Chapter 145

"No, really, it's not necessary. I'll go take care of things now. You can take Shirou around here for a bit longer."

Seeing Hoshiguma's expression, Chen decided to run away.

"Tsk, they got away pretty fast."

Watching Chen leave decisively, Hoshiguma made no attempt to chase after him.

Anyway, there will be plenty of time and opportunities later.

"..."

At this moment, Shirou felt that the image Chen had previously established seemed to have collapsed.

I initially thought she had a cool and aloof persona, but it turns out she has an unexpected side?

"What's wrong? Still want more? Want to practice a few moves?"

Noticing Shirou's somewhat complicated gaze, Hoshiguma asked.

Having just watched a fantastic sparring match, she was still itching to try it herself.

"... No, my hand is still numb."

To avoid Hoshiguma not believing him, Shirou even stretched out his hands for her to see.

Although it's numb, it's not very serious.

However, Shirou deliberately shook his hand a few times to create the impression that his hand was very numb.

Don't ask, it's something we learned from Penguin Logistics.

"Well, that's a pity."

Seeing that Shirou had no such intention, Hoshiguma had no choice but to give up on the idea.

"I'll definitely do it next time."

Seeing that Hoshiguma looked somewhat discouraged, Shirou comforted her.

Let him handle the next problem next time.

Anyway, it's not like I've been making things difficult for my future self for just a day or two.

"Speaking of which, does your Knights of the Round Table have its own set of swordsmanship? I see that most people use the same set. Although Chen's swordsmanship is somewhat different, you can still see similarities."

After stopping the conversation, Shirou looked around at the other people who were also sparring and asked the question he had been wanting to ask.

"The Knights of the Round Table does have its own system, but that's just the foundation. To specialize further, it depends on individual effort."

Hoshiguma led Shirou to a resting area and explained things to Shirou as she went.

Of course, it's not just swordsmanship. Other skills like wrestling and archery are also taught in a basic way. If you want to learn more in-depth, you have to ask others for help or find a way to learn on your own.

"I see."

Shirou found this explanation quite reasonable.

Laying a basic foundation is essential, but if you want to improve yourself later, you'll have to rely on your own efforts, which is perfectly reasonable.

After all, there are too many people in the Knights of the Round Table. If we have to teach each person step by step, it would be too tiring, and the results might not be good.

It mainly depends on whether the person involved wants to make the effort.

At least he was certain that Chen had a solid foundation in basic skills, indicating that he had practiced for a long time.

"You need to keep it up. Old Chen seems to care about you quite a bit."

Seeing that Shirou was taking everything related to the Knights of the Round Table quite seriously, Hoshiguma suddenly said.

"... Why does it feel more like a retaliatory attack to me?"

Recalling the scene just now, Shirou felt that his own idea seemed more likely.

He knew that Penguin Logistics and the Knights of the Round Table were at odds.

As for what kind of grudge existed between Chen and Wei Yanwu, he had no idea.

That's not something he needs to know.

"We can't rule out that possibility, but personally, I feel that she thinks highly of you."

Shirou had considered Hoshiguma's guess as well.

However, if Old Chen really wanted to retaliate, he wouldn't have done it so obviously.

She would disdain doing such a thing. If she really disliked someone, she would definitely curse them with Longmen Curses until they questioned their existence.

Missy is a good example.

Back then, just the incident of taking the wrong bag was enough to make Old Chen scold Missy whenever he saw her.

Things are a little better now, after all, quite some time has passed.

However, he would still occasionally use this to tease Missy.

"You have faith in me?"

Shirou expressed doubt regarding Hoshiguma's speculation.

He's only met Chen a few times, right? How come he's suddenly being considered a good candidate?

But he felt like he'd seen the other person somewhere before?

The starting stance of that swordsmanship, and those two horns on his head...

Is he Hooded Figure?

Shirou felt as if he had discovered some astonishing secret.

If that's the case, then many things make sense.

He wasn't familiar with Chen, but he had met the Hooded Figure had stood up for justice several times, and had even worked with him before.

But why would the head of the Longmen Knight Bureau's inspection team go to the Slums alone at night to investigate a case?

That's incredibly dedicated; Shirou can only express his admiration.

However, this is just speculation. Shirou wouldn't go up and ask directly, as it would be awkward if it turned out to be wrong.

