TENKEN 421 (1750 words)

 Velmeria's Circumstances

「It seems that Master Gallus was indeed confined at the Count Olmes' residence. I'm sure of it, since someone from our side witnessed it. However―」

「However?」

「The report came from a person who had infiltrated as a gardener, so we did not know where he was in the mansion. Furthermore, we don't even know if he is still in the Count's mansion」

Well, normally he's likely to be confined in a hidden room, a basement, or something like that. However, it seems that he just happened to witness his existence when he was taken out to the hall on the first floor for some reason.

「He said it was just the other day」

「I understand」

Fran nodded at Velmeria's words. But immediately, as if in a panic, Velmeria continued her words.

「We are now preparing to conduct an on-site search of Count Olmes's residence under the authority of the Count Bailleys! Please don't do anything rash!」

Unknowingly, she felt the fighting spirit rising from Fran and thought that she might have to go in alone.

In fact, I think that was exactly Fran's intention. However, I was against the idea of Fran running into the Count's mansion alone. Even though he was doing bad things, he was still a nobleman.

It would definitely make us look like the bad guy. Unless we are prepared to rescue Gallus and flee the country, But I have no intention in doing so. I also don't know if I can really rescue Gallus for sure.

「It's difficult to gain access to the Marquis Ashtner's residence, but if it's in the name of investigating Count Olmes, I'm sure we can get the permission. Absolutely. Within the next few days, we will definitely make our move. I'll ask if Fran can join us then, so until then, Please don't do anything rash.」

Velmeria glared at Fran as if begging

『Fran, you should just nod at this point. The more details they can give us about Gallus's whereabouts, the better chance we have of rescuing him.』

「Nn. Okay」

「Oh, thank you very much」

Velmeria feels relieved and strokes her chest.

As for Fran, she seems to be a little dissatisfied, but I'll let her bear with it a little longer. However, it seems that once she got motivated, her battle switch will be turned on. Her body is still leaking with fighting spirit.

Frederick must have sensed this, because he's about to open his mouth, which had been closed up to this point.

「Velmeria, why don't you have Black Lightning Princess train you」

「Eh? Frederick? What are you talking about」

「There is a lot to be gained from practicing with a stronger opponents. Besides, doesn't Black Lightning Princess also want to exercise her body? 」

「Nn!」

Fran, of all people, is the most enthusiastic about Frederick's proposal. She is already getting up from the bench and pulling me out.

「Velmeria, I'm on it」

「...understood」

Velmeria too, must have heard Frederick's words and realized that Fran's excitement should be dissipated here. She nodded obediently at Fran's invitation.

No, not only that, but Velmeria also seems to be on board. I guess that means she is also a battle junkie.

「You doesn't want to pull it out?」

「Yes, this is my stance」

「Got it」

Velmeria faced Fran with nothing in her hands, seemingly empty-handed. But that doesn't mean that she is good at fighting with her bare hands.

Based on her appraisal, she can use martial arts, but she is more skilled in using dagger, dark arts, and throwing. He must be good at assassin-like combat combined with muffling her presence.

Well, I won't tell Fran. It would be more fun for Fran, and it would be a good training for her. Now, I wonder how well Fran will cope with her first strike?

Frederick used a technique to envelop the surroundings in darkness to prevent the two from being seen from the outside, which was also the signal for the mock battle to begin.

It was Velmeria who strike first. However, i think that is the right decision. Because there's no point in waiting for Fran, who is lightly armed and has a surprisingly effective strategy to attack her.

Even if her opponent is stronger than herself, she may be able to defeat her with a strike to a vital point using dark arts.

Even though I don't have dark arts skill, but i can tell that Velmeria was throwing out something familiar. Apparently, she threw something like an arrowhead that she had prepared under her sleeve.

She suppressed her killing intent and presence as well without any motion. But I was a little too impatient. I was thinking too much about launching an attack before she got close to Fran.

If she were an ordinary C rank adventurer, she might have been able to cause some agitation. With hope it can give her some damage. However, it didn't work on Fran. At this distance, Fran could still see and react to it.

