Manowa

Chapter 97 - Let"s Head for Hyvern

◎ Winlard City, Batroa Workshop

「Dragon Tooth Tatsuyoshi-kun, Dragon Fang Soldier Tatsuyoshi-kun, Dragon Tatsuyoshi-kun, Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon, Dragonyoshi-kun, Tatsuyoshi-kun (Dragon) . . . . . . hmm . 」

Kazane opened her eyes wide .

「Okay, let"s go with Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon!」

She said .

「Well, I guess that"s fine . 」

Master knew how hard it was to name something and wasn"t planning to nitpick . Why couldn"t you drop the name Tatsuyoshi-kun . . . . . he still thought .

The name of the stand-alone Hippo-kun was Hippomaru-kun .

It was four days after the defeat of that Immortal Monkey . Master"s promised day with Kazane was gradually approaching, so after indulging in the hot spring (or more precisely, while saying「I"m still not planning to travel the path related to civil engineering」she accepted the job of making building foundations) every day for three days they returned to Winlard . One more day had pa.s.sed since then, and she was currently checking the items she requested at the Batroa Workshop .

「Mm-hmm, Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon, it seems strong . 」

Kazane said . The Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon standing in front of her had a sharp design with two brutal dragon claws on the arms, and was slightly taller than Kazane .

Beside it was the Tatsuyoshi-kun she had been using up until now with minor changes to the silver materials . Ma.s.s production models Tatsuyoshi-kun A and Tatsuyoshi-kun B(official names) for throwing were also lined up . Both arms were fixed to throwing specifications that were better than the normal Tatsuyoshi-kun .

「When the four of them are lined up it is a magnificent view . But doing so would splendidly eat Magic Power . 」

Kazane said while nodding to herself .

「That may be true, but since you don"t have to use Magic Power to strengthen defense isn"t it better than making normal golems?」

To Master"s question Kazane answered「that"s right, but . . . 」

「That"s the case, but I maximize the power and the like, so it isn"t very different . Well, unless it"s an all out battle it may be better to use them differently . 」

While saying that, Kazane started up all the Tatsuyoshi-kun and moved them . Besides, Kazane had many attacks that binge ate Magic Power like『Dragonization』and breath attacks after transformation . Kazane mainly fought empty-handed like a martial artist, so she didn"t have to worry too much about running out of Magic Power . It was possible to recover it by fighting with Black Fang if push came to shove .

「Well, it all depends on how you use it . And then is Hippomaru-kun? The armor is currently being remodeled by Mondorie . As you requested he"s making some attachment points for the ma.s.s production models . 」

Kazane"s breathing became rough from excitement . That was natural . She was like a child given the ideal toys she had only seen in her dreams . Or more precisely, that was very similar to the truth and wasn"t a simile .

「That"s good . I can"t stop smiling . 」

Kazane said while wearing an evil smile . Master reported the next information to Kazane with an apologetic face .

「And then is the regrettable matter of the dragon horns . In the end we couldn"t process them . Sorry . 」

Master continued talking after apologizing .

「We have to go for the secondary plan of installing them as grips for the left and right sides of Hippomaru-kun and for Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon to use them as tonfas . 」

Master looked vexed as he spoke, but Kazane had already heard that working with the supremely hard Black Rock Dragon horns was very difficult and that the technology that would make it feasible was very restricted, so they probably couldn"t do it . That was why she was not particularly discouraged .

「No, what Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon is using isn"t bad at all . 」

Kazane said with a thumbs up . Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon looked cool with the nearly 1 . 5 meter horns on both sides . Kazane was seriously spellbound .

Kazane didn"t stop smiling, but she asked Master something she was curious about .

「Which reminds me, Jinrai-san"s spears were also scheduled for today, but he still hasn"t come?」

Master meaningfully grinned after Kazane"s remark .

「That guy already came to get them and and went back home . 」

「So early . 」

「Yeah . He received them with a face like yours is now . I told him he should really think about his age . 」

Despite saying that Master was talking with a delighted face .

