NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9
Sure, let’s consider Shione’s actions as if she’s just a little kid throwing a tantrum.
I should take care of her as a mature adult.
“Didn’t Princess Shione start handling the bow? Even with a bow that has low tension like today, it’s tough to draw the string. Drawing a stronger bow requires stamina and strength.”
“…Can’t I just use mana to pull it?”
Earlier, she was asking for help to shoot without mana, and now it’s like she’s a completely different person. I shook my head internally at her.
Relying solely on mana to draw the bowstring is a serious mana drain.
If only I could channel mana into the power of the arrow with my arms, the difference would be significant.
If it’s not a special bow, using mana like today while drawing the string is a habit she has to drop.
“Was it the same shooting with the power of mana and without it?”
“That’s… not the case.”
“Which one felt more reliable?”
“Definitely the one without mana…”
Ah, at this moment, I felt something was off. That response fit perfectly.
“I won’t go into detailed explanations since you already know through your body.”
“Still, with this body, exercise… it just becomes a joke instead of an effort, and everyone talks about it daily. It’s ridiculous to see a pig running around outside.”
“I definitely saw a glimpse of hidden talent in Princess Shione’s archery. You need to make your body better suited for a better bow and diligently work on it.”
With me dropping the words ‘hidden talent’ for her, Shione clamped her mouth shut, holding back her excuses.
This is proving to be more effective than I expected.
It might just be because my words are quite earnest, but it seems to have a stronger effect.
After all, I think this little glimpse of hope must be maintained consistently.
“By the way, do you plan to let that talent rot just because you’re too lazy to move?”
I added several words that ambiguously provoked her irritability and sense of motivation. Eventually, Shione declared her surrender with an exasperated expression.
“Ha… Can’t I just get it done? So please, stop the whining.”
But it’s not easy for Shione, who is very conscious of how others see her, to let it go.
She tried to appear stern.
However, since we’ve become somewhat closer, there wasn’t that heavy atmosphere from the first time I saw her.
“Only, there’s a condition.”
She started speaking her condition while crossing her arms.
“Exercise can only take place in my room. If outdoor exercise is necessary, it must be during times when no one can see me, just like bow practice.”
“As you say, as long as you don’t want it, no one will hear about Princess Shione’s efforts going to waste.”
“I’m glad you understand—”
“Now, let’s start right away.”
“…Huh? Right now?”
“There’s a saying that you should strike while the iron is hot. So let’s get off that bed.”
Shione looked flustered.
She probably never imagined I would drag her out of the bed she was lying in.
But who cares?
If she’s in bed, I’ll pull her out, and if she’s sitting in a chair, I’ll force her to stand up.
As I got closer to her bed and looked at her warmly, Shione got up with an expression that laid her feelings bare, clearly terrified.
As expected, Shione gets shy more than I thought.
This will come in handy later.
“Right, can’t I just get it done? But—”
Shione’s gaze slid around her room and then came back to me.
“Now that I see it, this room doesn’t seem suitable for exercising. It’s not spacious enough for running and not fit for vigorous activities, you know? I think it’s better to exercise every morning instead of now.”
…Looks like she’s trying to sneak out of this.
But contradicting her claim, there are plenty of simple cardio workouts that can be done indoors.
Her room is quite spacious, just as you would expect from a noble Count’s house, so it’s not a problem to find a little space to exercise.
“Don’t worry. I know some effective exercises that can be done in a room, and you’ll have enough space to do them comfortably.”
“Ah…”
Shione made a forlorn face and looked at me helplessly.
“Have you heard of the Burpee Test?”
“Burpee Test? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Then, let me demonstrate first.”
After a bit of stretching, I slowly demonstrated the Burpee Test.
Shione was surprised when I squatted down and then kicked my legs back.
She despaired as I pulled them back in.
And finishing with a jump, it seemed she was silently screaming.
“Right now, you want me to do that…? You seriously think I could do something like kick back my legs like a pig then jump back up?”
