“What’s wrong! Standing still there won’t do anything!”

Teresa’s sharp voice echoed through the underground training grounds of the mansion.

In her hands was a wooden sword, held with both hands, exuding enough intensity to make an impact.

At that, about ten female soldiers momentarily flinched.

Today, Teresa was accompanying the training of the female soldiers she instructed… and at the end of this training, everyone was supposed to challenge Teresa together.

Well, this happens every time, and they usually have a few matches, but today Monica was joining them.

Of course, she was also equipped with 【Green Shoeskeep】.

Lately, she’s become able to use it indoors to some extent, so it was also part of the training.

Although they were female soldiers, one of the dozen or so had a Blessed Item.

Moreover, I had also cast 【Prayer】 on them.

Even with just that, it seemed there was no way Teresa could win… but as you could see from how intimidated the soldiers were, they were getting thoroughly defeated, unable to even land a single hit.

After the battles, they would hold strategy meetings every time, and while improvements were being made, the situation was clear—facing two swords, the soldiers couldn’t do anything. It wasn’t just a matter of tactics anymore.

I also joined in with the soldiers, offering suggestions like how they could improve, but at this point, with her easily deflecting attacks from all sides with two swords, it was obvious it wasn’t about strategy anymore.

I’m sure the soldiers realized this, but they couldn’t just choose not to do the training, since it was their duty.

For now, I stood before Teresa, weapon in hand.

“Ugh…”

Though she had assumed a stance, she couldn’t move, but it seemed she had steeled herself, slowly moving to surround Teresa. Monica had fallen a step back, hiding behind the others.

Earlier, Monica had been disrupting Teresa’s movements, but it had all been for nothing—she had been taken out first.

But this time, things were different…!

Realizing this, Teresa didn’t take her eyes off Monica, even as the soldiers surrounded her on all sides.

It seemed she was cautious about Monica.

Once the encirclement was complete, a spear was used to keep Teresa at bay.

She easily deflected the attacks, but it was enough to hold her in place and cause some effect.

Then, Monica activated 【Green Shoeskeep】 and began speeding around the perimeter, searching for an opening in Teresa’s defenses.

【Green Shoeskeep】 could easily reach 40 to 50 kilometers per hour in normal conditions.

Now, with the added effect of 【Prayer】, she was moving about 20 kilometers per hour faster.

Of course, even with that, there were monsters that could move faster, and it wasn’t too threatening by itself, but in an indoor, enclosed space surrounded by enemies, it would be difficult for Teresa to respond to that speed. That’s the assumption behind this strategy.

“Yikes!”

Through the gaps between the soldiers surrounding Teresa, Monica lunged at her from behind.

But Teresa dodged the thrust and grabbed Monica’s wrist, throwing her toward the soldiers around her with that same momentum.

Two soldiers were caught in the throw, and just like that, the well-planned encirclement was broken…

“Oh no…”

Taking advantage of the gap, Teresa started dismantling the soldiers’ formation.

The battle ended quickly, with the result being a complete defeat for the female soldiers. It was a total loss.

I had expected this, but the difference in strength was just too much.

◇

As the fallen soldiers began to groggily rise, I made my way over from the corner where I had been watching.

“Good job, everyone. Are there any injuries?”

I activated 【Prayer】, making sure to include Teresa as well.

I had been watching from above, and though she had clearly held back, she had still overwhelmed them quite easily… she might have twisted their arms or something.

“Ah… thank you.”

They gasped for air and expressed their thanks.

They could have just stayed down, but… I guess this was a result of Teresa’s teaching?

In contrast to them, Teresa approached with a cool expression on her face.

“Thank you, Princess. Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Hmm… Well, it’s not so much about enjoyment, but I realized when I fight strong people, that’s how I end up—getting taken down like that.”

Monica and I share a similar combat style, relying on speed and landing a decisive strike. With attacks being straightforward and linear, they can easily be countered by someone skilled.

I do have 【Danrem’s Thread】, a long-range weapon, but it requires specific circumstances to be used.

I doubt I’ll ever have the opportunity to use it, but it’s better to avoid situations where I might have to fight strong people.

Humans and monsters are different after all.

Upon hearing this, Teresa smiled and said, “That’s good to hear.”

…Maybe the reason I was called here today wasn’t just for 【Prayer】, but also to experience this?

If she had told me directly, I would have understood, but… seeing it firsthand certainly gives a different level of persuasion.

Glancing at the soldiers, they were still panting heavily.

If my presence made the training harder than usual, I might have caused them a bit of trouble.

Sorry about that…!

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera ・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・30 cards

Seriana ・【Range Identification】・【】・38 cards

Elena ・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec ・【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards