The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

I sent a blood message to Viine.

Taking Higlia in as bloodkin, huh? If she desires it, it might be possible. But, shes the princess of the ancient wolfmen, you know?

I understand as much. The story about a Lucival Empire is a joke. After all, Im well aware that you dont wish for anything like that, Master

Dont mock me. It stopped sounding like a joke ever since the expansion of the village

A short pause in our messaging followed.

HeheI suppose I was slightly mean to you

She passed on her feelings to me.

Im sure Viine feels lonely as well But, its better for me to not remind myself of it.

As for Quiche, it sounds like youre going to have your hands full with the rebuilding of her home village in addition to the recovery of her clans treasure

I think traveling underground is going to be alright since the golden path continues deep underground as guidance. However, I have Paredess Mirrors at my disposal. Maybe one of the mirrors is unexpectedly buried underneath the sanctuary or close to the underground goddess

Oh, the mirrors were an option as well, I guess. If its the ones buried in the ground, its very likely that theyll be underground. It might be surprisingly easy to get there

Indeed. Then again, its just one possibility. I want to head over to the Great Desert, and I also plan to travel to the Spirit World

In regards to the desert, Im curious about the dark elves said to have transgressed from the Highground Forest that came up in Kisaras story. But, rather than that, Master, Im going to accompany you when you challenge the underground!

Makes sense. Itd be better for Viine to be with me in the underground.

I had planned to take you with me from the very start. I dont know whether itll happen before or after I join up with you guys. But either way, Ill take you with me when heading underground

Okay! Im happy to hear that

Ive also set up a mirror in Amus independent city. Having said that, its not like the golden path is connected to the independent city where the gnomes live. Assuming the golden paths routingId think itd be next to an underground city within the Demonoid Empires sphere of influence. The same empire thats at war with Amu and her friends

Masterumm, theres still something that bothers me

Whats up?

Is Quiches little sister, Lash or whatever shes called, near you?

Yeahshes currently floating close-by

Yep, Lash-san is cute, and her boobs are showing through. Really awesome, but wellits impossible to touch them, unfortunately.

Even though I want to pinch her conspicuous nipples as if plucking the cords of the Lute of Justice.

How regrettable.

Master, dont tell me you plan to turn a ghost into your bloodkin

Pffthahaha!

I reflexively jump up, guffawing loudly. It causes Lash-san to get startled.

Well, its understandable even for her as a ghost, seeing how burst into laughter all of a sudden.

Dont make me laugh so much. Ghosts are off-limits since I cant touch them with my hands. Sadly.

Haha, how very typical of you, Master

Lets get back to the topic of the underground

Sure

Did she laugh during that short break?

So, challenging the underground is still further down the road. I have to repair the gate, and I want to meet my Master. Also, while at it, I might as well accept some requests related to the underground in Hekatrail. On that occasion, I should also meet with that handsome swordsman of Bloody Long Ears, I think. I also want to investigate Kunas store. More martial arts training is on the menu as well. Not just spearmanship either. Theres lots I can learn from Kisara

Okay. You talking so highly of her as someone who could be called a martial arts god makes me feel jealous. Capable of using magic in addition to spearmanshipDamonAnuns demonoid andblood bone nymphs, and on top of that its very likely that shes related to the item you bought at the Underground Auction. However, at the same time I feel a strong respect towards her. Shes a superb witch who possesses all kinds of combat experience. Kisara seems to be a great warrior who would be revered even in the dark elf society

Viine is envious of her, but I think she wants to meet with Kisara. The dark elf society is based on female supremacy. Its a harsh underground society where the Sorcerer Nobles always fight each other. And Viine grew up in that terrifying environment that whittled down the lives of her brothers and sisters in her childhood.

Kisara is similar in that regard. On top of that, she went through various battles, including a strict training regimen with many master fighters in a very secluded place called the Black Witch Church.

It looks like Viine got interested in her, maybe because of that. Which reminds me, there are still some battle stories I havent heard about from Kisara

I can understand Viines feelings

Speaking of spearmanship, I acquired new spear and evasion techniques as I told you earlier. I also learned the {Elixir Principle Catfish Conception} thats related to {Spirit Ball Conception}

I remember you mentioning the new spear techniques and an evasion technique based on the divine protection of water. Id love to see the new technique that also incorporates kicks from nearby. And the {Elixir Principle Catfish Conception} from {Spirit Ball Conception}I cant even begin to imagine what kind of technique it might be from just hearing about it through blood messaging! Maybethe illusionary underground lord thats said to inhabit Adobarn

Viine sounds excited. But whos that Adobarn at the end?

