It Wasn’t Healing, It Was Training Magic

The Arcadia Empire.
The country to which my hometown, Brook Territory, including the holy land of Marleon, belongs.

It’s one of only two empires on the continent,
and the last bastion of humanity fighting at the forefront against the Demon King’s army.

‘And it’s also the country that destroyed the beastkin.’

As much as it has designated the One God Church as the state religion,
the Arcadia Empire took the lead in the war against the beastkin more than anyone else.
I heard that it was the Empire that destroyed the beastkin’s religious facilities and killed their Grand Chieftain, right?

Especially the Imperial Family, as devout believers of the church, faithfully follows and respects the church’s laws.
That’s why they donated Marleon, which was originally an imperial territory, as a holy land because the church’s scripture mentioned a prophecy about Marleon.

That’s how lenient they are to the church, and how strict they are to the beastkin.

“Do we really need the Imperial Family’s permission?”
“Usually, ordinary people don’t have any reason to go to the Great Goshra Forest, so it’s understandable not to know. The Arcadia Imperial Family, which is sensitive about matters related to the beastkin, usually doesn’t give permission. If you must go to the Great Goshra Forest… it’s become difficult.”
“Haah…”

I can’t help but sigh.
It was because there were formidable figures in the Imperial Family too.
Even if that person is the protagonist of this world.

‘Ah, I miss my favorite character.’

Today especially, I missed Daeho, Soho’s older sister who’s right in front of me.

The protagonist of this world, the Second Imperial Princess of the Arcadia Empire, Nero Arcadia.
She’s also quite a loose-screwed hedonist.
And a hedonist with severe pickiness at that.

She’s a person who has always found her life boring and is as indifferent as an eye booger to everything except magic, which is her only hobby.

She shows a pessimistic attitude towards anything that doesn’t interest her.
Which means I need to catch her interest and get her permission.

The only one who could do that freely even in the original story was Daeho.
If not her, then maybe Freya, who’s as much of a hedonist and as twisted as Nero?

‘So that’s what she meant when she said I’d need her help.’

Now I understand why Freya, who looked disappointed when the interview was interrupted, left with relief when I said I was going to Goshra.
She was certain that I would come back to ask for help.

It seems I’ll have to have a second interview with Freya.

“But there are good people in the Imperial Family too. So don’t worry too much. Hahaha.”

Soho comforted me as she saw my expression hardening.
She probably thought the sigh I let out was because I was thinking about seeking permission from the Imperial Family.

Though the reason was actually because of Saint Freya.

“Then I guess I’ll have to go to the capital first. Thank you for letting me know, Soho-nim.”

If it weren’t for Soho, I would have headed to the Great Goshra Forest without knowing.
And I, who went without the Imperial Family’s permission, would have been caught on the spot as a criminal or become a non-Arcadian.
Especially since I would be acting together with Akasha, a beastkin, it would have been an indefensible situation if I had been caught.

“But the positive thing is that the timing is good. There’s a martial arts tournament hosted by the Arcadia Empire that will be held soon.”

Hearing about the martial arts tournament, I was reminded of Emilia, whom I left at home.
Since she said her goal was to become a Sword Master, I wondered if she would participate in this martial arts tournament.

This martial arts tournament is a long-standing event hosted by the Arcadia Imperial Family to recruit talent from across the continent.
As such, it’s a huge event where dignitaries from all over the country are invited and martial artists gather in one place.

Wait, doesn’t this mean the original story is about to start?

“And I have some business in the capital this time too, so that works out well. Ah! Of course, it’s not that I’m happy or anything because we’re going to the same place, so don’t misunderstand!”

As expected, it’s as I thought.
If it’s certain, her older sister Daeho will be there too.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

“Then will the people from the Baekya Duchy be coming there too? For example, your older sister?”
“Huh? How did you know that?”

Soho opens her eyes wide in surprise.
Ah, come to think of it, Soho has never mentioned her family or older sister, right?
I seem to have made a mistake because I felt too familiar.

“That’s… since you said there’s a martial arts tournament, I thought naturally the Baekya Duchy would be invited too. And your older sister is as famous as you, Soho-nim, so I think I’ve heard about her somewhere.”
“Well, that could be possible! Our Baekya Duchy is famous after all!”

Soho nodded with satisfaction.
Due to her high pride in her family, she seemed to accept it, thinking it’s possible that I could know.

“Then if you’re going to the capital this time… should we… go together? It would be good to save on costs too. It might not be bad?”

Soho asked casually with her face reddened and her gaze turned to the sky.
What’s this? Is she asking to go together? Or not to go together?
I smiled silently and answered her question.

