Yari no Yuusha no Yarinaoshi - Chapter 433

433 Combat Experience

“To even drag Sir Iwatani into this… I can only call it astounding. Is it thanks to your fervent desire to see nude females, Sir Kitamura?” (Eclair)
“I only wish to see Yuki-chan and Sakura-chan! I feel like if I caught sight of one of the pigs, I’d only end up vomiting. Blugh!” (Motoyasu)
“…” (Eclair)

Eclair’s unimpressed gaze bore through me, a towel concealing her body for this staring event.
Yuki-chan was similarly clothed, while the two demi-human pigs looked, well, identical and inconsequential.
Sakura-chan was… nodding off next to the bath in her queen form.

“And to that end, I openly declared my intention to peep. I even ensured that there would be no other guests to the bath for the duration of the plan.” (Motoyasu)
“How do you find it, Motoyasu? Has my feminine charm risen with this?” (Yuki)
“You need to amorously soak yourself in the bath a bit further.” (Motoyasu)
“You’re actually critiquing her? Motoyasu-kun, you’re something else huh…” (Naofumi)

Part of becoming a splendid lady is polishing one’s appeal.
Firo-tan held a perfect score from the outset, however. That natural air-headedness was the ideal charm.
However, thinking that it couldn’t be helped if not everyone could match up to Firo-tan, this Motoyasu did not despair.
Everyone, I will certainly fill you to the brink with my love!
Because… Each honorable filorial was my beloved daughter or son!

Afterwards, abandoning my peeping following Eclair’s obstruction, I once more turned back and entered the men’s bath.

“Phew… Getting wrapped up in things with Motoyasu-kun sure is terrible.” (Naofumi)
“Oh Father-in-law, so innocent.” (Motoyasu)
“What’s wrong with that! Sure, I may have dreamed of peeking on the women’s bath, but shouldn’t peeping be more discrete or something!” (Naofumi)
“Sir Iwatani?” (Eclair)

Eclair’s voice echoed over the wall, her tone as if she were beginning an interrogation.
Immediately flustered, Father-in-law quickly spoke up.

“I won’t peek! It’s just, back on my world, just talking about it was sort of a rite of passage, or something.” (Naofumi)
“… Is that how it is. With Sir Iwatani keeping track of Sir Kitamura, if no excessively improper behavior occurs… Well, it should not terribly matter. I myself am quite worn out keeping up with Sir Kitamura.” (Eclair)

Eclair’s voice was replaced with a sigh and the sound of a body sinking into a bath.

“With that, Motoyasu-kun, since we’re leaving outright peeping out of the conversation, wouldn’t, say, taking in the lady’s flushed skin once they exit the bath be a more legal way to soothe your eyes?” (Naofumi)
“Sounds like an annoying farce.” (Motoyasu)
“Huh? Well… Is it somehow too different?” (Naofumi)
“Once they’re out of the bath and covered, we won’t be able to lay eyes on their nude forms.” (Motoyasu)
“That’s what I’m saying; seeing that much… That’s supposed to be reserved for special relationships, like a couple or married partners, stuff like that.” (Naofumi)
“I already have a special relationship like that with them.” (Motoyasu)
“You do??” (Naofumi)
“I am an adherent to the magnificence of all filorials… and that is the absolute minimum of our relationship.” (Motoyasu)
“…”

Why does Father-in-law drop his shoulders as though he has given up?

“Sorry. Miss Eclair, it doesn’t seem I’ll be able to convince Motoyasu-kun.” (Iwatani)
“No, Sir Iwatani has already said plenty. Feel free to rest at ease. I also wish to rest and restore my health.” (Eclair)

For whatever reason, it seemed that entering the bath together had strengthened everyone’s bonds, no?
As one might expect of peeping! Through that casual peek, our camaraderie has grown.

“Um, turning back to our other conversation then, you said I wouldn’t be able to learn most skills or magic easily, right?” (Naofumi)
“That’s right. Though if you wanted to pick up a simple piece of magic, you could buy an expensive magic crystal at a magic shop to do so.” (Motoyasu)
“But if I do that, I won’t be able to understand the magic on a fundamental level?” (Naofumi)
“Undoubtedly. While learning magic from a crystal provides a spell that is fairly consistent in power and magic consumption from the start, it is not versatile and will prove to be inferior to practiced magic in various ways.” (Motoyasu)

I also casually learned magic from crystal balls in the past, but once Father-in-law instructed me in how to study magic books, several things became much more convenient.
It was a curious case of things coming around as easier once I stopped trying to make things easy.

“However, until I can learn to read this world’s alphabet, reading magic books is pretty much hopeless…”

I gave a silent nod.
It was a difficult thing, but not an impossible one.
Father-in-law, myself, and even the other two heroes were able to master this skill.

“My level, skills, and even weapon strengthening has been progressing smoothly up to this point, but magic seems to be pretty involved in comparison huh.” (Naofumi)
“It is not that much of a burden.” (Motoyasu)
“Maybe, but being able to do magic is crazy appealing when the possibility is right in front of you. I guess it isn’t something you can just figure out in a day or two though…” (Naofumi)
“It will be fine if you continue to learn little by little. It seemed the Father-in-law of the future was able to learn magic relatively quickly.” (Motoyasu)
“How long did it take?” (Naofumi)
“Around the time we surmounted the second wave, your magic seemed quite serviceable.” (Motoyasu)
“So about two and a half months… Seems a good ways in the future.” (Naofumi)

Mumbling his thoughts, Father-in-law idly squirted a bit of bath water about with a hand water gun.
How skillful.
The water was actually reaching a considerable height.

