“Adaman-Naginata”

I decided to primarily enhance Mare's abilities through attribute points.

Of course, I'll acquire skills such as [Command] and [Spatial Magic] from [Mental Magic], as well as [Necromancy], [Summon], [Training], and some attack spells, but it means I won't be taking skills like [Spear Technique] or [Sword Technique].

These weapon skills provide bonuses to accuracy and damage when attacking with the corresponding weapon, and there's also the benefit of acquiring active skills from the skill tree.

However, I can cover accuracy with real skill, and I don't really need rare active skills. Increasing my STR covers the damage bonus as well. Of course, if I were to take [Spear Technique], for example, I could expect a significant damage boost with much less experience points, especially considering the adamantite construction of the naginata I plan to use. There's no need for a damage bonus.

Several prototypes of the naginata had been produced, but I rejected them all and had them remade.

Each time, they've been getting closer to the ideal. It's so exciting.

Simultaneously, I'm working on a prototype short sword. This will be my secondary weapon. In case the naginata is not suitable for a situation or if it gets knocked out during combat, I'll use the short sword to counter.

While waiting for the completion of the naginata, I've also been educating Mare.

I've briefed Kerry and the others, accompanied Mare on inspections of various areas, and even had them observe scenes where players were attacking from above.

Recently, wild birds have been settling in the man-made forest of La Colinne, so we captured one suitable wild bird and had it [Subordinated] as a messenger. This is what Kerry and her team have been doing. It is very effective to have our own means of reconnaissance. However, it seems that Remy and others have already established a surveillance network using household rats in the town of Rifure.

Like the previous management minions and Mare's father, Albert, Mare has also prioritized distributing experience points to INT.

She would have learned quite a bit just watching the players roll over on Rare's side.

Of course, combat training using [Mind Summoning: Spirit] as the main focus is also being conducted.

While it's actually Rare who is undergoing the training, the results are remarkable, and they can move quite naturally now. Mare wasn't originally very active, and without any strange or unnecessary habits, she was very easy to work with.

After several days of intensive training with rare, Mare started mimicking Rare's movements despite lacking any skills, which was surprising.

Of course, at this point, Mare is only imitating, but all learning starts with imitation. If this continues, Mare might become a substitute instructor sooner or later. Her growth is unusually fast compared to real apprentices, but this is probably due to the high values in each of her attributes.

Once the naginata is completed, the training with the naginata will begin. By that time, Mare may have developed a rudimentary skill even without the training wheels of Rare's assistance.

"…Even if they're NPCs, growth without skills seems possible. Does this mean the AI can reproduce up to non-declarative memories? What's the purpose of this technology?"

With [Mind Summoning: Spirit], only the skills of the summoned minion can be used at the destination. However, since the caster moves the body, actions that the caster can perform without relying on skills can be done without any issues. This implies that non-declarative memories exist on the AI side, and skills exist on the avatar side within the system.

If that's the case, the differences in sensation between borrowing Kerry's body and borrowing Yoroizaka's body may not be due to the strength of consciousness but simply differences between races. For example, characters in the natural creature category may be more affected by the influence of acquired skills on their bodies, while characters in the magical creature category may not be affected.

"I don't know if such categories exist.

However, conversely, if actions are taken using the skills of a summoned minion's body, it might be possible for the AI to accumulate technical experience as non-declarative memories."

It might be possible to master skills pseudo-naturally without using experience points.

"It seems like it could be useful, but the prerequisite is having a minion, and that minion must acquire skills. In that case, it would be faster to just acquire the skill myself from the beginning. Considering the time for training, it's better to earn experience points in that time. That's what it means to 'Meg from the second floor'."

This is an old saying used in Japan in the past. It's an example of doing something convoluted and ultimately meaningless.

"Your Majesty, Lady Remy has arrived."

"Thank you, Mare."

For the past few days, Rare has been staying at the lord's mansion in Rifure.

The basement, which used to be a wine cellar, was renovated, and furniture and furnishings were brought in to create Rare's private room.

She doesn't take damage as long as it doesn't receive direct sunlight for an extended period, but for some reason, bright places are unsettling. It doesn't really matter since I don't spend time with my eyes open.

"How about this one, Boss?"

Led to the basement, Remy took out a naginata from the inventory.

She handed it over to Rare with a nervous expression.

"Thank you, Remy… Hmm."

