The so-called 'monsters' were given that name because their combat power far exceeded that of normal beasts. There was no doubt that a fish that had lived for at least ten thousand years, even if it only grew in size, was not something that an ordinary person could handle, let alone a fish raised by the Queen of the Land of Shadows.
But before this, Lancer had never thought about it this way. He had originally thought that the fish in the pond in the castle were just ordinary ornamental fish, but now it seemed that it was a good thing he wasn't a mischievous kid and didn't have the idea of bothering the fish in the pond, otherwise he might have already been killed.
But at this moment, the line that Cu Chulainn had cast suddenly began to shake, and then —
"Hoohoo~! Good luck today~!"
"Clap~!"
Accompanied by Cu Chulainn's cheers and the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground, a huge black shadow streaked over Lancer head and slammed heavily onto the rock behind them.
"Clatter~ clatter~!"
And the corner of Lancer mouth twitched.
This was the so-called 'fish'?
A body size of over 3 meters, scales with a chitinous shell, two pairs of eyes bigger than Lancer head, and a gaping maw filled with sharp teeth.
Should this thing really be classified as a 'fish'?
But just as Lancer was bewildered, the Quinque in his hand also suddenly began to shake, and then a huge force suddenly burst out.
His body lurched forward, and Cu Chulainn quickly grabbed Lancer shoulder.
"Lancer, you're really lucky! You caught a prey as soon as you arrived! But don't be in a hurry. A fish's strength in the water is very great. You have to slowly guide it, find its movement patterns, and then pull it out of the water the moment it runs out of strength. As soon as it leaves the water, it's just a heavy piece of meat!"
Under Cu Chulainn's guidance, Lancer also slowly began to try to swing the fishing rod to adapt to the fish's movements underwater.
Compared to Cu Chulainn, who got it in no time, it was much more difficult for Lancer. However, Cu Chulainn only gave verbal guidance, and would occasionally remind him when Lancer was about to be pulled over, but the actual main body was still Lancer.
Adapting to the opponent's movements, finding the opponent's flaws, guiding it...
This is the moment!!
He suddenly lifted the long spear in his hand, which instantly bent into a strange arc, and then —
"Clap~!"
Accompanied by a strange sound, a huge shadow suddenly flew out of the water.
It was completely different from the one Cu Chulainn had caught. It had a slender body, compound eyes on its head, and jagged teeth.
"Lamprey?"
"Lamprey? What's that? Is that the name of this fish? But should I say it's 'beginner's luck'? Most of the fish in this river are poisonous, but this one is edible. Let's grill it and eat it later~!"
With Cu Chulainn's words, Lancer realized that this was the 'Land of Shadows', and it might just be a creature that looked similar. But he was more concerned about the feeling he had when he had just pulled this thing up.
They had been in a stalemate just a moment ago, but in the end, he succeeded with one strike...
Using the 'fishing rod (spear)' in his hand to understand the enemy's movements, and then finding their weaknesses based on their movements, instead of being constrained by himself...
Suddenly, Lancer eyes lit up.
"Senior Brother! Thank you so much!"
What?
Cu Chulainn was completely bewildered, looking at Lancer who was thanking him with a face full of excitement. Why was the other person thanking him?
He had just brought the other person here to fish. Could it be that he was very happy because the recent training had been too boring? Oh oh!! If that's the case!
"I'll definitely use my full strength to make a perfect grilled fish later!"
But what Cu Chulainn didn't expect was that Lancer, who was across from him, had a bewildered look on his face after he finished speaking.
'Was that what he was talking about?'
'Wasn't that what he was talking about?'
"Sizzle~!"
With the flames from Cu Chulainn's hand, the peeled 'lamprey' was roasted to a golden brown. After taking a bite, the white fish meat inside was soft and had the aroma of Cu Chulainn's special spices, which greatly increased his appetite.
Taking a gulp of the fruit wine that Lancer had bought from the supply system, it made him feel even more refreshed.
"By the way, Lancer, the Master wouldn't give you a day off for no reason, right? Was there something going on?"
Cu Chulainn's words made Lancer pause for a moment, then he nodded.
"The Master told me to think carefully about why I swing my spear, but I really can't think of anything. I feel like I was completely forced to swing my spear from the beginning. If I didn't swing my spear, I would die..."
"Then that's the answer, isn't it?"
"?"
Cu Chulainn's words made Lancer pause again, because he always felt that something wasn't right.
"Are you thinking too complicated? And your reason isn't actually that special. From what I know, that's the reason why most people first swing a weapon. There aren't too many born heroes in this world. The reason many people first swing a weapon is simply to survive when facing beasts or enemies, and that's it."
Was he thinking too complicated?
"But the Master's words should mean that she hopes I can find an answer that can hit her from this 'initial intention', but this answer doesn't seem like it at all, does it?"
"I don't know about that. After all, even for the same thing and the same reason, everyone's thoughts are different. I can't help you with this answer."
The relationship between the desire to live and battle?
