Mushoku Tensei Spanish:Chapter 132.1

Esta traducción ha sido realizada a partir de la versión inglesa encontrada en esta misma página (enlace) realizada por Vanant.

Traducido por Sergiocamjur (talk) 19:24, 14 December 2015 (UTC)

Status: Incomplete

2/5 parts completed

   

Volumen 14 Capítulo 132.1 - Los Colmillos de Mad Dog, ¿son Torpes o Afilados?

1ª Parte

En el punto más al oeste de la zona norte del continente central se encuentra la Tierra Santa de la Espada, un territorio conflictivo a lo largo de la historia.

El origen de este conflicto se debe a que, aunque actualmente estas tierras son consideradas el dojo principal del estilo del Filo Celestial; durante algunos años perteneció al Dios del Cauce, y por lo tanto se impartía principalmente el estilo del Cauce Celestial.

Este evento ocurrió hace 100 años. Entonces, los Dioses del Filo Celestial y del Cauce Celestial de entonces se batieron en duelo, y el territorio pasó a manos del vencedor, el Dios del Cauce. Años más tarde, los siguientes Dioses del Cauce y del Filo volvieron a combatir, llevando a que la Tierra Santa de la Espada volviera a manos del estilo Filo Celestial.

Desde entonces, se acordó que en cada generación, los dioses de los estilos se enfrentaran para decidir al nuevo maestro de la espada, y que el mejor espadachín del mundo enseñara su estilo hasta que alguno de sus aprendices consiguiera robarle el título en combate y convertirse así en el mejor espadachín del mundo.

Para todo espadachín, esta tierra representa un símbolo de fuerza, y por ello, todos aquellos que aspiraran a llegar a lo más alto se congregaban en este lugar, o al menos, intentaban querían visitarlo al menos una vez en la vida.

A las puertas de esta ciudad santa, 2 caras poco comunes hacen acto de presencia.

La primera es una mujer que tenía claramente más de 60 años, y aunque sus facciones eran difíciles de descifrar, su rostro conseguía calmar por algún motivo a aquellos que la observaban. Esta mujer iba vestida con ropa de viaje, pero no sería difícil imaginarla sentada en el porche de una casa en una mecedora haciendo punto; aunque una cosa en su atuendo contrastaba con esa idea.

Al cinto llevaba una espada corta.

Viendo este hecho, uno podría darse cuenta de que su postura y forma de moverse no dejaban huecos en su defensa; todos los espadachines experimentados que se fijaran en ella, sabrían que no habría forma de impactarla.

Esta mujer se trataba en realidad de la Diosa del Cauce, Reida Liia; que tras perfeccionar Filo de la Penuria la técnica definitiva del Cauce Celestial se convirtió en una de las espadachines más fuertes de este tiempo.

La persona que le acompañaba era una joven de unos 20 años aproximadamente; sus facciones guardaban similitud con Reida. Y al igual que esta, también iba vestida con ropa de viaje y con una espada en su cintura.

"Gran Shishou-sama, ¿es esta la Tierra Santa de la Espada?"

"Vaya si lo es... ¿No querías venir? Pues aquí lo tienes, el hogar de las bestias salvajes."

"Estoy nerviosa."

"Deberías confiar más en tus habilidades. Siempre y cuando tu rival no sea el Dios del Filo, no deberías temer a nadie de aquí."

"Gracias, gran Shishou-sama."

Charlando tranquilamente, dieron un paso al frente y se adentraron en la Tierra Santa de las Espadas.

Lo primero que vieron, es que contrario al nombre, parecía una ciudad como otra cualquiera; tenía una posada, una armería y hasta un gremio de aventureros; y tanto aventureros como comerciantes paseaban tranquilamente por las calles. Aunque la diferencia principal estaba en el resto de aldeanos de a pie, que todos, incluidas las mujeres de este lugar, conocían y luchaban usando el estilo del Filo Celestial; y todos ellos tenían brazos bien desarrollados, superando incluso a aventureros experimentados.