The basement was too cramped for swinging a long weapon. The walls and ceiling, made of stone, would likely get cut, leaving the room full of damages. After lightly holding the naginata to check its weight balance, Rare decided to step outside.

"Mare."

"Please, anytime."

Handing the naginata to Mare, Rare lay down on the basement bed and transferred her consciousness to Mare.

"Now, let's go outside and give it a light swing. Remy, let's do this."

"Yes, Boss."

The mansion's courtyard was modestly adorned with flower beds, and there was an open space in the center for setting up tables for tea parties. Regardless, the table set was probably cleared away by the time Rare arrived, and such events were not frequent anyway. Whatever the reason, if there was space to swing a long weapon, it was good enough.

While trying various forms and incorporating the short sword, Rare performed a solo dance. As expected, the adamantite-made naginata was exceptionally heavy. The handle was wooden, but it was cut from a branch of the World Tree, making it much heavier than regular wood. It might be even heavier than ebony. Nevertheless, with enhanced attributes, Rare could swing it like a twig. In reality, such a feat would be impossible, and it was even possible to spin it like a windmill using only the fingers of one hand.

It went against the desire to test well-trained techniques, but it was interesting in its own way. In the weak Rare, or rather, in the martial arts school at home that assumed weakness, there were no power-oriented techniques. While not relying on strength, the philosophy of suppressing the opponent was not forgotten. At the same time, a new conflicting philosophy of trampling with strength was being explored.

For now, let's imagine this adamantite naginata as a hollow wooden sword.

Continuing to enjoy the performance while trying various things for about an hour, the result was not bad. It felt lighter than a wooden sword but was actually very heavy, unaffected by air resistance.

Without actually fighting, it couldn't be said for sure, but with this result, Rare could probably handle players who appeared in the capital the other day. It would be challenging with coordinated attacks, including long-range attacks, but with the right approach, Rare might be able to overpower one person alone. If Mare could use a little magic, Rare—Mare could too.

Of course, it wasn't training to fight players. The main assumption was to deal with monsters in some dungeon.

"…What do you think, Boss?"

"Oh, I got carried away. Thank you, Remy. Excellent work. Please give my thanks to your workers in the artisan district."

Remy bowed happily and headed back to the artisan district.

She headed back, or rather, Rare hadn't really thought about it, but where does Remy live now? Although as long as she's producing results, it doesn't matter much, and recently, it seems that she's been busy developing new items without specific instructions from Rare. It's quite fine.

Also, some of the master craftsmen have been trained in [Alchemy] and the necessary magic skills under Rare's command, and they have been grown to produce philosopher's stones and fill in the recipe gaps. Under Remy's command, they should be working on producing Philosopher's Stones and filling in recipe gaps.

Meanwhile, Kerry, along with Gustav, went to the safety area near the capital.

They've already enlisted favored vendors under Gustav and have started construction of makeshift accommodations. In this game world, there are skills related to construction, so building can be done at a surprisingly fast pace compared to reality.

It would be troublesome if Wayne, who knows Kerry's face, comes here, but as far as the forum shows, he seems to be playing around with Blanc in Erntal. There shouldn't be any worries for a while.

Riley is in charge of internal security in the town of Rifure.

All the original patrol squads were [Commanded], and she wields her skills as their captain. She hasn't [Commanded] any volunteer self-defense groups, but originally, they were a subordinate organization of the patrol squad. They seem to follow the instructions of the patrol squad members and readily obey Riley, who is known as a lord's associate.

Marion, who brought back a large number of rock golems from the volcanic area, is helping with the construction of the second outer wall.

Rock golems gradually grow over time, but it seems to be related to experience points. They don't have a specific skill, but they have a racial trait that causes their size to increase with acquired experience points. In other words, if Rare doesn't give them experience points, their size won't change. For this purpose, Marion is giving them a significant amount of experience points and using them to adjust the size of the rock golems. The size of the rock golems varies from individual to individual, but if they give the same amount of experience points to all of them, they should all meet the same specifications.

"Now. It seems like each department can handle things on their own for a while, and preparations are complete, so let's go play."

Now, even if Rare plays, experience points should automatically accumulate as long as she logs in. When a substantial amount of experience points accumulates, Rare plans to extensively strengthen herself, her main minions, and items like adamantite. However, it will take a while to reach the target value.

"I mentioned the town of Neuschloss or something. The city-type dungeon not managed by me and Blanc. The boss there is said to be a goblin, so it might be a good reference for Gaslark's build. Let's go play there for a bit."