Chapter 11: Presently, Sensei
I headed out of town that day.
It was a place I visited almost everyday before going to the Asura Royal Academy.
However, since returning, I never showed my face.
The town outskirts.
A rough, nondescript two-story building that looked like a place monsters would roam.
At a glance, it looked like a typical stand-alone house.
In fact, it was reinforced everywhere with a metal called “Rudeus Steel”, which is incredibly sturdy.
A oversized basement, with Teleportation Circles connections to all over the world, an armory, an library, and training facility.
This is the residence of Dragon God Orsted.
I became a pupil here when I was a child. By the time I was 15, I was granted the title of North King left for Asura Kingdom
Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Saint, King, Emperor, and God Ranks.
Third Rank from the top, each school has no more than 5 members totally in the God and Emperor ranks.
King Rank is generally the highest rank around.
With around 50 King Ranks, North God Style probably has the most in the world.
Back then, I was still filled with hope and anticipation. I said my sincere farewell, thinking I wouldn’t be back for at least a decade.
Sensei said, "I may never see you again, so don't forget my teachings: may your sword swing true."
A heartfelt parting.
To come back in mere years, I was too embarrassed to show up.
Then yesterday happened.
Lightning, the masked man who suddenly appeared... I wanted to hear the truth from Sensei.
"..."
The first room you see after entering the building looks like a clinic waiting room.
A few chairs for waiting, a large table counter, and a woman with one long ear standing behind the counter.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Oh, Sieg-kun, welcome. It's been a long time."
"Yes, it’s been a while.."
She is Philiastea.
A receptionist who deals with visitors who visit the office.
A beautiful appearance, probably because she’s from the long-eared tribe.
"Oh, it’s not Sieg-kun anymore. I should call you Sieg-san now right?”
"Please, don’t fuss over it."
Except for her, there are three main residents in this office.
Dragon God Orsted, the boss.
My father, the Right Arm of Orsted, "Mage King" Rudeus Greyrat.
And my teacher, the Left Arm of Orsted, "North God Kalman III" Alexander Ryback.
Three people renown throughout the world.
Orsted rarely makes his appearance, but I fear like no one in the world can win against those three when together.
These three, including Father, have been making preparations to defeat the Demon God who will resurrect after 60 years or so.
Basically, working toward future world peace?
I used to think how cool that sounds, but the reality of the job involves mostly building relationships with important people around the world. The slow and steady work of building an alliance for a war 70 years later.
Father eagerly travels the world for his work, but Sensei mostly acts as Orsted’s escort. Orsted… I have no idea what he actually does.
Well, I guess it's a matter of information security from outsiders.
Anyways, visiting this office is anxiety-inducing.
There are three people here who can erase me with the flick of a finger.
...Father shouldn’t be in today, so two.
"Did you come by to visit Orsted-sama today?"
"No, just Sensei today."
"If you want Alexander-sama, he’s at the underground training facility."
"Got it."
It would be better to greet Orsted-sama.
He’s Father’ boss, after all, thus benefactor of the Greyrat family.
However, Orsted isn’t a sociable person.
He doesn’t come out too much.
Well, toward Father’ children he won’t treat us so coldly.
But I am no longer a child. I should know better.
With that thought, I went down from the reception room to the basement.
Walking down the dark corridor toward the training facility.
The training facility is a room with a high ceiling. It is set up with magic circles to mitigate physical and magic attacks, and magic circles to heal injuries.
At the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was taught swordsmanship in the field behind the office.
However, by the time I was ten years old, my father used earth magic and made this expansion.
Since then, I learned the sword here from Sensei.
North God Style.
The greatest sword school in the world.
Some said Sword God Style’s 1-hit-KO is the strongest, others said it’s Water God Style that’s undefeatable.
But I can say with conviction.
The North God Style is the greatest.
I'd say it's the strongest, but it's hard to be sure since I'm far from the pinnacle myself.
Moreover, Sensei North God Kalman III is the pinnacle of the North God Style. Despite his strength, he still lost to Father, a magician, and to Orsted as well.
So it may not be the strongest after all.
But only North God Style.
A school that embodies justice.
"Hey, Sensei..."
Sensei was sitting in the center of the training area.
By himself, without a sword, sitting quietly with his back to the entrance.
Unmoving.
Still, like a stone statue.
Seeing this, I stopped talking and sat down at the entrance of the training area.
One instance later.
Sensei suddenly stood up.
Still standing with his back facing me, he appeared by my side.
There was no sword in his hand, then I knew the sword was there.
Another instance later.
Vertical cut, horizontal cut, diagonal cut.
In the blink of an eye, Sensei swung three times.
Faster than even the Sword God Style.
The current Sword God could probably swing four or five times.
Another instance later.
The teacher was in front of me.
I’m not surprised.
Some techniques of the North God Style are performed in response to the blink of an eye or a person’s heartbeat.
