Chapter 13: Combat practice with love in between.

I do not know what kind of situation I've gotten myself into.

Even when I explained the reason for my engagement to Naku and our mission, Fortuna and her father insisted on the second marriage.

"You know, the humans of Eralgia practice polygamy under certain circumstances. It is usually the man who has several wives and concubines, but in some cases, like nobility, the papers can be reversed." (Spencer)

“To tell you the truth, Blair is the daughter I had with my concubine." (Allan)

Both explained the human culture of the kingdom to me. But the Naga are different: they form couples for procreating and raising the children.

Naku has a big heart, but she will get hurt if I marry someone else.

In the end, we agreed that Fortuna, Mr. Allan, and their servants would get lodging in the village for four days, so Fortuna and I could get to know each other better (I began to call her without honorifics by her own insistence).

I will do my best to resist...

Well, apart from the talk about marriage, there was also the issue of the soap production.

The first point to be discussed was the obtaining of the raw material. At first, I thought that a great demand was going to be covered and that the saline water electrolysis method should be used to extract the soda (which I described to Prof. Spencer as salt formed in bodies of water where lightning falls so as not to describe all the principle behind it, since it would be very suspicious to have such advanced knowledge), but due to the soap being still unknown, we can use the traditional method.

The problem comes when it becomes popular. Although the population’s density in Eralgia is not as high as it was in Europe in the 19th century and is widely scattered in comparison, there would still be a strong demand for a company as small as that of Mr Allan and there would be insufficient supply if he continues obtaining soda from the ashes.

However, there is the disadvantage that Eralgia only has a small territory of coast and it is very far from where the headquarters of the company of Mr. Allan, are located.

The solution came from Fortuna, who suggested building a factory near a saltwater lagoon located near the city where they live, in addition to hiring people who have the ability to use the magic element of lightning.

It would require some experimentation and analysis but it was a very good idea.

I truly believed that Fortuna was a person reincarnated from Earth like me, so I used some terms known worldwide, but she did not react to any of them. So, the terms were not of her knowledge, or she is just a normal girl with a lot of intelligence. In the end I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and I opted for the second option.

...

At dawn the next day, after morning training, I decided to go out into the woods and get some berries.

When I mentioned the subject of the second engagement to my parents, they told me that I would have to discuss it with Naku… But that there would be no problem in knowing Fortuna better.

Seriously, my parents can be very irresponsible... But they're right in that I should talk to Naku.

On the way to the forest, I feel the presence of Fortuna and somebody accompanying her, it's the red-haired girl... Blair, her half-sister.

The two are walking along the main path of the village, and sometimes stop in front of some villagers. Given their course they took, they may be heading towards my house.

Ignoring them would not fix anything and would be rude and cowardly on my part. Very well, if they have an affair with me I will listen to it, after all, I have nothing against both of them. Yes, the older sister tried to hit me but that was a misunderstanding, and the confusion I feel inside is not Fortuna's fault.

Changing my way to a junction on the road, I wait for the two girls to appear, which they soon do.

"Miss Fortuna, you really must take care of the way you approach me... I'm just the illegitimate daughter of a concubine." (Blair)

"The one you should be careful of as you refer to me is you, dear sister. While we are from different mothers, we share the same father." (Fortuna)

Oh, it seems like a family conversation, maybe you should return home and wait them there.

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"I would like you to call me ‘sister’ at least when we are both alone..." (Fortuna)

Too late! Fortuna saw me. A beautiful smile formed on her face as she gave me a lovely greeting.

"Good morning, Aruh. It's a joy to meet you on this beautiful morning." (Fortuna)

"The feeling is mutual, Fortuna. Did you go out for a walk around the village? I can be your guide if you wish." (Aruh)

"The truth is I wanted to meet your parents and introduce myself, but I see you're busy." (Fortuna)

"I was only going to pick up a few berries from the forest, but I can do it later." (Aruh)

"No, no, a woman who gives herself to respect can not interrupt the work of a man." (Fortuna)

Blair's expression showed concern, as if anticipating something.

"We will accompany you to the forest." (Fortuna)

"I knew it..." (Blair)

Blair murmured with a slight sigh, must be very accustomed to dealing with her little sister.

"This part of the mountains is very dangerous." (Aruh)

"But it looks like you can go alone, Aruh. Besides, Blair is pretty strong and could be our bodyguard." (Fortuna)

The sight of her sister Blair was more intense, she did not even bothered to hide it.

"I do not want to seem rude, but her strength would not be enough." (Aruh)

"Oooh?" (Blair)

Apparently, my words stung a sensitive spot. Blair advanced a few steps and stood between Fortuna and me.