146. You think you can justify stealing food?!

After spending some more time at the training ground, Shirou left with Hoshiguma.

Once the novelty wears off, you'll find that there's really nothing special about this place.

At least that's true for Shirou, though he didn't make it very obvious.

The main reason was that Hoshiguma was bored. None of the people she could practice with were here today, and it didn't feel right to practice with others, so it was better not to have anyone at all.

If we're going to fight, let's fight it out!

"Given your skills, you'll probably be taken along on field missions, right? Do you have any driving experience?"

Walking down the corridor, Hoshiguma suddenly asked.

She was walking down the street just now, thinking about what kind of work she could assign to Shirou.

Since everyone's already here, let's do our part for the Knights of the Round Table!

However, considering that the other party was not good at writing and had no other relevant experience, after thinking for a long time, Hoshiguma felt that Shirou's last resort might be to run field missions with them.

Simply put, they are combat personnel.

Field work doesn't require as much documentation; what's needed is experience in combat and reconnaissance.

Anyway, a simple report afterward is fine, unless you did something big.

For example, every time Old Chen moves the knife at her waist, a report is almost inevitable.

Although she herself did not intend to avoid submitting reports, her self-criticism reports were always the most detailed, regardless of whether it was a big or small matter.

"I can ride a bicycle."

Shirou replied, his voice filled with sorrow.

Previously, it was because I couldn't get over the fact that I was underage; now, I've simply forgotten about it.

The main reason is that he doesn't usually have anything to do with cars or motorcycles, so bicycles are enough to meet his needs.

There's Texas, a veteran driver, in Penguin Logistics. Even if Texas isn't driving, Exusiai fill in.

This led to a further decrease in Shirou's need to drive a car, and eventually he forgot about it altogether.

Can I find some time to learn it now?

But if you don't drive often and then have to drive again after a while, doesn't that seem a bit dangerous?

"Bicycles... not bad, quite healthy."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Hoshiguma paused for a moment before praising the bicycle's advantages.

He only asked if Shirou could drive, and there were some technical terms he didn't understand.

However, since they are just interns, we shouldn't expect too much.

His own combat skills were enough to cover up his inability to understand the terminology.

After all, even members of the Knights of the Round Table sometimes get confused by their own terminology, so they sometimes speak their minds more directly.

For example, when Old Chen was giving instructions, he spoke more directly.

"... I will make time to learn it later."

Seemingly sensing the awkwardness in the other person's silence, Shirou looked up at the ceiling and said.

It's just learning to drive, right? He'll learn!

You'll come across this someday! It's worth learning!

"Take your time, there's no rush."

Seeing Shirou's expression, Hoshiguma almost laughed.

Ah! I used to tease Old Chen like that all the time, but now Old Chen is not so easy to fool.

But Shirou is young!

Hoshiguma felt that she would have a very comfortable period of time ahead.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Upon noticing Hoshiguma staring at him with unusual eyes, Shirou's first thought was whether there was something strange about him.

After all, they had just finished sparring, and their clothes might have been torn somewhere he couldn't see.

"No, it's nothing. By the way, it's almost lunchtime. Are you going to eat at the cafeteria?"

Watching Shirou check his clothes, Hoshiguma thought that Shirou was even easier to tease than the Old Chen had been.

To avoid bursting out laughing, Hoshiguma quickly changed the subject.

It was almost lunchtime, and usually I would either order takeout or get food from the Knights of the Round Table's canteen.

The former is something you do when you have the leisure and inclination, since every store is very busy at lunchtime, and by the time you get your takeout, your lunch break might already be over.

As for the latter... since it's made for a large number of people, the taste is more inconsistent.

However, its advantages are large volume, fast speed, and low price.

"I brought my own lunch."

Upon hearing Hoshiguma's words, Shirou answered truthfully.

If I say no, I might be taken to the cafeteria.

That would waste his own lunchbox, which he couldn't accept.

"You brought your own lunch... Did you make it yourself? Or did someone else from Penguin Logistics make it?"

Hoshiguma suddenly remembered that Shirou, who was standing next to her, seemed to have pretty good cooking skills.

Thanks to Jie's sharing and Ansuo's friendly errands, she was able to taste Shirou's homemade bento boxes several times.

It's not so bad that you'll want to keep coming back for more, but it's still quite delicious compared to other takeout options.