Ch.347Side Story 1 – Southern Continent Travelogue (2)

“One!”

“Ha!!”

“Two!”

“Haap!!”

I quietly looked down at the training grounds.

On the vast land, the Knights Order, Mercenary Corps, and Guardian Squad were each immersed in their own training methods.

The knights swinging their swords while sweating under the sunlight looked like living steel statues.

They were honing their skills by exchanging heavy sword strikes, and fierce battle cries echoed along with the sound of clashing blades.

‘…The Knights Order is quite impressive.’

In contrast, the Mercenary Corps’ training style was much more free and rough.

They were practicing their combat sense through nimble movements and irregular attacks, unbound by formal techniques.

Perceiving the opponent’s weaknesses and moving quickly was the mercenaries’ way of survival.

Their rough breathing and the dull sounds of their feet striking the ground blended into the noise of the training field.

‘The Mercenary Corps isn’t bad either.’

I shifted my gaze again.

The Guardian Squad was in the middle of magic defense training.

Members of the Guardian Squad stood in a line, withstanding incoming impacts behind the massive defensive magic circles they had drawn.

Though their methods differed, everyone in the training field was giving their best effort, sweating and concentrating intensely.

‘They’re working harder than I expected…’

As I tilted my head in confusion, Rain Breaker, the Knight Commander standing beside me, cleared his throat.

“Young Master, is something the matter?”

“No, I was just wondering if they always train this hard?”

“They don’t.”

“…Huh?”

“It seems they’re working especially hard today because you’re here, Young Master.”

“Oh, trying to impress me?”

“Something like that. Don’t you personally help train those who haven’t been practicing properly, Young Master?”

“Ah, I see.”

“So they’re working about twice as hard as usual to avoid being dragged to the underground training hall by you.”

As expected, Rain Breaker, true to his solid character, didn’t lie.

I chuckled and folded my arms firmly.

“Well, it’s good that they’re working hard, even if that’s the reason.”

“Indeed. It would be nice if you visited the training grounds more often, Young Master.”

“Alright. I’ll come by more frequently after I return from the Southern Continent.”

At that, Rain Breaker carefully spoke up.

“…I’ve heard you’re still immersed in personal training…”

Ah, that?

I’ve just been using training as an excuse to escape to the underground training hall because both the Etherian Princess and Princess Sirin keep trying to initiate physical relationships.

Of course, having nothing better to do there, I did actually train.

I scratched the back of my head a couple of times in embarrassment.

“Training never ends.”

“As expected of you, Young Master. To be so strong yet continuously dedicated to training—truly admirable.”

“Haha…”

“By the way, I think it’s about time I retired from my position as Knight Commander.”

I opened my eyes wide at Rain Breaker’s sudden mention of retirement.

“R-retirement?”

“I’m old now. Just a has-been.”

“…Rain Breaker.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

“There’s still no one stronger than you here. I know that better than anyone.”

“I feel like I’m blocking their path forward.”

“No, you’re actually showing them the way.”

At my firm tone, Rain Breaker sighed and straightened his back.

“Still, shouldn’t we start considering a successor soon?”

“Well, planning ahead isn’t a bad idea. Do you have someone in mind?”

“Personally, I think Rio, who’s currently on a monster hunting journey, would be best suited as Knight Commander.”

“Let’s pass on him. We don’t even know when he’ll return.”

“…Then let’s consider Jawil Wilson. He’s exceptionally skilled and has been gaining trust among the knights lately. He’ll soon become someone capable of leading the Knights Order.”

I slowly shifted my gaze.

Jawil Wilson was swinging his sword in one corner of the training grounds.

His sword strikes, accompanied by powerful shouts, were full of strength, and the eyes of the knights watching him now showed respect.

But still.

“I just can’t trust him enough.”

“…Pardon?”

“His everyday behavior is still too frivolous. He’s coming with me to the Southern Continent, and he asked me to make him a handsome face transformation skin. When I asked why, he said his lifelong wish was to look handsome.”

I let out a short sigh, and Rain Breaker smiled gently.

