Year 7445, Month 10, Day 15
After introducing father and the other squires from Bakuddo to everyone, in the afternoon father and the others started on their trip back to Bakuddo. All of the members of the {Slaughterers} are employees of Greed Company so putting aside the parents of the founder, it's necessary for them to get familiar with important business clients. In the worst case if something were to happen to me right now brother would end up inheriting Greed Company after all.
After that, when the members of the {Butchers}, {Exterminators}, and {Slaughterers} all moved together, I discussed the fact that I had established several gateway tests.
"..In regards to the threshold for the marathon, but I think rather than making it one of us it should be an average time."
Bel offered her opinion right away. I see now.
"What's average mean?"
"Like I would know."
"It has the meaning of in the middle."
"Is that so?"
"..The speed that Rokko-san and Kevin-san can run at is different right. The speed which is just in the middle of between Rokko-san and Kevin-san is average, and that's how it's used. If we increase the numbers then we add the speeds of everyone together then divide it by the number of people and we'll understand the middle speed for everyone."
Rodrick was explaining to the members of {Butchers} and {Exterminators}. Sorry for troubling you.
"Yeah, and, I intend to do the screening on our next break so with that intention. Just remember the standard is the current members. It's a test for only those who want to take it. There's three subjects. A stamina test, a skill test, and a cooperation test. After that, there's a couple members that absolutely can't be removed from the {Slaughterers} as well."
After I said that far I looked around at everyone. No one is saying anything while waiting for me to speak.
"First off, me. And then there's Gwine who helps out with producing the map. I won't let these two be moved. Although, I might end up going to both the {Butchers} and {Exterminators} from here on out. The only two who I have absolutely no intention of moving around is just these two. It doesn't matter who you challenge of the remaining members. However.."
I thought I could hear the sound of everyone gulping.
"The only ones who can designate a person as a challenger are just those who have passed the stamina test first. The time that will act as a standard we'll measure today after this right now so the members of the {Slaughterers} should remain here. Ah, it's fine for Zenom and Gwine to skip out. Anyone who passes the stamina test gains the right to designate someone to challenge. The person who's been challenged can't run from it. And, then. What I'll have you do there isn't a practice match."
Everyone made slightly confused expressions. Just a moment ago I said practice "battle" after all. But, a practice match is no good. In the end you can't get serious against another person and can't use magic at full power.
"I'm going to have you fight against ogres on the 7th floor. The next time we enter the dungeon we'll take the challengers along to the 7th floor. Listen well, it's still a part of the test on our way there. I'll be watching your cooperation and such. And then I'll have the challenger and the challenged fight three one on one matches against ogres on the 7th floor. Fundamentally the one who takes less total time wins. I think it'll take a reasonable amount of time to find just the right one to fight, but well, if we have two days that should be plenty."
Several people were already making expressions as if they had given up. No wait, isn't that only obvious? We're aiming for the 8th floor and beyond. How are you going to manage if you can't even deal with an ogre?
"If you can use magic then obviously it's fine if you use it and it's fine for you to use any weapons as well. However, poison is not allowed. If you need help I'll intervene right away so you can relax. Though you'll fail at that point. Well~ as long as you don't die instantly I'll save you."
There was just a bit of laughing.
"Also, one more thing. If you have a partner then it's fine for you to team up with them as well. For example if other than yourself, there's one more person you by all means want to join together with, if that person agrees as well then it's fine to challenge as a two person or three person group as well. In that case, the ones being challenged will be a two person group as well though. If you want to think it would be best to form a group of front line attacker and rear support, then feel free to do that.
Ah, and after that, for the time being I don't think there's much meaning to it, but {Sooner}, rather, if there's someone who wants to go from the {Exterminators} to the {Butchers} then that's fine as well. I'll change the assessment method a bit so if there's anyone who wants to do that just let me know."
After saying that I told everyone they could break up. However, no one was leaving and they were just talking with other members in the area.
If they have time then maybe I should get them to help out with observing the measurements?
It would help to prove that there was no unfairness as well.
"Zulu, Angela. Before you go to Boil Manor return to your inn and get some towels and a change of clothes."
..................
It was the right answer to remove Zenom and Gwine from the marathon.
