Avangarde Royal Capital
As I watched Lord Hast fixate on the ribbon, he suddenly became preoccupied with searching for Elmera. I had no idea where she could be in this vast royal capital, and there was no way to find her. Besides, she wasn’t the type to give us a specific destination. She was like a dog or cat, disappearing for a while only to return unexpectedly.
“The commercial street seems pretty normal… They’re selling the skewers that Kurinka loves so much,” I remarked.
“It looks like the A-Rank adventurers have fortified their defenses, thinking they’d be the first targets. Even so, it seems like Tiferia has taken down most of them already,” Kurinka replied.
As we spoke, I noticed that Kurinka already had five skewers in each hand. Wait, when did that happen? Kurinka had grown without me even realizing it. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t sensed her change at all.
“Hey, when did you buy those?” I asked, curious.
“While you were looking over there, I slipped some money and said, ‘the usual, please.’ What’s wrong?” she answered, a hint of confusion in her voice.
“Well, if that’s the case, then it’s fine, but…”
I had unknowingly become a regular at this place. I didn’t always stick with Kurinka. With a bit more money to spare, there were days when I acted freely without taking on any requests. I trained alone to ensure my skills didn’t dull. I even challenged myself to see how many laps I could run around the royal capital in an hour or how far I could jump from the castle walls. Once, I ended up falling into the fountain in the central square, surprising everyone.
I wanted to do something more extravagant, but I couldn’t because it would cause damage to the capital. I wanted to experience real combat, but the monsters around here weren’t enough of a challenge. Even if I went to the Guild, no one would take me seriously. Occasionally, some impressive adventurers would accept a request, but it never lasted more than three seconds.
So, reluctantly, I practiced balancing on the triangular roof of the castle, only to have a bunch of soldiers show up, causing quite a commotion. Thanks to Ritta and Kirkton, I managed to get through it, but since then, I’ve been feeling quite constrained, especially after being threatened with death for my recklessness.
While I was struggling with all that, Kurinka had been steadily building her reputation as a regular here on the commercial street. Despite eating so much, I wondered why she seemed smarter than me. I read a little before bed, but I was confident I could fall asleep the moment I opened a book. What was the difference between Kurinka and me?
“Kurinka, let’s do that special training in Kizel Valley tomorrow,” I suggested.
“Yeah. If we go deep into the valley, we won’t bother anyone,” she agreed.
We had promised to practice our combined technique for a while now. I believed that if we could replicate the technique we used to defeat Vattel, we could aim even higher. Although I was already strong enough, Seigel once teased me about wanting to become even stronger.
While it was true that I had won against every opponent so far, I realized there were many aspects I needed to reconsider. For instance, during the encounter with the Dragon God, I had to resort to using Sonic Impact, a technique that drained my energy significantly. It would be great if I could defeat my enemies with Sonic Impact, but if I couldn’t, that would be the end for me. Using it left my body aching and immobile for a while.
My first goal was to learn to win without relying on Sonic Impact, and the second was to be able to use it repeatedly. There were also the troublesome techniques of Belmund’s splitting and Eerlich’s clones. The last time I faced Vattel, he focused solely on shaking me up, which made it easier to deal with him, but I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if he had used a more cunning strategy.
The most dangerous encounter was with Elmera. If I hadn’t recognized the Power of Destruction properly, I might have been taken out by Imagination Magic. I had thought I could get by with sheer force, but it turned out that the Power of Destruction had played a significant role in my victories. This realization filled me with a sense of urgency. My Divine Nature wasn’t something I had trained to acquire; it was more like a stroke of luck. If I had to rely on it to defeat many opponents, then my own strength was still lacking.
“There’s a clear difference between the overwhelming strength of beings like Lord Daigami and the Dragon God, and the kind of strength Vattel possesses. Staying in the Abyss Cave, I was completely unaware of all this,” I reflected.
“Maybe it’s because you’re always introspecting and striving to grow stronger that you survived the Abyss Cave, Lua-chan,” Kurinka said.
“It’s all about training, training, and challenging myself repeatedly,” I replied.
Just as I finished my last skewer, I found myself holding two rice cakes in both hands. I had taken a small bite of one before, recommended by Kurinka, and it felt like a Fireball had exploded in my mouth. Having survived magma, I now viewed that rice cake with nothing but fear. What scared me was that something like that was being sold as food, and Kurinka could easily eat nearly ten of them without a second thought.
“They say if you eat two or three, you’ll start to understand the real flavor beyond the spiciness,” she had told me, but I didn’t want to have to endure that just to enjoy my food. No matter how much water I drank, the burning sensation in my mouth wouldn’t go away. It hurt far more than Dragon Slayer Poison ever could.
