Chapter 143

Back here, Shirou is running errands with documents of all sizes.

After Chen started, everyone else in the office handed over some documents to Shirou for processing.

Since it's free, why not use it now? If we don't use it now, we won't have the chance when the other person has a new job to do.

Shirou accepted it all without question; it was just a matter of running an errand, nothing too serious.

Chen, standing to the side, turned a blind eye to the behavior of the others, after all, he still needed to give Shirou some things to do, so that the other party wouldn't be left alone with nothing to do.

If things continue like this after she assigns Shirou work in a couple of days, she'll have to deal with these people properly.

However, we still need to let Shirou pause for a while.

"Shirou, wait a minute and rest. There's a simulated battle training session at 10 o'clock. I'll take you there to check it out."

Looking at the time, Chen remembered that she seemed to have some arrangements with the field team today. Originally, she had declined them with the excuse of work, but because of Shirou, she had caught up with her current progress and had to wait for other departments to finish their work before she could move on to the next step.

I have some time now, so I'll take Shirou over for a look.

It was absolutely not about abusing power for personal gain or trying to take the opportunity to retaliate or attack. It was simply about wanting to expose the other party to more of the Knights of the Round Table's affairs.

Besides, given Shirou's ability to react to her drawing her sword, Chen estimated that he wouldn't fare well against her either, and might even get beaten up in return.

Of course, Chen did not take into account his use of the Chixiao.

After all, Chixiao will only be drawn against enemies.

"Simulated combat training? Okay, I understand."

Upon hearing this, Shirou recalled that he and Texas had apparently had simulated battle training together before.

And then, out of nowhere, he started teaching Texas how to use dual swords.

Rather than teaching the other party, it was more about slightly correcting Texas's problems in combat.

The reason Texas hadn't specifically studied it before was because there weren't any experts in this field within Penguin Logistics, while Shirou was quite skilled in it, so Texas consulted him.

These are not the main points. After thinking for a moment, Shirou realized that if he couldn't use Magecraft, his physical strength here would only be considered below average.

There are too many races with strong physical bodies on this land. Putting aside others, Hoshiguma, a member of the Oni, and Chen, a member of the Dragon race, seem to have extremely strong physical strength.

As for why Shirou knew?

The gossip about Chen, Swire, and Hoshiguma that everyone at Penguin Logistics has been circulating for a while now.

For example, when Hoshiguma was living in the Slums, he could take down thugs with a single punch.

Chen Yidao even chopped up the vault.

Swire, on the other hand, always carried a flail as a weapon.

The descriptions are quite violent, but they also indirectly show that these people are very powerful.

Even Swire sounds like the most mascot, is wielding a flail, a weapon that really tests the user's physical abilities.

While thinking, Shirou delivered the document to its proper place.

His feet hadn't stopped moving for over an hour.

And he didn't know if it was just his imagination, but Shirou always felt like there was a gaze watching him.

Shirou was certain that the gaze was not coming from the people around them.

To be honest... I feel like someone is watching him?

If they were outside, Shirou would probably try to shake them off or find them.

However, this was the Knights of the Round Table headquarters, and out of trust in the Knights of the Round Table, Shirou simply chose to ignore the source of the gaze.

At least the gaze will disappear when he goes into the toilet, otherwise Shirou would really try to find the other person.

After finishing the legwork, Chen led Shirou, Hoshiguma, and several other rather muscular-looking people to a very spacious room.

Some areas inside were covered with mats, while others were divided into sections, and there were also many wooden weapons and unsharpened Knights of the Round Table standard swords provided on the side.

Inside, people had already started sparring, just like what Shirou saw in the movie, where one person was teaching a group of people how to spar unarmed.

"Shirou, what are you most interested in?"

Hoshiguma, who was standing nearby, spoke to Shirou.

Chen is arranging training for his team members. Each person has their own area of expertise, so they are usually trained separately.

Of course, some people, like Hoshiguma, will take on the role of sparring partner.

Incidentally, Hoshiguma mostly spars with Chen, since apart from her, very few people in the Knights of the Round Table can spar with Old Chen for extended periods of time at high intensity.

"Hmm... swords, I guess?"

From the moment he entered, Shirou noticed the sword sparring on the other side.

The reason is simple: their movements are relatively simple during practice, and judging from their movement patterns, they should be receiving the same swordsmanship knowledge.

I guess they're swordsmanship instructors within the Knights of the Round Table?

"Oh? Swords? I remember the first time I met you, you were also using Originium Arts related to swords."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Hoshiguma recalled the scene of their first meeting.

Back then, Missy led Shirou into the Slums, only to be chased. Shirou then used Originium Arts, wielding his black and white swords, to solve the problem.

Although the other party surrendered quickly, Hoshiguma still noticed that Shirou's skills were quite good.

We've been in contact for at least a while now.

"That time?"

Shirou naturally remembered that time, after all, it was his first battle here.