"¿Reservamos posada?"

"No hay necesidad; simplemente pasaremos la noche en casa del pequeño Gull."

Continuando por las calles de la ciudad, Reida siguió adentrándose en esta.

Conforme se alejaban del centro, el número de mercaderes y aventureros iba disminuyendo hasta que casi todas las personas que encontraban por el lugar eran espadachines armados con espadas de madera y ropas ligeras entrenando en los distintos dojos de la ciudad.

Para la joven que acompañaba a Reida, la escena fue bastante novedosa y miraba de un lado para otro, llamándole especialmente la atención lo poco abrigados que iban casi todos en una estampa nevada.

"Gran Shishou-sama. ¿Por qué si tienen frío, los habitantes de este lugar llevan ropas tan ligeras?"

"Eso es porque los espadachines del Filo Celestial si no pueden moverse con facilidad y rapidez no valen para nada. Por eso, aunque haga frío, no pueden ponerse nada que les impida el movimiento como un abrigo."

"Vaya, son completamente opuestos a nosotros, que llevamos ropas pesadas incluso cuando hace calor. Qué interesante, ¿no le parece?"

"No especialmente."

Sin prestarle importancia al paisaje ni a quienes le rodeaban, Reida continuó avanzando por el sendero.

Llegó un punto que ya no había ni dojos, ni casas ni personas a su alrededor, sino que todo eso había desaparecido; quedando únicamente un camino que partía el paisaje como si fuera un valle entre 2 cordilleras nevadas. Y al final del sendero, se encontraba una casa junto a un dojo enorme rodeado por murallas.

Y ese era el lugar que de verdad constituía la Tierra Santa de la Espada.

Se trataba del dojo principal del estilo del Filo Celestial.

2ª Parte

Justo cuando Reida y su acompañante llegaron a la entrada principal del enorme dojo, se encontraron a una mujer saliendo del recinto.

La joven, tenía el pelo recogido en una coleta y tenía una postura bastante solemne; en sus brazos llevaba un cubo, que indicaba que había salido en dirección al pozo para sacar algo de agua. En cuando vio a la pareja de recién llegadas, no tardó ni un segundo en ponerse a la defensiva, lanzar el cubo a un lado y poner su mano en la empuñadura de la espada que llevaba en el cinto.

"¡¿Quiénes sois y a qué habéis venido?!"

Reida se mostró algo seria, pero al fijarse más detenidamente, llegó incluso a sonreír a la mujer en actitud amenazante.

"Vaya, eres Nina, ¿no es así? Cuánto has crecido..."

"...¿?"

Las palabras de Reida desconcertaron a la mujer.

"Ahh... No te acuerdas de mí, ¿no es así? Supongo que es normal, ya que la última vez que nos vimos eras muy pequeña."

Aunque Reida actuaba y hablaba de forma nostálgica; la joven y ahora mujer, Nina Farion no era capaz de recordar de quién se trataba. Para ella, la mujer que tenía delante era una extraña que claramente sabía manejarse con la espada y que su acompañante era, como mínimo, tan fuerte como ella.

"He venido porque me ha llamado vuestro jefe, así que si fueras tan amable, ¿podrías llevarnos ante él?"

"¿Jefe?"

"Gull Farion."

Aun escuchando sus palabras, Nina continuó titubeando.

El motivo de este hecho es que eran varios los espadachines que venían a conocer al Dios del Filo Gull Farion; pero muchos de ellos eran simples espadachines mediocres y egocéntricos que simplemente venían a molestar con duelos estúpidos con la intención de quedarse el título de Dios del Filo.

Tanto Nina como el resto se habían auto-impuesto la obligación de echar a estos indeseables que solo venían a perturbar sus entrenamientos.

"Disculpe mi actitud, ¿pero sería tan amable de decirme su nombre?"

"Es Reida. Soy Reida Liaa. Imagino que serás capaz de entender quién soy solo por ese nombre, ¿no es así?"

