CH 114

Chapter 114 – Mock Battle

—One week later.

Yofel’s addition to the team was big. I had her work with Sol to attack low-rank and medium-rank dungeons, while I took on dungeon-clearing requests as Komon Shiina.

As I’d thought, it was more efficient to work in pairs. Even if I didn’t have any requests, Yofel would be able to acquire [Core Fragments] every day, so we would always finish the day with a positive balance.

Like I had initially expected, even though elves were highly skilled in combat, they were also equipped with items that enhanced their physical abilities, much like the [Perfect Ring]. This made them more than well equipped to fight against any enemies.

Even Shiki would have to give his all, or he’d lose to Yofel. Naturally, that made her stronger than me too.

I could have let her challenge an advanced-rank dungeon, but I had to refrain because I could never be too sure what might happen in a dungeon of that scale.

At any rate, our income over the past week has been quite substantial. Together with our business deal with the Apostles of Peace, we easily exceeded ¥200,000,000.

At the moment, I was on the island, taking a short breather.

However, daily training was still essential, so Yofel and Shiki were having a mock battle, with me spectating.

“―[Exploding Shuriken]!” (Shiki)

Shiki unleashed a shuriken with an explosive attribute attached to it, and it sped towards Yofel.

“This is nothing!” (Yofel)

Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh!

With nimble movements, Yofel shot out five arrows in quick succession. They pierced through the approaching shuriken, causing an explosion.

Shiki immediately cut through the smoke that resulted, scythes extending from his arms as he dashed towards Yofel.

Archers were strong at long range but weak at close range. For that reason, closing the gap would normally put them at a disadvantage, but…

“―[Phantom Clone].” (Yofel)

In the next instant, several copies of Yofel appeared around her. Surprisingly, there were a total of 30.

“Hmph! Then likewise!” (Shiki)

Shiki could also make clones. He also summoned 30 clones, each of them taking on Yofel’s clones one on one. Yofel’s clones were being slashed apart with one scythe slash each, but strangely enough, they all disappeared at once from where they were standing.

Then, Shiki suddenly looked above him. Yofel had jumped high into the air at some point, and was now high in the sky with her bow at the ready.

“[A Thousand Rains]!” (Yofel)

As soon as she shot the arrow, it seemed to split and divide, raining countless arrows down upon Shiki.

This was a wide area of effect attack devised by Yofel. A single one of her arrows was powerful, but this was a barrage of countless of them. Anything caught in the range of the attack wouldn’t stand a chance.

Shiki’s eyes widened in admiration, but he didn’t seem panicked in the slightest. I was wondering what he would do, when…

“[Earth Release・Mole Claws].” (Shiki)

Wow, he can even do something like that now? Anything is possible now, huh… Ninjas.

He’d probably be using Water Release and Fire Release before long. He was dependable and I hoped that he would keep at it, but it was just straight up unfair for his enemies.

(TL: This is a reference to the nature transformations from Naruto.)

Not expecting him to dodge the attack altogether, Yofel landed back on the ground with a look of shock on her face. However, Shiki took advantage of this opportunity to appear from the ground.

Yofel tried to react, but Shiki’s attack was faster, bringing his sickle to her throat.

“….It’s my loss.” (Yofel)

The mock battle ended with Yofel’s declaration of her surrender. Sol and I, who were watching the whole time, clapped our hands in applause.

“That was amazing. It was like watching a fantasy movie.” (Bouchi)

“Master… No, I still have a long way to go. I’m still far from being a match for Shiki.” (Yofel)

“No, you’re steadily getting stronger. Besides, this one will not sit around and wait. Anyway, you still have a positive record against Sol, right?” (Shiki)

That was true. Sol and Yofel had been having mock battles, but Sol had the lower win rate. It seemed that Sol was weak against illusions, so she kept falling for the illusions that Yofel created.

One time, an illusion of a pile of mashed potatoes appeared in front of Sol, and she was literally defeated in an instant. After all, she had jumped at the pile of mashed potatoes with a totally frenzied look in her eyes.

Sol’s advantage was her speed. But if she was stopped, she couldn’t make use of her specialty at all. It was a strategic win for Yofel, who exploited Sol’s shortcomings as someone faithful to her desires.

“Puuu~! Sol will win next time!” (Sol)

“Yeah, I’ll be even more diligent. I cannot let this [Azure Illusion Bow] that Master bestowed to me be wasted in my hands,” Yofel declared as she gazed at the stunningly azure bow in her hands.

I was the one who bought this bow for her. The move she showed earlier, [A Thousand Rains], was made possible by this bow through the creation of countless illusory arrows.

However, they weren’t just mere illusions. When handled by a skilled illusionist, this bow was an exceptional item that allowed their illusionary attacks to materialize into reality. If I were to use it, the arrow fired from it wouldn’t damage the target. It was an illusion, after all.

But if Yofel, who had the <Illusion> skill, used it, she could materialize all the illusions that she created, allowing her to demonstrate an unparalleled degree of power.

When I was searching in the <Shop> for a weapon that might be suitable for Yofel, I found this bow and proceeded to buy it because it seemed like it was made for her. It had been pretty expensive, but I purchased it for her as an upfront investment to immediately increase her strength.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Izu for a while. And… where did Ior go?” (Yofel)

Before the mock battle, they had been next to me, so Yofel found it strange that they were no longer there.

“Ah, Izu took Ior with her to see if he could help her with something.” (Bouchi)

“Is that so, Master? What could she possibly want Ior’s help with…?” (Yofel)

“Something related to his skill, I guess.” (Bouchi)

“I see. Our training happens to be over now, so I’m going to go find Ior.” (Yofel)

“Then I’ll go with you to see how things are going over there.” (Bouchi)

Just like that, everyone went to where Izu and Ior were. At the moment, they were at some place by a lake.

“―Ara? If it isn’t Master and his amusing companions?” (Izu)

“Puuuu! Who are you calling amusing?” (Sol)

“Ah, I beg your pardon. I wasn’t referring to you when I said companion. You’ll suffice as emergency rations, I suppose.” (Izu)

“Sol is not food!” (Sol)

Well… Sure enough, even if I was hungry, I would never think of eating Sol.

“Ugh! Why are you always so mean to me, Izu?!” (Sol)

“I’m just speaking the undeniable truth, you know?” (Izu)

“Puuuuuu~!” (Sol)

My goodness, these two…

There were times where they seemed to be on good terms, but strangely enough, they would normally be at odds, just like this. Well, I could somehow enjoy the little back and forth between them a little bit.

“Anyway. Master, is anything the matter?” (Izu)

“Ahh, Yofel was just worried about Ior.” (Bouchi)

“Ah, is that so? Yofel-dono, my apologies for borrowing Ior without your permission.” (Izu)

“No, I’m sure he came here because he wanted to do what he could. He must have only gone with you after you convinced him to, right?” (Yofel)

He was still only 7 years old, so I felt that it was just fine for him to live his life freely as he pleased. But he must have seen his older sister working hard for my sake and been unable to just sit quietly.

“So Izu, where is Ior?” (Bouchi)

“Over there, Master.” (Izu)

My gaze followed in the direction that Izu indicated, and there I found Ior sitting by the side of the lake, patting the ground.