Lord of Avalon : Lost in Another World

After a light snack and hot tea from Megumin, Ardi invited her to join him and Yui in a quiet corner of the Lord's Office. The late afternoon sun shone softly through paper lanterns, creating gentle patterns on the polished floor.

"Megumin, your meal today was amazing," Ardi said warmly as he took a spoonful of rice. "I'm curious—besides cooking great food every day, what else have you been doing?"

Megumin hesitated for a moment, her eyes showing both pride and shyness. "I… mostly work in the kitchen, Master. I try out new recipes and sometimes help gather ingredients when I can."

Yui, sitting nearby with a playful smile, added, "I guess that's all a chef really needs to do. But you, Master, always seem to spot hidden talents in everyone."

They chatted for a few minutes about everyday life and the simple joys of cooking, with laughter mixing with the clink of tea cups. When the conversation slowed, Ardi leaned forward and cleared his throat.

"Megumin," he began carefully, "I've been thinking... Would you consider becoming my personal chef and staying here at Daimyo Manor?"

For a moment, the room went silent. Megumin's smile faded, and she looked down, a bit uncertain. Noticing the change, Yui teased, "Anata, don't tell me you're planning to add Megumin to your harem candidate list?"

Ardi's eyes widened, and he quickly reached out, gently taking Yui's hand. "No, no—I promise, I have no such plans. I just want her amazing cooking to make our home even better. I value her skills so much that I'd be honored if she stayed as our chef at Daimyo Manor. I'm not looking for another companion for myself—you know that."

Megumin's uncertainty softened into a shy smile. "Master, I've always seen you as our lord. I never expected you'd ask something like this on a personal level," she murmured.

Ardi continued, "I also plan to talk with Keisuke and Hisako from the Great Village Hall about joining us here, so our work can run more smoothly. I want Daimyo Manor to be a true home for our most trusted people."

Yui laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "You're quite the visionary, aren't you? I love how much you care about everyone. It's really sweet."

Megumin's expression brightened as she met Ardi's sincere gaze. "So... you mean you want me to stay, not just cook for you, but become part of your household?"

Ardi nodded with a gentle smile. "Exactly. I want you as our chef—not just a token, but because your food nourishes us in every way. I'm not looking for a harem candidate; I want a close, reliable friend who takes care of our meals, like you already do."

Megumin's cheeks flushed pink. "I... I would be honored, Master. But may I ask—where will we all live?"

Ardi's smile turned a bit sheepish. "I plan to have the carpenters build several houses behind the manor for the staff and other residents of Daimyo Manor. Could you please tell Keisuke and Hisako about this plan tonight so we can discuss it together?"

Ardi's eyes shone with gratitude and determination. "I want this manor to be more than just a place to live—it should be a family where everyone is valued."

Yui teased gently, "Now, don't you worry, Anata—I wouldn't let you get any ideas that might make me jealous."

Ardi laughed, his heart full of warmth. "I promise, Yui. My heart is only yours. And as for you, Megumin, I'm really glad you'll stay."

Megumin bowed her head shyly, a smile blooming on her face. "I'll do my best, Master. Thank you for trusting me."

In that tender moment, their bond grew even stronger. Ardi's caring nature shone through in every word and gesture—a true lord who treats his people like family. As their conversation ended, plans were set to meet with Keisuke and Hisako later that evening, making sure Daimyo Manor's future was built on teamwork and respect.

And so, in the warm glow of the afternoon, with tea and laughter still in the air, a new chapter began in Minori Village—a chapter full of hope, trust, and the promise of a united home.

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Later, in the quiet dojo, the occasional creak of wooden beams and the rustle of leaves outside were the only sounds. Sunlight streamed through paper windows, casting long, golden streaks on the floor.

Ardi stood barefoot on the training mat in a white kyūdōgi and dark blue hakama. His Nexus Garb had smoothly changed to match the traditional outfit, and he held the yumi—a long Japanese bow Emi lent him for practice—in his hands.

"Alright," he muttered as he stretched his shoulders and rolled his neck, "no Eni today, so I'll rely on what I learned yesterday."

Following Yui's advice, he decided to practice the hassetsu—the eight basic steps of kyūdō—to keep his form perfect. He remembered Emi's graceful moves as he started.

He stepped forward and placed his feet in position.

Ashibumi: He set his feet shoulder-width apart, aiming at a target thirty meters away. His stance wavered at first, but he quickly adjusted, taking deep, steady breaths.

Dōzukuri: He straightened his posture, ensuring balance. He felt a slight stiffness, a reminder that his body was still adapting.

Yugamae: He wrapped his hands around the bow and string, feeling the tension. He inhaled slowly, steadying his grip.

Uchiokoshi: He raised the bow above his head, his arms following a graceful arc like Emi had shown.

Hikiwake: He drew the bow, his fingers tightening as the string pulled back.

Kai: At full draw, his heartbeat slowed and his breath steadied, stretching the moment.

Hanare: He released the arrow.

Thwack! The arrow flew but veered a bit to the right, landing in the outer ring of the target.

Ardi exhaled, frustration in his eyes. "Too tense," he muttered. He had rushed his release, his grip too tight.

From above, Yui, in her fairy form, chuckled. "Master, you look like a real warrior, but your arrows say otherwise."

Ardi rolled his eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I'm still learning."

Yui landed gently on his shoulder, patting his cheek with her tiny hand. "You're getting better, Anata. Remember, kyūdō isn't just about hitting the target—it's about form, spirit, and discipline."

Ardi nodded. "Right... let's try again."