"¡! ¡Por supuesto! Por aquí, por favor."

Fue escuchar el nombre de la recién llegada y Nina no tardó en calmar su postura, y hacerle una reverencia antes de guiarla hasta donde se encontraba el Dios del Filo.

Después de todo, en este mundo nadie se atrevería a presentarse como Reida Liia en este lugar, salvo la Diosa del Cauce Celestial. Siendo Reida y Reidar los nombres que deben aceptar los que alcanzan ese rango como dicta la tradición.

Y aunque algunas personas le otorgan este nombre a sus hijos, y Nina llegó a dudar por un instante de la veracidad de sus palabras; esta duda desapareció al sentir la potente presión proveniente de la anciana tenía delante. Así que aunque fuera una impostora, estaba claro que poseía como mínimo un enorme talento y habilidad con la espada.

Segundos después, Nina las guiaba por el dojo del estilo del Filo Celestial, donde pudieron quitarse la nieve de sus indumentarias y zapatos hasta adentrarse en el edificio cubierto con un suelo de madera que crujía a su paso.

Mientras caminaban, Reida examinó de arriba a abajo a Nina.

"Aunque todavía eres joven y algo inocente, tienes un buen porte. Dime, Nina, ¿has alcanzado ya el título de Reina del Filo?"

"No, todavía no estoy a la altura."

"Ya veo. Eres honesta para ser la más poderosa de los jóvenes de este sitio."

"Es posible que sea la más rápida, pero no la más poderosa."

"Ojooo. Es una buena actitud. Tan buena que me cuesta creer que seas una aprendiz del Filo Celestial."

Mientras charlaban animadamente, las 3 mujeres llegaron a la sala principal del dojo, el Espacio Presente.

En ese lugar había un hombre en solitario, con los ojos cerrados como si estuviera meditando; y en su cabeza, Reida, pudo ver un movimiento suave y rápido de Gull Farion, Dios del Filo Celestial, clavándole una espada en la garganta.

Por supuesto, Gull no se había movido en absoluto, pero para Reida, el desenlace de un duelo entre ambos era evidente.

Por mucho que fuera la Diosa del Cauce Celestial, y una de las 3 figuras principales de las técnicas de lucha con espada de este mundo. Lo único que era incapaz de bloquear eran los ataques de este hombre-

"Ha llegado Leida Liia-sama."

"Así que vino..."

Gull Farion abrió ligeramente sus ojos para observar a Leida; también observó de reojo a la chica que la acompañaba, pero no tardó en perder el interés y volver a observar a la Diosa del Cauce.

"Has recorrido un largo camino, no te esperaba aun. Ese cuerpo decrépito tuyo no está para recorrer mundo."

"Y tanto... Aunque viendo que llegaste incluso a bajar de ese pedestal tuyo para pedirme un favor, no me pude resistir a venir a descubrir el motivo. Un momento que me siente... mejor así."

Leida se acercó hasta el Dios del Filo y se sentó frente a él. Y por mucho que pareciera que le había costado sentarse, en realidad sus movimientos eran fluidos como un riachuelo recorriendo un valle.

Nina por su parte se colocó a unos metros detrás de Leida junto a la joven que la acompañaba.

"Bueno, ¿a quién quieres que enseñe y qué exactamente? ¿Acaso quieres que le enseñe a esa chica los secretos del Cauce Celestial?"

Reida hizo un gesto con la barbilla señalando a Nina mientras le preguntaba al Dios del Filo.

"Bueno, parece que es una chica tranquila. Así que por mucho que tenga un buen físico para el Filo Celestial, es probable que tenga madera para manejar el Cauce Celestial."

La Diosa del Cauce había recibido una carta escueta del Dios del Filo que le pedía que viniera a la Tierra Santa de la Espada, pero lo único que sabía del motivo era que quería que adiestrara a uno de sus discípulos.

Por lo general, una petición tan egoista como esa habría sido descartada en el acto, pero hablamos del egocéntrico Gull Farion, Dios del Filo Celestial. Alguien como él, jamás le pediría un favor a nadie, por lo que sintió curiosidad sobre qué le habría hecho cambiar de opinión.

