Foreigner’s Mistake

Book 8: Chapter 180: Steady Advance ~ 33

Today, they rode directly on the horses instead of in a carriage.

Satoru had never ridden a horse before, so he was a little nervous, but it was a relief that he only had to straddle the horse because of Minerva's strict instructions to the horse. Minerva seemed to be a little dissatisfied with the combination of Satoru, Liz, Isolde, and Minerva, but she accepted it after being admonished about the balance of their physiques.

As Satoru was swayed by the horse, which was slowly moving at a plodding pace, he got a sense of what it was like, even if it was only at a certain level. If he were asked to run, it would be impossible, but he would have no problem running at a slow pace. The only problem was that the stirrups were too short for Satoru, who is unbelievably tall for a man of his stature in this world, and his ball sack sometimes hurt.

First, he received the boots he had ordered. The leather felt a little hard, but the craftsman said it would soften as he wore them. Maybe that's the way it is. The craftsman gave him some horse oil to take care of them.

Satoru also bought a new pair of boots for Liz. The boots she had been wearing were worn out and had holes in them, so they were at the end of their usefulness. Liz did not say anything, but Isolde was giving a lecture to her, saying that footwear is very important on a journey that involves a lot of physical activity. Liz took Isolde's words seriously and replied that she would think about what to be reserved and what not to be. Satoru was impressed with Liz's response.

They said it would be ready before the 4 koku, so he ordered it and left the town.

He turns his horse off the road and heads in the direction of the smell of greenery. There is not much greenery around here. The grass was short at best, and the trees were at most 4 to 5 feet tall (1m20~1m50) shrubs. There were only a few trees and a few small patches.

After a quarter of a koku (1 hour) of riding in the direction of the smell of water, Satoru stopped his horse and dismounted.

The air is a little better now, isn't it?

The air outside smells good, after all.

Well, I guess I'll leave it at that. It's been a bit of a picnic.

There was a small spring. But this spring must be the water supply for Deligrande because there is a stone canal extending out from it. If this small spring is responsible for the water needed for thousands of people to live and smith, it is too much to be mindful of. No wonder water is considered a chargeable commodity.

Look! Yesterday's souvenir meat!

Minerva pointed out a huge lizard that must have come to drink water. It was a 7-foot-long (210 cm) beast similar to a crocodile. Satoru, who had no taste for strange food, was horrified for a moment, but it was probably common meat around here. Startled by Minerva's voice, it rustled and disappeared into the bushes.

"Ahhh," Minerva exclaimed regretfully. Isolde gripped her sword as if to say, "Let's go after them," but Satoru shook his head from side to side with a wry smile. There is no need to go out of your way to hunt them.

Well, then, Milord.

Ouh, go on

After a quick and precise flex, Isolde drew her sword and held it at a leisurely pace. She then backsteps and holds the sword in her right eye. The series of movements are too slow to be called training. The movements are like following a kata.

However, the movements gradually become faster and faster. The sword, which at first made no sound when swung, gradually makes a sound. From a buzz to hum, and then a shuffling sound.

Satoru has no training in kendo. But even so, Isolde's series of movements seem to be completely lean. It even made me feel like he was watching a first-class butoh dance. Satoru, Minerva, Liz, and Leia, who came out of the shadows, all watched as Isolde wielded her sword for a full half-hour (20 minutes). This is the first time Satoru has seen Isolde's training like this.

The magic sword Rahgulf entrusted to Isolde by Sheryl is one time larger than her previous beloved sword, the Holy Sword Soul Eater. The sword is a lot heavier than the previous one. Isolde, as he can see from her previous appearance in the nude, is slender and her body has been sharpened to the utmost limit. Although she was certainly well-trained, she would normally be defeated by the weight of the sword and be swept away, but the fact that she shows no sign of such a situation while wielding the sword with one hand is nothing short of remarkable.

