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 6

6 - The old man from the countryside meets an adventurer

“This store right here sells sweets and other delicacies. It’s quite popular among the Knights.”

“Oh, sweets, is it? Not bad.”

After we left the Knight Order Headquarters, me and Alexia went to a section of the marketplace where many souvenir shops were located. We were near where our carriage had stopped.

In the end, Kuruni had to stay at work… Seems he assembly earlier was a temporary pause just to introduce me, and everyone went back to their original duties.

The look she had on her face as she left still lingered in my mind.

Just like an abandoned puppy…

I feel bad for her. Next time, when I have an opportunity, I’ll accompany her for a walk. Though it’ll probably feel like walking a dog.

“…You know, Alexia, you attract quite a lot of attention.”

“The Revelio Knights are popular among the citizens. We’re pretty well known.”

She replied cheerfully and without missing a beat. I guess it’s a good sign that’s she’s in a good mood.

It wasn’t a long walk from the Knight Order Headquarters to the souvenir shop but looks like her beauty and popularity are widespread here in Baltrain. We attracted a lot of looks while we were heading here. Of course, most of the stares were of respect and admiration, but there were some of curiosity as well.

“Wouldn’t it make it hard for you to be seen with me?”

“No way. You’re worrying too much, Master.”

The public’s curiosity was mainly focused on me.

I’m sure they were wondering why the current leader of the Knights of Revelio, a true national powerhouse, had such a dull looking old man at her side.

Up till now, no one had spoke up, but I definitely felt some inquisitiveness directed towards me while I was browsing the souvenir shops.

“…  – sh this day was longer…”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. Oh, how about this?”

“Let me see. …… Hmm, it does look delicious. Seems like it’ll keep well too.”

I thought I had heard her mumble something but looks like it was just my imagination.

She had just pointed at a backed confectionary. It was small and looked like something both my father and mother would enjoy. To top it off, it was relatively inexpensive too, which was a big plus.

“Excuse me, can I have two of these?”

“Sure! Thank you for your purchase!”

I definitely couldn’t go wrong with one of Alexia’s recommendations. Not like I knew much about these things either way, so I had to trust her.

I promptly called out to the shopkeeper, who enthusiastically greeted me in return. As he was bagging up the items, his eyes kept flickering between Alexia and me. Well, I guess he was wondering what a beautiful woman and an old man like me were doing together and thinking:

[Who does this man think he is, going shopping with the heavenly Knight Commander?!]

After paying, I was wondering what my next move should be. I still have a little bit of time, and I wanted to get a sword.

Suddenly, I heard a gruff voice coming from behind me. Alexia seems to have heard it too, since we both turned around in unison.

“… Lysandera, it’s you. Can I help you with something?”

“No, nothing in particular. I just figured you looked real free being out here shopping and all.”

This woman, who I just learned was named Lysandera, didn’t lose out to Alexia in terms of attitude. She replied while looking straight at the Knight Captain, with an almost intimidating air.

She was big for a woman – taller than Alexia, and nearly as tall as I was. Her flaming red hair reached past her shoulders, and her eyes shone brightly, reminding me of a blazing pyre.

Her attire wasn’t as flamboyant as the knights’. She wore an outfit that emphasized practicality, including a simple yet functional breastplate.

All in all, she was a beautiful woman who gave off an air of courage and spirit.

I’m almost tempted to call her a handsome man with boobs.

Two wide scabbards hung at her waist. They were probably some sort of broadsword. Was she a dual wielder? It was a rather unusual specialty.

And hung around her neck was a black plate that revealed her identity.

In not only the Reveris Kingdom, but the whole continent of Galea, there existed a profession called “adventurers”.

They were under the jurisdiction of the Adventurer’s Guild, a cross-border organization that managed their work. Their tasks were even more varied than the knight’s. They were hired by ordinary citizens to escort merchants, exterminate monsters, investigate ruins and dungeons, and even venture into unexplored lands.

It was one of the jobs many dreamed of.

However, not everyone could pursue their dreams.

Within the Guild, adventurers were ranked according to their abilities. They weren’t allowed to accept any quests that were rated for their ranks or below. This system had been designed to protect and prevent people from being serious injured or even killed by taking on tasks that were beyond their abilities.

The ranks were, starting from the lowest the bottom, White, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Ocean, and to top it all off, Black.

So, what does this mean?

""

This meant that this woman in front of us, Lysandera, was incredibly strong.

Seriously, she has a Black plate! I’ve never even seen one before!

I’d seen adventurer’s top by Bidden Village in the past, but they were at best Gold ranked. The higher ranked adventurers wouldn’t waste their time in such a rural area in the first place.

Adventurer’s ranked Ocean and above were exceedingly uncommon, and since they were always travelling to far off locations to fulfill the toughest of quests, they were rarely seen.

“Please don’t bother me. I’m still on the job.”

“Ah, you’re such a bore. You know, you won’t get anywhere being stuck in the capital all the time like this and not seeing the world.”

The two of them left me out of the conversation.

From the looks of it, this Lysandera woman wasn’t too happy with Alexia… or rather with the knights as a whole. I’m not too sure what’s going on, but I felt like I was caught in the middle of a battle between two hungry beasts. The pressure was getting to me.

“Listen, we’re not free right now. Master, let’s go.”

“Oh, okay.”

Alexia, not wanting to pursue this matter any further, quickly ended the conversation and turned to leave.

Honestly, I don’t particularly enjoy being glared at by a Black ranked adventurer…So I’ll follow Alexia and get out of here.

“Huh? Why are you walking around with this guy from who knows where and calling him…your…Master?”

And for the first time today, our eyes met.

Her hostility turned to confusion, and that made me confused too.

What? Did I do something? No, I’m sure I didn’t do anything. I don’t deserve to be looked at like that just because I bought some baked goods.

“Eh…Huh? Master…Beryl?

“Eh?”

Wait a minute.

Just wait a second here.

I’m sure I don’t know any big titty tomboys like you?!