Aun así, Reida no habría venido desde la capital del reino de Asura solo por simple curiosidad.

"No obstante, quiero una cosa a cambio."

"¿El qué?"

"Igual que tú, también me gustaría ayudar a crecer a mi discípulo, por eso quiero que organices un combate entre ella y un usuario del Filo Celestial. Solo eso, no hay necesidad de que la entrenes."

A Reida le apenaba muchísimo que su discípulo hubiera desarrollado una gran arrogancia.

Es cierto que en Asura muchos espadachines entrenan el estilo Cauce Celestial, pero pocos son los que desarrollan en gran medida su habilidad o poseen talento. La joven que la acompañaba era una de los pocos que poseía ambas características, pero al no tener rival entre el resto de discípulos, su ego había crecido demasiado.

Entrenaba seriamente, pero la falta de una meta en la vida o un rival habían llevado a que su discípulo no se desarrollara lo necesario.

La idea con la que la había hecho acompañarla era para romperle la burbuja y enseñarle que hay siempre alguien mejor, para así estimular de nuevo su desarrollo. Y si ninguno de los aprendices del Filo Celestial era capaz de calmar su ego, un simple combate contra el propio Gull Farion sería suficiente para abrirle los ojos.

Después de todo, para los aprendices del Cauce Celestial, cuanto más fuerte es el adversario, más se aprende.

Además, Reida se pensaba que Gull Farion la había llamado con una idea similar en mente. El pequeño Gull quería que su discípulo combatiera contra un discípulo del Cauce Celestial y viera sus flaquezas para continuar avanzando.

"That's fine. It's a cheap price to pay."

"Huhun. In that case, shall we have our disciples fight a bout?"

Reyda took the initiative and spoke those words. The aim behind those words was to have Nina take her disciple down a notch. Though it would also be fine to have the Sword God fight her, Reyda thought that being humbled by someone of the same generation would be more frustrating.

"That's fine. Nina, call Eris here."

"...Understood."

Seeing that exchange, Reyda went [Oh?] and tilted her head. Since meeting her at the entrance earlier, Reyda had thought that Nina would be the one she'd be training.

"Um, Shisho."

"What is it? Hurry up and bring her here."

"That is, would it be possible if I participated as well? I'm interested in how far the Water God goes, so..."

"Hah? I was gunna have you do that from the start."

The Sword God Gull Farion nodded at her request like it was a bother.

"Thank you very much! I'll immediately bring Eris here."

Hearing his response, for just an instant a happy expression appeared on Nina's face, and then she bowed. She then left the dojo.

Part 2

The moment she saw that girl, Reyda's skin broke out in goose bumps.

It was almost like the feeling of encountering a monster on the roadside. She almost reflexively moved her hand to her sword. That she didn't do such an unsightly thing was for no reason other than the fact that her own disciple had moved first. The disciple openly displayed her vigilance by moving her hand to her sword, a movement unfitting of a Water God Style exponent, who was supposed to always remain composed.

"Eris. This granny is the person who'll be teaching you about the Water God Style from now on."

"...I'll be in your care."

Eris didn't hide the displeasure on her face, but she bowed.

(She's like a wild beast, huh...)

Reyda could sense violent emotions like that of a hungry beast, sleeping in the depths of Eris's eyes. Even if she taught a person with such emotions the defensive Water God Style, they wouldn't be able to learn it. A person like that wouldn't have knocked on the doors of the Water God Style in the first place.

"I'm sorry, but Gull-boy, this lass isn't suitable for the Water God Style you know. It'd be a waste of time."

"I already understand something like that."

Sword God Gull Farion nodded exaggeratedly.

"In that case, what is it that I'm supposed to teach?"

"I don't want you to teach her anything. It's fine as long as you give her an opponent of the Water God Style."