Against such technique, even the Water God Style has trouble countering unless the instructor is familiar with it.
I am someone who is familiar.
"Hey Sieg, it's been a long time."
The teacher sat in front of me and said.
Smiling as if nothing had happened yesterday.
"My apologies for not visiting.”
"Since coming back you had yet to show your face. I thought I was hated."
On Sensei a smile unchanged from our farewell years ago.
“Well, I had my own circumstances.”
"What will it be today? Here for the North God title?"
"No, no way."
If I said yes, Sensei would probably gladly oblige the challenge.
Then, laugh after winning overwhelmingly, "Well, well, you have a long way to go." when I fell.
In the unlikely event that I win, I would become the head of the North God Style, as North God.
Without any disciples to lead though.
"I just want to ask about some things."
"Well, what... waited. Let's guess. Hmm, yes, that’s it, You look troubled. I see. What is troubling you?”
"I can’t say that’s not the case."
"I'm told I'm not good for consultations, but let’s hear what’s bothering you."
Over the years, I have learned many things from Sensei.
However, consultation with Sensei over my worries is not one of them.
Sensei is simple-minded.
Sensei never over-think things no matter how complicated.
Also, loose-lips.
Whatever we talk about will certainly be shared with Father by the end of the day.
"No, I didn't come here today to talk about my worries."
"Okay? Then what?"
"What happened yesterday."
"Yesterday? What yesterday? I've been here all day yesterday. After escorting Orsted-sama, I was busy meditating and had no time to go outside. Orsted-sama could attest. Yeah."
I haven’t even asked yet and he’s already anxiously offering alibi.
Too easy to understand.
Sensei is not a good lier.
“Alek-thunder, so you picked ‘Lightning’, right?”
I offered him a bait.
The teacher, surprised, quickly shook his head.
Bingo.
"Did you say Lightning just now? The guy that wore a black helmet?"
Huh? that’s unexpected.
"Sensei, please cut the crap."
"Lightning, the number two in Shadow Corps, the most powerful evil organization in the area."
"Shadow Corps..."
"The Shadow Corps is a terrible organization that does the utmost evil every day. Nobody knows their true nature. It's a big organization that even we can’t get a handle of."
"...No, Sensei is Lightning, right?"
"Lightning was a disciple who once trained under me, Emperor Rank. I excommunicated him when he joined the Shadow Corps."
How descriptive.
Sensei is simple and bad at lying, but he’s rather descriptive.
But no matter the excuse, one should fess up when caught, yet he insisted on his innocence.
“Sieg-kun, Lightning and the Shadow Corps are terrifying. You should never get involved.”
What should I do?
I don't know why my teacher is lying like this.
Why did you protect that nobleman?
"...Do you know what the man was doing yesterday?"
"That man yesterday? Who is it?"
"Viscount Basteel, the fat man."
“Ah,” Sensei nodded.
"The second wealthiest noble in the city.”
"Yes, he is."
“He offers noble families that couldn’t stand on their own withmarriage alliances.”
"You mean an innocent girl to fulfill his own desires."
Sensei frowned.
Did you not know?
Surely, the Sensei who aims to be a hero would surely not tolerate such a man.
Sensei took out a small piece of paper from his pocket.
Reciting,
“A good man, although lustful. Although he had done some distasteful things, so let this be a lesson for him.”
Come on!
The lies, blatantly read off a script, Sensei was obviously following someone else’s instructions.
Yesterday was obviously no accident either.
There aren't many people who can enact such a farce with Sensei, except...
"...but I heard rumors that he's also funding Shadow Corps. That's probably why you ended up fighting Lightning yesterday."
I didn’t even mention that I fought him yet.
Honestly, it’s embarrassing how bad Sensei is at lying.
"Unfortunately, I don't know where Shadow Corps' base is. Perhaps there’s someone who’s familiar with the underworld around town… Too bad I can’t be of more help."
The teacher closed his mouth like a clam.
This means that if you gather intel in town, you will naturally get information about the Shadow Corps.
"Huh..."
I stood up, sighing.
To be honest, I thought this would happen eventually.
Surely, that nobleman had a relationship with Orsted and others.
Being the second richest person in the town, he may have also funded Orsted.
If it seems that if such an opponent is attacked, Orsted's subordinates could not stay silent.
Then Orsted have to send those two to take care of business.
My sensei, Alexander, and my father, Rudeus.
"..."
The person behind this farce… is probably Father.
But I can't believe Father would prepare such a farce.
I’ve been avoiding Father ever since I came back to this town.
I had surely let Father down.
I didn’t marry Sariel, nor helped Father with work. Presently unemployed, moonlighting as an Ally of Justice.
I am confident that I failed my father’s expectations.
I’m scared of what would be say.
Will I be scolded or angry?
Maybe he’ll kick me out altogether.
It’s just as well if he's disappointed.
It’s fine if he’s just angry and scolded me.
The scariest thing is saying nothing at all.