Fran dodged the arrowhead thrown by Velmeria by simply tilting her head lightly. She then stepped in at once and kicked Velmeria's solar plexus with a front kick.

「Shhi」

「Gafuuh...!」

「Hyee」

『Hou』

She's been taking it easy on her, but she's still sent flying backwards from that kick. She has taken some damage, but not enough to stop her from moving. You can't underestimate her strength. With more battle experience, she will become stronger.

「Like hell i would let this end like this! Haaa!」

「Mmh!」

「Shhh!」

「As expected....!」

Velmeria held up a dagger in both hands and danced directly at Fran. She fired a smoke screen shortly before and throw a net-like object at her. She must have gotten serious.

Fran used wind magic to blow away the smoke and nets, but by then, Velmeria was already right beside her. Seeing her, I change my view of her. I thought she was an assassin type aiming for a surprise attack, but her skill with dagger was quite high.

Moreover, she's somewhat tricky. she compensated for the lightness of her body and the low attack power of a daggers with centrifugal force. While spinning around like a wheel, he slammed both of his daggers into Fran. In addition, almost all of the blows were aimed at vital points.

『I see, if she can get it done, she can turn the tide with a single blow』

Her teacher must have prepared her for a fight that even she could win against stronger opponent. I myself think the best thing to do is to run away from an opponent you can't beat, but there are certain situations where you can't run away from and certain situations where you shouldn't run away from.

However, she was still inexperienced. Her attacks were repelled by me, and she was often blown away by jus a kicks and fists. However, her will to fight did not fade from Velmeria's face. With her light blue ponytail swinging wildly, she came towards Fran. It's proof that her mind has been trained well.

I wonder if it is Frederick who is teaching Velmeria how to fight?　Speaking of Frederick, he was watching over Velmeria with a very kind expression. He looks like a father or a brother.

I don't really understand the relationship between these two either. Velmeria, who has the surname of Bailleys, and Frederick, who talks to her in a way that he seems to be treated as Velmeria's subordinates....

They are both from half-dragonmen races, and I'm sure there is some reason for that. But I'm not sure if it's the right thing to ask. I don't want to poke my head into the muddy side of a noble.

But some people just simply couldn't read the air.

「Ne, what relationship does Velmeria and Frederick has? Is it just because you are both half-dragonmen?」

That was Fran-san. She casually asked it during the break. Then, Velmeria answered surprisingly easily. Apparently, it wasn't like it's a secret as I thought it was.

「It's hard to say what kind of relationship we have, but isn't it more like a guardianship? I heard that he was originally a guard in my mother's service, but when my father took me in, he came to this country with me.」

「Then, your mother is not in this country?」

「Yeah. father is――My esteemed father is the Count of Bailleys, whom Fran met the other day. What i know is that he met my mother when he was sent to the continent of Gordisia.」

The continent of Gordisia was supposed to be a place where most part of it were covered by a magical beast so huge that it swallowed the continent. As I recall, I've also heard that there was a dragonmen's empire.

「I was told that my mother was the caretaker of my father」

There, the Count and Velmeria's mother became family, and Velmeria was born. However, the Count had to return to his country after his dispatch period was over, and that's when he took her in.

Certainly, the Count already had a wife and children, but as a nobleman, that was not a problem.

「Your mother is still in Gordisia?」

「Yeah. My mother has something to do there, so she can't leave Gordisia continent.」

「Lonely?」

「Well, what do you think? I have very little memory of her, and I don't think I want to meet her that badly.....Well, even if I could meet her, do you think i would like to meet her?」

She seems to be pretty easy going. Maybe that's how it is if you were separated at an early age and grew up without seeing each other.

It was Frederick who had a rather painful face. He looked at Velmeria, who shrugged her shoulders, and sadly lowered her eyes.

Maybe he's feeling sorry for Velmeria, who has no memory of her mother.

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TLN:

Well, fuck with scheduled daily release. I'll release when i'm done....

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