My Pet Is a Holy Maiden 72 The True Objective of the Test

I seea spotted lynx

After he finished listening to him, Morganeich looked at Tatsumi again.

For you to be able to challenge the spotted lynxyouve gone a long way.

N-No, thatIm still way beneath you

Certainly, in this year, Tatsumi has been training hard. However, his strength couldnt even compare to the Freedom Knight in front of him. Its not as if Morganeich was fooling around in the time that Tatsumi was training.

Speaking of which, youve fought the spotted lynx too, havent you?

Yeah. I fought that demonic monster before.

Then did you beat it on your first try?

I was crushed utterly on my first try too No, it isnt just us. Most beast-hunters lost on their first try.

Before the time that he was recognized as a full-fledged beast-hunter, Morganeich had done the same test.

Similarly to Tatsumis party, Morganeich, along with Calcedonia who he had already at that time, challenged the spotted lynx, yet completely couldnt do anything.

The two of them fell into a slump, just like Tatsumi right now, as one would expect.

But, the next time I won.

It was only two words that Morganeich said, I won. Yet, those two words were overflowing with confidence.

H-How in the world How did you beat that demonic monster!!?

Tatsumi subconsciously leaned forwards as he asked that question. To such a visibly excited person, Morganeich stifled his smile and looked at him seriously.

Morganeich entirely understood Tatsumis feelings. Tatsumi was still fixated on finding a way to beat the monster. Its no wonder that hes all over the place.

Surely, his seniors had the same feelings towards his past self as he is having now towards Tatsumi.

Thinking that, he unintentionally let out a smile. Of course, he was smiling about his past self and not Tatsumi.

Dont panic, Tatsumi. In all honesty, theres a small tradition among senior beast-hunters. When doing the trial, other beast-hunters cant offer their help.

It wasnt known who made it, but it was an unspoken rule among the senior beast-hunters.

He continued, Its like a rite of pa.s.sage, you know? No matter where you go, youll never get any real advice.

B-But

Discouragement was clear on Tatsumis face.

If he were to hear of how Morganeich won over the spotted lynx, itd be a breach of etiquette, wouldnt it?

In this world, you couldnt just simply google to find an answer.

Without the internet, it was a complicated task to get relevant info.

For example, the books of this world were all handwritten, and because of that, they were expensive valuables, so ordinary people couldnt simply come into contact with them.

The only places that had a large collection of them would be the royal palace, various churches, and archives of major clans.

On that point, Tatsumi, as a priest of the Savaiv church, could get into its library.

However, the collection was so large and varied that if Tatsumi wanted to find information of the spotted lynx, itd take too long as to be worth the effort.

Furthermore, it wasnt even certain that the information existed in there to start off with.

And since books are a dead end, one had to ask other people.

In this case, it would have to be a person who has hunted the spotted lynx before, like Morganeich. So, when Tatsumi asks such a person, hed learn how to fight the spotted lynx and use the information on the next battle with the monster.

But, like Morganeich said, senior beast-hunters would not give any advice on fighting the spotted lynx. Consequently, there wasnt a huge chance that the information was in the Church of Savaivs archives.

Tatsumi was looking downcast. And to such a Tatsumi, Morganeich was grinning.

At that time, Tatsumi felt that something was off.

The tradition of seniors not helping juniors with the spotted lynx made sense.

However, would it really be possible that so many beast-hunters could pa.s.s by following that tradition?

Of course, there are those people who just kill the lynx outright. But, from what Tatsumis been hearing, most beast-hunters lost on their first encounter.

If so.

If so, the test isnt just about hunting the spotted lynx.

There seemed to be something more to the test.

Tatsumi looked at Morganeich in doubt. And then, he smiled.

Seeing the look on Morganeichs face, he was confident of his a.s.sumption.

Tatsumi remembered of the words that Morganeich said some time ago.

Morga. Can I ask you a small question?

Hm. What is it?

You said it before, didnt you? When doing the trial, other beast-hunters cant offer their help. So, in other words, if I ask for help

In short, seniors wont do anything if you dont say anything, but if you ask a question, cant they answer it? That was what Tatsumi was thinking.

My, my? Did I say something like that?

His mouth was denying it, but his eyes were smiling.

