Chapter 303
Alright, making a plan is good.But if you don't execute it, it ends up as mere theory.
In that case, let's move.
"Hmm, it's another nice day today."
Even though I stayed up late, I feel exceptionally refreshed upon waking today, probably because I properly sorted things out last night.
Stretching, getting out of bed, I change clothes while thinking about today's schedule.The schedule in my head is simply 'busy,' but it's not without gaps.If I think about creating pockets of time to do what I need *and* what I want...
"What do you know, it's a matter of motivation after all."
Lo and behold, I discover I have more leeway than I thought.In the morning, I'll teach the methods to become a High Elf and other things as promised yesterday, followed by instruction.At noon, I'll have lunch with His Grace the Duke to discuss future plans.In the afternoon, I'll listen to reports from Lady Esmeralda, Ingrid, and Claudia.At night, I'll gather materials to strengthen the party members' equipment.
Oh my, it's just so busy.But it's not like there's no time.
"Hmm, I guess I'll ask Amina to take me to the Spirit World tonight."
Based on today's feeling, my body, enhanced by leveling up, is full of energy despite the lack of sleep.Originally, even in the game era, your avatar wouldn't get bad status effects even if it was sleepless.The only thing that exists is real fatigue. So, if I understand the limits of my enhanced body, I can use the quintessential gamer method of time management: cutting sleep.
Thinking I might cut my sleep time a bit more tonight, I finish changing and head downstairs to get the breakfast Ingrid has probably prepared.
"Alright, alright! Today, we'll work hard and get stronger too!!"
And after replenishing my energy with breakfast, I'll head to the training ground with a smile to meet the waiting group.My responsibility is the Western Hero team.Nell and the others continue to handle their assigned tasks.
"Master, I look forward to your guidance and instruction."**"We look forward to it!!"**"Yes, I look forward to working with you all too."
Greeting them with slightly high tension, I take out the training guide I finalized last night, based on the hopes of this group of Elves.
"Clarice-san, the contract was completed yesterday, correct?""Yes, Master. The contract was completed under the supervision of the Edelgard Duke. This is the content of the pledge."
In FBO, the default common sense was that Elves looked down on other races.The setting was that their longevity and potential for strength bred that ideology. But Clarice and the Elves she brought don't seem to mind being instructed by someone like me.While I honestly find that surprising, I accepted it, thinking it might be influenced by the spirits' favorability, and had them sign a contract yesterday based on the terms we agreed upon with the Duke.That's probably why they call me 'Master,' but I'm also called 'Instructor' or 'Master' by the Duke's private soldiers, so I realize I'm not called by my name much lately.
"Okay, no issues there. What about the level reset?""That was also completed without issue.""Good. Then, let's start the training immediately."
Even while thinking such things, I do what needs to be done.And what needs to be done isn't different from the method I used with Judeus and the others before.
"Don't forget to equip the Mark of the Weakling and the Training Bracelet.""Yes, everyone! Double-check your equipment!!"
I only give direct instructions to Clarice, and she relays them to avoid confusion in the chain of command.The equipment provided by the gods is quite excellent.Standard Class 7, and it can be enhanced to Class 8.You might think it can't be used until the final battle, but I believe this equipment's greatest strength is how easily it allows for creating a training environment.Numbers are power.If many strong individuals gather, that alone translates directly into strength.If she, who possesses the ability to repair them even if they are damaged, manages the equipment, she can rapidly create a powerful army and produce equipment surpassing what they currently use.And once they outgrow this equipment, they can train more subordinates.Normally, doing such things would lead to embezzlement or thieves running off with the weapons, but the god who recognized the Western Hero has a keen eye.Some might find her seriousness bothersome at times, but others are drawn to it.And Clarice had the discernment to recognize that seriousness.The fact that there has been zero loss of equipment is the best proof.
They quickly divided into squads, parties of six, and the army charged into the deployed Mochi Dungeons with discipline.Yes, they are *charging*.They are the vanguard unit, carrying heavy-looking shields and swords.Their equipment is full plate armor.The image of Elves is usually lightly armored archers or mages, but, Let's think about this calmly... let's think calmly a rear-guard party without a vanguard is a foolish composition. But that's only if the party consists solely of Elves.
"My, with such a balanced composition, it's easier for me to train them, which is a great help.""On the battlefield, unbalanced forces are fragile. These are Dwarves with superior physiques among their kind, so they are fulfilling their vanguard role perfectly.""You are blessed with personnel; I'm envious."