"Yesterday I was quite rude to you, young gentleman Aruh. My sincerest apologies." (Blair)

"Maybe you should apologize too, Aruh." (Fortuna)

"Huh?" (Aruh)

"However, I can not let you insult the fencing style that my master has inherited me ... Young gentleman Aruh, I challenge you to a duel." (Blair)

Ok, since yesterday I started to think about this girl in front of me. She is young, with an age around 13 or 14 years old, a little acne on her face accentuates her youthful appearance. Although not as beautiful as her younger sister, I'm sure in a couple of years, lots of suitors will rain on her. The problem is her personality, she is very explosive. When the smallest gesture that does not please her, she tends to make very extreme decisions.

Seriously, although we Naga are peaceful, it does not mean that we tolerate aggression, especially me, due to still retaining part of the personality of my past life. Believing that it is okay to hit a Naga, even though they are in an inferior position, is a very silly idea.

"It does not have to be a serious duel, just a practice duel." (Fortuna)

Was ... everything planned by Fortuna?

Her eyes, that seemed to emit stars, made me feel suspicious ...

But I think it's fine. On the one hand, it would be good to give her a lesson so she will not get into trouble later, and on the other hand I would like to see the combat level of the humans before embarking on the journey.

"Okay, I accept ... Follow me, I'll take you to a suitable place." (Aruh)

Blair nods firmly, a fierce smile on her face. Fortuna on the other hand looked a bit surprised, it seems that she did not think I would accept so easily.

...

Blair and I were facing each other in an open space. We both had a wooden sword and a shield in our hands as well as a helmet on our heads for better protection, making it clear that this was a practice match.

"The encounter will consist of three rounds, if one of the two loses their sword or falls to the ground they will lose a point. Is that clear?" (Fortuna)

"Yes!" (Blair / Aruh)

"Fight with grace and honor! Begin!" (Fortuna)

With the signal from Fortuna, Blair rushed towards me. Wow, so slow!

Her first blow was directed towards my left shoulder, it was an attack so obvious that it seemed that she wanted for me to defend with my shield, but there is no need for it, I simply ran down her side, and with a quick attack, I striked her wrist making her drop the sword. I had to be careful not to hurt her.

But this is quite bad, not only is her speed slow, but also her technique is poor and has lots of unnecessary movements. I think this match will not be useful to get information on the level of combat of humans. Or is this the average level? No, Captain Almond emits a stronger presence, and according to his words, there are many humans stronger than he.

Blair may be on the low side of the scale.

"Point for Aruh." (Fortuna)

Blair shook her hand and took her sword again, clearly annoyed. We both took up our combat poses again.

"Second round ... Start!" (Fortuna)

Again, Blair throws herself at me, this time, more carefully. She learns quickly. She tried to strike me with her shield and prepared a thrust to to hit me for that I evaded her first attack. I must withdraw my previous opinion... Maybe her technique is not so good, and her body not fast, but she has good reflexes and intuition, plus she has a tactile mind to give continuity to her attacks.

Even so, her technique requires a lot of attention if she wants to improve as a swordswoman.

After I evaded both attacks, the next attacks tried to connect in my chest and my left side, I but deflected them effortlessly. It would be boring if I do not show initiative, so I also attacked. My first blow hit her leg, making it totter, while my second blow was a feint to the head to make her try to defend it with her shield... But the, I gently kicked her abdomen to knock her down.

The combat ends in this way. With two points in my favor, Fortuna declares me the winner.

"So it was true after all that the Naga are born warriors... What a humiliation!" (Blair)

I thought she meant her pride in being beaten by someone younger than her, but Fortuna told me with herself because she overestimated her own strength.

"I am sorry." (Fortuna)

"For orchestrating the fight?" (Aruh)

"Did you know that and yet you continued with it?" (Fortuna)

"It was quite obvious, since yesterday I could see that you are very clever. It was not difficult to decipher it." (Aruh)

A slight blush painted Fortuna's cheeks, enough to allow me to notice and feel a lump in my throat again.

"Then why...?" (Fortuna)

"You worry about her a lot, don’t you? I imagined I could use a little of a firm hand to make her realize her own limitations." (Aruh)

I also had other intentions, but for some reason, I could not say them.

"You're a little naive if you think that will help Blair, you do not know her." (Fortuna)

Fortuna turned her back on me, apparently I offended her.

"But I thank you for the gesture." (Fortuna)

After saying these last words, Fortuna went with Blair to help and comfort her. They're a couple of problematic sisters, they're very alike in that...

A sensation stopped my thoughts. My ability to sense presences perceived someone important.

It was Naku.