From their exchange, Reyda had grasped Sword God Gull Farion's objective. In other words, he wanted the girl called Eris to practice and learn 『ways of coping with the Water God Style』. However, Reyda couldn't understand why he wanted this. Certainly, it wouldn't be a loss to gain experience in dealing with those of the Sword God Style. However, there was no need to call her all the way out here for such a thing. As long as it was a talented disciple of the Sword God Style, it wouldn't be that hard for them to let loose a slash at a speed faster than the reaction time of an average Water God Stylist.

Rather than learning the techniques of the Water God Style, for a North God Stylist it would probably be a better countermeasure to simply hone their own techniques. After all, unlike the Water God Style that couldn't be learned properly without a fitting opponent, the Sword God Style was a style that focused on taking the initiative and speedily grasping victory, regardless of the opponent.

To gain experience in fighting the Water God Style specifically suggests that he plans at some point to have her fight someone of the Water God Style, thought Reyda. And there was only one Water God Stylist who the Sword God didn't think could be won against without going to such lengths.

"What, are you planning on having this beast assassinate me or something?"

"Goodness, no. What use would there be in killing an old lady who would croak on her own?"

"In that case, tell me what you're thinking. Why do you need me to teach her the Water God Style? Just who on earth is she planning to fight?"

At these words, the Sword God made a broad and vicious grin.

"Eris over there wants to defeat the Dragon God Orsted."

"Goodness... Orsted?"

Reyda's face showed great agitation. She too, knew very well of that personage. She too knew of his strength and that, for some reason, he could use the techniques of the Water God Style.

"The Dragon God? That's quite a grandiose attitude you're taking. Do you think she can do it?"

"I think she can. Eris does too."

"I see, I see. That's fine then. Self-confidence is more important than anything."

She didn't know if he was lying or telling the truth. Saying that they wanted to take down the 『Dragon God』, second of Seven Major World Powers, could be seen as nothing but a joke. However, the Sword God had a confident expression, and Eris was making a face like it was natural, and together they had a strange persuasiveness to them.

Additionally, Reyda thought nothing except that it'd be interesting if they did it for real.

"But you know, Sword God. I haven't the faintest intention of teaching someone with no talent. First have her fight a bout with my student, and if she's strong enough to overwhelm her, then I don't mind teaching her this or that."

It was killing two birds with one stone. No, it was killing three birds, she thought. Her student would have her arrogance crushed, and gain experience in fighting with the Sword God Style. If she somehow won, then it'd just have been participating in something funny and amusing. At such prospects, her heart leaps. Though Reyda was of the Water God Style, she was first and foremost a swordswoman.

"That's how it is, Isolte. Have a round with her."

The Water God's disciple. The woman called Isolte stood up.

"I was listening to your conversation. I am the 『Water King』 Isolte Cruel. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

At that, Nina and Eris did as well. They faced Isolte.

"I'm the 『Sword Saint』 Nina Farion. I'll be in your care."

"...Eris Greyrat."

[Three women make a market.] Though there was a saying like that, it didn't fit these three, and each one of took a wooden sword from the corner of the dojo.

"Since Shisho says so, I'll abide, but... I don't think that someone of the Saint rank would be able to overpower me."

With her hand to her mouth, Isolte mumbled as if only Reyda could hear her.

"...That's true. Please go easy on me," said Nina.

"Hmph..."

Eris snorted.

Isolte's cheap provocations easily stirred up the Sword God Style genius who was easily fired up.

Part 3

One hour later, Eris was collapsed in the dead centre of the dojo.

"Haa... Haa..."

Her eyes opened, and her breathing was wild. She had been completely beaten down by Isolte. Eris's sword hadn't touched Isolte even once.

Eris's sword boasted a speed that was in the top 10 even in this dojo. Because of her solo practice swings, her swings boasted speed and strength that approached Ghyslaine's, and because of the rhythm particular to her, it was difficult evading even one of her strikes. Furthermore, once the techniques of the North God Style were added in, Eris's strength far surpassed any ordinary Sword Saint.

However, Isolte had completely parried all of Eris's strikes, and met her with counters. Only 30 minutes into the match, were they using real swords, the number of times Eris would have died approached three digits.

"..."

Next to Eris lay Isolte. After Eris's defeat, the one who overwhelmed the triumphant Isolte was Nina.

[In the end, a savage style with only speed and power like the Sword God Style can never break through the techniques of the refined Water God Style.]

Nina easily crushed Isolte's conceited thoughts.

Nina's strike flew at Isolte without mercy, and as if sucked in, struck her in the temple. The result was that Isolte was thoroughly defeated. It only took one strike.

"The result was pretty interesting, huh."

The one who said that was the one sitting at the head seat of the dojo, Sword God Gull Farion.

"..."

Nina gave a deep bow to the Sword God. He had said that it was an interesting result. He had probably not thought that she would win, even until the end. Though Nina had some discouraging thoughts like that, having been given the type of setting that allowed her to show her growth, Nina was happy as well. Nina too, enjoyed the feelings of victory.

"The result wasn't interesting or anything else."

The one who said this was Reyda. To her, this conclusion was natural. A beast that didn't even try to conceal its bloodlust was like a sitting duck to the Water God Style. Eris was certainly strong. She had potential. As a bundle of fighting spirit, she was like a heaven sent child when it came to battles, but even so, she couldn't defeat the Water God Style.

As for the fight between Nina and Isolte, the result of this too, was obvious to Reyda. Even at that age, with that much ability, Nina wasn't conceited. It was probably that because of that Eris girl that Nina had no room to become conceited. The result of training without being conceited was that she was able to defeat Isolte, who on the contrary trained with conceit.

Comparing Nina's slashes to Eris's, they weren't especially fast. On the contrary, they were just a tiny bit slower. When it came to the heaviness of their strikes, Eris's ability to overwhelm was probably higher.

However, Nina's strike was a strike that wasn't fuelled by her emotions. There was no bloodlust at all; without even preparing her emotions, a single strike. Let alone bloodlust, Isolte couldn't even sense any intent to strike.

"However, the results were satisfactory, weren't they? How about it? Do you want to learn Water God techniques from me?"

Being asked that, Nina showed that she was thinking about it for a little, but in the end, she shook her head.

"No, I intend to master the Sword God Style."

"I see, I see. That's fine."

Reyda laughed with interest.

"Gull-boy. How about this? For a while we'll have these three train with each other, and have them improve themselves together."

"Yeah. She probably has nothing to say, losing to someone like a Water King."

"Our kid as well might become hardworking again if she has a target right above her."

The result of the discussion between the Sword God and Water God was as follows:

Eris would train until she could defeat Isolte. Isolte would train until she could defeat Nina. As they had the same goal in mind, and would point out each other's weak points, some growth could probably be expected. It was that kind of conclusion.

"...Nina, are you fine with this?"

"I'm fine with it."

Nina nodded. Certainly, she had only gotten involved this time out of curiosity. Bettering herself with the best disciple of the Sword God Style would probably be a plus for her as well. Nina had won. However, Nina didn't feel that Isolte or Eris were below her. Furthermore, she understood the benefits of competing firsthand; had Eris not been here these past few years, she probably couldn't have won against Isolte, she thought.

"Alright. I guess that's how we'll be doing it. In the morning follow your own teacher as usual, and then once the sun starts to fall, the three of you gather and train together."

"Yes."

"...Got it."

Nina nodded silently, and Eris as well answered as well while still prone. Though Isolte lay unconscious, Reyda had no intention of voicing any complaints.

Like this, Eris's Anti-Water God Style training began.

Part 4

One month later.

A strange three way deadlock had formed.

Eris beat Nina.

Nina beat Isolte.

Isolte beat Eris.

While each of them would still do their own training, each day they would face each other a number of times, exchanging their opinions. Isolte immediately pinpointed Eris's weakness.

"You let out too much killing intent, Eris-san. We of the Water God Style can read killing intent, so if we know an attack is coming, we can prepare our stance."

