I took Sowol as my disciple around the end of spring.
So, that was about 9 months ago.
When I first saw Sowol, I thought to myself, “Ah, this kid will learn everything in a year.”
And she proved me right by growing rapidly.
Huff… Huff…
Despite the chill of approaching winter, Sowol’s pretty face was drenched in sweat.
That must mean her training was passionate.
Since she’s now able to use Moonlight Wave and Moonlight Blade without difficulty, I guess it’s time to pass on the third technique.
“Master, whew… Is this enough?”
I inspected the traces left behind by Sowol.
The forest where we trained every day looked like a skilled lumberjack had left it, with trees scattered everywhere.
All of this was the result of Sowol’s hard work.
“Outstanding.”
It’s been less than a year since she picked up a sword, and she’s come this far.
I’m happy my prediction was spot on.
“Hmph. This is nothing.”
She scoffed at my praise, speaking confidently, but there was a hint of pride on her face.
Yeah. I’m proud of you too.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m giving you a praise sticker.
“Then I’ll teach you the third technique.”
“Yes!”
“The third technique of Moonlight Blade is Moonlight Dance. The sword dance I used on Mount Walya was an application of Moonlight Dance.”
“Really?!”
Looking quite delighted, Sowol ran over to me with sparkling eyes.
I like her passion for learning.
I patted her head before starting the explanation.
“The flow of magic in Moonlight Dance is based on Moonlight Wave and Moonlight Blade. You need to combine both to maintain sword energy in your sword.”
“But last time, your sword didn’t have any energy, did it?”
“It’s not about releasing sword energy. You completely seal the sword energy inside the sword. There should be minimal waste of magic.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Other martial arts refer to this process as ‘sword and spirit unity.’ It’s like merging your sword and your body as one.”
“That’s hard.”
“Well, it’s not called the Three Great Sword Techniques for nothing. Now, let’s begin.”
I taught her the flow of magic in Moonlight Dance and explained all the movements.
As usual, she felt awkward at first, but after a few tries, she started to pick it up.
Her talent is indeed phenomenal.
“Hmmm… Is this enough?”
Sowol tilted her head while fiddling with the wooden sword after performing Moonlight Dance somewhat awkwardly.
Is that enough?
It’s outstanding.
“The rest is just about improving your proficiency. Train hard.”
“Yes!!”
Just then, as Sowol responded with a bright expression, white snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
It’s the first snow of the year. Sowol, who had been staring blankly at it, let out a slight cough.
“Ugh…”
She must be cold after sweating so much.
I wrapped my outer garment around her.
“I’m fine…”
“Enough. I can maintain my body temperature with magic.”
If she catches a cold and delays her training, I’ll be the one exhausted.
I stopped Sowol from taking off the coat and fastened the buttons, then grabbed my sword and said,
“Let’s go. Let’s eat something warm and take a break.”
“How about warm alcohol?”
“That’s not bad either.”
After finishing training and returning to the Eastern Trading Company, I noticed people were bustling about.
Must be because of the snow starting to fall heavily?
As I looked around at those covering goods with waterproof sheets or bringing them inside, I sent Sowol back to her room and headed to my place.
As usual, my dwelling was quiet and clean, but there was a letter waiting at the front.
“A letter from the church has arrived.”
A passing maid mentioned as I was holding it in confusion.
The church?
They can’t be asking me to attend the year-end mass, right?
I unsealed the letter with trembling hands, seeing the church’s seal boldly on the envelope.
If it’s really a request to attend mass, what excuse should I make this time…
“Oh!”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a letter asking me to attend mass.
Serin.
My friend, a senior priest of the church, who would be a major character in the upcoming Religious War Event, had sent the letter.
[This letter begins from the Tehoron Kingdom…]
Skipping.
[… Cut the nonsense. How have you been? I’ve been well. Even though it’s been daily battles against heretics, it’s been very rewarding. I wonder how your disciple is doing. Ah, the thing you’d be most curious about. I’ve attached a list of talented kids found in the church.]
Sounds good. Flipping to the last page, I saw details about five individuals.
