Chapter 51

The day after the decoration ceremony.

“Oh, oh? You're the ‘Divine Sword’?”

“...Probably. Not like I’ve done anything to deserve such a grand title, though.”

As per Mino’s instructions, I made my way to the grasslands west of the capital, a gently sloping plain. Construction materials were already lined up, and muscular men were getting ready to start work with large mallets in hand.

“We’ve been expecting you, Lady Flatche.”

“Yeah.”

Standing nearby were also soldiers of the national army in full heavy gear—apparently dispatched by Mino to serve under me.

According to her, there’s a high chance the Demon King's Army has secretly established cave bases in the remote outskirts surrounding the capital. And now, it seems they’ve finished preparing for war and are finally at the stage where they’ll begin attacking our stronghold.

At this point, we probably don’t have enough time left to locate their bases and strike first. It’s fair to say that we’re one step away from checkmate.

At that very last possible moment, Rex and I reported the demon strongholds to the army. That’s how humanity finally came to recognize the threat of the Demon King’s Army—and how we got to where we are now.

“Hmm. Can someone as scrawny as you really swing a sword? You're supposed to be our escort, right?”

“Supposedly. I’m confident in my skills, so don’t worry.”

My current job is to protect the engineers working at full speed to fortify the capital.

In the center of the square where the carpenters had gathered, I spotted an older man giving directions from a wooden platform—he looked like the lead carpenter. I figured it was him and tried striking up a conversation.

“...Hmm. So, you’re not a representative, you’re the actual person?”

“Yeah.”

“I mean, we heard you took down monsters and demons, so I imagined a much bulkier woman.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Basically, you’re saying I don’t look reliable and that makes you uneasy?”

“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that exactly...”

Still, the reaction from the carpenters who saw me was anything but positive. One slumped his shoulders slightly, another shot me a scrutinizing glare, while others didn’t even bother to hide their unease.

I could practically hear their thoughts: Is this girl really supposed to protect us?

Well, I get it. If the general assigned to protect you looks like a small, delicate girl, you'd be nervous too.

“Don’t worry. I’m good at holding the line. Even if the Demon King himself shows up, I’ll buy you enough time to get away with room to spare.”

“I-I see...”

I tried talking big to earn their trust, but all I got in return were lukewarm reactions.

Come on, don’t look so worried. It’s starting to tick me off.

It’s not like I want to be a petite woman, okay? I actually want to be all big and buff like Rex.

Ugh. I want muscles. I probably don’t need them for my fighting style, but still...

---

“……”

“Hey, bring the big mallet! Time to hammer in the support beams!”

“Ooooh!!”

I’m bored.

“Heave-ho, heave-ho! For the sake of our families—”

“Heave-ho, heave-ho! We build with pride—”

“All together now! Heave-ho, heave-ho~!”

The carpenters continued their work cheerfully, singing as they built. I just stood there, watching from afar.

Actually, I did ask earlier if there was anything I could help with... but I couldn’t even lift the mallet they lent me, and I was too light to dig properly.

Yeah. Sadly, I was just too weak to be of any help to them.

“Raise it up—!”

“One, two—heave!!”

The carpenters quickly and efficiently built the encampment.

Meanwhile, I’d been deemed a hindrance to the workflow and pushed to the edge of the site, forced to sit all alone with my knees hugged to my chest.

Since I was so bored, I tried to start practicing my sword swings—but they told me to stop because it was dangerous. Now I had absolutely nothing to do. Sniffle, sniffle.

Sure, I know a weak little woman can’t really do carpenter work. But still, wasn’t I supposed to be some kind of hero?

The merchants treated me like one, at least. I get that the carpenters are just too busy to bother, but still...

“Swirly swirl. Swirly swirl...”

Technically, I’m a decorated hero. At first, the carpenters made an effort to be polite, but I guess my utter lack of physical strength left them exasperated. Now, no one even tries talking to me. I’ve become just some quiet figure curled up in the corner.

Sniffle, sniffle.

“—Ah! Found you! Why’s the defensive commander sulking in the corner like that?!”

“Swirly swirl… huh?”

Under the blazing sun, banned from even practicing my swings, left without a single person to talk to, I was so bored I nearly cried and had started drawing spirals in the dirt with my finger—when suddenly, I heard a loud, bratty, overconfident voice from above.

“Who are you?”

“Ku ku ku... Finally, my chance for revenge has come. Mino can’t see us here... so I’m gonna kill you.”

“Oh. It’s just you, Mello.”

His self-centered declaration pretty much gave it away. The person talking to me while I was on duty was none other than Mellow—the national army’s general in charge of the eastern defense.

Dude, don’t you have work to do?

---

“I was bored, so I came to rape you.”

“Yeah, you’re seriously messed up.”

