Best Loyal Subject

This long vacation was not only beneficial for Mashiro and the others, but it was also a very helpful vacation for me.

　This is because since there are no classes, I can devote time to training myself.

　I'm not saying that play isn't necessary. If you are mentally exhausted, your training efficiency will drop dramatically. But of course, it's not enough to just play around.

　Balance is important in everything. Those who can turn the switch on and off will quickly improve their skills.

　Today again, I faced Alice and raised my fist.

「「...」」

　Several minutes have already passed since the standoff took place.

　I can't move even if I want to. That would be the correct way to describe the current situation.

　It seems that once you reach a certain level, you can read your opponent's movements and crush them. If you find an opening to take advantage of it, then unleash a sharp blow there.

　According to Alice, the brain, which has accumulated experience, draws the path of attack along with thoughts.

　Therefore, since I made her my personal maid, I have greatly increased the amount of practical training I do.

　Thanks to this, I am less likely to be criticized one-sidedly.

　However, it still doesn't come close to my feet.

"Huh..."

　And this also served as training to extend the operation time of [Transcend Limits].

The working time of [Transcend Limit] depends on my amount of magical power.

　In other words, in order to fight for a long time, we must make our consumption as efficient as possible.

　Managing the amount of magical power while fighting is a pain.

　In that case, we concluded that it would be best to get used to it so that you can do it even if you lose consciousness.

　Visualize blood flowing throughout your body. Incorporating magical power into it strengthens the body.

　Seeking maximum efficiency with minimum magical power.

　Don't lose concentration.

　That moment became an opening, and her flash cut me off.

"...It's wonderful, Ogre-sama. The accuracy of reading has increased significantly compared to before."

"It's all thanks to Alice for being with me all this time."

"No, my help is trivial. It is the result of Ogre-sama's efforts."

"...I see, thank you."

　As expected, I get embarrassed when someone as strong as Alice praises me.

　Share your efforts with others. I also feel rewarded when I am praised by the person I am aiming for.

　And I will train tomorrow to try my best again.

"So, starting today, I'm going to step it up a notch."

"...!"

　That's why they can fight without giving in to the overwhelming violence in front of them.

　Do what you can to fight back.

　The food you have gained so far will never go to waste.

"...teeth?"

　It can't be helped that my voice leaks out involuntarily.

　Even though I was facing him, I rubbed my eyes.

　There were four Alices holding swords in front of me.

"Ogre-sama. If you can't read the trajectory, please concentrate completely on defense."

　I immediately understood that the reading of the symbols I had been using until now was useless, and I poured magical power into my entire body at maximum power.

"I shall go--[Remaining shadows in the skyFrom the beginning・ZanpujinZanfuujin]"

　In an instant, Alice's blades flew back and forth, left and right, and slashed her body all at once.

"As expected of you, Ogre-sama. To think that you would accept all of that...the number of people who can hunt Ogre-sama's life will decrease considerably now."

"It would be pointless if I was about to be knocked down…"

"That's not true. He remained conscious, didn't he?"

　After I finished my practical training, I asked Alice to take care of my injury.

　Even though his body is strengthened and he doesn't get cut, the damage will definitely accumulate in his body.

　In particular, just receiving Alice's attack is incredibly shocking.

　I received the last blow today, so I had bruises all over my body.

"At least I used the technique with the intention of cutting off Ogre-sama's consciousness. How did you receive it?"

"...It's an application of [Transcending Limits]. By channeling magical power to a part of the body instead of all over it, it has become even more powerful."

　Until now, it was as hard as steel, but I think we have achieved even more hardness than that. Even in normal times, if you use full power of magic, you can block the [Superconducting Lightning Cannon], so it's only natural that you gather it in one group.

　However, I understand now that it's not a good idea to concentrate in one place.

　Alice's attack isn't the only reason why my arm is throbbing. Unlike the usual way of using it, where it is poured all over the body, it seems to put a greater burden on the body.

　However, it also has the advantage of being able to block Alice's attacks even with a small amount of magical power.

"Then, I used [Limit Transcendence] on both arms and used my intuition to protect the vital points, and it hit. It must have been a fluke. I can't call it a success unless it's reproducible."

"As expected of Ogre-sama. He has a wonderful attitude of never forgetting his high aspirations."

　...I think Alice will become a good educator in the future.

　It makes me happy when my achievements are praised.

　It gives me the motivation to try harder and keep trying.

"Then, my next question is... How does the last technique work?"

"Is it [Zanei Kukyuu]? It takes advantage of murderous intent and humans' limit to fear."

"Murderous intent?"

"Yes. To be more precise, it is a technique that uses murderous intent to cause the opponent to see hallucinations and deprive them of normal thinking. When humans feel that their lives are in danger, they vividly picture the worst image. Due to fear. , that image becomes a reality."

"…In other words, the scenery I saw earlier."

"This is the worst image that Ogre-sama has drawn. Only one person was actually attacking...By the way, what kind of scene did you see?"

"...Four Alices attacked at the same time."

"I was planning to show about five people. In other words, Ogre-sama has become stronger than I expected by just one person. He has grown a lot."

"For that reason, I haven't really won against the real one."

"As Ogre-sama's sword, I would still be in trouble if I were to be surpassed."

　In other words, the murderous intent he directed towards me in the [Remnant Sky] earlier was not serious.

　If she seriously intended to kill me, I can guarantee that there would have been more than four Alices.

　It was an image that was born from a controlled murderous spirit, so I decided that I could deal with up to four people.

"...The world is wide."

"I believe that Ogre-sama is the one who can take control of this vast world."

"...Cook-kook. He says nice things. Do I seem like that kind of man to you, Alice?"

"Ever since the day we met...I believe that the reason why Ogre-sama believes in me is because he saw the path I've taken in the sword I wield."

　...surely. At first, I chose her based on her track record and her position.

　But after that, it's different. He trusts her because he has seen first-hand Alice's ability and the greatness of her sword.

"...I think you've believed in me without a single doubt since that day, right?"

"It's exactly the same. Every time I go through special training, I see the traces of Ogre-sama's efforts in his fists and the strength of his beliefs. And the feelings he put into them are engraved in my heart. That's why, if Ogre-sama, We can say out loud that we can save the world."

　...Maybe it's because of that trust that I am able to train so hard.

　I don't want to betray you.

　Somewhere deep down in my stomach, that feeling must be motivating me.

　...That's ridiculous. I thought I was tainted by evil, but it seems that human nature cannot be cured so easily.

"I will be able to watch the process of Ogre-sama's growth from close by. It has been the happiest experience I have ever had."

"...In that case, Alice. Please stay by my side and watch until the end. See how far the man you trusted will reach."

"Yes, definitely. I promise."

　...Hmph, it feels good to hear her answer without hesitation.

"After breakfast today, I have a meeting with my father about Flone with Reina. Please accompany Mashiro and Karen so they don't feel lonely."

"I got it"

　Without making a single complaint, my loyal subject bowed his head.