"Even if you tell me that, I don't get it. Just what am I supposed to do?"

Eris obediently listened to Isolte's words. Though she was as self-centered and violent as she seemed, Eris was a person who coveted ways to strengthen herself.

"Let's see... Though you let out almost no killing intent before you strike, Nina-san, how do you do it?"

"Even if you ask me how... Since you'll win as long as your sword is the faster one, there's no need for stuff like bloodlust, right?"

On the contrary, it was a mystery to Nina why Eris was at all times, spilling bloodlust everywhere.

[If there's no enemy, what's the point getting so worked up? Wouldn't it be better to be relaxed normally?]

Nina's thoughts were along these lines.

"I don't get it." spoke Eris.

"Let's see. Then how about making it a daily habit to get in the bath, wash your body, eat properly, and to think about that beloved guy that you mentioned while lying in a warm futon before sleeping properly?"

"What the heck. Rudeus has nothing to do with it, right?"

"Yeah... Geez, the last one was a joke. Anyway, just do the above. You stink, and you look ill, and it's really unsightly."

"...Got it."

Eris herself didn't want to stretch herself so much that she would snap. The more she trained, the more she understood that the Dragon God Orsted in her memories held ludicrous power. Isolte who was just in front of her used the same techniques as Orsted did. However, those were techniques far, far greater and more precise than Isolte's. The outsider Orsted surpassed the Water King in these techniques.

"Hahhh, why can't I win against such a person? I'll lose my confidence."

Nina let out a huge sigh. At the advice of the Sword God, Gull Farion, she spent every day continuing a rational training programme. She rationally trained her body, rationally ate meals, and spent each day rationally. Despite all this, she couldn't win against the clearly irrational Eris.

"...Because I make it so that it's like you move after."

"Eh?"

Nina hadn't thought that Eris would ever say anything to her. Eris was self-centered and someone who normally wouldn't care about anyone else's problems after all.

"It was something that Ruijerd taught me. If you use stuff like your gaze, you can make people move before you like they move after you."

"Ruijerd... Who's that?"

"He's my teacher."

Nina tilted her head at Eris's words. She didn't really understand what Eris was saying.

What Eris normally used was a high-level technique that Ruijerd taught her. As the crystallization of something that hardened combat veterans would subconsciously do, it was one of the techniques of the warriors of the Supard Race.

"In other words, you intentionally provoke your opponent's attacks, Eris-san?"

"That's right."

"..."

At Isolte's explanation, Nina understood Eris's words as well. Though she understood, as expected it didn't make it any less suspicious sounding, and Nina stared at Eris in suspicion. She hadn't thought that this woman, who looked exactly like she was born and bred in the mountains, would be able to use such a high-level technique.

On the contrary, Isolte understood that this was exactly what Eris was doing. The school known as the Water God Style was one that was primarily seated in counters. Its techniques as well were founded around the basis of making the opponent move first.

"I see. Do you do this as well when you have me as an opponent?"

"I do, but you don't move, do you?"

"I've undergone training for that after all... Next time, try not to do that, or let out killing intent and the result might be a little different for all we know."

"...I'll give it a try."

Whilst frowning, Eris nodded. Though she said she would try it, she didn't know how she was supposed to control her killing intent. After all, it wasn't something conscious that she could take control of. Of course, this was something she had been told by others many times already. However, Ruijerd had taught Eris ways to use that overflowing bloodlust instead, so it wasn't something that she wanted to hear.

[Though normally it'd be a demerit, as long as you're far enough above others, then there's no need to forcibly keep it in check.]

It was along this line of thinking.

"What should I do? Hey, Isolte-san, what do you do?"

"...For you, Nina-san, let's see, in the Water God Style we have training where you're deprived of your sight and are made to determine the real attack but... since I've heard that it's a battle technique that Magic Races often use, the Sword God Style should have its own way of coping with it as well, I think. How about asking your Oshishou-sama about it?"

