Chapter 11
"This is the Knights' training grounds."
"Oh, this is a nice place. It's spacious, too."
The day after I successfully found an inn.
Allucia had led me to the training grounds inside the Knights' headquarters.
For reference, I chose an inexpensive inn on the outskirts of the main street, a little distance from both the headquarters and the Guild. There were plenty of grocery stores and restaurants if I walked a little farther, and the nearby blacksmith was a big plus.
Allucia seemed a little sulky for some reason, but I decided not to think too much of it.
The thing was, Surena's idea of "a good, inexpensive inn" translated into "a nice, rather pricey inn" by my standards.
After all, she was a Black-rank adventurer of the highest caliber; our incomes were on completely different scales. I could afford to stay there, but since I was planning to use it for a while, I wanted to keep those expenses down. The area around the headquarters and the Guild was in the city center, so naturally lodging there cost more.
Surena had said, "Someone like you should stay somewhere better, Sensei," but I insisted that a place like this was plenty good enough for someone like me.
I wasn't looking to live in luxury, and as long as I had the bare necessities, I had no complaints. I came from the countryside, after all, so I wasn't fussy about that sort of thing.
"Everyone generally trains however they like here."
"Yeah, seems that way."
I turned my thoughts back to the training grounds and looked around. Quite a few knights were already hard at work training there.
Some were swinging swords at wooden dummies, others were sparring, working on their strength, or taking a break. There was quite a variety.
"Everyone, listen up!"
Allucia's powerful voice rang out.
Everyone in the training grounds stopped moving at the sound of her voice.
"We're moving up the original schedule, and Mr. Beryl will begin instructing you today. I expect you all to train even harder."
"I'm sorry for interrupting your training. I look forward to working with you starting today."
Yikes, I can feel those stares.
I had been introduced, of course, but they were probably still wondering who the heck I was. It must be bewildering to have some old guy like me suddenly show up.
"Please wait, Commander."
"...Hembritz? What is it?"
The training grounds fell silent for a moment after Allucia spoke.
Breaking that silence, a young man walked over toward us.
He was the man who had been quietly training against a wooden dummy just a moment ago.
He was probably a little older than Allucia. His skin was somewhat tanned, and he had a high-bridged nose and narrow, sharp eyes. His toned physique, visible beneath his undershirt, showed just how well-trained he was.
"We are the proud Leberio Knights. We expect anyone who instructs us to be worthy of the role. I don't mean to doubt Mr. Beryl, but... I would appreciate it if you would show us just how capable you are."
The man called Hembritz fixed his gaze directly on me.
I see. When I'd been introduced, I'd noticed an unusually hostile stare mixed in with the others. So that was him. I wouldn't say he was looking down on me, exactly, but I could keenly feel that he was thinking, "Just how good are you?"
"Allucia, who is he?"
"Hembritz Draut. He serves as deputy commander of the Leberio Knights."
"I see. The deputy commander, then."
Oh, he's quite an important figure. Scary.
"Still, this is a good opportunity to demonstrate Sensei's abilities."
"Huh?"
Are you serious?
"Mr. Beryl, I know this is presumptuous, but I would be honored if you would spar with me."
Saying that, he thrust a wooden sword out in front of me.
This is one of those situations where I can't say no, isn't it? This is a problem. I guess I have to do it.
"Since we're at it, shall we summon the other knights as well?"
"Huh?"
Seriously?
This could end with everyone finding out what I'm really capable of and being disappointed in me.
I mean, I'm not trying to keep up appearances at this point. But being publicly humiliated in front of all the knights is more than a little embarrassing.
But I couldn't say anything. I'd become their instructor, after all. This is rough.
"Then, are both of you ready?"
"I'm ready."
"...I don't mind either."
And then.
Allucia used her authority as commander to summon the knights who were free, and the spar ended up taking place before quite a crowd.
Allucia herself served as the referee—or rather, the one overseeing the match.
"Hey, what's this gathering for?"
"You didn't hear? It's a spar between Mr. Beryl, the new instructor, and Deputy Commander Hembritz."
"Seriously? We get to see the deputy commander's swordsmanship for the first time in ages."
My ears picked up the murmuring around me.
Hmm, it seemed the knights placed a lot of trust in Deputy Commander Hembritz.
Despite his somewhat youthful appearance and demeanor, it was clear that he was earnest about the martial path.
He probably had his own reservations about me, a man who'd suddenly landed in this ridiculous position called "instructor."
I could understand how he felt.
Just as he said himself, he must be proud of the Knights.
It would be hard to immediately accept some old guy who'd popped out of nowhere. I probably would've felt the same way in his position.
"Mr. Beryl, I look forward to our match."
"Likewise. I look forward to it."
We bowed to each other in the center of the training grounds.
Mm, a fine bow. I could understand why he saw me that way, and it was clear enough that he wasn't a bad person.
The knights around us seemed to be watching with anticipation and excitement.
Well, that attention seemed directed more at Hembritz-kun than at me. It was easy to tell that he was well-liked, both for his skill and his character.
I was about to cross swords, even if only in a spar, with the deputy commander of the Leberio Knights.
Good grief. How did it come to this?
I'm just an unremarkable old country bumpkin.
Well, now that things had come to this, there was nothing for it.
At least, I'd do my best not to lose in a humiliating fashion.
――Focus.
Before me stood Hembritz, holding a wooden sword, his aggressive stare sharpened into killing intent.
Oops, maybe I really do need to take this seriously.
"Begin!"
Allucia's command rang out across the training grounds.
At the same moment, my eyes caught sight of Hembritz charging forward at full speed.