“Haha… You might not understand, Young Master, but when I was young, my wish was also to live even just one day with a handsome face.”

“Really? That’s unexpected.”

“Moreover, Jawil Wilson will soon marry Clara, and once that happens, he’ll mature quickly.”

“If marriage made people mature, I would have matured hundreds of times by now. I’m married to two people at once.”

“From what I’ve seen, you have matured a lot, Young Master. You used to be hot-tempered and impulsive, but now you live quietly, don’t you?”

Back then, I was just struggling to live a sweet life.

Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I’ve become more peaceful.

There are no more incidents or accidents to get worked up about.

“…It’s true that I live quietly now.”

“So, Jawil Wilson will eventually mature like you, Young Master.”

Well, the question is when that maturity will come.

It’s uncertain whether Rio will return here after finishing his monster hunt.

The novel I read didn’t clearly show what happened after the ending, and too many things have already changed because of me.

Therefore.

To maintain this peace, we need to become strong enough to protect ourselves.

That’s why I’m still maintaining the Mercenary Corps and Guardian Squad, even at financial cost.

“Then you keep leading the Knights Order until Jawil Wilson matures.”

“…Y-Young Master.”

“Without you, I don’t have anyone to seriously discuss training with. As I said earlier, Jawil Wilson is still too frivolous to have conversations with me.”

“What about Pathericks?”

“He’s busy with his romance these days.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Actually, it’s nice that Pathericks is too busy with romance to bother me about financial matters.”

I grinned, and Rain Breaker, suddenly curious, leaned forward.

“By the way, did you agree to make a handsome face transformation skin for Jawil Wilson?”

“I did.”

“That’s surprising! Given your personality, I thought it would be fortunate if you didn’t just curse at Jawil Wilson.”

“I was going to, but seeing his desperate expression, I just couldn’t turn him down.”

“Haha!! Is that so? Jawil Wilson must have looked very desperate.”

“He grabbed my pant leg and wouldn’t let go. I was about to tell Clara but held back.”

As I shook my head, Rain Breaker laughed heartily.

“Come to think of it, wanting to be handsome despite having Clara… indeed, human greed knows no bounds.”

“Right? Clara is incredibly beautiful—he’s just being greedy.”

“You shouldn’t tell Clara that, though.”

“Huh?”

As I made a puzzled expression, Rain Breaker nodded his chin in a direction.

I naturally looked that way.

There, I saw Clara frantically casting attack spells at the magic defense circles drawn by the Guardian Squad members, with a crazed look in her eyes.

Moreover, her hair was standing on end, giving the impression of a resurrected witch.

I leaned back slightly and swallowed hard.

“…Does Jawil Wilson still get beaten by Clara these days?”

“It’s decreased lately, but if Clara finds out that Jawil Wilson asked you to make him a handsome face transformation skin…”

“Jawil Wilson won’t even have bones left to pick up.”

“Th-that’s right.”

For a moment, I imagined Clara beating Jawil Wilson, then shook my head vigorously to clear the thought.

“A-anyway, sacrifice a bit more as Knight Commander. I’ll increase your salary.”

At my words, Rain Breaker momentarily looked dumbfounded before smiling.

Then he gazed down at the training grounds again.

“…So in the end, I have to work harder, is what you’re saying.”

“But I have a conscience, so I won’t keep you too long. Would about ten years be okay?”

“…Pardon?”

“Too short? Then fifteen—”

“N-no, ten years will be fine.”

Rain Breaker’s loyalty and character were so good that I wanted to keep him by my side even if he retired.

If he were a bit younger, I would have taken him along for training instead of Jawil Wilson.

I gently placed my hand on Rain Breaker’s shoulder.

“Rain Breaker.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Let’s stay together for a long time.”

“…Yes, Young Master.”

Just as Rain Breaker and I were making this promise, I saw Pathericks running toward us from a distance.

His panting face made me think I should set aside a day to train his stamina properly.

“Y-Young Master!!”

“What is it?”

Pathericks, catching his breath, straightened his back and took a deep breath.

Then, with eyes full of anxiety, he spoke.

“The… The Princesses are urgently looking for you.”