Chapter 270: Reunion and Meeting (2/2)

“Likewise. It was only thanks to all the groundwork you laid out that the reconstruction of the city could proceed so smoothly.” [Ryouma]

“I’m glad to hear that, but it wasn’t just me. These two helped out too. We’ve known each other for a long time, so I knew they could be trusted, and they also have quite the reputation themselves, so they could act in my stead.” [Reinbach]

“I see… Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

“Don’t mention it. Reinbach-chan is going to be helping me too as payment anyway.” [Remilie]

“It’s a knight’s duty to help others. All the more so when it’s a friend.” [Schieber]

The ones that responded to me were Remilie-san and another man that went by the name of Schieber Gardak. Apparently, he’s the ‘former knight commander’ that Reinbach-sama once jokingly recommended to be my store’s guard, though I’m not sure that was really just a joke.

Schieber-san claims to have retired because of his age, but his physique still looked plenty strong to me. I’m sure he must be skilled as well. But I can’t feel any pressure from him. Though it would be problematic if I were to be intimidated in our first meeting, I’ve always imagined knight commanders to carry a solemn air, so it’s a bit of a letdown.

As for Remilie-san, apparently, she used to be a wizard of the royal court, but what was really surprising was that she’s likely to be the oldest one here, as she’s actually a dark elf, a close relative to the elves that age little compared to their age.

I’m not sure about her age though since I didn’t ask. Schieber-san almost slipped, but she glared at him with blood lust and mana, so I decided to just avoid the topic altogether.

By the way, I started referring to them with a ‘san’. At first, I referred to them with a ‘sama’, but Remilie-san didn’t like it, and Schieber-san said he wasn’t a knight commander anymore, just a senile old fool.

It wasn’t exactly good manners, but since Remilie-san hated it, and Sebasu-san said it would be fine too, I decided to just call them with a ‘san’.

“By the way, why did you come to this town?　From what I’ve investigated, there’s nothing really worth seeing here.” [Ryouma]

……

“There’s a labyrinth near here known as the Town of Departed Spirits. She has something she wants there, so we’ll be helping her get it. That’s her compensation.” [Reinbach]

“Have you heard of the herb, Everlasting Darkness?” [Remilie]

“It’s a herb often used as a tranquilizer or as sleep medication, but it’s a difficult drug to handle because depending on the amount used, it can also be a poison that would make people hallucinate or suffer.” [Ryouma]

“You’re well informed, I see, but the Everlasting Darkness isn’t just a medicine.” [Remilie]

As she said that, she held out a black staff.

“This staff was created at a dark elf village using wood that dipped in the broth of Everlasting Darkness and dried many times. Wood treated in that manner makes it much easier to use dark magic.” {Remilie]

“Wow… Are you sure it’s okay to be telling me that?” [Ryouma]

“I don’t mind, and it’s really nothing that amazing since it’s just soaking the wood. Anyone with Everlasting Darkness would do it back at home.” [Remilie]

I thought it was a secret technique or something, but it looks like that’s not the case.

“This staff was given to me when I became an adult, and I have been maintaining it, but as expected, it’s almost at its limit.” [Remilie]

“I see, so you’re looking for Everlasting Darkness to build a new staff.” [Ryouma]

“Exactly.” [Remilie]

“How about you, Ryouma-kun? Why are you here? I was sure you’d be somewhere working near Gimuru.” [Reinbach]

“Actually, I’m also looking for the Everlasting Darkness from the Town of Departed Spirits.” [Ryouma]

Though I mentioned earlier that it was mostly used as a tranquilizer, there were other ways to use it too. Personally, I wanted to use it to make a bug repellent.

The Great Forest of Shurus that I’m headed to is, as the name implies, full of trees. In other words, a hot and humid environment, where insects and monsters lurk at every corner. Traveling there would require an effective insect repellent, and one of the materials to that end is Everlasting Darkness herb.

Moreover, the Town of Departed Spirits was also crawling with undead. The Great Forest might not particularly be full of undead, but the adventurers that die in it could turn into one and start wandering, so this trip is also meant to be training to help me deal with those.

“Hmm, to go to the village inside the Great Shurus Forest, huh…” {Schieber]

“It’s true you’ll need an insect repellent and a way to deal with the undead to go there.” [Remilie]

When I explained that, the two understood and deeply nodded.

