“Robain City, are we going?”
“Yes. We also have to deliver goods to the Rogen Trading Company. Since it’s on the way, how about we go together?”
There was no reason to decline the white warrior’s proposal.
It would take a day to ride there, but dragging a cart would take roughly three days.
If the trading company prepared for food and lodging during those days, I could focus on teaching Sowol.
“Then let’s do that.”
“Thank you.”
The white warrior, seemingly pleased that I accepted his proposal, hurried off to another place.
Watching him go, I headed out from the trading company toward the local church.
“Move to a different place?”
Serin, who had been staying at the church, looked quite exhausted.
It seemed she had been concentrating on making holy water.
“Yeah. I have a place at the Eastern Trading Company; please stay there for a bit.”
“Why?”
“Just feeling a bit uneasy, you know.”
I expressed my concerns to Serin, suggesting that the heretics might be targeting the Eastern Trading Company. After listening for a moment, she shrugged her shoulders casually, accepting my proposal.
“If that’s the case, I can’t refuse. Oh, and I think I can make the holy water in just a few days.”
“Sounds good.”
“But what are you planning to use this for?”
“I’m making medicine for my disciple.”
“Such a heartfelt gesture?!”
“One has to put in the effort. It’s hard to find someone with that level of talent.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Of course it is?!”
I really struggled to find a talented candidate before Sowol, so even three or four days of gathering would be insufficient.
“If it’s that tough, should I help you find one?”
“Do you have a search proposal?”
As far as I knew, she didn’t have a search proposal.
I stared at her in surprise, and she shook her head.
“The church takes care of many orphans. We sometimes bring those with decent talent into the church. Being in the central area means I get a lot of information about such kids.”
“Oh, really? If you find a good one, let me know.”
“Sure thing. But you know it won’t be for free, right?”
She winked playfully, and I nodded. It turned out her condition was just to lend a hand when dealing with the heretics, so there was no reason to refuse.
“Don’t worry.”
Having the church’s immense power behind me would definitely increase the chances of finding someone compared to searching alone.
Serin and the paladins who had been staying at the church moved to the Eastern Trading Company, but since we had discussed this beforehand, there were no major problems.
Although a few paladins tried to evangelize the non-religious workers at the trading company, considering that their presence avoided unnecessary issues, it was a level of annoyance we could laugh off.
“Master, it’s time to head out.”
I turned away from watching Serin and the paladins evangelizing.
Four big carts were loaded with goods.
As the warriors approached the carts for protection, I climbed up and sat down on one.
“Should I walk?”
“No, you sit too. Meditate on the cart.”
“I think it’ll be hard to concentrate…”
“Being able to concentrate in any situation is important.”
If you can’t reach a state of trance while sitting on a wobbly cart, how could you attain it during a fight?
That’s how essential focus is.
As the girl sitting on the cart closed her eyes, Laila, who had packed her weapon, approached me.
“It looks like you’re teaching properly.”
“Of course. Oh, and I plan to teach you all on the way.”
“We too?”
A nearby warrior looked at me joyfully.
Yeah. I also need to teach the Eastern Trading Company warriors so that I’m more comfortable later.
“The first thing I’ll teach you is footwork. I’ll teach you basic movements that are useful in combat, so remember them well.”
I hopped off the cart and immediately demonstrated the footwork: advancing, turning, retreating, and jumping. The warriors, observing the deep footprints on the ground, began to imitate one by one.
“Oops!”
It’s not easy to succeed right from the start.
But it’s useful footwork, so I hope they endure it.
“What’s the name of this footwork?”
“Cloud Step. You can’t learn it even if you pay, so master it well.”
This footwork was gained from ancient ruins I broke through last year and was useful in the early to mid-game stages.
If practiced well, you could toy with most enemies using just this footwork.
“Ugh. This is tough.”
“Did you think it would be easy?”
I scoffed at Laila, who almost tripped when her feet got tangled while trying to execute it.
Seeing that she couldn’t even manage this makes her talent clearly not reach Sowol’s level.
