LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 56
Chapter 56
The night passed, and after finishing our usual morning training, both Alshade and I would typically return to the mansion. However, today we remained at the training ground with Orto.
The reason for this was that Edward, who had agreed to be my spear master, was coming this morning. Orto had informed me of this earlier this morning.
“…Hey, I heard that I had a master appointed yesterday, but I didn’t hear anything about starting today?”
I cast a suspicious look at Alshade. However, she shrugged her shoulders with a calm expression.
“It seems like you doubt me, and that hurts my feelings. Just like you, I was told about your master being decided yesterday, and Orto just told me this morning that he would be coming. Why would you doubt me?”
“If you think about what you did before and what happened yesterday, you might understand if you put your hand on your chest,” I replied.
“When you put it that way, I guess you’re right.”
Alshade laughed in response to my comment, scratching her cheek.
“But this time, it really wasn’t me. When it comes to being apprenticed to a renowned warrior, even someone like Rio should be mentally prepared. I don’t know much about his personality, unlike Orto.”
Alshade said this with a serious expression, and it seemed she wasn’t the culprit in this case.
It appeared she was considerate in that regard. Well, I did know about his personality.
“In that case… Orto-san?”
Honestly, I didn’t think Orto would do something like this, but I turned my gaze toward Orto along with Alshade.
Orto, who had our eyes on him, made a somewhat uncomfortable expression and spoke.
“No, it wasn’t me… it was my friend’s doing. Let me explain step by step. Yesterday, I received a letter from Edward, agreeing to be your master, so I reported it to Lady Alshade. However, the letter didn’t specify when he would arrive. He’s known for being a bit lax with time, but I expected him to come within at least a month.”
“Why did it end up being this morning, then?”
I could already see the punchline, but I prompted him to continue.
“Oh, well, that’s because last night, Edward came to see me. I was staying in the room next to yours, partly for security, but only I felt the presence he emitted outside, and it startled me enough to jump out of bed.”
As Orto recounted the situation, he placed a hand on his forehead and let out a sigh, looking tired.
Thinking back to his personality in the original work, he was indeed a tough and martial-minded person, but he also had a carefree and free-spirited side. I remembered that his actions had caused quite a stir for the protagonist who chose the route with Edward as his master.
The protagonist who chose the route with Edward as his master also seemed to be quite shaken by his actions, as far as I could remember.
“As soon as he saw me go outside to meet him, he said, ‘I’ll drop by tomorrow morning,’ and left without any further explanation.”
“Well, how should I put it… You went through quite an ordeal.”
“Orto, thank you for your hard work.”
After finishing the explanation, our sympathetic gazes turned into pity for Orto’s somewhat tired appearance.
Suddenly, Orto’s slightly weary appearance disappeared, and we heard the sound of something colliding behind us.
“Whoa, what are you doing all of a sudden, Orto!”
“Hmm, it’s you, huh? I thought you were a thief who entered the premise without permission”
“You should be able to tell it’s me by my presence! Ugh!”
In a snap, when I turned around, I saw Orto, who had drawn his sword, and a burly old man with a spear engaged in a heated argument, clashing their weapons together, sending sparks flying.
“That’s not the issue! You, you didn’t just bypass the gatekeeper, you leaped over the fence!” Orto exclaimed.
“What’s the big deal?” the old man replied.
“The problem is precisely that! Couldn’t you at least have introduced yourself at the main gate and waited for a proper reception!?”
“If I had done that, it would have taken forever!”
Every time their arms and targets blurred and disappeared, there were two or three collisions followed by sparks in the air.
They would vanish and then reappear in different positions, keeping us all on edge as the aftermath of their combat created strong winds that swept through the training ground.I couldn’t help but worry when I might get caught up in it.
Their skills seemed evenly matched, and as the battle showed no sign of resolution, when the positions had shifted for about the fifth time, both of them stopped moving.
“Phew… Orto, have you cooled your head?” the old man asked.
“Ha… Edward, don’t make it sound like I’m the one at fault,” Orto replied.
“You did come at me with your sword drawn, though.”
“Why don’t you understand that your actions were wrong? In the first place—”
“Stop! Stop!”
I finally interrupted, even though they had just calmed down. I didn’t want them to resume their brawl.
It wouldn’t do any good for them to clash weapons at invisible speeds, and, above all, it wasn’t good for my heart.
Even Alshade, who was usually composed, had an unusual twitch in her cheek, so I desperately wanted to stop them from resuming the fight.
“Lord Rios, my apologies. I got a little too heated in my anger,” Orto said.
“Hahaha, you’re always so calm, but when you get angry, there’s no stopping you.”
“Who do you think is to blame for that… Well, whatever. Lord Rios, this is Edward Menas, who will be your master. He’s my… close friend.”
Orto introduced Edward to me with a somewhat exasperated expression, still visibly angry about the recent incident.
“Oh, so this little lad is going to be my disciple?” Edward said, observing me carefully.
“Yes, I am Rios. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to study under the renowned warrior, Edward Menas,” I replied.
Edward’s gaze lingered on me curiously.
I wanted to make a good first impression, as first impressions were crucial. However, his expression seemed hard to read, as if he didn’t quite know what to make of me.
“You don’t need to be so formal just because we’ll have a master-disciple relationship. No need to be overly stiff; it’s no fun,” Edward said as he scratched his head.
I silently agreed with his words as I watched him.
It seemed that my master, like Alshade, disliked overly formal and strict interactions.
“Lord Rios, there’s no need to be reserved here. If you encounter any problems, don’t hesitate to tell me immediately. I’ll make sure to straighten him out,” Orto advised.
“Orto, you’re going a bit too far in chastising a friend,” Edward remarked.
“If you’re aware that you’re acting strangely, then change your behavior,” Orto replied.
“That’s impossible,” Edward retorted without a hint of remorse.
Orto’s temples bulged with frustration at Edward’s unapologetic attitude.
As I felt weary, sandwiched between the two of them, I noticed that Alshade had come next to me.
“Hey, Orto. Could you introduce me to Rios’s master as well?” she asked.
“…Certainly.”
Orto hesitated for a moment, but it seemed he reluctantly agreed, perhaps thinking that it was too late to back out since they were already face-to-face.
“This is my… friend, Edward Menas, who holds the title of the ‘Demon Spear.’ Edward, this is Lady Alshade Baltzfeld, whom I teach swordsmanship,” Orto introduced.
“Pleased to meet you, Edward,” Alshade said.
“Yeah, nice to meet you too, lass. You seem like a diligent student of Orto, with a solid foundation,” Edward replied.
Orto’s eyebrows twitched at Edward’s overly casual remarks regarding Alshade, a noblewoman.
However, since Alshade didn’t mind informality in private settings, Orto chose not to say anything and left it to her judgment.
“(Having this guy as a friend seems like it would be a constant source of trouble…)”
“Edward is quite straightforward, isn’t he? I also don’t like formality, so it’s fine for me outside of official occasions,” Alshade replied.
“Oh, we’re on the same page then. Well, I may seem like it, but I’m from a stuffy noble background, so you can trust me in public situations,” Edward said.
“…I think this every time, but Edward, coming from you, of all people, talking about noble backgrounds is like the end of the world.”
Looking to the side at Edward, who proudly proclaimed, “I’m just a commoner now!” Orto muttered, gazing up at the sky.
—
If you like this novel, Please leave ratings and review in NovelUpdates.>>HERE
If you’d like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 5 chapters or more (depending on the novel) ahead, you can do so via Ko-fi: