An Old Man from the Countryside Becomes a Swords Saint: I Was Just a Rural Sword Teacher, But My Successful Students Won't Leave Me Alone! Chapter 61

Published at 9th of August 2022 07:03:13 AM

“Well then, I leave it all in your hands,” Ibroix said, standing up now that the discussion was over.

Isn't it necessary to have a more detailed meeting about this? Or was that left to Lucy? I haven't received any information yet.

“Do you need me… to see you off again?” Lucy asked. “Till the next, Ibroix.”

“Hahaha, I see you're still the same as ever, Lucy. Till the next. Mr. Beryl, good luck.”

“Yeah, got it…” I said.

And now it's all up to me. Man, I'm going to do much more than I was told, but what should I do specifically? It wouldn't be as simple as hitting up a church alone and going on a rampage.

“Oh my, Mr. Ibroix,” Halwi said. “Are you going home?”

“Ah, Ms. Halwi,” Ibroix said. “Pardon me.”

Halwi seemed to be behind the door and found Ibroix just as he left the room.

Lucy might not have moved because her servant was there. I thought I should at least see her to the door but then again, I'm not done talking with her yet.

“… Now then,” I said. “What should I do?”

“Hrmm,” Lucy said. “I'll explain that now.”

I take my attention from outside the door to back inside the room.

Lucy got up and took out a thin book from the bookshelf on the wall. If I look at her flipping through the pages, it looks like a map of Baltrain's geography.

“Lebios is usually in a church in the North District,” Lucy said. “I want you to stake him out here,” she said, putting a finger on the map.

“I see… but all that being said, I don't really know the area…”

The North District? I'm sure that's where the Royal Palace of Rebelis is located. Since I've been in Baltrain for so long, I've been to the Central District and the West District but I haven't been to the North District yet. I had neither a reason nor a desire to go.

I didn't have a sense of the place, just looking at this map.

“It's easy to get on a horse-drawn carriage to the North District, but coming from my house, you could always just walk,” Lucy said. “Considering the time, you could take either means…”

“I'm afraid I'll get lost, so I'll use a carriage like you recommended,” I said.

The horse-drawn carriages running all around the capital are in service till relatively late.

Most of the people who work in this city go to the Central District, the West District, and the South District, but most of them live in the East District. It's little wonder that horse-drawn districts are busy till late at night.

In that respect, I'm staying at an inn in the Central District and I usually go to the Knight's HQ that's also in the Central District. Although I live in a big city, the range I visit is extremely narrow.

Baltrain itself was familiar to me but it's been a while since I visited the North District.

“The Suphinean Church is just a stone's throw away from the carriage terminal,” Lucy said. “Perhaps you'll see it as soon as you get of.”

“If that's the case, thanks for the help,” I said.

I was being informed only after accepting the request, but I couldn't say I wouldn't get lost because I could see the important landmarks. Lucy says it's a prominent location, so I hope I notice it.

“I'd be happy if you'd send someone with me,” I said.

“As much as I'd like to, it's hard as climbing a mountain,” Lucy said, sighing.

If neither the Magic Division nor the Knights can move, will I be doing this alone?

“There are all manner of problems that would arise if Twilight's contract with Lebios becomes public,” Lucy said. “If you were to start attacking all at once, he would probably stop moving alone and without the help of his associates.”

“Hmm…” I said.

I don't think he's doing this “miracle” research on his own.

I suspect he's engaged in human trafficking and experiments. There are various difficulties in doing such alone without it being found by anyone else. He may have cooperators or there may be a certain number of forces with similar ideas.

I should have asked Ibroix while he was here. Even if there's not going to be a fight, I want to know the scale of my opponent.

Depending on the quality and the number of opponents, I could get away.

If I can, I'll do it, and if I can't, I'll quit. I took the job but I'm not risking my life for it.

“That there will be a battle…” I said, “it's pretty distinct possibility, isn't it?”

