Chapter 108: I Picked It Up
The time is training time, 2 PM.
As I told the students, today’s training is a class in the library.
I intended to have them supplement knowledge about the outdoors and such by reading books in the library.
Besides, I saw several students looking listless in their bodies, perhaps residual fatigue from yesterday remaining.
...I might need to think about tomorrow’s class as well.
The seriousness with which the students read the books differs between those who have actually experienced it and those who have not.
I was asked questions by the students several times and answered them carefully.
Then Roy walked over with Lucy and asked a question with a troubled expression.
"Instructor Raide, there’s just one thing that bothers me..."
"Something that bothers you?"
"Yes. Instructor Raide teaches us to use weapons and to pay attention to safety, right?"
"...That’s right."
"Um... why didn’t Instructor Raide use a weapon on the mountain?"
At Roy’s words, spoken a little as if it was hard to ask, the students also fell quiet and focused on me.
In other words, everyone else, like Roy, had also found it strange that I fought bare-handed.
Looking over the students’ reactions I smiled wryly, then looked at Roy’s awkward face.
...He must have been so curious he couldn’t help it.
I let out a small breath, crossed my arms, and began explaining.
"It’s not that complicated. It’s simply because my proficiency in hand-to-hand combat is the highest."
"...Hand-to-hand combat?"
"Yeah, that’s right. Unlike all of you, my proficiency is higher in hand-to-hand combat than in weapons. That’s why what I can trust the most is this body. It’s not that I can’t use weapons, but when it comes to a battlefield where lives are on the line... the most trustworthy weapon is best. ...Those of you who have experienced real combat should understand, right?"
Looking over the students, they nodded greatly at my words.
If one’s proficiency with a preferred weapon is already high, raising that further is more efficient and safer.
But in my case hand-to-hand combat is my specialty, and it has grown several times more compared to the proficiency of other weapons.
In that case using hand-to-hand combat leaves no anxiety and I can trust myself.
When I explained that to the students, they returned their gazes to the books with understanding expressions.
Roy also bowed and smiled as if convinced; Lucy likewise bowed and returned to her seat.
...Well, it is something that would make one curious.
In truth, even I was surprised when I checked the status screen after reincarnating.
It would be stranger not to be surprised after seeing the combat; I smiled wryly to myself alone.
"What are you smiling strangely about?"
"...Erika, what’s wrong?"
"Please come over here..."
Erika, who had at some point come beside me, smiled a little exasperatedly, and I laughed as if to cover it up.
When I asked the reason, Erika lightly tugged on the sleeve of one of my arms and led me into the shadow of a bookshelf.
Erika leaned against the bookshelf, crossed her arms, and began speaking with a troubled smile.
The way she rested her breasts on her arms and jiggled them is the usual thing, and I hesitate whether to caution her as her lover.
...If asked whether I don’t want to look, I do want to look.
"Is the mountain where White Tokens can be collected that one?"
"...Yeah, that’s right, but?"
"’That’s right, but?’ is not acceptable. With my current self I can’t go to see it, you know? Well, if it’s Merinu she might be able to accompany me..."
What Erika is referring to is probably the promise with me about going to show her the White Tokens.
Various things had been busy so the date to go show them had not been decided, but I was a little surprised that Erika would bring it up.
I tilted my head and spoke as if it was nothing.
"If I carry Erika, we could go, right?"
"...Are you an idiot?"
At my words Erika let out a small sigh and looked at me with half-lidded eyes.
I smiled wryly at Erika’s reaction and stroked her cheek; while keeping the half-lidded eyes she flushed her cheeks a little.
If asked whether it can actually be done, it probably can.
However, I don’t know Merinu’s strength, and I would have to hire adventurers as escorts.
Just the three adventurer girls who escort Erika might be fine, but there is no harm in making extra preparations.
When I gently stroked Erika’s cheek while explaining, Erika let out a big sigh and smiled with an exasperated look.
Then she touched the hand of mine that was stroking her cheek and spoke with a glossy smile.
"Please wait a little longer. I’ll become stronger and show you."
"...Got it, Erika."
I brought my face close to the endearing Erika and gave her a light kiss that only touched; she was dazed for a moment, then immediately flushed her cheeks red and began pouting.
While coming out from the shadow of the bookshelf I was lightly pounded on the back by Erika and held back my laughter.
