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 86

“Master, hello~!”

Today’s training session was over, and now I just want to go home. When I passed through the main gate of the Knights’ HQ, wondering whether to go home again today or stop by somewhere like a restaurant, a woman called out to me.

“… Rose? What’s wrong?” I asked.

And that woman was Rose, who should have just said her greetings earlier then left.

Unlike the full plate she had on when I first met her, she is now in a thin cardigan and a long skirt, which look like pretty plain clothes.

“Mm-hmm-hmm, I came to see you, Master.”

“Oh, huh… I see,” I said.

I asked, and her business was with me. Well, I’m sure I don’t have any plans and Miu won’t complain unless I get home far too late.

“So, what did you want to do?” I asked.

“No, nothing in particular~,” Rose replied.

“Huh?” I asked.

Then what was she doing here, then? As this old man said, I’m not busy… no, I’ve already finished today’s work and I’m relatively free. All I really needed to do was go home, eat dinner, and go to sleep.

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“Why don’t we talk for the first time in a long time?” Rose asked. “And on that note, it would be helpful if you could guide me around the city.”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Just for a bit.”

The former is fine, but the latter I’m not confident in. I’m not that familiar with the city’s layout and I can’t guide her around Baltrain.

Well, it’s still more information than Rose has, as she’s a knight from another country.

For the time being, I’m still standing around here, so I’ll start walking. Without saying anything, Rose came up beside me and started walking with me.

“But, it has been a long time,” I said. “Are you doing well?”

“Yes~,” Rose chirped. “I’m doing fine as is~.”

I was reluctant to walk silently, so I decided to sow seeds of conversation while talking about the recent events.

Rose is certainly a beautiful woman, but unlike Alexia and Selena, her reputation in the Kingdom of Rebelis is almost zero, so it’s good that she doesn’t get a lot of attention. Either way, the awkward situation where a boring old man is walking around with a younger beauty is still the same.

Though, it’s much better than walking with Lucy, who looks like a little girl. At least I don’t have to be scared of the Garrison.

“I was surprised, you know~,” Rose said. “I couldn’t have thought you’d be here.”

“Hahaha, there are so many things that happened…” I said.

There was too much. To explain it briefly, “it’s a little complicated.”

No, I can say that’s enough in one phrase. There’s also the perspective that this was all because Alexia recommended me as a Special Instructor without understanding the implications.

But somehow, I was afraid to say that out loud. This old man’s bit of vanity may be showing in my face.

“So when did you become a Knight of the Faith, Rose?” I asked.

“It’s just after I left your tutelage, Master~,” Rose said. “I was told that it was time for me to wield my sword for my country.”

“Haha, would it have been Sir Gatoga who said that?” I asked.

“The one and the same~,” Rose said. “I wanted to travel leisurely~,” she said with a bit of embarrassed laughter.

I wonder why that is. She certainly wasn’t the type of person that was all for the service of her country, unlike Alexia and Henblitz.

Of course, I don’t mean that her personality is irresponsible. She is at least serious about her swordsmanship and the Suphine Faith. I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. For me, my image of who a Knight should be is Alexia, so I can’t help but feel the difference.

“Well, that’s one of those valuable experiences,” I said.

“Geeze, I think you’ve become someone else, Master~,” Rose said.

“I just got this position, I’m not an entirely new man,” I said.

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Although I haven’t been appointed as a Knight, I am still not an ordinary citizen as I’m the Special Instructor of the Order of Rebelio. As long as I have my letter of appointment with the King’s Royal Seal, there will be situations when I can’t just claim to be an old man.

I never thought I would enter a new world at this age. However, I can’t stop time nor can I rewind it either, so I have to look forwards and think about it what to do now.

Besides, I’m not so dissatisfied. I’m just not convinced it’s a good thing yet.

“I prayed to the Great Suphine while you were teaching me swordsmanship, Master… that was the most fun I’ve ever had~,” Rose said.

“I see, I’m glad to hear that,” I said.

There are many students who learned swordsmanship at my dojo. Despite its location in the countryside, it was quite prosperous.

Still, it’s not as if there were some people who threw away their swords along the way. Some people stopped coming before I realized it, while others couldn’t attend due to moving homes or other reasons. When asked if everyone was happy with the days they spent at my dojo, the answer is up in the air.

In that sense, it is only this teacher’s grace that Rose says she enjoyed herself then.

“But, you’ve made a career for yourself and risen to Vice-Captain,” I said.

“I was just filling in a vacancy~,” Rose said.

I feel that my disciples are getting more and more important. I didn’t think there were any dignitaries outside the Kingdom of Rebelis.

“… Honestly, it was quite a surprise,” Rose said.

“… Rose?”

“No, it’s nothing~,” Rose said, giving me a fleeting smile.

Well, I’m surprised at what’s happening right now. No wonder one of my disciples is moved by my situation.

“By the way, is Mr. Mordea doing well~?” Rose asked.

“Oh, same old, same old,” I said. “It seems that his back pain is terrible these days.”

“Oh me, oh my~,” Rose said. “Is he getting old?”

“It looks like it,” I said. “My old man is getting up there in age.”

Without a destination, we wander around the city of Baltrain and have a casual conversation with two or three exchanges.

It’s not as formal as Alexia, and it’s not as grandiose as Selena. She is not as innocent as Kuruni, nor as quiet as Thyssel.

It’s an exquisite coziness brought about by her natural temperament. The conversation, which wasn’t bothersome but resonated when it hit a right note, was still pleasant.

“… It’s a lovely city,” Rose said, staring at the scenery.

“Hmm? Yeah, I don’t think it’s bad either,” I said.

Certainly, I think the same. Baltrain is a lively and safe home for many people. The Knights of Rebelio may be to thank for that, but this city, which is both convenient and comfortable to live in, is probably a good city.

“Mmm-hmm-hmm, it makes me want to move here,” Rose said.

“Hey, hey, you’ve got your role to play,” I said.

“Ehehe~!” Rose giggled.

Her antics may seem inappropriate to the average person looking from outside. However, it’s this kind of friendliness that defined Rose and that I had gotten used to during her time in the dojo, short as it was. She has an intimacy different from Kuruni.

“Master~,” Rose said.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” I asked.

We were walking around aimlessly, we were a long way away from the Knights’ HQ.

We were on a rather quiet street in the Central District of Baltrain. With the sparsely populated streets and the slightly shorter buildings in the background, Rose bends down a little and pops out in front of me.

“If I decide to move here, please come pick me up~,” Rose said.

“You’re acting like a real big stray again,” I said.

If I were to start living with Rose, I’m afraid Miu would be tamed and put to heel before you knew it.

Rose has terrifying qualities that should be called a special offensive advantage against children. No matter how twisted the child, they quickly succumb to her. Even when she was studying swordsmanship in the dojo, she was often loved by the younger pupils.

“Hmm-hmm, well then, I’ll leave you be now~,” Rose said.

“Mmm. I’m glad we managed to talk for the first time in a long while,” I said.

“Yes~, I as well,” Rose said.

In the end, instead of guiding her around Baltrain, we just walked and talked, but was Rose satisfied? As far as I can see from that expression, it seems that she hadn’t had a bad time if nothing else.

“Well then, Master. Thank you for today~,” Rose said.

“Yeah, my pleasure,” I said.

The next time I meet Rose will be during the city tour of the First Prince of Supheniardvania. Since both of us will be on duty, I’m sure there will be no chance to talk privately like this. In that sense, it may have been good to be able to talk to her like this today.

“Now then… do I head back home?” I asked.

After parting with Rose, I was watching the sun starting to arc to the west.

It’s a little early to go home, but I’ve run out of time to stop somewhere. Should I go home and prepare dinner with Miu?

I walked the streets of Baltrain, wondering what the menu would be for today and whether it would be a good idea to stop by the West District to buy some ingredients.