Is she telling me to be more careful?
Or is she telling me to prioritize staying alive?
Lancer was at a loss for the answer at the moment.
Looking at the grilled fish in his hand, Lancer fell completely silent for a while.
"By the way, why don't you tell me about your past experiences? Maybe I can help you analyze it?"
"Talk about my past experiences? Hmm... okay..."
Lancer words made Cu Chulainn's eyes light up. His purpose for asking Lancer to come out today was not just for fishing and drinking. He had his own 'mission'.
In his opinion, the most important thing before dealing with a problem was to first figure out what the problem was. But to inquire about someone else's past for no reason, especially a past that inevitably had 'scars', was a foolish act. But the situation was much better now, after all, Lancer was the one who brought it up.
"In the beginning, I was attacked by a man-eating monster in a city..."
Lancer omitted the 'transmigration' and simply told the other person about his life as an investigator and his later time as a Teigu user. However, his expression became extremely complicated when he mentioned catching Leone.
He barely knew anything about Leone. At first, he simply restrained her and kept her by his side. Later, when she developed feelings for him for some reason, he hesitated. He had been thinking that if he had agreed to her directly at that time and kept her by his side, she might not have been taken away by Esdeath. Or if he had simply refused her and completely cut ties with her, she also couldn't have been taken away by Esdeath, because the fundamental reason Esdeath took Leone away was for him.
On the other side, Cu Chulainn, who was holding his wine glass, shook his head with a face full of helplessness after hearing Lancer words.
"You really are indecisive."
"Right, I think so too. If I had..."
Seeing that Lancer seemed to be about to start complaining about himself again, Cu Chulainn directly slapped him on the back.
"Clap~!"
The loud sound was extremely harsh in the empty wilderness.
"Saying that means you still haven't figured it out!"
"How can I..."
Lancer, who had originally wanted to explain, saw Cu Chulainn's raised hand again and immediately stopped talking.
"Are you really conflicted about your feelings for that girl named 'Leone'? I feel like you're conflicted about yourself? If you love her! Then say it out loud! Just like me! I love my wives! So I confessed to them directly! But what about you? Since you consider her your 'family', then why didn't you tell her? Do you think it's cool to silently give or protect the other person? No! It's stupid! If you want to protect the other person, then give your all! Your life! Your honor! Your everything! What you've done is not even as good as that little girl! Since she was willing to sacrifice for you, then what are you conflicted about? Love at first sight is love! Caring and protecting is love! Hysteria is also love! Do you think the other person protected you so that you could wallow in self-pity here? The spear in your hand is crying! If that girl were still alive, would she want to see you like this?"
As he said these words, Lancer suddenly felt that Cu Chulainn's entire aura seemed to become extremely exaggerated, and he didn't know if it was Lancer illusion, but it seemed that the other person's words just now were not just for him alone.
Although he felt that what the other person said made a lot of sense, what good did it do? It was all too late.
The originally warm atmosphere suddenly became depressed again.
When the two of them returned to the castle, Lancer looked even more dejected than when they left. After parting with Cu Chulainn, he even started practicing with his spear alone, as if only by putting his whole heart and soul into it could he feel a long-lost peace.
On the other side, Cu Chulainn went to Scathach to report on the 'work situation'.
"I really don't understand that kid Lancer thoughts. Since that woman likes him and he's not averse to it, it would have been great if they were together! But he just had to be so sentimental, oh well~"
Cu Chulainn was more disappointed than angry, he was angry at his lack of effort. In his opinion, if Lancer was as honest about his feelings as he was, there wouldn't have been so many problems.
"Then how do you think this matter should be resolved?"
"How else can it be resolved? The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. The only one who can solve this is 'her'. I was wondering before what was going on with that strange soul fragment on that kid, and it turns out this is the reason."
"Then let the person involved solve it."
While speaking, she took out a short staff, and as the staff was waved in the air, several 'Rune Runes' appeared in the air, and then completely dissipated.
Thrust, poke, swing...
In the courtyard, Lancer was desperately swinging the long spear in his hand. As he moved, a series of wind-like howls were heard, and the lawn in the garden also created waves of grass as he swung.
Suddenly, a strange presence appeared behind him. It was neither Cu Chulainn, nor could it be Scathach, because he couldn't even sense Scathach's presence.
He made a sudden feint with his spear towards the back, but he suddenly widened his eyes. The spear that was originally thrusting straight was forcibly deflected by him, and his waist was even twisted because of this sudden withdrawal of strength.
But at this moment, he didn't care about that at all. Instead, he stared straight at the person in front of him.
"Leone?! Am I too tired? Or am I dreaming?"
But before he could finish speaking, the familiar figure pounced directly into his arms...
"Master!!"
Hearing the other person's slightly choked cry, Lancer stiff body instantly softened.
Omitted...
The intense exercise drained the strength that Lancer had already exhausted from practicing with his spear. In the end, he held Leone and fell into a deep sleep.
