Chapter 14
Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Former Sword Saint and Misandrist Disciple (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It had already been nearly half a year since Karin became my disciple.
For a martial artist who walked the path of the martial way their entire life, it was an incredibly short time.
However, the results Karin had achieved in just half a year since starting were far from insignificant.
Now, Karin had already reached the peak of perfection, becoming a true master.
Even the swordsmanship instructors at the academy who were considered somewhat skilled hadn't reached that level—there were plenty of them who fell short.
She had attained peak perfection three years earlier than in the original story.
'...Peak realm at that age. It's ridiculous.'
It was a speed so astonishing it could etch a mark in history.
Her growth period to reach the peak was even shorter than mine.
Well, she had talent and put in the effort, so it was possible.
"You've done really well over these past six months."
Through rigorous training, her once frail body had transformed into a sturdy frame. Karin scattered her light purple hair as she met my gaze.
"...I've still got a long way to go before I catch up to you, Master."
She had grown somewhat comfortable around me now, her expression softening considerably.
Well, spending every day together as master and disciple, it's only natural affection would build, even if reluctantly.
"You'll need at least a hundred years to catch up to me."
In truth, at this growth rate, she'd probably surpass me in less than ten years...
But anyway, that was still a long way off.
"You've worked hard, so I'm giving you a break."
"A break...? But I'm still..."
Karin tilted her head, looking puzzled for a moment.
Well, she didn't fully grasp her own level yet, so that reaction made sense.
She was probably wondering why I was letting her go after just half a year.
"Rest is part of training too. Especially for someone like you who's pushed several times harder than others in such a short time—you need the break even more."
Even the finest machine will overheat if run nonstop for too long without shutting down.
And without cooling, that overheating leads to breakdown in an instant.
Even someone as talented as Karin needed time for her body to recover.
Especially since the extreme path I taught her pushed the body to its limits.
"So, head back to your family home for the next month."
"...My, my family home?"
For a split second, a shadow crossed her face.
Probably because that bastard was there.
"Can't I... just keep training here...?"
She scrunched up her face, gazing at me with desperate eyes.
But sadly, I couldn't grant that request.
"No."
"Why..."
Her face filled with a gloom as if she'd lost everything in the world.
And I could clearly tell what returning home meant to her.
"No need for that look. I'm coming with you."
"...What?"
I flashed a grin at her, as if she'd spotted a ray of hope amid her despair.
"Your grandfather—Bergil—has some business with him, and I feel like taking a little vacation myself after so long."
Of course, it was all excuses, but Karin wouldn't have the mind to question it right now.
What mattered most was having someone reliable along for the ride.
"A vacation?"
"There's plenty to see up north."
"Oh, right."
The Clayman ducal family had guarded the north for generations, like the emperor's shield.
Bergil was the former head, known as the Northern Archduke.
"Plus, I wanna hit the hot springs for once."
"Hot springs?"
"Yeah. Hot springs. They're famous there, along with the booze."
The Clayman duchy was at the empire's northernmost edge, brutally cold, but it boasted the empire's best hot springs.
A true romantic haven.
While solving Karin's issue, I planned to enjoy the springs and a drink with Cecilia—my heart was already racing at the thought.
"Anyway, we're leaving tomorrow, so pack up. I'll prep slowly with Cecilia."
"Ah, yes!"
Leaving Karin—who now sounded much brighter—I returned home, and Cecilia popped out from the bedroom.
"Master!! Do we need swimsuits for the hot springs?"
A perfectly innocent question.
Well, some modern hot springs did require swimsuits or clothes.
"Nah, no need."
"Okay!"
Her face flushing a bit, she scurried back to the room to pack—for both of us.
Satisfied, I plopped down in the rocking chair.
"Ah, gotta share a drink with Bergil when we get there."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The empire's science differed from modern medieval tech at first glance, yet seemed oddly similar.
'Well, magic exists here.'
Scientific progress was a tad slower than modern times, but magical advancements filled the gap.
And the massive train before me now was a prime example of magic and science fused together.
"Whoaaa... I-It's my first time seeing a magic train."
Cecilia gaped at the majestic locomotive, letting out an awed voice.
Honestly, even coming from the modern world, I had to admit it was impressive.
Performance might lag behind modern trains, but the aesthetics were superior.
"Karin doesn't seem surprised?"
"I rode one when I came here."
"Oh, right."
Come to think of it, Bergil coming without the train was the weird part.
Using teleportation to visit a friend's house when it wasn't urgent?
Should just report him for magic abuse.
"Alright, let's board."
As the train doors slid open, the three of us stepped aboard.
'Oh, nicer than I thought.'
Modern trains rattled no matter the tech, but here—anti-vibration magic or something—minimized the shaking entirely.
I could really feel the superiority of magic.
"By the way, Cecilia, anything you wanna do up north?"
Seated comfortably, I asked Cecilia, who was grinning ear-to-ear while peering out the window.
I hadn't expected her to be this thrilled about a trip.
Should've taken her on more vacations.
"...Hee hee hee. Wanna see some sipia flowers."
"Oh, those flowers?"
Rarely, Karin chimed in on Cecilia's words.
Well, she was the expert on northern stuff, so it made sense.
At home, Cecilia usually taught her basic chores, but seeing the roles reverse brought a smile to my face.
"Yeah! They only bloom up north. Never saw any back in my village."
Elf villages grew nearly every plant imaginable.
From spirit herbs for elixirs to common weeds.
A true paradise for flora.
Yet even in elf lands, a few plants refused to grow—one being the flower she mentioned.
It bloomed only in frigid lands, its shape mimicking snow crystals—hence the name.
The winter flower, sipia.
One of the world's most beautiful blooms, so Cecilia's obsession as an elf was understandable.
"Sipia's great. I love them too! When we get there, I'll take you to a spot full of them."
"Thank you, Karin."
Was Cecilia really not a guy?
We'd both spent the same time with Karin, yet her voice toward Cecilia sounded far more relaxed.
I got it, but understanding and feeling bitter were different things.
"What about you, Master?"
"Me? Drink and hit the hot springs."
"That's it?"
"Yeah?"
"We're staying a whole month."
"...Plenty of time to enjoy it."
As I answered their questions one by one, both Karin and Cecilia gave me looks of utter exasperation.
Was it really that weird?
"You really have no plans."
Karin's sharp jab hit right in the blind spot.
The fruits of her swift sword training, striking weaknesses.
"Well... no plan is the plan."
I replied casually and leaned back against the seat.
'Truth is... hot springs and booze are secondary. You're the priority.'
Yeah. The real goal of this northern trip was easing Karin's misandry.
The drinks and springs were just bonuses. No inverting priorities here.
"Man... of all the damn luck. Never a smooth trip."
Muttering to myself while reclined, Karin's face darkened instantly.
"...An attack?"
"Yep. Attack."
"What!? An attack?!"
Cecilia freaked out at our words.
Well, before fully awakening her spirit arts, that reaction was normal.
Once she contracted a spirit and became a proper spirit user, it'd change.
"Anyway, grab something sturdy and hold on tight."
At my words, both gripped their seats firmly.
About thirty seconds passed.
Just thirty seconds.
Until a section of the perfectly fine train exploded in an instant.
ㅡKwaaang!!
The deafening shockwave, plus the train car's destruction, filled the air with dust and debris clouding our vision.
When I turned to the source of the blast, what I saw was...
Five figures boarding the train, masked and armed with guns.