88. The Hero Party's Special Training! (1)
Special training.
Living together in a training camp to build teamwork.
Being united is stronger than acting separately.
Lee Jun-woo's idea could be considered the best method.
However.
*Joint training? Does that mean we have to act together? I don't like that at all.*
Saten didn't like the idea of joint training itself.
She was an extreme individualist, and being alone had always been more comfortable for her.
Saten frowned slightly and said.
"Mister. I don't like joint training. Even at my family estate, I only did individual training. I'll train alone."
"I refuse."
"What?"
"There are no exceptions, Saten. You must participate in the training."
"..."
Of course, there were no exceptions.
Joint training only had meaning when everyone participated.
Lee Jun-woo had no intention of allowing even a single exception.
"There are no exceptions, and everyone will participate in the training. And during that period, the goal is to cooperate with each other and become stronger."
"Mister! Question! Question!"
"Yes, Luna. Speak."
"So what's the training content! Do we just gather together and that's it? Aren't we doing anything else!"
Luna complained to me with a dissatisfied expression.
From her look, it seemed she wanted active training.
*Sigh, that training addict...*
It was good that she was serious about training, but wasn't her brain too filled with training?
Lee Jun-woo was slightly worried.
However, since he already had training in mind.
He pushed the blackboard to the corner and shouted.
"Luna."
"Yes!"
"I'll give you the training you want."
"Yay!"
"But this training..."
If even a single person falls behind.
Everyone will be punished.
It was harsh training for the children, but...
*Now is not the time to appeal to emotions.*
Since the Demon King's arrival had become a reality.
He had to steel his heart and make the Hero Party stronger.
Otherwise, someone would lose their life.
"Everyone finish preparing and gather in the yard."
Lee Jun-woo steeled his heart.
In the yard were people who didn't suit the setting.
An addict who didn't move her body and a shut-in.
To me, it felt awkward seeing them in the yard.
*To think Saten and Estia are in the yard... What a strange sight.*
The two people whose stamina was close to the lowest when I saw them in the mountains last time.
I hoped they wouldn't fall behind today.
I hoped they would follow through with the training to the end.
"Now then. Since everyone's gathered, let's begin the training."
"Wow! Training! I'm excited!"
"I-I'm excited...!"
Luna and Hare raised both hands and shouted.
In contrast, Saten and Estia dropped their heads to the ground.
"I don't want to train, why does Oppa want to do training!"
"I agree with that."
"Be quiet. I won't listen to complaints."
I ignored the two's opinions and put my hand into subspace.
It was to take out the supplies for training.
That was...
"What's with the rope all of a sudden?"
"R-rope. Mister...!"
"Eek... I-I don't like rope!"
Luna was horrified at the sight of the rope.
It seemed past memories had surfaced.
I approached the children holding that rope.
"B-but, Mister... what are you going to use the rope for...?"
"You'll know when you see, Hare."
"I-I see...?"
Right.
You'll know if you wait.
I wrapped the rope around Hare's waist as she tilted her head.
Then, using the remaining rope, I wrapped it around Saten's waist.
"Mister. What is this?"
"Cooperation."
"Forced cooperation, you mean?"
"...You could say that."
I took out another rope and wrapped it around Luna and Estia's waists.
"Wh-what are you doing! Mister! This is abuse!"
"Criminal! Oppa is a criminal!"
"Be quiet."
Since what they were saying was correct, I didn't particularly care.
And so Luna and Estia.
Hare and Saten were paired up as partners.
Partner selection considering balance.
Confirming them looking puzzled at the rope.
I announced the content of this training.
"Now then, from now on, fight each other."
I'll be the referee.
I'll block any attacks that could cause injury.
The winner is whoever makes the opponent lose their will to fight.
And...
"The side that loses in this training will undergo hellish training with me today."
"T-training!"
Hearing my words, Luna whispered as if it were an opportunity.
"Estia! It might be better if we lose!"
"No way, I don't want training."
Unfortunately, I heard both their whispers.
"...The training given to the losers will be difficult even for you, Luna. If you lose on purpose, I won't let you have your way."
"Too bad!"
"...So do your best."
A 2-on-2 battle of the Hero Party.
I didn't know how the results would turn out, but...
*Fighting with their bodies tied together won't be bad.*
They'll realize something if they fight fiercely with each other.
I also learned by getting beaten in combat by my master.
Experiencing it physically was much more helpful than words.
"Now then, I'll count to three and we'll start. Don't go easy on each other at all."
"Yessir! Understood!"
"Got it."
And so after three seconds passed.
The Hero Party's 2-on-2 internal battle began.
*I wonder...*
Who would cooperate better and win.
I just sat in a chair and analyzed their fighting one by one.
