn't expected her to improve this much in just two or three days of training.

"...Hishin. From now on, can you take care of the kids instead of the instructors? Achieving this level so quickly is unprecedented."

"No, no, no. I'll get scolded by the instructors. Besides, it's not me who's amazing, it's Rumin."

In response to Hishin's hurried denial, I gave a dry smile.

Indeed, Rumin's strike, while a failure in terms of bamboo split, required a delicate balance of force and minute adjustments based on the situation.

Such skills are beyond the capabilities of a beginner with no experience, and I had considered it a success if she could hit the stick with a vertical strike.

The stick's diameter is about 3 centimeters, and for a novice who can't control the blade, hitting it is difficult.

Let alone catching its core and pushing it without slipping... even among my students, half of them occasionally fail.

For a child who has only just started to achieve this...

"Um... Dad, Onee-sama?"

"Rumin, you're doing great. I didn't expect you to improve this much."

"Right, I was surprised too. In just one night—no, about two days. But this isn't something that can be done so easily."

However, this precise sword strike is very promising.

Accurately hitting the intended spot is a crucial skill in sword techniques.

Without exceptional senses, it would take a considerable amount of time to correct.

Adjustments in the millisecond range are, in a sense, the life's work of a swordsman.

If this is due to Rumin's intuition, it is very promising.

"I couldn't do it, though..."

"In such a short time, that's already a great achievement. Keep it up."

"This is very promising, sensei."

Agreeing with his words and patting her head, Rumin finally smiled happily.

While it's important not to be arrogant, it's also important to praise her when she deserves it.

Smiling wryly at Rumin's improved mood, I started tidying up the room.

Well, I might as well let Rumin keep her wooden sword...

"Alright. Hishin, I'm going to talk to the soldiers in this fortress. You take Rumin to practice the flowing water technique in the courtyard."

"Eh, already the flowing water technique?"

"Without experience in sparring and deflecting, the bamboo split won't be complete. Since you've come this far, it's better to practice that as well."

"Ah... That makes sense. Got it."

I hadn't expected her to improve this quickly, so my plans were a bit off.

However, since she's progressing, it's actually more convenient.

The next thing to teach is the flowing water technique, the foundation of the soft form. In the Eternal Divine Flow combat style, it is the most important technique.

If they can practice together, the first thing to learn should be the flowing water technique.

"Given the height difference, it might be a bit difficult, but do your best. See you later."

"Yes, sensei."

"See you, Dad."

Waving to the two of them, I left the room.

My destination was where the commander of this fortress was likely to be.

To start, I would need to find a soldier to ask.

* * * * *

"No, I apologize. The information didn't reach the lower ranks."

"From our side, we suddenly showed up. We don't intend to ask for more than a room."

After talking to the soldiers and explaining why outsiders were in the fortress, it took about ten minutes to sort things out.

Finally, a knight who understood the situation escorted me to the commander's room.

Given the scale of this fortress, the commander must be a person of some standing.

I had been worried that it might be someone with power, but it seems this person was chosen based on merit.

"Welcome to Northguard Fortress. My name is Grad... Grad Septem. I am the commander of this fortress."

"My name is Quon, just a humble foreigner. I apologize for the late introduction."

"Not at all, I called you here. However, calling yourself 'humble' is a bit modest. I've already heard about you from the captain."

The commander, Grad, chuckled, and I shrugged in response.

After all, I had caused quite a commotion in the capital.

It wouldn't be surprising if the captain had already told him about me.

"Please, have a seat. I apologize for the mess."

"No, given the situation, it's understandable."

The demon attack is not a distant memory. In fact, it's getting closer.

This fortress cannot remain unaffected.

The demon attacks are happening across the entire world.

While we foreigners can lend a hand, we don't have the resources to protect such a distant location.

Defensive forces will likely be concentrated in the capital.

"Alright, you said you had something to ask?"

"Yes, of course, about the demons."

Grad narrowed his eyes and spoke.

