''At the end of the first day, everyone was able to master everything from the Infantry Body Technique to the Dragon King Body Technique. Bravo, excellent!

　At night, in the banquet hall of the inn. I clapped my hands in praise in front of everyone.

　The plan was to have those who couldn't remember everything today remember it tomorrow, but it seems there was no need to do so. As a result, the camp was sufficient for a day trip.

'Tomorrow, therefore, shall be a vacation!

　I declared, and everyone was happy to be there. I think I know why they were there. I guess we're all "workaholics". I'm sure they're all going to go to the dungeon tomorrow.

　By the way, I'm going to move up one day and head to learn spearmanship. As I recall, Yukari said that there was only one person who wanted to learn it when we called for applicants. So tomorrow, I'm going to spend an entire day hunting demons with that guy.


''Then let's eat.''

　After I briefly told them what we needed to do, it was time for the fun part, the bango meal. The oyster rice of this inn was delicious again. The atmosphere and the taste of the place was even better than before. The level of the cook of the first test also improved gradually, but it is not the same as the professional.

　Now, let's join hands and enjoy the meal...


'Gah-ha-ha!


　At ......, I heard loud laughter from the next room.

　Because the banquet hall is divided by a sliding door, there is no soundproofing system here. As a result, I have been hearing the loud voices of the group of guests from the next room since a while ago. This is because the room was not rented out unlike the last time.

　I thought it was too noisy, but I thought it was a common occurrence. However, this stupid laughter is really annoying. ......

Would you like me to pay attention to it?
No, no. It's called rudeness at a banquet.

　Cubero wisely offers, but I decline once.

　I'll hold out one more time, he says. I make up my mind, say "Itadakimasu", pick up the plump oyster sitting on top of the oyster rice with my chopsticks, and gently bring it to my mouth.


'Whahahahahaha!'


　--dropped off with a plop.


"............

　Gritting. My back teeth make an involuntary noise.


'Wow, I'll go!　Lord Second, stay here and mind your own business.　Stay down!

　Sylvia stands up, saying the same thing twice.

　Well, yeah. If I get on board, I'm sure there will be a huge panic. Look out, look out, you've been a little out of your depth. ......


'Hooray!　You can have it!　One more!　Take off, take off!


　Immediately after. At the same time as the drunken voice of a middle-aged man, "Don!" on the sliding door of the partition. And then there was a sound as if something had been thrown at me and hit me.


'You can have me too!　Ten thousand CLs!
Good, undressing, undressing, undressing!　I've got money!


　Next, a clamorous sound that could no longer be called noise, such as a crunching, chirping, jalalalalalalala, echoed through the banquet hall with loud voices and vibrations.



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


　Buzzing. I heard something inside my head snap.


"Second Lord!　For God's sake!　For God's sake!
''Mr. Second!　Please!　Please be at peace!

"Yeah, let go of me!　I can't stay silent!

　Sylvia and Cubero hug my legs and try desperately to stop me, but I'm not going to stop now, because I'm not going to stop. ...... I'm an assaulting bangoer next to them, dragging them along with me.


'What are you doing!　Everyone else, stop!

'Oh!　Master Second!　Strong, ce-na-ka.
'Oh, ah!　I'm, I'm, I'm touching my master's hand. ......!
'Excuse me!　I'll take your left hand!

　With a single voice from Cubero, even Lily, Elle and Akaneko joined in.
　Fool!　If you really wanted to stop me, you should have used your skills: ......!

What?

　Sylvia looked at me as I started to move with the five of us attached to each other all over my body and let out a cry of surprise.

''That's a great picture: ......

　Renko, who was standing alone on the sidelines, muttered with a dumbfounded face.
　Certainly. The point of carrying the large-bodied Lily on her back will have a particularly large impact.



''--Orua!

　I zonked forward to the partition and blew the sliding door open with a headbutt.





　The drunken old men, who suddenly became quiet, turned to me with stunned faces.

　Beside them, there were also half-naked ladies. Money is scattered everywhere. Apparently, they were calling companions and stripping down for money.

　And there was a troubled middleman at the end of the room. It seems that she was paying attention as much as possible. This is a good inn after all.


"Eh ...... ah!

　Three seconds passed, and I was noticed. The old man in the upper seat, who had broken out of his suit, said, "Why is the Second First Test here? He gives me an astonished look.

'Kyah!' Shit! Second Triple Crown? Why?

　Even Nee-chan and the others were surprised as they hid their exposed breasts with their arms.

　'Why, because you guys are so loud!


"Who's the greatest of them all?

　I said this calmly, trying my best.
　Then the old man sitting at the top of the table raised his hand as if he was afraid to say, "Identify yourself.

"Identify yourself.
This is Count Chilima Ormun.

　For some reason, the guy next to me answered.

'I ain't asking you. You did.
Ha, good to meet you, Second Lordship. My name is Chilima. I'm pleased to meet you, sir, and I'm looking forward to meeting you here.

　He pointed his finger and urged, and when Chilima continued his words to greet him with some trepidation, ......


Yeah, okay.


　I turned on my heel, plainly.

　It's the way I learned from Winfiled. I only hear the name of these techniques. I've heard that it's the most effective (...) It's very much like his method.


"Sorry about breaking the sliding doors.

　He apologized to the matchmaker, handed over the repair and nuisance fee on the spot, and returned to his seat.


　After that, the party next to me left the place one by one as if it was a wake.

　And so the time for a peaceful evening meal returned. Congratulations to them.



　Incidentally, early the next morning, Count Ormun sent me a very polite letter of apology and a box of sweets at the First Test House. It seems the effect was outstanding.






"Master. We look forward to seeing you today.

　Nine o'clock in the morning. While waiting in the living room for the participants of the day trip demon hunting tour to learn [Spear Technique], the one who appeared there was a fluffy blonde young lady maid with elegant waves, Champagne.
　If you look closely, you can see that her makeup is perfect, her hair is perfectly set, her maid's outfit has been arranged in a shimmering arrangement, and she smells faintly of flowers. She's got plenty of spunk!

"Oh, nice to meet you, ....... Huh?

　In the middle of the greeting, I suddenly remember.

"Aren't you a swordsman?
You remembered it!　I'm so impressed!

　When I pointed this out to her, she clasped her hands together in front of her chest and gave a little bounce with a happy look on her face.

I'm very good at thrusting," he said. I'm very good at thrusting, but my rapier is often insufficient for my reach, so I decided to take this opportunity to switch to spearmanship.
Okay. That's a good call.

　He thinks for himself and sets his own policies to develop his strengths. It's proof that you think well of your own development. You have a lot of ambition.

　When I praise him, Champagne bounces up and down again, saying "I'm so happy! He's so cute.



''Well, today's destination is the slime forest.
A forest of slime?

　I asked Anko to transfer and summon me to the "Slime Forest" on the outskirts of the royal capital. This is the hunting ground for beginners.

　Champagne said, "Why are you in that place now? He simply wonders.

'This forest is actually very deep. In two ways.
'I see!　You mean in terms of formality and nature, right?
Hmm?　Yeah. That's what I mean.

　That phrase sounds kind of smart, doesn't it?

　Just like Champagne's words, this forest goes deeper and deeper into the depths. It's a place not to be underestimated, because beyond that, demons that would be very difficult for a beginner to compete with can appear.

　In other words, it is a deep forest with a face for beginners in the shallow areas and a face for intermediate to advanced players in the deeper areas.

　Rather than a dungeon where the strength of the monsters that appear is roughly constant, the advantage of this Slime Forest is that it can respond to various requests from weak to strong demons depending on the objective. It could be said to be the most suitable place for this 【Lance Technique】 skill intensive learning.


''Then let's start right away with the Guillermo Spear Technique.

　I've already learned the infantry and incense carts from the Royal Grand Library's skill book.

