Published: August 2, 2025
Today, five episodes are posted simultaneously.
This story is episode one.
“You must not do that.”
Lady Wilieris called a halt.
“It’s just a little bit, isn’t it? We’ve come all this way, and here, you won’t get hurt, right?”
“No, you mustn’t. Right now, Ryoma-kun appears human, but his soul alone exists in this state. Surely he won’t sustain physical injuries, but the soul could be damaged. That would be far more serious. If things go badly, he could end up a cripple. If you insist on doing it, you should have Tekun prepare some armor or something, or consult Felnoberia first.”
The gentle impression she had given until a moment ago disappeared, replaced by a firm tone that left no room for compromise. Hearing her words, Lady Kiriluel made a plainly displeased face.
I don’t want to end up a cripple from an accident…
“Tekun aside, consulting Felnoberia sounds troublesome... She probably wouldn’t cooperate anyway…”
“Why not teach him how to use the intimidation skill instead? Ryoma-kun said he didn’t understand it, right?”
“Yes. It failed against bandits, or I couldn’t use it when I wanted to.”
“See? This way is fine, isn’t it?”
Wilieris nodded her head in agreement, as long as it was verbal.
“I think practical experience is easier to understand... well, you’ll probably come back here in the future anyway, so it can be the next time we meet. Honestly, intimidation skill is pretty difficult.”
“In what sense?”
Is it that my ability is lacking?
“No, it’s the opposite. With your level of skill, it should come naturally. Listen: intimidation appeals to the opponent’s fear, caution, and instincts. A competent fighter can control the enemy’s actions and use it as a feint. When masters battle, these techniques are standard.
...And you’re already at that level. When you fight, you use it properly. But when you’re not motivated, you can barely do it at all. A loud-mouthed punk is better at it than you are in that state.”
Even practicing intimidation skill daily only raises it to level one or two, Wilieris said.
“Think of it this way: a giant man is crouching on the ground, trembling. He’s crying loudly and wetting himself. He’s shouting ‘I’ll kill you!’ Are you afraid of that guy?”
“…No, I’m not. Maybe it’s a little creepy.”
“Right? Just words won’t scare anyone. You need the right attitude and determination, or it won’t work on anyone.”
I see... but in my case? It shouldn’t be because of this body. My attitude was firm. I have succeeded in intimidation before... yet sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.
“In Ryoma’s case... I think it’s a matter of the heart.”
A matter of the heart…
“Ryoma is originally Japanese from Earth, right? The type who says ‘Let’s put away our weapons and talk! Then people will understand each other!’”
“…Lady Kiriluel, that sounds quite biased. Japan is often considered a safe country by others, though.”
“Is that so? Back when Japanese people came here, there were many like that.”
“Many? Are there that many Japanese here?”
“Ah... like I said earlier, we bring those who are safe. The proportion of Japanese among those who come here might be high.”
“Of course, there are people from other countries too.”
“Most either get used to our ways or turn a blind eye, but some who refused to fight and died holding that attitude... I couldn’t understand them, but they were admirable.”
There were people like that too... I changed the subject. Let’s get back to the main point.
“There are all kinds in Japan, but it’s safe, right?”
“Yes.”
“In such a safe country, did you ever live a life where you intentionally threatened people daily?”
“…No.”
Though my appearance scares people, I never tried to threaten anyone on purpose.
Rather, because I was feared for my looks, I tried to avoid scaring others.
Even so, back then, it wasn’t enough...
“Exactly. You’ve developed a habit. You can use it when absolutely necessary, but otherwise, whether consciously or not, you hold back. You’ve grown in a distorted way.”