What is with this guy? Wait—did he ditch his guard duty just to come beat me up? What the hell is going on in his head?

“You coward!! Even I haven’t gotten a damn medal yet! What kind of dirty tricks did you pull, you flat-chested freak?!”

“Ah—no, that decoration was just propaganda. …I never did anything that deserved a medal, really.”

“Ahahaha! I knew it! So you faked some achievement just to get attention? What a pathetic joke!”

“……”

You’re the embarrassing one here, not me.

“I can’t let any more ridiculous rumors spread about you being strong. So I figured I’d shut you down right here and now.”

“Huh.”

“For the crime of once pointing a sword at me. I’ll beat the crap out of you and turn you into a toilet for the carpenters.”

“…Right.”

I really don’t get what he’s thinking. What’s in it for him to half-kill an ally like me here?

…Don’t tell me he didn’t think it through at all and is just acting on emotion? And this guy’s supposed to be a top commander?

“……”

I sighed and stood up. The carpenters had all scattered in confusion thanks to Mello’s sudden appearance, calling me a “nuisance just by existing.” At least it looked like I could go all out without hurting anyone, so I slowly drew my sword.

“Fine. Come at me.”

“Ahahaha! Don’t die too quickly now! I want you to regret this—thoroughly!”

Man… what a waste of time.

.

.

.

…Or so I thought, but surprisingly, sparring with Mello turned out to be decent practice.

Not bad, Mello.

“Why… why… how can I lose!?”

“Mello, you’ve actually picked up some real sword skills, huh.”

Yeah. He used to just swing his sword around wildly with brute force, but today, he looked like an actual fighter.

His slashes came at sharp angles, raining down at me like a storm. His technique still wasn’t anything special, but with that kind of speed, he was a real threat. Seriously, not bad at all.

“─────Hah…”

“What the hell!? I’m the one who attacked—so why am I the one lying on the ground!?”

Wow. I never saw this coming. I didn’t expect Mello to evolve from a sword-swinging baby into a real swordsman in such a short time.

He was still rough, but he’d started using feints. His sword swings had settled into proper, disciplined forms. He was nowhere near a veteran, but compared to his old self? A night-and-day difference.

Right… come to think of it, I did see him at the training grounds before. So he was actually practicing. This arrogant rapist apparently puts in effort, too.

“No way… No way!! The old you—would’ve gone down way easier!!”

“Relax. You’ve definitely grown stronger, Mello. That’s why you thought you could beat me and came here, right?”

“Of course! You should lose to me! That’s how it’s supposed to go!!”

“Well, I’ve been training too.”

“This is insane! Why!? I worked so hard—so why is the gap even bigger now!?”

“……”

Always so self-centered. Does he really think winning is his right? Like he’s got the strength of someone like me?

But… I get it. I know how much it hurts to lose. It might sound childish, but losing does sting. And Mello’s even less emotionally mature than I am—it must be eating him alive.

“────Practice your swings, Mello. Focus on three: the diagonal cut, the downward strike, and the horizontal slash. Pay attention to your posture. Keep your hips steady and visualize the ideal form.”

“…Huh?”

“Your swings have gotten better, but when it really counts, you tend to lose control of your stance. For someone like you who relies on speed, your form breaks easily under pressure unless it’s drilled into your muscle memory.”

“……”

…What the hell am I saying?

That almost sounded like advice.

“Also, don’t show up during work. What if the Demon Lord’s army attacked while you were screwing around? If you’ve got free time, I’ll train with you—but not in the middle of a job. Now go home.”

“…Are you mocking me?”

“No? I just think you’re genuinely an annoying guy.”

“…Haaah.”

When Mello heard my words, the frustrated look on his face twisted into one of extreme discomfort. Like all the fight had drained out of him, he sheathed his sword and turned his back to me.

“…I’m going home.”

“Yeah, hurry up and go.”

“…Next time, I’m gonna rape you.”

“Please don’t.”

Man, is there any way to reform that sadistic rapist into a decent human being? He’s clearly got talent… What if he gets strong enough that I can’t beat him anymore, even with magic?

…Well, if it ever comes to that, I’ll just call Rex for help. No matter how strong Mello gets, there’s no way he’s beating that monster.

…Anyway.

“Swirly, swirly…”

Time to get back to drawing spirals in the dirt. …I’m so bored.

---

“Hey, uh, Ms. ‘Divine Sword’? Wanna, you know… grab a bite together or something?”

“Huh?”

“Sorry, man. I had you all wrong.”

“My bad for being a jerk. Commander, you’re the real deal.”

For some reason, after Mello’s little assault, the carpenters suddenly started being weirdly nice to me. They were chatting me up like crazy. Before I knew it, we were eating from the same pot and having a great time together.

Yaaay.