Volume 15 Chapter 4 Fine, I’ll Make Her Understand
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Eh? No way,” I muttered, my mouth moving faster than my brain could process the demand. Not that thinking it over would have changed my answer, mind you.
”You refuse? I suppose that is to be expected,” the Margrave replied, nodding as if my dissent were the most natural thing in the world.
”Then you understand my position?”
”Indeed. However, I must insist that you bend your rules for this request.”
(Bloody hell), this old man is saying this while fully aware of how unreasonable he sounds. And besides, look at her.
”Er, Your Excellency? To begin with, weren’t those guys trying to kidnap your daughter? And you want the very target of their abduction to join the search party? You realize how insane that sounds, right?” I asked, letting out a frustrated sigh. I know this isn’t exactly the kind of attitude one should have toward a high-ranking noble, but even Lydia isn’t trying to protest this one. I’m sure she has her own issues with the old man’s demands. Yet, even witnessing our reaction, this intimidating old guy has no intention of backing down. If anything, he looks smug—he’s actually enjoying the back-and-forth, looking at my protest like it’s some sort of entertainment.
”Precisely. The bandits attempted to kidnap my unfortunate daughter, Katerina, and they succeeded. As of now, they still believe they have. In other words, at this stage, my daughter’s safety is actually guaranteed, as it has placed us a step ahead of them.”
”Look, even if that’s true, this isn’t a war; this is an adventurer’s search mission. Bringing along someone who can only swing a sword is nothing but a hindrance. And frankly, even that sword-swinging of hers is too weak to be of any use. For these reasons, I refuse.”
”Wh—!?”
At my words, Katerina—the daughter—shot me a look of pure indignation and started to retort, but perhaps out of respect for her father, she clamped her mouth shut. Her father, the Margrave, just kept nodding with that same amused expression, watching us. (Ugh), what is this old man plotting? While I was struggling to pin down his true intentions, he suddenly looked like he’d just had a bright idea.
”Tell me, Soyuz. Does my daughter look that weak to you? Speak your mind, unreservedly.”
”Hah… well, let’s see. She seems to have some basic swordsmanship, but that’s all it looks like. On a battlefield, sure, but in our line of work, that’s useless. In my estimation, she couldn’t beat any of my wives who I’ve brought with me,” I replied coldly.
”Oh?”
Behind him, the bratty girl was staring daggers at me. The Margrave turned his gaze toward her.
”Katerina. As one who carries the name of House Verdaine, surely you won’t remain silent after being insulted to this degree?”
He’s practically baiting her. What is this guy… oh. Wait. Is this—?
”I will not remain silent! If you’re going to insult me that much, I’ll make you see exactly what my sword is capable of!” Katerina shouted, her aristocratic pride flaring.
Just as the old man hoped, she took the bait hook, line, and sinker. And just like that, I finally understood what this inscrutable old man was planning. Unfortunately, even knowing that doesn’t really help me.
But, you know what? Fine. I’ll just go ahead and “educate”1 this foolish girl exactly as she asked. If I’m going to dance in the palm of your hand, old man, you’d better be prepared to pay a high price for the performance.
* * *
And so, it was decided that we would hold a match.
Being the residence of a man called a warrior, the backyard was perfectly set up with a space for sword fighting. Judging by how worn-out the training ground was, it was clear that these people weren’t just carrying swords for show. Before long, Katerina appeared, ready for the bout.
”Truly, is this attire acceptable?” she asked, her tone dripping with refined elegance. Her outfit consisted of chainmail armor, with leather and metal plating protecting vital areas like her shoulders and chest. It was the practical gear knights favored in battle. In her hand, she held a wooden greatsword, also a knight’s preferred training weapon.
”It’s fine. You guys use armor-based techniques, right? If so, I have to go all out, or you’ll just complain later.”
Exactly. Unlike us adventurers, who focus on small-scale combat, these knights rely on large-scale military maneuvers, so they fundamentally fight while armored and use tactics suited for that. Armor-based techniques—using the armor itself to deflect attacks or as a tool for striking—are a legitimate skill set. Think of how Georgia uses her cloak; it’s similar.
