Negai o Kanaete Moraou to Akuma o Shōkan Shitakedo, Kawaikattanode Kekkonshimashita ~ Akuma no Nīdzuma - CH 108

Theo and Helvi reached the open area Idea told them about, and Theo did some light warm up exercises. Helvi had no need for them.

“So? What are you going to do?”

“Hum… Running and practice swings… Xena and Celia aren’t here, so I can only do the basics.”

In Nemophila, Theo could practice magic and fighting techniques with Xena and Celia, but since they were not around, Theo figured he could do basic things to increase his stamina.

“Hm, I see…”

If that was the case, Helvi would be left with nothing to do.

She could accompany Theo as he exercised, but her virtually limitless stamina would not be running out, or improving.

If Helvi exercised with Theo, it might actually demotivate him.

“…So, do you want to do some light fighting after you are done with that?”

“…Eh? W-with you?”

Helvi was the one who easily killed the legendary Chimera. Even Xena and Celia could not defeat her two on one.

Theo one the other hand would be in trouble if he tried to fight two weak monsters at the same time.

There was not a more mismatched fight, and the result was too obvious.

“I-I don’t think…”

“Obviously I will not fight seriously. I will only use enough strength for it to be good practice for you.”

“H-how much specifically?”

“…Are you that scared?”

“I-I am. Sorry but…”

No matter how rational or easy to talk to an opponent was, anyone would be intimidated if said opponent had the immense strength of a dragon.

Usually, people would be scared of even talking to such a being. Even if a dragon said it would hold back, most people would be too scared. Not to mention that Theo’s opponent was someone who could easily crush a hundred dragons.

No matter how much he believed her words, he was terrified on an instinctual level.

“I will dodge and defend against your attacks, and I will attack in such a way that you can just barely dodge them. I will also not use enough strength to even bruise you. Is that alright?”

“…Y-yes! I’m sorry. Thank you!”

Theo agreed, and so they would be having a casual battle.

But first, Theo trained his muscles, did some practice swings… And trained for longer than usual, because he knew what awaited him afterwards.

After finishing his training, Theo faced Helvi with a nervous look on his face.

“T-thank you for waiting!”

“…If you are that scared, maybe we should not do this.”

“N-no! The opportunity is here, so I want to fight!”

Helvi peeked into his mind, and saw that despite his fear, he really did want to go through with it.

“…I see, then let us begin.”

“Y-yes! Thank you!”

◇ ◇ ◇

Luna woke up earlier than usual. She was tired after playing so much the previous day, so she went to sleep earlier as well.

Since she lived in a clothing store, they did not have to wake up very early to start working. They would open just before noon, and people would stop by occasionally.

Her parents received a lot of orders, mostly by mail, so they had no need to open too early.

They had a box in front of their store where people could insert their orders, and Luna checked it twice every day.

“It’s early, but I guess I’ll go check.

She got up from her bed, washed her face, and went outside.

Luna used a key to open the box that was positioned low enough for her to see what was inside.

“Hmm… Ah, there’s something!”

She felt around inside, found a letter, and took it out.

“Oops! Quiet down little lady!”

“…!?”

Luna heard a woman behind her, who closed her mouth.

This woman lifted her and took her into a back alley.

“Sorry about that. I’m not a fan of kidnapping little girls, but that’s what my boss wanted.”

“Hnn! Hnuu…!”

“I know it’s scary, but I’m gonna make it so you don’t get hurt… I’m gonna put you to sleep.”

The woman put her hand on Luna’s neck, and she immediately felt her consciousness fading, until she fainted as though she were sleeping.