Chapter 3
"Wait... hold on. Could you say that one more time?"
"Yes. I recommended you for the position of special swordsmanship instructor attached to the Knights, and your appointment was approved. That's why I've come to tell you in person."
"...Hmm?"
Why? Why am I a special instructor?
I'm nothing but a humble instructor teaching swordsmanship at a dojo in the sticks. And someone like me is supposed to be a special instructor for the kingdom's own knight order, based in the capital, Baltrain?
That's far too much for me to handle. Nice joke. I thought Allucia was serious, but I never knew she had such an advanced sense of humor.
"...Wait, seriously?"
"What would I gain by lying about something like this?"
When I asked again, Allucia answered, her expression and tone turning just a little sulky.
Even so, this all feels so unreal that I don't know what to do.
"With your abilities, Sensei, there's nothing surprising about it."
"That's what you say, but my skills are nothing special."
"You're being modest again."
No, I'm not. It's the truth.
I don't think I'm weak, either. If I were truly feeble, I wouldn't practice swordsmanship, let alone be able to serve as an instructor.
But the idea of me teaching swordsmanship to the members of the Leberio Knights, renowned as the kingdom's elite, feels wildly out of place—especially with Allucia standing right in front of me.
I don't know exactly what a special instructor does, but if I take the title at face value, I can at least guess it involves teaching swordsmanship.
Teach knights who are the elite of the elite? Me?
Nice joke. It sounds like nothing but a cruel prank.
"But... the Knights actually approved something like that?"
Right.
Even if Allucia was vastly overestimating me, surely a position that important couldn't be decided on her recommendation alone.
I have no idea how the politics involving the Knights are handled. But at the very least, the whole system can't be so simple that she can decide everything by herself.
Since it was approved, someone—or some organization—must have seriously considered her recommendation. I want them to take it back immediately, but the fact that someone like me made it through means there must be some utter fool who approved it.
Going to beat the culprit to a pulp is obviously unrealistic, so at the very least, I want to know how this got approved.
"It wasn't much trouble at all. There are many of your former students in the Knights. Besides, you're famous in the world of swordsmanship. You've earned a solid reputation as the 'Sword Saint of the Sticks,' having trained countless famous knights and adventurers. Personally, I'd like to leave out the 'of the Sticks' part, but... well, Bidden Village isn't exactly a bustling place..."
"Nice joke."
What is that? And who the hell is the Sword Saint of the Sticks?
The first half is right, but the second half is seriously wrong.
I'll say it again: I'm just a humble swordsmanship instructor.
I may be somewhat better with a sword than the average person, but I'm no living legend or hero. I'm not the Sword Saint of the Sticks, just an old country bumpkin.
"As I said, this isn't a lie or a joke..."
Oh no, Allucia's actually starting to sulk.
"Ah, yeah, sorry. This just feels so unreal..."
I wasn't exactly trying to appease her, but it certainly didn't seem like she was lying, so at least she wasn't at fault. Well, unless you count the grave sin of recommending someone like me.
"Hmm. Have you grown timid while we were apart, Sensei?"
"Not at all. I've always been, and still am, just an unremarkable man."
She clearly thought very highly of me, but it made me feel rather awkward.
I didn't dislike it, but being seen as more capable than I really was made me uneasy.
"But even if that's true, what will happen to this dojo? I still have many students to look after, so I can't just up and move."
There was nothing to be done about the fact that things had already gone this far, but there were a lot of practical matters to consider.
As I said, I've been in charge of this dojo for many years.
This dojo has been passed down through generations. Since I'm unmarried, it might die out with me, but that's beside the point. I can't just abandon it all of a sudden. That would be far too irresponsible, and my old man isn't at an age where he can still swing a sword.
"I understand. That's why it's a special instructor position. You don't have to be stationed with the Knights; it'll be enough if you come to Baltrain a few times a month."
"I-I see...?"
Is that really enough for a special instructor?
"And so, to arrange your schedule going forward, I'd like you to come to Baltrain. I've prepared a carriage just outside the village."
"Right now?!"
"Isn't today a day off for the dojo?"
"Ah, well, yes, but..."
I mean, sure, but still.
Also, it's a little scary that she still remembers my dojo's schedule.
This is bad. Everything's falling into place far too smoothly.
Should I really accept this job just like this?
Am I overlooking something?
Is it really all right for me to take this strange position called a special instructor, just as Allucia says?
And, to begin with, can I even refuse an appointment approved by the Knights?
How binding is this recommendation?
My mind went round and round in endless circles.
Allucia is basically a good girl. There's no doubt about that. Though it was only four years, I spent that time with her as her teacher, and I can vouch for her.
But was she always this pushy?
I do think she was one of the students who took to me the most. She was obedient and quick to learn. That's why she was one of the students I gave a parting sword to.
As I stared at her, harboring a vague suspicion, she suddenly changed expression as if she'd just remembered something, and pulled several documents from inside her coat.
"Oh, that's right. Here are your letter of appointment, bearing the king's seal, and the details of your employment."
"Y-yes."
It's got the king's seal on it?!
This is definitely something I can't say no to, huh?!