The One Who Guides Wind and Flame (13)

Two years have passed since Juyal returned to the Daria tribe.

In other words, yes, the five years I had intended to spend with the Barm tribe have come to an end.

The inexperienced warriors trained themselves and grew into fine warriors, while the children grew into adults and became warriors themselves, though they were still inexperienced.

Tseren has also turned fifteen, reaching the age at which one is considered an adult.

She is still a girl from my perspective, but she has become quite beautiful, and apparently all the young men of the Barm tribe are hoping to become engaged to her.

As for the rest, her skill in spirit arts—the ability to gain assistance from the wind spirit—was also roughly what I had expected.

In short, though her abilities are limited to the wind spirit, she is nearly as strong as Airena, a seven-star adventurer, and can wield Yosogi Style swordsmanship passably.

...Yes, she has grown remarkably strong in just five years. I find that rather moving.

The young Barm men proposing to Tseren certainly have their work cut out for them.

As far as I can tell, there is no one among the Barm who is strong enough to match Tseren.

In the end, I never did understand what Tseren was thinking or what she wanted.

But for some reason, Tseren seems very free now.

As befits someone loved by the wind spirit.

Ah, no... Perhaps she had been free from the very beginning.

Perhaps Tseren alone understood what she wanted and had continued walking toward it all this time.

Perhaps the road had simply been difficult and made her look constrained, while she herself had never been bound by anything.

The Barm tribe will likely continue to be led by Tseren.

Of course, that is assuming it is what she wants.

Come to think of it, there has been no conflict between the Daria and Barm tribes in the two years since Juyal returned.

Rather, the exchanges that had ceased have recently resumed.

Apparently, Juyal is gradually taking control of the Daria tribe.

I don't know how he spent these two years or what he was aiming for, but he must have worked hard.

He probably used some forceful methods, too, and surely crushed obstacles through sheer strength.

I likely won't ever have the chance to learn the details of his efforts, nor will I be able to praise him for them.

The Daria tribe—or rather, the people of the grasslands—value strength above all else.

Juyal is unquestionably strong now, so he'll be fine.

He learned that strength was necessary to accomplish anything, that merely flaunting it would get him crushed by someone stronger, and that how he used his strength was what mattered.

He learned to consider other people's feelings, to recognize that people looked up to him, and to find the strength not to choose the easy path.

Having learned so much, Juyal will surely become a good leader.

Lastly, Shuro, though still a child, has begun demonstrating enough skill to earn the respect of the warriors.

His archery still has a long way to go, but his swordsmanship is far sharper than Juyal's was when he dueled me.

From here on, even without any more instruction, he should be able to hone his skills in his own way while sparring with the Barm warriors.

In other words, it would be fair to say that my role here has completely come to an end.

I do worry about what lies ahead, but all my students are talented, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

"So you really are leaving us..."

After dinner, while I was packing for tomorrow's departure, Tseren called out to me from behind.

Without turning around, I nodded as I continued packing.

"That's right. I've fulfilled the wind spirit's request, and I suppose I've fulfilled my promise to Shuro as well."

I had been traveling with a purpose from the very beginning.

Once the favor was done, it was only right to resume my journey.

Over these five years, I learned how to live in the grasslands and how to hunt game, so I should be able to cross the grasslands straight to the east.

The grasslands were home to herbivores such as rabbits and deer, along with carnivores such as wolves and coyotes that hunted them.

There were monsters based on those animals as well.

"We still haven't done anything to repay you for everything you've done for us, Teacher."

Tseren's hand touched my back as I continued packing.

When had she started calling me Teacher instead of the wind's messenger?

It felt as though it had been almost from the beginning, though at times I thought it might have been after the elders' deaths.

"A debt... huh? It's fine. I don't expect repayment from someone who calls me their master or teacher. Helping one's disciples is a master's duty. At least, that's what my master did for me."

I didn't turn around, nor did I stop my hands from packing.

Tseren's hand on my back was warm.

Besides, I had gained quite a lot from the time I spent with the Barm.

The knowledge of the grasslands I mentioned earlier was one benefit, and above all, I had learned how to ride a horse.

I had also received a horse in exchange for a sword I forged, which would make the rest of my journey much easier.

Above all, the experience of teaching my disciples swordsmanship was the most valuable thing I had gained in these five years.

At first, I had strongly felt that getting involved in a conflict between strangers was nothing but trouble.

But the days I spent with them were far more enjoyable than I had expected, and now I even felt grateful for having met them.

"Will we... be able to see you again?"

That question left me momentarily at a loss for words.

It would have been easy to nod.

Tseren wanted that, too.

But precisely because of that, I couldn't give her an easy answer.

"No. Even if there are still things I could teach you, Shuro, and Juyal, there is nothing left that I should teach any of you."

I shook my head.

Once I left, I probably wouldn't ever return to these grasslands.

"You've all grown into fine people. My role is over. Every fledgling is ready to leave the nest."

I gave the packed bag a few pats and smiled.

Tseren's hand quietly left my back.

Even so, the warmth lingered on my back.

Was she trying to keep me here?

Or did she truly want to repay me, just as she had said?

I had no idea what she was feeling.

"But if you ever truly find yourselves in trouble, if something happens that leaves you no choice but to abandon the grasslands, there is a Yosogi Style dojo in Worfiel, the capital of the Kingdom of Rudoria in the central region."

But if Tseren, Shuro, or Juyal ever truly found themselves in trouble, I would help them if they came to me.

Even after the fledglings left the nest, nothing would change the fact that I had been their master.

"If you give them my name and show them how you wield a sword, they'll surely lend you their strength. And if fortune is kind, I might even be there myself."

After visiting the land where Yosogi Style originated, I planned to return to the central region as well.

This was probably an eternal farewell, but I let myself say those comforting words anyway.

Tseren gave me no reply, and the last night I spent with the Barm wore on.

On the morning of my departure, Shuro could no longer hold back his tears and wept, while Tseren seemed no different from usual.

Swaying in the saddle, I resumed my journey eastward.