An Old Man from the Countryside Becomes a Swords Saint: I Was Just a Rural Sword Teacher, But My Successful Students Won’t Leave Me Alone! - Chapter 105

“Sir Beryl Gardenant and Lady Alexia Citrus, yes?” a servant said. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Yes, we’ve come to the Rebelis Royal Palace on serious business.

No, I could say that when I was escorting the royal families, but we only greeted Prince Glen and Princess Salacia at the front gates. I wasn’t even allowed to enter the garden just inside the main gate, so it’s really out of place to be welcomed into the royal palace with a grand gesture like this.

“Thank you,” Alexia said. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Yes,” the servant at the gate said. “But, we still have time to spare.”

It seems this person will be our guide.

I don’t know what to do, and I have no choice but to follow Alexia. And now, I’m shrinking into myself while dressed in unfamiliar clothes.

After the incident was cleared up, Miu helped me wash these expensive clothes, but I’m honestly glad that I went with dark tones.

I didn’t have any noticeable injuries, so there weren’t any tears or fraying in the fabric, but as long as I got into a life or death fight, I can’t help but be sprayed with blood.

I’ve checked the look and smell many times, and at least it shouldn’t be rude to wear this. To begin with, my everyday wear is worse to use when meeting the royal family. I’ve asked Alexia and Henblitz to check this, too, so I think it’s okay.

“Well then, Master, let’s go inside,” Alexia said.

“Oh, yeah,” I said.

With the servant and Alexia leading, I step into the royal palace.

When I first enter a building I don’t know about, I’m nervous, but when it comes to the inside of the royal palace, the tension is also different.

I walk into the royal palace, which has been polished so brightly that I want to ask if it’s alright for me to be wearing these shoes. By the way, I bought new clothes but not a new pair of shoes. Isn’t this rude?

The Knights’ HQ and the Adventurer’s Guild were reasonably large, but the Royal Palace is on a different level. This beautiful corridor has been cleaned so there wasn’t a speck of dust or dirt anywhere, even on the high ceiling that you’re unlikely to reach the top of no matter how hard you try.

I wonder if I’m in an area where only truly special people can enter.

“Hahaha,” the guide laughed, “so, how do you find the Royal Palace of Rebelis?”

“Yeah, it’s wonderful… sorry for looking upset,” I said.

It can’t be helped. I never thought I’d even have the opportunity to enter this place.

“This way, Sir, Lady,” the guide said.

“I see,” I said. “Thank you for your help.”

After walking for a while, we stopped in front of one door.

It’s a solid, yet gorgeous door. What is inside here? Maybe it’s not the center of the royal palace, so it’s like a dining room or a banquet hall.

The guide opens the door and steps into the room with Alexia.

Wow, it’s wide. It’s twice as big as the lobby of the Adventurer’s Guild. Equally spaced lights hung on the wall and illuminated the room. In the center was a long table where you would eat, again with luxurious chairs evenly arranged.

Perhaps it’s a place where you usually invite aristocrats to eat in large numbers. I don’t know how many people will gather here today, but I’ve been nervous for a while because of the fact that I eat in the same space as these people so far above my class.

I wonder if it’s okay not to call Sir Henblitz, though it’s just for now. I feel very sorry that a randomly-appearing man like me is called, instead of the Vice-Captain of the Knights of Rebelio.

No, to be honest, I wanted him to replace me. This place is way too important compared to me.

“Please sit here, Lady Alexia,” the guide said. “And Sir Beryl, please sit here.”

“Click here for Alexia. Please call here for Beryl.”

“Okay, got it,” I said.

As I thought, the seats were already arranged, I carefully pull out an expensive-looking chair and sit down.

Perhaps the King sits at the top of the long table. We were placed facing each other, two seats away from the head.

It was evening. The sun should be setting soon.

In this gorgeous room, my sense of time goes crazy. Even more so when you’re waiting for the most important people in the country.

“His Majesty, Gladio, His Royal Highness, Fasmatio, and Her Highness, Salacia, have arrived,” a formal-sounding speaker announced.

It was after some time idly waiting.

When I looked at the door, there was the King, about to reach his senior years, the Crown Prince, who looked to be in his 20s, and the Princess, who’d become a bit familiar to me.

Uhh, I wonder if I can welcome them sitting down? This is bad, I don’t know anything about etiquette at a time like this.

“Mhm, did I keep you waiting?” Gladio said.

“You did no such thing,” Alexia replied in kind. “Thank you for inviting us here today.”

As I thought while I was escorting Princess Salacia, the aura peculiar to the royal family is unbelievable. My brain can’t believe I’m being greeted by someone who seemed up to stay up in the heavens.

Meanwhile, I could only lower my head.

