Chapter 77.7 – Bakotsu, Part Three

「Then please make sure to warm up properly. Once everyone has finished preparing, we will begin the matches at once.」

「Yeah, got it. …By the way, have our opponents already been decided?」

「Yes. I will face all of you myself.」

「…What?」

Even Bakotsu was surprised by that. There were nine adventurers present, and every one of them was at least mid-ranking or better. As expected, it would be unreasonable for Leonhart to take on all nine by himself.

「Come on… Aren’t you underestimating us a little too much?」

「No, it is simply the easiest way to assess your abilities. I am already well acquainted with the skills of the knights, but this is the first time I have met all of you. I apologize for putting you to the test… but I wish to reduce the number of accidents in the wilderness as much as possible. Please cooperate so that I can assign you to the appropriate positions.」

「…Well, that does make sense.」

It was such a reasonable explanation that even Dari, who had many years of experience as an adventurer and had undertaken all kinds of work, accepted it without complaint.

No one knew what might happen in the wilderness plagued by the demonic miasma, and if this was meant to reduce their chances of dying, there was no reason to refuse. Bakotsu was even grateful for it. …After all, he would get to spar with Leonhart himself.

(All right, let’s do this. This is a good chance to find out just how wide the gap is between me and that man.)

And so the matches began, and Bakotsu could do absolutely nothing.

Leonhart stopped Bakotsu’s sword with absurd ease. They were both using wooden practice swords, yet the instant their blades met, the weight reverberating through Bakotsu’s hands made it feel as though his opponent’s sword was made of steel.

Leonhart was also completely at ease and was clearly holding back. The difference in their abilities was overwhelming.

(Seriously, what is with this strength…? This is beyond even a beastfolk…!)

Beastfolk possessed greater physical abilities than humans. In exchange, they had less magical power and could not reach the level required to use magic. That was simply how they were.

But what about Leonhart? Though he looked slender, he possessed strength equal to, or perhaps greater than, that of a beastfolk, and since he was a captain of the Holy Knights, he must also have a great deal of magical power. …It was impossible to think of him as anything other than beloved by the gods. A mere adventurer could never hope to match him.

「Whoa…!?」

His sword was knocked away, and when he switched to his fist in hopes of landing at least one blow, Leonhart seized his arm firmly. Then his body was yanked hard, and before he knew it, he was flying through the air.

For one brief instant, his body seemed to draw closer to the cloudless blue sky and the dazzling sun before immediately falling again under the pull of gravity. Even though he broke his fall, the impact rang through the core of his body. As he curled up in pain and struggled to breathe, someone spoke to him.

「Mister Adventurer, are you okay?」

「Ugh… Y-Yeah… I’m fine…」

It seemed a village girl got worried about him. Bakotsu raised his head, intending to give her a smile and reassure her, only to be pierced by the sharp gaze of the cat beastfolk standing behind the girl. Beyond her stood the witch as well. The embarrassment of having them witness him like this was unbearable.

(How pathetic…)

He had been soundly defeated despite Leonhart holding back, and now the beastfolk he had looked down upon was looking down at him. The humiliation of the situation made his eyes wet.

Then something was placed in front of him. Looking with only his eyes, he saw something resembling ghostfire grass, a poisonous herb. Its color was different, however, so it did not appear to be ordinary ghostfire grass.

(Is this… from Witch-sama? What could it possibly be for…)

When he timidly looked up, the witch was simply smiling at him. A beastfolk boy explained what it was. …Apparently, it was a wound medicine made by the witch.

Why would she offer charity to someone like him? He did not know the reason, but when their eyes met, the witch’s gentle smile deepened. The expression was so full of compassion that the tears merely welling in his eyes threatened to spill over. After thanking her and drinking the medicine, he lowered his head to hide his tearful face.

(Ah… I see. I understand now. This Witch-sama isn’t favoring beastfolk at all…)

After confirming that the witch and the others had moved away to observe the square, Bakotsu finally raised his head. The witch spoke briefly with Leonhart before turning back toward Bakotsu, still seeming concerned. …He instinctively looked away, but her medicine was working, and the pain was already gone.

After that, she went around handing medicine to each of the adventurers whom Leonhart had defeated and left sprawled on the ground. Some seemed to have failed even to break their falls and suffered injuries worse than mere bruises, but with the witch’s medicine, they would surely recover quickly.

Yesterday, Bakotsu and the other adventurers had angered the witch. They had discriminated against beastfolk in front of a witch who favored them. …Or so he had believed.

(I was wrong. That Witch-sama… is equally kind to everyone…)

That was why she had silenced their voices when she saw them snarling and hurling insults at one another. It had certainly been the fastest and most reliable way to stop the conflict. Clumsy mediation might have made things worse, but with her method, no one had been injured.

And even though they had angered her and caused trouble, she had not abandoned the adventurers. She was worried enough about injuries this minor, injuries that would likely heal after a night’s rest, to distribute medicine to every one of them.

Bakotsu could understand why Leonhart was so careful not to inconvenience her. She was too kind, and surely always put others before herself. This time it was wound medicine, but preparing enough medicine for several people must have been difficult.

(I could tell after drinking it. This is high-quality stuff… It would be expensive if you bought from a merchant…)

Yet she gave it away without the slightest hesitation. If they took advantage of her kindness and became arrogant, they might one day cause her tremendous trouble and hardship. Even then, the witch would likely still try to support and help them. Bakotsu thought that was why Leonhart was so strict about preventing anyone from troubling her in the first place.

(I was… We were wrong. …I’ll make sure I do things properly, so we don’t cause Witch-sama any trouble.)

Bakotsu made that resolve, but some time later, even his face stiffened at the mysterious scene unfolding in the square.

There was a running mandragora said to be one of the witch’s familiars. Among them was one with a shape resembling a woman’s body, draped in purple cloth, and a knight was clinging to it and rubbing his cheek against it. What was more, that knight should have been the other captain commanding the knights alongside Leonhart.

Everyone except the adventurers who had come to the village this time, in other words, the villagers, appeared accustomed to it and deliberately pretended not to notice. Bakotsu could not understand how they were able to leave such a sight unremarked upon.

(…Does openly clinging to one of the witch’s familiars and flirting with it in public not count as causing trouble…?)