But since she’s picking it up faster than the other warriors, there might be something in her…
“Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You seem to have some decent skills for your age. How about a match with Sowol later?”
“A match with the lady?!”
Laila glanced toward Sowol, who was meditating, and waved her hands dismissively.
“Come on~. How can I face off against the lady…”
“It would be a skill test, so let’s do it after dinner.”
“Sigh. Fine.”
Laila, eventually agreeing, went to another spot, and I climbed back onto the cart.
Following the footwork as I moved made the pace slow.
I spoke to Sowol, who was meditating and relatively less shaken on the cart.
“Did you hear?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not concentrating, are you?”
“Ugh. It’s not easy.”
In the end, Sowol opened her eyes and let out a big sigh.
Yeah, it won’t be easy.
But still, she must get it done.
“Can you do it, Master?”
“Oh, I can manage this easily. If maintaining a state of no thought while in a trance is hard, thinking of something important isn’t a bad approach either.”
“Thinking of something important?”
“Yeah. It’s not bad to consider what’s important to you.”
“Is that how you did it, Master?”
“Well… I did.”
In my case, I dreamed of returning home.
Focusing on that goal made it easier to concentrate.
I wasn’t sure how she would interpret my explanation, but Sowol slightly nodded her head.
“By the way, do you think I could really produce good results fighting Laila?”
Sowol has yet to learn proper swordsmanship for even a year.
It’s natural for her to feel pressured battling Laila, who had honed her skills far longer. No matter how much mana manipulation she’s learned.
I looked at the worried Sowol and gently patted her head. She seemed to have become accustomed to my hand on her head, as she lowered it down to make it easier for me.
“There’s no need to win. It’d be nice if you do, but if you can learn something from the fight with Laila, that wouldn’t be bad either.”
“Then what would be good?”
“Winning, of course.”
As I said, it won’t be easy.
Even if Laila’s talent isn’t below Sowol’s, considering all her training, she is still likely above her.
“…But what happens if I win?”
“I’ll give you a compliment sticker.”
That’s the best gift to give. Look at her, clenching her fists and burning with determination.
“I will definitely win.”
“Yeah, you will.”
While Sowol concentrated and resumed her meditation, the cart continued its journey. By the time the sun set earlier than expected, the exhausted warriors, having worked on their footwork, collapsed immediately.
“Ugh, this is hard.”
“What if we get attacked like this?”
The reason the warriors participated in trade was to prepare for attacks from bandits or monsters.
But when they were this tired from practicing footwork, what would happen if they were attacked became a pointed question directed at me.
“If there’s an emergency, I’ll handle it, so don’t worry.”
“Wow! That’s great! Then I can relax and rest now!”
They were all too happy. After giving them a slight smile, I glanced over at the workers preparing the meal.
Meanwhile, Laila, who had taken a break, approached.
“Are you okay now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. How about you?”
Laila was also tired from practicing footwork.
But she nodded as if she didn’t think much of it, considering it a minor penalty.
“I’m okay.”
“Good. Sowol! Let’s start now!”
Sowol came forward with a wooden sword, and as I watched, Laila pulled out the sword from its scabbard.
“Start.”
– Vwoooom…!!
Sowol’s wooden sword began to emanate a white light, and the look on Laila’s face twisted in surprise.
“Sword Energy?! Lady?! How can you…?!”
Laila, clearly flustered, shot a look at me.
To her, I simply smiled.
“Kuh…”
Gritting her teeth, Laila barely dodged Sowol’s attack.
As I watched this unfold, I approached the serious-looking warriors and earnestly proposed.
“Shall we make a bet on who will win?”
“I had no idea the lady could use sword energy… I’ll put my bet on the lady.”
“I’ll bet on the lady too…”
“I’ll bet on Laila.”
Rapidly, the odds were set. About 7:3 in favor of Sowol.
“Master, where will you bet?”
“Me?”
I shook my head while watching the clash of swords and tried to set the tone.
“I’ll bet on a draw.”
But what if I’m wrong?
Please, Sowol!
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