“Haha, I’m also thankful you’re here today,” Gladio said. “Enjoy yourselves without hesitation.”

It seems His Majesty is in a good mood. His facial features made him out to be a strict person, but he’s now smiling, his face wrinkles softly.

“Alexia, Beryl,” Salacia said. “I’m so grateful you came today.”

“No, that’s… I’m sorry, that’s a bit much for me,” I said.

Her Highness also seems to be in a good mood.

When she addresses me and Alexia, she gives a fluffy, brilliant smile like when I was escorting her.

But, no matter how much I was told to relax, I had no choice but to be nervous. Do I even know what this food will taste like? I feel like I don’t understand anything.

“I am Fasmatio Asford Elle Rebelis,” His Royal Highness said. “Thank you for saving my little sister from the crisis.”

“… Your Highness,” I mumbled. “I’m honored to be complimented by you.”

Now, I’m being thanked by the First Prince.

I get the impression that he’s appropriately princely, with his dignified eyebrows. He’s so different from Prince Glen of Supheniardvania, isn’t he?

It was a rather warm and friendly impression with Prince Glen, but Prince Fasmatio one was crisp and clean. I feel my vocabulary fading due to nerves.

“Hey, begin serving,” Gladio said to the servant who brought us in.

“Sire,” they said, bowing before leaving the room.

Maybe they’re in charge of fetching the food.

“Now then, you have all performed admirably this time,” Gladio said. “It’s most probably all because of your service that Salacia has returned safely. Again, I would like to thank you.”

“We are grateful for your thanks, Your Majesty,” Alexia said. “We are proud so long as we have fulfilled our duties as knights. However, I deeply regret having put Princess Salacia in danger, to begin with.”

“Yes. I can’t say we’re past it… but for now, let us celebrate without worry,” Gladio said.

I don’t even know if I should speak up or keep silent while His Majesty and Alexia are talking.

For the moment, let’s keep silent unless I’m spoken to. I’m afraid that I’ll talk too much and be rude.

“Pardon us,” a waiter said as he came in, shortly after our guide left.

A plate with food and a glass is placed before each of us.

Is this… wine being poured? I usually only drink ale, so this is new to me. I hope I can understand the taste.

By the way, the seats are arranged with His Majesty Gladio at the head, Prince Fasmatio on his left, and Princess Salacia on his right.

Alexia sits next to the Prince, I sit next to the Princess. Shouldn’t this be switched? Is everything alright?

“These dishes are also because of the people’s work for our country,” Gladio said, raising his wine glass. “We must thank them too.”

“Those words alone will make the people happy,” Alexia said.

Yeah, I’ve never been involved with royalty until now, but I wonder if the King is also a good person after seeing this.

At least I didn’t get the impression that he was a tyrant or a Machiavellian Prince. 1 Even in my hometown of Bidden, I had the impression we could live just fine, so he’s probably a good person.

“Well then, let us feast, shall we?” Gladio said.

Everyone raises their glass with his words. I also lifted mine in a hurry. The manners before royalty in a situation like this are also a mystery to me. For the time being, I will match Alexia’s movements.

“… Mm, it’s delicious,” I said.

I waited for everyone to take a drink of their wine before I did the same.

There was a bit of sourness attacking at first, but my tongue catches the certain sweetness in it.

Yeah, I can’t do wine tasting at all, but I know it’s delicious. It tastes different from ale.

“Mm-hmm-hmm, if it fits your tastes, that would be for the best,” Salacia said, a hand over her mouth as she giggled.

“Ah, no, haha… this is embarrassing,” I said.

It really is embarrassing. Or rather, this nervousness is dangerous.

“Beryl,” Gladio said. “I have been informed that you’ve played an especially significant role this time. It seems you performed valiantly.”

“No, that’s… you humble me,” I said.

This time, I was the one that received a direct compliment from the King. Of course, I’m happy about it, but what kind of reaction should I give? I’m a small-time citizen.

“Father, Beryl was truly amazing,” Salacia said. “One after the other, the enemies rushed in like waves… I was so afraid but I was saved. This person is wonderful.”

“No, ha, haha…” I said.

And now I’m being pressured by Princess Salacia. Please, stop, this Old Man is going to die from nerves.

I mean, what exactly is this mysterious push by Princess Salacia? Sure, I did my best at that time, but it must have been Alexia and Henblitz who directly escorted the Princess and saw her back to the royal palace.

“I’ve heard of such talk, but was he really so skilled?” Fasmatio asked. “Perhaps I should also get lessons from him?”

“Mhm-hm-hm,” Salacia giggled. “If you train with him, Brother, I think you’ll likely be floored.”

“Pardon me,” Fasmatio said. “It seems I’ve trained you to some extent, Sister.”

“Ha, hahaha…” I chuckled nervously.

