Chapter 14
“Let’s call it a day here. Good work, everyone.”
“Good work!!”
When I announced that training was over, the knights answered with enthusiastic voices.
The knights and I were all drenched in sweat. Thinking we’d better get back to the inn and take a bath, I left the training grounds.
Since then, I’d been showing up at the training grounds almost every day as a special instructor for the Leberio Knights.
Originally, I was only supposed to come a few times a month. But since that old man had kicked me out of Bidden Village, I didn’t have anywhere else to go.
The one who was most openly pleased about that was Allucia.
Next was Kuruni.
And, surprisingly enough, after her was Hembritz, the deputy commander.
“Beryl-dono! Good work!”
“Ah, yeah. Good work to you too, Hembritz-kun. You sure put in the effort every day.”
Just after I left the training grounds, Hembritz came after me and called out.
He had an unused towel in his hand. Apparently, it was for me.
Ever since our spar, he seemed to have made me one of his personal goals, and he’d started following me around, whether during training or after it.
I couldn’t help wondering if that was appropriate behavior for a deputy commander, but then again, Allucia was pretty carefree herself.
In fact, since I’d started coming here, I’d realized that while the Leberio Knights had regular patrols and meetings, those who weren’t on duty were often fairly idle.
Of course, simply lazing around wouldn’t do much for a knight’s reputation, so they trained like this. But unless there was some major event, a knight’s life was basically tied to training.
“Having a great goal like you, Beryl-dono, has made every day fulfilling.”
“...I see. I’m glad to hear it.”
I wiped my face with the towel he’d given me as I replied.
“Still, I can’t move like you do, Beryl-dono. My training is still lacking.”
“Ha ha ha. If I can do it, you’ll be able to someday too.”
Man, he’d really taken a liking to me.
It wasn’t that I minded, but honestly, I hadn’t expected such a reaction, so I still wasn’t used to it. For that matter, I still hadn’t quite come to terms with becoming an instructor for the Knights in the first place.
“Sensei! Deputy Commander! Good work!”
“Hey, Kuruni. ...Good work to you too.”
While I was making small talk with Hembritz, another person popped up: Kuruni, a member of the Knights and one of my former pupils.
Kuruni was just as drenched in sweat.
She wasn’t wearing plate armor, just plain training clothes. But the sweat had made them cling tightly to her skin, and I couldn’t help looking away.
Her petite, healthy build only made her feminine curves stand out. This is dangerous.
“Have you gotten used to life in the capital yet, Sensei?”
Whether she knew how I felt or not, Kuruni kept coming on strong.
Stop it. Don’t get any closer. I don’t know where to look.
“Well, I suppose I have, but I don’t really go anywhere outside this area.”
I answered, averting my eyes a little.
As I said, I mostly just went back and forth between the Knights’ headquarters and the inn. I’d gotten used to the city, but I hardly knew my way around beyond the nearby area.
It hadn’t caused me any particular trouble. And since I spent almost every day training, I hadn’t had much time—or much reason—to go sightseeing.
“That’s a shame. Baltrain has plenty of sights to see.”
Hembritz picked up on my muttering.
Hmm, now that he mentioned it, he might be right.
Baltrain, the capital of the Reberis Kingdom, was famous as one of the country’s largest cities. Its five districts each had their own character, and I’d heard that plenty of tourists came from the countryside and other countries.
“Then I’ll show you around!”
Kuruni looked fired up, practically puffing with determination.
There was no need to get so worked up just to show someone around the city, but I’d chalk that up to one of Kuruni’s best qualities. She gave everything her all, even something as simple as being a tour guide.
“Ha ha, then I’ll take you up on that. But after we’ve changed.”
“Right! I’m drenched in sweat!”
It was still too early in the day to head back to the inn and take a nap.
Until I’d settled in Baltrain, I’d spent quite a lot of time with Allucia, so I’d hardly interacted with Kuruni outside of training.
