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Though spring is just around the corner, the mornings and nights are still bitterly cold this time of year. Yet, perhaps considering her fighting style, Daniella was dressed for ease of movement: a short-sleeved tunic with a leather breastplate on top and short pants below.

In contrast, I was wearing a shrine maiden outfit that was both decorative and somewhat problematic—complete with a skirt that barely reached mid-thigh.

(I mean, if I counter her kick with one of my own, my underwear is going to show.)

Ordinarily, shrine maidens wear skirts that reach from below the knee down to the ankles, but for some reason, the outfits issued to me are always just a little too revealing. For whatever reason.

Frankly, isn’t it a bit improper for a holy shrine maiden—someone who’s supposed to be sacred and untouchable—to constantly be showing her bare legs? I once brought this question to Lady Teressa, but…

With a long, deep sigh, Lady Teressa said:

“I, too, feel a certain… discomfort about it. But the reality is, when you’re stationed at the church in that outfit, the number of visitors and the amount of donations literally doubles.”

She told me this as she sipped hot water instead of tea, stuffing rags into the broken glass window of her office. I had no further argument after that.

Even so, it makes me wonder—was I really brought into the church as a proper member of the clergy? Or was I just sold off as some kind of glorified promotional mascot? The doubts only continue to grow.

Naturally, Daniella paid no mind to the bitter musings swirling in my head. In an instant, she let out a sharp cry and sprang from the floor, her kick flying toward me.

I deflected it with my magic staff and tried to step into her guard—but before I could, she spun her body, delivering a swift combination of left and right kicks with just enough variation to throw me off.

“…Looks like she’s reinforcing her body with qi. I’ll admit the strength is impressive. But at this rate, my staff won’t last much longer.”

Magic staffs aren’t meant for blocking or striking. I tossed mine behind me so it wouldn’t get in the way, and with both hands now free, I curled them lightly into fists and took a relaxed fighting stance.

“From here on, I’ll face you with fists and magic.”

Seeing my stance, something must have clicked in Daniella’s mind. Her gaze sharpened, and she silently took a step back, heightening her caution.

“What’s the matter? You’re acting the opposite of your bold attacks.”

At my light provocation—

“Haahhh!”

Daniella launched a spinning kick aimed right at my neck.

I didn’t dodge. I caught it with my right hand and lightly redirected it.

“Tch!”

Clicking her tongue, Daniella immediately used the recoil to follow up with a powerful back kick. I crossed my arms and caught it—

And in that instant, where her foot met my forearms, there was a thunderous crack, like two logs colliding, and a shockwave burst out.

“Wha—?!”

Stunned by the sound and the impact, Daniella’s eyes widened.

I responded with the most confident smile I could manage.

“Trying to blow me away with qi, were you? Too bad for you—I can use it too, at least to this extent. And honestly, your qi is still quite unrefined. The Zoan Rex could pulverize the head of a twenty-mertes tall monster from over ten mertes away with a single burst.”

It’s unfair to compare her to one of the five strongest martial artists on the continent, of course. But even under mind control, Daniella’s pride was clearly stung by my words. Her expression twisted with rage, and she began gathering qi into every inch of her body—far more densely than ever before.

Just as Daniella, brimming with energy like a volcano on the verge of eruption, was about to unleash her full power and spring—

“Ah, watch out, behind you.”

She scoffed at my warning, kicked off the floor with a bam, and leapt into the air—

KABOOOOOM!!!

With a sound that could only suggest immense pain, she collapsed to the ground like a squashed frog, eyes rolled back in their sockets.

“Alright—! Got her, Lady Clara!! Holding position in the rear really paid off! As expected of your keen judgment!”

Behind her, Coppelia struck a triumphant pose, still holding her massive halberd after having slammed Daniella down with its flat side.

“That’s… not quite what I meant.”

Technically, she did save me, so I couldn’t really complain.

I looked back down at Daniella, now sprawled out with a huge bump swelling on her head, and murmured with a sigh, “I told you to watch out…” That would have killed anyone, but thanks to her qi reinforcement, she probably survived… probably.

Sighing again, I knelt beside her to start the healing process.

Hopefully, when she wakes up, her mind will have cleared as well.

♢♦♢♦♢

As the dawn bell echoed across the holy capital of Thera Maryth, the city slowly began to stir. In the morning mist, the clatter of wagons heading to market and the voices of newspaper vendors shouting their first calls of the day brought life back to the streets.

“This morning’s paper’s got a huge scoop! Lady Clara devoured a giant slug in one gulp!”
“I’ll take a copy!!”
“Ooh, it’s got a portrait too! I’ll take four—one to admire, one to display, one to archive, and one to spread the word!”
“Take my whole wallet! Give me everything you’ve got—!!”

…It felt like I just heard something, but it must’ve been my imagination. That, or I’m just feeling a bit delirious after staying up all night. Yes, that must be it. I’m just… tired. That’s all.

Holding my aching head, I glanced around the room.

After the unexpected attack—or rather, last night’s “Trojan Horse” incident, where we effectively invited the culprit right into our midst—the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters remained cloaked in a heavy atmosphere. Even though the chaos had finally subsided, everyone still sat slumped in their chairs, silent. Coppelia, unusually thoughtful for once, was serving tea from a cart, and the room was filled with quiet sighs.

Thankfully, the effect of the Evil Eye hadn’t been too strong and could be broken with a sharp blow to the head. But even so, the temporary confusion had left deep marks. No lives were lost, but the emotional toll it took on everyone was undeniable.

It was only natural the mood had grown so somber.