Huh, huh, huh. ......

　A lone girl runs through the training grounds of the Dukes of Nilesteria, out of breath.
　Dressed in a chignon of iris-colored hair and an easy-to-move trouser style was the duke's daughter, Minerva.

　The first thing Aldis mentioned in giving her instruction in sword magic was a no-no on her clothing.
　You can't even run in a robe whose hemline is about to touch the ground.
　Go and change into comfortable clothes, Aldis told him coldly.

　In the meantime, I'm going to be able to get the most out of this article. That's all.
　Naturally, the followers around her begin to protest, but Aldis doesn't listen to them.

"I told you at the beginning. "I told you at the beginning," he said, "that when you study with me, you will do things my way. If you don't like the way I teach, you can dismiss me at any time.

　There is certainly an interest in Minerva, who sensed the presence or absence of magic, but that doesn't mean that the role of instructing is one that Ardis wanted and accepted.
　If possible, he really wants to get away as soon as possible.

I'm not going to complain if this is really what you need to learn sword magic. However, since I am not aware of the fact that learning magic requires a lot of running, I would appreciate it if you could explain that to me.

　However, if Minerva asks you about your intentions, you can't avoid answering as long as you promise to 'teach what is necessary'.

It's not that I don't like it. It is only a sword technique that is based on swordsmanship and is different from pure magic. You can think of the essence of sword magic as supplementing sword magic with magical power instead of manipulating the sword with magic. If you only use magic to manipulate the sword, that's just a street art. Rather than flying a sword in a straight line towards the enemy, it's faster to throw it by hand from the start.

　Although you're talking big, the number of swords Ardis can control at will is at most about twenty. If you have more than that, you can only reproduce the same swordsmanship as an ordinary mercenary, and if you control more than a hundred, your movements will be as simple as a street performance.

The original purpose of swordsmanship is to create a body that has the same amount of power as you do. Therefore, if the wielder doesn't know how to use the sword, it's meaningless. This is because two or three people who can't even hold a sword properly will not be of much use to you.

'You don't mean to tell me, ......, that you want me to learn swordsmanship?'

　Minerva's eyes widen at the unexpected story.

'That's what I'm trying to say?　-- do you want to stop?

　Even for a person who is a duchess to acquire magic, it must be unheard of. Even more so when it comes to training in swordsmanship.
　If the sword-wielding young lady is poorly prepared, it could put a damper on a marriage proposal more than the ugly news.

............ No, I'd like to ask you to give me some guidance. Please teach me swordsmanship.

　Minerva, who had been thinking with her eyelids closed for a while, looks straight into Aldis' eyes and replies as if she had made up her mind

If you tell me to run, I will run. If you ask me to hold a sword, I will. So please teach me the art of sword magic.

　Aldis saw the unwavering determination in his eyes and began teaching Minerva that day.





　Then ten days and a bit.

　The first step was to build up her physical strength.
　It's a good thing that you can't have the stamina to wield a sword, as the young lady has been cherished and raised as a butterfly and a flower.
　She had to be made to run, and to develop the minimum physical and muscular strength necessary to learn swordsmanship. That was the main premise.

　Naturally, the servants and attendants around her were loudly denounced by them.

''I will report the whole thing to the master!

　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

　But fortunately for Ardis, nothing has been heard from the Duke himself, the master of the house.
　He has no intention of interfering in Aldis's policies, or he is too busy to be bothered by trivial matters, or is not interested in his daughter to begin with. Aldis can't decide.

　So far, Minerva's training is progressing well without any tea being thrown in.
　Due to the fact that it is a period of growth, she was gaining strength day by day, even though she was training once every three days.

　At Minerva's request, Aldis brought Rona to the training session every time.
　It seems that Minerva liked the comfort of the first time she stroked it the first time, and after the training is over, she looks forward to enjoying Rona's fur all over her body, as is customary.

　I thought Rona would not like to come, but apparently this duchess has seen through Rona's attack in a day.
　Thanks to the sweets made by the duke's cook, the golden beast quickly descended to the warrior's gate of the young lady.

"Rona. Today's pastry is a chocolate brownie. Yes, ahhh.

Woof!

　Now Minerva herself feeds Rona sweets in her mouth, and she seems to have been completely fed. She is a pathetic partner.





