Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 149

"Start...!!"

Though my signal should have reached them, Rubens and Capella simply stared at each other, unmoving.

They're probably both gauging the situation.

But somehow, both of them seem to be radiating a cheerful, almost joyful atmosphere.

Rubens holds his wooden sword in a central stance, while Capella maintains a low stance.

The first to move is Capella.

He speaks toward Rubens.

"Fufu... To think I'd be having a practice match with a promising knight of the Baldia Knights... I never dreamed of this even a few months ago. But let's enjoy this opportunity."

"I never imagined I'd get to cross blades with a skilled fighter from Renarute either. ...I'd very much like to see if you truly possess the skill befitting Lord Ridd's attendant."

The moment Rubens finishes his reply, Capella's entire demeanor changes, transforming into a battle-ready state filled with killing intent.

"...Understood. Then... here I come!!"

Capella shifts the wooden sword from its low stance onto his shoulder, crouches slightly, and kicks off the ground.

The force of it kicks up a cloud of dust where he stood.

Rubens seems to track Capella's movements precisely, immediately turning his gaze left and meeting his strike.

In that instant, I can see Rubens's expression grow tense.

"...?! Capella, as expected. I didn't think your strike would carry such weight...!!"

"...Forgive me, but I didn't think you'd be able to block it either, Lord Rubens...!!"

They exchange words, but I recognize the movement Capella used against Rubens, and I'm stunned.

"That move... it's the same as Asuna's opening technique... Is it Renarute's basic swordsmanship?"

The movement Capella used closely resembles the surprise technique Asuna employs.

After all, it involves momentarily leaping out of the opponent's field of vision using body strengthening before striking.

Capella's movement is sharper and more intense than Asuna's, kicking the ground hard enough to raise dust.

The fact that Rubens tracked it without losing sight of him speaks to his skill as well.

They seem to lock blades for a moment, then quickly create distance, and Capella strikes again.

"Wh-what is that..."

I'm stunned once more by his movement.

Capella is using body strengthening to dash around Rubens at blinding speed, seemingly trying to confuse him.

But Rubens doesn't seem to lose track of his movements, calmly waiting for Capella to strike.

However, this proves to be a poor decision for Rubens.

Capella wasn't running around meaninglessly; he was intentionally dragging his wooden sword along the ground as he ran, deliberately kicking up dust.

The rising dust obscures Rubens's vision, and he finally loses sight of Capella.

There's no way Capella would miss this opening.

Seizing the moment, Capella attacks Rubens.

But Rubens had anticipated his intent, focusing on the approaching sounds and instantly recognizing each incoming strike, parrying them one after another.

"...This is so incredible that I don't think it works as an 'example' anymore."

Watching from a distance, I mutter in astonishment.

This practice match was supposed to demonstrate "irregular movements" to me, but Capella's movements are too irregular.

Though the fact that Rubens is keeping up with them is equally impressive.

Then, I notice something.

The wooden sword I gave Capella has become shorter...? No, that's not it; he must have worn it down by dragging it along the ground to kick up dust earlier.

"...Did he deliberately shorten the sword I gave him to about the size of a wakizashi or kodachi?"

It seems my guess was correct. As the dust settles, they create some distance.

At the same time, Capella switches his shortened wooden sword to a reverse grip with one hand.

"...Lord Rubens, I'll be going all out now. Please forgive me."

"Fufu... I'm surprised you possess such skill, Capella. I'll face you seriously as well...!!"

I can't tell what they're saying to each other from here.

But I think they're both getting serious now.

Because I can feel the magical energy leaking from their body strengthening techniques.

I mutter, a little exasperated.

"Isn't this a bit much? Those two..."

The moment I mutter this, Capella charges at Rubens again.

But his movements are different now.

Until now, it felt like "swordsmanship," but his current movements feel closer to "short sword techniques" or even "martial arts."

He dodges Rubens's strikes by a hair's breadth while counterattacking using his whole body—slashes, footwork, everything.

It's a bit too irregular, I think.

Rubens seems to be struggling, but I can see him gradually getting used to it.

Their intense movements kick up dust in the training ground, and the dull sounds of wooden swords clashing never cease.

