*

Lola's a slow learner.

　Liv blurted out, leaning her back against the castle wall.

'You're taking a long time to get ready.
I'll be ready to go. Can't you say the same about Makoto?
We're light on our feet.

　Especially with ribbed equipment, it's like clothing.

''Speaking of which...''
What?
How are you getting along with Yuka and Faene?
I think we're in good shape.

　Liv says, looking up at the sky.

'How's it going over there?'
You're doing well.

　Makoto replies as well, looking up at the sky.

'What do you think of Yuka?'
I don't feel anything.

　I sometimes think he's a troublesome guy, but I can't hate him.
　Both Fene and Liv have been able to stand up for Yuca.
　I think we're a surprisingly cohesive team.

'Oh, so you don't think anything of Yuka?

　I looked next to her and saw Liv smiling happily.
　I had a bad feeling about this.

'Hey, my--'
Here you go!

　Laura's voice drowned out Liv's words.

'Oh, oh~'

　Mako looked at Laura and winced.
　Laura was wearing armor.
　Unfortunately, it wasn't sheet metal armor.
　She wore white and silver chest armor and a dress with a throbbing slit underneath it.
　However, the beauty of her legs is hidden by the armor that reaches her thighs.
　On top of that, his arms are also covered by the armor up to two arms.
　He carries a long sword from his waist and a huge shield.
　I'm not familiar with the type of armor, but if I bend over I'll be able to hide in the shadows.

''What do you think?''
You look like a knight.
Is there anything else?
It's like a spirited cosplay.
...I see.

　Laura let out a sigh, as if disappointed.

'And let's get on with it, hand in hand, hand in hand!
Yes.

　Liv bashfully tapped Laura on the shoulder.
　He looks like he's holding back a laugh somehow.
　She shows the guards her pass and passes through the castle gates.
　Our destination is an empty lot sometime in the future.

'Mako, let's make a match.
'I thought you were supposed to be meeting hands with Laura?'
I want to be in shape to fight Makoto.

　Liv stood in the middle of the clearing, pole hammer at the ready.
　His expression is serious.
　It doesn't look like he can refuse.
　Makoto let out a sigh and stood in the middle of the clearing - though he was keeping his distance from Liv - and stood in the middle of the clearing.

'Laura, please give me a signal.
I understand.

　Laura nodded at Liv's words and held up her hand.

'The rules are the same as last time, you know.
I know. No blinding, no targetting, no hitting the back of the head. Don't use the pointed end of the weapon if you have to.
Not as much as possible. Don't ever use it.

　Mako plunged into the ribs.

'Hee hee,'
....

　I have a feeling of conviction that he will definitely not use it.

'Then, may I?'
Hey!
Yeah.

　Last time, Liv rushed in before she had a cue or not.
　What about this time?
　I look at Liv's expression.
　He has a fierce smile on his face, wondering what's amusing him.
　At this rate, he's going to do the same thing.

Start...

　Mako kicked the ground at the same time as Laura swung her hand down.
　I thought for sure Liv was going to rush in too, but this time she kept her weapon at the ready.
　Mako clicks her tongue and presses Liv's chest with the palm of her hand.
　There was no intention to attack.
　Of course, he didn't want to touch her chest.
　He thought that if he plunged in like this, the game would be won in an instant.

''Ugh!''

　Liv stumbled as if she had lost her balance, and Mako leapt backwards.

'Scha!'
That's not a problem.

　If we hadn't retreated, the game would have been won.
　If they knew we were going to retreat and didn't attack us, then great.

''Ola-la-la!''

　Liv unleashed a series of flowing blows.
　Faster than last time.
　Well, the level has gone up, so it's natural to say--but it's not.
　Makoto used his bodywork to duck the attacks.
　He doesn't lower his guard in case an unexpected attack is launched.

''Oraaaaah!''

　Liv swings down with a pole hammer and Makoto moves out of range.
　If he steps in poorly, the sharp end will cut off his neck or his legs.
　He has the water potion with him, so I don't think he's going to die - I don't think he's going to die.
　As I was thinking about this, the pole axe extended.
　No, I loosened my grip and let the pole hammer slide.
　I wonder if I need to make precise adjustments to my grip?
　'You're doing a lot of things,' said Makoto, getting further away.