“Whoa~! Iwatani! How do you do that?” (Kou)
“You just do like this. With your hand, make a small space in your palm for the bath water… Then leave an opening like a small mouth for it to exit. Then you compress the water in your hand and force it out.” (Naofumi)
“With your hand~…” (Kou)

Kou clumsily attempted to gather water in his hands and failed.

“It’s hard~” (Kou)
“It gives that sort of ‘I should be able to do this immediately now’ impression just like magic, right?” (Naofumi)
“The ability to read magic texts, as well as even sense magical power, will come to you eventually.” (Motoyasu)

Hmm… That second magical revelation was more centered on the so called Dragon Pulse, but you needed either the blessing of a dragon or the right geneology to learn such a thing.
This Motoyasu, if Father-in-law had not instructed him in it, would likely not possess such magic.
However, even though I was somewhat unwilling to associate with dragons, it is a fact that the power has been useful.

“It feels like we’re coming considerably closer to Silt Welt, and if we’re able to guarantee our safety like we plan, we should be able to raise our level and study magic at ease until we challenge the wave right?” (Naofumi)
“Yup. Kou is gonna work hard~” (Kou)
“That’s correct.” (Motoyasu)

Speaking that far, I suddenly sensed something approaching at high speed.
I wanted to protect Father-in-law and jump in to intercept, but my thoughts lagged were just a moment too late.
My sudden burst of movement shook the bath, and our silent companion, the Silt Welt messenger, found himself dumped completely into the water.

“Are you alright, Father-in-law?” (Motoyasu)
“Uh?” (Naofumi)

I was almost ready to snap when I saw something hit Father-in-law and rebound.
From the look of it, it was a… thorn? It looked like something from a blowgun.
With a whistling of air, a questionable lot leapt over the outside hedge.

“Just try to move while paralyzed with poison! Demon of the Shield, face your end!”

Father-in-law stood with his shield out before him as I thrust the spear at one of the fools and Kou unleashed a full power Filorial King kick at another.

“They’re popping up again?” (Naofumi)

It seemed like the same sort of attack as the one from those nobodies before.
However, perhaps judging from Father-in-law’s reaction…

“Father-in-law, perhaps it is time to show them your true durability!” (Motoyasu)
“Huh? Is it fine already?” (Naofumi)
“What time like the present?” (Motoyasu)
“You’re open-!” (Assassin)

Taking advantage of my maintained distance from Father-in-law, the assassin sliced out with his sword.
Father-in-law promptly raised his shield, but perhaps as an indication of his meager experience… he was a moment too slow, and the assassin was able to swing around the obstacle and land a strike on his torso.
The screech of colliding metal rang out as sparks flew from Father-in-law’s body.

“Um…” (Naofumi)
“Demon of the Shield! This ends now!” (Assassin)

Faced with the assassin’s overhead strike, Father-in-law swung up his hand, fingers wide.
As the sword descended, Father-in-law closed his grip, stopping the blade between two fingers before it could cut his flesh.

“W-what! Bullshit! It won’t move!” (Assassin)
“If you’re only realizing it and spouting your concerns now, you’re awfully slow on the uptake, you know? I suppose this is is the difference brought about by enhancement?” (Naofumi)
“That’s spot on!” (Motoyasu)

Seems like we’ve reached the point where assassins can’t put even one wound on Father-in-law.
To be frank, Father-in-law has even begun working through my known methods of weapon enhancement, so it would take much more than a half-hearted assassin to nick him at all.
HAHAHA! They’ll be quite troubled with the present Father-in-law!

“Y-you monster!” (Assassin)
“With that, the test of Father-in-law’s defenses has concluded. Give thanks for his benevolence!” (Motoyasu)

I swept the assassin up by the collar with the spear, and, with a few rotations to build up momentum, sent him flying through the night sky.

“GWAAAAAaaaaa!” (Assassin)
“Learn from this experience how not to be an idiot! Hahahahaha!” (Motoyasu)
“If an enemy was able to appear here… They could have quickly appeared elsewhere right? Miss Eclair! Are you alright over there?” (Naofumi)

No sooner had Father-in-law spoken than Yuki-chan and a sword-wielding Eclair lept the dividing hedge.

“We heard the noise, but did something happen?” (Eclair)
“Yeah. Seems like some assassins are already showing up…” (Naofumi)
“I cannot apologize enough. If we travel a bit further towards our country, we’ll be able to field an escort that can keep the Three Hero adherents properly at bay, but…” (Messenger)
“Hm… Well, the gentlemen of Silt Welt are diligently supporting us. Perhaps they just crossed over when someone blinked.” (Naofumi)
“It is strange, however. Our defenses are quite secure thanks to the honorable Hero of the Spear… But the demi-humans around this inn should be watching out for us quite seriously.” (Messenger)

The Silt Welt Messenger tilted his head in thought.
Hum, seemed there might be a complicated plot lurking under the current situation.
We might not be able to rest until we struggle our way to somewhere safe.

“For now, we can ignore the one I flung away, but I think it would be a good idea to tie up the ones that tumbled out of the bath and get them to explain things.” (Motoyasu)
“You think they’d know anything important?” (Naofumi)
“Tying these ones up might prevent them from sending people with higher levels, at least.” (Motoyasu)
“That’d be good. It would be nice if the one you flung decides to give up and let us finish the trip in peace too.” (Naofumi)

With that, we left the hot spring.
Incidentally, though we investigated around the hot spring and restrained those who jumped in… we weren’t able to find any enemies apart from the Three Hero adherents.