Burning Friendship

We all enjoyed a breakfast served by Eve, consisting of ‘Plum Porridge’ that surprised us with its sweet and sour taste, complementing the deliciousness of the rice…
I look around at everyone gathered in the dining hall.

There’s me, Eve, Uruka, Banho…
And then, the other six samurais… .
A total of ten people…
Including Keaton’s group, the number would rise a bit, but for now, this is everyone present.

On a side note, Banho and the other samurais had changed into outfits tailored by ‘Mamiya’ for beast-like creatures.
While they took off some armor, they still carried swords of various sizes at their waists.
That seems to be something non-negotiable for them as samurais.

“First of all, everyone…
I first express my gratitude for celebrating our wedding last night.”

“Now that you have become Uruka-sama’s husband, Asuru-sama is tantamount to our lord…
From now on, please treat us all like your own limbs.”

Rather than taking a seat…
Banho, bowing deeply from his upper body after responding in such a manner.
Looking around, his six samurai vassals also bow their heads in unison… For now, the formal ceremony of allegiance is considered done.

“I appreciate those words.
As you can see, the entire fighting force that will be formed from now on is gathered here.
I will feel free to utilize it without hesitation, and please keep that in mind.”

“Haha!”

After a response that exudes deep wisdom…
The samurai of Banho all lifted their faces.

“Well, with that said, the question now is what we will do next…
Well, what we should do is already decided.
It is to learn about the abilities of this ship, ‘Mamiya.’”

“If what you say is true, Asuru-sama indeed discovered this ship just yesterday, right…?”

“That’s correct.”

I nod at Uruka’s words.

“It’s true that everyone understands that this ship can harness the extraordinary power of an ancient era that can only be described as miraculous.
However, what we have seen and have experienced is only a fraction of the power that ‘Mamiya’ holds.
Isn’t that right, Eve?”

“Yes.
The functions of this spaceship, constructed for interstellar travel and planetary colonization, are far from being at just that level.”

The girl, a product of the terrifying super-technology that ‘Mamiya’ boasts, affirmed my words. At the same time, her hair shone in seven colors.

“So, if that’s the case…
We must quickly understand the full extent of the power possessed by ‘Mamiya’ and learn how to use it.
If we do not know what is possible, there can be no guideline for action, right?”

“—Understood.
First and foremost, knowing oneself…
This is crucial, whether in martial arts or matters of state. I understand that this is of paramount importance.”

Even the simplest opinions hold weight when spoken by veterans like Banho…
I nod deeply and instruct Eve beside me with a new command.

“That’s how it is.
Eve! From now on, lead us around the ship and explain the abilities of this ship, ‘Mamiya’!”

“Understood.
Everything is perfectly prepared.”

Where did she pull such a thing from…
Eve nods expressionlessly while waving a small flag.
On that flag was written in the kingdom’s script: ‘Asuru-sama’s group.’

Let’s get to the point.
It took a week to explore the ship inside and out.

As Keaton mentioned in the hangar…
Within ‘Mamiya,’ space compression technology is used strategically, creating a spaciousness inside that surpasses what is visible from the outside.
Taking advantage of this, the ship’s interior is divided into sections with various functions.

• Residential area.
• Storage bays.
• Cultivation facilities.
• Factory equipment.
• Exercise area.
• Natural park.
• Various recreational facilities.

…and so on.
The interior of ‘Mamiya’ was indeed vast and multifunctional.
I initially thought of ‘Mamiya’ as a flying ship, but as we came this far, it was more like a flying city or even a flying country.

Understanding the capabilities of each section required a considerable amount of time.
Hence, we patiently spent time learning about the functions and applications of each section.

And, after investing that time… somehow, we succeeded in mastering it!
…Well, we learned only about the functions and applications without grasping the principles behind them at all.
Investigating those aspects will be the job of my descendants.
Undoubtedly, it’s doubtful that I’ll be able to master them while I’m still alive.

Well, according to Eve, it seems that even the ancient people understood only a part of the principles and mechanisms, with just a few researchers and engineers fully comprehending them, so maybe I shouldn’t feel too inferior.

So, with that said…
We were now applying what we had learned in the past week to enhance our individual abilities and nurture our bonds with each other.

“Banho…!
You…!”

As I frowned in the face of the humiliation of defeat, Banhoo gave me a cool gaze.

“Hohoho…!
Lord Asuru, this is the first lesson I, as your vassal, impart to you…
That is, ‘To the victor belong the spoils’!
Those who lose have no right to say anything…!
How sad it is, this world is designed so that the winners seize everything…”

“You… may say so, but…!”

Trembling with anger, I point at it.

“It’s cheating…!
It’s still okay to use Ryu! Since it’s a four-player game, someone has to do it…!
But using Whirlwind Leg in a competition, that’s foul play…!”

And there, in the monitor, the victorious Ryu, who had swept aside the three controlled characters, including me, stood alone, celebrated by the victory’s background music.

“Hohoho!
There’s nothing more pitiful than the howls of losers!
Hohoho!”

“…You!”

I glared while gripping the controller tightly, but I was not the only one feeling the anger.

“…Banho-dono!”

“Indeed, I share the same sentiments as Asuru-sama…!”

Samurais who, like me, couldn’t even compete with Banho and faced defeat…
They rose to their feet and threw the controllers!

“Banho-dono speaks of the true principles of the world!
However, we are samurais…!
Shall we not embrace the honor that awaits us!?
The ancestors said that if we only seek victory, beastmen will degrade into mere beasts!”

The samurais present their beliefs with significant power, but Banho remains indifferent.

“My honor has died.
My honor died in a past battle.”

Not only that, he shamelessly uttered such words.
Are you really a samurai!?

Upon hearing this, the three of us couldn’t stay silent.

“You bastard!”

“Unforgivable!”

“We’ll beat you up!”

The three of us collectively launched an attack on the middle-aged samurai!

“Come on! I’ll take you all down in one strike!”

Banho also stands up to join the fight…
The four of us, not only through the game but also with our fists, improved each other’s skills and nurtured friendship!

…Let’s not jump to conclusions like saying the master-servant bond is already broken.