Canna's Story

Oh, Master? What are you doing here?

Are you taking a break on purpose?

Negative. I am currently on duty.

Roger that. I am in civvies because I am currently on duty.

Ah, I thought that something was off. Is that what you were thinking?

Then, let me explain. Ahem, hem.

Train as if in combat! Fight as if in training!

Ahem. This is the doctrine of our strike force.

We incorporate training into our everyday lives since we never know when we'll be called to action.

That's right!

Since we are far away from our home planet, we should always be alert.

Affirmative. It is important to maintain unity among unit members.

After all, you'd surely stand out if you're the only one wearing BDU while everyone else is in their civvies.

Not only that, but to boost our team spirit, we all stick together and act as one.

It's lights out at the same time, and we rise and shine together!

Bedding is folded three times and stored away with neat edges! Three bathroom breaks a day!

Furthermore, to ensure that we're at the same pace, we always eat the same food!

Yes, in order to maintain a perfect nutritional balance, our unit eats...

Blocks! We are provided with nutritional supplements and blocks based on our needs for three meals a day!

It is a bit dry, yes, but it is alright.

When we're thirsty, we can drink soluble supplements!

Eating something different in between would break the nutritional balance, would it not?

But it's nutritionally perfect, convenient, and standardized.

Blocks may not be perfect, but they are excellent.

If we diversify the menu, preparing food will become difficult... complicated... and, umm... I don't want to think about it...

They say they want to flee, but no one ever does.

After they've been starved for about a week or so, they happily munch on blocks. Hahaha!!

...And that is the full account of the incident that occurred just now on the outskirts!

So, you're saying the Master just played around with the strike force's gun and caused a mess?

Despite the incident, fortunately, no elves have been harmed.

But the exterior of an apartment was grazed with the laser!

Master, do you know what you hit? Elena Tower! Get it? The Elena Tower!

Mayor, the Master didn't mean to cause this chaos, and is truly reflecting on it...

Yeah, the Master is not the only one at fault.

Our troops who weren't taking proper care of their weapons are also at fault, right?

U-Umm...

Aw, why are you tensing up all of a sudden? I'll let it pass, so stop groveling and stand up.

I thought I was a goner...

Canna, please pass me that gun.

I'd better add a security feature so that the Master can't play with it anymore.

Of course, that will make it saf—Achoo!!

Huh? Are you sick? I happen to have some warm lemon tea. Would you like some?

No, I'm good! I really don't need any.

Oh? What about you, Master? Do you want some?

Here you go.

Ah... that was made by the coffee shop specifically for Mayor!

It's not really lemon tea, but lemon extract.

I think it tastes pretty good! I don't know what everyone is complaining about.

Oof... I can taste the sourness just by looking at it.

That was probably when I first arrived in Elias.

There were no facilities here back then; everybody was very sick.

Many elves caught a cold...

And that's when, ta-da!! I made my grand entrance.

...With really, really sour lemon tea.

The sharp sourness made you forget about how sick you were...

But it worked, didn't it?

Lemon tea that is 100 times more concentrated is also 100 times more effective!

Hmm? That seems right. Anything wrong with that?

I really tried, but I couldn't figure out how to solve the problems, so I just memorized the solutions.

Well, isn't that the case? As long as we match the overall heat, isn't that enough?

Anyway, ever since then, I steer clear of lemon tea altogether.

Oh, come on, it's effective though! You don't catch a cold anymore, right, Canna?

It's all thanks to the concentrated lemon tea, you know.

Uh, okay...

Heeyaaaaaa!!

Take this!! *Pow!*

970... Hmm, not bad!

Wow, a score around 900 really does exist...!

Oh, Rohne! You should have said hello! How long have you been watching?

Ah, hello, Chief!! I was just passing when I saw you. I only just got here!

Perfect timing. I happen to have one punch left, so you should give it a go!

M-Me?

Why? Can't do it?

I-I can do it!!

Heeya...!!

276 points... still a long way to go to become an excellent spy.

Does a high score on a boxing machine have anything to do with becoming a top-notch spy?

Of course!

Not only the boxing machine, but everything in this arcade is relevant.

Do you remember my nickname, "Canna Oakley"?

Yes... You were called that when Monatium was first established, right?

Yeah, it was really tough when we first arrived in Elias.

We only had shoddy electric skateboards to ride around.

But the road was really bumpy at that time, making it impossible to use a skateboard.

How is this connected to the arcade?

There is a connection! I'm getting to it!

You see, in those days, the only thing that helped was the rodeo game at the arcade!

You mean the game where you sit on a saddle and get thrashed about...?

That's right. I was able to ride a skateboard due to all the training I got from that rodeo game.

Criminals would tremble in fear at the name, Canna Oakley!

But the roads are well-developed and there are various vehicles now...

Huh? What did you say? I couldn't hear you well.

I-It's nothing, Chief!

Anyway, my point is that the arcade is useful for training.

