Chapter 16: Promise


TL: Scaramochi


***


"I knew Dale was strong....... I was afraid that he would treat that Frey like a baby."


"No, no, no, that was just a coincidence that it went so well because I was so mad. If you asked me to do it again, I wouldn't be able to do it."


"That's right. That's not because Dale is great, it's because Frey is stupid."


After the game between me and Frey was settled, we stopped attacking that day and came back to the party house.


Not just me, because none of us were in the mood to continue the attack like that. Frey was especially depressed.


We didn't want to waste time with unnecessary injuries, so we pulled out.


As soon as we got back, Frey went straight to the bathroom to cool off.


I was sipping a little sake, and Athena was combing Mirialia's hair on the sofa.


Mwah~, the lesbian elf had a look of satisfaction on her face.


"Don't be modest. To be honest, I had no idea what Dale had done since he had ducked the attack. I found myself holding Frey back. What did that thing do?"


"A while back, some strange old man taught me something called martial arts. I was thrown around like Frey for no reason. I was so pissed off that I kept challenging him, and he liked it, so he taught me a few things."


I don't remember how old I was, but I met him at a place called Dojo where we stopped while traveling.


I was just trying to be a lighthearted opponent for an old man who said he was a martial artist, but he threw me to the ground so hard that I got my ass handed to me.


I got stubborn and challenged him to a fight, but he said I had guts and potential, so I ended up learning martial arts from him.


Well, now I'm thankful for that.


"Come to think of it, I've never heard you talk about the old days."


"I'm not the only one. I don't know anything about Athena or Mirialia's past."


"That's right....... I've always been so focused on moving up that I haven't paid much attention to those things. I didn't have the time."


"That's okay. You do things like that when you get older. When you're young, you don't need to look back at the past, you just need to look forward."


"Dale, you talk like an old man."


Ah.......


I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to do with this.


I'm not sure why I said that, but it's because I'm dealing with a lot of younger people.


Oh, no, no, no, I'm still a sprightly 20-year-old.


I feel like being pampered by an older sister.


"I'm up. Someone come on in."


"Oh, I'll take it first."


Just in time, Frey came out of the bath and urged me to come in.


I felt uncomfortable in the room, so I ran straight to the bathroom as if to escape.


That night.


While I was reading a book, there was a knock at the door.


It was probably Athena. I didn't think Mirialia and Frey would come to my room.


I said, "Come in," and my eyes widened at the person who entered the room.


It was not Athena who entered my room, but Frey.


What's more, her face was kind of dark.


(What's this kid doing here?)


"It's unusual that you wanted to see me, isn't it? What's the matter? Did you come here to do a night raid because you couldn't agree with me?"


When I jokingly said so, Frey clicked her tongue and said, "No, I didn't."


"That match was a complete defeat for me. So I'm not going to say anything else."


"Oh, so you're finally feeling sorry for yourself."


"Well, I lost on my own ground, so I had to admit it, even if I didn't want to. It was worth the bare-knuckle fight."


But if it wasn't about the game, what was she doing here?


As I was having these doubts, Frey suddenly took off all the clothes she's wearing on the spot.


"Hey, hey, hey, hey! What are you doing, you little fool!"


I panicked at the sudden strange behavior.


Why was this kid suddenly completely naked? I didn't get it.


I could see her boobs and her hair. I mean, her hair was red, too.


No, no, no, that's not what I meant.


"Why are you taking off your clothes?　Are you kidding me?"


"......We had a deal."


Deal?


--- "If I lose, I'll give you my virginity."


"Oh......"


There was such promise?


I had to deny it, so I let it slide, but it seemed that she was serious.


But would you normally give up your body just because you lost a game?


What a stubborn character this kid had. She was so manly, it's making me cringe.


I sighed and fluttered my hands in disgust.


"It's my fault for not denying it right then and there, but you can't take it seriously either. The promise is null and void, don't worry about it."


"Aah! You don't want my virginity?"


Is she an idiot?


"I don't want your virginity. Just get dressed quickly. I don't want anyone to see me like this, they'll misunderstand me."


"Damn...... you really don't want it? I'm not going to give it to you even if you ask for it later."


"You're a prick, I told you I don't want it."


