Chapter 30

This is a change in subtitle.

Since it doesn't seem to be ending with pre-middle-post, I've used numbers.

GW is just a legend for us. I want to go on a trip.

"Never mind. I don't care."

"No, to call a woman a guy! I really am sorry."

Alice gives a curt reply, and Fran still looks uncomfortable.

I think she really doesn't care. Probably, she just talks that way.

I start over and introduce Sol and the others.

"This is Alice Ruru. She's an adventurer. Nice to meet you."

Alice introduces herself, and we start walking towards the garrison.

I ask Alice what she plans to do next.

"I think I'll earn some money at the guild for a while."

She says she has written to her mother back home.

Today, she has taken on a few simple quests, so she has enough for the inn for now.

Until now, she has been working to pay off Nicole's debt, but this time, she says she will take on quests for herself, for her mother, and for her village.

Alice should be able to raise her rank quickly.

"By the way, why were you and Noah there? I saw Noah getting off the carriage..."

I briefly tell Sol and the others about the accident I encountered earlier and how Alice and I happened to be there and she helped me.

"Such a thing happened... I'm a bit concerned. Do you know the name of the merchant?"

Gerard asks us.

"I don't know the name. I remember there was an axe mark on the cargo bed..."

"I saw it too. It was two crossed axes."

Gerard nods, still deep in thought. If someone familiar with the area, it might be possible to identify the merchant.

"Well, if it was just an accident, that's fine."

We chat for a while as we walk and arrive at the garrison.

"By the way, is it okay to have women in the knight corps?"

"There's no rule that says it's not allowed. If they know someone in the knight corps, they can come and go freely in the training grounds."

"There used to be female knights. Family members of the corps members also come and go, so it's not strict."

"Anyway, it should be fine as long as they don't get too close to the barracks."

Sol, Gerard, and Fran explain in turn. When we enter the training grounds, we meet the eyes of other knights and trainees.

"You guys are finally back."

"Captain!"

"Hello, Captain Smith. They were with me."

I've spoken to Captain Smith a few times.

He always has a gentle face and greets us when we meet. He is well-liked by the trainees.

"Yeah, you were guarding Noah. Good work. The other patrol members have already returned, so I was worried about you guys."

Captain Smith pats Sol's shoulder and smiles.

"I-I'm here...!"

Sol slightly shields his shoulder and steps back.

"I'm not hitting you that hard, am I?"

"A-ah, no. I just twisted it a bit. I'm fine!"

Captain Smith looks surprised.

I'm also surprised. Is he really okay?

"If you're fine, that's good. Anyway, I don't recognize the person next to you. Who is it?"

"She's Alice. A friend of mine. She wants to see the knight corps training, so I brought her."

When I ask if she can observe, Captain Smith readily agrees.

"Would you like to join the training for a bit? We're just about to have a few people spar."

Alice nods silently, apparently pleased.

Holding blunted swords, about ten people gather around Captain Smith.

"Fran, pair up with Alice. Sol, you're observing today."

Captain Smith gives the instructions.

Gerard has already paired up with another trainee.

"Fran, do your best."

I cheer Fran on in my heart, knowing Alice's solo rank A equivalent skill.

"Start!"

At Captain Smith's command, everyone raises their swords.

The high sound of steel clashing echoes.

Fran is usually bright and cheerful.

However, when she holds a sword, her demeanor changes completely.

She uses the elegant forms of the Aurora style, which is favored by nobles.

On the other hand, Alice hasn't studied any particular style.

She uses a self-taught sword technique learned from her father when he was an adventurer, further refined through six months of actual combat.

At first, Alice is overwhelmed by Fran's flawless swordplay, but she soon finds her timing and makes a decisive move. With incredible speed, she parries Fran's sword, disarms her, and quickly closes in, placing the tip of her sword at Fran's throat.

"I yield. You're strong, Alice."

"Fran's swordplay is beautiful. I learned a lot."

Fran raises both hands, acknowledging her defeat.

Both have very different fighting styles, and it was impressive to watch.

Fran's beautiful swordplay is amazing, but Alice's adaptability stands out.

"Hey, a trainee lost to a female adventurer."

Marlo Frost, the number three, appears with his entourage.

His tone is condescending.

"You're about to become a knight, right? Don't bring shame to the knight corps."

"Did you go easy on her?"

His entourage chimes in with their own assumptions, and the others laugh mockingly.

Fran isn't weak. Don't insult Alice.

I want to say that, but I'm not the one fighting.

"Then, let me see the strength of a knight."

Without raising her voice, Alice says to Marlo and his group.

The other members have also finished their matches, and Captain Smith approaches.

Marlo stops the captain with a hand and calls out one of his entourage.

"Hans, go."

Alice and Hans face each other.

Hans draws his sword from his waist. It's a real sword.

"Wait! Real swords are not allowed!"

"I don't mind."

Captain Smith tries to stop them, but Alice calmly says she's fine.

Her words send a strong gaze from Marlo's side, even if she didn't mean to be provocative.

"Begin."

Marlo gives the start signal.

The two stand quietly facing each other, slowly circling counterclockwise.

Hans makes the first move.

He steps forward forcefully, closing the distance, and swings his sword horizontally.

In that instant, Alice seems to vanish.

Suddenly, her sword tip appears at Hans' left side, pointing at his neck.

She leaps to the right to avoid Hans' sword and thrusts her sword like a fencer, completely predicting his movement.

"Wh-what...!"

Hans, Marlo, and his entourage are wide-eyed with shock.

The tense atmosphere is broken by Baldur's cheerful voice.

"Hey, that's an interesting match."

Baldur, the deputy captain, approaches Alice, breaking through the circle of watching members, and grins.

"I'm Deputy Captain Baldur. Would you like to spar with me?"

Alice nods again.

The match between Baldur and Alice is truly spectacular.

Both fight for several rounds at a speed that can't be seen with the naked eye.

I thought Baldur, based on his appearance, would be more of a brute force fighter, but he matches Alice's speed with delicate swordplay.

Eventually, a wrinkle appears between Alice's eyebrows. Sweat beads on her forehead.

The balance of power, known only to them, is gradually shifting.

Finally, Alice's sword is deflected into the air.

2015/01/11 Correction