Yes. Tatsumi was correct.

Morganeichs silence was Tatsumis answer.

It seems like youve already figured it out, but the trial of the spotted lynx is more than just being able to kill it.

Morganeich re-explained the trial to Tatsumi, who had already had an idea of the truth.

In this trial, it is essential to collect enough information about the spotted lynx.

And for the young beast-hunters that dont know defeat, the trial teaches them a lesson. The higher you are, the harder you fall.

The readiness of fighting a demonic monster for the first time. The importance of intelligence gathering. And most importantly, overconfidence and self-conceit.

It is these things that the trial aims to cover.

Tatsumi was overconfident.

Though their party was small, they never met with defeat. You couldnt say they had no conceit in themselves.

And, they were met with the misleading words of If you can do this, youll be a real beast-hunter. Which led them to fight the demonic monster without the help of information and be completely defeated.

The trial went exactly as it was intended to.

Besides, just by being a beast-hunter doesnt mean that theyre friends with every other one. We beast-hunters have a loose relations.h.i.+p, and when someone fails a hunt, thats an opportunity for another of us.

Beast-hunters make a living off hunting demonic beasts.

That is to say, when one beast-hunter fails killing a beast, another beast-hunter has a chance at killing it instead.

For someone to kill a monster that someone else was still hunting isnt too frowned upon, but one couldnt say that it didnt break etiquette, just a little bit. However, when someone fails, n.o.body cares if you go hunt the same monster.

For that reason, if you dont actively ask around for information and stuff like that, most wont offer you it.

Of course, while there are those meddlesome folks who give advice if they hear that youre looking for it, there are those who dont answer even when asked.

Even so, there seemed to be a tacit understanding between demonic beast-hunters that when asked, theyd share what they knew with each other.

Tatsumis face was glittering in hope, hearing what Morganeich has said until now.

It was the feeling of being in pure darkness only to be met with a beam of light.

But, Morganeich told the unkind truth to the hopeful Tatsumi.

Its true that there is a custom of trading information about demonic monsters, but that doesnt mean that its free.

I see. Does that mean that theres an information fee?

Its as you said. And, you wanted to learn from me? About the spotted lynxs habits, abilities, and weaknesses. If so, I have the right of accepting some compensation for the info.

Morganeich laughed again. Then, Tatsumi took a deep breath and asked,

I understand. Then, how much would I have to pay for the information?

I guess

Morganeich finished the last drops in the wooden sake cup, and the server, seeing the empty vessel, refilled it.

For the information fee, how about treating me to a drink in this place?

Huh? T-Thats it?

Tatsumi was stressing over how much hed have to pay. So, when he heard Morganeichs price, he just stared blankly in surprise.

Seeing his face, Morganeich laughed like a kid who just pranked someone.

What, did you think I was going to ask for your net worth? Its usually a drink or two and sometimes a meal. Then theyll happily give you the info. But, be careful, okay? Some people eat and drink like its their last day in this world since theyre being treated.

Tatsumi smiled at Morganeichs joke. That smile was the smile of finding the solution to a problem that plagued you for a long time.

And, the two, getting another round of sake, touched their cups together.

Ill give ya everything you need to know to kill that beast. So you better win. And make Calsey happy!

Yes!!!

Tatsumi was no longer confused or gloomy.

Several days later, Tatsumi, Jadokh, and Miloulle were once again in the forest.

They were, of course, looking for the spotted lynx. And this lynx was sprawled on the same rock like before.

The spotted lynx was staring at the intrudersTatsumi and the others.

Last time, this was where they couldnt move. Their bodies were paralyzed from the feeling emitted from the demonic monster.

However, this time was different. Before the monster could use its glare at them, the three surrounded the lynx.

Jadokh! Miloulle! Dont look at its eyes!

Jadokh responded, I know! You said that its eyes had some sort of power!

Fool me twice, shame on me! Miloulle energetically said.

Tatsumi learned this information from Morganeich. The spotted lynxs eyes had a power that invoked fear in ones allies. The so-called demon eye.

It was to this demon eye that Tatsumis company felt that abnormal fear in the last time they fought.