When Viine witnessed {Spirit Ball Conception} a long time ago, she screamed that the lord of the ancient underground lake was something or other, didnt she?

Her silver, thin eyebrows and her silver-gleaming eyes cross my mind.

Sooner or later you will. By the way, how about you, Viine? Except discovering unnatural places with old stone pavings in the Whirlpool Forest, have you been getting along with Hankay and Mysty?

These days Hankay-dono appears to be interested in the stray underground dwarves and the battle dwarves controlling an underground city. Moreover, hes also very curious about the existence of outer dark elves and stray dark elvessometimes he comes along when I go out to gather materials and investigate the forest. On those occasions he pesters me so much about stories of the underground that it becomes an obstacle in my hunting. Its somewhat irritating

Commander Hankay of an Ax-Wielder Battalion becomes so absorbed in stories about the underground, huh?

Once I sent that message, some time passed until Viine answered.

That Commander Hankay of an Ax-Wielder Battalion is a title of a unit or a post in the Great Lucival Empire, isnt it?

I wont laugh at that joke, you know?

Im sorry. In the end Hankay-dono appears to be interested in the Budand Clan, his own roots

In that case, Mysty is all gung-ho to talk about unknown ancient civilizations, as the one she saw in her dreams?

No, Mysty is absorbed in deciphering the magic imprinting carved onto the mysterious epitaph left behind by her brother. She seems to continue her sorcery doll research as well, butrecently shes always talking about that epitaph

Sounds like Mysty is having fun in her own wayswell, you could call it typical for her, I suppose. Ill try to ask her about the details later on

Yes, if taking you as an example, Master, I think you could describe it as two huge breasts being glued to either side of your head

For a change Viine pulls off a dirty joke.

Ummyou mean breasts like Evas and yours?

Hehe, you got it

Dear Viine-san, at the point you didnt deny it, you became lewd!

Masterumm, to be honest, I feel lonely

Once again she made a little pause before sending the next text. Viines sad face floats up in my mind.

Want to come to Cydale after finishing your training?

Yes, is what Id like to say, but Master, please dont spoil me! Im going to see through what Ive started once to the very end!

This bluffing is also typical of Viine, I guess. But, her wish to grow is genuine.

Sorry, youre right. I just felt like saying it

No, your feelings have been passed on to me, and made me feel all warm inside

I could feel special emotions from that blood message. I remembered Viines face. Her trembling silver iris as it peeks out through the silver mask

I recall the words I whispered into her ear while gently blowing at it when I was lying on the bed next to her in the past. Back then I made her body quiver many times over by repeatedly attacking its weak points, didnt I?

I see

Yes

If she had been here right now, itd have now proceeded towards me taking her in my arms and kissing her.

Lets look forward to her growth. When she earnestly desires to grow and piles up great effort while putting her life on the linesome chemistry is going to occur.

With those thoughts in mind, I sent her, Im counting on you in the future

Yes, Master! Please leave it to me! I shall do my utmost as an independent woman, Lucival member, {Head Servant Leader}, my pride as first chosen great bloodkin! And I wont lose to Mysty whos continuing her research without whiningin spite of loving you just as much! While traveling to chase after her father and Crow-dono, Yui is also diligently studying her triple sword style! Rebecca is improving every day as hand-to-hand and Jaharl style user, on top of her blue flame techniques and the magic of Guphons magic wand! And I dont want to lose to Eva, whos doing her best at juggling, either! Veronica is my senpai in {Blood Mana}, so I might lose to her, though!

Starting in the middle, Viine sent me her honest, unfiltered feelings.

Sure. Viine, keep progressing towards what you want to do just like that

Okay! I shall improve my powerful, sharp sword style with the Extra Skill {War Dance of the Silver Butterflies} as foundation! I wont lose out in magic and language studies to Mysty either!

Viine who is eager to study everything, and the researcher Mysty whos nearby. They are different in various ways, including their characters, butthey might be unexpectedly compatible with each other.

