Chapter 8: CH 8

8 - The old man from the countryside swings his sword

“Still, I’m surprised you’ve become an adventurer.”

“I didn’t expect to get where I am myself. The people that adopted me were very good to me, but in my heart, all I really wanted was to use the swordsmanship that Master taught me.”

“Lysandera, you’re standing too close.”

“Huh? Why are you talking about me? You’re standing too close.”

“Hey, hey, now, don’t fight.”

Alexia on my right, and Selena on my left.

I’m sure anyone else would call this “a flower in each hand”. But rather than being between beautiful flowers, I feel like I’m a small rodent, cornered between two apex predators. The pressure coming from both sides is suffocating…

The three of us were on our own now.

As we left the souvenir shop, I mentioned that I wanted to see some swords, and Alexia and Selena competed to introduce me to their respective favorite blacksmith.

As for me, well, I’m just glad to see that Selena is doing well, after not getting any news for so long.

""

Unlike the Knight Order, which are based in the capital, adventurers often travel all over the globe, and don’t stay in one place for very long. Not to mention Selena was a Black-ranked adventurer – an even more elusive encounter.

It seemed like Selena had just returned to Baltrain after completing a quest in a distant land. She had some free time today, so I decided to go with her.

I didn’t want to waste time and entertain their petty argument about which one of them should be my escort. I wanted to be back in Bidden Village by the end of the day, and time was running short.

However, in my desperation to get the situation under control, I had overlooked one thing.

“…You’re attracting everyone’s eyes? Well of course you are.”

Said Selena as she brushed back her proud red hair.

That’s right. Yes, I’m the one who suggested that we go together, but now I’m just lamenting my lack of forethought.

“Ah… I’m just not used to being observed like this…”

“Master, you’ll have to get used to it. After all, you’ll be getting this kind of attention everywhere sooner or later.”

“I don’t want to agree with her, but Citrus is right. Once word gets out about your teaching skills, you’ll be a celebrity in no time.”

“Hahaha…”

These comments coming from the both of them… really? What teaching skill?

This uncle will never be able to live up to those expectations. What a good joke…

Well, not like these girls would listen even if I did tell them that I’m just a regular old man from the countryside.

As I looked around, all I saw were eyes, eyes and more eyes, all riveted on me.

The leader of the Rebellio Knights and a Black-ranked adventurer, walking side by side, and then there was me, a regular looking old man. There was no way an out of place figure like me wouldn’t attract attention.

I could overhear their whispers, “Oh, isn’t that the Knight Captain…?”, “Whoa, it’s Dragon Sword Lysandera!”, “Who’s that old man between them…?”.

Lysandera is pretty amazing huh…she even has a nickname, and it’s a cool one to boot.

She’s a dual wielder huh… I have no idea how to use two swords in tandem.

I’m pretty sure I never taught her how to dual-wield… is she getting stronger without my guidance? Hmmm… no, no, it shouldn’t matter to me…

“This is the blacksmith whom we Knights order most of our equipment from. Their gear is generally of good quality.”

“Ah, yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

As I walked, distracted by the undue attention everyone was giving me, it seems that we’ve arrived at the blacksmith recommended by Alexia.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I don’t even remember the way back, but it’ll probably be fine…

“Oh, if it isn’t Lady Citrus. Welcome!”

“Hello. I’d like to take a look at your swords.”

“Of course! Please come on in.”

A muscular and friendly looking man, most likely the store’s owned, peeked out from behind a secluded area from the back – probably the workshop.

“Oh, yes, we’ve recently received a shipment of high-quality ore…”

“I see, so that’s also our equipment…”

Looks like this store being a favorite among the Knights wasn’t a misconception, and Alexia was engaging in idle chitchat with the owner. Furthermore, I didn’t get any strange looks from him, as if he was used to big names visiting.

Thank god for that, being stared at by another old man would hurt…

“Hmm… this is quite a piece of work.”