“Elmera isn’t around. Should we ask someone nearby?” I suggested.
“Seriously, she was so eager to meet Lord Hast, yet she’s nowhere to be found at a time like this… Huh? Hey, Kurinka, what’s that over there?”
“Wow, what a long line! I wonder what food they’re selling!”
It wasn’t necessarily a food line, but the sheer amount of food Kurinka had consumed was truly frightening. It was obvious that it wasn’t a food line at all. Looking deeper, I saw a simple tent set up, with three beds inside where people lay face down, drooling and looking blissful.
“Ah… this must be what heaven feels like,” I murmured.
“I wouldn’t regret dying right now…” another person sighed.
“Hah… hah…”
A couple of adult men and women lay there, half-naked, muttering something. I suspected that whatever had happened to them was likely the doing of the girl standing nearby.
“With this, they can work hard starting tomorrow! Daddy will win back Mommy’s heart!” she exclaimed cheerfully.
“I’ve fallen for you, you know,” one of the men replied.
“Don’t make Mommy cry with your infidelity!”
The girl had her hair styled in two brown buns, which then flowed down in long strands. Kurinka had mentioned something about twin tails, and I wondered if she wanted me to try that hairstyle too.
That aside, her outfit was a red, sheer garment that left her thighs exposed. Although she wore an apron that reached her ankles, the sides were cut open, making it look like it could reveal more than it should. I couldn’t understand why anyone would wear something like that. Kurinka had said she would never wear anything that could be seen like a skirt.
“Kurinka, that person is wearing a strange outfit,” I pointed out.
“That’s a Mandarin Gown! I’ve never seen one before. You don’t see that kind of clothing on this continent,” she replied.
“Maybe she’s from another country?”
“Apparently, she’s one of the travelers who took down the Phantoms. Just look at the faces of those who were rendered helpless by her massage; you can tell what happened.”
Greyman, who had been standing next to us, explained casually. It was surprising to see someone who should have been drained by Vattel already back on their feet.
“A massage?” I asked, intrigued.
“Look, the next customer’s massage is about to start,” he said.
Three new people lay down on the beds, and the girl observed them for a moment before starting to press their waists, backs, and ankles with her fingers and palms. Her movements were fluid, almost like a performance, as she leaped over the three and pressed down repeatedly. It felt like I was watching a circus act, and her speed was astonishing. A normal person wouldn’t have been able to see what she was doing at all.
I was convinced. That girl was strong—unbelievably so. The massage that had subdued the Phantoms probably had its roots in combat techniques. Watching the blissful expressions on the customers’ faces, they looked utterly content, almost melting away. If it felt that good, perhaps the curse of the Black Weapon wouldn’t matter anymore. To think she could free even Ritta, Kou, and Bun from the grip of the Black Weapon was no small feat.
“Hah… ahh…”
“How does it feel? Like you’re in paradise?”
“I don’t care what happens to me anymore. I could conquer the world like this. Flash Strike Girl is done for!”
“Watch out! Bad kids get the special treatment!”
“Ah! Ahh! Right there…!”
Upon closer inspection, one of the three was Elmera. What on earth was she doing? That was definitely not the right place for her.
“Elmera… so this is where you were,” I said, surprised.
“I kind of lost the urge to go call for her,” she admitted.
“I understand how you feel, but Lord Hast is here after all…”
“Are you all not going to try it? Right now, the entire Royal Capital is buzzing about this massage. Even soldiers sneaking away during their shifts to come here—Captain Kirkton was at his wit’s end.”
As I noticed the ever-growing line and listened to Greyman’s explanation, the power of that girl’s massage was once again proven. She seemed to be a bit older than us, always smiling and well-liked by the customers. That uncle over there has been wearing a slack-jawed expression for quite some time.
“If you’re not going to do it, I’ll go first.”
“But, look at that huge line! We have to wait our turn…”
“You’re all just rookies. Watch closely, Burst Boa, as I make my way to the front.”
I didn’t understand why he had to say all that, and it irritated me. Just as I was wondering what he was planning, he casually chatted with someone at the front of the line and handed over some money. The customer, having received a hefty sum, seemed satisfied and let Greyman cut in before heading off. It was just awful. Not just awful, it felt dirty. If that’s what experience gets you, I’d rather not have any.
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“You just cheated, didn’t you?!”
“This is a legitimate transaction; you have no right to complain. Now that I’ve paid, are you going to send me, your customer, away?”
“Just lie down already! Let’s get started!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa?! Fuhhh?!”
Was it just me, or was he being treated much more roughly than the previous customers? Greyman was taking a barrage of strikes, and I couldn’t tell if he was in pain or enjoying it. Occasionally, he rolled his eyes back and twitched. I wondered if he was okay.
