Chapter 177

Lake Ariala in the Holy City.

This place, famous for its beautiful scenery, was a place of memories for me.

It was here that Hiresia first took a liking to me, and where I began to reconcile with my sister.

And now, I had another important task to do here.

“There he is.”

I muttered, gazing across Lake Ariala.

A single figure.

Though too far to see clearly, it was undoubtedly an old man wearing a bamboo hat.

I could picture it clearly in my mind.

I headed towards the dock where the ferry was.

It was too far to swim across.

I put down my luggage and grabbed the oar.

It felt lonely rowing alone, when I was used to being with someone.

I must have gotten too used to being popular.

Splash! Splash!

I rowed hard towards the opposite shore.

A field stretched out there.

It was spring, and the flowers were in full bloom, a beautiful array of colors.

Perfect for family outings or couple dates.

My family was far away, and inviting my human fiancée or non-human girlfriend felt too much so I refrained.

Thud!

I stopped the ferry as I reached the opposite dock.

I could clearly see the old man in the bamboo hat, casting his fishing rod by the lake.

I approached the old man, carrying my luggage.

I took out a fishing rod from my luggage.

I didn’t particularly enjoy fishing, but I had to do it to catch my teacher.

Whoosh.

I cast the fishing rod without bait.

Without bait, there’s no way to catch fish.

A pointless fishing.

But it didn’t matter.

I wasn’t trying to catch fish, I was trying to catch a teacher.

The important thing was to endure silently in one place.

It was a battle against boredom.

Quite some time passed.

But neither the old man nor I said a word.

Naturally, not a single fish was caught on my rod.

Interestingly, the same was true for the old man.

It meant he was also fishing without bait.

Whoosh.

Only the sound of the wind could be heard in the lakeside field.

It was boring, but perfect for organizing my thoughts.

I looked at the lake and thought about future events.

Before I knew it, the surroundings began to darken.

I got up without hesitation.

And again, without a word, I took the ferry back to the other side.

‘One more day.’

I counted inwardly.

Turk, Godwin, Dan.

All my previous teachers were masters in their fields, but this old man was on a different level, a true big shot.

You can’t catch a big fish easily.

Patience was needed.

* * *

The old man came to Lake Ariala three times a week.

I attended all three times without fail.

Just like the first day, I sat silently next to the old man, casting my baitless fishing rod.

Until it got dark.

I repeated this six times, up to the second week.

And on the first day of the third week.

Finally, the old man spoke for the first time.

“Why is a young person wasting time like this?”

His tone was somewhat hollow.

It sounded like the voice of a person worn down by the weight of long years.

“I’m not wasting time.”

I answered calmly.

My gaze was still fixed on the water of the lake.

“Heh, not wasting time? To this old man’s eyes, it clearly looks like you’re fishing without bait.”

“That’s correct.”

I nodded.

“And yet you say you’re not wasting time?”

“Yes, because I’m not trying to catch fish.”

“Not trying to catch fish? What do you mean?”

“I’m trying to catch a person.”

“What?”

The old man seemed incredulous.

But he also seemed curious.

“What kind of person are you talking about?”

At that question, I finally turned my gaze to the old man.

A long scar was visible under his bamboo hat.

A scar from a blade.

That alone was enough to tell he wasn’t an ordinary old countryman.

“You, sir.”

I said bluntly.

A moment of silence.

Then the old man started laughing.

“Hohoho, this old man? What an interesting young man.”

“Being interesting is a good thing, isn’t it?”

I responded with a faint smile and continued.

“Then may I ask you a question in return?”

“Hoho, I asked first, so it’s only fair that I answer one too, right?”

The old man nodded.

“What are you trying to catch, sir?”

“This old man is killing time.”

A meaningful answer.

I could tell that the voice giving that answer was hollow.

“I thought so.”

“You thought so?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it seems like you’re just waiting for your death, sir.”

My words were not wrong.

The old man was just waiting for his death.

Without any motivation for his remaining life.

And as is often the case with such people, death was near.

By next year, the old man would no longer come to this place.

No, he wouldn’t be able to.

Because he would end his life alone and lonely.

“Hohoho, you have very good eyes, young man.”

The old man laughed.

He continued.

“I’d like to know your name.”

Asking for the name of a stranger he just exchanged a few words with?

It means he’s interested.

“Max Celtrine.”

“Celtrine? That noble family of the Empire?”

As expected, his knowledge was as vast as his years.

“That’s right.”

“A young man from a prestigious family, I see.”

“It’s not something to boast about. Now, may I ask for your name, sir?”

“Hoho, this old man has long forgotten his name. Just call me Baker.”

Old man Baker.

I don’t know his real name either.

But one thing was certain.

When Baker was active decades ago, he was definitely a renowned knight.

It’s just that it was so long ago that he’s been forgotten.

“By the way, I’m curious. If you know so much, why did you approach this old man?”

“I told you earlier. I want to catch a person.”

“What is there to catch from a useless old man just waiting to die?”

“I’m the son of a family that makes a living through commerce. So I dare say I have an eye for what’s a gem and what’s a stone.”

“Hoho, and? Do those eyes see something?”

“Yes, I see it very clearly. That you’re a stone, sir.”

“……”

Even if he sang about being a useless old man, deep down, he probably didn’t really think so.

Old man Baker seemed displeased.

