Chapter 9: Regeneration (1)

Sure, let’s think of Shione’s behavior as similar to a child throwing a tantrum for no good reason.

As a mature adult, I should take good care of her.

“Hasn’t Lady Shione started to grab the bow? Even with a bow that has low tension like today, it’s difficult to draw the string, and to draw a stronger bow, you must have strong stamina and power.”

“…Can’t I just use mana to draw it?”

Earlier, she had asked for help to shoot without using mana, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the Shione from a few hours ago was a completely different person. I subtly shook my head at her.

Relying solely on mana to pull the bowstring is a serious drain on mana.

If I could channel the mana from my arms into the arrow’s power, it would make a huge difference.

Unless it’s a special bow, the habit of drawing the string by circulating mana in my arms, like today, is something that must be abandoned.

“Was there any difference between shooting with the power of mana and without it?”

“That’s not it.”

“Which one did you feel more certainty with?”

“Definitely without using mana…”

Ah, I realized something wasn’t quite right at this moment.

This reaction perfectly matched my expectations.

“Since you already know it instinctively, I won’t go into further detail.”

“Even so, trying to exercise this body… it’s more of a laughingstock and becomes a topic of conversation every day. Just imagine a pig running around outside; how ridiculous would that look?”

“I certainly glimpsed a fragment of hidden talent in Lady Shione’s archery. You need to build a better physique to handle a better bow and keep practicing consistently.”

By mentioning her hidden talent, which I deemed to be a nice touch, she closed her mouth, holding back any excuses she had been planning to make.

This approach seems to work better than I expected.

Perhaps it’s because there’s some sincerity mixed into my words.

It’s a small hope I want to maintain consistently.

“However, do you plan to let that talent wither away because you find it troublesome to move?”

I added several more comments that ambiguously poked at her irritability and motivation.

Eventually, Shione, looking fed up, declared her surrender.

“Hah… can’t I just do it? So please, stop that whining.”

But Shione, who is quite conscious of how others see her, wouldn’t easily back down.

She feigned a stern expression.

However, maybe because we had grown closer, the heavy atmosphere from when I first saw her was nowhere to be found.

“However, there is a condition.”

She began to speak with her arms crossed.

“Exercise will only take place in my room. If outdoor exercise is necessary, it must be during times when no one is around to see me, just like during archery practice.”

“As you say, unless you wish it, no one will know that Lady Shione’s efforts are in vain.”

“I’m glad you understand—”

“Then let’s get started right now.”

“…Huh? Now?”

“There’s a saying that says to strike while the iron is hot. So come on, get off the bed.”

There.

Shione showed a hint of panic.

She probably never imagined I would drag her out of the bed she had been lying in.

But so what?

If she’s on the bed, I can just pull her off, and if she’s sitting in a chair, I’ll have to force her to stand up.

As I got close to her bedside and looked at her softly, Shione’s expression showed genuine fear, and she stood up.

Indeed, Shione is quite easily embarrassed, as I thought.

I should make sure to use this to my advantage in the future.

“Alright, you can do it. But—”

As Shione’s gaze swept across her room, it shifted back to me.

“Looking around, it seems this room isn’t suitable for exercising. It’s not spacious enough to run, and it’s not suitable for vigorous activities either. It would be better to do it early every morning rather than now.”

…It seems she’s trying to sneak away somehow.

However, despite her claims, there were plenty of simple aerobic exercises that could be done indoors.

After all, Shione’s room, which her noble family had almost thrown away, was quite spacious.

A few quick glances revealed multiple spots where simple exercises could easily be performed.

“Don’t worry; I know effective exercises that can be done right here in the room. Plus, there’s plenty of space, so you should be comfortable.”

“Ah…”

Shione wore a despondent expression, gazing at me hopelessly.

“Have you ever heard of the burpee test?”

“The burpee test? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Then allow me to demonstrate first.”

After a light stretch to warm up, I slowly showed her the burpee test movements.

Shione seemed startled as I squatted down, extending my legs behind me.

She despaired at the gathering of my limbs.

At the end, she appeared to scream silently as I jumped up.

“Are you seriously telling me to do this…? Do you really think it’s possible for these pig-like legs to stretch back and then jump up again?”

“Pig-like legs? They look like a general’s sturdy legs, brimming with strength. I have no doubt you can manage it, Lady Shione.”

“Don’t you know how well I keep up with you? You know my stamina is lacking, don’t you? Just walking quickly makes me out of breath, and now you want me to do something like that?”

“Is there anything wrong with that? If not, I’ll make sure you can do it.”

Tch.

“Truly a devil…”

“Alright, let’s start with stretching to avoid injury during exercise.”

“…You have quite a harsh personality despite your looks.”

I responded to her comment with a laugh.

Following my instructions, Shione completed her stretching, and we finally began the burpee test.

With each movement, the ground thudded beneath her, and it felt like her weight was heavier than I expected.

“Wow.”

It seemed like she would have to suffer quite a bit to shed all that weight.

She had promised her personal servant that she would exercise, but the workout was so intense that she wanted to quit right away.

With gritted teeth, Shione continued, sweating profusely as if rain were pouring down.

It couldn’t be helped. I had to push her harder for her to succeed in her diet at least a day sooner.

As Shione jumped up to finish one burpee, she let out a groan.

“Ugh… is this really enough…! Hah… hah…”

“Your legs are still supporting your body. You seem to have quite a bit of strength left…”

“…”

“Let’s do just three more. Just three more.”

“You’re a devil…”

“Lady Shione, I trust you understand that using mana is off-limits.”

“You’re a relentless devil.”

It seemed Shione was feeling stubborn, as she continued the burpee test until her legs finally gave out, and she collapsed.

She no longer had the strength to speak and simply stared up at the sky, panting heavily.

After a while, Shione managed to catch her breath.

With a grunt, she sat up and met my gaze.

“Phew… is it done now?”

“Here’s some cool water. Thank you for your hard work.”

“…Thank you very much.”

“Oh, but it would be best not to drink too much.”

“Uh?”

“If you drink too much water before moving on to the next exercise, you might feel nauseous.”

“W-what? There’s another exercise?”

Shione’s face turned pale.

The way her eyes trembled pitifully was quite pitiful, but it didn’t sway me at all.

A lion will drop its cub from a cliff to raise it strong.

Though I’m not a lion, as a proud servant of Shione Sianella, my goal was to help her shed some weight, and I kept a steady heart, unshaken by her helpless appearance, like a drenched small animal.

After all, even in the Dangun myth, there’s a bear that became a human after eating only mugwort and garlic for a hundred days in a cave.

Shione would simply be reborn through diet food and exercise for a hundred days in this cozy room.

I smiled, imagining how completely different Shione would look in the future.

“Of course. Besides, Lady Shione, you’ve reached the level of a sword user. You can do it all.”

“…Are you trying to kill me?”

“Of course not. Since your lower body is tired, we’ll focus on upper body exercises until you regain your energy. As long as you lose weight evenly, there’s no way you’ll die.”

“…Fine, do as you please. Just do as you please.”

It seems the level of a sword user wasn’t just for show; even while groaning, Shione did her best to follow my instructions.

I pushed her until I felt she had enough exercise for the day.

Thanks to me, she was now soaked in sweat.

“Since your clothes are drenched in sweat, I’ll go fetch some fresh ones. Thank you for your hard work.”

“I’ll be lying down on the bed, so take your time.”

“Hah…”

“Until I finish wiping myself down and changing, I’d appreciate it if you could avoid getting on the bed.”

“…Now that I think about it, the cold floor might be better for cooling off. Bring back some cool water when you return.”

“Understood.”

Before heading off to find Shione’s clothes, I paused for a moment.

“Ah.”

As I spoke, Shione’s previously scattered attention refocused on me.

I smiled at her.

“…It’s ominous when you smile like that. Just say what you need to say quickly.”

“I’ll adjust your diet so that you can transform even faster, Lady Shione.”

“…71.”

Hmm? What did Shione just say?

“What was that?”

“Um… I’d appreciate it if you didn’t remove meat from my diet, even just a little.”

For the first time, I could see a deep yearning etched into Shione’s face.