Chapter 296
Power Leveling: it's a method where a strong player pulls along a weaker one to efficiently raise their level.
"So, with that said, I'm going to make you all stronger starting now!!"
The subjects for this session are Judeus and his crew, who had been relaxing at the safe house.
"Wait, 'with that said'? First off, who the hell are you?"
The day after the soirée, seizing the moment, I stormed into the safe house where Judeus and the others, arranged by the Edelgard Duke, were hiding, early in the morning with my real face. After their initial astonishment turned to wariness, I heard that line and remembered, 'Oh right, I hadn't shown them my face.'
*Strike a pose* "Ahem, Hello, I'm Judeus-san. I'm a Ninja.""It's you!?""And to reintroduce myself properly, I'm Liberta. Pleased to meet you.""Pleased to— that's not the point!!"
Recalling the past event, I struck a pose and delivered the line. At those words, everyone was stunned, and Judeus pointed at me.
"Now, now, don't point at people.""Ah, sorry."
Judeus, who has a tendency to quip but is serious at heart, bowed his head apologetically to me, who looks younger than he expected.
"So? Does this mean that us, who've been kept waiting all this time, getting stronger, finally signals the time to strike back against that infuriating Duke?"
In the safe house's living room, Sharia, who was trying to sit in a manly way but just looked like a beautiful girl trying to act tough, joined the conversation with a fierce grin.
"That's right. But first, I'll explain the current situation and our future plans."
You could say they were tired of waiting. There are many people here who need to remain hidden.On top of that, there are agents of the Boldrinde Duke in this royal capital, so if they go out carelessly, they'll be found and cause trouble.
I explained this properly, so they've been waiting here in the safe house, but that doesn't mean the waiting wasn't painful.Everyone was excited, listening intently, thrilled that they could finally take action.
"Wait, so the boss Duke got captured?""Even so, it looks like he'll be released after a set period. Once that happens, he'll undoubtedly return to his territory without staying in the royal capital."
One of their targets for revenge, Jakaran, has already been captured and is slated for execution.The other target, the Boldrinde Duke, is currently under house arrest in the castle.
"So you want us to cause some trouble before that happens?""I see."
We don't know where the main players are.But while he's under house arrest in the castle, he definitely won't show his face publicly.
When I mentioned that I wanted them to cause disruption in the northern territory, including Hokshi, while his overt movements are restricted, several people, including Sharia, laughed, seeming interested.
"However, if I send you out as you are now, you'll just get captured again. So, to prevent that, I'm going to make you stronger, give you equipment, and then send you out.""......"
There's Sharia, who became an A-rank adventurer, but even he got captured, so they understand they need to get stronger themselves.
"That's fine, but how are you going to do that? We can't leave this place.""Don't worry, I'll handle that part."
So, I patted my chest, telling them to trust me completely.
"First, we're going to the temple."
I packed those who nodded into the carriage I came in, and we immediately started with the vow of secrecy via contract and the level reset.
"Where is this place?""It's the basement of a certain mansion. You'll be staying here for a while.""Eh?"
I know this place. In fact, I practically begged His Grace the Duke, saying "You have one, right?" to let me use this secret training facility located in the basement of the Duke's mansion.It's an excellent place, constructed with special bricks that not only provide soundproofing but also block mana emissions.
I understand why they're uneasy, having been brought here blindfolded.After all, they are currently in a state of no levels and no skills.Furthermore, they cannot tell others about this leveling method.
That state must be nothing but anxiety.In fact, several people resisted being blindfolded.
But they had no choice but to reluctantly comply, trusting me because it was my instruction.
"If you ask the guards stationed here, they'll prepare meals for you. There are magic tools over there, so you can also take baths. A doctor is always on standby, so if you get injured or sick, they can attend to you immediately."
Ignoring Judeus's reaction, overwhelmed by the excessively complete facilities, I continued my explanation calmly.
"On top of that, I've prepared a blacksmith, a tailor, and someone to maintain your equipment. I've also set up a forge and a workshop."
Efficiency is paramount in power leveling.
"In other words, I've prepared an environment where it's okay to push yourselves a bit."*Smiles brightly*
Perhaps they saw something in my smiling back.As everyone simultaneously stepped back, I simply pointed to the prepared equipment.
"Alright, it's leveling time. In one week, I will turn you into excellent righteous thieves."
Sensing the meaning of "hurry up and change," everyone cautiously approached the equipment. When they picked it up, they realized it was high-quality gear and started changing into it eagerly.
Of course, powerful equipment is also essential for power leveling.
The weapons were made by the spirits: composite weapons using materials from three types of dragons—Marsh Dragons, Wyverns, and Crawling Dragons.If you tried to buy these normally, it's said you could build a mansion with the money, yet they are prepared for each person.
"Hey! What is this!?""What do you mean? It's your equipment, Sharia.""It's clearly women's clothing!! I'm a man!!""Even so, your face has been seen and your voice heard. To operate, you need to change your appearance significantly.""What about these guys!?""They were 'digested by slimes,' you see.""Tch."
