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 78

“Well then, Master, I’m off,” Selena said. “See you, too, Miu.”

“Oh, see you,” I said.

“… Mm,” Miu said.

After enjoying the sausages, we broke up with Selena in front of the restaurant.

Although there was some friction at the beginning, it seems that a good relationship between Selena and Miu was finally established.

Miu, naturally, has extremely few people she could comfortably sit at a table with. It would be no exaggeration to say that there were almost none.

She’ll be able to make one or two friends once she’s in the Academy, but relationships and communication are still essential to expanding her world in the future.

In that sense as well, it is great that Selena and Miu got to know each other at this stage. I also had the option of relying on the adventurers for anything. Well, I just pray that such an event won’t happen.

“Now then,” I said. “Are we going home, Miu?”

“… Mm. I don’t think we’re going to be able to do much now…” Miu said.

Now that we’re no longer hungry, I wonder what to do next.

Of course, we can go home and relax. I’m also on holiday today.

However, this body that has lived for decades as a swordsman refuses the option of lying down without swinging my sword, even for a day.

“I’ll head to the Knights’ HQ for a moment,” I said. “Can you make it home alone?”

“Don’t be a dumbass,” Miu snapped. “I remember the way.”

That’s why I decided to go swing my sword at the Knights’ HQ.

At this age, if I don’t exercise even for a bit, I’m soon going to lose muscle mass.

“What should we do for dinner?” I asked.

“… I’ll buy some stuff and make something out of it,” Miu said.

“I see,” I said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“… Hmph.

It was fine to eat out, but it seems that Miu will cook something for me.

It seems she was doing that kind of training while she was at Lucy’s house, and I am willing to be the taste tester of Miu’s dishes.

It’s a bit exaggerated to call it “bride training”, but it’s still necessary to raise her housework skills to live.

I used to cook men’s dishes for comfort, but since I grew up in my parents’ house which doubled as the dojo, I don’t have much memory of being in the kitchen. Even after I came to Baltrain, I lived in an inn, so basically all my meals were provided for me.

I may have to practice this too. It doesn’t matter if I eat it alone, but if Miu is eating, too, I can’t serve anything that isn’t very good.

“Well then, see you later,” I said.

“Mm,” Miu grunted.

Once I pull out my thoughts from cooking, I say goodbye to Miu and head for the Knights’ HQ.

The sun has just hit its apex, and it was a walk with the sun beaming down on me. Yeah, the weather is good today.

By the way, as in Baltrain and my hometown of Bidden, the Kingdom of Rebelis is warm and mild throughout the year.

The division between the dry and rainy seasons is not very clear, and of course, it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but on average it can be said that it is pleasant weather. Hence, you could say that the agriculture and livestock industries have thrived accordingly. The richer the harvest, the more bountiful the table.

On the other hand, an environment that is comfortable for humans is almost equally as accommodating for non-humans.

Therefore, the Kingdom of Rebelis also has a large number of and many types of monsters. Even if you are an average swordsman like me, the demand for fighting techniques is levels beyond that.

Well, it’s both a pain and a necessary evil. I want to spend my life in peace if I can, but as long as I make my livelihood with swordsmanship, I don’t want to destroy my source of income.

“Hey, working hard as always, I see,” I said as I walked through the Knights’ HQ’s gates.

“Oh, thank you very much,” the gate guard replied.

Since I go here almost every day as a Special Instructor for a short period of time, I get used to exchanging greetings with the gate guards.

It seems that the guards will remember my face if I spend this much time here. They let me pass smoothly without being asked about anything in particular.

By the way, there are three main martial organizations in Baltrain.

First of all, the Knight Order of Rebelio. Based here in the capital, it’s one of the kingdom’s greatest military forces and the first half of their wings, with Alexia as their Captain.

Next is the Magic Division. They are the second half of the wings and often work with the Knights, Lucy acting as their head.

And the last one is the Kingdom Garrison. They’re also part of the guards standing watch in front of the Knights’ HQ, their main business is to guard and police the city and its residents.

Although they also wear swords, I see a few people older than the Knights. I often see people the same age as me.

It’s often said that it’s the profession for those who have retired from the Knights. Well, it’s difficult to keep swinging the sword on the front line. There is also a decline in physical capabilities with age.

The Kingdom Garrison is a more domestic-focused organization than the Knights of Rebelio.

It seems that they’re also responsible for cracking down on misdemeanors and security for the roads that connect the towns. On the contrary, unlike the Knights, they do not stray that far away from their jurisdiction and they do little in the way of monster extermination or diplomatic work.

The number of soldiers in the Garrison is larger than that of the Knights, but even then their number is limited. They’re not all over the kingdom, as a consequence. In fact, they weren’t even present in Bidden Village. It’s true that it was a backwater countryside where you don’t have to bother with full-time security.

However, for a minor citizen like me, the Garrison takes care of me more often than the Knights and the Magic Division. The Knights do have high accolades and approval from the people, but the ones who are closer to the common man are the Garrison soldiers.

Well, now that I’m more involved with the Knights, my relationship with them is much stronger.

Adventurers are non-partisan. Their organization is not aligned with nor operates in any one particular state.

It is not hard to imagine that the Knights will be riding out for security reasons or special events and as Selena said, a diplomatic mission from Supheniardvania is coming.

However, there are not enough Knights in the entire city, even if it is only for guarding VIPs. When it comes to that, cooperation with the Garrison will also be on the table. I don’t know if the delegation’s visit will be a festive event or a solemn one.

“Oh, they’re still at it,” I said.

When I entered the HQ and came out to the training grounds, I can see the Knights who are still wielding wooden training swords. I thought it when I first came, but everyone is really enthusiastic about their work. Well, it feels good to see them throwing themselves so wholeheartedly into their duty.

“Oh, Sir Beryl! Weren’t you on holiday today?” said a knight who noticed me.

“Ah, yeah, I’m not going to instruct, but just swing my sword arm,” I said.

Henblitz Drought approached me with a refreshing smile. He is the Vice-Captain of the Knights, a handsome guy with brown skin and long eyes.

At his age, he’s already an executive officer, with a good appearance and a good personality. I’m sure he must be extremely popular with women, but on that note, I don’t really hear about his love life. Ah, well, it’s not like I’m interested in it.

“I see,” Henblitz said. “That sincere attitude towards the sword is worth learning.”

“Hahaha, you exaggerate,” I said.

I feel a little uncomfortable when I’m admired so unconditionally. As I said, I just came to swing my sword arm.

“… Oh, that’s right. Henblitz,” I said.

“Sir. What is it?” Henblitz asked.

“Ah, I just heard a bit about it, but it seems that a Supehniardvanian diplomatic mission is coming, huh?” I asked.

Let’s ask about what interested me. He is not a fresh-faced young knight, he should have heard stories about this as Vice-Captain.

“It’s just about that time of year, if you ask me,” Henblitz replied. “As you said, the Supheniardvania delegation comes annually.”

“Hmm,” I went.

Apparently, Selena’s information was correct.

“There’s an audience with the King and a tour of the city, year after year,” Henblitz said. “We’ll also be on guard, you see.”

“So that’s how it goes,” I said.

Is it for sure that the Knights will be acting as guards? Well, there is no reason to let the dignitaries of other countries have anything less than the best of your military might when they visit your country. Externally, this is where the Knights go on official deployment.

Well, now that I’m sure this is happening, I wonder how I’m going to be treated.

“By any chance, am I joining the security detail?” I asked.

I’d like to get out of this if you’d let me.

“I wouldn’t know,” Henblitz said. “You’re a Special Instructor, Sir Beryl, you haven’t been formally knighted…”

“Oh, that’s right,” I said.

I was put into my position by royal decree but I’m just a hired employee. I’m not a formal knight like the others.

In that case, it may be a little inconvenient for the country to bring me to the front in terms of public opinion. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have to appear in such a formal setting, either.

“I think the Captain will be the judge of that,” Henblitz said.

“So it depends on Alexia…” I muttered.

I’m scared since she seems to push out my existence by completely ignoring any sort of external circumstances and public perception. She was the one that recommended me for this job in the first place. I can’t let my guard down.

“By the way, I wonder why Alexia isn’t around,” I said.

It’s not until we talk about her that I realize she’s not in the training grounds.

It’s easy to forget because I’m in the position of a Special Instructor, and since I also instruct regularly, but she was the Knight-Captain and a swordsman first.

So I thought she would still be here the day I declared my vacation.

“I was told that she would be out for a while. I think she’ll be back soon…” Henblitz said.

“Henblitz, I’m back now… oh, you’re here, Master?”

“Oops. Speak of the devil, huh?” I said.

When I looked back, there was Alexia Citrus, the beautiful Knight-Captain of the Order of Rebelio.

She first greeted Henblitz and then looked at me with a slightly surprised face and voice.

Well, I didn’t plan to come today. No shock there.

“Master, I thought you had applied for a day-off today,” Alexia said.

“I did, I just wanted to swing my sword a little for exercise,” I say, laughing.

Yes, this old man just came to swing his sword today. Just here to do his usual routine. I was thinking about leaving at a reasonable time, so I’m sorry, but today I’m not in the mood to teach. I’ve applied for a vacation day and that’s as good as it gets.

“Well, that works out fine,” Alexia said. “I had something to tell you, Master.”

“Yeah? What happened?” I asked.

Her expression and tone both change. Apparently, it has something to do with me, but what is it?

It can’t be a security-related matter for the delegation, could it? My thoughts drifted to that because I just talked about it with Henblitz.

“Did you know, Master?” Alexia said. “There will be a visit from a Supheniardvanian diplomatic mission soon.”

“… Oh, I know. I just heard about it today,” I said.

Ugh. I have a bad feeling about this, you know?

“Because you are the Special Instructor of the Knights, I would like to set up an opportunity to introduce you to them,” Alexia said.

I figured you were going to say that. Give me a break.