“Pig-like legs? They look like a general’s sturdy legs, full of strength. I have no doubt you can do it, Princess Shione.”
“No way, you followed me often enough to know my fitness level too! Just walking quickly leaves me breathless. You want me to do something like that?”
“Why can’t you? If you can’t, I’ll make it possible for you.”
“You’re truly a devil…”
“Now, let’s start with some stretches to avoid injuries while exercising.”
“…You have a pretty nasty personality, despite appearances.”
I responded to her words with a chuckle.
Shione finished her stretches under my guidance, and finally, we began the Burpee Test.
Each action made a thud sound as her body hit the ground, and it seemed her weight was heavier than I expected.
“Wow…”
To shed that much weight, she’s going to face some tough times ahead.
She promised her dedicated servant she would exercise, yet it’s so intense she wants to stop right away.
Shione gritted her teeth, sweating profusely like rain falling, pushing through her actions.
There’s no other option. For the sake of Shione’s rapid weight loss, I have to push her harder.
As Shione jumped, she completed one Burpee Test and let out a groan.
“Ugh… Will this suffice…?! Huff… Huff…”
“Looks like your legs still support your weight. It feels like you still have quite a bit of energy left…”
“…”
“Let’s do just three more. Just three more.”
“You’re a devil…”
“Princess Shione, I believe you know that using mana isn’t allowed.”
“You’re a relentless devil.”
Shione seemed to have developed a stubborn determination and ultimately complied as I wished, pushing herself through the Burpee Tests until her legs gave out, collapsing onto the floor.
Now she seemed too exhausted to speak, merely gazing up at the sky in heavy breaths.
After a while, Shione collected herself.
She looked up, letting out a soft sound, meeting my gaze.
“Phew… Is that it?”
“Good work. Here’s some cool water.”
“…Thank you very much.”
“Oh, but you shouldn’t drink too much.”
“Hmm?”
“If you drink too much water before the next exercise, it might upset your stomach.”
“W-what? There’s more exercise to come?”
Shione’s complexion went pale.
Her eyes trembled pitifully, which triggered a wave of sympathy, but it fell on deaf ears for me.
A lion drops its cubs from cliffs to raise them strong.
Though I’m not a lion, as Shione Shianella’s proud servant, I intend to help her shed weight.
Even though she looks like a drenched small animal, I remained resolute and unwavering.
After all, even in the Dangun mythology, a bear became human after eating only mugwort and garlic for 100 days in a cave.
Shione too will be reborn in this cozy room after spending 100 days with diet food and exercise.
I smiled, imagining how different Shione would be in the future.
“Of course! After all, Princess Shione has reached the level of a Sword User. I’m sure you can handle it all.”
“…Are you trying to kill me?”
“Not at all! Since your lower body is exhausted, we’ll work on upper body exercises until you regain strength. As long as you lose weight evenly, you won’t die.”
“…Alright, do as you wish, your way.”
As expected, it seems the Sword User level isn’t just for show; even while groaning, Shione followed my words as best as she could.
Until I felt we’d done enough for today, I pushed her further, and thanks to that, she was now soaked in sweat.
“Good work. Since your clothes are drenched with sweat, I’ll get a change for you.”
“Ha… I’ll just lie down on the bed.”
“Oh, I’d really appreciate it if you could refrain from getting on the bed until you’ve cleaned up and changed clothes.”
“…Now that I think about it, the cold floor might actually be better for cooling down. Please bring some cold water when you come back.”
“I will do just that.”
Just before I left to fetch Shione’s clothes, I paused for a moment.
“Ah.”
As I spoke, Shione’s previously diverted attention turned back to me.
I smiled at her.
“…It feels ominous, so stop smiling and just tell me what you want.”
“To help Princess Shione transform quicker, I’ll adjust your diet too.”
“…Wha…?”
Hmm? What did Shione just say?
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“…If possible, I’d prefer it if you didn’t remove meat from my diet.”
Her face held a depth of desperation more than ever before.