Chapter 546

"Dark Green Sprout" VS. Plum
From the way the conversation went, it was decided that Plum and the two from Dark Green Sprout would have a mock battle.
The mock battle would take place in the training yard — sorry it’s under renovation, but it’ll have to do.

"... This place is under renovation?"

"No. Talat and Kiblinki Saltas said, 'This space isn’t enough.' Plus, sometimes Plum trains me too, so I figured I might as well make it bigger."

"... You must be rich?"

"Well, rich enough to spend money on this kind of thing."

Honestly, a renovation of this scale doesn’t even faze me.
Once the expansion is done, the Kiblinki Saltas plan to transplant trees from the forest.
Apparently, while creating an area for cultivation, they also want to make a section of the training yard that feels like training inside a forest.
It’s nice to have a safe place for forest training, but… won’t those trees die?
… Well, the Kiblinki Saltas will be looking after them, so probably not.

"Now then, are those the weapons you’ll be using?"

Plum returned from her room, having adjusted her equipment.
Her armor wasn’t jagged or brutish — it emphasized a feminine softness while still fully covering her body.
It was the armor she used back when she was a general.
Before, she would only wear leather armor at most, but after moving into this mansion, whenever she had to go out formally armed, she switched to this armor.
She also owns a princess-style dress armor, but today she was in her general’s armor.

"... Can you fight in such heavy gear?"

"It’s not a problem. So, will you use wooden swords for the mock battle, or your usual weapons?"

"... Juna will use a wooden spear. Her weapon’s edge is too sharp. I’ll use my usual staff."

"Either is fine. The winner is whoever lands a decisive strike on the opponent’s vital point. Agreed?"

"That’s fine. Juna, you’re good with that?"

"Of course! …Though that armor looks so heavy, I can’t imagine moving in it."

"That’s what you think. Now then, Lily — the starting signal."

"Okay! Then… start!"

The moment I called it, Plum vanished.
In the blink of an eye, she appeared behind the two, swept their legs out from under them, and leveled the tip of her thrusting sword at them.
Yeah… match over.

"What—? Just now—?"

"Just because your opponent’s in a humanoid form doesn’t mean they move like a human. I’m a vampire — over short distances, I can move through shadows. For a distance like that, it’s nothing to slip into my own shadow, then emerge from yours and catch you off guard."

"... Tch! I let my guard down!"

"For gold-ranked adventurers, you let yourselves be fooled by appearances. Wearing heavy-looking armor doesn’t mean I’m slow — discard that assumption."

"... Got it. One more round."

"Very well. I can’t judge your skill from just that."

Plum returned to her starting point, and Fanny and Juna got back on their feet.
The mock battle began again, but this time Plum didn’t take the first move — she seemed to be gauging their approach.
How will they attack?

"... O flower! O grass! Buds bursting forth!"

"Oh?"

From Fanny’s staff, vines extended, flowers bloomed, and branches spread.
More flowers bloomed… but… was that all?

"Hmm. So you’ll use this for an illusion? If it doesn’t work, it’s just pretty to look at."

"Oh? There are thorns, too."

A single vine shot out rapidly from her staff, splitting into many branches to try and ensnare Plum.
Countless small thorns covered them — getting caught in those looked painfully unpleasant.

"No need to worry about me. There."

Plum stirred up a gust of wind — unmistakably wind magic.
The vines were cleanly shredded to pieces.
Fanny couldn’t hide her shock.

"My vines, so easily…?"

"No, they were strong enough in their own right — they just don’t work on me."

"I see. But that was enough time. The decoy worked."

"A decoy? … Ah, the girl Juna is gone. So that’s the real move."

Indeed, Juna had vanished without me noticing.
Where did she go?

"Hmm… I know where she is, but perhaps I’ll let her attack, just to show the difference in our abilities."

"Eh, where is she?"

"Right above me. She’s concealing herself with magic so her shadow doesn’t show."

Wow, she can do that too.
Fanny looked utterly shocked — so it must be true.
What would Plum do now?

"Now then… like this!"

"Whaaa!?"

Plum thrust her sword upward, and there appeared Juna, spear in hand.
The tips of their weapons clashed — but only Juna’s spear shattered, sending her flying back.
Plum’s sword remained completely intact, and she didn’t even flinch.
Yeah… this person’s really strong.

"A fine technique. With that skill and a strong enough weapon, you could slay an Ancient Hydra."

"Y-yes, thank you."

"Now then, shall we call the mock battle here?"

"Yeah. I get it now — the difference in our abilities is crystal clear. What you need is someone whose presence alone deters attackers before they even try. That’s why you need us. I accept."

"You’re quick to understand — I appreciate it."

"But, you’ll spar with us sometimes."

"If I’m free. If Lily and Talat are here at the training grounds, I won’t have to worry."

So, I still have to accompany them.
I guess there are still people who’d think they could take us if it’s just Talat and the Kiblinki Saltas.
Even though honestly, Talat is apparently dozens of times stronger than Plum.

What do you think about this chapter?