“Kuruni, make sure you behave properly toward Beryl-dono.”
As we parted, Hembritz’s words reached my ears.
Kuruni answered energetically, “Yes, sir!” and disappeared behind the changing room.
Well, I’d better get changed too.
“Sensei! Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“No, no, I haven’t been waiting long.”
Naturally, I’d finished changing faster than Kuruni, since I was a man and she was a woman.
I was waiting somewhat idly in front of the headquarters when I spotted Kuruni hurrying over in comfortable clothes.
The plan was to stroll around the city with Kuruni, then stop by some restaurant I’d never tried. Since I was in the capital, Baltrain, I figured there was no harm in sightseeing like everyone else.
“By the way, do you come to Baltrain often, Sensei?”
“No, I’ve only been a few times, a long time ago. I haven’t been recently at all.”
As I’d said, my last memories of the place were from ages ago.
Since I had a dojo back home in Bidden Village, there hadn’t been any reason to spend half a day traveling by carriage to the capital.
At least I knew the Reberis Palace, and its appearance hadn’t changed, but I could hardly say I remembered anything else.
But now I had a temporary home in the capital.
From what Allucia had told me about the special instructor position, I was supposed to be paid a decent amount. I could afford to spend a little time and money, at least.
“Then let’s focus on the West District!”
“I’ll leave the guiding to you. I’m looking forward to it.”
We took a carriage that ran throughout the city and headed for the West District.
At my age, even a casual stroll like this can be a nice way to clear my head. Enjoying it quietly on your own has its charms, but having a lively companion is nice in its own way too.
“The West District is mainly a commercial area. There are all sorts of shops.”
I nodded along to her explanation, taking in the scenery.
Yeah, this is a nice city.
Baltrain, the capital of the Reberis Kingdom, was divided into five districts, with the Central District—where the Knights’ headquarters and the Adventurers’ Guild were located—at its center, and the other four to the north, south, east, and west.
According to Kuruni, the West District was bustling with commerce, with all kinds of shops packed together, from grocery stores and restaurants to general stores, blacksmiths, and magic-item shops.
“The South District is mostly agricultural, so there’s not much to see. The Reberis Palace is in the North District, and the East District is mostly residential. I live in the East District too.”
“I see. Are most of the tourists in the West District, then?”
“Hmm, there are a lot in the West too, but I think the North District gets the most. The palace is popular, after all.”
After getting off the carriage and walking around the West District, Kuruni explained all sorts of things to me.
Well, now that she mentioned it, the palace was probably the country’s biggest attraction. I couldn’t imagine ordinary tourists being allowed inside, but just getting a glimpse of it must be enough.
Just looking at the streets, I could see all kinds of shops and people. The energy of the city was everywhere. It was surprisingly refreshing to walk down unfamiliar roads, looking this way and that.
I must look like some old country bumpkin who’s come to the big city for the first time.
Though it might be rude to Kuruni, unlike famous people like Allucia and Surena, she was just an ordinary knight. Since she was still making a name for herself, nobody went out of their way to look at her.
And I was undeniably just an ordinary middle-aged man.
Mm, it’s wonderful to walk around without worrying about people staring.
“Oh, it’s Beryl-sensei.”
“...Hm?”
We’d been sightseeing, passing all sorts of people and listening to Kuruni’s commentary, when it happened.
A flat, toneless voice suddenly reached my ears.
If I wasn’t mistaken, someone had just called my name...
I stopped and looked toward the voice. There stood a woman in a robe, apparently on her way back from the West District. Her lustrous black hair was cut to her shoulders, and she peered at my face with a hazy, almost vacant gaze.
“Mm. I thought so. It’s been a while.”
“Sensei, what’s wrong? Do you know her?”
Kuruni popped her head out from beside me as I stood there.
The black-haired woman paid Kuruni no mind, simply staring intently at my face.
Uh...
Who are you?