　By the time the fifteenth day passed and by the time she was swinging with the wooden sword, Minerva must have been able to relax a bit physically.
　As soon as the training was over, she ran over to Rona and began to nuzzle her face into her golden body and enjoy her grizzled fur.

　Holger, her servant, chided her for being so cavalier, but there was a glimpse of age-appropriate naivete in her smile, and as Aldis, she felt much more natural than the clear face she'd first met.
　Although Rona looks uncomfortable for a moment, she seems to be putting up with it, splitting it off as a way to eat the sweets.

''Well then, Rona, I'm going to go out for a bit, so you can wait here quietly.

What?

　What do you mean?　Aldis, who turned to me as if to say, "I'll explain the situation briefly.

''The Duke himself wants to talk to me.

Wah-hum.

　I guess he means to say, "Hmm.

　This is a sudden summons from the Duke, who until now had been self-conscious.
　Even for Ardis, "Now? I have a strong feeling that this is the case.
　I'm sure my daughter's situation will have been reported to me through the servants, and if you're complaining, I don't know why you've been non-interfering until now.

'So, therefore, wait a while.

"Wan.

'Then I'll take care of Rona. Rona, the cook made a lot of sweets for you today. Let's eat them together.

　Minerva indulges Rona for this.

'Don't feed me too many sweets, please.

　Despite the bitterness in her mouth, Aldis smiles troubledly at Minerva, who happily hugs Rona.

''Well, I'll see you later.

　After saying that, Aldis was guided by a servant and walked to the Duke's residence.





　In the parade ground that Aldis had left, Rona and Minerva were relaxing in one of the shaded corners set aside for rest.
　While Rona was happily munching on the sweets the servants had prepared, Minerva sat down next to her with a depressed expression on her face.

　Minerva gave a small sigh as she ran her fingers through her golden fur.

''Wan?''

　Minerva replied with a troubled look at the squeak that seemed to ask what was wrong.

'I was wondering what your father's story is: ......

　The squires and servants around her did not approach Rona for fear of her.
　Minerva speaks to Rona in a language that would not reach them if it were in a whisper, and if the tutor lady heard her, she would raise her eyebrows at a sharp angle.

'Could it be that you're going to pretend that the instructional story didn't happen?　It's true that it's too outlandish for a young lady to be wielding a wooden sword, but nothing was ever said before: ......

Wufu?

'I'm sure Master Aldis doesn't really want to do this kind of work either. Does she think it's a child's whim or selfishness?

　The young lady's soliloquy continues as she strokes Rona's back with her fingers, not demanding an answer.

'But you see, I want to be strong. It's not that I want the power to hurt anyone. I just want to be strong enough not to slow them down. If I wasn't a helpless warrior girl who was only being protected ............, Tarrant and Leila might not have to die. ......

　Her iris-colored eyes flicker slightly.
　To hide it, Minerva hugged Rona's neck and nuzzled her face.

'Everyone says. 'They were admirable. They said they did their job admirably, as my guards and side servants. They said they were proud of you. If you're a duke, give them both credit for their service. ......

　Minerva's emotions were running high as her tone of voice was nonchalant and grief bearing.

'I don't want to do that ......!

　With her face nuzzled into Rona's neck, the rage the young lady had been holding back spilled over without stopping.

'It doesn't have to be respectable!　You don't have to be proud of me!　I didn't want you both to die!　On the side, yea, teh, that was all I wanted, but ......!

　Minerva lets her heart out in a mixture of sobs.

　From a distance, it would only look like she was hugging and frolicking with Rona.
　The only people who know what's on his mind are Minerva herself and Rona, who is close by.

　After how much time had passed, Minerva finally calmed down and released Rona by loosening the strength in her arms.

'I don't want someone else to die for me anymore. That's why I want to be strong. At least not to the point where I can't be a hindrance. I don't care if people say I'm not a wench or that I'm flabby. I will definitely learn sword magic.

　Only an inverted triangle of ears wrapped in golden fur catches Minerva's oath, with no one to hear it, and responds with a twitch.

''Wah-hum.''

　Rona licked the trail of tears left on Minerva's cheek.
　It was as if she took in her grief and encouraged her intentions.

'Hmph. Thank you. It's as if Rona can understand human language.

"Wan.

　Feeling better about Rona's reply, Minerva spoke lightly.

'Then can you tell Aldis-sama?　I'll do my best and you won't leave me behind.

Woof!

　Rona's voice, barking vigorously, sounded like she was telling him to leave it to himself.