Clarice's composition is not like that.I was surprised to learn the makeup of this full-plate group, but this unit is a mixed unit of Elves and Dwarves.Traditionally, Elves and Dwarves are famous for being hostile, if not mortal enemies, in stories.And in the Western Continent, the relationship between the races is so bad that territorial disputes occur between Dwarves and Elves.This was the same in FBO, a famous enough topic that it frequently appeared in the story.But the members currently waiting are Elves speaking amiably to Dwarves, and Dwarves laughing cheerfully and talking with their Elf comrades.I certainly wouldn't think they are on bad terms.I wondered why Dwarven craftsmen were included in that list, but perhaps it was proposed precisely because this kind of interaction is possible.The vanguard consists of muscular Dwarves who can swing axes to hold the front line, while perfectly accurate arrows and magic fly from the rear.This balanced combination of offense and defense is quite rare.To be blunt, if the Elf-Dwarf combo works, it's a much easier training environment performance-wise compared to training the righteous thief group. To what extent? If training the righteous thieves was Hard Mode, then the mixed Elf-Dwarf team is beyond Normal Mode, it's Easy Mode.Add to that the ample equipment, balanced composition, and motivated personnel...Yeah, if I train them to be ridiculously strong with all this, it becomes the trainer's fault.
"Yes, they are reliable comrades."
And precisely because she trusts such comrades, they are filled with motivation, wanting to live up to her expectations, right?Yeah, it's a good party.There is a hierarchy, but the distance is perfect.From the perspective of stubborn old men, having a gathering of talented young people might be a thorn in their side, but nurturing this party could also be beneficial for me.
I've deployed ten Mochi Dungeons in total.The total number of people she brought is one hundred.I've instructed them beforehand for everyone to attack the Kagami Mochi with the weakest weapons first, before finishing it with a single blow from the Class 7 equipment. According to calculations, the first stage should be completed in about 20 minutes.After that, they'll move to Class 4 dungeons to rapidly increase their proficiency.That'll probably be it for today.Walking around a Class 4 dungeon in a state of no levels must be quite tiresome. I want them to have their job selections mostly finalized before the Eastern Hero arrives.
"Now then, Master. It's my turn, so I shall take my leave."
Training a total of one hundred people, even if only to Class 3, within a single week is madness.I see Clarice off, expecting her to return within 5 minutes.Looking at the list in my hand, I can see the pre-informed party compositions of Clarice and the others.
"......"
The ratio of Dwarves to Elves is set to 1:1.They entrust the vanguard entirely to the Dwarves and trust them, while the Elves solidify the rear and provide support.Thinking about how much effort this would have required in FBO makes me wryly smile internally.Her ability to accomplish this is first-class.Even now, as she enters the dungeon with her comrades and discipline, the atmosphere is one of trust.That is a kind of perfected party form.The only thing lacking is stats.And we can compensate for that to some extent this time.
"And there are two more of these coming?"
I thought that with my knowledge, I could become the strongest, but it seems there are many talented people in the world.If the Eastern and Northern Heroes also have forces of this caliber, it would be quite something.Thinking they would be reliable in the Azhdaha battle, it seems like a very good trend, but...
"I doubt it will be that easy."
There's no guarantee the remaining two will be as well-behaved and eager to learn.I've also heard rumors about the Eastern Hero and the Northern Hero.Considering the personalities of those two, it might be difficult to proceed as smoothly as this.His Grace the Duke probably wants to befriend the remaining two heroes as well to suppress the other dukes, but...
"Regardless of the North, the East is..."
Call it intuition, but I have a feeling the Eastern Hero will be nothing but trouble.As for the North, we'll probably end up fighting at least once, but I have a feeling it will be resolved in that one encounter, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Also, I'm concerned about Grund's whereabouts.He must definitely be somewhere in the northern territory, but we can't find him.I've asked the spirits to search for him, but they can't find him.I've asked them to kill him on sight because of his connection to the Evil God cult. I suspect he was the trigger for Azhdaha's revival.And by now, the main force behind the Boldrinde Duke's operations should be gradually shifting its focus to Grund.The actions of Judeus and the others have incapacitated a significant number of the enemy's dark operatives.We've had them and the Duke's dark operatives search for the Boldrinde Duke's main body, but we haven't been able to get a lead.Thinking about the true meaning behind this eeriness, I thought the answer would become apparent.It's possible he's being hidden by one of the other dukes, either East or West.The Eastern Duke is the more likely possibility; the Western Duke's relationship with the Boldrinde Duke is not good for a certain reason.So, the fact that the Eastern Hero is arriving a week after the Western Hero at this timing smells fishy.I might be overthinking it, but I feel it's better to act assuming there's some ulterior motive.Either way, I won't know until I meet them.
"Master, we're finished.""Good work. Take a 10-minute break, then we'll move to the next stage.""Yes, all personnel, 10-minute break!! After that, we enter the dungeon!"**"Understood!"**
Thinking I've reached the point where I have to bear such worries, it's probably better to take the initiative, apply pressure, and restrict the enemy's movements rather than being passive.
"Maybe I'll write a letter to Judeus.""Master? Did you say something?""It's nothing."
Really, it's busy.