Chapter 366
Chapter 366
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.76 – The Knight Leaves the Stage (6)
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'How mysterious.'
Suddenly, Lee Han felt a sense of wonder.
Just one year.
It was the time since a knight who had lived in isolation, cut off from the world like a lone wolf, had begun truly connecting with it.
It was barely 1/30th of the life he had lived so far, and if you added his previous life, it was 1/60th—a fleeting span that might seem utterly insignificant.
...But why was it?
'It felt more fulfilling than ever before.'
Would you believe him if he said that this past year had been more intense than any other, making him feel truly alive?
'A year without regrets, full of fulfillment.'
The old him would probably have been shocked to see himself now.
Would the past him, who thought he'd live his whole life in solitude, have ever imagined making so many connections, with people who cared for him and showed him affection?
So Lee Han could boldly declare that even combining all his thirty years of life, this past year was more precious.
To that extent.
"-As of today, your instructor is leaving the Academy."
It was a time when emotions had fully taken hold.
"……."
"...Hmm."
"Hoo, whoo!"
...No one could easily speak up.
They had all expected it to end this way.
They had steeled themselves, more or less.
...But now that it was really happening, they understood.
Expectations were just that—expectations—and the shock of reality hitting was something entirely different.
"Sniff…."
The cadets, Lee Han's disciples, all choked up at once, no exceptions.
At that moment.
"...Kunta, I don't understand."
Unlike the others, whose throats tightened, the barbarian asked his question with his usual oblivious, innocent expression, drawing all eyes to him.
Not caring about the attention, the barbarian kept his eyes shining toward him.
"Why does the instructor have to leave? The king is the one who did wrong. Kunta, Young Master, Chick, Bear Cub.... All Kunta's comrades nearly returned to nature's embrace because of the king's mistake. The instructor knew and got angry in our place. Kunta was happy, and thinks what the instructor did wasn't wrong. Even the wisest elder in our tribe said so. If someone's wrong, even the chief or the shaman grandma gets scolded. That's how the world stays healthy. So the instructor did nothing wrong. Kunta guarantees it!"
"……."
A fairly long speech, uncharacteristic of Kunta, but its content was straightforward, childlike in its pure naivety, far from logical coherence.
If any typical noble, who valued logic, philosophy, literature, etiquette, and politics, heard Kunta speak like that, they'd probably scoff.
...But none of them dismissed Kunta's words.
Even if it lacked logic, that pure sincerity seeped into their hearts.
And sure enough.
"All flattery... as always…."
A smile tinged with pride, gratitude, and satisfaction at his disciple's growth played on the instructor's lips.
As if he'd grown so much.
"Was there something weird about what Kunta said?"
"It's just a fond way of saying you're commendable, you idiot."
"...Common tongue is still hard."
"Quit whining."
The instructor chuckled like that.
"Kunta. The only international student in our department."
"!?"
...He rarely called him by name.
"Don't change. If you can, hold onto that optimistic, innocent side to the end. Some might call you a barbarian who can't accept civilization, but ignore that nonsense. The people in civilized society aren't superior at all. They're the pitiful ones. They get sick if they can't prove they're better than others by comparing themselves."
"Civilized society is hard…."
"You don't need to understand. Just live like you do now. When things get tough, lean on your friends. But don't rely blindly—work to build relationships where you can cooperate. Do that, and you'll have the greatest asset anyone could."
"That... Yeah! I'm confident! Kunta never betrays friends!"
"Good, that's enough."
"Yeah!"
Instead of answering Kunta's question directly, the instructor left him with blessings.
As if there was no need to know about the kingdom's politics or the nobles' ugliness.
Just live as you are—that's blessing enough.
And these blessings weren't just for one person.
"Arno."
"Yes, Instructor."
"Getting along with the writer lady?"
"I'm trying to talk to her as much as possible."
"And that auntie?"
"It's tough, but somehow…."
"Heh, you have it rough in the middle."
"......All thanks to you, Instructor."