Isolte had both excellence and cleverness. Amongst the swordsmen of the Water God Style, there were many diligent and persevering people.

"Phew, it won't go very well... Oh, the sun's about to set, isn't it?"

With those words, Nina ended the study session.

"Well then, until tomorrow, huh? ...Somehow, it's been fun lately, so it can't be helped that we do this for so long. It's my first time having discussions with people of my level and age, after all." Isolte said, cheerfully.

"That's true. It's the same for me, Isolte-san."

Nina agreed. Though Eris was normally silent, once she spoke to her, she found that Eris's knowledge on combat was broad and varied. Her knowledge wasn't limited just to the North God techniques that she had recently been learning, but also included the techniques of the Magic Race. Though she had given Nina the impression of being an incomprehensible monkey woman, Nina was now reevaluating her true worth. It wasn't that she was using uncivilized techniques, but just techniques of a different school, Nina thought.

"...Hmph."

Eris was the same as always. Normally, even if she participated in study sessions at the word of the Sword God, she didn't voice her own opinions.

What Eris recalled at those times was the distant past: the times when she studied swordsmanship together with Rudeus. In those days, she had done this kind of thing as well with Rudeus, they discussed this and that, and various ideas popped up as well. It was something that Rudeus did. Though it was for this kind of simple and easily understood reason, to Eris it was an extremely important reason, and made her communicate with others.

"Well then, I'll be going and training with Shisho now."

"Thank you for today as well, Isolte-san."

"Not at all, Nina-san. I feel the same way. It's the truth that I'm steadily getting stronger as well."

Where the road separated into paths leading to the dorms and the guest area, Nina and Isolte spoke their farewells with smiles. Eris continued walking briskly towards the dormitories.

"Thank you as well, Eris-san."

"...I'll get a hit in tomorrow."

"I'll look forward to it."

"Hmph."

Without glancing back, Eris continued to walk. Nina bowed once to Isolte and then caught up to Eris.

"Eris, it's fine if you keep training after this but, once you're done, at least take a bath!"

Was it the usual Eris, she would've turned a deaf ear to these words. Nina as well thought that it was a waste of breath, but stinky things stank, so she had no choice but to continue saying this every day. However, Eris was different today. While making a slightly unhappy expression, she turned her head and stared intensely at Nina.

"What you said earlier, was it for real?"

"Earlier? What did I say?"

"That if every day I get in the bath, wash my body, eat properly, and think about Rudeus while lying in a warm futon before sleeping properly, I'll be able to get rid of my bloodlust."

"Uu..."

Nina's words were caught in her throat. Those were just random words she had spouted out to get Eris to do as she wanted. However, there was no mistake that [mushin] could be born from relaxing. That's why she carried through with this idea.

"T-, that's right. In general, if you're as smelly as you are now, that guy you mentioned definitely won't turn your way, you know."

"No, he would, you know. Rudeus would always hug my sweat-drenched shirts after all."

"That's..."

While recalling Rudeus who she had only ever seen once, Nina imagined him burying his face in a girl's sweaty shirt.

[He's just a pervert.]

However, seeing that Eris's expression was quickly becoming displeased, Nina didn't say this.

"Anyway, I've heard that if you're too dirty, even men will start to hate you."

"Well, Rudeus really didn't slack off on cleaning, huh."

"T-, that's right! That's why you should make sure to always keep your body clean."

Eris started to think. What she recalled was Rudeus. Though she had thought not to think about him, she lost focus and ended up remembering him. Once she remembered him, her mouth started to spread into a happy smile.

Then, Eris noticed. That when she was like this, she probably didn't have any bloodlust.

So then, she nodded at Nina.

"I get it. I'll go have a bath then."

"Yeah, I knew you'd say that. I get it already, so I'll just give up on tr-... What did you just say?"

Eris didn't respond to that question and returned to her room.

With a confused expression, Nina stood stock-still.

------

It took another year from that point for Eris to be able to fight at least on par with Water King Isolte.

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