Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

I stood facing the White Mask.

Since it was a private lesson taking place near Rondan Station, the White Mask had comfortably removed her mask.

However, when it came time to actually start the lesson, I felt like twisting and turning at the thought of not wanting to do it, as if I wanted to keep chatting instead.

For example, no matter how much of a railfan the White Mask was, wouldn’t it be lonely spending time alone at Rondan Station?

“Master.”

“Mm?”

“Do you have a story about your first love?”

I could say that it was a rude question to ask someone with a scarred face, but maybe it didn’t matter since it was me asking.

She looked pretty from my perspective.

And I had already mentioned this to the White Mask herself, hadn’t I?

Also, asking such questions before starting a lesson was, you know, a community rule.

“…I can’t tell if you’re really rude or if you truly have a screw loose.”

As I thought, the White Mask initially frowned and replied in disbelief, then grinned as she raised the corners of her mouth.

“First love, huh? Well, as someone who dedicated their life to railroads and the Knights, that’s not really a thing for me.”

Ah, that blasted railroad.

“But a lot of knights used to write me love letters saying they liked me.”

“Ooooh.”

Fortunately, the stories that followed seemed to be quite interesting.
Yeah, it’d be weird not to have anything happen with such a beautiful face.

“Of course, none of them I actually liked. Every single one was too obvious in their intentions, so I wasn’t very fond of them.”

The phrase ‘obvious intentions’ probably meant that they were just burning with desire based solely on her looks.

Isn’t that usually how romantic feelings begin?

But then again, it’s not desirable to receive a ‘confession attack’ without even getting to know someone first.

“Was there really no one you genuinely liked among them?”

“Honestly, no. My tastes are rather picky, you know.”

The White Mask said this with a playful smile, then sighed.

“Well, that’s all in the past now. With the way I look, it’d be a blessing if I could just avoid being chased rather than being confessed to. You’re the odd one, disciple.”

The White Mask said that while waggling her nose and pointing at me.

Although she was behaving playfully, was it just my imagination that I felt a strange loneliness from her?

“Then if your face were restored, would you have confidence in charming anyone?”

“Of course! If you saw me in my prime, you’d be shocked.”

I wondered if the version of the White Mask I was seeing now was actually her ‘prime.’

No matter how much I said it, she wouldn’t believe me, so there was no choice but to let it slide.

By the way, it felt like I had barely had a few conversations like this with the White Mask, but surprisingly, she had a cheerful side to her.

After all, if she had no side like this at all, she wouldn’t be called a ‘galju’ in the community.

Maybe there’d be a way to restore the White Mask’s face later on?

Considering that I had inherited the Dragon Slayer’s power from the Dragon, how easy it might be to find a solution?

Once things stabilized, that’d be the first thing I’d look into.

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s proceed with the lesson. Every second counts right now.”

“Yes.”

After saying that, the White Mask returned to a serious expression.

“First, let’s check your basic swordsmanship. Come at me first.”

Hoo hoo.

Well, I had spent quite some time fighting weirdos without weapons, so wouldn’t it be easier to move with a sword in hand?

I’m gonna show off my talent now!

#

Cough, wheeze, huff.

“…Looks like I overestimated you. Sorry about that.”

The White Mask was looking down at me with a genuinely apologetic expression as I lay there, defeated.

Oh dear, past me, what were you thinking with such arrogance!

If it were that easy, the profession of a swordsman wouldn’t exist at all!

Feeling ashamed of my ridiculous thoughts, I couldn’t lift my head, so the White Mask came closer and extended her hand toward me.

“Grab it.”

“Okay.”

I took her hand and managed to get up, but after getting beaten up so badly, there was pain all over my body.

I felt like my body was writhing in discomfort.

“But it seems you have some talent after all.”

The White Mask said with a slight smile.

“If you really had no talent, you’d be awkward and strange from the very start. But you succeeded a few times in fending off my attacks. While you may not reach the level of Meditatio, it looks like you can use it to some extent.”

The White Mask’s detailed analysis lifted my spirits.

Yeah.

That’s enough for me.