A conversation laced with blessings, born from knowing the cadets' family situations and histories.
Lee Han didn't hold back.
"Garand."
"You called, sir."
"You seem simple, but you're actually more complicated than anyone."
"...What's with the sudden insult?"
"It's not an insult—it's fact. Live simpler. Don't make it so tiring."
"...Hmph, duly noted."
"Barry."
"Bear Cub No. 11, reporting!"
"Getting along with your siblings?"
"They're too spirited; it's exhausting."
"Cain."
"Young Master No. 3, here."
"Rose, Lirina."
"Chick No. 7, present!"
"Chick No. 12 too."
Many names were called.
Diom, Abel, Dickain, Konrad, Theo, Isaac, Samuel, Joseph, Dylan, Jackson, Hugo, Julian, Melt, Dan, Hans, Dick, Kuben, Milliana, Amelia, Mia, Lily, Chloe, Sophia, Margaret, Millie, Sienna, Elsie, Jessie, Aria—.
And more, until he'd named every single one of the eighty cadets.
"Jack."
"The gloomy one, here."
"Caught you. Your real nickname was 'Average,' you punk."
"Y-You remember that?"
"You think my memory's that bad?"
"Haha…."
"Hilarious, you... I trained you to be a knight, but why'd you turn into a perfect assassin?"
"What can I do about my talents?"
"...Well, can't fight talent. An assassin knight sounds cool in its own way."
"Praise or curse?"
"Blessing if you take it as such; curse if you don't."
"......Anyone else saying it would be a curse, but from you, it sounds like a blessing."
"Glad to hear it."
The instructor called out nearly everyone, leaving words for them, then turned to the last few.
The three he was most worried about, in a way.
"-Irene Windler."
Flick!
"Yes, Chick No. 1 here!"
"...Spirited, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes? Oh, no, not really!"
"......Just in case: don't follow me."
"!?"
[Arin, you're in Buddha's palm now.]
"...Buddha? What...?"
"!!?"
[...!]
"...Hm? Did I hear wrong?"
Lee Han shrugged off the hallucination brushing his ear.
"Anyway, don't follow. If you do, that duke will hassle me."
"...That's part of why you're leaving, right? That sleazy old guy's been acting buddy-buddy lately; it's a headache."
"……."
"Sigh, no idea what's up with him suddenly. Ruins my appetite."
"...Hmm."
...Family drama's for them to sort out.
The issue now was this magic-using chick's eagerness to follow him.
"Don't follow me."
"Tch... You're mean."
"......You have your own things to do. Go do them."
"……."
"You know as many secrets as those two. When the day comes we can talk about them, come find me. I'll make time."
"......Promise?"
"Yeah."
"Hehe, then I believe you. You don't lie, Instructor."
[Our simple Arin...]
"......Why do I keep hearing voices?"
"!!?"
[Gasp...!]
"...Anyway."
Lee Han moved on.
"Derek."
"Yes. Here."
"Hm, honestly, I'm not worried about you, no blessings needed."
"D-Discrimination?"
"What discrimination? You have people to advise you even without me. Smart girlfriend too—no need for my help. Your abilities alone are top-tier. Worrying about you would be fake."
"...You overestimate me…."
"Underestimate, actually. Confidence aside, you can do anything. So I don't worry. You'll 'do well.'"
"……."
"Do what you want. No regrets."
"...Yes."
"Oh, and I recommend speeding things up. Have lots of kids if you can."
"W-We haven't reached that stage yet!!"
"......Seems like you have?"
"!?"
A guy rubbing it in to the end.
Annoying, but not hatefully so.
He patted the gray-haired status window owner's shoulder, then looked at the black-haired one waiting.
For him….
"Honestly, you're the one I'm most worried about."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, Roan Dimitri de Lionel."
"……."
He flinched.
At his full name.
But Lee Han hadn't called it to scold him.
If anything.
"You tend to try handling everything alone. Perfectionist, obsessed with doing it all yourself."
"That's…."
