Chapter 65: Practice

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Translator: Soafp

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A week has passed since returning to the Blue Ring territory.

I was looking forward to going out with Ashera in the town, having picnics, and enjoying my time in Blue Ring.

However, reality turned out differently.

“Aldo, what should we do next?”

“Yeah, let’s start with body strengthening and sprints. Run seriously, and when I give the signal, run in the opposite direction. This should help you perform instant body strengthening.”

“Got it! We’ll do our best!”

Lewis and Nero were full of determination.

“Berett! Sorry, but I need you to give the cues for these two.”

“Understood. If you could briefly explain the procedure…”

“Got it.”

Berett demonstrated the first one or two cues. Call out the cues at the moment when the body is most stressed.

“I see. I understand.”

“As you get used to it, you might tend to give cues at the same spot. At such times, try to vary the timing. It’ll gradually become more enjoyable.”

“Got it.”

If Berett, being the serious person he is, can handle it well.

Now, leaving Lewis and Nero to Berett… As for Ashera…

“Aldo, let’s have tea together.”

I got caught by Olivia, Faristea, and Anna-sensei.

As the host, I couldn’t neglect them, especially since Olivia is the daughter of Count Sandra, Faristea is an elf diplomat’s daughter, and Anna-sensei? Well.

“Come on, sit down, Aldo.”

“Thank you.”

“We were just talking about Aldo.”

“Aldo is busy.”

“Finally, we can talk.”

“I haven’t neglected you intentionally, but I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ve become friends with Faristea and Anna-sensei, so it’s fine.”

“That’s good.”

“Well, I’d like to get along with Marl and Ashera too if possible.”

Anna-sensei’s suggestion was fine with Marl, but Ashera realized she had few female friends.

(It’s not a bad idea to get to know different people and broaden your horizons…)

“Understood. I’ll talk to Ashera and Marle.”

“But Aldo and Ashera-sama being engaged… you seemed quite close, even dancing together on their 10th birthday…”

“Olivia, have you known Ashera and Marl for a long time?”

“I attended Aldo and Elphus-sama’ 10th birthday party.”

“I see. Were Ashera and Aldo engaged back then?”

“No, it was about half a year ago, due to a small incident.”

“Half a year ago? Just before entering the academy, right?”

“In January of this year… or was it February officially?”

“I see… I’d really like to hear about that incident.”

“That’s a bit… You can ask Ashera directly for details.”

“Got it. I’m looking forward to the tea party with Ashera-sama.”

After enjoying the tea party for a while, Lewis and Nero approached.

“Aldo, does Blue Ring also have an adventurer’s guild?”

“We want to experience real combat.”

“Right, can body enhancement handle fleeing? Let’s ask father.”

I excuse myself and head to my father’s office.

“Father, it’s Aldo. I wanted to talk, so I came in.”

“…Haa, come in.”

From the other side of the door, an audible, heavy sigh could be heard. It felt like déjà vu.

“What’s wrong?”

Dad asked tiredly.

“It’s nothing major. I have a request, Father.”

“I’m scared to hear what it is.”

“It’s not that serious. I want to take on quests from the Adventurer’s Guild with Lewis and Nero.”

“Adventurers… Why?”

“There are a few reasons, but firstly, Lewis wants to become an adventurer and leave home when he turns 15. I promised Olivia that I would train him before then.”

“I see. Were you taking on guild requests in the capital?”

“I did a few quests with Noel. However, Lewis and Nero were deemed inexperienced in body strengthening, so they only registered as adventurers without taking on any quests.”

“You think it’s okay for them to that in Blue Ring?”

“I judged that their body strengthening has reached a minimum level.”

“This isn’t just because you have spare time, is it?”

“No. I’m fine with having guards accompany us.”

“Got it. I’ll consult with the knights of Sandra’s territory.”

“Understood.”

Leaving the office, I returned to Lewis.

“Lewis, it seems like my father is personally okay with it, but he wants to consult with the knights of Sandra’s territory before deciding.”

“I see. Understood.”

From then on, to be prepared for anything, I focused on training body strengthening, especially running.

As we were doing that, it was time for Ashera to go home. I escorted her home, with Tamei as the guard following at a slight distance.

“Ashera, today Olivia and Anna-sensei mentioned they’d like to invite you and Marl to a tea party.”

“A tea party… I am not really interested.”

“Well, I can understand that. However, friends of the same age are precious. It broadens your perspective, and you can discuss similar issues.”

“Hmm.”

“I won’t force you if you really don’t want to go. But if they took the trouble to invite you, maybe consider attending.”

“Understood. I’ll give it a try.”

“Good. Marl said okay when I asked earlier, so I’ll let Olivia and Anna-sensei know during dinner.”

“Got it.”

I escorted Ashera home and returned to the mansion with a somersault. Unfortunately, I couldn’t kiss her today… It’s a bit sad.

Dinner that day—

It seems that my father promptly discussed the matter with the knights of Sandra’s territory.

“Al, I talked to the knights of Sandra’s territory, and they conditionally approve of accepting quests from the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Conditions?”

“Yeah. First, they want to confirm the details of the quest and assess whether it’s reasonable.”

“Understood.”

“Next, they’ll check if the party members are acceptable.”

“Yes.”

“Lastly, one knight from Sandra’s territory and one from Blue Ring will accompany you. However, these knights won’t provide any advice or assistance during the quest.”

“Got it.”

“And well, they want to know whether you’ll go or not by the end of the previous day.”

“That makes sense.”

My father gave the green light to take on the quest.

“Lewis, Nero, my father has given the okay.”

