The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 50: Throwing into the Valley of a Thousand Trials with Love

Chapter 50: Throwing into the Valley of a Thousand Trials with Love

“Is it okay not to use a wand during practice?”

“That would just develop into a bad habit.”

I answered Alicia’s question. 

“If an enemy gets close, having a sword would allow you to handle the situation to some extent, right?” 

Since we’re also being taught swordsmanship, it makes no sense not to use it.

A blade can psychologically intimidate an opponent, which is convenient. 

You might think it would be good to chant while swinging a sword, but that’s bad because if your magic is identified, it can be countered. 

Keeping your cards hidden and aiming to kill on the first encounter is most crucial for survival.

Isn’t there a saying?

The best defense is a strong offense.

Though, in the Brave territory, deterrence isn’t really a thing.

“Alicia, you’re good with earth attributes, right?”

“That’s right. But if it’s the basic four elements, I can manage any of them to a certain extent.” 

That’s expected of a ducal family lineage.

The Aetherdam royal family controls the sky, the Ignite ducal family is known for fire, the headmaster’s Cascade ducal family for water, and Alicia’s own family, the Oldwood, for earth.

The royal family and the other noble families with ducal titles encompass the four elements, a setting quite fitting for fantasy.

But I had thought that earth attribute would be named something like Gaia, so why Oldwood? 

Cascade makes sense since it refers to waterfalls, but Oldwood, being an old tree, doesn’t seem to relate much to the ground.

“If it’s Oldwood, I’d think you could control plants and such.” 

“Have you seen my field?”

“Right, that too.”

I could only nod at Alicia, who had a distant look in her eyes.

If it were controllable, it wouldn’t have ended up in such a disastrous state. 

Trees root deeply into the earth, and perhaps that’s the connection. 

“So, what should I do? About the trick to casting without chanting?”

“Well,” 

Is the earth attribute more for offense than defense? 

No, the four elements that fill the world could be considered balanced and versatile.

You could create spears that attack from blind spots by raising the ground, or shelters to protect against attacks and the elements.

However, it all depends on how precisely one can control it. 

Magic is free, and that freedom is determined by the individual’s skill.

Drawing out the image of magic within Alicia is the only way, and that’s something I, as another person, cannot comprehend. 

“It’s good to start by thinking as simply as possible. Like, I don’t want to die, so I’ll do this, right?”

I created a technique to cloak myself in barriers because I didn’t want to die. 

That’s my identity. 

“I-I see…” 

That’s what I meant, but Alicia seemed disheartened. 

Huh…? 

“Sir Ragna, what should I do if I’m good at healing magic?”

“That’s really suited for combat, isn’t it?” 

“Is it?”

I then answered Mariana’s question.

“Well, if you can heal all your wounds on the spot, you won’t die, right?”

Using body enhancement magic and mastering advanced healing techniques means you don’t have to worry about losing parts of your body as long as you protect your head.

In a situation where you won’t die until your opponent does, you’re basically unbeatable.

In one-on-one battles, healing magic can make you incredibly strong.

If both fighters are left with nothing and resort to a “zombie strategy,” running away might be the only option left.

Imagine thinking you’ve killed your opponent, but they’re actually still alive and can turn the tables on you.

For Mariana, being able to heal others at a high level means turning everyone, including herself, into something like zombies, which could be amazing in a dangerous dungeon or against the relentless forces of nature. 

It’s a super useful spell that might even let you see what’s beyond death.

“It might hurt, but enduring is key! Getting hurt and healing a lot to learn through your body is the best way.”

“Hiiie…”

It’s common for pain to dull your thoughts or for fear to make you panic.

How do you overcome it? 

Facing a near-death experience might be the quickest way. 

“But it’s necessary to become stronger.”

“Alicia, why are you so philosophical about this? Please come back from that distant look in your eyes. This is just too much to bear!”

“Surviving in Brave is just part of the journey.”

It’s not that women have to fight, but being strong never hurts. 

That’s what makes Alicia so admirable; I love a woman who’s ready to face challenges head-on.

“Mariana, you should also prepare yourself. You knew what it meant to be taught by Ragna seriously, right?”

“No, I honestly didn’t know that.”

“Well, that figures.”

“But I’ve decided to stay by Alicia’s side, so I’ll do my best to keep up! Let’s both make it back alive! I’ll make sure we both survive!”

It’s not like I plan to let them die, but if they’re prepared to face death, that’s good. 

I’ll just push them to their limits until they’re on the brink of death!

“So, are you ready?”

I smiled silently at the two who nodded. 

From this point on, and only in this place, I will treat them as trainee soldiers.

If you don’t want to die, you have to survive; that’s the Brave way. 

“Well, off you go.” 

I pushed them forward, and below was a mass of giant ants clicking their mandibles together.

It’s going to be interesting. 

Spellcasting without incantations varies from person to person. 

How it’s used is up to the individual. 

What it comes down to is a kind of unique ability, maybe?

Mastering it could mean climbing the ranks with just that one skill, carving out your own destiny.

Keep it up, you two!

“Aaaaah, Alicia! I didn’t sign up for being thrown off!”

“Me neither! I thought we were just going to descend normally with our robes!”

“Sir Ragna, are you seriously trying to kill us!?”

“Probably! No, definitely! Mariana, I’m going to use the Earth Wall below to make a container, so please fill it with water!”

“Yes!”

Wow, Alicia actually handling the fall well. 

She’s gotten used to accepting situations through various experiences in Brave, so she doesn’t panic and can figure out what needs to be done.

Since the Grand Hole(グランドホール) might not work against a dungeon, it’s better to use four Earth Walls and fill them with water.

After successfully getting through the first challenge, the two, soaking wet, gasp in front of a horde of ants. 

These worker ant monsters aren’t taller than a person but are about the size of a large dog. 

If you’ve studied well at the academy, dealing with about ten of them is nothing.

But what if there are more than a hundred?

Humans have survived by building societies and understanding that there’s strength in numbers, so it’s natural to feel fear towards large numbers unconsciously.

Overcome the fear known as violence, new soldiers! 

Or should I say, magicians!

Face the truth within yourself, have a dialogue, and find your answer! 

While thinking all this, I watch the two fight desperately against the ants with swords and magic, when suddenly I hear a voice from behind.

“―Power that fills the sky, listen to the voice of the sage, release the chains that bind our feet, and become a gust of wind―Wind Walk!” 

“Ha?”

A familiar blond handsome guy dashes past me like the wind.