Not being disappointed at all.
Perhaps expectations were mere lip service, maybe I’m like air to him.
Like I don’t exist at all.
Just like my grey-colored school life...
I won’t be able to handle it.
I still respect my father.
I can’t be like Father, but I still respect him.
I can't stand being treated like that by him.
Should I meet him? I have to, right..?
Yes, he prepared such a farce.
He must have something to say.
Until now, even though I was unemployed, he hasn’t said anything.
Even though I had nothing lined up after coming back from Royal Academy, he just said “I see” and nodded.
Father probably has something to say.
Maybe a rebuke for beating that noble.
Yeah, something.
"Sieg-kun... are you going?"
"Yes."
"Well... I won’t stop you, but at least bring this with you."
Sensei nodded and said, like reciting from a play, presenting a sword.
The lies and the lines are bad, but that was a good line...
"No, I won’t need a sword."
I'm not going to fight or use a sword.
Allies of justice always use bare hands.
I stood up.
I was planning to have Sensei lead me to the next stage.
But Sensei surely needed a costume change before the next scene.
I don't want to ruin the farce prepared for me.
"Sieg-kun"
He stopped me suddenly, and I looked back.
"Before you go, answer my question."
"Question?"
"Oh, it’s no big deal."
It wasn't the play-acting tone as before.
The nostalgic voice of a teacher.
Surely, he wanted to ask this of his own will.
Nevertheless, the question is predictable.
Why aren’t you working but doing that instead?
Surely.
I used to be able to talk about the noblesse of unemployment.
But Sensei seemed to know I was working as an ally of justice.
Should we talk about justice?
Would Sensei scold me like my mothers?
If it’s Sensei...
As the one that taught me about Allies of Justice, he surely won’t.
I want to know, but I'm also afraid.
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
Sensei scanned my face, as if searching for my true feelings, and asked.
"Why won’t you use a sword?"
I was struck by the question.
"Oh, that's..."
Because it was different from the question than I had assumed.
That is not all.
I didn’t know myself.
I haven't touched my sword since returning to Magic City Sharia.
The activities of the ally of justice have always been done with bare hands.
So the real answer is "I don't know."
"...I don't need weapons for my justice."
But that was the answer I came up with.
I heard Father say that once.
Cheddarman does not use weapons.
Always fight evil with bare hands.
For his power is not to fight the bad guys, but to help the weak.
His justice is to help the weak, and helping the weak does not require excessive weaponry.
"Justice..."
Sensei sighed.
I had a sneaky idea that those words would make sense for my teacher.
Master once ran rampant due an incredibly powerful weapon.
He mistook the strength of his weapon as his own strength.
But after losing to Father and Orsted, he reflected and gave it up.
He said he was still immature and had much to learn.
Since then, he no longer uses magic swords and demon swords.
Instead a simple sword, sturdy and sharp sword, without a name.
With that experience, Sensei could urely appreciate my reason for not using a sword.
"I think justice needs a sword."
But failing my expectations, Sensei said instead.
"Why?"
"Well, you're trying to fight evil. You can help the innocent without fighting. But if you choose to fight evil, you will have to go where evil resides.”
"I'm not going to fight evil..."
"So you’ll just show up?”
"..."
As if he no longer planned to hide everything, he sat back down.
Standing on his knees and leaning forward.
"You’re going to fight evil? Then you need a sword."
"…Why?"
"Because justice can't lose."
If you fight, don't lose.
If you can't lose, you need a sword.
A very simple theory, just like Sensei.
I cannot argue against its simplicity.
“I taught you the sword because you want to become someone that would fight even an impossible enemy, like a hero.”
When I was young, I swung the sword that goal.
That looming presence.
What Sensei called a “hero”.
To me, an "Ally of Justice".
They have slightly different meanings, but both are for defeating evil and helping the weak.
"Of course, but that was a long time ago. Now that you’re an adult, you don’t have to be a hero. But if you're going to fight a mighty opponent. A sword is a must, no?”
I’m meeting Father, so I don’t need a sword with me.
In the first place, it won’t be a fight.
How could I attack my father?
But Sensei wasn’t talking about that.
He is scolding me.
Of my current situation.
“Or have you truly fallen? Fallen so much that you’re merely venting your anger against the weak?”
“You think I’m bullying the weak in anger?”
"With justice as your excuse, just as I was.”
Using justice as an excuse to bully the weak.
It might be so.
Certainly, since becoming an Ally of Justice, I never fought against a stronger opponent.
I struggled a little yesterday, but I have strength left.
No, I knew.
Saying I don't would be a lie.
Ally of Justice, the Jobless Oblige...
That's just an excuse or justification for the status quo.
Not using a sword is just another excuse.
The Ally of Justice is, after all, mere playing pretend.
“If I have fallen, would you excommunicate me too?”
"No way, I just wanted to hear your troubles."
Sensei shrugged and stood up.
"But the one to hear your troubles won’t be me.”