A sharp vertical blow is swung down, and the wind dances in the air; she uncoils a magnificent remnant like a painting, grips the sword with both hands, holds it in front of her, and then slowly sheathes it. After a pause, Satoru involuntarily clapped his hands.

Surely it's the result of years of training, but it's a quintessential move, isn't it?

I'm very flattered by your praise.

The movements were vigorous and fluid, but Isolde was only lightly sweating. Her breathing was not too erratic, so for her, it was probably just a light workout.

Liz let out an exclamatory roar of amazement. For Liz, the last part of the sword dance was at a speed that could not be followed by the eye. The elves use bows and arrows as their main weapons, but they also use swords to some extent. But they are so different that they can't even make a sound.

Is there a trick to it?

Wiping her sweat with a cloth from her backpack, Isolde tilted her head slightly.

There are differences from the average swordsman. For example, the moment I swings my sword, the moment I tried to run. At that moment, the muscles move the most. Only at that moment, the muscles are filled with magic power.

Ah, I see. I understand what you mean.

I don't think it's possible to do it overnight, but Satoru nodded his head in agreement with what Isolde had said without hiding.

Whatever it is, the beginning of movement consumes the most energy. If you use magic power to assist at that moment, the rest of the energy will be maintained according to the laws of motion.

A normal user would be flowing magic power while the sword is running, but this is a waste of magic power. It is not a total waste of magic power, but you cannot fight for a long time if you are wasting magic power in this way.

Isolde draws her sword once again and repeats the gesture of starting to move with a "kun, kun" several times.

Of course, some techniques require not only instantaneous but also sustained action. It is of course important to have a large soul and a good knowledge of its attributes, but by thoroughly increasing efficiency, it is possible to reduce the amount of magic power that decreases to the bare minimum. The moment you receive an attack from an opponent, you can put magic power into your body. While parrying the opponent's sword, you channel your magic powerI would call it instantaneous control of magic power. The clan members were trained to react to these things reflexively.

Leia also groans with a difficult look on her face, but Minerva seems to have no idea what Isolde's talking about.

Satoru understands how difficult it is to put magic power on the level of reflexes, although Isolde says it lightly. The efficiency of energy has been thought about for a long time.

I see what you mean. So that's what your clan's swordsmanship was when they took it to the extreme.

If the soul is too large, it is difficult to control it in detail. However, since the control of magic power is a sensory thing, once you learn how to control it, there is nothing better than having a large soul. The balance between the two was probably achieved with a soul value of 130 or more.

Isolde looked back at Satoru somewhat sadly.

If it were true, I would like to have a mock battle with you to deepen my training.

Why don't you do it? I'll go along with you for a little bit.

Isolde did not change her forlorn expression at Satoru's light tone of voice. Gently patting the back of her left hand.

The restrictions of the magical slave, you see. If I fight not to hit Milord from the beginning, I don't think it will be triggered, but if I try to hit even a little bit...

Ah, I see, so it's like that, huh.

The restrictions of the magical slave are strict. Perhaps, but even in training, if they pointed their blades at their Lord, that alone would cause severe pain. 

Satoru stroked his chin as he thought about it. The magical slave is also inconvenient when you think about it this way.

But there's a way to do that, you know?

Is it?

Satoru gets up, removes the Giant Killer from his back, takes out two scraps of skin that he kept in his inside pocket as a substitute for toilet paper, and puts them between the belt at his waist.

You're going to get these papers off my body in time, but it'll be a training exercise. One of them will be tough, so I'll put it on both of my hips.

...... Ooh!

The expression on Isolde's face brightened up.

Swinging a sword is not the only way to train, but also about bodywork, right?

Satoru smiles. Even if you don't resort to attacking, this is a good way to practice your bodywork.

Ah, w-will you go out with me?

Of course.

Satoru nodded with a wry smile at Isolde, who was so excited that he could see it.

Isolde also took off her sword and then turned to Leia, who was sitting beside Satoru, her luxurious red hair blowing in the wind.

Leia-dono.

Hm?

May I use up this magic stone?