　In today's day, I'll learn everything from Gui Ma to the Dragon King. Don't worry, learning the [Spear Art] skill isn't that difficult (personal opinion).

I agree with you, sir.

　With Champagne's spirited reply, our day of slime hunting began.




'Alright, now it's time for flying jousting. This one needs to be split into two.

　After a few hours of concentrating on the requirements for mastery, the next step is to master the flying wheel.

''It's to two moves?
Yeah. Anyway, I have to make up the numbers. Use the counterattack of the Golden General Spear Technique to hunt two hundred slimes in the shallows.
The Golden General is fighting back. I understand.

　The prerequisite for mastering the Flying Wheel Javelin is to use the counterattack effect of the Golden General Javelin to defeat 200 demons in a row. Two hundred in a row is a key point. If there was one more attack or attacked in between, the previous count would be reset.

　However, the condition for activating the "Golden General Spearmanship" skill that has a counterattack effect is "to be attacked during the activation period", so it's not so difficult. Even the 《Gold General Spear Technique》 16th level has an activation time of 3.2 seconds with a preparation time of 2.6 seconds. If you start preparing in time for the slime's preliminary attack movement, you have plenty of time to spare and plenty of room to spare, Midgals Orm.

'Do you want to compete?'
It's what I want!

　So, a little spice to the tedious task of learning.

Let's go!
Yes, sir!





　A few minutes later, I notice something.

　There are a lot of people in the slime forest.

...... hello.

　It occurred to me that I would sneak up behind them to see who the people who had come into the forest were.


''Ah, I knew it,''

　My prediction was correct.
　The identity of the visitors were the students of the 'Royal School of Magic'.

　Several times a year they train to camp out in this slime forest. I knew about this event because I had participated in it once when I was an international student because I was too busy and had too much free time to do anything about it. So I knew about this event, and it happened to coincide with our learning schedule.


　What should we do?

　They could be said to be novices, so they would not come deep into the forest, even during the search-and-seek training conducted in the course of camp training.

　What we're left with is the mastery of the Dragon Horse and the Dragon King. These are planned to be done deep in the forest, so there's nothing wrong with that, but the flying car mastery we're currently doing is best done in shallow water (...). If this is the case, it is extremely likely that we will run into the students of the Royal School of Magic.


　...... All hell will break loose, right? It would interfere with our training.

　In that case, let's change the plan. I'm going to have to go home early today to learn the "Flying Wheel Javelin" and the "Dragon King Javelin", which can be learned without the "Flying Wheel Javelin" first.

"Champagne is ...... that way.

　I made my way through the forest, avoiding any sign of people to join her.






'Huh!　That's Panny!
Oh, no!　It's true, it's Pani!
'Wow, you haven't changed. I mean, a maid's outfit?　Why?

Oh, you guys can go to ......


　I spotted Champagne and approached to call out to her - a trio of girls appeared before me to call out to her.

　I immediately ducked behind a tree to get a better look at them.

　The girls spoke familiarly to Champagne and immediately surrounded them.


'It's been a long time since we've seen you ....... What are you doing in a place like this?

That's funny. That's what I'm talking about.
We're an exchange student now, you know. I mean, we're exchange students now, right?　At the Vinston School. Well, I was chosen, right?
The Royal Academy of Magic's camp training for spotting?　That's a bit of a stretch. I was checking the perimeter to make sure there was no danger, and I ran into Pani.

　Apparently, the four of them have a peer-to-peer relationship.

　But for that, I feel that Champagne's expression is cloudy .......


''Phew ...... phew!　But still, a maid (...)!
Panny, that's so funny. That's awesome, seriously.
'Haha!　I've fallen as far as I can go...


　...... I see, I get it. Those guys (・・・・・・・).


"Hey, let's go tell Tivo's father. The young lady of the Fana family works as a maid!　You'll have a good laugh!
Stop it. My family was recently elevated to the rank of countess, so I can't do anything bad anymore.
Not too much! You're doing a little bit of that!

