My name was Erika-teze.
I was once the daughter of a ducal house in a certain human kingdom, but after a dispute with my former fiancé—the prince—I fled my motherland.
I tried my best to make a living in the Demon Kingdom, but I struggled with the change in environment.
Just as I was facing financial ruin, I was invited to help with the literal "creation" of a new buffer state between the human lands and the Demon Kingdom, so I decided to participate.
What was asked of me was the groundwork for agriculture in this new nation.
To put it simply... deciding where to establish the fields.
How to lay out the waterways and farm roads.
And determining which crops to cultivate.
...
I was well aware of the reality.
I had spent my time in the Demon Kingdom farming, but I was no agricultural expert.
I was merely a former duke’s daughter who had dabbled in field work.
Therefore, the task was likely not intended for me, but for the subordinates who had followed me.
Among my retainers were several people related to those who managed estates in my father's duchy.
Some even had experience with pioneering and land reclamation.
It was frustrating, but I knew I was only invited because those subordinates were with me.
Regrettably, it was not as if my own abilities had been recognized.
However, that did not mean I could leave everything to them and live a life of leisure.
I would do what I could.
"And thus, you became an adventurer?"
One of my subordinates questioned me with a dubious look, but surely my equipment made me look like an adventurer by any standard?
My tunic and trousers were made of thick, sturdy fabric.
I wore multiple layers on top, an iron browband on my head, iron gauntlets on my hands, and leather boots.
I did not wear armor because it restricted movement, but I wore a skirt of rather heavy fabric over my trousers.
This skirt was not merely for fashion.
There were iron blades hidden in the hem, which meant that by rotating my hips, the garment became a weapon.
Furthermore, the skirt concealed the movements of my feet during close-quarters combat.
It was a magnificent set of gear.
For a weapon, I carried a mace.
Personally, I would have been fine with my bare hands, but I knew that carrying a visible weapon deterred fools from approaching, so I chose it out of necessity.
Besides, I did not have a good affinity for swords.
I could not entrust my life to a tool that might snap.
"My lady. Are you giving up on the field work?"
I wanted to do it, but reclaiming land without permission would only cause trouble.
Besides, we were still debating where to place the fields, were we not?
"That is true, but... um, do you have any intention of behaving yourself?"
I did intend to behave myself, though?
If I wanted to make a scene, I would just lead the Demon Kingdom Army.
"Regarding that, did the officials from the Demon Kingdom Army not ask you to refrain from leading because you were better at it than the professionals?"
They did say that, but...
Putting aside the case of someone being unskilled, why was it a problem if I led them well?
"Because it makes it harder for the career officers to do their jobs. You must not be a nuisance."
Being a nuisance was certainly not good.
Thus, I became an adventurer.
"...I understand. However, I cannot allow you to act alone. Please take a subordinate with you."
The subordinates were busy with the Nation Building efforts, were they not?
Was there anyone who could accompany me?
Even Henrietta, the maid chief, could hardly join me as an adventurer.
"Mmh. Th-then, please form a party. Five or six people."
What a worrier. I understood. I knew that being alone was inconvenient.
"Please, I beg of you. Oh, and make sure the members are strictly women."
I knew that. As it happened, I had already been invited by just such a team.
"Is that so? That is a relief. By the way, what sort of team is this?"
You knew them as well. It was the team led by Urza-san.
"........................"
They had the look of someone contemplating many things. If you had something to say, please do not hold back.
"Urza-sama is the sister of Alfred-sama and Tiselle-sama, so forming ties with her is excellent. However, I worry that if my lady is influenced by Urza-sama, your... unbridled nature will only become more refined."
I appreciated the honesty. However, that concern was misplaced.
"Why is that?"
Because Urza-san was the one who approached me.
She asked me to teach her how a noble lady should behave.
"......................"
Again, they had the look of someone thinking about too many things. Please, speak your mind.
"Eh? Urza-sama is learning noble etiquette from my lady? Eh?"
The honesty was appreciated. However, I was still a duke’s daughter, even if I was a former one.
Rest easy. I had nothing but confidence.
I began my activities as an adventurer.
"Ekate-san, Ekate-san! Please stop charging straight into suspicious places. It is bad for my heart!"
"Ekate! I told you over and over not to use brute force! Who is going to buy this mincemeat!?"
"Ekate. I would appreciate a word before you move. Everything you do surprises me."
"Erika-teze-san. Let us review our roles one more time. I know, it is my fault for not explaining it well. I am sorry. But I will tell you as many times as it takes: the division of roles is vital."
I was doing my best while being encouraged by my companions.
Yes, encouragement. Not warnings. Urza-san said so herself.
Urza-san’s party consisted of six people, including me.
There was the leader and attacker, Urza-san.
Urza-san’s schoolmate and scout, Isree-san.
The shield and heavy warrior, Dorothy-san, who had climbed the elite ranks of the Demon Kingdom Army only to be inexplicably dispatched to this team.
The solitary mage, Leonora-san, who joined the party upon the recommendation of the Dalfon Company.
The healing mage, Rokina-san, who was sent from the guards employed by the Goroun Company.
And finally, me, the light warrior Erika-teze.
Before I joined, the team’s basic strategy involved Isree-san scouting ahead to determine the route.
The other members would then follow.
Upon encountering an enemy, Urza-san would charge in, while the others provided support.
Thus, Dorothy-san’s role as a shield was to protect the other members, not Urza-san.
With my arrival, the response to enemy encounters changed.
Both Urza-san and I would now leap forward.
"I invited you to the party as a backup for when we were attacked from another direction, and yet..."
"To think you would both go charging in to punch things together..."
"W-well, our destructive power has increased, so we can wipe out the enemies in front of us faster. In total, I suppose our safety has improved."
"Urza-san alone was a bit weak against swarms, after all."
After several adventures, I established my place within the team.
...
It was not that they had given up on me.
I believe it was because the compatibility between Urza-san and me was exceptionally good.
For some reason, I understood Urza-san’s movements, and she understood mine.
It was as if we were long-time friends.
Therefore, we were able to support each other without saying a word.
Isree-san described it as a flawless combination, like a practiced martial arts exhibition.
I was not displeased by the praise.
However, alongside that coordination, I was surprised by how quickly Urza-san absorbed the martial arts I used.
She even reproduced the Tetsuzanko with power that rivaled my own.
As for the vertical fist strike, the Pon-ché, I believed her power actually exceeded mine.
It was as if Urza-san were remembering techniques she had once forgotten.
I felt no jealousy toward her.
In the face of magnificent martial arts, there was only admiration.
I had to work hard as well.
Ah, but perhaps Urza-san should focus on strengthening her hips a bit more.
The impact of her strikes would increase.
I should teach her the training regimen for the lower body.
Hm? Isree-san, what is the matter? The behavior of a noble lady?
............
Let us wait until the martial arts have been mastered.
Half-measures are no good, after all.
I will pass on everything I know.
Look, Urza-san seems to want that as well.
Dorothy: "Ekate, stop punching with your bare hands! Use the mace! The mace!"
Leonora: "...Erika-teze, I do not think Dorothy meant for you to punch while holding the mace."
Rokina: "I came to treat your fists... but why does it seem like you do not even need it?"
Dorothy: "Isree, say something to Urza and Ekate!"
Isree: "The most important thing is knowing when to give up."
Leonora: "You really should let them rest during the breaks."
Isree: "Just go with the flow."
Rokina: "They start sparring every time we stop for a break..."
Isree: "When you are troubled, just look up. The starry sky is beautiful."
Rokina: "...It is still broad daylight."
Dorothy: "She is so sensible when she is commanding an army, and yet..."
Leonora: "I suppose she is the type who shines when she stays in the rear."
Rokina: "Wait, would she not just shout 'Commander to the front!' and charge anyway?"
Dorothy: "She can actually restrain herself when she is leading large numbers, for some reason."
Leonora: "In other words, she is just like Urza?"
Rokina: "............is that supposed to be good news?"