''Earthquake strike!

　Liv shouted and Makoto cowered.
　Can he unleash a seismic strike from his grip near the stone thrust?
　The pole hammer strikes the ground.
　It strikes, but that's it.
　In short, he's bluffing.
　'Don't try anything,' said Makoto, clenching his fist.

'Oraaaaah!

　Liv closes the distance and throws a kick.
　It's a near yakuza kick.
　Makoto ducks out of range of this one.
　Suddenly, his vision fades.
　When I moved my eyes only to check the overhead, I saw a pole hammer approaching.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what to do with it.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　Mako raised her hand to catch the attack and noticed that Liv was smiling.
　A chill crawled up his spine.
　He kicks the ground hard and scrapes past Ribb's side.
　Immediately after, a roaring sound comes from behind him.
　He unleashes a seismic strike.
　It was a prelude to this moment that made him think he couldn't unleash a seismic strike with his grip near the stone thrust.
　Makoto lightly kicks the back of the knee.
　In short, it's a knee-cuckle - but--.

''Whoa!

　Liv bent her knees to the spot beautifully.
　She immediately tried to get up, but Mako touched her neck, blocking her movements.

''Well I guess I win.
I'm losing.

　When Mako pulled away, Liv stood up and slapped her paleo.

'd*mn, I thought I could make it.
It would have been instantaneous if I hadn't backed away. Instantaneous.
But you backed off. So my plan wins.
Well, I guess so.

　In fact, I thought it was a big deal at the time.
　You have to admit that I was given a drink there.

But in the end, I won.
Yeah, I know.

　Liv's lips twitched in a sultry manner as Mako crossed her arms and declared.

'So, how was that for you?'
I thought you were getting stronger.
No, no, no, that's not what I'm talking about.

　Liv waved her hands from side to side with a pat on the back.

''Well I thought they'd do quite a few things. They'll loosen the grip and attack you on the principle of leverage.

　Makoto looked down at his fists.
　Maybe he should learn to fight like that.

'But then again, I didn't think you'd read the seismic ray. How did you know?
I knew something was up when I saw you laughing.

　If it wasn't for that, I would have had to take a seismic strike with my bare hands.

Was that a smile?
Yeah.
Oh, so that's it!

　Liv slams her fists into her palms in a hushed manner.

'If you can't have a poker face, you shouldn't be gambling.
I don't need to know.

　'Well,' said Liv, straightening up.

'Then I'll let you rub my chest as I promised.
I didn't make that promise.
Well, Makoto-sama!
No, don't believe it!

　Mako shoved them both.

'So now it's Liv and Laura.
I'm sorry. I'm tired. I'm tired, Makoto.
What a piece of crap!
I'm not sloppy.

　Liv's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'It's hard to fight Mako, you know.
....

　You asked me out yourself, Mako swallowed the words that were coming up to her throat.
　Liv was sweating profusely.
　There might be some damage left in her knees.

'All right. I'll take care of Laura.'
You're a lifesaver.

　Liv broke her face and limped to the rocks.
　After all, the back of her knees were swollen and purple.
　Laura stands in the middle of the clearing as she replaces him.

'Lord Mako!'
You're fired up.
What do you want to bet?
I wouldn't bet on it.

　Unless there's something else going on, Mako's win is unassailable.
　This is not even a bet.

''Does Mako-sama think he can win?''
Well, yeah, yeah, of course.
''It's a lick. Let's show Master Mako that the difference in levels does not determine the winner.

　It's very provocative.
　Maybe Laura has a special move that she can use.

''It's a bet, let's make a bet. If I win, Mako-sama will listen to one of my orders.
What if I win?
I'll do whatever Mako-sama tells me to do.

　He must have some pretty powerful special moves, judging from his attitude.

''What makes it all possible?''
Yeah, whatever.

　Laura said as her cheeks flushed red.
　'Do you think they're going to make s*xually explicit demands?

'Well, fine. Let's do it on those terms.'
You don't have two words for that word, do you?
Nope.
So let me tell you about your defeat.
When I say start, you start. Start.
Quick!

　Mako moved out of range and held her fists up.
　Laura draws her sword and holds her shield at the ready.
　Is she aiming for a counter, or is she pushing her shield to the front?

'Oh dear. I haven't fought too many guys with shields, have I?
"I will teach you the essence of being a shield-master.

　Lola hides behind her shield as she closes in on Jiri and Jiri, closing the distance.
　But not as much pressure as the Skeleton Lord.
　Mako doesn't hesitate to go around to the one holding the sword.

''Ha!''

　Laura stuck out her sword.
　Her aim was her neck.
　It's a blow that doesn't seem to have any intention of stopping her in her tracks.
　It's probably too hesitant to be too hesitant when it's not even drawn on the blade.
　Makoto keeps his guard up and steps to Laura's side.
　She touches her side and thrusts her hand out.
　Laura steps on the tatara, though she doesn't put any effort into it.
　Should I praise the knight for regaining his position without falling down?
　I'm not sure where that confidence came from, and take a distance from Laura.
　Perhaps he has an awesome special move.
　Is it a counter system considering the provocative words and actions.
　A counter to the place where I got mad and ran into it.
　It seems likely.
　I could end it immediately, but that wouldn't show my strength.
　It would be a problem if he failed to take it easy and died.
　We should fight while we wait and see.
　Makoto attacked to get around the side holding the sword.
　But all he does is close the distance and push with his palm.
　With that alone, Laura becomes exhausted.
　After a while--.

''.........huh, huh, huh.''

　Laura's shoulders slumped and she repeated her ragged breathing.

'It's the quintessential Mako-sama,'
....

　Mako overheard the compliments.
　His eyes are not dead.
　I guess that means there's a way to turn it around from here as well.

'I thought you were going to show me the essence of a shield user?
Yeah, this--!

　Gulp, Laura's body sinks down.
　Has she reached the end of her physical strength?
　No, Mako denies it.
　The image that passed through his mind was that of the Skeleton Lord.

''Shield-bash (shield bash)!

　The next moment, Laura was accelerating.
　But Makoto jumped to the side and ducked.
　Are you going to avoid this?　And Laura's face was colored with astonishment.
　I can't help but wonder if the knight is allowed to cheat.
　Makoto closed the distance at once and raised his fist.
　Laura readied her shield--.

''Impact reversal (Reflection)!

　The shield was engulfed in light and Mako stopped moving.
　Apparently, this was Laura's deepest move.
　Perhaps it was a technique to repel an attack.
　Mako takes a distance.

''..........''

　Laura moaned softly.
　The light that had enveloped the shield was gone.
　Its duration is one or two seconds.
　That's why he was provoked by reason.
　It's not surprising since I used the backhandedness of the technique, but it was unsuccessful.

"...I'm here.

　Laura knelt there, having reached her limit.

'Was that the trump card?'
Yes.

　Laura nodded with a mysterious look on her face.
　It's not a look of promise or anything like that.
　Perhaps Laura has defeated a superior with her current skills.

''As promised, you can order me to do whatever you want.
No, I'm fine.
Oh, I see.

　Laura's shoulders slumped disappointedly.

*

　When Makoto and the others returned to the inside of the city walls, the sun had already set.
　From then on, they were accompanied by Liv and Laura's training - a test bed for their skills.

'Today has been a full day,'
Yes.

　Liv and Laura look radiant.

'You guys aren't so reserved, are you?
''No~ No one is safe from giving it their all, you know.
'I've had an intense time,'

　It was meant to be sarcastic, but they didn't seem to think so.
　Mako let out a small sigh.
　He looked up and noticed that Alan was ahead of him.
　He walked into the alleyway, aware of his surroundings.
　If you go further down that alleyway - you should be able to reach the cheap inn that Fene was using.
　Does using a cheap inn for the purpose of using a cheap inn mean you have no money?
　I should think that he's using the cheap inn because he doesn't want to bother Sherry--.

'Makoto, do you have a stomach ache?

　Liv tapped me on the shoulder and brought me back to reality.

'Am I a kid?'
They look like kids.

　Liv slapped him on the back with a bash.
　It's none of my business, said Makoto as he started walking towards the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion.