Chapter 34
The Rebellio Order's training grounds always have a steady number of people there, no matter the time of day.
There's no set training period, like from this time to that. Each knight comes according to their own schedule and motivation.
Even so, the closer it gets to night, the fewer people there are. Knights start early, so they turn in early, too.
My instruction schedule isn't packed tight, either, so the times I show up are fairly irregular. I have a rough idea in my head—somewhere between morning and early afternoon—but that's about it.
I'm pretty sure it was Allucia who said the number of people training during the day had increased since I started coming.
They're all serious and sincere, which is only natural for people who've become knights. Leaving aside how much talent they have, of course those who keep diligently swinging their swords will get better.
As someone teaching them, I couldn't be happier.
As for me, I give advice after watching the knights' sword forms, spar with them, and generally get to do the sort of things a swordsmanship instructor would.
This isn't a dojo, so I don't have everyone gather together and repeat forms.
Their swordsmanship isn't rough, but since they're earnestly pursuing strength, it's only natural that I end up giving a lot of instruction in sparring and other areas closer to actual combat.
Well, it's refreshing in its own way.
They listen to me well, too, and I haven't seen any major problems so far.
"All right! Sensei, let's go!"
"Sure, sure. Go change first."
Kurni, having finished today's training, came over to talk to me, once again drenched in sweat.
She's always drenched in sweat. Being energetic is a good thing, though.
Just as we'd discussed this morning, today we were planning to stop by the blacksmith Kurni goes to after training.
Normally, I wouldn't have particularly high expectations, but hearing that the shop owner was Balder made my own expectations rise.
"Sensei, may I come along as well?"
"Allucia... Well, sure. I have no reason to say no."
Allucia, who'd been working up a sweat instructing the Order just as I had today, joined our conversation.
I mean, I don't mind her coming, but... Is there any point? I don't really think so. Not that I'd go out of my way to say it.
"Naturally, when it comes to choosing a sword for you, Sensei, we must have the finest sword forged, and thoroughly assess the blacksmith's skill. Of course."
"All right, all right. Calm down for a second, okay?"
Oh no, the bad side of Allucia had come out.
I'd better calm her down first.
Allucia had been using the sword I'd given her as a parting gift all this time.
There were plenty of better swords out there, but she stubbornly refused to get a new one. It's not that she has no interest, I'm sure, but as the Order's commander, shouldn't she be carrying a higher-quality, more impressive sword? Is that just meddlesome parental concern on my part?
Since we're going anyway, I'd like Allucia to get a new sword while we're at it.
Though there's a good chance all my effort will be for nothing.
"Then let's meet in front of the headquarters after everyone's changed."
"Understood."
"You got it!"
And so, it was decided that the three of us—Kurni, Allucia, and me—would head to the blacksmith Kurni recommended. It's only to pick out a sword for me, yet this is still an oddly unsettling group.
I suppose I really should get used to all the attention by now. Ugh.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Men really do finish changing and getting ready faster than women.
While I waited by myself in front of the headquarters, Allucia and Kurni arrived a little later, having finished changing.
Kurni was dressed in her usual easy-to-move-in clothes, while Allucia was wearing something that wasn't flashy, exactly, but showed off her figure rather well.
Given how much attention she already attracts, isn't she embarrassed? Well, it's not my place to say anything if she's fine with it.
Kurni wore a sword at her side that was a little shorter than mine or Allucia's—a so-called short sword. I figured she was bringing it in to be sharpened.
It suits someone as petite as Kurni.
"All right, let's get going. I'll leave the directions to you."
"Yes! Balder-san's place is in the Central District."
Once we were all together, we set out for the blacksmith.
That said, I didn't know where it was, so Kurni would be leading the way.
"Sensei, are you still planning to get a longsword?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
I answered the question Allucia brought up as we walked.
I'd gotten so used to the length and weight of a longsword that I wasn't considering switching to a different weapon type at this point.
Getting used to a new weapon at my age would be a pain, too.
My lack of firepower had been laid bare in the fight with Zeno Grayble, but I'm not normally in a position to fight opponents like that. That was a complete anomaly.
I hope there won't be any more situations where an old man gets thrown into a battlefield like that. Well, being an instructor for the Order, it's not something that should happen often.
We strolled through the Central District, which had a different feel from the bustle of the West District, but was nonetheless lively.
From what I could see, there seemed to be quite a lot of people in rather formal clothes. Several organizations that played a central role in the country, such as the Adventurers' Guild and the Knights' Order, had offices here, so there were probably a lot of people connected to them.
Strictly speaking, the Guild wasn't under the country's jurisdiction, but it had spread throughout the world, transcending national boundaries. When it came to maintaining public order in particular, countries around the world depended on the Guild to varying degrees.
...Come to think of it, where is the Mage Academy, anyway?
I didn't have any particular reason to go there for now, but I still wanted to give Lucy a piece of my mind, so perhaps I could look up its location and pay a visit when I had some free time.
"We're here. This is the place."
"Hmm."
After walking for a while,
what caught my eye was an ordinary-looking setup: a detached house converted into a blacksmith's shop.
Above the door hung a large sign bearing the shop's name.
Balder's Blacksmith Shop, huh? Straight to the point.
Yep, simple is good.
"Balder-san!"
The three of us flung the door open and went inside.
Kurni called out loudly for Balder, the shop's owner.
"Ooh! Welcome... What, Kurni?"
"Hey! That's rude, you know! I'm a customer, too!"
"Gahahaha! Sorry, sorry!"
The man who came out from the back of the shop in response to her call was somewhat elderly, with a well-toned physique.
His voice was gruff, and his short, neatly trimmed silver hair and well-groomed beard lent him an even more distinguished air. His muscular upper arms showed beneath his undershirt, and his powerful chest was visible even through his clothes. He was a sturdy man with a physique that, in the best sense, belied his age.
In terms of age, he was older than me, but younger than my old man.
He exchanged greetings with Kurni, his hearty laughter booming.
"Oh, Citrus-sama, you're here too. And... Whoa!"
"Long time no see, Balder."
After his gaze passed over Kurni and Allucia, it stopped on me.
"...Beryl-sensei! It's been a long time!"
Clear surprise and delight showed plainly in his voice and expression.