After Leo left, I approached Tigar who was still sprawled on the ground. As I extended my hand to him, Tigar looked up at with a frustrated expression on his face and I asked him why he had conceded the victory.
Surely youre not so frail as to fall from just that?
Heh, you caught on, huh?
Tigar grabbed my hand and, with a grunt, pulled himself to his feet. He rubbed his jaw, but his stance was steady, indicating he still had plenty of fight left in him.
Tigar then retrieved the greatsword that Leo had kicked away and stared in the direction Leo had walked. He let out a deep and heavy sigh.
Just like boss said, I could have continued fighting. If I wanted to win, I could have.
Then why
I can withstand a physical punch, but it was the punch of words that knocked down.
A punch of words?
Tigar and Leo had been exchanging blows and words at the sa ti. I tried to recall the words spoken at that mont, especially what Leo had said just before Tigar fell.
Dont decide its impossible before I even try, was it?
It was after that. He said, Im my fathers sonhehe. How can he not believe that when his proud son says so?
It was Sharl who pointed out my mistake. After Leo had left, his mother Sharl had gone after him. I thought she wouldnt return for a while, but she ca back much sooner than expected. Did Leo send her back?
With a playful smile, Sharl extended her palm towards Tigar and started healing his wounds. The healing power of demons had already healed most of the bruising, but with her help, he was completely healed.
Facing such words, how could I resist? Believing in Leo was the only option left.
But wasnt that a bit too much? The poor boy fainted from a distance away.
I treated him while he was unconscious. Sharl continued. It was no surprise that he fainted after being hit that hard. It seems Ill have to pick him up later and bring him back to the royal capital.
While I was thinking about what would happen when I returned, Tigar wore a bitter expression on his face. Even though it was in the heat of the mont, he had knocked his beloved son unconscious with his punches. It would be strange if he were unaffected by it.
I will take Leo back with . To wake up in the camp after making such a grand standLeo would be embarrassed.
That sounds good. Take him with you today.
Ill visit daily until we depart. If anyone else wishes to stay in the kingdom, let know then.
Alright, see you.
I had planned to spend more ti at the camp, but the quarrel between Leo and Tigar ant I had to leave abruptly. After carrying Leo who had collapsed at the spot Sharl ntioned, I raced through the forest while thinking about the fight between the two of them.
Though I lacked soone like a father myself, I could grasp the nuances of their emotions. Tigars harsh intervention stemd from his deep care for Leo, while Leos desire to prove himself was driven by his respect for his father Tigar. Their quarrel was a manifestation of their mutual affection.
A family of my own seems out of reach Yet, if I were to have a child, perhaps I could stand by Tigars side.
But that was a far-fetched thought. Because I dont have a partner. And I dont think I could be a good father like Tigar. So I just dismissed these idle thoughts. My focus now was on returning to the royal capital.
Leo had been living as Lieselottes servant in her mansion, but unfortunately, I didnt know the exact location of her residence. It might have been the sa place where Hilda jumped out from during my scorpion days but I had no idea where that was, nor could I be certain it was the sa location. Left with no other choice, I decided to take him to my room.
Ah, teacher. That was quick Oh, Leo?
A lot happened. Here we go.
Perhaps due to his exhaustion, Leo did not wake up even after we returned to the royal castle. Unlike before the battle in the arena, entry and exit were permitted, albeit through a back door. It seed King Carl was being considerate.
I laid Leo, whom I had been carrying, onto the bed. I decided to let him rest until he woke up. I needed to explain to Chirik how Leo ended up in this state Oh?
Excuse . I have brought a guest.
A guest? Who is it?
Just as I was about to explain to Chirik what had happened, there was a knock on the door of the guest room assigned to . Judging by the timing, it seed they had been waiting for my return from outside.
However, the ntion of a guest left puzzled since I had not been expecting anyone. No one had inford of a visitors arrival. While King Carl might drop by unannounced, the stature of the person on the other side of the door, as I inferred from the vibrations, was different from his. In fact, it seed like soone I had never t before.
Please, co in.
I didnt know who it was, but I didnt feel my position was secure enough to turn away a visitor. Chirik politely sat down next to and waited without even having to speak to him.
The man who entered the room with the maid was quite tall; he was possibly taller than even Gora. However, unlike Gora, he did not possess a muscular build; instead, he appeared almost too thin.
He had reddish-brown hair with hints of gray slicked back and a mustache of the sa color. He looked to be in his forties. His tanned skin gave off a healthy vibe, but his slender fra left an impression akin to a withered tree.
Thank you for having . This is a small token of my appreciation.
