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 91

It was the next day.

Like yesterday, we were gathering early in the morning at the Knights’ HQ’s square.

“… And that will be our schedule for today,” Alexia said. “Also, there were some disturbing signs during the tour yesterday. I don’t know what will happen, so everyone, please be more vigilant.”

“Ma’m!”

She seemed to be careful not to neglect my suspicions from yesterday.

Well, everyone is wary, but just saying it like this can change their attitude. It wasn’t particularly noticeable yesterday, so it’s a good way to make sure everyone’s minds are honed.

“Now then, move out!” Alexia cried.

By the way, today is the escort of Prince Glen and Princess Salacia again. However, I’m still waiting in the carriage. But I can’t say that out loud in front of everyone. Everyone started to move with Alexia’s command.

“Thank you for your time today as well,” Princess Salacia said.

“Princess,” Alexia said. “Please leave it to me.”

And, just like yesterday, we’re in front of the royal palace. As usual, a beautiful aura precedes Princess Salacia, and Prince Glenn guides her to their carriage.

Yesterday, there were quite a lot of stops from the North District to the Central District and then to the West District, but today, we planned to visit only the Central District. We’re supposed to stop by some shops that were different from yesterday and watch a production at the theater after lunch.

I think I’m getting used to this on the second day, unlike the first, and I think today will also be an easier job.

Of course, I can’t ignore that murderous sense, and I can’t let my guard down, but as long as nothing has happened, there’s no point in being overly cautious. As I figured on the first day, what will be, will be.

“Am I going to be alone again…?” I asked. “I don’t like that.”

And now, I climb into the same carriage I rode yesterday. It seems unavoidable that I’d mumble my true feelings on the assignment.

“Mm-hmm-hmm, Master~,” Rose said with her usual smile. “Should I ride with you~?”

“Rose, take your guard duty seriously,” Alexia said.

“Yes, Sir~!” Rose replied.

Alexia’s glare is incredible once again. I wonder if she heard it, too. Best not to continue muttering something this negative.

However, I think it would be better if I could mutter such light complaints without any extra trouble. If we’re too rigid, we may still be too rigid in an emergency. I just hope that something like that doesn’t happen.

“Well then, we’re off,” the coachman says, the convoy starts to move.

The bustle of the city hasn’t changed since yesterday. It’s not as if Baltrain isn’t normally lively, but even from the window, the whole city is even more alive.

The number of people in the streets is even higher than yesterday. Since it was the second day, rumors and news probably compared spread from the first day. It’s not enough to hinder the carriages from traveling and both orders of knights have organized paths before that, but it’s a huge crowd.

“I guess you could say everyone likes them…” I muttered.

I don’t feel anything in particular when the royal family comes, but maybe it’s because I spent all my time in the countryside. The positions are so different that I don’t feel any kind of gratitude.

No, when I talk with them face-to-face, there is a tremendous aura of your betters, and I think it would be a good experience to feel that.

I can’t get rid of the feeling of them living above the clouds. That’s why everyone is grateful, but this may be a harmful effect of having been all the way out into the countryside.

The carriage stops as I’m thinking about all that.

Oops, it seems we’re at our first stop today. When I got off the carriage, Prince Glen and Princess Salacia have already gotten out with their attendants.

“Mmm, still wonderful as ever, isn’t it?” Glen asked.

“Hmm-hmm, right?” Salacia said.

What they’re looking at now is a decoration store. Like the accessory store that had the hair ornaments the Prince discovered yesterday, there are many stores in Baltrain that sell works of art.

Rebelis as a whole is well-known for its thriving agriculture, but there are plenty of such stores in the country. It’s not a magical tool, but you can still see a lot of gorgeous pieces.

Of course, there was no such store in the countryside, and I can observe it with great interest.

It is impressive how the shop owner, who seems to enjoy people’s company, is responding to the excitement and tension in the air. Even if it is known in advance, everyone will be like this if the heads of two countries visit.

“…!”

And while I was watching over the royal duo, my body tensed for a moment.

I’m sensing it again. The same gaze as yesterday.

And stronger now, too.

“… Alexia,” I said.

“Yes?” Alexia asked. “… Master, is it?”

“Yes,” I said. “We should be careful.”

It’s an implicit warning to Alexia, who’s now wary of the store’s eaves.

I try looking around. The waves of people are still the same, but I can’t find anyone who intends to strike. Still, there is a slight, yet significantly hostile sign somewhere.

But, just like yesterday, the hostile intent disappeared after a few moments.

Yeah, that was disturbing. I wish nothing will happen.

“… There’s more than one, huh?” Alexia said.

“You got that, Alexia?” I asked.

Yes.

I knew it because it was a little clearer than yesterday, but apparently, this hostile gaze is not a lone wolf. There were some signs of an organized operation.

“Well, let’s move,” Alexia said.

Should this be passed on to Gatoga and Rose?

While we were worried, Prince Glenn gets into the carriage.

Well, like I keep repeating, if you just get a hostile look, that’s not strange. There may be some people who are not happy with the royal families. It may be possible that the people who have complaints don’t expose themselves, so surrounded by others.

“…”

As long as the tour continues, I can’t just stop it.

For the time being, will I also go back to my carriage? I can’t help but think about it.

“–Now, we will be watching a performance at the theater,” Alexia said.

Some time has passed since I sensed the disturbing gazes again.

We had a meal at noon, and now the sun is about to start tilting westward. Our convoy was moving to the theater, which is also the last stop of today.

By the way, the food was as delicious as yesterday. The dishes prepared by first-class cooks are different, after all. It was so good.

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

“Yes. Please, enjoy yourself,” Princess Salacia continued.

The two of them got off their carriage and are talking peacefully with the same smiles as yesterday.

It’s a pain to keep riding a carriage alone, but I think it’s also quite the pain to always have to stand with these paired-up royals all the time. I wonder if we can talk about this?

“–~~~~…!”

“……Hmm?” I go.

Now then, let’s go to the theater.

Somehow, the crowds around us are making noise.

To be frank, we are now allowed to have lethal, real swords, so if we pull out our weapons, we can easily cut down opponents. Of course, I wouldn’t raise my hand to the general public, but if they’re an immediate risk to my escort targets, it’s a different story.

I was a little nervous, wondering if the hostile gazes are finally about to act.

“You! Stop!”

“–…!”

It seems my guess was correct, with the appearance of unwanted guests. There are multiple figures in black who are trying to approach us, trying to break through the knights’ lines.

“Prince Glen, keep your head down,” Gatoga said as he and Rose quickly surround and secure him.

It’s an emergency, but no one is panicking.

Gatoga and Rose are next to Prince Glen, and Alexia and Henblitz are next to Princess Salacia. I’m just a little away from them, near the carriage.

Everyone had already drawn swords, without anyone needing to say anything.

The men in black—perhaps three of them—were trying to get closer to us, but the knights are handling them well. At first glance, I don’t think they have weapons, but there is also the possibility they have mages among their ranks. Should I use my body to block their line of sight for the time being?

But, it’s strange.

It’s almost like they’re just trying to rush this position. It’s not strange to have a clear murderous intention, but for some reason, I don’t feel those signs from them.

I couldn’t sense the same murderous intent of yesterday from the black-clad men trying to break through the line.

The men who were approaching were so weak, that you might think they were just dressed in black for personal preference and were rushing in for the hell of it.

“…–!”

Ah, but, if they’re trying to rush us, we have to stop them.

A moment after I shift my body, I am ready to protect Princess Salacia and Prince Glen.

I sense, a little too late, where the murderous intent was actually coming from.

“–! Alexia! Rose!! Above us!!”

–The people rushing in are decoys!

And immediately after I raised my voice:

I caught a group of black-clad people jumping down from the roof.