I wonder if my exhibition match with Asuna looked something like this?

As I'm thinking this, I hear a voice from behind.

"Lord Ridd, what are those two doing...?"

Turning around, I see Diana with a very stern expression.

Maybe she thinks they're fighting?

"Well, they're having a practice match to teach me 'irregular' movements in martial arts training, I think?"

Finishing my explanation while watching the two, I shrug slightly and make a playful expression toward Diana.

Because those two have gotten so heated that they've forgotten this is supposed to be a "demonstration match for me" and are completely absorbed in their fight.

Of course, it's instructive and interesting to watch, but it's not something you can imitate immediately after being told to.

After hearing my words, Diana puts a hand to her forehead, shakes her head, and sighs.

"Haa... Why are men always... such idiots...? Lord Ridd, please don't get that heated like them."

"U-uhn. I'll be careful."

As I reply to her, I suddenly notice our surroundings.

Unnoticed by me, many maids, mansion staff, and even knights have stopped to watch their exchange.

It seems the practice match has inadvertently become a spectator bout.

Thinking this is getting too out of hand, I call out loudly to them.

"Rubens!! Capella!! That's enough, I've learned a lot!!"

I said it quite loudly, but they show no signs of stopping. Did they not hear me?

I brace myself and call out loudly again.

"You two, that's enough!! ...Huh?"

Still, their movements don't stop.

Then Diana beside me mutters in exasperation.

"They're too absorbed in their match to hear you..."

"Ehh..."

Even I'm exasperated by her words.

Well, I suppose it shows how focused they are on each other.

But how should I stop them?

As I make a slightly troubled face, Diana beside me clears her throat.

"Ahem... Lord Ridd, I'll go stop those two."

"Eh? Are you sure? You're going in there?"

"Yes. This happens often in the Knights, so I'm used to it."

Smiling sweetly at my words, Diana smoothly walks forward and steps between them.

In that moment, she drives her fist into Rubens's stomach... or so it seems, but I can't clearly see what she did from my position.

In any case, Rubens stops moving.

Capella seems to stop as well in response.

Capella appears to have been told something by Diana, looking somewhat dejected with his head lowered.

Watching from a distance, I hurry over to the three and speak.

"Rubens, Capella, that was too much. This was supposed to be a 'practice match' for my benefit, right? I learned a lot and it was interesting, but... please keep it within reason next time?"

"...!! Kuku..."

The three make faces like birds hit by pellets at my words, but for some reason Diana seems to have found something hilarious, struggling to contain her laughter.

Capella and Rubens look at each other and then speak.

"Lord Ridd, I apologize for getting too absorbed."

"I apologize as well. This was my first practice match since coming to Baldia territory, and I got too heated."

Finishing their apologies, they bow to me, and I smile warmly.

"Uhn. It's fine as long as you understand. More importantly, Capella, your movements were amazing. If you don't mind, could you teach me as well?"

"Me? Is that acceptable...?"

My words seem unexpected to Capella. Though expressionless, I can detect a hint of surprise.

Rubens smiles as if to encourage him.

"Excellent idea. Capella is quite skilled; he'll surely be able to help Lord Ridd."

"That's right. Just from watching, it's clear how skilled you are. I'll speak to Father about it myself."

Hearing Rubens and me, Capella offers a stiff smile and speaks, seeming somewhat happy.

"If I'm acceptable, I'd be honored to help."

And so, Capella joins my martial arts training.

Diana looked exasperated by our exchange, but since she said nothing, I think she judged it acceptable.

Later, when I informed Father, he reluctantly agreed on the condition that Diana participate as Capella's supervisor.

When I told Diana, she gave a small "Haa..." sigh but nodded in agreement.

I was happy that everyone would be participating in my martial arts training, but then I suddenly realized something.

"...Come to think of it, having all three—Diana, Capella, and Rubens—teaching me at once means my martial arts training is going to become quite intense, isn't it?"

After muttering to myself, I felt the blood drain from my face.

Shocked, I shook my head as if to dispel the doubt and muttered inwardly.

"It'll be fine. It'll definitely be fine... Right?"