In the first place dwarves are slow at running.
Even then I think Gwine who's continued with the running is considerably better but she's still no comparison to the Elf Toris and Rabbit-person Bel. Recently even Basutoral has been faster than her.
Also, I decided to avoid running as well.
I mean if I were to seriously run it would have quite a bit of influence on the average time after all.
Obviously there's no culturally convenient tool like a stopwatch that exists so it's just measuring the rough time with a clock magic tool.
The course is our usual running course.
We'll depart from Boil Manor, run up to the summit of the outer crater from the West, then descend from the Eastern road down the outer crater and return to the Boil Manor again like that.
The overall distance should be around 20 km I guess?
There's no way to accurately measure the distance.
I think it's roughly around a half-marathon?
On the days I can I'm always running this course.
Recently I think I can cover it in about 2 hours or so?
According to Miduchi, there's a steep incline ascending up the hills of about 12% or so along the way and the condition of the roads are bad as well.
Even our shoes are badly made rubber sandals.
I think it's plenty to think that far.
"It's fine to collapse when you return. Run as fast as you can to at least that extent. Since this time will end up being the barrier after all. Make sure you raise the hurdle higher."
We return to Boil Manor and in front of the members of the {Slaughterers} who are wearing sandals and light clothing when I arrogantly gave that lecture Rokko said, "Is Al not intending to run?" I have him and Kamu, the two of them checking the times. Though I say that it's a simple job of just patting Kamu on the shoulder whenever someone reaches the goal point to check the clock magic tool.
Everyone else has long since split up to various locations along the ascent, the summit, and in the middle of the town on the way back.
We should be able to start in another 10 minutes or so.
"..That's right. Al you should run as well."
Ralpha said with her arms crossed while stretching herself. She's grinning.
"No way! Ah, but it might be good to do that."
While stretching Bel said that with a smile of deeper meaning on her face...Mu, they aren't jiggling much. Come to think of it didn't Miduchi say they found a store that sells something like a sports bra.
"..It can't be helped~ But it's fine not to include my time in the calculation. It's a record just for reference."
Ralpha and Bel made slightly disappointed faces. I've already seen through you.
If you want to prevent being forced to switch parties then run like your lives depend on it.
Well, it might be interesting for me to try running at my full speed with none of my usual weights on in a light condition as well.
....................
My time was 55 minutes and 30 seconds. It was quite a bit faster than I thought. I made full use(intended to) of my unbelievably high status that would normally require being over level 80(since there's times when Speed and Endurance have increased by 2). Furthermore there's mountains and valleys, rocks laying all over the path of the road and it's uneven, very rarely there's even some mud so it's close to the worst state possible. If it was on a neatly paved level surface on Earth it would probably be an absurd record breaking that's less than 2 decimals places.
Uppu..I feel like I'm going to throw up.
Even trying to do the mental concentration required to control my mana and create mana feels extremely exhausting.
If I push myself it's not like I can't do it though..Ah~ it's been quite a while, this irritating sensation of not being able to use magic.
..I'd like to just be left alone for a short while.
...........Fu.
.......Uffuffu.
..Zulu, that day three years ago, I couldn't overtake you.
Though I already knew that I had passed you quite a while back...
Since I started carrying weights as well right away and gradually increased the amount it didn't seem all that different from usual. I felt like I would have gotten depressed if I took off the weights and there wasn't much of a difference at all so I hadn't tested it out. But...
Fu~ I've finally..relaxed a bit.
"I'm going to take a shower.."
I said in a mutter to Kamu and Rokko before dragging myself into Boil Manor, rolling into the shower room, taking off my clothes drenched in sweat, and then sitting down on the floor of the shower room under the water.
After bathing in water from the top of my head, I was finally able to catch my breath.
I quickly washed away the sweat and for the time being returned to my room with just a towel around my waist to change into some new clothes.
I wonder if it's still just Rokko and Kamu waiting in front of Boil Manor?
Or else, I wonder if it's about time for someone else to have arrived?
I stop by Miduchi's room and after filling a bag with a towel and some random clothes returned to the front.
Miduchi had already arrived.
Her light purple skin was bright red from the blood rushing to her head and she was drenched in sweat as her hands were on her knees.