Isolde taps the small bag on her hip. Inside the bag are three magic stones with a soul value of around 200. It is Leia who usually fills the magic power in the magic stones held by the slaves. Normally, it would be better for Satoru to do it, but Leia handles all of them because Satoru was told that he might break them due to overfilling.

If it is one. As expected, I don't want you to use all three.

Even if all three are used, it's still just over 600, so now Leia has around 5,000 soul. From Leia's point of view, it's not a problem, but she doesn't want Isolde to start training every day on the assumption that she'll use them all up.

That's enough, Leia-dono! Milord!

Yes, yes, yes.

Isolde's expression is full of joy as she takes out two magic stones and places them next to the sword, just in case.

Since shortly before she became the head of the Holy Sword Clan, Isolde had not been able to train with anyone of equal or higher rank. Simply put, no one could keep up with Isolde's talent. Ironically, she has become so strong that she has no one to train with. If you can't show off your strength, it's a waste of treasure. It is a great pleasure for those who have trained their skills to the utmost limit to be able to train with an opponent of the same or greater caliber as themselves.

Satoru also stood up to respond, and Leia interrupted.

Hold on a moment.

Not only Isolde and Satoru but also Liz and Minerva looked at Leia. Leia smiled mischievously.

Why not bet on it anyway?

A bet?

Yes. If you can get it before the magic stone is used up, Isolde wins, and if not, my Lord wins.

"Aah," Satoru raised his voice.

Arguably, the loser would have to skip dinner or something.

Muhh

Isolde's expression changed somewhat harshly. Satoru also shows his reluctance.

That's tough. ...... body is capital, but don't eat, it's a matter of life and death.

They have no objection to placing bets. they can be serious about the game. However, the penalty game proposed by Leia is too severe, whether it is for Satoru or Isolde.

Then how about the loser does one thing you say?

...... I don't particularly have anything I'd want Isolde does as I say.

Liz interrupted, but Satoru still tilted his head. I've got two of them on my hip, in case you're wondering, but I don't think this is going to be enough to beat Isolde.

However, Satoru's comment provoked Isolde's pride.

Milord

Hm?

If I lose. Do what you like with my body.

Satoru did not know for a moment the meaning of the words uttered so easygoing.

......Does that mean embracing you?

Isolde nodded firmly. There was no sign that she was joking.

If I win, so be it. As long as we're in town, I'll have unlimited refills of that noodle dish.

How about that too, Satoru muttered in his mind.

Above all, it is strange when chastity and unlimited second helpings of food are weighed in the balance, even if she may be trying to hide her embarrassment.

But Isolde's eyes are serious. Satoru realized that he might have stepped on Isolde's tail at this point, but it would be impossible for her to retract her previous statement now.

But that doesn't mean Milord can't take it easy on me. It would be a shame if I won if you were held back.

......I understand.

Isolde is a genuine warrior. She would not accept a victory if her opponent is going easy on her. Satoru nodded reluctantly. But he had never thought that Isolde's chastity would be discussed in this way. It is true that Isolde had been looking for an opportunity, but he had no intention of forcing her. Satoru's consciousness is also a little complicated.

Now then, the magic power of the magic stone will be exhausted, and the magic power within Isolde's body will be reduced to about half of its original capacity. Is that the rule all right?

Mm-hmm.

Good.

Leia, who was acting as the referee, confirmed the rules. If either one of the scraps on either side of Satoru's waist is taken away, the game ends at that point. There is no time limit, but the game ends when the magic power of the magic stone in Isolde's possession runs out and the magic power inside her is reduced to about half. Direct attacks are also prohibited, even if Isolde cannot do it in the first place due to the restrictions of her magical slavery. The stage is within sight from here.

Satoru bent over and, at the very least, relaxed his body. He wondered if he could win honestly.

Now, let's begin!

At Leia's call, Isolde, as if for a preliminary check, leaped at Satoru from the right side as if to turn him around, while shifting her weight to the left.