(Well, if he was looking forward to them being made that badly it can"t be helped)

Kazane adjusted the Tatsuyoshi-kun Dragoon while she thought about going to Jinrai Dojo on the way back .

◎ Jinrai Dojo

「Deyaaa!」

Wolf G.o.d Yumika"s shining spear was thrust at a high speed .

「Funu」

Jinrai handled it with the right spear and simultaneously attacked with the left spear .

「Wow」

That exchange with Wolf G.o.d Transformed Yumika was done only by intuition, but Jinrai continued by hooking the right spear shaft around Yumika"s leg, and her posture was destroyed . Wolf G.o.d Yumika quickly recovered her posture, but before she noticed there was already a spear at her throat . Then Yumika said「I lost」in surrender .

「Hmm . The gap was not as bad as I expected . 」

Jinrai skillfully kept the two spears crossed in preparation, then did several movements like a dance performance .

「Muu, master is even further ahead of me now . 」

Yumika groaned while watching Jinrai . From the beginning, even with the Wolf G.o.d Transformation"s bonus to Yumika"s Strength the rejuvenated Jinrai was untouchable . He was able to handle anything she could do with finesse . Even when he was only using one spear he was still able to deal with everything she could do . . . Yumika understood the reason . But Yumika still felt depressed by how one-sided the battle was .

Yumika"s Wolf G.o.d Transformation came undone . She usually lost one or two times, but this time she lost three times . She had never won, but the previous losses still took more time .

He himself certainly never said anything about the battles being too short or expressed any disappointment in his disciple, but her cheeks increasingly inflated as Jinrai waved his new spears around in satisfaction . Feeling lonely because she wasn"t receiving any input might make her seem like an attention seeker, but since the master who had always looked after her properly suddenly became obsessed with something else Yumika"s jealousy couldn"t be helped .

Then Jinrai finished breaking them in and finally a.s.sessed Yumika as usual .

「Sorry about that . This two spear style was originally invented to fight opponents with higher physical ability like your Wolf G.o.d Transformation . But it seems to be more effective against you than expected . 」

「More effective against me? More like I"m completely unable to compete with it . I think the skill difference is widened too much . 」

Yumika looked at Jinrai with a pout .

「Hmm, it"s not as different as you say it is . But because you"ve been relying on the extra strength from your Wolf G.o.d Transformation your attacks have become monotonous . That bad habit probably led to this result . 」

It appeared that Yumika couldn"t control the power from her Wolf G.o.d Transformation .

「Like I said earlier, it would be better not to learn the one handed style or force through by relying on physical strength . Why not try using a shield?」

「Well, that"s right . 」

She was able to deal with the monster opponents up until now, but an opponent like the current Jinrai might appear, and she wouldn"t be able to deal with it . She felt like she relied on the Wolf G.o.d Transformation too much, but she also needed to master it . It wasn"t a problem that could be solved by using it less .

(I feel like I am stuck)

Yumika rested and looked sideways .

「1, 2, 3, 4」

「1, 2, 3, 4」

Her best friend was there doing warm up exercises with all the Tatsuyoshi-kun moving in a similar manner . Hippomaru-kun was also standing by outside .

「You look happy . It seems the number on hand has multiplied . 」

「Battle is a number, Yumika . Even if the opponent is a dragon this amount fiercely throwing stones will do a splendid amount of damage . 」

That was true as well . There wasn"t only one way to become stronger .

「By the way, are you feeling stuck?」

「You saw through it?」

Though Yumika thought (how rare), she talked about her difficulties with using her abilities . Then Kazane tilted her head and blurted out a strange thing .

「Could it be you aren"t using Wolf G.o.d Transformation"s Training Mode?」

「What is that?」

Kazane kindly and politely explained to the ignorant Yumika .

Kazane said there was a mode for getting used to skills that transformed characters called Training Mode . When Yumika actually checked the Bangle of the Wolf G.o.d in her Item Window a training mode option certainly existed .

「……It"s true . 」

Yumika dejectedly fell to her knees . There was such a thing . She did not notice that there was such a mode even when she played the game . Everyone should read the instructions carefully .

「I have been using the Dragonization Training Mode to get used to moving as a dragon . Well, it"s only for learning how to operate it and isn"t the same as actually training . 」

Kazane said, since the mode was like highly advanced image training .

「Well, before I go to bed I"ll try it out . 」

Training her body took priority over Wolf G.o.d Transformation practice . And there was also something for that subject .

「And then for dealing with Jinrai-san"s two spears there is a tentative countermeasure . 」

Yumika suddenly raised her face and looked at Kazane .

(Wow, the expectation makes it painful to take it out)

While thinking that Kazane took out a small simple white shield from her Item Box .

「A Dragon Shield made from dragon bones . It is a type that attaches to the arm, so you can still use a spear with both hands in that case, right?」

「Did you get this for me?」

Yumika received it and examined the thoroughly polished shield . If she could catch blows with this a second spear was certainly unnecessary .

「Umm, yeah . Yep . 」

Kazane said with a thumbs up, and Yumika embraced her tightly and said「thank you」while being deeply moved . Truthfully, she was planning to use it, but thought it was too heavy and that her new Drake Gauntlets made from dragon scales would be enough, so she was just about to put it in her warehouse . Well, Kazane thought it was good that she was so delighted to receive it . By the way, she changed her breastplate to one made of dragon scales .

「Once we finish here we were planning to head for the inn, is there anything else?」

Jinrai cut in, and Yumika"s Tiarafication with Kazane was undone .

「Not really, but I wanted to see Jinrai-san"s new spears . 」

After Kazane"s remark Jinrai said「is that so?」and held one of his spears in front of Kazane .

「You only need to see one since the other is exactly the same . A polished dragon fang spear . A dragon"s own fang has higher hardness than its scales . It should be able to tear through a Black Rock Dragon"s cla.s.s of scales . 」

Jinrai explained . Only being able to attack after the Heroic Spirit Sieg removed the scales in the battle against Gieve seemed to have been too pa.s.sive a role to endure for the military man . He was implicitly announcing that next time he would be more effective .

「That"s powerful . 」

「That"s powerful . 」

Kazane had already demonstrated the power of using dragon claws .

Kazane took the dragon fang spear . The sense of intimidation from the Black Rock Dragon fang matched the appearance of that black figure . It seemed that the ambience of the dragon Gieve didn"t disappear .

「Jinrai-san is completely prepared . 」

Jinrai nodded .

「Is Yumika still not changing?」

「Yeah . 」

Saying that, she grasped her beloved spear Silky . She was attached . . . not only that, but the spear made by special processing of silver with that magical power composition was effective, and while it was inferior to the strength of a dragon fang spear it wasn"t by much . Above all she was happy with the plus correction from her Wolf G.o.d Transformation .

「Really, Master"s judgement was great . 」

If he had planned for Yumika"s current strength he had a lot of foresight to hand over that spear .

「So, I was planning to ask later, but when are we heading for Hyvern?」

「Jinrai-san is enthusiastic . 」

「I hear my son came and asked about me during my absence . It looks like rumors of our activities and my teaching are well known in Hyvern . 」

「Hmm, I"m worried that the ones about an old man"s indiscretions might have also arrived . 」

After Yumika"s remark Jinrai seemed embarra.s.sed as he spoke .

「It seems like something good since he said to return home . Well, unlike me he"s a good son . If he expressly came to talk to me I have no choice but to go . 」 [TL: LOL Gyao]

「Hmm . Then you can also see your wife . 」

Jinrai jumped at Kazane"s casual words, but took a deep breath and faced Kazane .

「Kazane . I will tell her that matter honestly . Earnestly from me . 」

「Yeah, I see . 」

She wasn"t particularly conscious of anything when she said that remark, but she understood what Jinrai meant and agreed「that might be good . 」With Yumika making a confused face beside them Kazane and Jinrai didn"t say any more about that topic .

「I"m fine with departing at any time, so what about early tomorrow?」

「I don"t mind . 」

His preparations for the journey were already finished . Receiving the spears was the last matter remaining before he could leave .

「Does our planned route go through Wombard City?」

Kazane nodded at Jinrai"s words .

「Yeah . We"ll take the Dragon Boat from there and get off at Hyvern"s Resurrect City, then advance on the overland route to Hyvern"s capital city Deer South on Hippomaru-kun and Hippo-kun . We can talk to the Guild Master there about the Dragon Village and make our arrangements from there . 」

The Dragon Boat was an airship that used floating stones . The shipbuilding and operation technology was lost, and the residents of this world would board the Dragon Boats as they traveled predetermined routes on autopilot .  

「My wife and son live in the capital, so that is convenient for me as well . 」

Jinrai also agreed with the plan .

「And if we want to take less time I can transform into a dragon and fly,」

Dragon flying gear was already purchased and inside the Mysterious Warehouse .

She could carry Hippomaru-kun and about 5 people . It was impossible to fly for a full day, but she could transform for half a day unless she entered battle .

「But with the content of the request I don"t want to reveal the relationship with the dragons if I can help it . 」

「But with the content of the request I don"t want to reveal the relationship with the dragons if I can help it . 」

「I agree . We should think about it more if we find a place that is difficult to pa.s.s through . 」

「That"s right . But I"d like us to spend a little bit of time in Resurrect City . 」

「Is something there?」

「For me . . . . or perhaps I should say for her . 」

Jinrai looked at Yumika, and Yumika tilted her head and asked「for me?」

「Resurrect is a place where various people go thanks to the Dragon Boats . There are five arenas, and there is generally an open compet.i.tion somewhere . I think it"s just the right place to measure how she ranks in this world . 」

「You want me to enter a tournament?」

Yumika asked Jinrai with an anxious face . Jinrai slapped Yumika"s shoulder and said「you"ll be fine . 」Yumika exchanged blows with Jinrai on a regular basis . Jinrai thought that it was natural that she could win the championship, though it depended on the opponents . He thought his disciple was strangely timid about such things, though he didn"t say it .

Since the top rankers wouldn"t appear in the small tournaments Jinrai was by no means showing favoritism to his disciple .

「Hohoo」

「Do you also want to try as well?」

Jinrai"s face showed he just thought of it, and he asked Kazane .

「Well, I"ll think about it . 」

However, Kazane thought she should leave it to Yumika . She liked adventure, but she was not very interested in strength comparisons .

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Magic Swordswoman

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Dragonscale Breastplate, Drake Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Carapace Bull Trousers, Dragon Ogre Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom

Level : 29

Health: 101

Magic Power: 170+300

Strength: 49+10

Agility: 40

Endurance: 29

Wisdom : 55

Dexterity : 33

Spell : 『Fly』 『Torch』 『Fire』 『Heal』『Firestorm』

Skill : 『Warrior"s Memory』 『Night Vision』 『Crushing Blow』 『Dog’s Sense of Smell』 『Golem Maker: Lv2』 『Rush』 『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』 『Healing Principle: Second Chapter』 『Air Jump: Lv2』 『Killing Leg: Lv2』 『Fear Voice』 『Invisible』 『Tiger Eye』 『Wall Walking』 『Intuition』 『Cheat Death』 『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield』『Information Link』『Optical Camouflage』『Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization』『Regenerate』

Yumika:「My main episode flag is finally set . 」

Kazane:「Although losing or winning the world"s number one tournament has gotten pretty repet.i.tive . Since it"s easy to get tired of it many stories these days quickly fly through it . 」

Yumika:「No, do not say ominous things . 」