A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 126

Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse

“…It’s true that one wouldn’t have a true understanding of martial arts after three months of training two times a week,” said Grandpa.

“That’s why I said he didn’t have training. And yet, Takeo’s showing at the battle seemed like he had frequent training,” said Frederick.

“Is that martial art you spoke of popular?” asked Grandpa

“It’s a national sport in the country I come from,” said Takeo.

“Ah. So, what is it like?” asked Grandpa.

“Hmm… Well, it was said to have originated in an age of sword fighting, like the one we are in now. At its outset, it was a martial art invented to pin down sword-wielding opponents on the battlefield,” said Takeo.

“Hmm, I see,” said Grandpa.

“When the age of warfare ended and an age of politics and government began, Judo was made to be a tool for apprehending criminals without wounding oneself or the opponent,” said Takeo. 

“The government contributed to the martial art’s expansion?” asked Grandpa.

“Yes, it was to prevent bloodshed,” said Takeo, “the martial arts in my country thus evolved from cutthroat tactics to the pinning and apprehending used in Judo.” 

“I see,” said Grandpa, “Is there only the one move?”

“Well, I only know a few moves, but I believe there are tens of different maneuvers,” said Takeo.

“Can you show us the moves you know?” asked Grandpa.

“…I won’t go so far as to throw you… So, Fredrick, can I ask for your help?” asked Takeo.

“Yes, certainly,” said Frederick, taking off his jacket.

Takeo took off his jacket, too, and took hold of Frederick’s left collar and his right arm.

“Generally, we start from this position. First, I will show you the ‘Oh Goshi’ move that I used on Lady Alice,” said Takeo.

Takeo pulled on Frederick’s left arm, making him pitch forward, and then wrapped his right arm around Frederick’s waist, and at the same time stepped in with his right leg and shifter Frederick’s weight onto his lower back. 

“From here, if I simply turn my body, I can throw him,” said Takeo.

“Ah, I see,” said Grandpa.

“Now, next…” said Takeo.

Takeo showed them the moves called “Seoi Nage”, “Ippon Seoi”, “Oh Soto Gari”, “Dease Harai”, and “Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi”.

“Well, that’s about all I can remember,” said Takeo.

“I’m getting tired just standing here and letting you perform moves on me,” said Frederick, a bit out of breath.

“Hm, yes. Thank you, Frederick,” said Grandpa.

“The moves in Judo generally come down to battling for a center of gravity,” said Takeo, “In the ‘Ippon Seoi’ move I just showed you, I had to get lower than Frederick’s hips in order to take his weight onto my back. On the other hand, if the person being thrown lowers their hips enough, it becomes quite difficult to throw them. Now, Frederick-san – would you like to try to take the role of thrower?” 

“Yes, certainly,” said Frederick, taking the position for Ippon Seoi as Takeo had taught.

First, Frederick positioned his hips lower than Takeo’s and tried pulling his weight onto his back. Takeo lowered his hips further than Frederick’s and Frederick was unable to pull him onto his back.

“That’s the gist of how Judo is practiced,” explained Takeo, after formally ending the session with Frederick.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

“How do you do pinning?” asked Grandpa.

“Pinning?” asked Takeo. He looked over at Frederick but he looked exhausted.

“…Lady Alice, can I ask for your help?” asked Takeo.

“I don’t mind,” said Alice. She came forward to stand beside him. Takeo then put her in a Scarf Hold. 

“Now, Lady Alice, please try to escape this hold,” he said.

“Alright,” said Alice. She then struggled and groaned over and over, but no matter what she did, she could not escape the hold.

  “And now, I can hold her in this way so as to stop her from flailing about. And to go further…” Takeo then shifted his position from a Scarf Hold to an Uwa Shiho Hold. 

“Go ahead and try to escape again,” said Takeo.

“Urgh… Why…” said Alice, struggling again and unable to escape.

They stayed like that for a while, but once Alice finally gave up and calmed down, Takeo finally released her.

“That is the gist of it. There are many other holds, but I don’t know how to do them,” said Takeo.

“Hmm, yes. I see… Alice, were you really that tired out from it?” asked Grandpa. Alice was slumped over in her chair and catching her breath.

“…It’s extremely tiring…” said Alice.

“Alright, alright,” said Takeo, coming up to Alice and activating “Care” on her to help her recover.

He activated it on Frederick as well and took away his fatigue.

“Takeo-sama, is this martial art mainly used by naturally strong people?” asked Smith.

“Why do you ask?” asked Takeo.

“No, well, it’s just that martial arts are for those with an aptitude for it already, aren’t they?” asked Smith.

“Yes, well it’s true that someone with an aptitude for these things would be able to perform better, but… who told you that?” asked Takeo.

“What?” said Smith.

“I think that it would be wrong to say that martial arts are only for naturals and those that are physically stronger. While it’s true that someone naturally apt at martial arts can become more skilled, and some people may say that martial arts are reserved for those who are naturally cut out for it, but… I think people who are physically weaker should learn them too, for self-defense. The world is full of robbers, hoodlums, and drunks to defend against,” said Takeo, “If you were to run into one of those people, and you couldn’t strike first and run away… You don’t even have to win the fight. All you need is a way to buy time until you have an opportunity to escape, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, yes. I see. That makes sense,” said Grandpa.

“No matter how much a weaker person studies martial arts, though, they can never square up to a naturally stronger person. At the end of the day, weaker people generally have to run from stronger people,” said Takeo.

“So, it’s like that…” said Smith, slightly dejectedly.

“Mmm? Master Smith… Aren’t you misunderstanding something?” asked Takeo.

“Huh? What?” asked Smith.

“Master Smith, don’t you know it would be pointless for you to be invincible and undefeated in battle?” asked Takeo.

“Huh?” asked Smith.

“On the contrary, I wouldn’t mind at all if you lost battles. But, I would like to see you get to a point where you would neither win nor lose against an equally strong opponent,” said Takeo.

“Huh?” asked Smith.

“What’s the matter?” asked Takeo.

“I don’t have to win?” asked Smith.

“Well, why would you have to win?” asked Takeo.

“What? I’m next in line to become the head of the family, and I’m a man,” said Smith.

“…You don’t understand. Elvis-san and Frederick-san are not as skilled in battle as Lady Alice is, you know? Would you say they are not fit to be head of the family or a civil servant?” asked Takeo.

“No! That’s not what I mean!” cried Smith.

“It’s not, is it? Winning in battle is not absolutely necessary. But you know, the two of them would probably never lose, either,” said Takeo.

“What? They wouldn’t win, but they wouldn’t lose, either?” asked Smith.

“That’s right. They would avoid truly losing under any circumstances – for their people, their vassals, their family, their comrades,” said Takeo, “While they may not be able to win in battle, they would never allow themselves to be defeated and they would continue to stand proudly.”

“…I see. Even if they can’t win, they have a fighting spirit that won’t allow themselves to be truly defeated…”

Takeo was impressed. He saw that Smith’s face showed a slight sense of clarity. Grandpa Elvis, Alice, and Frederick gazed upon Smith with affection.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]