As expected, the person in charge of a base cannot ignore the upcoming problems.

The question is how they will handle the situation.

"We have already heard about the demon attacks. The issue is how to deal with them here."

"Hmm... What do you mean?"

"To be frank, do you think we can defend this fortress?"

He asked a difficult question directly.

I sighed and narrowed my eyes.

For the commander of this fortress, this is a matter of life and death. I understand why he would want to ask, but to ask an outsider...

However, I have firsthand experience with the demons' combat abilities.

Basing my information on that is not a bad judgment.

"Considering your skills and the training of the soldiers here, I would say the chances are less than fifty-fifty."

"...You're being very direct."

"I don't think you're looking for sugar-coated words."

To Grad's bitter expression, I shrugged.

The soldiers here are quite skilled, as evident from their movements.

They can easily repel ordinary monsters.

However, the demon forces are unknown.

"To be honest, there are too many unknowns, but the possibility of a noble-level demon appearing is quite high. The number is unknown, but there's a good chance we'll face an army."

"...Indeed, the odds are not in our favor."

"And if we fail, the personnel in this distant fortress will undoubtedly be wiped out. Literally, all of them."

Recalling the battles with Geryon and the Demon Knights, I said this.

They view humans as enemies. I don't know why, but they have no reason to keep humans alive.

The likelihood of being taken prisoner is low, and in a fortress far from the capital, the chances of everyone being killed are high.

"While it may be presumptuous, I advise you to retreat."

"...You're telling us to abandon this fortress?"

"The purpose of this fortress is to monitor the border. In that case, the significance of using it against demons is not strong."

"However, if the fortress is taken—"

"It's a problem, but using your forces to defend the capital and then retaking the fortress would result in fewer casualties, in my judgment."

We still don't fully understand the nature of the demon forces.

Therefore, being cautious will give us more options in the future.

However, I can't dictate military actions. This is the extent of what I can suggest.

"How you proceed is up to you. All I can say is that the demon forces should be estimated on the high side."

"...Understood. We will consider it."

Grad seemed unconvinced.

However, he asked for my opinion, and he can't outright reject my words.

I hope they will retreat, but the decision is ultimately theirs.

"Thank you, it was helpful."

"No, I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"On the contrary, it was a valuable opinion. I hope we meet again."

Grad's farewell had a nostalgic feel.

I nodded slightly, looking down, and left the room.

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 18

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 19

VIT: 16

INT: 19

MND: 16

AGI: 12

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.18》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.13》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.13》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.8》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.10》

《Identification: Lv.13》

《Sword of Life: Lv.12》

《Sword of Demon Slaying: Lv.5》

《Tame: Lv.6》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.7》

Sub Skill: 《Mining: Lv.1》

Title Skill: 《Fairy's Blessing》

■Current SP: 18

■Avatar Name: Hishin

■Gender: Female

■Race: Human

■Level: 21

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 22

VIT: 14

INT: 19

MND: 17

AGI: 14

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.21》

Magic Skill: 《Fire Magic: Lv.15》

Set Skill: 《Ki: Lv.16》

《Spell Charge: Lv.9》

《Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.12》

《Healing Proficiency: Lv.8》

《Identification: Lv.13》

《Dead Point Strike: Lv.11》

《Fighting: Lv.14》

《Combat Skills: Lv.14》

《Endurance: Lv.12》

Sub Skill: 《Gathering: Lv.7》

《Mining: Lv.4》

Title Skill: 《Scarlet Sword Princess》

■Current SP: 20

■Monster Name: Rumin

■Gender: Female

■Race: Sprite

■Level: 5

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 13

VIT: 11

INT: 27

MND: 19

AGI: 15

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: None

Magic Skill: 《Light Magic》

Skill: 《Light Attribute Enhancement》

《Flight》

《High Magic Resistance》

《Low Physical Resistance》

《High MP Auto Recovery》

《Wind Magic》

Title Skill: 《Servant of the Spirit King》