Shoo!

Whoa there

Isolde's tackle is as quick as a panther pouncing on its prey, but Satoru is even quicker than that, dodging to the side.

Isolde, as if she had already predicted this move, turned around as soon as her toes touched the ground and extended her arm to aim at Satoru's waist while taking small steps to the left and right. It was a quick move, but one that Satoru was able to react to. He catches the outstretched right arm and throws it with a whack, taking advantage of the momentum of Isolde's right arm.

However, Isolde, while being thrown, twisted half her body and landed on the ground with a thud. She smiled at Satoru. It is a ferocious smile, filled with the joy of being able to fight at a high level and with a strong awareness of trying to win the battle. This time, she softly uses her body and moves her hands out in rapid succession like a snake.

Fueeeee~ ...... Minerva knew Danna-sama was awesome, but I ...... Ijiyo? Ijiyode? is amazing too

Of the three spectators, it was Minerva who was the first to come to her senses from her dumbfoundedness. Apparently, the name "Isolde" is hard for Minerva to pronounce.

I-I can't even see half of it. What about you, Minerva?

Liz, who was watching the intense exchange between Satoru and Isolde, asked Minerva. Minerva stares at them.

Hmmm...barely~

I'm barely conscious of it.

Leia also muttered in dismay.

Satoru and Isolde's first battle was far beyond the high level, but their current training is also extraordinary. Whether it is Minerva or Leia, you have to be very conscious to be able to follow them with your eyes. The fact that she could manage to follow them with her eyes, however, would not be a match for her if she were to actually face them.

Satoru is now maintaining a distance from Isolde and repeating small steps backward with erratic movements. Isolde is unable to make a move because of the distance between his body and Isolde's. She mixes in a few feints and looks for an opening in Satoru, but Satoru seems to have one, too and is unable to make a move.

It is a tremendous high-dimensional exchange, but it will not last forever. 

...... It seems that her magic stone is run out of its magic power.

For a moment, he did not miss the faint glow of the magic stone in the sachet on Isolde's waist. The magic stone glowed faintly just before it ran out, just as it does when a candle is extinguished. It must be switching to her inner magic power now.

Isolde is also a tremendous user because she can keep up with Satoru's movements. But even so, the difference in soul is obvious.

Satoru's body is strengthened and controlled by unconscious sorcery with his enormous soul. Isolde uses her limited magic power efficiently and without wasting it, and only applies and strengthens it at the moment it is needed. It is self-evident that Satoru, who can continue to fight without worrying about the consumption of magic power, has the advantage.

And.

Oops!

Satoru, who was stepping backward, stumbled over a stone and lost his balance. No matter how much magic power Satoru has, he has no eyes behind him. Leia and Minerva could see that Satoru had a big gap but Isolde did not take advantage of it.

Milord!!

Isolde stopped and showed a look of anger. Satoru is already in position.

No need to go easy on me!!!

Isolde's angry voice made Satoru realize that his own shallow thinking had been detected.

He felt guilty about taking away Isolde's chastity in this way.

Satoru, who had intuited from the previous exchanges that he would not lose in this situation, deliberately thought of losing. The result was his current performance of tripping over a stone.

However, although Satoru thought he had done so, it seems that he had no talent for acting, and he was easily found out by Isolde, who was even angry with him. Isolde's pride must have been greatly provoked, otherwise, she would not have raised her voice against Satoru, who had been so stubbornly polite.

Jeez!

Satoru slowly stood up and faced Isolde once again. It is still disrespectful to the opponent to intentionally lose. He put all the talk of taking away her chastity out of his mind and faced her with all his might. If not, Isolde would not be convinced.

" Training," he said, already out of his mind. Isolde is a beautiful woman with sharp beauty, who is extremely elegant when she is silent. Such a beautiful woman smiling ferociouslyit creates a tremendous atmosphere.

She is so happy to be able to fight with someone who can't reach her even if she gives it her all. For that reason, she does not want her opponent to take it easy on her. It would be a shame if she were to win if Satoru is holding back.