The parts I lack will be filled by the Outsider’s powers from the Party Flute and the buffs from the Cook’s food, along with the power of the Dragon.

“So, what are you going to do? You could take it easy now; you’ve already met today’s quota.”

“No… Time is running out. The Interrogator declared that we only have 14 days left.”

14 days.

That was an unbelievably short time to learn any martial arts.

I could easily collapse from muscle pain in just a few days.

But who do I have on my side?

I have my lovely Cook.

“Oh my.”

With the Cook’s meals, I can do anything!

“Could you please stop calling me that?”

Even though she said that, she didn’t seem to dislike it, perhaps because she was happy I was leaning on her.

It seemed I would continue to need the Cook’s help every time I hit a wall going forward.

Grrrr…

That’s Bell?

Settle down…!

Don’t make that fierce expression!

Once this is all over, I promise I’ll play with you!

“Hmph!”

What a sweet little creature she is.

A dog that waits like that while being playful; there’s no other.

If it weren’t for that, it’d be totally acceptable for her to claw at me!

“Please only tell me until I’m on the brink of death.”

“…You’re the first disciple I’ve seen who shows such honorable knightly conduct while being a knight, disciple.”

The White Mask smiled slightly before bracing herself and raising her sword again.

“I’ve heard your resolve, Leydan Tanton. From now on, I will teach you earnestly.”

“Yes, I look forward to your guidance, Master!”

With that, the White Mask and I both charged at each other.

The sound of our swords clashing echoed again.

#

“Ouch, damn it, my back.”

My back felt like it’d slipped a disc, the pain radiating through me.

And that’s not all; I felt bruises all over my body as if I had some bizarre muscle disease.

If I had pushed myself this hard with nothing, I might have faced death by the next day.

But as I mentioned earlier, I had a Cook by my side.

Not only did the Cook’s food enhance my body, but it also had restorative properties.

In simpler terms, it’s like a potion.

And no, it wasn’t because I was craving stir-fried pork for the first time in a while.

So, I headed for the underground where I had previously purged the cultists.

Was their faith shaken by the Interrogator’s attacks? It felt even emptier than before.

Alright.

This place should work.

Thinking that, I blew the Party Flute.

This time, trying to summon only one person, I began to see a single form gradually materialize.

When the figure was nearly fully formed, it seemed to sway, struggling to gain balance, and its weight shifted towards me.

Upon catching it, the shape solidified into that of the Cook.

“Are you okay?”

“…This never gets easier, no matter how many times I do it.”

The Cook said that with an awkward smile, looking up at me.

Hey, I really wish she’d land faster.
I mean, I could feel the softness here!

“…The one who looked the least like it…!”

“Bark! Double standards, bark!”

Wait, where did you learn that?!

At this point, I should investigate if there’s someone teaching her these phrases.

Thankfully, it seems the Dragon Slayer went off to befriend the Record Keeper, so I didn’t hear any other voices.

At this moment, being discovered like this was my greatest fear.

“So, the reason you called for me must be this, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After the Cook detached from me, I saw her beam a satisfied smile and spoke.

“I’d like one serving of stir-fried pork, if you please!”

“Hehe, got it! Your order has been received!”

Just then, Lia popped out of my pocket unexpectedly.

She didn’t look too happy, but she also seemed to be hinting at wanting something.

Ah, I could roughly guess what she was feeling.

Given the situation caused by her mother, she’d feel like she had no claim over me, but upon hearing that the Cook was here, her body reacted before her mind.

Delicious food was just irresistible.

Lia glanced at me a few times, then hugged her head with both hands, shivering, and tried to go back into my pocket.

…She shouldn’t be looking so guilty when she didn’t do anything wrong. That didn’t sit well with me.

I vowed to smash the Interrogator and ease Lia’s guilt.

I thought to myself.

“Lia.”

Lia, startled, trembled, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at me.

She looked so cute that it felt like a character straight out of a cartoon.

“Eat. Don’t mind me.”

Did my words reach her?

Only then did Lia sit next to me.

The Cook looked at us with a warm smile.

“Then, I’ll prepare two servings!”

I smiled back at the Cook.

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