Is this a joke between royalty? I’m having trouble with my reaction. Even if I practiced with His Highness Prince Fasmatio, I don’t even know if the correct answer would be to win against him. Help me, Alexia.

“Special Instructor,” Gladio said. “It seems your assessment was right.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Alexia said. “Thank you for your supporting my decision.”

On a side note, my appointment as Special Instructor came with the King’s Royal Seal. Of course, even if it’s just a formality, it still goes through the King.

That would explain why Princess Salacia knew of me when we first met. I didn’t want to be known if I could help it. I would have been happy if I could quietly teach the sword.

“This has not been officially announced yet,” Gladio said as he swirled his wine, the dishes were being set out.

His voice seemed to have changed slightly, becoming more formal.

“Salacia will be married to Prince Glen of Supheniardvania,” Gladio said.

“… Is that so?” I asked.

I thought they were on good terms, but is that how it was?

Well, it may have been a political marriage or something like that. Prince Glen didn’t seem to think of Princess Salacia in a negative light, and they get along fine. I don’t really understand politics.

“But, I’m still worried about marrying her off to another country by herself,” Gladio said.

Well, that’s about right.

Especially since Supheniardvania is in a civil war. The reality is that no one knows when the battle between the Pope and the Royal Family will end. I think it’s not unreasonable to feel uneasy as a parent before the king of a country.

“Hence, I have decided to organize a new Royal Guard for Salacia,” Gladio said.

“Goodness, you’re such a worrywart, Father,” Salacia said.

Royal Guard. It sounds like a knighthood or a guard position, or something like that.

The Knights of Rebelio belong to the country and protect the country, but the Royal Guard is more localized. It’ll be like a special division whose sole mission is to protect Princess Salacia.

But what about creating a private army and marrying her to another country? Is it possible? Well, if the Supheniardvanian side is convinced, it may be possible.

“The organization is centered around the elite of the Kingdom garrison…” Gladio said, his gentle face filling with a certain light. “And Beryl. If it would please you, I can recommend you as a royal guard.”

“…… Huh?”

Putting all the tension and confusion aside, my brain stops for a moment.

Huh? Me? For Princess Salacia? A Royal Guard?

No way, no how, no dice! I can’t be someone so important!

“Your Majesty,” Alexia said. “I am afraid that the continued support of Mr. Gardenant is indispensable for the future development of the Knights of Rebelio and, by extension, the prosperity of the Kingdom of Rebelis.”

While I was stopped stunned, Alexia replied as quickly as she could without going rapid-fire like before. Yeah, I’m grateful for this, but Alexia’s face seems desperate.

Don’t worry, I’m not taking it. I still feel that the title of Special Instructor role is heavy, and I would like it if I didn’t get anything more.

The way Alexia refused is also quite different. What does she mean, the prosperity of the Kingdom of Rebelis? I’m not trying to put that burden on my tiny shoulders. I won’t say anything because it’s not the time to be interrupting.

“Hmm,” Salacia said. “If it’s said by the Knight-Captain, then it must be so.”

“Mm,” Gladio hummed. “What a pity.”

His Majesty Gladio was convinced by that, and he withdrew unexpectedly. And Princess Salacia’s cheeks were puffed up.

I think she’s very cute, but wouldn’t it be a problem for an Old Man to be directly serving under her?

But that was a close call. I really don’t want to be swinging my sword, surrounded by top executives of a foreign country.

“Well then, Beryl,” Gladio said. “I look forward your to further work for the development of the Kingdom of Rebelis.”

“… Your Majesty,” I said.

After Alexia stopped my recommendation as a royal guard, I couldn’t say no to that.

The development of the Kingdom of Rebelis, what? This Old Man can’t play such a gigantic role.

“Now, now, you’ve stopped eating. I hope you continue to enjoy yourself,” Gladio.

“… I, appreciate your concern,” I said as I take some carved meat into my mouth.

“Say, Beryl,” Salacia said. “Have you been wielding a sword long?”

“Yeah, well… I’ve been playing with wooden swords since I was little,” I said.

I’ve been invited to a gorgeous banquet in the Rebelis Royal Palace, which should be a delightful place.

Princess Salacia talked about this and that, and with tension and nerves, I couldn’t understand the taste of the meat, and she continued to answer her questions.

“Haa-hahaha!” Gladio laughed. “Salacia seems to like you, doesn’t she?”

“Hah, hahaha… it seems so…” I said.

Haah, I want to go back to my favorite bar.

When this event is over, let’s have a drink at the bar on our way home. Yeah, let’s do that.

As I longed for something like a cozy bar, this exquisitely uncomfortable banquet passed.

T/N: And that’s the end of Book 3! We are now finally current with the chapters. You’ll have to wait for the author’s weekly updates from now on.