“Fuh, fuh, fuhhh…”
“Are you satisfied now? Oh, wait, you’re not even listening.”
That girl effortlessly lifted Greyman’s large body while he lay there, tucking him aside without breaking a sweat. Ignoring the worried looks from the other customers, she continued to beam her cheerful smile.
“My massage is so good, you might just faint! By the time you wake up, all your fatigue will be gone!”
“Seriously?!”
“Hurry! I want to try too!”
The line became chaotic as a crowd surged forward. But the girl simply touched each person’s forehead with her fingertips, effortlessly keeping them in place. The bewildered customers blinked in silence for a moment. She remained smiling all the while.
“Next in line, okay?”
Her smile, reminiscent of a child’s, felt oddly insincere. And I thought it was about time to move Elmera, who was still sprawled out.
“Elmera, could you move a bit…”
“Huh? Oh, it’s you, Lua-chan. What’s up?”
“Hast-sama has come to the hotel. You should probably move since you’re in the way.”
“What?! Why didn’t you say anything, you fool?!”
Without even listening to the rest of my sentence, Elmera vanished from the spot. More accurately, she dashed away at incredible speed. It was probably Imagination Magic, so I didn’t question it further.
“Hey! No cutting in line!”
“Oh, sorry…”
I got scolded because of Elmera. But the girl didn’t seem to mind at all, casually pulling me to lie down on the bed.
“Wait, what?”
“This is no good! Your arms and legs! You’re not just tired, you’re labeled as exhausted!”
“It’s ‘level,’ right?”
“I’m doing this right now!”
“Wait, but what about the other customers…”
“This girl is in terrible shape! Is everyone okay with that?!”
“It’s the Flash Strike Girl! She’s saved the kingdom countless times! That’s enough reason, right? Everyone!”
“““Yeah!”””
So that’s how it is. I noticed someone clicking their tongue, making it feel quite awkward.
“Alright! I’m lying down!”
“Okay…”
“Then, let’s begin!”
First was my right leg. The vibrations from the strikes I had seen earlier resonated deep into my bones. Then, she stimulated various spots on my left leg and thigh. Just when I thought it was painful, it transformed into a pleasurable sensation, making me crave even stronger stimulation. The girl’s relentless massage continued, kneading, striking, and pressing my arms, shoulders, and legs without pause.
What amazed me most was that even when I tried to tense up my whole body in defense, it still hurt. Though her strength wasn’t overwhelming, it felt as if she could slip right through my defenses.
“Ahh…”
“You’re tense, aren’t you?!”
“Mm… mm!”
Before I knew it, I was letting out sounds in response to the ongoing vibrations. It felt as if she was stimulating me deep inside, and yet it was as if she was kneading away my inner fatigue. I wanted to surrender everything to this girl. Just as I began to feel drowsy and my eyelids started to droop, the vibrations suddenly stopped. When I was about to ask if it was over, it wasn’t the girl who stopped.
“That’s enough for now.”
“Why are you stopping?!”
“I said that’s enough!”
“K-Kurinka, what’s wrong?”
Kurinka’s cheeks puffed out like a squirrel. She always looked like this when she was angry. I wondered what had upset her. Kurinka forcefully grabbed my hand, trying to pull me up.
“I’ll do it for you, Lua-chan. It feels even better!”
“Uh, really? That’s nice, but… what’s wrong?”
“You were making such a slack face.”
“Fufu? I see, I see.”
The girl seemed to have realized something, but I had no idea what it was. Regardless, I was the one who was unhappy. I wanted more of that massage, but Kurinka had to meddle.
“Alright, then I’ll give you a turn next.”
“No, thank you!”
“Why not? You interrupted my work, and now you refuse this? How rude!”
“I’m leaving.”
“Wait a minute! After interrupting my work, you act like this? Who do you think you are? I’ll call the guards on you, you fool!”
“…I’m sorry. I’ll pay.”
“I don’t want your money. More importantly, you criticized my work without knowing anything. I’m upset. So at the very least, you should understand what I do.”
Her broken speech didn’t quite come together, but it was clear from the looks of the people around us that she was right. There were nods of agreement and stern faces watching closely. Even Kurinka, who was usually calm, seemed a bit excited.
“…I understand.”
“Lie down there. If you feel good, you’ll apologize to me.”
“Okay.”
I could only watch as Kurinka reluctantly complied. As she experienced the same treatment I had, her expression gradually softened. A single droplet of drool escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered.
“Mm… ah… mm…”
“See? How does it feel?”
“Ah… ahh…”
“Is your body honest?”
What was this? Watching her, I didn’t find it amusing at all. Every time Kurinka’s body twitched and she let out a sound, something inside me boiled over. It was a mix of anger and sadness I couldn’t quite understand. I had no intention of sorting through those feelings, and I found myself gripping the girl’s arm.