He pointed to the exit of the training area.
“Go. Tell your worries to the person in question. You’ll find the answer you’re looking for.”
Sensai said with a rare, lonely expression.
□
I walked back to town.
It might be the first time that Senei looked that lonesome.
My worries, should I have told him?
No, even if I tell Sensei, I won’t get the answer I’m looking for.
"Somehow, my chest hurts."
I’m troubled.
Unmarried, unemployed, unoccupied.
My worries.
But Sensei doesn’t have answers for me.
Because Sensei is simple-minded, he won’t understand my troubles.
He’ll just say, “Then just do it.” If it’s so easy, I would have done it already.
"..."
I head towards the tavern with those thoughts.
The Drunken Goblin
It's a bar that I visit almost every day.
I guess coming by has turned into a habit.
Why ‘goblin’ when there’s no goblins nearby?
I've heard about that before.
The guy I heard from said:
Because small-time villains gather at this bar like a nest of goblins.
Left alone too long and it’ll fester, so once a while they get exterminated by castle knights or killed by nobles for sport.
Just the same, right? He said.
When I entered the store, I recalled that exchange.
Those I beat up before, have I been treating them like goblins too?
To be honest, I felt like drinking this time.
When was the last time I drank?
Probably during graduation at Asura Royal Academy.
At least since coming back, I haven't drunk any alcohol.
I only come to the bar for information gathering.
When the bar owner offered gratuities, I always accepted, perhaps today I should...
Oh well.
Alcohol is a symbol of evil.
If I get drunk and lose it, I don't know what to do with me.
"Hey, Georges!"
"Hmm?? Sieg! How are you doing?"
He reeked of alcohol when I sat in front of him.
Apparently Georges was drinking more than usual.
"I’m alright. You?"
"Hmm. Not great. I didn't make any money yesterday."
Georges said with a smirk.
"Hey, that's unusual for you."
Georges had always done well for himself.
Yet he’s always short of cash. I always wondered where he spent all his money.
So there are days when even he couldn’t make money either, huh.
"But you look pretty good though.”
"Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. Today I got a big job."
"Ah, so business is good then?”
So are you in a good mood?
"Well, I don't know. I might not be able to make easy money after today."
"Is that so?"
"That's right."
Day jobs, huh.
But I heard that you're doing steady work lately?
Seems unrelated to your job as an informant.
No, unless, maybe...
"Hey Georges."
"Hmm ~"
"Do you know about the 'Shadow Corps'?"
Hearing that, with a surprised face Georges stiffened up.
After looking around him, he leaned close to me.
"Idiot, not so loud! What if someone hears you?”
"Oh, ah, sorry."
"The Shadow Corps? Where did you hear that? There’re dangerous rumors about those guys..!”
Apparently Georges knows about the Shadow Corps.
So that means...
Georges is probably the man that Father and Sensei used to pass messages.
Unless I'm completely misunderstood and this isn't part of a farce...
But in retrospect, most of my villain's information so far came from Georges.
That’s why business was so good.
Pass information about villians to me, getting paid from Father.
Well, can’t blame Georges. He probably just did his job.
"They're the worst villains in town. Even that Orsted can’t deal with them. Don’t talk openly about them. You never know where those guys are hiding!"
Georges kept scanning our surroundings, looking really pale in the face.
Then, after confirming that no one was looking, he whispered.
"So, what did you want to know about the 'Shadow Corps'?"
Georges is a good actor.
I want Sensei to learn a little from him.
“Location… their bases.”
"Sieg... Are you...!"
Georges leaned back, and opened his eyes as if horrified.
However, he shook his head immediately.
"No, if you knew of 'Shadow Corps', I thought you’d do something."
AKA “That's why I didn't say anything until now”.
"Their base is here."
He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me.
When I opened it, a detailed map appeared.
So detailed it makes one wonder why you happened to carry it around.
A cross drawn near the center of the map.
That is probably the secret base.
"Georges. Thank you."
"No problem."
Georges said, rubbing under his nose.
He probably thought he pulled one over me again.
Too bad...
I feel a bit bad for him.
"I'll entrust the peace of this town to you... Moon Knight"
Feeling apologetic, I decided to play along.
Looking at Georges's face in surprise, I steeled myself and nodded.
"Yes, I shall return."
And stood up.
Say, Georges was probably receiving money from Father.
If so, there are some things I don’t understand.
"Well, Sieg."
"What?"
"…I’m sorry."
I didn't know at that moment what the apology meant.
But apart from "information gathering", he also made "small talk".
That time was never uncomfortable.
It must have been the same for him.
The proof was the conversation just now, it wasn’t an act, but said coldly.
That’s probably his true self.
"No worries."
Drunk Goblin guests are killed as easily as goblins.
Small-time villain with little power, earning daily coin, making petty havoks..
But even small-time villains have a friend or two.
With that in mind, I got out of the bar.
Towards Father.