　Gyahahahahaha," she said with a vulgar smile. However, their gestures contain elegant movements that make you think they are good girls. It's hard to imagine from their tone of voice, but they must be proper ladies in some respects.

　Especially that Tivo woman, apparently the daughter of a county family. I remember hearing that name just this morning. This is the useful information on the Countess Ormun that Yukari played for me as background music for my morning meal.

　Tivo Ormun is, yes, the daughter of yesterday's drunk Count Chilima Ormun. Haha, no wonder, hey .......


'Ahh, swoosh. I've been wondering at home what that fake (・・・・) panny looks like now.
You're long gone, but you've been more of a lady than anyone else.　I'm wearing a cat, you know. Even now, it still irritates me.
Good for you, Panny?　I'd love to be a maid!　You did it! You get to be by the side of the young lady of your dreams!　Who am I kidding?


　Wow ...... That's awesome, man. Eco's bullying was terrible, but this one is just as bad.


'Huh?　But oops. I'm pretty sure we asked your father to drop Panny into slavery (・・・・・・・・・).

......!

'Wow, that's scary. Don't stare at me ...... creepy.
'You're not even a nobleman, and that's what happens when you stay at Vinston School forever.
Don't degrade yourself, darling. That school is for noble ladies. It's not a place for imposters like you.
Oh, okay!　Panny, you were bought!　That's why I'm a maid. A slave maid!
'What, eh!　So, maybe you have a feeling that you're doing that kind of service too?
'Oh, gross!　But it might be a good fit!

　The three of them laughed mockingly, and Champagne clenched his fists as he strained his voice.


I am ...... me, I am not being used like that!　Master is not that kind of person!


　A moment of silence - immediately after, the three of them laughed with their stomachs.

''You're the master!
If you're going to use me, I'm a total slave!

"Awww, that's hilarious. ...... Hey, Panny, you know what?　Slave maids are the furthest thing from your ladyship's mind.　Think about it for a second.　Panny won't be a lady for the rest of her life, you know?　Hey, don't you despair?　Hmmmph!


　Did this woman know that Champagne admired the young lady, and she was using her power to try to crush it? It's clear, this guy is black. This is a black woman.


　And Champagne doesn't say, "You made me do it," as opposed to "You made me do it.

　Champagne doesn't say, "You made me do it," he says with great grace ...... and a very ladylike breeze, as he slowly opens his mouth.


I have never forgotten a single dream of mine. I am proud to be the daughter of Viscount Fana and I have sworn that I will never sell my heart, no matter what happens. I will not give in, no matter what you do. I will remain me until the end of my life. This is my path.



　-- I couldn't help but be transfixed.

　She was so beautiful as she dreamed, she was so beautiful as she talked about the road.

　What can we do without admiring the woman who has such a beautiful will and faith in her body?


　It's not a matter of what people say or how they interfere, but she never falters, never breaks, never wavers, and continues to walk with her eyes focused only on her own dreams.

　...... I'm an idiot. I'm not a fan of that. The blood will spurt out of your heart constantly. You'll want to stop walking again and again. But you're still an idiot for not stopping to walk. You're stupid, dumb, dumb, and inexplicably ...... the coolest thing you've ever seen!


d*mn it ......!

　As soon as Champagne was done saying that, Tivo slapped Champagne's cheek with a slap.

　A weak slap from her, who probably hasn't even become a magician. It's not that Champagne doesn't duck it, much less fight back, she just takes it on the cheek, silently endures the pain and glares at her opponent with a snap.

　He never gets distraught. Why? If you listen carefully to her words, you can understand that much. It's because she's a young lady. Because she is a young lady, and she has been a young lady ever since she had that dream in her heart. The lady inside her doesn't get distracted by being verbally abused or slapped, just because of that. ......!



"-- Champagne.


　It's the first time I've called her name.

　That name is worth calling. A tremendous value that I sincerely wish I could call it aloud.


'My lord!　You've been watching us!

