Chapter 303 Playing Tag

I ended up carrying Nell on my back so that she could rest while on the move. Even though its not as bad as Nell and Alezel, Im also having a hangover. However, Im not in a situation where I can complain. I overcame nausea and headache with spirit and guts, and we managed to arrive at our destination.

I was surprised by the height of the inn the other day, but this time we were guided to a place that makes me think of a certain person. The place is a dome. Its a huge, white, hemispherical structure that looked like a baseball stadium in Japan.

Heres the place~

Here, huh. When I came here before

this building wasnt here, right? Well, lets just say that it was made by Zex-han.

I knew it the moment I saw it that it was made by Zex-sama!

Naturally, Zeta really gets into it. Technological innovation is a good thing, but isnt it too far removed from our worldview?

So, what kind of facility is this? Is it a playground or something?

Its not a playground~. Its an artificial botanical garden.

A botanical garden?

Just come in and see it yourself. Come on, follow me~

Alezel can talk properly, but her steps are still somewhat strange. Its impossible to completely get rid of the alcohol before starting the special training, I guess? Fortunately, shes still better than Nell. Anyway, we proceeded into the dome.

Wow!

Following Harus voice of admiration, each let out similar voices. All kinds of flowers are blooming all over the area. Even I, whos not really interested in such things, was moved by the splendid scene, which is no less than the flower country Crocus. In the back of the flower field, theres an area with tall trees and plants that would only grow in a very specific environment.

Whats this place? Theres an unthinkable environment inside the dome.

We built this place as one of the tourist facilities. Its possible to set the temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions for each section, and we are raising plants from all over the world here. Each section is separated by a special barrier that blocks out only the environmental conditions. Well, I had a hard time scouting the earth magicians and importing plants.

This is the ultimate fusion of science and magic, right? If there were here, Im sure she would be excited to see if theres a farm. And in fact, there seems to be one somewhere.

But, what hell are we going to do here? Its certainly beautiful and worth seeing, but Im more interested in the practical over the aesthetic.

This isnt a tour of a botanical garden, right?

Of course~. Id be happy to give you a tour, but our purpose here is to train. Today we are going to onigokko!

O-Onigokko!?

Oni-what?

Unexpectedly, todays training is onigokko. Still, its hard if you have a hangover, huh. Haru, Chinatsu, and Touko know about it, but Zeta doesnt seem to know what onigokko is.

Um, what is onigokko?

If its the same as the one I know of, its the so-called playing tag. There are differences in the rules depending on the region, but in the popular one, the one as it is chasing the other person, and the moment you got touched somewhere on your body, the role changes. After a few seconds, the next it starts to chase the other person in the same way. Its a kind of childs play with a repeated process.

I see. It can train the childrens bodies and even cultivate their sense of hunting without using any tools! Its quite a thoughtful game, huh.

I-Its not exactly like hunting wait, I guess you can think about it that way if its used as training.

I dont know what Chinatsu is thinking, but she has a distant look in her eyes.

Thank you for the explanation, Chinacchan~. Thats mostly right.

I see.

Haha, dont make that face. Dont worry~, I aint the one who will be it this time. All of you are it, and Im the one who will be running.

Are you saying that we all have to chase and touch Alezel-san?

Yep, its simple, right~?

A four-on-one playing tag. Its certainly very simple, and the rules are in favor of Haru and the others. However, I dont think Alezel will end it there. There must be some additional rules.

Um, are there any other rules?

It seems that Chinatsu also suspected the same thing. She understands that they shouldnt get their hopes up.

Lets see~. Well, even though Im having a hangover, its too advantageous for me, huh. Then, not only touching, but you can also attack me. Throwing, magic, and sword, you can use anything to attack me, and the training is completed the moment your attack touched me! Also, its too big to use the entire area of this dome, so lets limit it to some area. As for the area, you can decide it. Its a great offer, aint it?

Eh? A-Are you sure?

What, its more advantageous for us

I thought Alezel would add some rules that would put the girls at a disadvantage, but she further conceded the clearing conditions. Suspicious, its too suspicious. If it were me, I would stop at this point. Well, Im the one who asked her to train the girls, so I wont interrupt her.

Hmm. If I had to say, Id like you to treat the plants here carefully. They are our products, and it would be a pity if they died before we could show them to the customers. Even if you pay attention to that, it will be a burden if we stay in the same area all the time. Lets change the area every ten minutes. Of course, you have the right to choose. Do you have any other questions~?

No, I think Im fine.

Me too!

The four consulted with each other and selected a grassland area with relatively few obstructions as their first field. For the next ten minutes, Haru and the others will chase after Alezel in this grassland, or maybe aim to hit her from a distance.

Alezel, what about us?

If you go up the stairs there, theres a viewing platform where you can see the whole area of the dome. There are also benches, so you should watch with Nell from there. Dont take off your eyes, kay?

Yeah, sure. Lets see how you will train the girls.

Thus, I moved to the viewing platform while carrying Nell whos still in a dying state. Ooh, what a nice view. I want to visit here privately next time.

Well, Deris and Nell are in position. Lets start now. Are you ready?

Anytime!

Im sorry, but I will use my katana.

You are the Great Eight Demons, but I wont lose to a merchant!

Alezel-sama, thank you for allowing me to practice with you.

Ahaha, if youre fine with my small chest, I will lend it anytime~

T-Thats not what I mean.

(TLn : means to practice with someone of higher skill, or something along this line. Literally, it also means to borrow ones chest.)

Alezel was making jokes, and in the meantime, each of the girls pulled out their specialized weapons and they seem to be fully prepared. Now, I wonder what will happen.

Then, start~! Oh?

Alezel clapped her hands and declared the start of the training. But at that moment, the four girls were already in front of her. They were close enough that their weapons could reach Alezels body.

Whoa, that was close.

However, Alezel was already behind the girls. Also, theres no sign of her having a hangover anymore.

Tch! I somehow expected this, but youre so fast!

Youre flattering me~. Ah, thats right. Touko-chan, let me correct something. Ysee, Im not a merchant, but

I dont know what Alezel is planning to do, but she starts to raise her right arm in the air. Hm? Whats that white cloth-like thing shes holding?

Im a thief. Touko-chan, youre wearing cute panties, huh~. Ill give you a high score for the gap.

!!!???

Along with Toukos scream, I burst out grandly.