Chapter 11: Presently, Sensei
I headed out of town that day.
It was a place I visited almost everyday before going to the Asura Royal Academy.
However, since returning, I never showed my face.
The town outskirts.
A rough, nondescript two-story building that looked like a place monsters would roam.
At a glance, it looked like a typical stand-alone house.
In fact, it was reinforced everywhere with a metal called “Rudeus Steel”, which is incredibly sturdy.
A oversized basement, with Teleportation Circles connections to all over the world, an armory, an library, and training facility.
This is the residence of Dragon God Orsted.
I became a pupil here when I was a child. By the time I was 15, I was granted the title of North King left for Asura Kingdom
Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Saint, King, Emperor, and God Ranks.
Third Rank from the top, each school has no more than 5 members totally in the God and Emperor ranks.
King Rank is generally the highest rank around.
With around 50 King Ranks, North God Style probably has the most in the world.
Back then, I was still filled with hope and anticipation. I said my sincere farewell, thinking I wouldn’t be back for at least a decade.
Sensei said, "I may never see you again, so don't forget my teachings: may your sword swing true."
A heartfelt parting.
To come back in mere years, I was too embarrassed to show up.
Then yesterday happened.
Lightning, the masked man who suddenly appeared... I wanted to hear the truth from Sensei.
"..."
The first room you see after entering the building looks like a clinic waiting room.
A few chairs for waiting, a large table counter, and a woman with one long ear standing behind the counter.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Oh, Sieg-kun, welcome. It's been a long time."
"Yes, it’s been a while.."
She is Philiastea.
A receptionist who deals with visitors who visit the office.
A beautiful appearance, probably because she’s from the long-eared tribe.
"Oh, it’s not Sieg-kun anymore. I should call you Sieg-san now right?”
"Please, don’t fuss over it."
Except for her, there are three main residents in this office.
Dragon God Orsted, the boss.
My father, the Right Arm of Orsted, "Mage King" Rudeus Greyrat.
And my teacher, the Left Arm of Orsted, "North God Kalman III" Alexander Ryback.
Three people renown throughout the world.
Orsted rarely makes his appearance, but I fear like no one in the world can win against those three when together.
These three, including Father, have been making preparations to defeat the Demon God who will resurrect after 60 years or so.
Basically, working toward future world peace?
I used to think how cool that sounds, but the reality of the job involves mostly building relationships with important people around the world. The slow and steady work of building an alliance for a war 70 years later.
Father eagerly travels the world for his work, but Sensei mostly acts as Orsted’s escort. Orsted… I have no idea what he actually does.
Well, I guess it's a matter of information security from outsiders.
Anyways, visiting this office is anxiety-inducing.
There are three people here who can erase me with the flick of a finger.
...Father shouldn’t be in today, so two.
"Did you come by to visit Orsted-sama today?"
"No, just Sensei today."
"If you want Alexander-sama, he’s at the underground training facility."
"Got it."
It would be better to greet Orsted-sama.
He’s Father’ boss, after all, thus benefactor of the Greyrat family.
However, Orsted isn’t a sociable person.
He doesn’t come out too much.
Well, toward Father’ children he won’t treat us so coldly.
But I am no longer a child. I should know better.
With that thought, I went down from the reception room to the basement.
Walking down the dark corridor toward the training facility.
The training facility is a room with a high ceiling. It is set up with magic circles to mitigate physical and magic attacks, and magic circles to heal injuries.
At the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was taught swordsmanship in the field behind the office.
However, by the time I was ten years old, my father used earth magic and made this expansion.
Since then, I learned the sword here from Sensei.
North God Style.
The greatest sword school in the world.
Some said Sword God Style’s 1-hit-KO is the strongest, others said it’s Water God Style that’s undefeatable.
But I can say with conviction.
The North God Style is the greatest.
I'd say it's the strongest, but it's hard to be sure since I'm far from the pinnacle myself.
Moreover, Sensei North God Kalman III is the pinnacle of the North God Style. Despite his strength, he still lost to Father, a magician, and to Orsted as well.
So it may not be the strongest after all.
But only North God Style.
A school that embodies justice.
"Hey, Sensei..."
Sensei was sitting in the center of the training area.
By himself, without a sword, sitting quietly with his back to the entrance.
Unmoving.
Still, like a stone statue.
Seeing this, I stopped talking and sat down at the entrance of the training area.
One instance later.
Sensei suddenly stood up.
Still standing with his back facing me, he appeared by my side.
There was no sword in his hand, then I knew the sword was there.
Another instance later.
Vertical cut, horizontal cut, diagonal cut.
In the blink of an eye, Sensei swung three times.
Faster than even the Sword God Style.
The current Sword God could probably swing four or five times.
Another instance later.
The teacher was in front of me.
I’m not surprised.
Some techniques of the North God Style are performed in response to the blink of an eye or a person’s heartbeat.