Although the opponent was quite weak, Shirou felt somewhat helpless when he thought about that scene.

"Ha, as for swords, Old Chen has many men under him who have studied swordsmanship. You can try sparring with them."

Seeing that Shirou's expression was off, Hoshiguma skipped the topic.

After all, Missy was too confident that time, Shirou was dragged into it, so he probably has some bad memories?

"No need for that, I'll take a look today."

Upon hearing Hoshiguma's words, Shirou politely declined.

After all, he had only just reported for duty today, and he couldn't bring himself to spar with anyone right away.

"Alright."

Hoshiguma respected Shirou's idea and didn't ask for the reason.

However, Hoshiguma is easy to talk to, but Chen is a different story.

"Shirou, want to practice a few moves?"

Holding two unsharpened Knights of the Round Table standard-issue swords in his hands, Chen asked Shirou.

Although it was phrased as a question, the other party had already extended the sword forward.

He looked like he was going to take action if you didn't answer.

"...walk slowly."

Feeling an inexplicable pressure, Shirou took the sword from Chen's hand.

It's quite heavy; I guess it's meant to familiarize the Knights of the Round Table with the Knights of the Round Table's standard-issue sword during practice?

At least the feel of wielding it is better than the training swords used by Penguin Logistics.

However, it's still not as convenient as Gan Jiang Mo Ye Xie.

"Shirou, Emiya!"

Looking at the two of them, Hoshiguma didn't know why Chen cared so much about Shirou.

From the very beginning, when Shirou arrived, Chen's attitude towards Shirou was quite strange.

Generally speaking, Chen doesn't interfere with the affairs of interns; he's the type to let them do whatever they want as long as it doesn't interfere with his work.

But for Shirou, the work was arranged, and he would even explain some precautions to him.

Has she taken a liking to someone?

Thinking of this, Hoshiguma squinted and looked in Chen's direction.

"What's wrong?"

Chen, who was stretching, noticed Hoshiguma's gaze, looked up at her, and asked.

"No, it's nothing, just be careful."

Hoshiguma shook her head and didn't say anything. She was probably just overthinking things. Maybe things weren't as she thought. Old Chen might have just deliberately arranged a lot of things because Shirou was arranged by Wei Yanwu.

She knew the other party wasn't that cunning, but since it involved Wei Yanwu, Old Chen was capable of doing anything.

"When have you ever not paid attention?"

Hearing Hoshiguma's words, Chen said with a helpless expression.

They're supposed to be partners and colleagues, so why does it seem like Hoshiguma is always showing concern for my affairs in strange ways?

However, this time we really need to be careful. After all, given the strength that Shirou has shown so far, Chen feels that if he were to encounter Shirou outside, it would be very difficult for him to defeat him alone.

Putting everything else aside, the disgustingly long attack range alone would make her give up immediately.

"Okay, I'll be the referee. We'll stop when it's over, right?"

Hoshiguma had no intention of arguing with Chen, and instead directly asked for the referee's seat.

She was familiar with this spot, although it mainly revolved around the bickering between Chen and Swire.

However, she is not familiar with Shirou's combat skills, so she needs to pay a little more attention to the battle situation so that she can stop Old Chen or Shirou as soon as possible.

She was confident in Chen's strength, but she didn't think he was invincible. At least she could suppress him if she knew his swordsmanship well.

"Yes, that's enough."

Shirou nodded and stepped into the sparring area.

To avoid disturbing others, designated areas are marked on the ground.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Seeing that Shirou agreed, Chen also stepped into the area and assumed a starting stance.

Chen held the sword with both hands, level with his eyes and the tip pointing forward.

"Um?"

Looking at the other person's appearance, Shirou felt a sense of familiarity.

I feel like I've seen a similar starting stance somewhere before?

But before Shirou could even think about where he had seen this before, Hoshiguma spoke up:

"It starts when you count to three."

As Hoshiguma began counting, Shirou also turned his attention to Chen.

Strictly speaking, this sparring match was very disadvantageous for him because he did not use Magecraft to compensate for his physical strength, and Chen's race was a dragon, which was quite dominant in this aspect.

As the third sound rang out, the two men moved simultaneously.

Clang—

The two swords clashed, producing a loud sound.

Unlike when sparring with Texas, Chen's sword felt quite heavy when he parried.

While slightly slower than Texas's sword, Shirou could hold out for a while as long as he didn't take the blows head-on.

"Oh? It's pretty good!"

As the referee Hoshiguma naturally noticed Shirou's defensive tactics.

By slightly tilting the sword, Old Chen's sword would deflect, so as not to directly block the opponent's attack.

She often uses this move as well. She can achieve a similar effect by tilting her shield slightly. However, Shirou uses a sword, and he tilts the sword slightly each time he clashes with Chen's sword.

This shows that Shirou has a pretty good grasp of swordsmanship, and can make the swords move according to his will.

"Only knows how to defend?"