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He repeated the hassetsu step by step, focusing on his breathing to keep his body relaxed yet controlled.

He released the arrow.

Thwack!

It landed slightly closer to the center, but still off.

Ardi sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "My grip is too stiff... I need to let the bowstring snap back naturally."

After meditating for ten minutes, he resumed training.

Arrow after arrow flew, each shot showing small improvements, though the bullseye still slipped by.

He clenched his fists and exhaled in frustration. "I need to feel the shot—not just force it."

Yui hovered beside him, smiling. "You're getting it, Anata. Just trust yourself."

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For the third cycle, Ardi focused solely on the process. He planted his feet firmly, kept his back straight and shoulders relaxed, and held the bow with a grip that was just right. He synchronized his breathing with his movements, took one final deep breath, and released the arrow.

Thwack!

It hit the bullseye.

Ardi blinked in surprise and then chuckled. "Finally!"

Yui clapped her hands happily. "See? I told you—you just needed to trust yourself."

Ardi exhaled deeply, feeling completely relaxed. "That felt different."

"Because you didn't force it," Yui said as she perched on his shoulder. "You became one with the bow."

He smiled, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I think I'm finally starting to understand."

Yui smirked playfully. "Maybe one day you'll even rival Emi."

Ardi laughed tiredly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, I deserve a break."

As the afternoon sun bathed the dojo in a golden glow, Ardi packed up his bow. Today's training was exhausting but fulfilling. He wasn't just improving his kyūdō—he was refining himself.

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That night, after a filling dinner and a warm, relaxing bath, Ardi stepped into his private garden. The moonlight reflected off the koi pond, and the cool night air carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers. It was peaceful, the perfect place to unwind.

Feeling playful, Ardi decided to practice his swordsmanship. With a grin, he changed his Nexus Garb into a white hakama and kimono. Tonight, he wanted to try dual-wielding—his Omniblade in katana mode in his right hand and his trusted Steel Katana in his left.

"Alright… let's see how tough this really is."

He started with simple moves—a horizontal slash, a vertical cut, then a diagonal strike. Right away, he felt how awkward it was. His balance was off, and his muscles struggled to coordinate the twin blades.

He adjusted his stance, but—

"Whoa—!"

His left foot slipped on the grass.

SPLASH!

—Or almost.

At the last second, he twisted mid-air and managed to plant his right foot just before falling into the koi pond. He wobbled, arms flailing, but somehow saved himself.

"Pfft—!"

A burst of laughter filled the garden.

Ardi turned to see Yui, in her fairy form, floating above the pond, clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably.

"Anata," she gasped between giggles, "that was hilarious! I almost wish you actually fell in!"

Ardi shot her a glare, his face burning with embarrassment. "Wow, thanks for the support, Yui. Really helpful."

Yui wiped a tear from her eye. "You looked so cool for a second—then bam! Almost an instant bath!"

Ardi sighed, lowering his swords. He had definitely underestimated how hard dual-wielding was. His Ultimate Adaptation helped him learn fast, but it didn't mean instant mastery.

A soft rustle in the trees caught his attention.

Without looking, Ardi smirked. "You guys can come out now."

From the shadows, Ren and four shinobi appeared, standing still, their faces hidden behind masks. They had been watching the whole time.

Ardi raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been there?"

Ren, always calm and serious, hesitated before answering. "Since the moment you almost fell into the pond, My Lord."

Yui burst into laughter again, floating in circles as she clutched her stomach. "Oh, this just keeps getting better!"

Ardi groaned. "Great. Now my best warriors think I'm an idiot with two swords."

One of the shinobi, Miyu, coughed lightly. "We would never think that, My Lord."

"But," another shinobi, Shiro, added, "we did wonder if we should step in before you actually fell."

Ardi rubbed his temples. Fantastic. Lost all my dignity tonight.

"Right. Well, since you're here—" He straightened up and looked at Ren. "Go eat, take a bath, and rest before giving me your report."

The shinobi exchanged glances before bowing. "Understood, My Lord."

As they turned to leave, Ardi added, "Oh, and while you're at it—tell Megumin to bring tea and snacks here later. Also, remind Keisuke and Hisako that I need to talk to them tonight."

Ren nodded. "As you command."

With that, the shinobi disappeared into the night, leaving Ardi alone with Yui again.

Yui smirked as she floated beside him. "So, Master… was this really training, or were you just trying to impress me with your dual-wielding?"

Ardi sighed, sheathing his swords. "If I was trying to impress you, I really messed that up, huh?"

Yui landed on his shoulder, leaning against his cheek. "Well, you did keep me entertained."

Ardi chuckled softly. "Glad I could make you laugh, I guess."

While waiting for the shinobi to return, Ardi decided to check his status panel. As Ardi opened his status panel, then a panel immediately appeared before him.

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[Status Bar]

Name: Ardi Yuniarsyah

Main Job: –

Sub-class Job: –

HP: 60 / 60

Mana: 110 /110

Status:

 • Strength: 7

 • Agility: 7

 • Durability: 6

 • Intelligence: 11

 • Luck: 5

Note: Average stat for an adult male is 5.

Unique Trait : [Ultimate Adaptation] (Golden)

Skill List: 

[Tactical Insight] B (Red)

[Clairvoyance] C (Blue)

[Gunsmith] C (Blue)

[Photographic Memory] C (Blue)

[Reinforcement Magecraft] C (Blue)

[Appraisal] C (Green)

[Sword Mastery] C (Green)

[Bow Mastery] E (Green)

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