Chapter 238
Change
Translator : PolterGlast
If they are going to spend their time without fighting
strong enemies from here on out, Sonia and Zola's maneuvering
isn't wrong. In fact, it stabilizes the battles, and it's certainly a fighting
style that should be recommended. However, considering the possibility of
fighting monsters stronger than themselves in the future, they definitely have
to change.
「Even though it's fine for me to stay
as I am, Sonia and Zola have to change? I thought their movements
were perfect, and that I was the one who should change, but... is that wrong?」
「Duke is still incomplete. Sonia and Zola have
already been completed. Right now, Sonia and Zola are able to
exert their power more stably, but if we look to the future, they will
definitely come to painfully realize their lack of power. ...Or rather, aren't
there times when you already feel it?」
「Yes. Just as Graham-sama
says, there have been many times when we felt a lack of power. That includes
the mock battle with you in the Royal Capital, Graham-sama, and
most recently, the battle with the Kaonashi. I discussed it with Zola
as well, and we were consulting each other on whether we should change our
style.」
「However, we stopped because we
thought it would cause trouble for Duke-sama if we changed our style and
things didn't go well.」
As a reason, it's quite valid. Right now, Duke isn't
clicking together, but if he gets stronger in the future, he might become able
to make things work smoothly even if Sonia and Zola aren't
strong. Because if they become disjointed as a result of seeking strength,
there's a possibility they could collapse as a party.
「I don't think your reasoning is
wrong. Right now, Duke is in an unstable state, and if the two of you
became unstable as well, you would truly lose your function as a party.
...However, if you fear change, you cannot become strong.」
This is something I've actually felt and experienced myself.
Even while encountering attacks from the Demon King's Army time and time
again in Furo Village, I constantly sought
evolution. Originally, I couldn't even use magic, but assuming the possibility
of facing an opponent I couldn't match in close combat, I continued to train in
magic as well. Ultimately, a monster among monsters known as an Ancient Dragon appeared, and by showing
the culmination of the evolution I had continued up to that point, I somehow
managed to defeat it. If even one thing had been lacking, I wouldn't have been
able to defeat it, and even though I constantly continued to challenge new
things, it still resulted in losing an arm, after all.
Viewed as a species, humans are clearly weak. ...But, they
are a species that can continue to grow. As long as we are inferior as a
species, we cannot become strong if we stop changing.
「...If Duke-sama permits it,
we want to change.」
「What do you think, Duke?」
「Even though it couldn't be helped, I
ended up changing without any consultation, after all. I have no right to
refuse, and if the two of them become stronger, I welcome it with open arms.」
「Then, is it safe to say both of you
want to change?」
「「Yes.」」
Seeing Sonia and Zola answer like that, I felt
like they replied with their own will for the first time. In reality, it's
natural since it's a relationship between a master and servants, but I always
felt like Sonia and Zola were hiding their own will. It might be
correct outside of combat, but as members of the same party, it's a part that
can become a weakness. If Sonia and Zola become able to fight
individually as well, there's no doubt they'll become stronger as a party.
「In that case, I think you should
change right away. It's a joint capture with us, so even if you don't function
as a party, we can support you.」
「Um, this is very hard to say, but...
how should we correct it? Could you give us specific advice?」
「If you two are fine with it, of
course I'll give you advice.」
「I'd like to ask as well. It's
embarrassing to admit, but even though I heard their flaws from you, Graham-san,
I still don't understand what those flaws are.」
With Duke's request as well, it was decided that I
would instruct Sonia and Zola. A dungeon is extremely useful for
training as well, because you can conduct actual combat under an environment
where it's okay even if you die. First of all... having them imitate Aoi's
fighting style would probably be the quickest way.
「Understood. That being said, I think
it's best to use Aoi's fighting style as a reference. I've thoroughly
drilled how to fight against strong opponents into her, so while Sonia
and Zola might be superior in terms of simple strength, I think you'll
find parts worth imitating.」
「Me!? If it's a fighting style that
utilizes the opponent's power, wouldn't Ginia be a better example?」
「It's difficult to use Ginia
as a reference. Well, looking at her as an example of what not to
imitate is an option, though.」
「Am I really that terrible!?」
She seems shocked by my words, but it means she shouldn't be
imitated because Ginia is a genius. While Aoi logically utilizes
the opponent's power, Ginia forcefully connects it to a counter simply
through her excellent eyesight. Even I occasionally find her attacks
incomprehensible, and it's obvious things would go weird if they used Ginia
as a reference.
「Understood. We will use Aoi-sama
as a reference.」
「Yeah, for now, just try to learn by
watching and imitating. We'll serve as the vanguard on the next floor, so if
you closely observe how she fights from the rear, I think you'll somewhat
understand.」
「Aoi-sama, we look forward to your instruction.」
「I don't know what you're looking
forward to, but... nice to work with you!」
On the forty-second floor, we swapped the vanguard and rearguard, and we fought while taking the lead. I basically had Aoi and Ginia do the fighting, while I focused mainly on support from the rear. As far as I've seen the monsters on the current floor, they should be able to defeat them without any problems, and it can also be used as a training ground for Aoi and Ginia. Since it will also be useful to Sonia and Zola while we're at it, a dungeon truly is a convenient place, once again.
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