“…What are you doing?”
“That’s enough. I’ll pay, so let’s stop here.”
“It’s a shame you didn’t enjoy it, but this girl should understand now that she mocked my work. You enjoyed it, right? Be honest!”
“What’s going on here?”
“No matter how strong she is, she’s still just a kid. I’ve seen the Flash Strike Girl for the first time, but to think she’s this childish… she might not have received proper education.”
“So what does that mean…”
That was a harsh thing to say, and the girl’s constant smiling was infuriating, so I decided to leave. What’s with this education talk? If only I hadn’t been in the Abyss Cave. If only.
“I wonder how it would have turned out.”
What would I have become if I had lived peacefully in the village until now?
“We look forward to your next visit!”
I didn’t even glance back at the girl waving her hand cheerfully.
◆ Hotel Maison ◆
“So, what are those two doing?”
“Who knows? Have they finally lost it?”
“It hurts! It hurts, Kurinka!”
“Then, how about this?”
“Ow, ow, ow!”
Beside the exasperated Lord Hast and the utterly baffled Elmera, Kurinka was giving me a massage. But unlike that girl, this one genuinely hurt. If the other girl loosened my muscles to the bone, Kurinka felt like she was crushing them with flesh. I realized that with Kurinka’s current strength, she could make me feel pain too.
“Kurinka, you’re using too much strength. Let me try.”
“Okay… ow, ow, ow!”
Just a slight push made me scream. Seeing Kurinka’s tearful eyes made me feel sorry, and I instinctively rubbed the spot I had pressed.
“This isn’t working out.”
“Are you two playing massage games or something?”
“That’s right, Elmera. If you’ve experienced it, you know how good it feels, right?”
“Honestly, seeing you two this foolish makes me feel pity. How could you let it get this far?”
“If you’re going to mock us, why don’t you give it a try, Elmera?”
“Why should I?”
“Oh? So that traveler was practicing chiropractic techniques, huh?”
“Chiropractic techniques?” I asked, and Lord Hast explained it simply. It originated in a country on the far western continent, and it seems that pressing certain points on the body can alleviate various ailments.
“So, we just need to press those points?”
“You wouldn’t understand unless you’re trained in that field. It has to be done precisely, or it won’t work… I wonder who that girl really is?”
“Considering she managed to subdue the Phantoms, she’s quite strong. Can chiropractic techniques be used in combat?”
“Not really… As far as I know, they are primarily used for medical purposes. I can’t say if they can be applied to martial arts.”
“Hmm… Ouch!”
I was caught off guard again as Kurinka pressed on a point. It hurt, and I was certain this wasn’t the right spot. I really wanted her to stop.
“I’m sorry… but it’s frustrating… Lua-chan looked so comfortable…”
“Kurinka… to be honest, I felt a bit annoyed when I saw you looking so relaxed with someone else. I can’t stand seeing my Kurinka treated like that.”
“Lua-chan…”
“Kurinka…”
“Ah, good grief, it’s so hot!”
I almost forgot that Lord Hast and Elmera were there. Just as I was about to lean in for a kiss, I hurriedly pulled away. But as expected of Sage Hast, he had already shifted his gaze to the Ribbon on the table.
“There are countless ways to please your partner. For instance, gifts.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes. Don’t you celebrate each other’s birthdays?”
“Birthdays…”
I had never thought about it. Now that I mention it, my parents used to celebrate my birthday when I was little.
“Birthday gifts…”
With that single phrase, Kurinka fell silent. I was thinking the same thing; we had been so focused on battles lately that I hadn’t considered such things. I had given her the Staff of Scorching Tales as a gift before, but this time, it needed to be something different.
“Unless you give it on their birthday, it can’t be called a birthday gift, ho ho ho.”
The words of the old man stroking his white beard didn’t resonate with me. Because I had already made up my mind. I would give Kurinka a present. After tomorrow’s training, I would think about it.
◆ Shin Report ◆
These guys are still intent on getting stronger.
What else will they destroy?
Even the Dragon King could win without that Sonic Impact.
Their relentless ambition means no one can win against them.
And they’re selfishly eating whatever they want.
They should share some with me, besides the hot peppers.
I can’t shake the feeling that Shin has been forgotten lately.
With massages, we’re all feeling jealous.
These guys are not even at the level of children.
Let’s just merge into one body already.
Merged Cryuan? Hmm, that’s a no.
Shin’s pressure massage is so pleasurable that even the Demon Lord is satisfied.
It’s so good that the Demon Lord quickly calls it quits.
Heh, this is something I can’t do for anyone other than the Demon Lord.
Poor two of them.