The world of ice crystals, this was the place Lancer was most unwilling to remember. It was here that he lost Leone, and it was here that he first began to doubt his own 'pride'. He began to doubt whether he could truly protect the things he wanted to protect, and he began to doubt whether everything he had done had any meaning.
But just as he was feeling down, he saw an incredible scene, because he saw 'himself'.
He, whose body had been pierced by an ice spear, was hanging there, while the Esdeath below him had long since disappeared, replaced by a cloak of undoubtedly seductive colors and a gradually shrinking 'pool of blood'.
Then he saw an arm appear in his field of vision, but the next scene stunned him, because the owner of this arm actually rubbed it hard on the ice. In the end, when countless drops of blood were poured onto his body, he finally saw the owner of this arm through the reflection on the ice — Leone.
Her expression was extremely pale, but there was a smile on her face. As his vision gradually shrank, Lancer also saw a more familiar scene, which was the 'corpse' of the ice-type Danger Beast that he had seen when he woke up.
At this time, Lancer finally knew that the real cause of Leone's death was not battle or low temperature, but excessive blood loss...
When Lancer opened his eyes again, he saw golden hair on a cheek and the tired side of a certain girl's face.
Looking at the other person's rosy face, the pale cheeks from his dream appeared in his mind involuntarily. While feeling a pang of heartache, a question also arose in his mind.
There was no doubt that Leone had indeed 'died' from excessive blood loss while saving him, so who was the girl in his arms now?
Was all of this a dream?
Was it because of his regret for Leone and his body being cooped up for too long?
But perhaps his movements were a little too big. The originally sleeping girl was also woken up. The just-woken-up Leone was still full of confusion, but when she saw Lancer bare upper body, she was stunned for a moment, but then a strange blush appeared on her face.
"Master..."
Hearing the familiar address, Lancer couldn't help but hug the other person tightly. Leone was also a little flustered when Lancer hugged her, but this fluster was fleeting. She then hugged Lancer back in return.
But just as the two of them were enjoying the brief moment of warmth, a voice appeared in his mind.
'I'm sure you still have many questions. Come to the courtyard, and I will explain them to you.'
At the same time, Leone also froze for a moment.
While Lancer was surprised, some of his questions were also answered. After all, it was probably only this Queen of the 'Land of Shadows' who could 'resurrect' Leone, right?
After the two of them changed their clothes, they hurried to Scathach's courtyard. As expected, the other person was sitting on a chair, quietly drinking an unknown beverage, but her posture was extremely elegant.
On the other side, Cu Chulainn, who was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, showed a trace of a smile on his face when he saw the two of them.
"Sure enough, the only thing that can truly heal a man is a woman~"
Cu Chulainn's almost explicit words made Leone's entire face turn red, and although Lancer was a little embarrassed, what the other person said was the truth, so he couldn't refute anything. And...
"Master! Thank you for 'saving' Leone..."
As soon as Lancer finished speaking, the other person raised a finger.
"Before you continue speaking, I must remind you of one thing — this girl named 'Leone' has not been resurrected, she is still an 'undead'."
Undead? Leone? How is that possible!
Lancer had a deep and thorough discussion with the other person last night. No matter how you looked at her, she didn't seem like an undead. In his impression, most undead were guys with rotting flesh all over their bodies. Even some undead who could maintain a human form would definitely have a cold body, but what about Leone? She was clearly a living, breathing human.
"It seems you have forgotten what this place is. This is the 'Land of Shadows', the land of the dead. This girl named 'Leone' has long since passed away. I have only used my power as the 'Queen of the Land of Shadows' to give her a temporary body, that's all."
The other person's words left Lancer at a loss for words for a moment, but after his expression changed several times, he looked up without hesitation.
"It doesn't matter! Whether Leone is a human or an undead! I don't care!"
After Lancer finished speaking, Scathach only picked up the cup in her hand and took a light sip, without expressing any opinion. Lancer was at a loss for words for a moment, and it wasn't until Scathach put down her teacup and walked towards the lawn in the distance that Lancer looked at the other person with a face full of confusion.
"Come on, let's have a match. Let me see if you've made any progress."
Although he didn't know what the other person's words had to do with his previous question, Lancer had no intention of refusing the other person. After nodding, he took out his Quinque and walked towards the other person, while Scathach casually swiped her hand, and a red long spear appeared in her hand.
The long spear was not held straight but was slanted towards Lancer. At the same time, her body was slightly bent, which was undoubtedly the starting stance of the 'defensive counterattack' that Lancer had used before.
This kind of move was almost impossible to fail against an opponent weaker than oneself, and there was no doubt that the next battle would be a tough one.
But at this moment, Lancer body had an fighting spirit that far exceeded before. It was obvious that Leone's appearance had filled the 'gap' in his heart. He had never felt himself so full of strength as he did now!
"Here I come!!"
"Hah!!"
With a low yell, Lancer held his spear with both hands and thrust it towards Scathach without hesitation!