Against such technique, even the Water God Style has trouble countering unless the instructor is familiar with it.
I am someone who is familiar.
"Hey Sieg, it's been a long time."
The teacher sat in front of me and said.
Smiling as if nothing had happened yesterday.
"My apologies for not visiting.”
"Since coming back you had yet to show your face. I thought I was hated."
On Sensei a smile unchanged from our farewell years ago.
“Well, I had my own circumstances.”
"What will it be today? Here for the North God title?"
"No, no way."
If I said yes, Sensei would probably gladly oblige the challenge.
Then, laugh after winning overwhelmingly, "Well, well, you have a long way to go." when I fell.
In the unlikely event that I win, I would become the head of the North God Style, as North God.
Without any disciples to lead though.
"I just want to ask about some things."
"Well, what... waited. Let's guess. Hmm, yes, that’s it, You look troubled. I see. What is troubling you?”
"I can’t say that’s not the case."
"I'm told I'm not good for consultations, but let’s hear what’s bothering you."
Over the years, I have learned many things from Sensei.
However, consultation with Sensei over my worries is not one of them.
Sensei is simple-minded.
Sensei never over-think things no matter how complicated.
Also, loose-lips.
Whatever we talk about will certainly be shared with Father by the end of the day.
"No, I didn't come here today to talk about my worries."
"Okay? Then what?"
"What happened yesterday."
"Yesterday? What yesterday? I've been here all day yesterday. After escorting Orsted-sama, I was busy meditating and had no time to go outside. Orsted-sama could attest. Yeah."
I haven’t even asked yet and he’s already anxiously offering alibi.
Too easy to understand.
Sensei is not a good lier.
“Alek-thunder, so you picked ‘Lightning’, right?”
I offered him a bait.
The teacher, surprised, quickly shook his head.
Bingo.
"Did you say Lightning just now? The guy that wore a black helmet?"
Huh? that’s unexpected.
"Sensei, please cut the crap."
"Lightning, the number two in Shadow Corps, the most powerful evil organization in the area."
"Shadow Corps..."
"The Shadow Corps is a terrible organization that does the utmost evil every day. Nobody knows their true nature. It's a big organization that even we can’t get a handle of."
"...No, Sensei is Lightning, right?"
"Lightning was a disciple who once trained under me, Emperor Rank. I excommunicated him when he joined the Shadow Corps."
How descriptive.
Sensei is simple and bad at lying, but he’s rather descriptive.
But no matter the excuse, one should fess up when caught, yet he insisted on his innocence.
“Sieg-kun, Lightning and the Shadow Corps are terrifying. You should never get involved.”
What should I do?
I don't know why my teacher is lying like this.
Why did you protect that nobleman?
"...Do you know what the man was doing yesterday?"
"That man yesterday? Who is it?"
"Viscount Basteel, the fat man."
“Ah,” Sensei nodded.
"The second wealthiest noble in the city.”
"Yes, he is."
“He offers noble families that couldn’t stand on their own withmarriage alliances.”
"You mean an innocent girl to fulfill his own desires."
Sensei frowned.
Did you not know?
Surely, the Sensei who aims to be a hero would surely not tolerate such a man.
Sensei took out a small piece of paper from his pocket.
Reciting,
“A good man, although lustful. Although he had done some distasteful things, so let this be a lesson for him.”
Come on!
The lies, blatantly read off a script, Sensei was obviously following someone else’s instructions.
Yesterday was obviously no accident either.
There aren't many people who can enact such a farce with Sensei, except...
"...but I heard rumors that he's also funding Shadow Corps. That's probably why you ended up fighting Lightning yesterday."
I didn’t even mention that I fought him yet.
Honestly, it’s embarrassing how bad Sensei is at lying.
"Unfortunately, I don't know where Shadow Corps' base is. Perhaps there’s someone who’s familiar with the underworld around town… Too bad I can’t be of more help."
The teacher closed his mouth like a clam.
This means that if you gather intel in town, you will naturally get information about the Shadow Corps.
"Huh..."
I stood up, sighing.
To be honest, I thought this would happen eventually.
Surely, that nobleman had a relationship with Orsted and others.
Being the second richest person in the town, he may have also funded Orsted.
If it seems that if such an opponent is attacked, Orsted's subordinates could not stay silent.
Then Orsted have to send those two to take care of business.
My sensei, Alexander, and my father, Rudeus.
"..."
The person behind this farce… is probably Father.
But I can't believe Father would prepare such a farce.
I’ve been avoiding Father ever since I came back to this town.
I had surely let Father down.
I didn’t marry Sariel, nor helped Father with work. Presently unemployed, moonlighting as an Ally of Justice.
I am confident that I failed my father’s expectations.
I’m scared of what would be say.
Will I be scolded or angry?
Maybe he’ll kick me out altogether.
It’s just as well if he's disappointed.
It’s fine if he’s just angry and scolded me.
The scariest thing is saying nothing at all.
