Chapter 50

"Haa, what a waste..."

Lucy sighed, her expression clearly showing her disappointment. There was neither the exhilaration of victory in battle nor the satisfaction of sparring with me. She simply cast a cold, disappointed glance at the fallen man.

"No, wait a minute. What did she just do?"

As I watched, Yoiyami raised her right hand, and Lucy mirrored the gesture. Suddenly, Yoiyami collapsed.

"Wh-What was that...?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them. From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like Yoiyami had suddenly collapsed. If we didn’t know Lucy was a mage, it would have seemed like Yoiyami had self-destructed.

"Hmm? Beryl, you’ve seen it before, right?"

"Uh...? ...Oh..."

Thinking about it, I remembered one instance. The first time we met, when she challenged me to a duel. At the very end, she said it was her "special move" and cast that spell. By chance, I managed to dodge it.

I don’t know the name of that spell, but I do know that her "special move" is nearly impossible to dodge or defend against, and if it hits, it can be fatal.

"Don’t worry, I didn’t kill him."

"Oh, right..."

It’s hard to feel reassured, but I have to trust her. Besides, there’s nothing I can do about it.

"Hmm, five more, what a hassle."

"Ah!"

Lucy’s gaze shifted from the fallen Yoiyami to the remaining henchmen. Her small frame belied the violent intensity of her stare, which made the thieves involuntarily gulp. I can’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to be hit by that spell either.

"Beryl, I’ll leave the rest to you."

"Uh...?"

She glanced at the remaining thieves, then called Mui over and pulled a chair close. She sat down, and Mui, looking uncomfortable, followed suit. Mui’s awkward expression was quite memorable. I can understand why.

But what am I supposed to do now? What should I do with them?

I doubt she means to let them go. But I can’t capture all of them by myself. Maybe I should just knock them out and leave them here.

"Damn... Damn it all!!"

One of the thieves, who had been listening to our conversation, seemed to have made up his mind and charged at me with a roar.

Hmm, they’re not really the fighting type, are they? Their speed is worse than Alusia’s or Hembritz’s, and even a regular knight would be faster. I could probably handle all of them at once if they attacked me simultaneously.

"Take this!"

"Ugh!?"

I easily dodged the man’s punch and swung my wooden sword. It hit his jaw almost vertically. He probably won’t die unless he bites his tongue. I’m used to intense mock battles with the Reberio Knights, so the difference in skill and situation is stark.

This one hit knocked the charging man down. Even if he were somewhat trained, a strong blow to an unprotected jaw would make it hard for him to stand. I silently prayed for him. I feel sorry for them, but I’m not a saint to feel unearned sympathy.

"Damn it! Attack all at once!!"

The remaining man’s war cry ignited the fighting spirit of the others, who had been hesitating after their leader fell.

Well, it’s not a bad strategy. In a confined space, it’s hard to move freely, and a chaotic melee might give them a chance. With Mui out of the fight and Lucy sitting in a chair watching, I’m effectively on my own. Numbers are a powerful weapon.

However,

This only applies to well-trained, disciplined teams or wild animals that instinctively work together. I’m not weak enough to be outmatched by a bunch of thieves.

"Ha!"

"Ugh!?"

I dodged the two men who charged at me simultaneously. I stepped back from the one who lunged at me and struck the other’s face with the hilt of my wooden sword. The man who took the hit fell over, and I quickly struck the back of the other’s neck. He collapsed without a sound.

"Ugh!"

"Here!"

"Ugh!?"

I deflected the short knife of the next man and thrust my wooden sword into his throat. I held back a bit, but the impact made him choke. My condolences.

"You bastard!"

I dropped my elbow on the man who tried to tackle me.

Body techniques can sometimes surpass any weapon, especially in situations where speed is crucial. I didn’t just practice swordsmanship; I’m also skilled in unarmed combat, though my specialty is still the sword.

"Ugh...!"

I followed up with a strike to the back of the man’s head, and he fell to the ground, making a squelching sound before stopping.

"Ah, ah, ah!"

"Oh!"

The last woman, seeing her companions fall one by one, seemed overwhelmed by fear. She backed away, her knees trembling.

Hmm, I don’t like hitting women, but they are thieves. I’ll have to put her to sleep.

"Sorry."

"Ah!"

