Cheat na Kaineko no Okage de Rakuraku Level Up

“Today, we have some excellent salmon, so I made fritters,” Verdonna announced as she laid out plates of food on the table.

They looked quite delicious. Since coming here, the frequency of fish dishes had decreased, so this was a welcome change.

“Let’s eat.”

We all joined hands, and I began cutting into my portion with a fork and knife.

“Wow, this is really good!”

Misha commented, “There are a few bones, but it’s definitely a pass.”

Despite originally being a normal housecat, her behavior was the most ladylike.

Lena, on the other hand, had a rough way of speaking, “This is great! Delicious!” but her table manners were impeccable. The habits from her lady days hadn’t faded.

“I am glad everyone enjoys the meal,” Verdonna said, bowing respectfully.

Though she was always expressionless, her words conveyed her happiness.

“Master, big sis, I want to go to the dungeon to train today. Will you join me?” Lena asked. Now that Verdonna had taken over as the maid, Lena could focus more on being an adventurer.

“Sure, I’m in. I don’t think Misha has any objections.”

“Of course. Let’s aim for level 30.”

Misha seemed intent on leveling up Lena to my rank.

“Level 30, huh? That would make me a top-tier adventurer. I’m all for it.”

Lena was quite enthusiastic.

That’s when I had a thought.

“What about Verdonna’s skills as an adventurer?”

“Yeah, the status of a top assassin is quite enigmatic,” Misha agreed.

“So, Verdonna, what’s your status?”

“I must apologize, but I keep my status strictly confidential. Hiding one’s own existence is a key trait of a good assassin.”

That was a cool but firm refusal. An assassin not revealing personal data makes sense – a known assassin isn’t trustworthy.

“Fair enough. I won’t ask further.”

“Thank you for understanding. However, I can demonstrate in a different way.”

Verdonna suggested a mock battle in the garden.

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“As an assassin, I cannot show my true combative methods, but I can fight as an adventurer.”

So, Verdonna and I faced each other in the garden.

“Are you sure about fighting in your maid outfit?”

I thought she would change, but she remained in her maid uniform.

“This uniform is my attire. Assassins don’t usually wear battle-specific clothes.”

I wielded a wooden sword, a memento from a tournament win, and Verdonna held a wooden knife, a personal collection item.

“Knife collecting is a hobby of mine,” she had said, a unique interest, but everyone has their tastes.

Misha and Lena watched earnestly from behind, Misha gripping her hands tightly.

“Show your dignity as a master,” Misha encouraged. “I’m curious about how an assassin fights,” Lena added.

Their interests varied, but both were genuinely intrigued.

“Let’s begin, then.”

I bowed to Verdonna.

“Likewise.”

She bowed back.

There was no hint of murderous intent. Just the usual maid. Normally, there’s some tension before a fight, but nothing from her.

What kind of fighting style would she use?

The fight was unpredictable.

“Misha will be the judge. It ends when she says so, or when we both agree it’s over,” Misha, crossing her arms, declared.

“Start!”

And so, the mock duel began.