　She turned around in surprise and stared at my face, a tiny drop gleaming out of the corner of her eye.

　It was a tiny little heart blood that I desperately tried to hold back, and yet it still spilled out a little bit.


'Huh?　Gosh, Jin, sa ......ma ...... is ......!


　TiVo and his cronies both pale and exclaim.

　No wonder. You have to be surprised. I wanted them to at least be incontinent.


'Nice to meet you, Tivo Ormun. I'm Second Firth Test.

　Who's up and who's down? For now, let's make it clear, shall we?


'Is it Issenza, Eishou, Reiou, or the Triple Crown, or the All-Powerful Ambassador? If you're ready, you can call me whatever you want. You can call me whatever you want.


　...... Bow down, lass. You are the world's number one ranked athlete. Now tremble and be frightened like a little animal in fear of its own safety.

　And make sure you know whose property you're messing with.


"S-Second, sir, it is my pleasure to introduce you to ......... to a place like this.
'You say things you're tired of hearing, just like your father.
'What?　Oh, both your father and ......!
Yeah, I saw him yesterday. They were very rude. What's the harm in that?
No, no!　No!　I'm sorry, too. ......

　Unfortunately, your go-to guy, Daddy, is also below you.

　No one is going to protect you. There is nowhere to run. You'll have to fight your own battle. Me.

　You've been viciously using your power to crush Champagne, haven't you?　If that's the case, how can I complain about them doing the exact same thing to me?


　What will you do with them?

　I'll just go back to the Royal Academy of Magic with them and tell them the truth in front of the whole school. Or shall we go to the Vinston School and expose it all to the light of day? Yes, I could show you around my house, always with a clear hostility towards you. Right beside it, you can think aloud about what will happen to the Countess Ormun's house and think about this and that.

　What would the girls think if they had to spend days with everyone on the First Test grounds staring at the three of them like they were avenging their parents?

　Would they beg for it to stop?　Do you want to rub your forehead on the floor and apologize?　Even so, I can't stop. How many times has Champagne wished that in her mind? And yet, she never once showed it, and she remained a "young lady" with an elegant face. I don't have the option of letting them go, at least not until I can truly appreciate their integrity.



"Master. That's enough.

............ what?


　It was unexpected.

　I was looking for different ways to cook the carp on the cutting board when Champagne suddenly said that.

　That's enough," he said. Are they to be let off the hook?

　If that's the case, you can go to ......


I have nothing against them. The miracle that I met my master is because of their efforts to reduce me to a slave. So, that's why ......

So?

It pains me to see your master's beautiful hands soiled.


　...... stupid. After all, he's an extreme idiot. He's a super duper idiot.

　This guy should have been having a hard time, and yet he says these things.


　At the critical moment, he says the most ladylike things ever: ......!


...... Your idea of a graceful young lady is probably a lady who hates sin and doesn't hate people, doesn't think about revenge, is always benevolent, kind and attentive, firm and disciplined, strong, beautiful and pretty, with perfect makeup, hair, clothes, perfume, and everything else.

Yes, ...... that's right. My dream. My dream, my ideal. My dream, my ideal, I have always been. Even if you're the master's maid, that's the core of who I am.



　Yeah, it's crazy.

　Champagne, somewhere in my life, I went irrevocably crazy.


　And it was, amazingly enough, the exact same crazy as ...... me.

　With me, who staked his life on Mövius Online and remained more obsessed with being number one in the world than anyone else.



''Let's put ............ the flying car spear technique aside for a moment. We'll learn the Dragon Jousting Technique first.
"Ha ...... yes!　Yes, Master!

　Turning our backs on Tivo and the others as if they were no longer worth looking at, and ignoring the voices behind us, me and Champagne continued deeper into the forest.

　We have a lot of other priorities.


　There was no need to sanction the three of us, she said. She didn't want to sully my hands, she said.
　Then I'll do that and let the moment pass.

　But when I get home, I'll choose ...... the best person I can think of, only that head maid, and I'll tell her the truth about the facts.