“If Lebios thinks about fleeing into the night and using his forces, it's possible,” Lucy said. “Well, with your strength, it wouldn't be a problem.”

“I'm not sure about that…”

I think there are only problems here.

But a battle? It'll be fine if there are a few of them like the pickpockets from before, but when it comes to those that match the Knights of Revelio in skill, the story is very different. Since the power and strength of my opponents are unknown, I feel that there's going to be a great difficulty here.

“What if he gets away?” I asked.

“I don't want to think about it too much…” Lucy said. “But for the moment, it's going to be a conversation between the kingdom of Rebelis and the Supheniardvania theocracy.”

For Rebelis, they can't overlook that the Bishop of Suphine was committing crimes in their territory.

For Supheniardvania, a thief's testimony is useless without solid evidence.

Maybe they'll work it out but that's probably how it will be.

I don't even know the inner workings of the neighboring countries but I doubt they'd just normally nod and agree to another country accusing their citizens of wrongdoing in foreign territory.

That's why they want to arrest Lebios here. However, the forces we can mobilize are extremely small.

“What are you so worried about? Just deal with it,” Lucy said cheerfully. “There's no problem if he quietly agrees to give his statement as a witness.”

“I hope that's what's going to happen…” I said.

She and Ibroix are probably not likely to get directly involved.

I hope it won't be a tough operation, but there are a lot of criminals out there.

“… This is just my hypothesis,” Lucy said. “There is no such thing as resurrection magic.”

“…? Yeah, I heard that already,” I said.

“But Lebios is continuing his research. It takes time and effort to destroy the failed corpses. Where did the victims disappear during that process?”

“…”

Stop that, that's so horrifying.

If you try to revive the dead, naturally, it would be impossible without a corpse. That's why Twilight sent Lebios people who seemed to have no one who'd miss them if they suddenly disappeared.

Are those kidnapped people alive or dead now? I don't know. I'll know if we reveal his crimes but at this point, the truth is still in the dark.

“I've got a bad feeling about this,” Lucy said. “I want you to guarantee his arrest.”

“Understood,” I said. “I'll do as much as I can.”

Bad premonitions are usually right. I can't be sure of it, though.

It's best if time goes past without me meeting Lebios. However, when we do, a conflict is almost inevitable.

My fingers unconsciously reach for the scabbard on my waist. I pray I that I won't have the opportunity to use this sword against humans. I don't want to kill people.

“Now then, I suppose it's about time for you to move,” Lucy said.

“Mm, I'll be careful,” I said.

I look out the window, it's almost time for the sun to set and darkness to swallow up the world. If Lebios were to move, it would be right around this time.

I was late and I couldn't secure the area in case of a night escape, so it doesn't make sense to carry this out. I don't feel like it'll be successful but since Ibroix personally requested it of me, I can't sabotage the plan.

“… Forgive me,” Lucy whispered as I left the drawing-room.

“I understand that the Magic Division has its hands tied,” I said. “Well, I've drawn the unfortunate lottery… though, that's pretty obvious.”

If Lucy hadn't met me. Perhaps this matter would be shared with someone else and resolved without my knowledge.

No, if I hadn't met Miu in the first place, I'm sure this matter wouldn't have progressed this far.

For that matter, if Alexia hadn't recommended me as a Special Instructor, I wouldn't even be in this situation right now. Then, I would have been teaching kids swordsmanship back at Bidden Village.

It's a strange and bizarre turn of events. It's also a somewhat heavy load for an old man that's just passed 40.

“Ibroix already said it, but I promise you a decent reward, too,” Lucy said. “I'm counting on you.”

“Haha, I don't have many expectations for that reward,” I said as I finally left Lucy's house.

Now then, will I head to the location now?

She said it wasn't too far to walk but I don't know the exact path and visibility was poor. I'll use a carriage, as advised.

“… Ah, crap.”

Where's the nearest carriage terminal from here?

Now that I realized I forgot to ask about vital information, I hurried back into Lucy's mansion.

Chapter end