Chapter 296 part 2
The situation in the Romal Empire, split between the Grand Duke of Linosart’s faction and Princess Asteria’s faction, and their conflict with the Demon Lord’s army led by Xandarza Galilius, paralleled that in the Arkrest Kingdom. Initially, the parties engaged in amicable discussions, imposing unfeasible conditions on each other, leading to an inevitable breakdown in negotiations. This set the stage for a “cultural” war, preceded by agreements on the treatment of prisoners and the prohibition of indiscriminate deadly spells and poisons.
The rebel forces in the south, aware of the confrontation between the Romal Empire and the unknown northern forces, remained observant and covertly cooperative. Their apprehension stemmed from the potential involvement of the Arkrest Kingdom, a major eastern power, especially if the Romal Empire continued to be pressed.
In the Arkrest Kingdom, apart from the northern lords, other nobles and the royal army had freedom of movement. Notably, the formidable “Arc Witch” Merle, feared for her equivalent strength to an army of 100,000, remained a vital figure. Her mere presence necessitated caution among the rebels, as unleashing her power could decimate them without considering future occupation strategies.
Not only the rebel forces but also the Romal Empire had to be increasingly vigilant about the movements of the Arkrest Kingdom.
In the Arkrest Kingdom, the northern lords, particularly around the Barony of Berne, continued to successfully combat the Demon King’s army, providing a temporary sense of relief. However, this relief was short-lived due to the dubious tale of Princess Asteria’s intent to transfer the imperial throne to Amria. The story was so filled with doubt that it seemed to furrow one’s eyebrows with skepticism.
This news, meticulously conveyed by Gwandan without leaving Baroldi, was rigorously scrutinized by the key figures of the Arkrest Kingdom, including the king and the crown prince. The notion of Asteria surrendering the throne of the vast Romal Empire was so far-fetched and complex that everyone, Sperion included, suspected it to be a trap with a different true objective.
However, Sperion and Frau were pushed to the back by the mischievous Dran, the true form of Gwandan, and the good-natured, pure-hearted Amria, who could be worrisome yet resilient, wouldn’t blindly follow Asteria’s lead. Their presence alone made the proposition worth considering. They resolved to keep an eye on the Demon King’s army both in the north and attacking the Romal Empire, considering deploying Merle, their most powerful trump card, and seizing any favorable opportunity.
「In the future, for Amria’s safety, we’ll have to ensure that both of them at least meet the standards of Gundeus and Kyrlinne. No, they must reach it…」
The voice, emanating a determination stronger than iron, belonged to Gwandan. Addressed were Yachiyo and Fuuko in the remote palace in Baroldi. After Gwandan and the three maids left Amria’s escort, these Caninein and Fox-tribe women were responsible for her closest protection. Despite their loyalty, Gwandan couldn’t fully approve of their capabilities as guards.
Not expecting them to be particularly cunning or ingenious and not required by Amria, Gwandan had excluded this aspect from their training focus.
In the palace courtyard, where Gwandan and Kyles had recently sparred, Yachiyo and Fuuko listened intently to Gwandan’s words, their expressions gravely serious. Meanwhile, Amria was deeply engaged with Asteria, learning about the intricacies of the Romal Empire and neighboring nations. Lynette and the others were fully mobilized for her protection.
As usual, Zanad’s subordinates were lurking unseen, but they were customarily ignored. These unusually powerful individuals, not part of the Twelve Wing Generals, seemed aware of the switch between Amria and Asteria, leading Gwandan and his group to forego any unnecessary secrecy around them.
「Mr. Gwandan, we are acutely aware of our inadequacies. Despite training under many skilled warriors in the Arkrest Kingdom and Bern, we are still too inexperienced to remain by Lady Amria’s side!」
Unlike her usual tame, domestic dog-like atmosphere, Yachiyo is filled from every corner of her body with a demonic spirit, but her voice is filled with a trembling sense of irritation and anger at their inexperience. Yachiyo and Fuuko, on the other hand, believe that it is only natural for them to stay by Amria’s side, and there seems to be no room for doubt. Gwandan also shares the same view as Yachiyo and the others, which is why he again suggested training the two of them.
「However, there is not much time left. And I, too, we are keenly aware of the limits of our talents.
When we were young, we thought we could climb to any height, but we hit a ceiling much lower than we thought. Can your strength and wisdom transform us into strong men, Mr. Gwandan?」
「Hmm, a simple method of strengthening would be for me and you to make a kind of contract and transfer power, but that can hardly be called power that you have obtained by yourself, and if something happens to me, there is a possibility that it will be lost. After all, it is most reliable to train you yourself. That’s what I’m going to do」
「It is true that the technique carved into one’s own body is more dependable in an emergency. I understand that, but how exactly do we proceed?」
Gwandan, or rather Dran, was an all-rounder with abilities that were almost omnipotent, but on the other hand, he specialized his abilities in the direction of his brain being made of muscles, as Yachiyo and Fuuko had well understood from their past relationships.
This was not a strengthening method using a mystical method using magic, but a method that seemed to be likely to be scolded in a direction where both the body and the mind are exhausted.
「If you repeat moderate exercise, moderate rest, and moderate nutrition, your strength will naturally increase. However, I will ignore moderate exercise this time. To the extent that you feel a sense of crisis that your soul will perish if you do not raise your spiritual level.」
「Nnnn, so this is?」
Yachiyo pulled her ears forward and pulled out her beloved sword at her waist. When she turned her powerless eyes to Fuuko, Fuuko also pulled out the small sword and dagger she had at her waist.
Neither of them hesitated to wield the weapons they used in actual combat against Gwandan. Because, even if they hit him directly, it wouldn’t do anything!
「Nnnnnn, Yachiyo, you want to kill Mr. Gwandan? I think that’s what I’m thinking.」
「Hmm. You’re both right. I’ll put a protective spell on my poleax so that a fatal blow won’t be fatal. You don’t have to worry about your life.」
「Fuuko」: 「Oh, is it just your life that you’re worried about?」
「Yachiyo」: 「Yeah, yeah, well, that’s about it.」
「Fuuko」: 「I will try my best not to break my heart.」
「Yachiyo」: 「Well, I’ll do my best for the sake of Lady Amria’s smile, Fuuko!」
「Fuuko」: 「Yes! For Lady Amria!」
At least at this point, Yachiyo and Fuuko’s spirits were overflowing, and their souls were as high as they could be. Their thorough training with Gwandan, one against two, continued until they were called for dinner, and later, Yachiyo and Fuuko would talk about this time like this.
「We saw hell.」
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
Goodbye Dragon Life, Hello Human Life
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
You gave up so hard pm thid deries that you don’t even correct when the MTL gets someone’s gender wrong.