While still pouting she returned to the three songstresses, Polte, and Rinaar.
I crossed my arms and watched Erika’s retreating back with a smile, then looked over the students as I was.
As training time drew near its end, I told the students while walking to put away the books and dismiss.
When I directed my eyes at Roy he was in the middle of picking something up; seeing that I let out a big sigh.
I approached Roy, glanced at the Western-style doll he was holding, and asked him.
"What’s wrong?"
"No, this doll had fallen..."
"I see... I’ll take custody of it. I’ll ask the teachers and instructors whether it belongs to a student."
"Please do."
Roy smiled as if relieved at my words and handed me the doll.
Without putting the handed doll into my magic bag, I held it in my hand and saw off the students leaving the library.
While walking to leave the library I directed my gaze at the doll in my hand and tilted my head.
A Western-style doll with cream-colored hair and a light-blue dress; the size was about what could be held in a hand.
...I never heard that this event happens in the library?
While gazing at the doll, a warm breeze stroked my cheek even though we were inside the room.
I smiled and murmured while looking around to check if any students remained.
"Sharle?"
"Yes, hello. What about that doll?"
"Ah, this is... I 『picked it up』."
"...Again?"
I smiled wryly at Sharle, who spoke in an exasperated tone, and looked around the library.
By my saying that I 『picked up』 this doll, the target should have become me.
Sharle let out a small sigh and began speaking in a serious tone.
"Report. The son of the Dwarf Chamber of Commerce has been sent to the mines for 30 years. Count Deus has also been formally stripped of his title and likewise sent to the mines... well, the former count is for 10 years."
"...The Eternal Darkness Mine?"
"...As expected, you knew. Yes, there for 30 years and 10 years... It would be nice if they can safely finish their sentences."
I smiled wryly with an exasperated look at Sharle, who laughed a little enjoyably.
There is no way they will safely finish their sentences; the Darkness Mine is, as the name says, darkness.
Even if you light a magic tool or light a fire, it remains dark, and for some reason only what is in your hands is visible.
Even though prisoners serving the same sentence should be around, their figures cannot be seen and their voices cannot be heard.
And the only thing you can confirm of your own figure is what is in your hands; you must keep digging stone.
For an ordinary person, after about 10 days they would go mad.
Doing that for years... just imagining it makes one feel as if they would go mad.
While heading toward the library exit I spoke to the laughing Sharle.
"...There’s something I’d like to ask of you. Are you busy?"
"Haaa... Is it that doll?"
"Yeah. I think it will succeed, but... for the worst case."
"If something happens to Lord Raide at that worst time, the one who will be scolded by Lady Erika is me, you know?"
"...Sorry about that."
When leaving the library, Sharle let out a big sigh beside me and agreed.
While walking toward the instructor’s office I looked at the doll once more and also let out a small sigh.
Character Profiles
＊Erika
Former Deus Count family
Height: 163 cm
Age: 16
Golden hair — hair a little longer than shoulder length styled into vertical curls.
Expression gives a sharp impression. A glossy beauty that does not look 16.
Slender body type. Holds two firm melons for breasts.
Approached Instructor Raide in order to receive preferential treatment.
But instead she is shown various considerations by Raide and has ended up in a situation of receiving too much preferential treatment.
Regarding affection, it is still smoldering.
However, she thinks of him as an existence she must not let go of.
Currently Raide’s lover.
＊Roy Dragole
Height: 171 cm
Age: 16
Purple hair — short.
The only male in the year Raide is in charge of.
The main character in the game.
A slender yet trained body. Gentle facial features and a caring personality.
Has Lucy, Serin, and Rulen as lovers.
＊Lucy
Real name: Lucy Desmond
Height: 160 cm
Age: 16
Pink hair — shoulder-length semi-long. Somewhat curly with various strands sticking up.
Face is expressionless. Personality is also taciturn. Easily misunderstood, but the type who clearly conveys her will.
Body type is average, but she herself is making efforts to become thinner. Breasts are about apple size.
Has a mother from the fallen Desmond family of a neighboring country.
After taking refuge in the kingdom, she received aid from the kingdom and enrolled in the academy.
She is secretly permitted the Desmond name by the kingdom.
However, because it is basically a secret Lucy also does not say it.
It seems she had revealed it only to Roy.
Roy’s lover.