I picked up one of the swords displayed in the store.

It was heavy, but well balanced and comfortable to wield. The blade was sharpened to a razor’s edge, and the fit and finish was immaculate. The store truly lived up to Alexia’s praise.

“Master, do you still use a longsword?”

Said Selena, who was watching me from afar.

“Yes. It’s suitable as a beginner’s weapon, the techniques are straightforward, and it’s easy to use.”

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I answered, holding up the longsword to eye level.

Well, that wouldn’t be the full truth.

There was a time I longed to wield a two-handed bastard sword or be a dual-wielder like Selena.

I’ve tried both, but in the end, I settled on the plain longsword. The weight, balance and length of the blade were average in all aspects. In other words, if I could master the longsword, I could also use any other sword with decent proficiency.

“Ah, would you like to take it for a spin?”

The owner, who seems to have finished his conversation with Alexia, called out to me.

Hmm, a cutting test?

When you pick up a nice sword, of course you’d like to test out its sharpness. Ah, this shopkeeper truly understands a swordman’s feelings. He has impeccable timing on his suggestion. He’s good at business.

“I can try it out? Well then, I won’t refuse…”

“Yes, there’s a space in the back, I’ll show you.”

Of course I want to try it out, and he’s even inviting me to. This is a no brainer.

I followed behind the owner and walked out the back of the smithy.

“Ah… I haven’t seen Master’s sword techniques in such a long time…”

“It’s been a while for me too…”

Alexia and Selena followed closely behind me.

Please, no. I don’t want the Knight Commander of Rebellio and a Black-ranked adventurer to evaluate my sword techniques…

“This way, please. Come in.”

“Thank you… Well…”

At the back of the blacksmith’s shop, there was a fairly open space with some straw rolls lined up. It probably also serves as a place to try out the finished sword.

I focused as I held the longsword straight up and faced the straw.

A sword is only as sharp as its wielder’s mental acuity.

Thinner and thinner, I sharped my mind to its limit.

""

I wait for the fluctuations of my spirit level out. Until they’re perfectly straight.

“—Shh!”

A flash.

I channel all that sharpness through, my hands, to my fingers, to the blade.

In the blink of an eye, the fluttering of a feather.

Like a hot knife through butter.

The top half of the straw roll slides off and falls to the ground.

–Well, well, well!

After all, a good quality sword is good, the response is different. I think I’ll buy this sword. The weight is just the way I like it, and I’ve only swung it once, but I like it.

“…As expected from Master.”

“…That’s amazing. I didn’t realize it was this good…”

Oh, I forgot those two were watching. I was too preoccupied while focusing my mind. Well, nothing to do about it now.

“No, no, I couldn’t have done it if the sword wasn’t as good as it is.”

Anyhow, these two were praising me too much. It was just slicing a bit of straw.

I’m sure they could tell, but this would only be troublesome to absolute beginners. Even someone with minimal talent could do what I did. Fortunately, I was someone with a little bit more than minimal talent, even though it wasn’t much. I’m thankful to my father for that.

“Cutting straw is one thing, but cutting it this cleanly…”

“Citrus is correct. I’ve never seen such a perfect cross section.”

“No, no no, you’re both praising me too much.”

I’m starting to feel embarrassed by all the compliments.

Sure, the sharpening of my mind went smoothly, and I feel that I got a pretty good cut. But to be honest, I don’t think it’s as great as they make it sound.

“Oh… hey, shopkeeper, did you see that cut?”

Alexia turned to the other bystander, the owner of the smithy, as she didn’t seem to be able to convey her compliments to me. Ah, he must have seen my technique too.

And that shopkeeper has had his mouth half open for a while now, and his eyes aren’t quite in focus. I wondered if he was okay. I was starting to worry.

“Ah… are you some eminent master?”

Is what he said after a few seconds of silence.

No, no, no, I’m just a simple old man from the countryside!

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