NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5 - Episode 5: Strengthening My Army
Episode 5: Strengthening My Army
Three months have passed since my memories returned.
I was the mid-boss in the hugely popular RPG Brave Sword Quest, commonly known as Breque. Currently, I’m 15 years old. In five years, the hero, Cea, will come to this castle. It’s my fate to be defeated by him. To prevent that from happening, I have to make every effort to prepare.
I’ll make my army the strongest in five years.
I’ll raise monster soldiers so powerful that the hero won’t stand a chance.
The monsters were enthusiastic about their combat training.
“Lord Zaus, our gobs are amazing! They’ve leveled up!”
Hmm.
Just one level in three months, huh?
Meel was ecstatic.
“Haha! Leveling up only happens once a year, so this is amazing growth. It’s all thanks to having three meals a day and taking proper breaks! You truly are remarkable, Lord Zaus.”
Even if you say so…
At one level every three months, that’s four levels in a year. With a deadline of five years, that’s multiplied by four… a total of 20 levels.
The recommended level for clearing the Demon Duke’s castle is over 40. I think I cleared it at level 44. The levels of the monsters I fought at that time were probably less than 10. So, while they’re getting stronger, I’m still quite anxious. I’m just a mid-boss in the tutorial. It’s my fate to be defeated by the hero in the scenario. Better safe than sorry.
The instructors for combat training were each monster’s leader.
For goblins, it’s the Goblin Leader, and so on, with “Leader” added to the end of their names.
They were like subspecies, about two sizes larger than other monsters.
They also had outstanding abilities, stronger than the regular species.
But this seems to be the problem.
In summary, they’re being trained by slightly stronger individuals. That’s what it boils down to.
This means they’ll only get a little stronger.
“We need stronger instructors.”
Let’s think…
I loved Breque, didn’t I?
The protagonist, Cea, received combat training from a young age.
She’s a beautiful swordswoman known as the Sword Saint, and later in the romance mode, she can become a candidate for a lover. Her name is… Arjena, right? Sword Saint Arjena. A slightly narrow-eyed, beautiful female swordsman.
She’s a master swordsman at the age of 15, renowned throughout the continent.
Ah, if only someone like her could teach my subordinates…
…Wait a minute.
Should I ask her to teach them?
“Meel. I want to know where Sword Saint Arjena is. Do you know?”
“Arjena… Do you mean the female swordsman who hunts demons?”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
Come to think of it, she was called the Sword Saint after defeating the Demon King.
Meel used the information in the castle to report back.
“It seems she currently lives in her hometown, Tsurugi Village.”
I see.
Tsurugi Village is famous for sword making. This is the stage before going to Hajime Village where the hero Cea lives.
“Alright. Let’s go. Get the carriage ready.”
“Are we going for slave hunting? Or to defeat them?”
“No. We’re scouting.”
I’ll have the monsters teach combat training.
Me and Meel arrived at Tsurugi Village.
“It’s the Demon Duke!”
The villagers scattered in fear.
“No, that’s not it…”
But with these horns on my forehead and blue skin, well, you can’t blame them. Well, they’ll understand once they see me.
The villagers called for Arjena.
She’s a braided beauty.
“What does the Demon Duke want in this small village?”
“The truth is…”
“Hmph. You’re probably here for slave hunting. It’s unfortunate that you don’t know I’m here. I am Arjena, the demon-slaying swordsman.”
She said, brandishing her sword.
Her level is 85.
Mine is only 10.
If we were to fight now, it would be over in an instant.
Well, I have no intention of fighting in the first place.
I gestured to the back of the carriage.
There were piles of spinach and tomatoes.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’ve come to talk. These are gifts.”
“G-Gifts??”
“I want to talk to you.”
The villagers trusted me a little because of the vegetables I brought. Gifts work wonders in poor villages.
We ended up talking at the village chief’s house.
“Oh, you want me to be a teacher?”
“That’s right. I want to entrust you with training. Train my monster subordinates.”
“B-But…”
“Don’t worry about the treatment. I’ll ensure you have everything you need. Of course, I’ll also pay you properly.”
“I-I’m still only 15. It’s absurd to be asked to educate someone.”
“I’m also 15. But I’m the Demon Duke.”
“…You’re Zaus, right? What about Gozack?”
“My father died in Hajime Village.”
“…And you, his son, inherited the estate?”
“That’s right. The Demon Duke’s territory is mine now.”
Arjena narrowed her eyes.
“I can’t help with slave hunting.”
I see.
A product of a crappy father.
I won’t do anything as inefficient as that.
“I’ve stopped slave hunting. From now on, we won’t attack humans.”