“Yeah, I heard. Shall we go tomorrow?”

“I’m in.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

I thought my conversation with Lewis could be heard, so I addressed my father.

“Father, I think you heard, but I’d like to take on the quest tomorrow.”

“Understood. I’ll talk to the knights. Is it okay after breakfast?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

During dinner, Lewis and Nero were exuberant, like children on the day before an excursion.

After finishing dinner, I returned to my room to check my equipment for tomorrow. By the way, I wanted to ask about getting my dagger refurbished.

I returned to the living room and asked my mother about the dagger.

“Mother, I want to get my dagger refurbished. Who should I ask?”

“Well, I think you should ask Roland.”

“Understood. I’ll ask him later.”

Before asking Roland, I suddenly thought about Lewis and Nero’s equipment.

(Come to think of it, do they have equipment? In the Count Sandra’s mansion in the capital, Lewis had his own equipment, but has he brought it here? I haven’t seen Nero’s equipment at all.)

I hastily visited Lewis and Nero’s room to ask about their equipment.

“Lewis, Nero, about tomorrow’s quest, do you guys have equipment?”

“Ah, right, we forgot about that. Aldo, could you lend us some suitable equipment?”

“I don’t have any equipment.”

“Seriously…”

I judged that taking on the quest tomorrow would be impossible and informed the two.

“Lewis, Nero, you absolutely need weapons that you can handle, armor that doesn’t hinder your movements, two days’ worth of food in case something happens, and equipment like ropes and knives.”

“Isn’t just a weapon and armor enough?”

“Will it work somehow?”

“Haa, what I just said is the minimum. Tomorrow is canceled; we’ll prepare the equipment.”

“Ugh, we were just kidding. Any equipment will do. Let’s take on the quest.”

“I’m okay with bare hands.”

“This is decided. Don’t underestimate the equipment. You’ll die.”

It seems that my serious tone got through to them, and reluctantly, the two of them complied.

With sudden changes to the plan, I needed to report to my father first.

I approached the office and knocked.

“Aldo here. May I come in?”

“…Come in.”

Upon hearing my father’s voice from inside, I opened the door and entered the room. Thankfully, Roland was also present.

“Father, I apologize, but we’re canceling the quest for tomorrow.”

“Hmm? Is something wrong?”

“Lewis and Nero, it turns out, don’t have any equipment.”

“Equipment? Emergency food and knives, or something like that?”

“Everything.”

“Huh? Even weapons and armor?”

“Yes. Nero even said he’s okay with using his bare hands.”

“Bare hands…”

“Tomorrow, we plan to spend the whole day preparing the equipment.”

“Understood. Aldo, you have quite remarkable friends.”

“There’s something I’d like to discuss regarding equipment.”

“…What is it?”

“Firstly, my dagger is starting to wear out, so I was wondering if it could be refurbished.”

“Do you dislike getting a new one?”

“I’ve been using this one since the expedition at the age of 10, and it’s well accustomed to my hand.”

“I see. Roland, can you arrange it?”

“Yes. Is tomorrow after lunch fine?”

“Yeah, what should I do?”

“Well, then come to the Knights’ training ground after lunch tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

“What about the rest of the equipment?”

“I don’t think those two have any money. I thought of selecting something from the Knights’ old equipment and buying only what’s absolutely necessary. Of course, I’ll pay for any additional costs from the Knights’ old equipment.”

“Does Aldo have that much money?”

“I earned a bit from quests in the capital. I have about five gold coins. If it’s not enough, I can borrow the rest…”

“Aldo has that much money?”

“Equipment for Aldo will be provided by Blue Ring. Lewis’ equipment will be billed to the Sandra Marquis. Only Nero’s portion needs to be covered.”

“Thank you.”

“You can rely on us a bit more. I don’t want you to try to stand on your own so quickly…”

“Yes, thank you.”

I returned to Lewis and Nero’s room and conveyed the conversation with my father.

“Lewis, Nero, I’ve talked to my father.”

“What happened?”

“Tomorrow, we’ll pick out equipment from the Knights’ old stock. We’ll buy only what’s necessary for any additional items.”

“Old stock, huh…”

“I thought you didn’t have money. I asked them to give us their old equipment. Was that too much?”

“No, we appreciate it. We really don’t have money.”

“I don’t have money… I’m fine with using bare hands.”

“Blue Ring won’t provide money. I’ll personally cover it. Lewis’ equipment will be billed to the Count Sandra. Only Nero’s part needs to be paid.”

“Sorry.”

“You’re just borrowing. I’ll deduct it from the quest’s share. I’ll make sure I get it back.”

“Thank you, Aldo.”

“Sorry.”

“Both of you, decide on your combat style by tomorrow.”

“”Combat style?””

“Yeah, what weapons will you carry? Do you have spare weapons? Will you use a shield? Full plate, half-plate, leather armor? Which parts will you protect?”

“”…””

“At the very least, decide on the type of weapon, the type of spare weapon, whether or not to use a shield, and whether to dodge or endure attacks.”

“”Understood…””

“I’m open to discussions.”

From here, we discussed the combat styles of the two.

It turned out that Lewis intended to use a two-handed sword without a shield and was undecided about whether to wear heavy or light armor.

The issue lay with Nero. While he had experience in brawls, he had never engaged in serious combat before. We began discussing his weapon choice.

It seemed he admired my dual-wielding style, so we considered weapons like daggers, one-handed swords, one-handed axes, or one-handed clubs. Of course, he wouldn’t use a shield.

Tomorrow, he would physically handle these four types of weapons and make a decision.

The plan was to finalize the equipment tomorrow and take on the request the day after.