However, among the men's clothing, one set of women's clothing was mixed in. Beside that outfit, maids were waiting with a full set of makeup tools.
"Anyway, time is precious, so please change quickly. Ah, there are changing rooms over there, by the way."
From here on out, it's transformation time.Preparing a lady (tentative) takes time.
"Hey, you guys!? Let me go!?"
In his current state, after the level reset, he has no means of escaping the maids' restraint.He was dragged behind a curtain, into the so-called changing room, by three maids.
"Is this really okay?""It's fine, it's fine."
I just nodded at Judeus, who asked while changing into his equipment with a worried face.
*From the changing room* 'Hey!? Not there!? And what's with this frilly thing!?'"Are you *sure* it's okay?""It's fine, it's fine."
I could hear strange keywords like 'crisis of chastity' and 'let me change myself,' but I ignored them and urged the remaining men to change into their equipment.
Perhaps because the equipment quality was so good, everyone's eyes sparkled like children's. As I superimposed my past self onto them, thinking, "Your first weapon is exciting, isn't it?" I heard the sound of a curtain swishing open.
**"Whoa~"**
Reacting to the sound, everyone turned around to see a beautiful girl had descended.
Although her chest is modest, there's no doubt she's a beautiful girl clad in a phantom thief outfit.The small silk hat perched precariously on her head is a touch of whimsy from the spirits. You'd think it would fall off normally, but this is fantasy, so it doesn't.The maids wiping their sweat with a "We did a good job" look was impressive.
"Is this... me?"
And Sharia himself, who initially resisted because 'I'm not a woman,' was surprised and captivated by his own reflection in the hand mirror.
"Alright, alright, I understand the feeling of being captivated, but we're starting the leveling now."
Clapping my hands to cut through the excited atmosphere over the birth of a beautiful girl (tentative), and seizing the moment I had their attention, I promptly took out a keychain.
A righteous thief's weapon can basically be anything, but weapons that are easy to carry are more suitable.Maneuvers requiring quick movement, like infiltration, hiding, and escape, are demanded.
So, the weapon everyone here is holding now is a dagger.Moreover, it's a dagger made from Crawling Dragon fangs, capable of being enchanted with poison.
First, we'll properly farm passive skills in the Mochi Dungeon.They're wearing Training Bracelets, so no one can gain levels today. But that's not a problem.
"First, we'll conquer the Mochi Dungeon in order."
Because today, we're going to max out the skill proficiency for every member here.
"Mochi? As in, *that* mochi?""Yes, that mochi. You won't gain levels, so feel free to conquer it without holding back. With that equipment, you won't get injured or lose."
Just having the three types of dragon equipment already makes them overpowered.They won't take damage in boss fights, and the worry of losing is practically zero.
I diligently deployed Mochi Dungeons for each person and gave the GO signal. One by one, they entered the dungeons.
Then, the first one to come out of the magic circle at an incredible speed was Sharia, the A-rank adventurer.
"Hey! What's the meaning of this!? I shouldn't have levels, but I can see my stats, and I have skills!!"
"It's a feature.""A feature? Being able to sell levels at the temple... if everyone knew about this, it would be insane.""That's precisely why we're leveling in a secret location after making a contract, to avoid that insanity. If the enemy uses this, they could become stronger too. It's not something only we can use.""Ah, I see. So the enemy can do the same thing?""Exactly. This information is a double-edged sword. If you carelessly let it be known, you endanger yourself as well."
When your level increases, you can see your stats, but here you can see stats without leveling up.And you get skills you shouldn't be able to get.Moreover, you get them from Mochi, which should be easily defeated.
His comment probably came from thinking it would surely be useful if rookie adventurers knew, but upon hearing my reply, he seemed to simultaneously understand the danger.
"So, for now, let's worry about others later. We have our own agenda, so let's proceed on the premise of getting stronger.""Got it. By the way, just for reference, I wanna ask you something.""Sure."
His tone was manly despite being a beautiful girl—it has its own charm, but it could give him away, so I need to correct that later, I thought, while deciding to hear his question.
"Just how strong are you, anyway?""That is... classified information."
Unfortunately, what he asked is something I can't answer.
"At the very least, I won't be losing anytime soon, I suppose.""Is that so?""Ah, I did tear an iron ingot apart once before.""......Seriously?""Seriously, seriously. Want me to show you?"
I don't trust Sharia enough yet to reveal my stats.I know Sharia is a good guy.But my favorability isn't high enough to show him everything.
I took out an iron ingot I had prepared for materials from my Magic Bag and tore it apart before their eyes.
"Eww, never touch my body, got it?""When you make that gesture looking like that, it makes me seem like a pervert."
Being grossed out and having him hug his own body while backing away makes it look like I committed some crime, so I'd like him to stop.
"Hey! Hey!! Liberta, look at this... What the heck is that!? The iron got torn apart!?"
Then, seeing Judeus and the others emerge later, I thought to myself, "This is going to be noisy."