"Okay."


Frey grudgingly agreed and put on the clothes she had taken off.


I mean, you're not wearing a bra, right?


I was about to tell her, "You're going to get saggy if you don't wear a bra." but I thought it was none of my business, so I closed my mouth.


I thought Frey, who had put her clothes back on, was going to leave quickly, but she was still standing there.


And she remained silent.


I sighed again and called out to Frey.


"What's the matter, you still have something to say?"


"......You're a strong guy, aren't you?"


"I'm not strong. I'm just a little more experienced than you."


"......"


I asked Frey, who wasn't convinced by my deceptive words, in a slightly serious voice.


"When we were competing, I knew your means of attack. What do you think that is?"


"......I don't know."


"Because I deliberately stirred you up. I'm sure you wanted to punch me in the face right then and there. That's why you didn't take precautions and came straight at me, and instead of kicking me in the face, you threw your fist in my face. You fell right into my trap."


"So you're saying that I was led into punching you in the face?"


"Yes."


"What the hell?"


She clenched her fists tightly.


She's probably angry at her own stupidity, not at me.


I couldn't help but...... act like an old man again, but I would give some advice to the young woman in distress.


I spoke to Frey, who was gritting her teeth.


"Do you understand why we're telling you to work together?"


"Because it's a party and that's what we're supposed to do?"


"No, it's not. It's because collaboration is far more powerful."


"What?"


"I'm sure you realized today that the pair of me and Mirialia defeated the monster faster than the pair of you and Athena, didn't you? That's because I had made a plan with Mirialia beforehand. Even during the battle, when I gave the signal, she would immediately release the next magic, right? But you didn't even discuss it with Athena, you just went ahead by yourself as usual."


Frey looked down at me, and I continued.


"Mirialia is an excellent magician, so there are few misfires. But, when you're stuck fighting monsters all the time, you can't use magic like you did today."


"......"


"If you just want to wield your power, just go to the labyrinth alone. There's no need to go out of your way to form a party. But you chose to join the party. If you can't do that, then you're not a liability to the party. You're more of a hindrance to the party."


When I told her clearly, Frey looked as if she was about to cry.


Phew......... I'm sure she would cooperate a little if I said this much.


"That's why...... I'm sorry."


Frey apologized for the first time.


She was able to properly reflect on her actions and apologize.


She was still a kid, and there were plenty of times when she made mistakes.


She was still a kid, and there was no one to correct her, which was why she had gotten so worked up.


But now, Frey was fine.


To be honest, I didn't expect her to be this remorseful, but this was a big win.


Frey would be strong.


"I'm not the only one you should apologize to."


"I know. I apologize to Athena and Mirialia too. I want to be strong. I'm sorry to Athena and Mirialia. How can I get stronger?"


Wow...... this was a surprise. She herself was aware of Athena's potential?


She must have had sensed it by instinct or something.


And she was terrified. She was terrified of Athena's growth rate, which was so fast that she was catching up with her from below.


Maybe that's why she was hitting Athena so hard. Even if she wasn't aware of it.


"I don't know anything about that. I'm not strong. Even if I were, I wouldn't tell you."


"Why? Because you don't like me?"


"Of course not. Don't be naive. It's up to you to become strong. Don't take the easy way out, don't try to learn from others. Watch and learn, watch what other adventurers do and think, steal it for yourself, and make it your own. At least, that's what I've been doing, kid."


"......"


"I understand your impatience. But, Frey, I think your potential is as good as Athena's. If you think and try to be strong, you will not be able to do it yourself. If you think about it and try to become stronger, the results will naturally follow. I guarantee it. If you want, I'll even put my life on the line for you."


When I told her what I really thought, Frey clicked her tongue and said, "Damn."


"Okay...... I know I can be strong. Watch it, I'll definitely get stronger and get my revenge on you."


"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."


"......hmm."


Frey turned on her heel and walked out of the room.


Well, I wasn't sure what was going to happen when she started taking off her clothes, but the story had taken a pretty good turn.


It was going to be interesting from here on out.


Sorry Athena, I gave your rival some advice.


But you know, Frey was an essential part of your development.


But there was a possibility that Frey would beat Athena.


But, let's see.



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