But he couldn’t show it because of what he had said earlier.

“Heh, ahem. Th-That’s right. This old man is… like a stone.”

I barely held back my laughter at his appearance.

I calmed myself and spoke again.

“However.”

“Hmm?”

“I see a gem inside that stone. A gem that shines brightly with years of experience. I want to dig out that gem.”

It’s more effective to lift someone up after bringing them down first.

I could feel Old man Baker’s expression softening.

“Hmm, I see. So that’s what it was. Indeed, you have excellent eyes… No, of course, this old man is useless… Th-That’s what I mean…”

Old man Baker, caught in a battle with himself.

I couldn’t hold it anymore and lowered my head, letting out a laugh.

Old man Baker looked embarrassed.

I spoke, as if to smooth over the atmosphere.

“I’m still lacking a lot.”

“Ahem… You’re humble.”

Old man Baker cleared his throat and continued.

“Anyway. As you said, this old man is just waiting to die. I’ve lost all will and passion. Of course, I have no lingering attachment to my remaining life. So it would be better if you just give up.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Hmm?”

“There’s a saying among merchants.”

I continued with a meaningful smile.

“The person who claims not to care about money is often the one who cares about it the most.”

“Wh-What did you say?”

Old man Baker looked dumbfounded, as if he immediately understood what I meant.

But I kindly provided further explanation.

“The person who claims to have no attachment to life is often the one who has the most attachment.”

“Are you mocking this old man?”

Old man Baker’s face reddened with excitement.

I shook my head.

“No, of course not. I’m just saying what I see.”

Splash!

I lifted my fishing rod.

A small fish was caught on the hookless line.

I’d heard this happens sometimes, but I didn’t expect it to happen to me.

This looks like a meaningful demonstration I didn’t plan.

I grinned and grabbed the fish with my hand.

“You might not have any motivation for your remaining life. But do you really have no lingering attachments? I sense a strong attachment.”

The fish flopped around, as if desperately wanting to live.

As if demonstrating a strong attachment to life.

I smiled and threw the fish back into the lake.

Splash.

The sound of the fish returning to the lake.

Along with it, Old man Baker opened his mouth.

“Sigh… You truly have remarkable eyes.”

A voice of acknowledgment.

He must have thought there was no point in denying it anymore, it would just be lying to himself.

Swish!

Old man Baker also pulled in his fishing rod.

His hook was empty.

“Attachment… Yes, I do have one. To a certain level that I couldn’t reach even after struggling my entire life.”

For the first time, I could hear regret in Old man Baker’s voice.

He seemed to be reminiscing about his past years.

I continued the conversation.

“You mean the level of a Master, right?”

“Is there anything you don’t know?”

Old man Baker clicked his tongue and looked at me.

“Seeing your still sturdy body, you don’t seem to be a mage, so the only answer left is obvious.”

“It might be obvious to you.”

Old man Baker continued.

“So, are you satisfied now? After hearing about this old man’s insignificant last attachment?”

“It’s a shame.”

“A shame?”

“Yes. Because I think it’s impossible for you to achieve that attachment in your lifetime.”

“Hahaha, you have a talent for saying obvious things seriously.”

Old man Baker laughed loudly.

It’s impossible to achieve a level in old age that he couldn’t reach even in his prime.

He knew that better than anyone, which is why he laughed at my words.

“Yes, it’s obvious. It’s certainly impossible by yourself. But let me add one thing. Does it have to be you who crosses that threshold?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Your swordsmanship. If someone who inherits your swordsmanship breaks through that wall, wouldn’t that prove that your swordsmanship is capable of breaking through to the Master level?”

I spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.

This had to work.

Why?

Because Old man Baker’s swordsmanship wasn’t just swordsmanship.

It was the swordsmanship he had created himself and honed throughout his entire life.

It was Old man Baker’s life itself.

“Huh… You mean…”

Old man Baker looked as if he’d been hit on the head with a hammer.

It must have been a perspective he had never considered.

He had been obsessed with the idea that only he could achieve it because it was his swordsmanship.

That must have been why he had such a strong lingering attachment until the end.

“…I never thought of it that way.”

“Leave it to future generations. I won’t arrogantly say that I’ll definitely do it. But as it’s passed down, someday, someone will surely achieve it. You win just by entrusting it, that’s what I’m saying.”

“Hmm.”

“Isn’t that better in many ways than waiting for death with lingering regrets?”

“……”

Old man Baker pondered.

Then he suddenly asked.

“How did you know this old man uses a sword?”

“To be honest, I guessed.”

“Hohoho.”

Old man Baker laughed.

“It’s a somewhat tempting proposition. But tell me, why should this old man teach you his swordsmanship? Are you confident you can persuade me?”

“Isn’t it because there’s no one else?”

“What?”

“No one else who understands your feelings like I do.”

“What did you say?”

Old man Baker opened his eyes wide, dumbfounded.

Then,

“Hahaha, interesting. Truly interesting. To think I’d meet someone like you before I die.”

He burst into laughter.

It seemed like a laugh of genuine amusement.

Seeing that expression, I was certain.

That things had gone according to plan.

“Alright, I’ll teach you one technique. But, if you don’t impress me as much as your smooth talking, I’ll wash my hands of you immediately.”

“Of course. I’ll prove my worth myself.”

I grinned.

(TLN: elf chaps tmrw :D)