Ch.365EP.76 – The Knight Leaves the Stage (6)

“How strange.”

Suddenly, Ihan felt surprised.

Just 1 year.

In a way, it was the time when a knight who had lived in isolation from the world began to properly communicate with it.

It was merely 1/30 of the time he had lived, or 1/60 if counting his previous life, so one could dismiss it as an insignificant period.

…But why?

‘It was more fulfilling than any other time.’

Would you believe that the past year was more intense than any other, and that he felt truly alive during it?

‘It was a year without regrets, full of accomplishment.’

If his past self could see him now, he would probably be surprised.

The person who thought he would live a lonely life forever had somehow formed so many connections, and those connections cared for him and gave him affection. Could his past self have ever imagined this?

Therefore, Ihan could boldly declare that the past year was more precious than all his 30 years of life combined.

That’s how much.

“-As of today, this instructor will be leaving the academy.”

It had become a time filled with emotional attachments.

* * *

“……”

“…Hmm.”

“Hoo, hooo!”

…No one could easily speak up.

They had certainly expected this to happen.

They had prepared themselves for it.

…But when it actually happened, they understood.

That thoughts are just thoughts, and the impact of reality is completely different.

“Sob…”

The cadets, Ihan’s disciples, all choked up at once.

At that moment.

“…Kunta doesn’t understand well.”

Instead of choking up like the others, there was a barbarian who asked questions with his usual clueless and innocent expression, drawing everyone’s attention.

Despite the attention, the barbarian continued to look at him with bright eyes.

“Why must instructor leave? The king is the one who did wrong. Kunta and young master, chicks, bears…. All of Kunta’s classmates almost returned to nature’s embrace because of the king’s mistake. Instructor knew that and got angry for Kunta and classmates. Kunta was happy, and thinks what instructor did was not wrong. The wisest elder in our tribe said so too. If someone does wrong, even the chief or the shaman grandmother should be scolded. That’s how the world stays healthy. So instructor did nothing wrong. Kunta guarantees it!”

“……”

It was an unusually long speech for Kunta, but its content was neither logical nor coherent—just direct and childishly innocent.

If any nobleman who valued logic, philosophy, literature, etiquette, and political elements had heard Kunta’s way of speaking, they might have even sneered.

…But none of them dismissed Kunta’s statement after hearing it.

Although it wasn’t logical, its pure sincerity penetrated their hearts.

Sure enough.

“Always with the flattery…”

A smile of appreciation and gratitude formed on the instructor’s lips, along with pride in his disciple’s growth.

As if saying he had grown a lot.

“Was something wrong with Kunta’s words?”

“It’s just irony saying I’m proud of you, you idiot.”

“…Common language is still difficult.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

The instructor chuckled and then.

“Kunta. Our department’s only foreign exchange student.”

“!?”

…He rarely called him by name.

“Don’t change. If possible, keep that optimistic and innocent side of yours until the end. Someone might call you a barbarian who can’t accept civilization, but ignore such talk. People in civilized society aren’t any better. Rather, they’re pitiful. They’re the kind who become sick unless they prove they’re superior to others.”

“Civilized society is difficult…”

“You don’t need to understand. Just live like you do now. When things get tough sometimes, rely on your friends. But don’t just depend on them blindly; try to build relationships where you can cooperate with each other. If you do that, you’ll be living with the greatest asset one can have.”

“That… Yes! Kunta is confident! Kunta will not betray friends!”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

“Yes!”

Instead of answering Kunta’s question, the instructor left him with ‘words of wisdom.’

As if to say there was no need to know about the kingdom’s political issues or the nobles’ ugliness.

Just words of wisdom saying that living as he is now is enough.

And these words of wisdom were not.

“Arno.”

“Yes, instructor.”

Just for one person.

“Are you getting along well with the writer?”

“I’m trying to talk with him as much as possible.”

“And with that lady?”

“It’s difficult, but somehow…”

“Hehe, you must be having a hard time mediating.”

“…It’s all thanks to you, instructor.”

A conversation filled with words of wisdom, possible because he knew the cadet’s family situation and their history.

Ihan spoke without hesitation.

“Garand.”

“You called, sir.”

“You seem to live simply, but you actually live more complicatedly than anyone else.”

“…Why the sudden criticism?”

“It’s not criticism, it’s fact. Try to live more easily. Don’t live so tiringly.”

“…Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Barry.”

“Bear #11, here!”

“Are you getting along well with your siblings?”

“They’re too energetic, it’s hard.”

“Cain.”

“Young Master #3, here!”

“Rose, Lirina.”

“Chick #7, here!”

“Chick #12 too!”

Many names were called.

Diom, Abel, Dikane, Conrad, Theo, Isaac, Samuel, Joseph, Dylan, Jackson, Hugo, Julian, Melt, Dan, Hans, Dick, Kuben, Milliana, Amelia, Mia, Lily, Chloe, Sophia, Margaret, Milly, Sienna, Elsie, Jessie, Aria─.

Besides these, he mentioned all the cadets’ names, eventually calling out all 80 of them.

“Jack.”

“Gloomy guy, here!”

“You’re exposing yourself, your original nickname was ‘Ordinary,’ you idiot.”

“Y-you remember that?”

“Do you think my memory is that bad?”

“Haha…”

“Funny thing is, I trained you to be a knight, but why are you becoming a complete assassin?”

“This is just where my talent lies.”

“…Well, that can’t be helped. Talent is what you make of it, so an assassin knight is cool in its own way.”

“Is that praise or criticism?”

“If you take it as praise, then it’s words of wisdom; if you don’t like it, then it’s criticism.”

“…If someone else said it, it would be criticism, but coming from you, instructor, it sounds like words of wisdom.”

“That’s fortunate.”

The instructor called almost everyone by name and left them with words, finally turning his gaze to the few remaining individuals.

To the ‘three people’ who worried him the most.

“-Irene Windler.”

Flash!

“Yes, Chick #1 here!”

“…You’re quite spirited, aren’t you?”

“Huh? N-no, I’m not!”

“…Just in case, I’m telling you, don’t follow me.”

“!?”

[Arin, you’re in Buddha’s palm.]

“…Buddha? What…?”

“!!?”

[…!]

“…Hmm? Did I mishear?”

Ihan ignored the auditory hallucination and shrugged.

“Anyway, don’t follow me. If you do, that Duke will bother me.”

“…Actually, I’m partly leaving because of that. That creepy old man has been acting friendly lately, and it’s giving me a headache.”

“……”

“Sigh, I don’t know why he’s suddenly acting like this. It’s disgusting.”

“…Hmm.”

…Well, family conflicts should be resolved on their own.

The problem now was that this magic-using chick was full of intention to follow him.

“Don’t follow me.”

“Tch… That’s mean.”

“…You must have things to do too. So do them.”

“……”

“I know you have as many secrets as those two. When the day comes that you can talk about those secrets, come find me then. I’ll keep you company.”

“…Are you promising?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, then I’ll believe you. Because instructor doesn’t lie.”

[Our simple Arin….]

“…Why do I keep hearing things?”

“!!?”

[Gasp…!]

“…Anyway.”

Ihan moved on.

“Derrick.”

“Yes. I’m here.”

“Hmm, honestly, I’m not worried about you, and I don’t have any words of wisdom for you.”

“Th-that’s discrimination, isn’t it?”

“What discrimination? You have people to advise you even without me. You have a smart girlfriend, so I don’t need to help you, and your abilities alone are the most overpowered. Honestly, me worrying about you would just be pretense.”

“…I think you’re overestimating me…”

“I’m actually underestimating you. You might not know it, but with confidence, you can do anything. So I’m not worried about you. You’ll ‘do well.'”

“……”

“Do what you want to do. Just don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, I do recommend speeding violations. And have lots of children if possible.”

“Ah, w-we’re not that kind of relationship yet!!”

“…It seems like you are though?”

“!?”

This guy is salty till the end.

Still, though annoying, he’s not entirely dislikable.

He patted the gray-haired status window on the shoulder and looked at the black-haired guy waiting his turn.

For him…

“Honestly, I’m most worried about you.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, Roen Dmitri de Lionel.”

“……”

He flinched.

At hearing his full name.

But Ihan didn’t call him by his full name to scold him.

If anything…

“You sometimes tend to try to do everything by yourself. You have perfectionist tendencies and seem compelled to accomplish everything on your own.”

“That’s…”

“So, I’m worried about you.”

“……”

…Genuine concern.

Snap.

Ihan took out his hand axe.

“A gift.”

“This is…”

“I’ve used it for quite a while. It should be quite useful.”

“……”

“Even if it’s just occasionally, even if it’s just once every few months. Try to take some time to chop firewood with this axe and enjoy a moment of leisure. Don’t overthink things, and practice trusting others.”