I closed the distance in two steps and struck her stomach. I aimed for her stomach to avoid hitting her face, but the impact of the wooden sword made her body float and hit the wall.

Sorry, I might have used a bit too much force.

"Phew."

With that, the last thief was subdued. The once noisy house now fell into an eerie silence.

"Hey, you’re pretty strong, old man..."

"Uh? Well, this level is nothing."

Mui’s comment as she watched the scene. If this level of strength impresses her, she probably hasn’t been involved in battles or training.

I was worried about what she might know about theft, violence, or even murder at her age, but I don’t have any ulterior motives toward her.

"Phew... Good work. Including the leader, that’s seven. A sufficient number for questioning."

"Questioning?"

Lucy yawned and said.

I thought we were done once we captured Yoiyami and the others. I couldn’t help but ask in surprise.

"Look at his accessories."

"Um? Hmm... They’re pretty flashy..."

I looked at the unconscious Yoiyami as she suggested. But without an appraising eye, I could only think they were flashy.

"They’re all magical equipment."

"Really?"

Magical equipment, like the kind Fissel likes. They have various magical effects, as Fissel often mentions. I’ve been to a magical equipment shop in the West District with Kurni and Fissel before.

"Thieves sure have it good."

That was my next thought.

Magical equipment is expensive. Even a casual glance shows that the items Yoiyami was wearing would cost a fortune. If all of his accessories are magical equipment, the total value must be substantial.

"Most likely, there are people supplying these magical items to them. They’re probably the real culprits."

"I see..."

Just to clarify, it’s unsettling to think that someone would supply expensive magical equipment to a group of thieves. What are they planning? It’s not really my concern, though.

"Well, I’ll go call the Reberio Knights."

"I can’t carry them all by myself."

Lucy stood up and surveyed the scene before moving on to her next task. The safest and most reliable option is to call the Reberio Knights. Unfortunately, I don’t have the authority, so Lucy will have to inform Alusia.

Actually, I haven’t really thought about my position in the kingdom. I haven’t been officially appointed as a knight, but I’m not exactly a regular civilian either, given my role as a special instructor.

Do I have the right to arrest or judge criminals? In this case, with Lucy, the head of the Mage Corps, present, it’s not a big issue, but if I were alone, what would be the right course of action, and how far can I go?

I should probably ask Alusia about this later. It wasn’t a problem when I was just teaching swordsmanship at the knight’s hall, but there’s no guarantee I won’t be involved in such situations in the future, so it’s best to establish some boundaries.

"Beryl, I’ll leave it to you."

"Ah, yeah... I guess so..."

As I was thinking, Lucy was about to leave. Given the people here, it makes sense for me to watch the thieves while she reports.

"..."

"..."

"Nothing, really..."

So, Mui and I were left to watch the thieves. There’s no need to make small talk, but the awkwardness is a bit much. We’re in the middle of the thieves’ hideout, with six men and one woman lying unconscious. Even though we haven’t done anything wrong, it feels a bit uncomfortable.

Mui’s gaze on Yoiyami is complex. There’s anger and disappointment, but also the fact that he had taken care of her, to some extent. It’s not easy to ask a young person to move on quickly. I should probably support her in this.

"Let’s tie them up, at least..."

"Right, I think there’s some rope around here."

I don’t want the unconscious men to cause trouble or escape. While it wouldn’t bother me personally if they did, I don’t want to hear complaints from Lucy when she returns.

Mui started searching the room. She must be familiar with the place since she lived here.

I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I want to make her life richer and happier than before. Is that selfish of me? Or am I overstepping? I’ve lived a long time, but the world is full of unknowns.

"Found it. ...What’s wrong?"

"Hmm... Nothing. Let’s tie them up quickly."

Finding the rope, Mui’s words interrupted my dark thoughts. I can’t let a child worry about me. The past can’t be changed or undone. We have to accept what has happened.

"Alright, Mui, can you help me with this?"

"Fine, I’ll do it."

Unconscious people are incredibly heavy. My first joint task with Mui started with the unpleasant task of tying up the thieves.

Old Man: "I’ll handle the grunts—(crack, crack)"

Congratulations on reaching Chapter 50.

It’s not a perfect milestone, but it’s been a while.

I hope you’ve picked up the book. It seems to be selling steadily, which is very much appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support of the old man from the countryside.