Lena, my first opponent, wore her usual, easy-to-move-in shorts. It’s understandable why Katerina would be suspicious of that… or at least, why a normal person would think so.
Unfortunately, we aren’t soldiers; we’re adventurers. We don’t fight grand, orderly battles; we fight in sewer sludge and goblin caves piled high with rotting corpses. This is gear designed for that. It’s time I taught her that lesson.
”Lena,” I called out, beckoning my precious slave, who stood holding a wooden sword.
”Listen. Our opponent is an orthodox swordsman. It’s a bad match-up if you trade blows directly. So, don’t hold back at all. Use everything I’ve taught you, everything you’re capable of. That’s how you’ll win. Understand?”
She nodded firmly.
”Yes. I will give it my all so as not to bring shame to Sir Soyuz,” Lena replied with utmost deference.
She said it with a reliable air, then knelt to re-tie her shoelaces. (Yes, yes), full of spirit. She’s prepared just as I told her, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
Honestly, among the three of them, Lena has the worst compatibility with Katerina. If they were both just longsword users, Katerina—with her proper training—would definitely have the advantage… or so it would go normally.
But unfortunately, we aren’t mere swordsmen. We’re adventurers. If she keeps that in mind and uses the combat style I drilled into her, she’ll definitely win. This match is rigged that way.
Still, what a cunning old man.
I glanced over at the Margrave, who had dragged a chair out a short distance away to watch elegantly. He caught my eye and nodded grandly in return.
Man, look at that smug face. He’s perfectly content, even though his own daughter is about to get crushed. I winked at Lydia, who was watching from beside him looking worried, to tell her “it’ll be fine.” She just did a “shoo!” gesture at me.
”Alright, let’s begin. I’ll be the judge. Don’t worry, I won’t be biased toward them. The match ends when I decide a fight-ending blow has been struck. Good?”
”Very well,” Katerina replied.
”Understood,” Lena added.
”Alright, take your stances—start.”
At my signal, both of them circled each other, probing for an opening as they closed the distance. They probably gauged each other’s ability right then and there. As proof, Katerina, having observed enough, dove into Lena’s guard and unleashed a powerful strike. She judged that she had the advantage in raw swordsmanship—which was the right judgment for a proper sword match.
The next instant, Clack!—a loud sound rang out as the wooden swords collided, and both froze. Lena had caught Katerina’s greatsword with a strength unimaginable for her small frame, forcing a stalemate.
Yes, Lena’s win.
They strained against each other, wooden swords clashing. But their expressions were polar opposites. Katerina stared at Lena with undisguised shock. She clearly hadn’t expected to lose in raw power. (Yes), keep underestimating the Southerner.
Lena, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes like a mischievous child and whispered something.
(Sorry, excuse me.)
The moment she muttered those unspoken words, she spat something out of her mouth with incredible force.
”!? What the— Guh!”
And in the next moment, the match was over.
* * *
”Alright, stop there. Lena wins.”
Katerina was sprawled on the ground, and Lena had her hand-blade pressed against the girl’s throat. If this had been a real fight, the head of this sassy brat would have said goodbye to her body.
”Hii, you… coward…” Katerina muttered, her voice strained.
But my beloved slave just brushed it off, looking unbothered.
”My apologies. That is simply how we fight,” Lena replied, standing up to bow.
(Yes, that’s it.) I’m sure she didn’t intend it that way, but that line was a perfect provocation. As proof—
”Guh…” Katerina couldn’t even follow up; she just glared at Lena.
What actually happened in that instant was…
The object Lena spat out during the stalemate was a pebble. She had sneakily picked it up while tying her shoes earlier. She’d kept it in her mouth, maneuvered into a close-quarters staring match, and then fired it point-blank at Katerina’s forehead.
The moment Katerina was distracted, Lena flicked her opponent’s wooden sword upward, discarded her own weapon, dived into her guard, slid one hand between her legs, wrapped the other around her neck, and slammed her into the ground. Even with chainmail, there’s no absorbing the impact of a full-body slam. Since she was dropped right on her back, she probably couldn’t even catch her breath.