Not being disappointed at all.
Perhaps expectations were mere lip service, maybe I’m like air to him.
Like I don’t exist at all.
Just like my grey-colored school life...
I won’t be able to handle it.
I still respect my father.
I can’t be like Father, but I still respect him.
I can't stand being treated like that by him.
Should I meet him? I have to, right..?
Yes, he prepared such a farce.
He must have something to say.
Until now, even though I was unemployed, he hasn’t said anything.
Even though I had nothing lined up after coming back from Royal Academy, he just said “I see” and nodded.
Father probably has something to say.
Maybe a rebuke for beating that noble.
Yeah, something.
"Sieg-kun... are you going?"
"Yes."
"Well... I won’t stop you, but at least bring this with you."
Sensei nodded and said, like reciting from a play, presenting a sword.
The lies and the lines are bad, but that was a good line...
"No, I won’t need a sword."
I'm not going to fight or use a sword.
Allies of justice always use bare hands.
I stood up.
I was planning to have Sensei lead me to the next stage.
But Sensei surely needed a costume change before the next scene.
I don't want to ruin the farce prepared for me.
"Sieg-kun"
He stopped me suddenly, and I looked back.
"Before you go, answer my question."
"Question?"
"Oh, it’s no big deal."
It wasn't the play-acting tone as before.
The nostalgic voice of a teacher.
Surely, he wanted to ask this of his own will.
Nevertheless, the question is predictable.
Why aren’t you working but doing that instead?
Surely.
I used to be able to talk about the noblesse of unemployment.
But Sensei seemed to know I was working as an ally of justice.
Should we talk about justice?
Would Sensei scold me like my mothers?
If it’s Sensei...
As the one that taught me about Allies of Justice, he surely won’t.
I want to know, but I'm also afraid.
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
Sensei scanned my face, as if searching for my true feelings, and asked.
"Why won’t you use a sword?"
I was struck by the question.
"Oh, that's..."
Because it was different from the question than I had assumed.
That is not all.
I didn’t know myself.
I haven't touched my sword since returning to Magic City Sharia.
The activities of the ally of justice have always been done with bare hands.
So the real answer is "I don't know."
"...I don't need weapons for my justice."
But that was the answer I came up with.
I heard Father say that once.
Cheddarman does not use weapons.
Always fight evil with bare hands.
For his power is not to fight the bad guys, but to help the weak.
His justice is to help the weak, and helping the weak does not require excessive weaponry.
"Justice..."
Sensei sighed.
I had a sneaky idea that those words would make sense for my teacher.
Master once ran rampant due an incredibly powerful weapon.
He mistook the strength of his weapon as his own strength.
But after losing to Father and Orsted, he reflected and gave it up.
He said he was still immature and had much to learn.
Since then, he no longer uses magic swords and demon swords.
Instead a simple sword, sturdy and sharp sword, without a name.
With that experience, Sensei could urely appreciate my reason for not using a sword.
"I think justice needs a sword."
But failing my expectations, Sensei said instead.
"Why?"
"Well, you're trying to fight evil. You can help the innocent without fighting. But if you choose to fight evil, you will have to go where evil resides.”
"I'm not going to fight evil..."
"So you’ll just show up?”
"..."
As if he no longer planned to hide everything, he sat back down.
Standing on his knees and leaning forward.
"You’re going to fight evil? Then you need a sword."
"…Why?"
"Because justice can't lose."
If you fight, don't lose.
If you can't lose, you need a sword.
A very simple theory, just like Sensei.
I cannot argue against its simplicity.
“I taught you the sword because you want to become someone that would fight even an impossible enemy, like a hero.”
When I was young, I swung the sword that goal.
That looming presence.
What Sensei called a “hero”.
To me, an "Ally of Justice".
They have slightly different meanings, but both are for defeating evil and helping the weak.
"Of course, but that was a long time ago. Now that you’re an adult, you don’t have to be a hero. But if you're going to fight a mighty opponent. A sword is a must, no?”
I’m meeting Father, so I don’t need a sword with me.
In the first place, it won’t be a fight.
How could I attack my father?
But Sensei wasn’t talking about that.
He is scolding me.
Of my current situation.
“Or have you truly fallen? Fallen so much that you’re merely venting your anger against the weak?”
“You think I’m bullying the weak in anger?”
"With justice as your excuse, just as I was.”
Using justice as an excuse to bully the weak.
It might be so.
Certainly, since becoming an Ally of Justice, I never fought against a stronger opponent.
I struggled a little yesterday, but I have strength left.
No, I knew.
Saying I don't would be a lie.
Ally of Justice, the Jobless Oblige...
That's just an excuse or justification for the status quo.
Not using a sword is just another excuse.
The Ally of Justice is, after all, mere playing pretend.
“If I have fallen, would you excommunicate me too?”
"No way, I just wanted to hear your troubles."
Sensei shrugged and stood up.
"But the one to hear your troubles won’t be me.”