Luna was troubled.
"What do I do with her?"
"Me?"
"Estia, can you fight?"
"Umm, no?"
Estia shook her head.
A sigh automatically came from Luna's mouth.
"Sigh, then how am I supposed to fight! I'm down one person!"
"Still, there's something I can do!"
"What's that?"
"I can cheer well!"
"..."
Luna was at a loss for words.
How could she win with this Estia?
She thought about it, but no matter how much she thought, no answer came.
"You're a Saint...! You must have improved since last time!"
"Improved? I don't know! My Divine Power only comes out at the Church, hehe."
"...As expected, I have to do this alone!"
As expected, I'm the only one I can trust!
Luna's worries weren't long.
The thought that she just had to beat everyone alone.
However, Luna had forgotten one thing.
Tug-
"Th-the rope...!!"
She couldn't move alone.
Estia had to be nearby no matter what.
In other words, she had to protect Estia.
Luna stopped walking and said to Estia.
"Should we just do the training?"
"I don't want training! Don't give up!"
Estia said she didn't want training.
Luna had no choice but to grip her wooden sword tightly.
"Alright! Let's give it a try!"
While protecting Estia as much as possible!
Let's do this!
Luna steeled her resolve.
Just like the two who overcame one crisis.
The opposite side was climbing to the stage of crisis.
"Hare, what can you do?"
"I-I can stab with a dagger!"
"Can you stab Luna with a dagger?"
"Th-that won't work...! Luna is a training idiot so she's strong...!"
"Then, can you protect me?"
"No...! I'm good at running away...!"
Thud-
Saten pressed her forehead as her head hurt.
"Nothing's normal. The fortunate thing is that you're more helpful than that Saint over there."
"O-of course...! I'll become much stronger later...!"
"Being more helpful than the Saint isn't a compliment, Hare."
Even if she called over a random child passing by.
They would be much stronger than the current Saint.
A Saint who couldn't use Divine Power was only half complete.
Since Saten remembered that woman's Divine Power from the mountain.
She was evaluating Estia's potential highly.
"But right now, you're not particularly helpful. Hare?"
"Y-yeah...?"
"We'll stretch the rope as much as possible and act individually. And I'll face Luna, so take that opportunity to attack Estia. Understand?"
"G-got it...! But I want to try beating Luna too..."
Glance- Glance-
Hare kept glancing toward where Mister was.
*This is a chance to leave a good impression on Mister...!*
To show a good side to Mister.
Hare was watching for an opportunity.
*This is a bit annoying.*
Saten saw Hare like that and persuaded her.
"Hare, you'll be in charge of our front and rear. That's your role. Assassination would be excellent for leaving a good impression."
"Th-that sounds right...!"
"You understand, right? So start right away. I don't like training."
I must win no matter what.
By any means necessary.
I will win.
Saten checked the opposite side with cold eyes.
"I'm coming!!"
"Fast as expected."
From the other side, Luna was rushing over with a terrifying momentum.
Hare moved as far from the rope as possible, just as Saten said.
Seeing that, Luna couldn't help but be flustered for a moment.
"Wh-who should I attack...!?"
If she attacked Saten, Estia would be in danger.
If she attacked Hare, Saten would attack from afar.
In that moment, Luna realized.
"E-Estia is useless!! Completely unhelpful!"
"That's harsh, Luna! What do you mean!"
"I'm just stating facts!"
Luna and Estia caught in friendly fire.
Due to the very large hole called Estia.
In the end, the two were led to defeat according to Saten's strategy.
Lee Jun-woo watched this and pondered alone.
*Luna fought well alone. The biggest problem is Estia for now.*
The balance isn't right yet to attempt 2-on-2.
Lee Jun-woo stood up from his seat and approached the children.
Luna was expressing her grievances in the meantime.
A subtle smile was forming at the corners of her mouth.
"Mister! Estia isn't helpful! This is cheating!"
"Lower the corners of your mouth before you speak, Luna."
"N-no. That's not it!"
"Anyway, a loss is a loss. You two will undergo hellish training with me today."
And.
For solid cooperation.
"This time, you'll all band together and come at me."
Come at me thinking I'm the Demon King.
The reward is...
"To the person who does best. I'll give one wish ticket like I gave before."
"...!!"
"W-wish! The wish is mine! Mister, you're dead!"
"L-Luna. You shouldn't say things like that...!"
Luna coveting the wish.
Hare watching for an opportunity.
Saten more serious than usual.
Estia realizing it was hopeless and backing away to cheer.
And so the four members of the Hero Party who had just been fighting banded together and glared at Lee Jun-woo.
*...Do they really see me as a Demon King.*
They seemed to covet the wish ticket very much.