Black Iron Magician

Chapter 414 The Most Comfortable Ones

I was looking for suitable weapons for Gobuo to use in the fight. It’s difficult to balance when handling two swords. Should he use a sword and a short sword for defense like in kendo, or should he use two long swords to focus on attack? Well, the only way to know is to let Gobuo try out various styles and find the one that suits him best. I don’t have any experience with dual sword wielding, so that’s the only way.

「For the time being, I brought Nell’s old swords. She used to try different styles in the past, so there were a lot of swords left. This is just a small part of it.」

「T-That’s a lot.」

「Gobu…」

I put down the swords to the ground and lined them up. The size ranges from easy-to-handle short swords to large swords used by giants, and there are various shapes of the blades. I was able to find about 30 swords by just a quick search in the house.

「I originally prepared them for practice, but I’m sure they are all well made. Most of them were forged by famous craftsmen and then magically enhanced. If a skilled person uses them, even iron can be easily cut. I’m sure Haru will be fine, but don’t let your guard down and get hurt during the fight, okay?」

「Of course. It would be a waste to let my guard down!」

「Yeah, I knew you would say something like that. Then, Gobuo, pick anything you want. Well, I think using this large sword will be hard, though…」

I smiled bitterly when I looked at the large sword that seems to be at least three times Gobuo’s height. If I’m not wrong, this is the sword that I seized when I defeated a giant somewhere. Considering Gobuo’s physique, it’s definitely not suited for the dual sword wielding. Why the hell did I go through the trouble of carrying this thing?

「… Gobu!」

「Oh?」

After looking around at all the swords, Gobuo grabbed two of them and shouted vigorously. Both of them are one-handed swords called broad swords, and they look ordinary among the wide variety of swords available here. However, it can be said that they are faithful to the basics. I think that the choice was very Gobuo-like that he chose them at the very beginning.

「Goobu gobu, gobubbu.」

「It seems that he knew the moment he held them that they were the most comfortable ones for him.」

「Gobbu gobbu!」

「He said that he wants to start training right away!」

Ooh, what a positive spirit and adaptability. His swinging is already looking good.

「From what I see, it seems that your Dual Sword Wielding skill is working just fine.」

「Gobu! Gobu!」

「Spar! Spar!」

……Haru’s desire is mixed in, isn’t it? Did Gobuo really say so?

「Well, whatever…. Then, I’ll put some weight on Haru. There.」

「Fueh!?」

Suddenly, I applied Graviton without chanting to Haru’s limbs. Then, her posture dropped from standing upright, and the heavy sound of her stepping on the ground reverberated along with her surprised voice.

「S-So heavy…!」

Of course it is. Each one is more than double the weight of that large sword after all. Even though Haru has become stronger, it would be strange if she didn’t lose her position when she was unexpectedly hit by something like this. Well, just the fact that she was able to hold her ground without falling over was a big deal.

「Haru, you usually swing the Doggan Staff. So, you need this much of shackles to have a good match with Gobuo, right?」

「T-T-That’s right…!」

「…… Your voice and body are trembling. Do you think you’ll be fine?」

「I-I will get used to it, absolutely…!」

「Okay, nice guts. I will heal you in case you get injured or hurt your back. But don’t rely on it too much, okay? You told me that it’s a waste to let your guard down, so I hope you can keep your words.」

「I-I will do my best… to meet your… expectations…!」

Yeah, it looks very tough.

However, considering the difference in their abilities, at least this weight is necessary to make a meaningful battle. Otherwise, Haru won’t be able to get serious and it will be meaningless. And to make the training even more meaningful, I will add one more thing.

「Gobuo, don’t even think about going easy on her, okay? If I find out that you do that even a little, I’ll have the useless Lily cook dinner for you.」

「G-Gobu!?」

If I don’t warn the gentleman Gobuo like this, he will unnecessarily pay attention to Haru. I think I’m saying something horrible, but this is just right.

「Don’t worry, I will eat that meal together with you at that time. Of course, you shouldn’t stop smiling during the meal. We’ll share enough punishment, and Lily will be happy treating us food―― it’s killing two birds with one stone, isn’t it? …… But if possible, I want to avoid such a tragic situation. I really want to avoid it. Gobuo, you understand what I’m talking about, right?」

「Gobu gobu!」

Gobuo nodded vigorously. Alright, now I and Gubuo are on the same page. I’m sure he will desperately work harder than usual. Lily doesn’t seem to be aware of it, but her food, made without acting, is scary even for me and Gobuo.

「Now that you’re ready, you can start it as you wish. As for the rules, Haru can only use her bare hands and is prohibited to use magic, no injuries as much as possible, and if she tries to counterattack, she has to stop just before it hits. As for Gobuo, you can do whatever you want. Our opponents this time are vampires, a stubborn and troublesome race in many ways. You have to train your stamina so that you won’t lose to the opponent’s persistence. Let’s see…. For starters, do it for one hour.」

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After a while, I went out to the city again. There are things I can only do with Haru, but there are also a lot of things I can do alone. So, this time, I went to do the latter. After going to various places, my next destination is the armor shop 『Bristly Beard』. The shop is peaceful and deserted as usual today.

――――Clank clank.

「Yo, is Gan-san here?」

「You suddenly came, and that’s the first thing you say? Long time no see, Deris-danna.」

As I entered the store while ringing the doorbell, I was greeted by Anita, who lifelessly put her cheek on the counter. This apprentice merchant girl has no motivation as usual, huh.

「Customers always come suddenly, you know? And for some reason, I don’t feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I have a sense of déjà vu as if we just met the other day…. Hmm, how strange.」

「What? Did we meet somewhere? I don’t remember at all.」

「Well, maybe it’s just my imagination. Don’t mind it.」

「Hmm? For a moment, I thought you were trying to hit on me with a new pick-up line. You have a scary wife, but you are fast on moving to another woman, ain’t cha?」

「Anita, don’t joke about that in front of Nell. You see, my wife doesn’t like that kind of joke, so this shop might disappear along with me.」

「I-I know. In the first place, she’s so scary that I won’t be able to talk in front of her…. So, are you alone today? Where’s your cute and strong disciple?」

「She’s taking a break now. I think she will be sleeping for one hour.」

「What, taking a nap? She’s cute, ain’t she?」

Rather than a nap, she reached her limit and collapsed, and now she’s training her 『Pleasant Sleep』 skill. By the way, Gobuo is doing his best with the housekeeping so that Haru can have a comfortable and supreme sleep.

「Anita, shut up! If you’re going to slack off, do it quietly―― oh, Deris, long time no see.」

「Long time no see, Gan-san. Ah, this is a souvenir from my trip to the Dragon God’s Island.」

「Ooh, thanks.」

「Ah, that’s unfair! What about me!?」

Gan-san appeared from the workshop in the back. This was the same as usual.

「So, what’s your business today? You didn’t come all the way here just to leave a souvenir, right?」

「Yes, I want to ask you to make two swords. Of course, with this material….」

When I took out the nostalgic black magic stone from my pocket, Anita made a serious face.