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 11

11 - An Old Man From The Countryside Goes To The Training Grounds

“This is the Knight’s training grounds,” Alexia said.

“Oooh,” I said. “It certainly is nice, and spacious, too.”

It was a day after we’d successfully found an inn for me.

With Alexia as my guide, we went to the Knight Order’s training grounds.

By the way, the inn was a cheap one on the outskirts of the city’s main street, a bit away from both the Knights and the Guild. If you head out a little further, there are many food shops and restaurants, and that the blacksmith is also close by is a high point.

Alexia was a little stubborn about objecting to this decision for some reason, but I didn’t care about it too much.

Also, this was because “Cheap and good inn” by Selena’s standards would be “Good inn with reasonable prices” by my standards.

When you’re a Black Rank Adventurer, the digits of your income is just different. It’s not that I couldn’t stay there overnight, but considering that I’ll be staying for the long term, I wanted to keep my expenses down. Since the area around the Knights and the Guild is in the city center, the lodging fee was expensive.

“If it’s you, Master, you should have a better inn,” Selena said, but I insisted, saying this was enough for me.

I didn’t mean to live extravagantly and I wouldn’t complain so long as the bare minimum was in place. I’m originally from the countryside so I didn’t care much about it.

“So it seems everyone is training their own way here,” I said.

“Yes, that’s right,” Alexia said.

When I got out of my thoughts and turned back to the training grounds, there were already quite a few of the Knights hard at work.

Some are wielding their swords against wooden dummies, others are in mock combat, there were those doing strength training, and others were taking a break.

“All members, attention!” Alexia shouts, her powerful voice echoing in the grounds.

Everyone was struck by it and stopped immediately.

“We have moved up the original schedule of our lessons with Sir Beryl to today,” Alexia said. “All members must expect more intense training.”

“Sorry, I zoned out for a moment,” I said. “Happy to be working with you all today.”

Whooo, a breeze blows and everyone’s gazes are stuck on me.

I’ve already been introduced but I wonder if they’re suspicious of me. It would be a problem if an old man like me suddenly appeared.

“Please wait, Captain,” a young man said as he walked up, breaking the silence.

“… Henblitz, was it?” Alexia asked. “What’s the matter?”

He was probably a little older than Alexia, age-wise. I notice his slightly brownish skin, his high nose, and his narrow eyes. The toned body peeking through his underclothes shows he’s significantly conditioned.

“We are the proud Knights of Revelio,” Henblitz said. “I don’t doubt Sir Beryl’s reputation… but I would like to see it for myself.”

Henblitz’s eyes are piercing straight through me.

So that’s what this was all about. When I was introduced, I thought there were a lot of hostile gazes but was it really just him? I’m not saying that I’m looking down on him but I got the sense of “You don’t seem that big of a deal to me.”

“Alexia, who is he?” I asked.

“Henblitz Drought,” she replied. “This man is the Vice-Captain of the Revelio Knight Order.”

“Hmm, the Vice-Captain?” I asked.

Soo, he’s a pretty big deal. Scary.

“However, this is also a great opportunity to show off your abilities, Master,” Alexia continued.

“Huh?”

Did she really just say that?

“Sir Beryl, I did not mean to be rude,” Henblitz said. “I would very much like to know you better.”

Then, he offered me a wooden sword.

With the situation going as it has, I can’t refuse him. I’m in trouble. Is there no choice but to go along?

“Since this is a good opportunity, shall we summon the rest of the Knights as well?” Alexia asked.

“What?” I asked.

Honestly.

If I perform poorly, my ability must look so disappointing to everyone.

No, I’m not thinking about putting up a facade now. But a public execution in front of the Knight Order would be more than a bit embarrassing.

However, I can’t say anything. Because I’m playing the role of Special Instructor. Sorry.

“Well then, are you both ready?” Alexia asked.

“I’m ready,” Henblitz said.

“… I’m ready, as well,” I said.

And then:

As a result of Alexia calling the whole Knight Order using her authority as the Captain, it became a mock battle under the watchful eyes of a significant number of the members.

The referee, or rather, the chief observer, will be Alexia herself.

“Hey, what’re we gathering for?” a knight asked.

“Didn’t you hear?” a different knight replied. “It’s a mock battle between Sir Beryl, our new Special Instructor, and Vice-Captain Henblitz.”

“Seriously?” the first replied. “I haven’t seen the Vice-Captain’s sword skills tested for a while.”

My ears pick up the hubbub around me.

Hmm, it seems that Vice-Captain Henblitz has a lot of trust among the Knights.

It’s true that he looks young and acts young, but he seems to be able to take his duties seriously.

There may be some curiosity around me, who suddenly fell into the position of Special Instructor.

I understand the feeling.

As he said, the Knight Order must be proud.

Even if an old man like me appeared in this context, it’s a difficult story to swallow outright. Maybe I would have felt the same if I was in his position.

“Sir Beryl, a pleasure to be fighting with you,” Henblitz said.

“Ah, likewise,” I said. “Pleasure to be fighting with you.”

""

We give our gratitude at the center of the training ground.

Yes, it’s an honorable exchange of gratitude. I can understand his viewpoint and it’s clear he’s not a bad guy.

The gazes of the Knights surrounding us seem full of expectation and excitement.

Well, it’s more like it’s being aimed at Henblitz rather than myself. After all, it’s easy to see they’re pinning their hopes on him since they know his abilities and personality.

The Vice-Captain of the Knights of Revelios and myself will now be crossing swords, albeit in mock combat.

Geeze. How did this even happen?

I’m just an old man from the countryside.

Well, I can’t help that things played out like this.

I’ll do my best so at least I don’t lose shamefully.

–Concentrate.

Henblitz holds out his wooden sword and sublimates that hostile gaze to lethal force.

Oops, I wonder if I should have taken this completely seriously.

“Now then,” Alexia says, “begin!”

Her command echoes in the training ground.

At the same time, my eyes caught Henblitz lunging forward at full force