“Have the demons chosen peaceful methods?”
“Eh, well… something like that.”
Prioritizing efficiency is accurate.
It’s the optimal solution to not be killed in five years.
“Staying overnight at the Demon Duke’s castle to educate monsters…?”
“Yeah. A five-year contract should suffice. I want someone to teach swordsmanship to the castle residents.”
“That’s… impossible. I can’t leave here.”
She led us outside.
It was a shabby shack.
Many children were milling about.
“Hey! It’s Big Sister Arjena!”
“Wow! Big Sis!”
“Who… is that person? Their skin is blue!”
“Could they be a demon??”
Arjena held one of the children.
“These kids are orphans.”
It was said that they were victims of slave hunting. Their parents were taken as labor, leaving the children behind.
Damn fathers.
Arjena was taking care of the orphans.
I see.
She’s worried about the children and can’t leave this village.
Alright.
“If that’s the case, then I’ll take care of those kids.”
“Huh!? Can you really do that!?”
I took Arjena in the carriage to Zaus Town.
“Oh. Building an orphanage?”
The mayor listened gladly.
“Understood. Then a building that can accommodate about a thousand people would be good. Let’s start construction right away.”
“What!? Wh-What’s going on!? First of all, what is this beautiful town!? This is supposed to be the Demon Duke’s territory! What’s happening!?”
Let me explain briefly.
“Y-You… liberated the slaves and made them residents… Is that true?”
“Yeah. I mainly leave the development of the town to the townspeople. I just collect taxes.”
The mayor smiled broadly.
“This is the safest and most comfortable town to live in. And it’s all thanks to Lord Zaus.”
“I… I can’t believe it…”
“You can pay taxes with only 60% of your harvest.”
“What!? I’ve never heard of a territory with such a low rate! My village pays 80%!”
“Hehehe. This is also Lord Zaus’s proposal. Thanks to that, the townspeople can live happily. Your orphaned children will be safe if they come to this town.”
“…Amazing. I never knew such an ideal place existed.”
And so, Arjena had no reason to refuse and became the educator for the monsters.
With her help, my army’s combat skills should improve significantly.
The results appeared in just one week.
“Lord Zaus! My level has gone up by one, Gobuu!”
Hehehe.
One level increase in just one week, compared to three months.
There are about 52 weeks in a year… So, it’s possible to increase by 52 levels in a year with simple calculations.
Good.
I’ll continue to strengthen my army.
☆
~~Hero Cea’s Perspective~~
I was swinging a wooden sword alone.
“Take this! Hyaaa!”
Ugh…
No progress in getting stronger whatsoever.
I wish I had the strength of a hero like when I defeated Gozack.
At that time, miraculous strength emerged.
But relying on coincidence is risky when push comes to shove.
A hero should always be the strongest.
There are rumors about a person called Arjena, who has mastered incredible swordsmanship.
If I could become her disciple, my swordsmanship would improve even more.
I approached a villager with a carriage.
“Hey. I want to go to Tsurugi Village. Can you lend me a carriage?”
“What? Don’t be unreasonable, Cea. This carriage is used for farming.”
“So what? Are you telling me, a hero, to walk there?”
“W-Well, you see…”
“I’m the one who saved you from Gozack’s slave hunting, right?? I’m a hero with the power to protect, and I’m the one who saved your life. Are you telling someone like me to walk there?”
“A-Alright! I’ll lend it to you! Geez, Cea, you’re so pushy…”
“…Just understand. Also, be careful how you address me. It’s Mr. Cea. Stop treating me like a child just because I’m ten years old. I’m a hero and your benefactor, remember?”
“…S-Sorry, Mr. Cea.”
“Yeah. Just understand. But your apology seems too casual.”
“Huh?”
“Should I kneel down?”
“W-Why do I have to go that far?!”
I grabbed his collar with one hand and lifted him up.
“Hey. Don’t underestimate a hero. I can easily snap your neck.”
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
The villager knelt down.
“S-Sorry about that!”
“Yeah. Just be more careful from now on.”
Now, let’s depart for Tsurugi Village in this carriage.
“Oh, right. Prepare three days’ worth of food. I want to eat along the way.”
“W-Why do you need that much?!”
“Hm?”
I glared at him.
“Haha… Right. You’ll get hungry on the road. U-Understood, I’ll prepare bread and drinks for you.”
I headed towards Tsurugi Village in comfort.
Hehehe.
Everything is going smoothly.
I’m a hero.
The best life awaits.
I can feel my destiny…
A sense of duty wells up from the depths of my heart.
Wait for me, Arjena.
It’s your destiny to teach me swordsmanship!