Negai o Kanaete Moraou to Akuma o Shōkan Shitakedo, Kawaikattanode Kekkonshimashita ~ Akuma no Nīdzu

“You want to learn how to fight?”

“And you want us to teach you?”

Xena and Celia repeated Theo’s words back to him.

The day after Theo became determined to become stronger, they just happened to return to town for a quest.

The quest was supposed to take two days, but it seemed they finished it the previous day.

They visited the guild in the morning for the chance to meet Theo there and be soothed by him, and since they did not get much sleep, they were making a conscious effort to keep their eyes open.

After talking a little, Theo brought it up. He wanted to become stronger.

“Hmm. We can teach you, but…”

“Shouldn’t the person behind you do it?”

“Person behind you say?”

Obviously, there was someone else present. Theo’s wife stood right behind him.

“Hum, we did talk about it, but…”

“I am not a good teacher.”

Helvi knew Theo wanted to become stronger for her, so she told him she knew he did not want to learn from her, and so she would not be suited for it.

In reality, she was well aware that she really was not a good teacher.

She was born the most powerful being in the world, so controlling her strength and magic was as natural to her as breathing.

Just like someone would have a hard time explaining how to breathe from square one, Helvi found it difficult to teach how to fight.

“I see. Well, we can do it but…”

“Yes…”

Xena and Celia had something in mind, and spoke vaguely.

“For now, let’s just accept another quest. If you want to learn how to fight, we should go leave town first.”

“Yes. Are you alright with that Theo?”

“Yes. Thank you!”

And then, they accepted a quest and made their way outside of town.

(Hey Helvi. Are you listening?)

(Yes, I am.)

(Are you sure about this? Us teaching Theo how to fight?)

As they walked, the three women had a conversation out of reach of Theo’s ears.

(Yes. I really am a bad teacher. It would be better for Theo if you did it.)

(I guess but… We’re talking about something else.)

(You know, right?)

Both were talking about one thing.

(Yes, I do. Theo has no talent.)

As with everything, working hard to learn how to fight would get one to a certain point. However, beyond that point, no amount of hard work could make up for lack of talent.

Helvi was remarkable, but Xena and Celia had talent for close-quarters combat and magic respectively.

Obvious, they did work hard to get to where they were, but pure talent was the reason they were able to rise to the top.

Theo would never reach their level, no matter how hard he tried. The gap between their talent was just too big.

(I know it’s cruel, but no matter how hard Theo tries…)

(No matter. Theo is not aiming that high.)

(Eh? Really?)

Theo himself knew he could not become as strong as Helvi, Xena, or Celia. He just wanted to be stronger.

He wanted Helvi to see him as a proper man as well, but since his wife was ridiculously strong, there was little meaning in showing off his strength to her.

Still, Theo thought his feelings of wanting to protect the woman he loved were natural… Is what Helvi told the two women.

(Uwa… Theo is cool… So Theo really is a man uh… Well he always was.)

(Yes. Are you just bragging, Helvi?)

(I am simply answering your questions.)

(You know exactly what you’re doing. That’s not fair.)

Xena and Celia were stronger than most men, which obviously included Theo.

But still, the idea of being protected by the man they loved did appeal to them.

Imagining an honest, adorable guy like Theo doing his best to protect them made them swoon.

The person who was actually experiencing this, Helvi, was happier than they could imagine.

It was no wonder she wanted to brag.

(I figured you would not refuse, but I did wonder what I would do if you did.)

(I’m sorry. Can you not torture us like before? J-just remembering makes me tremble…)

(I truly am sorry about that time.)

Even Xena, who usually spoke casually, became very polite all of a sudden.

Theo did not notice, but they became pale all of a sudden.

After Xena and Celia flirted with Theo and made fun of Helvi, she had her revenge.

(But it did make you stronger.)

(I guess. But why did getting tortured for an hour make us stronger than anything else ever did… Just thinking about it makes me feel like something might leak out down there…)

(Don’t do that in the middle of town Xena… I did a little, but held back.)

(You already did?)

(How filthy. I am telling Theo.)

((No way!!))

Screamed Xena and Celia in their minds, although Theo heard nothing.

(Still… Talent is important, but so are circumstances.)

Helvi whispered in her mind. Xena and Celia should have been able to hear it, but were not paying attention.

(Helvi! Don’t say it!)

(Really! Absolutely not!)

(Yes, alright. But once I get in bed with Theo at night, it may come out accidentally.)

(Don’t brag while handing us a death sentence!)

(If Theo finds out I’ll have no choice but to die!)