With those words, the man produced so gold coins from his pocket and pressed them into the maids hand. He was well-dressed and was probably a wealthy person. What could such a man want with ?
After the maid accepted the gold coins, she bowed respectfully and exited the room, leaving us alone. The man then turned towards us and extended his hand with a smile as if seeking a handshake.
Pleased to et you, Sir Antares. My na is Lorenz Reiner.
Im Antares. This is my disciple, Chirik.
Pleased to et you, Mr. Reiner. Im Chirik.
Hahaha, what a bright disciple you have! Hes quite different from my son when he was at this age!
Given the polite greeting, it was only right to respond in kind. I stood up to shake hands with Lorenz. Following my lead, Chirik also stood and bowed slightly.
Lorenz seed chard by Chiriks deanor and he was smiling as he shook my hand. Considering Lorenzs age, his son was likely already an adult, making him too old to be a peer for Chirik.
Ah, the firm handshake of a warrior.
So, there was a purpose to the handshake?
Indeed, there was. I have co to make a request, after all.
So he ca to make a request, huh? I assud it must be his main purpose in coming here. I asked Lorenz to sit down so I could listen to his request calmly. He accepted and sat down as prompted.
Well then let just get straight to the point, I have but one request. I wish to join you on the exhilarating journey across the Shumie Mountain range.
It appeared Lorenz wished to accompany us. However, his request couldnt be imdiately granted with a nod. My first impression of Lorenz was not bad, but I didnt know anything about him.
. Even though it was just to be on the safe side, Im sure others wouldnt like the way we kept trying to keep everyone at a distance like that. Although change wouldnt co overnight, lets try to follow in the footsteps of Leo who decided to stay behind to challenge the prejudice against demons.
I understand your request. Could you share why you wish to join us?
Of course, I will explain. If I recall correctly, there was sothing in the royal castles guest room
After saying that, Lorenz approached the bookshelf in the room, retrieved a book, and brought it over to us. The title was Tales of Wandering in the Western Lands the book that had captivated Chirik the most.
Ah, that book is
Oh, have you read it? The author of Tales of Wandering in the Western Lands Godwin of the Swallow is actually called Godwin Reiner. He is my grandfather.
According to Lorenz, his grandfather Godwin Reiner was born the fourth son of a poor farr. He apprenticed with a traveling rchant as a young boy and began to do business while wandering through various places.
Though the life of a traveling rchant was difficult, Godwin did not find it burdenso at all. The reason was simple: he loved the very act of traveling.
My grandfather was once a re helper for a rchant but he eventually set up his own shop and beca independent. That was when he embarked on the solo journey he had always dread of. With his experience as a rchant, he had no trouble earning his way, and it seems he enjoyed his travels with complete freedom.
Thats amazing.
Chirik seed genuinely astounded. Talking about wandering freely is easy, but actually doing it is incredibly difficult. Being travelers in search of new horizons ourselves, we could truly appreciate that fact.
Beyond the safety of towns and villages lie dangers such as hostile creatures and bandits, and falling ill could be life-threatening. Its one thing for a group of skilled warriors like us, but it would be recklessly dangerous for soone alone.
It may sound reckless, but he truly did it. I heard it straight from him, so theres no doubt about it.
Lorenz continued with a wry smile. Godwin enjoyed his carefree travels, but eventually, they ca to an end. He fell ill during one of his journeys, leaving his legs unable to function as he wished.
With no choice but to give up his travels, Godwin turned to writing travelogues and he started with this Tales of Wandering in the Western Lands. It seed to be a win-win situation for him, as he could reminisce about his travels and earn his daily bread at the sa ti.
Then a turning point ca for Godwin once again. A wealthy rchant who had read his travelogues wanted to et him in person and invited him to his ho. After so talk, the rchant took a great liking to him and welcod him as his son-in-law.
Originally, Godwin had beco a traveling rchant to earn his way on the road, but he was also adept at regular business and further developed the wealthy rchant work. It seems Godwin of the Swallow led a life full of ups and downs.
When I was young my grandfather always spoke of wanting to travel again. Perhaps influenced by him, Ive always tried to conduct my business on foot.
Is that why your skin is so tanned?
Yes. When I heard about Sir Antares intentions from the noble I supply, I was reminded of sothing my grandfather used to say. He said, If it werent for my legs, my next destination would have been the southern half of the continent.
So, Mr. Lorenz, you want to cross the Shumie mountain range in place of Mr. Godwin.
Thats right, Mr. Chirik. And I want to write a travelogue about the southern part of the continent in place of my grandfather. That is my wish.
Lorenz spoke passionately about his wish. The fire of determination in his eyes seed genuine. I found myself pondering what I should do.
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