Alright. This is all for the regular contact. Talk to you later

Dont be so sad. Youre a strong woman. Someone with a strong spirit. Youve survived wandering the underground world and the surface world for a long time. Youre a dark elf who splendidly took revenge for her clan, and after a short pause, Viine, if you had stayed behind in DaUmezalan as dark elf, you might have obtained the position of an independent Sorcer Noble priestess or that of a Sorcerer Noble close to that. Moreover, the hero who was approved by Goddess of Magic Poison Misea a main goddess in the Spirit World and the one goddess worshiped by the Sorcerer Nobles is youViine

Eh? I am

Indeed. The number of dark elves who have directly spoken to Misea, except for the priestess of the Head Sorcerer Noble, is very limited, isnt it?

That might certainly be true. I think its exceedingly rare for anyone other than the priestessesbut, thats because Ive been with you, Master Viine responded in a humble manner.

Even if it might have been related to me, it remains a fact that youve spoken with the goddess

True

I clearly remember the words of the goddess. She happily said, Glanpa-like unique female, who possesses a strong enough soul to break your bond to me while still one of mine people, your desire for revenge pleases me as well. Consider it as compensation towards the deeds of your master, who is an incarnation of chaos. You made my heart beat fast. Its a special reward which also possesses expectations towards your master. That bow is the shape of my blessing. Receive mine Jade Snake Bow

I wouldnt be able to forget her appearance as she appeared while lying sprawled.

I also remember it as if it happened just yesterday. For me to be labeled as a hero by you, Masterit makes me truly happyand moves me deeply. Thank you a lot

Is she crying? Her response is somewhat intermittent.

Those are my true thoughts

Okay! Then I shall start to hunt and train in order to become a woman worthy of those words. And I will continue the investigation of the forests deeper parts

Sure. So, leaving aside the hunting and exploringwhat kind of training have you been doing recently?

With my body clad in {Silver Butterfly Fluttering}, I pass mana through Gadorices, covering my body in a film of fire that raises my physical defense, and while pouring my blood into the sword, I perform my new drawing technique {Swift Dark Bloodblade}, which resembles Yui and Kaldos technique

Hee, so shes pouring her Lucival blood into the sword of an evil dragon, huh? I guess shes experimenting with her Lucival blood in her own way.

Hmm? A sword blade that absorbed the blood of light and darkness? Does it share an affinity with an ancient evil dragon?

Come to think of it, Balmint sucked my blood as well.

In addition, I continue to {Valley Drop} from the double-swing sword styles {Darkness Tiger Sword}, and then {Wild Dance of Kicks and Katana} as well. Recently Ive also applied {Mad Swiftness Bow Slash} that uses the Jade Snake Bow in my training with Hankay-san. He easily repelled it, butI want to tackle developing new techniques with such chain attacks as the basis. About the hunting, just as Ive told you about it earlier, I want to explore the deeper areas of the forest while searching for new monster species

Gotcha. It doesnt change the fact of the Whirlpool Forest being a dangerous place. Please be careful. Okay, this time Im going to call it quits for real

Okay

Now then, who should I contact next?

Just as Im pondering about that, I sense a magic source from below. I jump off my bed as if performing a break dance.

I go down to the first floor thats decorated with the Wave Gourd like a New Years pine decoration. Though, rather than a pine decoration, its closer to a Christmas wreath, I suppose. As its entwined with fine tree strings, the gourd looks like a stylish gong.

As I look at all that, I find Muu standing at the entrance door.

Whats up?

Muu points a finger outside, towards the training ground. Kisara is training over there by brandishing her witch spear. Looks like shes returned from her sky trip.

Rotalz and Helme, whove gone with her, arent present though

Just then, Kisara is about to lightly wipe away her sweat.

Muu, youre watching her training?

While staying silent, Muu holds an apple in one hand. Is that her lunch for today? Is that apple a harvest from Catizas apple picking?

Muu hops over on one leg while lining up next to me.

Muu. Previously I tried to touch her in order to make an artificial arm and leg for her, butafter looking at me with a very scary expression obviously telling me to not touch her, she got away from me as if running away.

Right now shes looking at me full of expectation, but I dont know why. And since shes wearing the new outfit Dokoko-san made for her, I know that its not like she rejects anyone and everything.

This girl is getting increasingly mysterious.

Muu pinches the edge of my coat, and tries to lead me to the place where Kisara is training as if hurrying me to start my training.

I know, I know.

Shes interested in Mogas items, and I think shes also interested in my spearmanship. But shes surely not going to start talking about becoming my apprentice or something like that, is she?

Its unthinkable for me to become a teacher or such

I look straight into Muus deep blue eyes. Maybe itd be fine to take her as a pupil since shes a cute girl?

For me to end up thinking that right away is very typical of me, I guess.