"So, I'm worried about you."
"……."
...Genuine concern.
Snap.
Lee Han drew his hand axe.
"A gift."
"This…."
"I've used it a long time. It's solid."
"……."
"Even occasionally, once every few months. Chop wood with it, take a breather. Don't overthink. Practice trusting others."
"...I can't promise lightly. Sorry."
"No need for promises. Just remember my words every time you see this axe. You run too fast without looking around."
"......I'll try. To have some leisure."
"Good, that's enough."
The dark-haired one still puzzled why the gift, but Lee Han felt uneasy.
Some might say what's to worry, but he saw plenty.
'If it's needless worry, all the better.'
As long as he was the only worrier.
It was amusing how worrywart he'd become.
Thus.
"Levia."
"Yes, Master."
"Look after them. They all have their不安 spots. Mediate."
"...Pardon?"
"Don't think of following me either."
"B-But I."
"No one else I trust."
"...Master?"
With his most reliable one staying, Lee Han felt relieved.
"I don't favor talent. To me, you're all equally precious, good disciples. ...But if I had to pick the most trustworthy and excellent? It'd be you."
"M-Me?"
"Yeah, you."
Clink.
Lee Han handed his sword to the wide-eyed, astonished girl.
"I-I can't accept…."
"Swordmaster—that auntie—said you have talent for more than rapiers."
"……."
"Don't hesitate if you see a way to grow stronger. Dive into your talents. Broaden your possibilities."
"Th-That's."
"You're clever. Courageous. A natural leader."
"Y-You're overrating me; I'm not that…."
"I'm speaking from what I've seen."
"!"
"I still remember. The brave woman who picked up a sword in crisis."
"……."
Levia, the girl, had the courage to resist even in disaster.
And to rise from despair.
Because she'd lived in despair her whole life and learned to overcome it.
"You always say it's thanks to me, but you're the one who endured and won. I just gave a little push."
"N-No, it's because of you that I…."
"Get stronger. So no one can toy with your fate."
"……."
"Got it, my top disciple?"
"...You're piling on the pressure, Master."
Levia pouted tearfully but accepted the sword.
...A sword heavier than any famed blade.
Farewells couldn't drag on forever, so after giving Levia the sword, Lee Han left the Academy.
There were voices trying to hold him, but yielding would mean never leaving.
It would only harm them, so he headed out without hesitation.
Now it was truly time to go alone…-.
"Knight!"
"...Maid?"
"Out quick? Thought it'd take longer. Hehe."
"……."
"Nowhere else to look? Let's go then. Oh, right. Where to?"
"What's all that luggage?"
"You're leaving, right? Gotta have stuff!"
"N-No, I mean…."
Lee Han gaped at Leira Winter, who carried a bag bigger and sturdier than his own frail body without a drop of sweat.
Since when had she been waiting?
Fine, waiting aside—did she plan to come with him?
"Your job?"
"Resigned!"
"...Why?"
"To follow you?"
"……."
"Hehe, you'd be lonely alone. Let's go together."
"...Good grief."
Lee Han wanted to argue, but her bright smile silenced any rebuttal or question.
Instead….
"...Anywhere you wanna go?"
"Vulcan first."
"Good hot springs there."
"Hehe."
Her smile, warm in the spring sun, felt refreshing.
Lee Han took her backpack and walked; the maid beamed, matching his steps.
Side by side—.
+ (Bonus)
"...H-He left?"
"Damian? Where've you been?"
"On night duty, overslept. Wait, left? ...Me?"
"……."
"What about me! What am I supposed to do!"
"...Um, how about some tea first and we talk?"
"Arrrgh!!"
The day the knight left, a certain assistant wailed.
Damian Pollet.
Even as everyone left the Academy, he couldn't.
Because….
...To retire, he needed the seal of the superior who appointed him assistant.
So without that superior's help, his only way to retire was….
"Damn it, crap…!"
To go find that superior.
And so began Damian Pollet's 100,000-mile quest to find his superior.