He pointed to the exit of the training area.
“Go. Tell your worries to the person in question. You’ll find the answer you’re looking for.”
Sensai said with a rare, lonely expression.
□
I walked back to town.
It might be the first time that Senei looked that lonesome.
My worries, should I have told him?
No, even if I tell Sensei, I won’t get the answer I’m looking for.
"Somehow, my chest hurts."
I’m troubled.
Unmarried, unemployed, unoccupied.
My worries.
But Sensei doesn’t have answers for me.
Because Sensei is simple-minded, he won’t understand my troubles.
He’ll just say, “Then just do it.” If it’s so easy, I would have done it already.
"..."
I head towards the tavern with those thoughts.
The Drunken Goblin
It's a bar that I visit almost every day.
I guess coming by has turned into a habit.
Why ‘goblin’ when there’s no goblins nearby?
I've heard about that before.
The guy I heard from said:
Because small-time villains gather at this bar like a nest of goblins.
Left alone too long and it’ll fester, so once a while they get exterminated by castle knights or killed by nobles for sport.
Just the same, right? He said.
When I entered the store, I recalled that exchange.
Those I beat up before, have I been treating them like goblins too?
To be honest, I felt like drinking this time.
When was the last time I drank?
Probably during graduation at Asura Royal Academy.
At least since coming back, I haven't drunk any alcohol.
I only come to the bar for information gathering.
When the bar owner offered gratuities, I always accepted, perhaps today I should...
Oh well.
Alcohol is a symbol of evil.
If I get drunk and lose it, I don't know what to do with me.
"Hey, Georges!"
"Hmm?? Sieg! How are you doing?"
He reeked of alcohol when I sat in front of him.
Apparently Georges was drinking more than usual.
"I’m alright. You?"
"Hmm. Not great. I didn't make any money yesterday."
Georges said with a smirk.
"Hey, that's unusual for you."
Georges had always done well for himself.
Yet he’s always short of cash. I always wondered where he spent all his money.
So there are days when even he couldn’t make money either, huh.
"But you look pretty good though.”
"Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. Today I got a big job."
"Ah, so business is good then?”
So are you in a good mood?
"Well, I don't know. I might not be able to make easy money after today."
"Is that so?"
"That's right."
Day jobs, huh.
But I heard that you're doing steady work lately?
Seems unrelated to your job as an informant.
No, unless, maybe...
"Hey Georges."
"Hmm ~"
"Do you know about the 'Shadow Corps'?"
Hearing that, with a surprised face Georges stiffened up.
After looking around him, he leaned close to me.
"Idiot, not so loud! What if someone hears you?”
"Oh, ah, sorry."
"The Shadow Corps? Where did you hear that? There’re dangerous rumors about those guys..!”
Apparently Georges knows about the Shadow Corps.
So that means...
Georges is probably the man that Father and Sensei used to pass messages.
Unless I'm completely misunderstood and this isn't part of a farce...
But in retrospect, most of my villain's information so far came from Georges.
That’s why business was so good.
Pass information about villians to me, getting paid from Father.
Well, can’t blame Georges. He probably just did his job.
"They're the worst villains in town. Even that Orsted can’t deal with them. Don’t talk openly about them. You never know where those guys are hiding!"
Georges kept scanning our surroundings, looking really pale in the face.
Then, after confirming that no one was looking, he whispered.
"So, what did you want to know about the 'Shadow Corps'?"
Georges is a good actor.
I want Sensei to learn a little from him.
“Location… their bases.”
"Sieg... Are you...!"
Georges leaned back, and opened his eyes as if horrified.
However, he shook his head immediately.
"No, if you knew of 'Shadow Corps', I thought you’d do something."
AKA “That's why I didn't say anything until now”.
"Their base is here."
He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me.
When I opened it, a detailed map appeared.
So detailed it makes one wonder why you happened to carry it around.
A cross drawn near the center of the map.
That is probably the secret base.
"Georges. Thank you."
"No problem."
Georges said, rubbing under his nose.
He probably thought he pulled one over me again.
Too bad...
I feel a bit bad for him.
"I'll entrust the peace of this town to you... Moon Knight"
Feeling apologetic, I decided to play along.
Looking at Georges's face in surprise, I steeled myself and nodded.
"Yes, I shall return."
And stood up.
Say, Georges was probably receiving money from Father.
If so, there are some things I don’t understand.
"Well, Sieg."
"What?"
"…I’m sorry."
I didn't know at that moment what the apology meant.
But apart from "information gathering", he also made "small talk".
That time was never uncomfortable.
It must have been the same for him.
The proof was the conversation just now, it wasn’t an act, but said coldly.
That’s probably his true self.
"No worries."
Drunk Goblin guests are killed as easily as goblins.
Small-time villain with little power, earning daily coin, making petty havoks..
But even small-time villains have a friend or two.
With that in mind, I got out of the bar.
Towards Father.
