SWNOVELXO Volume 1 Chapter 65 - These days, I No Longer Feel Uncomfortable with Women's Words
After finishing my conversation with Satsuki-san, Nanapon and I headed to the Diana Mine.
Of course, Nanapon went ahead, and I followed later.
About 10 minutes after Nanapon headed toward the frontier, I stepped through the gate to find Nanapon waiting for me just next to it.
“Oh? You could have sat and waited.”
Nanapon usually waits for me at the table in front of the cabin. Today, she is near the gate.
“Um, well…”
Nanapon looks toward the cabin. Following her gaze, I see a man in a Self-Defense Force camouflage uniform standing in front of it.
“That must be the permanent patrol that Satsuki-san mentioned.”
“I think so.”
That’s why Nanapon was waiting here.
“Do you dislike men that much?”
It’s the Self-Defense Force.
“No, I don’t particularly dislike men. But being alone with a man in a dim place like this is unsettling. Any woman would feel the same.”
I guess that’s true. I may look like this, but I’m a man, so I don’t understand.
“Perhaps.”
“Eleanor-san might think of just beheading anyone who attacks, but I don’t have that kind of combat ability. Especially when they clearly look stronger than me.”
Even setting aside the beheading, I wouldn’t have a problem.
“If it’s just physical strength, I can handle it. But against a magic user like Nanaka-san, it might be tough.”
“Right?”
“From now on, come first and wait at the guild. I’ll go ahead.”
It would be dangerous to let Nanapon go to the frontier alone. She may have insight, but she can’t avoid everything.
The frontier may be a world of dreams and hopes, but it has its share of victims. The enemy isn’t just monsters. It could be people, too.
“I will.”
“We’ll be fine if it’s just the two of us.”
“Um, how strong are you, really, Eleanor-san?”
Nanapon asks.
“Who knows? I have skills and magic, so it’s hard to say. If it’s just a simple sword fight, neither Harry, Claire, nor Misa-san would stand a chance against me.”
Claire’s assassination techniques and Harry’s unique skills are a bit scary, though.
“That’s what’s unclear. You defeat everything in one hit, Eleanor-san.”
“You do the same. You’ve only fought High Skeletons and Skeletons.”
Those are slow-moving bones, so they’re no match. Well, that’s why they’re for beginners.
“I use magic. Will you teach me swordsmanship?”
Nanapon wants to learn swordsmanship?
“You can’t. You don’t have the talent for it.”
“Aww.”
“Don’t be discouraged. Even Kaede-chan doesn’t have it. Most people don’t.”
“What do you mean by talent?”
Nanapon doesn’t seem to understand and asks.
“Swordsmanship and kendo are different. You can’t kill a person. Skeletons maybe, but not a person.”
A person who can’t kill shouldn’t hold a sword. They’d only hurt themselves.
“So, I can’t kill you?”
“No. Give it up. But it’s fine. You have magic, and I’m here. Use what you can use. Do what you can do.”
“For example, what if a boss who can’t kill orders their subordinates to kill?”
Huh? Is she treating me as her subordinate? Even though she’s my disciple?
“What world has a king who goes out to kill enemies himself? What are soldiers and knights for? The higher-ups just need to give orders.”
“I see…”
“What? Are you planning to stop partnering with me and become a party leader somewhere else?”
Watch out, don’t betray me. Satsuki-san won’t forgive you.
“No, I have no such intention. It was just a simple question.”
“Hmm, alright then… shall we go?”
“Yes!”
Nanapon and I walked toward the mine. Along the way, we nodded to a passing Self-Defense Force member and entered the mine.
Inside, Nanapon created a torch with her fire magic, and I took out a lantern from my bag and turned it on. The surroundings brightened, and we began our usual High Skeleton hunt.
Initially, the darkness of the mine and the difficulty in spotting enemies were tiring, but we’ve gotten used to it. We hunt High Skeletons without much fatigue. After defeating the tenth skeleton, I pulled out my status card and checked it.
Name: Eleanor Ocean
Level: 7
Job: Swordsman
Skills:
Swordsmanship lv6
Persuasion lv1
Alchemical Recipes:
Healing Potion lv1, Gender Change Potion
Sleeping Drug, Pure Water
Translation Potion, Item Bag
Invisibility Potion, Identification Glasses, Identification Contacts
Healing Potion lv2, Strength Potion
Speed Potion, Defense Potion
“My level went up…”
I muttered while looking at the status card.
“Really? You reached level 7?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, only one new skill appeared.”
“Wow, amazing! Is it beheading?”
That sounds like a skill for executioners.
“No, it’s persuasion. Seems like I’ll get better at talking.”
“Is it because you’ve been lying a lot?”
“Not lying, more like obfuscating. Anyway, let’s be happy that a new skill appeared.”
It’s a long-awaited new skill. Although it’s not for combat, it’s still nice. But that’s not the issue now.
“Any new recipes?”
“Yes, three new ones.”
“Three!? Amazing!”
“Well, technically three, but they’re all the same type, I think. Strength Potions. There are three varieties: for power, speed, and defense. Think of them as doping items.”
“What will you do with them?”
They’ll definitely sell well.
“Wouldn’t we be shooting ourselves in the foot?”
“It would be bad if our rivals used them, wouldn’t it? Is there a time limit on the effects?”
“One hour. It’s quite short, but it should be enough for battle.”
“It’s really doping. Not just adventurers, but the military and athletes will want it too.”
The military and athletes are one thing. They’re none of my concern.
The problem is that local thugs and criminal organizations like yakuza would also want it. It would undoubtedly sell, but we can’t sell it. What if Kaede-chan or Nanapon gets attacked by someone using it?
“I’ll use it personally. I won’t sell it.”
“I see… Well, that’s probably best.”
And the ingredients are… Strength Potion (Power) needs Pure Water and Sparklegrass, Strength Potion (Speed) needs Pure Water and Silkygrass, and Strength Potion (Defense) needs Pure Water and Fluffygrass.
…Are they joking?
“Nanaka-san, do you know about Sparklegrass, Silkygrass, and Fluffygrass?”
“Huh?”
Nanapon looks at me as if to say, “What are you talking about?”
“Apparently, those are the ingredients. There’s no grass with such ridiculous names on Earth, is there?”
“I don’t think so. At least, I’ve never heard of them.”
Right. In that case, they might exist in the frontier. I have Identification Glasses and Contacts, so I should look for them.
“If I find them, I’ll give some to you, Nanaka-san.”
“Really?”
“Actually, it’s for you. You may not need power, but speed and defense would be good to have, just in case. But first, I have to make them and see.”
Even a slight increase wouldn’t make much difference for someone like Nanapon. But it’s better than nothing.
“Understood. First, let’s make it and see.”
“Right. Let’s continue. I’m looking forward to leveling up.”
“Me too. Just getting stronger is exciting, and you get new recipes, so the excitement is big.”
Really, that’s it. I want to be able to make the final key soon.