“Shall we? It’s good to go with someone you know anyway. But is it okay if I have one companion with me?”
“Well, I don’t mind whoever Zick-nim’s companion is. Hahaha.”

Soho scratched her head and agreed.
It’s decided then.

When I first heard it from Soho, I was flustered,
but I decided to take it positively.

I have to get the Imperial Family’s permission anyway,
and thanks to this, I might even meet Daeho, Soho’s older sister and my favorite character.

I consoled myself with that fact and calmed my mind.
The worry about meeting Freya again, that is.

‘This is to meet Daeho…’
I spoke to Soho while suppressing my emotions.

“Let’s decide to go together then.”
“G-good.”

After that, we continued our meal a bit more before parting ways.

Gulp.

Akasha, waiting for Zick, swallowed.
Her lips were pursed and her mouth kept drying.

It’s almost the time Zick promised to return.
As that time approaches, her heart won’t stop pounding.

“This should satisfy God, right?”

Akasha was preparing a small event for Zick.
It was to congratulate Zick who had gone out this morning to check the results.
Although she hadn’t heard the final results directly yet,
Akasha, of course, was assuming he had definitely passed.

Since Zick had said with a confident voice last time that he did well on the exam, she believed it without doubt.

“Isn’t it too small?”

What Akasha had prepared to commemorate was a giant monster.
And it was a live pig that Akasha had hunted herself.
To be precise, it was a monster similar to a pig, a food ingredient that people enjoy eating as much as pork.

It should be fresh as it’s a warm one she caught this morning while Zick was out.

“Hehehe, this will show my strength.”

The seven secret techniques of seduction that Akasha’s mother taught her.
The first of them, appealing femininity.

It’s the law of nature that attractive men are drawn to strong women.
In beastkin society, they sometimes appeal their strength by presenting such large prey.

Although it was impossible to bring too large a monster to the lodgings due to circumstances,
this was the best method Akasha had chosen after much consideration.

If Zick thinks it’s too small, he’ll understand if she explains that part as an excuse.

“N-next time, I can prepare a bigger one…”

Though she thought so, Akasha was still worried that it might be too small.

Click clack—

An approaching presence.
Akasha perked up her ears at the familiar footsteps.
Zick had arrived.

“Akasha, I’m back!”
“W-welcome back?”

As I opened the door to the lodgings and entered, Akasha greeted me shyly.
She seemed somewhat nervous, slightly stammering and her expression stiff.

‘Did she do something wrong?’

For a moment, I worried if she had secretly gone to the dungeon again and overexerted herself like last time.

“U-um, how were the results? Did you pass?”
“Of course. I passed.”
“Congratulations!”

Akasha cheered and rejoiced, shouting hurray.
I thought she was nervous, but it seems she was like that waiting for my results.

I worried for nothing.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I showed Akasha the snacks in my hand.

“Want to eat this?”
“Oh! S-sure! But I have something prepared for today!!!”
“You prepared something?”

I became curious.
What kind of food could Akasha have prepared?
Is it traditional beastkin food or Arcadia Empire style?
It might even be food from the Seolha Empire.

Since I had never directly seen Akasha’s cooking skills before, my curiosity grew.

“Ta-da! Look at this, Zick-nim! Isn’t it sturdy?”

But, it wasn’t.
What Akasha showed me was a giant whole pig…?
Or rather, a monster resembling one.

It’s so enormously large that it might be a whole cow rather than a pig.

“Is it too sma… ll?”
“No, no, I was just amazed at how big it is.”

And I wondered how such a big thing passed through the lodging door.

“Right? I caught it myself! It’s huge, isn’t it?”
“Yeah yeah. It’s so big it might take about a month to eat.”
“Hehehe, such praise makes me shy.”

Was that praise?
But seeing Akasha rejoicing with satisfaction, I nodded.
I decided to praise Akasha a bit more.

“That’s right! Akasha, you’re amazing.”
“Ah, it’s too early for that!”

Is there something more?
As I tilted my head, Akasha took off her top.
Only her underwear remained.

Only her small breasts were covered by a chest wrap.

‘What is she trying to do?’

Just as that question was being filled.
Akasha climbed on top of the pig monster she had caught.
Then she raised both arms, flexed her biceps tightly, and asked me.

“How do I look, Zick-nim?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t I look strong?”

Akasha showed her thin, slender body and struck various poses in succession.
Is this what they call posing?

“Am I not sexy?”

For a while, I fell into contemplation about how to answer such a question from her.