And just like that, the match ended with a blade to her throat. (Yes, yes), that’s my wife. A truly fine way to fight. The best part was preventing the opponent from fighting like a swordsman. She followed my orders perfectly, so she’s definitely getting a reward tonight.
…But it seems that brat isn’t convinced. She scrambled up, surprisingly agile, and glared at me.
”What is the meaning of this! Do you call this your style? Do you adventurers have no sense of warrior’s honor!?”
(Ugh, this girl…)
I glanced past her at the Margrave, and the old man was still watching, nodding happily. (Oh, give me a break.) Fine, I get it.
”We don’t have any of that. We’re adventurers, you know? We don’t have the luxury of playing house and waving sticks around like you.”
”What did you say!?”
”And besides, little lady. Do you realize how much Lena held back just now?”
”What?”
”I said she held back. Because you were so weak, my kind, kind Lena took it easy on you. You see? That first pebble? She could have easily aimed that for your eye. And the throw? She could have dropped you on your head. If you’d taken that for real, what do you think would have happened?”
”W-what…”
”Well, if you aren’t convinced, that’s fine. I won’t stop you from coming on our search mission. But you know, those guys are probably going to come at us with even more underhanded methods than we did. I hope you get them to ‘hold back’ then, too?”
”…………”
Only after I said that did the brat finally shut her mouth and fall into thought.
Seriously, Margrave? It turns out the only reason I was called here was to be a babysitter for this sheltered, clueless brat.
—
Summary:
Soyuz reluctantly accepts the Margrave’s challenge to bring the target of an abduction, Katerina, on an adventurer search mission. After being insulted by Katerina, Soyuz tasks his slave, Lena, to teach her a lesson in practical combat. Lena swiftly and brutally defeats Katerina using unconventional adventurer tactics, leaving the arrogant girl stunned and questioning the legitimacy of their style.
—
Trivia:
Katerina is a member of the Verdaine family.
The Margrave is intentionally baiting Katerina to prove her mettle against Soyuz.
Lena uses a stone kept in her mouth during the stalemate as a surprise weapon.
The Margrave’s true goal for calling Soyuz was to provide a reality check for his daughter.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Margrave – A noble who acts as a tactical puppeteer, enjoying the manipulation of others to achieve his goals.
• Lydia – A poised, supportive noblewoman in flashy yet practical masculine riding attire, she blends gentle femininity with subtle masculine poise. As the protagonist’s mistress and Soyuz’s cautious companion and mediator, she guides them through elite circles. She maintains a stoic, polite public composure despite tension, using discrete, forceful pinches to keep Soyuz’s blunt, provocative attitude in check.
• Katerina – The youngest daughter of Margrave Verdaine is a noble blessed with natural talent for the sword, though initially arrogant and sheltered. Characterized by her father as coarse and rash, she displays fierce resilience and raw grit, standing back up to show deep respect immediately after being physically disciplined by him, highlighting a complex dynamic with her family.
• Soyuz – Trapped in a youth’s body, this 47-year-old adventurer is a pragmatic mentor and protector. Beneath a poison mantle and magic silver sword, he hides sharp combat instincts. He protects companions with cynical survival calculations and role-plays with Lena in his mansion, yet scrapes by a living. Despising nobility, he mocks authority with formal speech but remains a sharp, dedicated guardian.
• Verdaine – Verdaine’s capital, a massive walled city with bustling markets and the Adventurers Guild, is the protagonist’s temporary base near Lena’s village. It is ruled by its House’s Margrave, a ferocious, sixty-year-old frontier warrior resembling an old lion with a sturdy physique and graying hair. Pragmatic and calculating, he commands terrifying psychological pressure yet holds a casual, grandfatherly demeanor.
• Georgia – A demi-human companion and slave-wife to Soyuz. She possesses a tail that she wags vigorously to express her emotions.
• Lena – A skilled, brown-skinned fighter and slave-wife to Soyuz, she is a faithful guard who stands silently behind him during audiences. She has long black hair in a ponytail, a scarred face, a blind left eye, and wears tattered clothes with a collar. Despite facing discipline from other women, she maintains a respectful, dutiful devotion to Soyuz, using keen combat instincts to sense powerful foes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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