But, in other words, that was all there was to the spotted lynx. Yes, they had to be careful about its sharp claws and fangs, but those features werent limited to the spotted lynx. Many other demonic beasts and monsters had the same features.

If the monster realized that its demon eyes didnt work, it would immediately escape. However, its escape route was blocked by the s.h.i.+eld that Tatsumi was wielding.

Im sorry, but you cant escape! Miloulle yelled.

Miloulle readied her spear and thrusted it with vigor at the beasts flank. She attacked at the exact moment the monster was confused at the blockage of its escape route.

The spear easily penetrated the skin and flesh, damaging the organs of the beast.

The lynx let out a deafening scream. Yet, despite its wounds, just that would not kill something with the mighty life force of a demonic monster.

Nonetheless, it couldnt last for much longer with its secret exposed.

Jadokh immobilized the beast with a swing of his battleaxe to its legs, and Miloulle quickly stabbed it. In this way, the monster gained yet more injuries.

Though Tatsumi retreated several steps back, he was paying attention to the monster the whole time. When the beast would attempt to use the demon eyes, hed use his s.h.i.+eld to block its eyesight.

Like that, Tatsumi would interrupt the skill from triggering, and the two of them were left to continue damaging the monster in relative peace.

Little by little, its strength and vitality were chipped away, and before long, it could no longer stand, flopping down to the earth.

And then, Jadokh raised his axe up into the air. He dropped it down in a magnificent swing, finally dispersing the all the flames of life that the lynx had.

Cheers!!!

At The Elfs Resthouse, that cheerful word resounded.

The party could truly defeat the spotted lynx. This was the celebration party for pa.s.sing the test.

Eru, the restaurants workers, and the regulars gave their praises and good wishes to Jadokh and Miloulle.

Among the crowd, a drunk Miloulle was looking for Tatsumi.

Huh? Tatsumi, where did you go?

Miloulle was looking everywhere. But, the man was not to be found as expected.

Geez, dont say stupid things, Miloulle. Isnt there only one place where Tatsumi could be?

While heartily drinking his booze, Jadokh skillfully winked with his four eyes.

Ahhh, Calseys place, I guess Ugh, I get his feelings, but Couldnt he just spend a little bit more time with his companions

Lonely and regretful. Miloulle put those feelings of her into words.

It cant be helped, you know? Because, to Tatsumi, Calsey is above everyone else.

Haaaa

Hey hey, if youre mad, have a drink? This is our long-awaited celebration party!

Bang

. She slammed her cup into the table in front of her. Miloulle had drank all the alcohol inside with one gulp.

Landlady! Keep em coming!!! Im gonna drink til the end tonight! Since Im being treated today!!!

Miloulle stinkily vomited like an old man. Even so, Eru poured another cup.

It was as she said, the other beast hunters were treating her today. The other beast hunters would treat those who pa.s.sed the trial of the spotted lynx. That was also the beast-hunters tradition.

Hehehe. Then, Ill also drink without holding back. Its not like Ill be paying for it.

With a happy look, Jadokh made his request.

The other beast-hunters watched how much the two of them drank, and their faces slowly started to become more pale.

Morganeich gave out that warning to Tatsumi as a joke, but how could he know that such people were in their midst?

In the comforts of their home, Tatsumi was hugging Calsey tightly.

Sorry, Chiiko. Sorry for making you worry.

NoI had no doubt that Master would win.

Nuzzling her face on Tatsumis chest, Calcedonia happily murmured.

Hmmm? I wonder who was the one who said that it was okay to give uuup?

Uh, ummm, t-that Geez!!! Master is so mean!!!

Calcedonia lightly punched Tatsumis chest a few times. Of course, she didnt put any power into them, so it didnt hurt at all.

Tatsumi gently petted the angry Calcedonas head, just like in his original world.

Calcedonia was still punching Tatsumi, but her face was of pure bliss.

Ive somehow gotten this far, but Someday, Ill reach your level.

Yes. If its Master, itll happen before long.

It wasnt known who leaned in first, but their lips touched. When their lips parted, Calcedonia let out her pent-up breath.

Calcedonias face was completely red. She looked lovingly at Tatsumi.

Tatsumi knew what she wanted. He picked her up and started walking.

He opened the bedroom door. After the couple enteredthe door slowly closed.