Considering her remaining magic power, it would be almost a dead-end if Satoru continued to run away while retreating as he had just done. Isolde, aware of this, took a gamble.

The eyes of the three spectators widened. At first glance, it looked as if Isolde had split into three people. That's how good her footwork is. Isolde's trump card, concentrating her magic power on her feet.

The three Isolde's each moved as if to leap toward Satoru.

The decision was made in a split second.

That was dangerous!

Satoru's voice sounded panicked.

Satoru stepped in from this side in the opposite direction at the moment Isolde leaped at him at high speed. He made the decision to pass by and cut through her without hesitation. So to the three spectators, it would have looked as if Satoru had moved instantaneously.

...... Ah

Isolde's sighing voice echoed.

The high-speed movement, which could be mistaken for an alter ego, probably would not get through to Satoru. Knowing this, Isolde used her high-speed movement as a decoy. At the moment she slipped through, she put magic power in both arms and aimed at the paper at his waist with a snake-like motion, but she was unable to hold the slice in her hands.

She could not follow the movement of Satoru who was coming toward her with her eyes.

The end, I suppose?

Leia asked Isolde, who stopped moving and stood with a heavy heart looking up at the sky. Isolde nodded her head while looking up at the bright blue sky.

Mmh. ......Ah, I didn't reach him, after all.

An admission of defeat. But Isolde's expression was crisp.

She gave her all. But she still couldn't reach him. That's all there is to it.

Isolde, too, felt from the start that there was little chance of winning. Although they had only crossed swords once, she was aware of the difference in their absolute physical abilities, not to mention their skills.

Still, I was willing to bet my chastity and the reason is Liz and Rico.

The two had said they were sorry to Satoru because they were unable to have sexual intercourse with him due to their menstrual period.

She was impressed by their loyalty to put Satoru first, rather than their own physical condition. There is no doubt that the absence of Liz and Rico, even temporarily, will place a heavy burden on Leia and Solor. She also hoped that her own participation in the activities, though meager, would alleviate some of the burdens.

Part of it was that Isolde did not see any value in chastity. She was also interested in having sexual intercourse with Satoru, whom she considered the supreme object of this world. But she also had a fear of being disordered as a woman, but she could accept that as a result of losing.

Milord

Hmm?

With a radiant face, Isolde spun around and looked back at Satoru. Satoru was so surprised to see a more refreshing expression than he had imagined.

I apologize for my poor body. This time, I lost. Please, as promised, use me as you wish.

Satoru scratched his head with a somewhat troubled expression at Isolde's core strength as she said this firmly.

Fight and lose. It must have been a chance for her to make up her mind. All that remained was for Satoru to accept her resolve. Satoru sighed heavily on his shoulder and then twisted his head.

For now, we'll just go home.

It would not be sudden and unexpected in the open air. The situation was different from Rico's. Isolde nodded, then looked up as if remembering.

B-But, you know,...... I've been in training ever since I can remember, so I don't know much about that side of things,...... so...

?

Oh, there's a good chance I'll go berserk. So tie me up!

With a whoosh, a gust of wind blew.

Liz, Leia, and even Minerva are looking at the beautiful female swordsman with a dumbfounded expressions.

Satoru was greatly taken aback by the unexpected confession. Isolde's expression was serious, and there was no sign that she was joking. She must be seriously concerned about the possibility of reflexive violence.

Even so.

......Why did the woman in this group go in such a perverted direction?

Huh?

As Satoru has mentioned many times, his sexuality is very normal. As is clear from the fact that he had previously similarly played with Leia, he does not claim to have a taste for SM, such as sexual intercourse in a tied-up position. He can't help but feel that he is being led in that direction.

It's nothing.

????

Satoru returned with a discouraged expression, and Isolde returned an expression of not really understanding.

Thus, the beautiful former head of the Holy Sword Clan decided to dedicate herself to a Foreigner from another world.