“Yes. I can use light magic, but I’ve yet to experience fighting undead that have no form, so I was hoping to gather experience at the Town of Departed Spirits.” [Ryouma]

“Oh? You can use light magic?” [Remilie]

“Yes. But I’ve only learned two spells: the beginner spell, Light Ball, and the anti-undead defensive spell, Holy Curtain.” [Ryouma]

“I’d say that’s plenty brilliant considering your age, but just that would make it problematic if you were to happen into a horde of undead. At the very least, you should learn intermediate light magic too.” [Schieber]

“In that case, how about I teach you a little about intermediate light magic? Reinbach-chan seems to like you, and if you’re talented enough to notice me even while under the effects of Hide, then you should be able to learn quickly too. Besides, we’re heading to the same place and have the same objective, so We can go together?” [Remilie]

Well, I’m grateful, but… Hide?　That wasn’t on the magic books I got before, but from the name, it’s clearly a spell meant to conceal oneself. If she’s saying she’s used that, then…

“Could it be that you used that when we met for the first time?” [Ryouma]

“Yes, it’s an intermediate dark magic that makes it harder to sense your presence. It doesn’t make you vanish, though, so it’s not that convenient and isn’t popular.” [Remilie]

“Remilie-sama is an expert at both dark and light magic and is said to be a brilliant mage even among the royal court magicians. It’s not easy to meet a mage more skilled than her.” [Sebasu]

“Her personality can be problematic, but her skill is the real deal.” [Reinbach]

“That’s rude… There’s nothing wrong with my personality.” [Remilie]

“Well, maybe it’s a good personality.” [Schieber]

Reinbach-sama and Schieber-san looked at Remilie-san doubtfully, while Sebasu just remained beside Reinbach-sama, unconcerned. I’d be glad if he could teach me about light magic, but is that really fine?

“You’ve already met, so you’ll suffer regardless if she teaches you or not, so Ryouma-kun, I suggest you just have her teach you.” [Schieber]

What does that mean?　It’s a bit concerning, but it would be a waste to let this rare opportunity go.

“It would be my honor to have you instruct me in the ways of light magic. Please teach me.” [Ryouma]

“Alright, it’s decided then!　It won’t be for long, but we’ll be master and disciple, so call me master.” [Remilie]

“Master? Very well――” [Ryouma]

“You can also just call me ‘onee-chan’.” [Remilie]

When I was about to tell her that I understood, an unexpected proposal came. It was embarrassing, so I refused.

“I’ll just stick to master.” [Ryouma]

“Eh, it’ll affect my motivation, though.” [Remilie]

Remilie-san said with evident displeasure.

“You were the one who asked him to call you master.” [Schieber]

“I’m sure it’ll be exhausting dealing with Remilie, but you’ll just have to ignore her antics or let them pass. Good luck.” [Reinbach]

“Ryouma-sama, Remilie-sama’s skill is the real thing, so please be at ease.” [Sebasu]

How should I put it… Remilie-san strikes me as a really free person.

Reinbach-sama suggested one more thing.

“Oh, right, Ryouma-kun. How about showing us how you fight?” [Reinbach]

“Okay. Do you mean when we fight at the Town of Departed Spirits?” [Ryouma]

“There’s that too, but how about sparring once with Schieber over here.” [Reinbach]

With the former knight commander!?　Schieber-san was surprised too, and he even asked Reinbach-sama what he was thinking even before I could ask myself, and apparently, Reinbach-sama wanted to see my abilities before I went to the Great Shurus Forest. I was also meeting Schieber-san for the first time, and he used to be the knight commander, so he should be able to objectively appraise my abilities.

When Reinbach-sama explained it in that way, Schieber-san agreed to the spar, though it seems he was just surprised to hear him suggest that out of the blue and wasn’t particularly planning on refusing it in the first place.

Schieber-san also mentioned that he would be able to better gauge my abilities if I had no idea about his strength beforehand. Though it was certainly good to gather information and be prepared before a fight, that wasn’t good enough to survive in situations where one couldn’t prepare in advance, so we decided to just have the spar right away.

As such, I went ahead with Sebasu-san to go outside the town to a place where we could spar. Unlike me, who just arrived, Schieber-san didn’t have any weapons or armor on him, so he had to prepare first.

The place we went to was an unremarkable rocky area. If it’s here, then we won’t have to worry about our surroundings.

Sebasu-san teleported away to bring Schieber-san and the others over, so in the meantime, I started preparing… My opponent is the former knight commander, so he’s bound to be strong. This whole thing came abruptly, but I’ll have to do my best so Reinbach-sama and the others won’t worry.

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