Chapter 21

In the spring festival match, although Rio won, the discontent from the disciples that the village chief had feared did not explode.

Lakdoi's victory over Karyl made the disciples evaluate Lakdoi's strength, and it seems there was dissatisfaction with Yudo, who was known for his laziness. However, after losing to Rio, Yudo's influence diminished, and some disciples started to skip their physical training, taking advantage of the situation. As a result, more disciples began to receive direct instruction from Lakdoi.

"I think it would be meaningless if everyone became lazy."

While mending the holes in his hemp practice clothes, Rio grumbled. Shiraha, who was embroidering a handkerchief with a technique she learned from her mother, nodded slightly.

"…It's a lazy disciple complaining."

"What's your source?"

"Remini's younger brother said it."

"You've made friends already? Well, that's good. Get along with them, okay?"

"Okay…"

Remini, Shiraha's source of information, is the daughter of a village hunter. She is a martial girl among the village girls, small in stature but strong enough to throw her dojo-attending younger brother. Being popular among the girls, Remini has a big-sister personality, and if Shiraha has become friends with her, Rio secretly felt relieved that Shiraha wouldn't be bullied.

This is because a few people, centered around Yudo and his followers, have started to say bad things about Rio and even throw mud at him whenever they meet. If it came to a fight, they would use their numbers to force their lies and make Rio look like the bad guy. Since there's no value in associating with them, Rio completely ignores them. Shiraha stopped her embroidery and stared at Rio. Seeing the worried look in her eyes, which was different from her usual observant gaze, Rio tilted his head.

"What's wrong?"

"Aren't you going to say something about the harassment?"

"Even if I do, they'll just do it in secret. No one will speak up for me because there's no benefit in it. Since there's no real harm, it's best to ignore it."

"…But you're stronger than them."

Rio smiled wryly at Shiraha's words.

"Getting stronger isn't about making others listen. If you're strong, you should be even more careful not to misuse your strength, as it could turn into bullying the weak."

Besides, Rio continued.

"I don't have any talent. Even if I think I'm strong, it's only within the village. As Karyl said, even the dojo master, Lakdoi, apparently has no talent."

Lakdoi boasts that he can easily defeat Karyl in the next match, but according to Karyl's assessment, Lakdoi has no talent. The fact that Lakdoi, who learned knightly swordsmanship at a dojo in the royal direct territory, is now a dojo master in this remote village indicates that he couldn't serve as a knight for the royal family or any noble. There are many more skilled fighters outside the village who wouldn't even consider Lakdoi. One of them is Oggan, a mage under the lord who came to the village to teach magic, though he is a mage, not a swordsman.

"You shouldn't use your strength in a way that invites resentment. You'll just end up being treated the same way by someone stronger."

"…That's why those people are getting cocky."

"Yeah, that's probably true."

They do as they please because they know Rio won't fight back. Even if he did, they could just overpower him with numbers. Rio thinks they should use their intelligence for more productive things.

As Rio finished mending his practice clothes and put away his sewing tools, his father, Baldo, entered the room.

"Rio, I need to talk to you. Come with me."

Seeing Baldo's unusually serious expression, Rio and Shiraha exchanged puzzled looks and stood up simultaneously. However, Baldo stopped Shiraha.

"Shiraha, you don't need to come. Help your mother with dinner."

"…What kind of talk with Rio?"

"It's a man's talk."

Without further explanation, Baldo urged Rio to follow him and left the room. Shiraha, looking worried, grabbed Rio's clothes.

"Are you okay? Dad looked scary."

"Don't say that to Dad. He'll definitely be upset."

Leaving Shiraha in the room, Rio followed Baldo. Baldo left the house and started walking towards the center of the village.

"Where are we going?"

"To the village chief's house. You'll understand when we get there."

Without a word, Rio and Baldo arrived at the village chief's house and were led to the guest room. In the guest room, not only the village chief but also Karyl and, surprisingly, Lakdoi were already present. With Baldo joining them, the three martial figures of the village were gathered.

Rio, feeling uneasy but determined, wondered what kind of talk they were going to have. Given the lineup, it couldn't be a trivial matter.

Baldo and Rio sat down at the heavy wooden long table. The village chief smiled faintly at Rio.

"Let's get straight to the point. Rio, the four of us here are giving you this."

The village chief placed a sword on the long table with both hands.

"…A sword?"

Looking at the sword on the long table, Rio turned to the village chief. The village chief nodded and explained.

"The match at the spring festival was impressive. While the result was far from what I had hoped, I still felt a gift of apology was necessary. I consulted with Baldo about it."

"Father?"

Looking to the side, Baldo had his arms crossed and a stern expression. Karyl, looking as if he couldn't help it, chuckled and waved his hands.

"Baldo, say something, will you? Rio, after consulting with Baldo, he suggested giving Rio a sword. However, since Rio has been developing his own style of swordsmanship without attending the dojo, he didn't know what kind of sword would be best, so he consulted me, who has been helping him develop his style."

As Karyl said, if Rio were given a broadsword like the ones used in the Lakdoi dojo, he would find it difficult to handle. The sword on the long table had a blade length of about two-thirds of Rio's arm and a slightly longer handle. The center of gravity was closer to the hilt, prioritizing ease of handling over the weight of a single strike. It was a sword that would not have been commissioned if one didn't know Rio's style of swordsmanship.

Karyl pointed at Lakdoi. When Rio looked at Lakdoi, he opened his mouth with a guilty expression.

"To buy a sword, you need connections. That's how this opportunity came to me. I introduced a few options."

"Lakdoi introduced them because Rio properly finished the match at the spring festival, including the final stance. In real combat, the moment you think you've won and let your guard down is the most dangerous."

Surprised by the unexpected help from Lakdoi, Rio bowed.

"Thank you."

"Being thanked so sincerely makes me feel a bit uncomfortable… Try the sword."

Encouraged by Lakdoi, Rio reached for the sword on the long table. However, Baldo extended his hand to stop Rio.

"Rio, if you take this sword, you will be a full-fledged man. You must think carefully about how you use your strength and have the obligation to use it correctly. Do you understand?"

"Father, were you waiting for this moment to say that and kept quiet until now?"

Karyl and the village chief chuckled, and Baldo, with a straight face, seemed to be suppressing something. Lakdoi bowed his head, and the atmosphere became relaxed. However, Rio answered the question without hesitation.

"I started this to protect myself. The way to use it was decided from the beginning."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Baldo retracted his hand.

"That's fine for now."

Rio then took the sword from the long table. The weight of the iron settled into his hand with a solid thud.