I poured a bit of lukewarm water over Miduchi and then put a large towel over her head.
"Good work. I brought a change of clothes for you. Go and take a shower."
Miduchi was still breathing heavily while leaning against me.
"Can..Cant move..B"
"B?"
"..Carr..Carry..on..back..holding.."
"Go on your own.."
She was faking as if she was about to throw up...
After giving her the bag with her change of clothes I lent her a shoulder to the shower room and threw her inside.
When I asked Kamu what her time was and it was 1 hour 10 minutes and 40 seconds.
After waiting a short while and Ralpha, Bel, and just a short while later Toris came running lined up like dango.
After they arrived at the goal the three of them fell over just like I was a short while ago.
It would be pleasant to be thrown up on by Ralpha so I decided to ignore her.
Don't look over here.
I just changed a moment ago.
Their time was 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds. Toris was 10 seconds later.
A bit behind them was Zulu.
A bit behind that was Angela.
Finally Basutoral came along considerably late and completely exhausted at exactly 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Even like this it was a pace about 10 minutes faster than the usual.
He did a good job.
But there's nothing moving about it.
After all this guy, he came up saying something like "oe~" like he was throwing up in front of Cathy and is kindly being nursed by her now.
I guess that means the average time is around 1 hour and 25 minutes huh?
I guess Angela and Basutoral are below the average? Zulu was at a vague time.
Somehow I feel like Miduchi, Ralpha, Bel, Toris, Zulu, and Angela should all have an increase in Speed or Endurance pretty soon. Basutoral will probably take a bit more time..I guess?
Whatever the case it everyone ran at amazing speeds. If it was on level ground while wearing sports shoes then these fellows as well...
Everyone took a shower and changed clothes then while catching their breath the observation members all started to return.
"The average time was 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 40 seconds. Of course it's without including me in the calculation. In order to gain the right to challenge a member of the {Slaughterers} running in under this time is the qualification. I'll have anyone who wishes to try changing parties run on the next break. Up until then decide whether you intend to do it or not. I'll accept applications until the day before. On the day we do it there's also the problem of helpers for observing things so pardon me on that."
It seems everyone understood.
Let's break things up.
"I saw everyone run from close by but you know, other than Al they weren't all that fast at all right."
"If it's just running then I think I'm even faster than Al."
"Maybe I'll try challenging it as well.."
"Oh? Kimu, since you use the spear how about teaming up with me? And, if we challenge Maruso and Saji then.."
"..Nn, that might be good."
"Mi, Misu, umm, together with me..Please!"
"Hey, Ginger, how about we try it together."
"That's fine, but Misu. Jeru is sticking his hand out~"
He~ say all you like. I think it's pretty much impossible though.
.....................
Year 7445, Month 10, Day 23
Today is the test day for earning the right to challenge.
Everyone from the {Butchers}. And from the {Exterminators} there's Ginger, Sanno, and Ruttsu who decided to try challenging it.
"Is it fine for you not to try the challenge?"
I tried asking Rodrick.
"Eh? If you think about the course and the times it's impossible right...Even if I'm like this I still received investiture as a true knight after all. I do feel like trying to challenge it even then but most likely I'll end up leaving a pathetic result that dirties the name of the Faruergaz Knight Group."
Rodrick replied with a bitter smile on his face.
"But you know, giving up before you've even tried, I wonder about that?"
Ralpha who was listening to the conversation butt in.
"Yeah. I already know it's uncool. But, right now it's impossible. At least half a year..No, if I don't at least run for a year then I'm sure I wouldn't be able to beat that time. Starting tomorrow I intend to start running with Denda and Karimu. Al-san, is it fine for us to run together as well?"
"Yeah, of co"That's fine but you know. If you get behind we'll leave you in the dust so with that intention."
This girl really...The lines she says while winking is that.
"Ha ha..That can't be helped at the start. But, I'll definitely catch up to you..Then I'll go to my post."
Give it your best. Rodrick waved with a cheerful face while trotting off to his post.
"..I'm going as well. I won't overlook any cheating."
No ones going to try something like that...Ralpha ran off as well.
"Al, isn't it about a good time? Ralpha and Rodrick are close to the end of the course right?"
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