“…I’m sorry I can’t dare promise to keep it.”

“You don’t need to promise. Just remember my words whenever you see this axe. You’re someone who only runs forward too quickly and isn’t good at looking around.”

“…I’ll try. To have some leisure.”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

The black-haired youth still seemed puzzled about why he was receiving such a gift, but Ihan felt truly anxious.

Some might ask what there was to worry about, but in his eyes, there was plenty.

‘If it’s needless worry, then that’s good.’

It’s fine if he’s just being an overly concerned person.

It was amusing to realize how much of a worrier he had become.

Therefore.

“Levi.”

“Yes, master.”

“Take good care of them. They all have their insecurities. Help mediate between them.”

“…What?”

“And don’t think about following me either.”

“I, I…”

“You’re the only one I can trust.”

“…Master?”

Ihan could feel at ease knowing that the most trustworthy person remained.

“Honestly, I don’t favor people just because they’re talented. In my eyes, all my disciples are equally precious and good. …But if I had to name the most trustworthy and excellent among my disciples, it would be you.”

“M-me?”

“Yes, you.”

Click.

Ihan handed his sword to the girl who was staring with wide, rabbit-like eyes in surprise.

“I-I can’t accept this…”

“The sword master, that lady, said you have potential not just for rapiers but for other swords as well.”

“……”

“Don’t hesitate if you see a way to become stronger. If you have talent, delve into it. Broaden the scope of your possibilities.”

“B-but.”

“You’re a bright child. And you have courage and the quality to lead others.”

“Y-you’re overestimating me, I-I’m not that…”

“I’m speaking based on what I’ve seen.”

“!”

“I still remember. The brave woman who held a sword even in the midst of crisis.”

“……”

Levi, the girl, had the courage to try to resist even in the face of calamity.

She also knows how to rise even in despair.

Because she had lived her whole life in despair and learned how to overcome it.

“You always say you overcame things thanks to me, but in the end, you’re the one who endured and overcame the hardships. I just gave you a little push from behind.”

“Th-that’s not true. Thanks to you, master, I…”

“Become strong. So that no one can tamper with your fate.”

“……”

“You understand, our top disciple.”

“…You’re putting too much pressure on me, master.”

In the end, Levi made a tearful face, but the girl finally accepted the sword.

…A sword heavier than any famous blade.

* * *

The farewell couldn’t be prolonged, and Ihan left the academy right after giving Levi the sword.

There were voices trying to stop him, but if he yielded to those voices, he would never be able to leave.

Since it would only have a negative impact on both sides, he headed outside without hesitation.

Now it was truly time to leave alone…

“Sir Knight!”

“…Miss Maid?”

“You came out quickly! I thought it would take longer, hehe.”

“……”

“If you don’t have anywhere else to look around, let’s go right away. Oh, right. Where are you going?”

“What’s all that luggage?”

“We’re leaving, right? Then we need lots of stuff!”

“Ah, no, I mean…”

Ihan was dumbfounded looking at Leira Winter, who was carrying a bag bigger and sturdier than her frail body without breaking a sweat.

How long had she been waiting here?

No, waiting is one thing, but does she intend to leave with him?

“What about your job?”

“I quit!”

“…Why?”

“Because I need to follow you, Sir Knight!”

“……”

“Hehe, it would be lonely if you went alone. So let’s go together.”

“…Good grief.”

Ihan wanted to argue more, but seeing that bright smile, he couldn’t come up with any rebuttals or questions.

Just…

“…Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“I’d like to visit Vulcan first.”

“The hot springs there are nice.”

“Hehe.”

He could only feel the freshness in front of her smile, which had the warmth of spring sunshine.

Ihan picked up her backpack and walked, and the maid smiled brightly as she walked beside him.

As they matched each other’s steps─.

*

*

+(Bonus)

“…He l-left?”

“Damian? Where have you been all this time?”

“I was on duty and took a nap. More importantly, left? …What about me?”

“……”

“What about me! What am I supposed to do!”

“…W-well, why don’t we have some tea and talk?”

“Aaaaargh!!”

On the day the knight left, a teaching assistant wailed.

Damian Pollet.

Even though everyone was leaving the academy, he couldn’t leave.

Why?

…Because he needed his superior’s seal to resign.

Therefore, the only way for him to resign without his superior’s help was…

“Damn it, hell…!”

He had to set out to find his superior.

It was the beginning of Damian Pollet’s ten-thousand-mile journey to find his superior.