Hmm… I’ve seen those kids before. They don’t hold a candle to Laila, so there’s no need to worry about them.
[Aside from that… by the time this letter arrives, we should have completed the extermination of the surrounding heretics. However, while hunting heretics, we discovered traces of the Asura sect.]
Asura sect.
A heretical group claiming sole deity faith while declaring all other gods are mere illusions.
They possess great power and perform human sacrifices at every mass, making them the worst kind of heretics out there.
[I thought the Asura sect would have been completely exterminated. It seems it was a misconception on our part.]
That’s right.
The leader of the enemy religion during the Religious War Event is the Asura sect.
With the Asura sect absorbing all other heretics to grow stronger, its clear emergence in the world and the core of the Religious War Event is to defeat them.
I calmly scanned the contents of the letter.
There’s a lot to say, but to get to the point, it seems the place that targeted the Eastern Trading Company before was a branch of the Asura sect.
Hmm. The Asura sect, huh?
That’s an unexpected remark.
[Perhaps it’s not completely over yet. Please ensure to take good care of Sowol, the Eastern Trade Lord. I will report it to the higher-ups so that paladins can be dispatched to that place.]
That’s a appreciated piece of news. How many days should I hold out?
After folding the letter and pocketing it, I immediately went to find Sowol.
She needs to know as well.
“Welcome, Master.”
Sowol, who was working in her office, greeted me, and I went straight to the point.
The Asura sect, known as the worst of heretics, is targeting us, and Sowol gave a wry smile.
“In business, things like assassination or kidnapping happen all the time. We can consider them part of that category.”
“That would be accurate.”
“They’re thankful the church is sending someone.”
“It’s likely to take a few days. It’s best to be cautious until then.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll also minimize my outings beyond the trading company. Then we can respond immediately should anything happen.”
“Am I just leeching off you, Master?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Since it’s come to this, how about settling permanently in the Eastern Trading Company?”
While my name is listed with the Eastern Trading Company, it’s practically a temporary position.
What Sowol is suggesting is to formally become part of the Eastern Trading Company.
But that’s impossible. I have too much to do, starting with finding my next disciple and teaching them. After that, I have to go to the Tower of Sages to obtain the title of Sage.
And then I need to become an instructor at the Academy.
I have far too many tasks to be tied down to the Eastern Trading Company.
“That’s a pity.”
“But I’ll continue teaching Sowol, so don’t worry.”
“…Your words seem a bit odd. Teaching Sowol makes it sound as if you’ll leave once she’s fully trained…”
“Yes. Once I’ve taught Sowol everything, I won’t have any reason to stay here.”
“No, no. How could you say that? Even if you finish that, please continue to stay as a guest of our Eastern Trading Company. Your presence has made us stronger.”
“Haha. I appreciate the sentiments, but I have my own goals…”
“Ha… If that’s how you feel, there’s nothing more to be done.”
It seems he has caught on that I wouldn’t be swayed.
Sowol sighed heavily and looked at me.
“Our Eastern Trading Company will always welcome you, Master. Please show your face here from time to time.”
“I’ll try my best.”
I don’t know if I’ll have the time.
After that, there wasn’t anything particularly special.
After talking about various topics and recent business affairs, I left Sowol’s room, realizing it was quite late.
Phew. I should just hurry up and sleep…
“…Oh. Is it beginning already?”
I thought it would take a bit longer.
Suddenly, an ominous atmosphere started to descend, and I reached for my sword.
Clouds began to roll in, blocking the moonlight.
Torches inside the trading company began to flicker out one by one due to the strong wind.
And that unsettling feeling mixed with that wind? I know exactly what that signifies.
With a smile, I drew my sword and called out into the darkness.
“It seems you’re hiding well. I saw your hair, so come out.”
At my words, figures in black clothes started to emerge from the darkness one by one.
Just as I was about to cast magic,
“AAAHHHH!!”
A sharp scream. It was Sowol’s cry.
“I’ll deal with you later.”
Taking care of you guys comes after making sure Sowol is safe!
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