The boxing machine, tile smashing challenge, and kicking machine are all good to increase the power of your punch.

Increase my punching power using the kicking machine...?

Think of it as punching at various angles!

I don't think that the arcade owner would be too happy about that...

Train your dynamic visual acuity by looking for available machines.

And quickly take those machines to train your dexterity.

As for shooting games, well, that goes without saying!

Your skills will definitely be improved as you conquer the top charts on all game machines!

You're so passionate about games...

Yes. It would be nice if you joined me in playing these games from now on.

I'll teach you how to train in the arcade, step by step.

I-It's okay, I'm good!

Please don't decline. You becoming an outstanding spy would benefit me as well.

It's not about that... Ah, th-that's right! The mayor called for me just now!

The mayor? But the mayor is out on a field investigation of Yggdrasil today.

R-Right. But she is still looking for me. Oh gosh, I should really get going.

Well, I'll see ya! E-Enjoy the good training session, Chief!

Hmm, Rohne has become much more agile.

If she plays some rhythm games, I'm sure it would help even more.

Alright, lemme take a walk around the arcade and design a course for Rohne.

Ah, I've been looking for you, Master.

Well, it's something only you can do, Master.

On the contrary. I took a half-day off today.

Anyway... what I need help with is how to have a good rest.

Yes. Aren't you having a good rest even now?

How can you take breaks so well without being noticed by other elves?

*Sigh* I'm asking because I can't seem to do that.

*Sigh* Great timing. I'll show you what the problem is.

Yes, it's me.

Chief! The warehouse is locked but we can't find the key!

We changed it to a keypad lock last time because the key kept getting lost.

Oh, that's right! Thank you!

And that's how it is.

Hold on. Yeah, it's me. Go ahead.

Chief, the mayor is looking for test subjects for her new product.

Sends the ones who have nothing to do right now. Put the medical team on standby.

Yes, Chief! Thank you!

Ugh.... You're all gathered up there, right?

Don't call me one at a time, just tell me everything you need now.

Yes, Chief!

Chief! Can we order delivery tonight?

No, it'll ruin your nutritional balance. Eat the blocks. Next.

Which one has the highest chance of winning? Rock, paper, or scissors?

What kind of nonsense is that?

This is important! We're betting on who gets to be on bathroom duty!

Both of you are on bathroom duty for a month!

Next! Next elf!

*Sigh* It's always like this when I'm not around.

If they can't call me, they'll come looking for me.

Do you want to see the whole Strike Force turning Monatium upside down looking for me?

I tried that once before, but it didn't work.

Even the adjutant came looking for me, causing a ruckus.

Aaargh! I can't take this anymore!

Forget about my half-day off, I'm returning right now! Don't stop me!

Hello, Master. You're right on time.

What are you saying all of a sudden?!

What kind of ridiculous misunderstanding is this? Please come to your senses!

You can't become a great drill sergeant with such a lax attitude!

The reason I brought you here is to conduct a drill sergeant test.

The Strike Force is quite short-handed now. We need someone to train recruits.

Apparently, we're popular because we wear civvies even during work hours.

It means that the guidelines I set as the Chief are working.

It's not a lot of work, so I just need you to check briefly at times.

Then I'd like to see how good you are as a drill sergeant.

Here, pretend you're in front of recruits and give it a try.

Hahaha, ahahahaha! What's that?

This isn't some scout camp, you know! Hahaha! Is that all you've got?

Why are you so extreme, Master?

Our elf rights are never taken away. It's important to treat soldiers with dignity.

Elves these days would run away if you treated them that way.

Recruits must be trained gently and kindly.

Life in Elias is nothing but hardship, so you must not provoke them.

You're not wrong, but that's all meaningless if we don't get any recruits.

Yes, you must train them step by step until they understand.

As long as we get properly trained recruits at the end, it's fine.

Anyway, I'll have to reconsider bringing you in as a new drill sergeant.

You can think of it as having taken a long walk.

You're not an elf. You don't have elf rights.

I'll head back, then.

Master? What are you doing alone?

Are you on that "active break" again or something?

Oh, you're working till this late?

That explains the huge pile of torn papers.

Let me help you if you're going to throw them away. Okay, if we do this...

Leave it to me.

Right, is this good?

Haha, are you surprised? You can control this weapon's power with great precision.

Both the shell size and shape are freely adjustable.

You don't understand. Firepower isn't just about strength.

It's about being able to use just the right amount of power when needed.

Like tickling someone under the nose with a feather-shaped shell.

Or poking someone in the side with a toothpick-shaped shell.

Or what about making a sheep pop out with a bang when your target is off guard?

No, that would be violating the elf rights.

Making them very annoyed is the greatest punishment you can give, no matter how serious the crime is.

After all, elf rights must always be protected, no matter where or when.

That one's allowed by the Elf Rights Commission, yes.

What we just discussed is all classified, so you'd better not put it in your diary.

I'm sure you don't want to know what it feels like to be hit with those shells.

And you don't have elf rights either, do you?