Volume 4 - CH 14

Chapter 14 – Lana and Instructor Musik

That day, Lana went to the knight’s training ground alone. This is the place where she learned swordsmanship for half a year when she and Eto first came to the castle.

After having sword training with the knights who were stationed at the castle by chance, Lana took a break on the upper floor where she could see the whole training ground. Until suddenly, the Captain of the Order of the Knights, Musik, appeared.

“Long time no see. I’m sorry I haven’t gone to see you for a long time.”

Lana bowed to Musik.

“Umu, it’s truly been a long time. Looks like you have been training our knights.”

“No, it’s me who is being taught by them.”

Since Lana’s power as the Sword Saint awakened, and she gained a higher level of swordsmanship, the number of knights who could match her decreased. It’s like, even though they were able to match her yesterday, they were completely unable to match her the next day. Since then, there are rarely knights who challenge her. Although one of the reasons was because the difference in their abilities was so big, which made it dangerous for the knights, the biggest problem was that challenging her could make the young knights lose their confidence.

Thus, during that time, the one who got appointed as Lana’s instructor was Musik, who was the vice captain of the knight’s order at that time. Thanks to him, Lana was able to swing her sword freely, and she also opened up to Musik, whom she respected.

“I heard about Eto-dono.”

“I see…. The other day, I met Eto for the first time in a long time. He was as lively as he was in the village. Furthermore, he became so strong after we were separated.”

“Umu. I also felt a kind of aura that I didn’t feel from him before. It feels like someone who overcame a big mountain before him. Did Lana-dono ever think of leaving Ronaldo-sama’s party and joining Eto’s?”

Lana felt uncomfortable being called ‘Lana-dono’ by Musik, because when they’re student and instructor, he directly called her by her name. However, after she and Eto got chosen, Musik probably couldn’t call the Sword Saint and the Sage chosen by the Goddess with their name anymore.

“In fact, the other day, Eto introduced me to his party members, and I like the atmosphere between them very much. That made me think maybe fighting together with Eto and his party doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Then, why didn’t you join him?”

“Because I decided to support Ronaldo-sama.”

Lana looked straight at Musik. And that strong gaze of her shows her determination.

“Ronaldo-sama sometimes did decide things on his own without consulting anyone. And that often leads to big problems later. But, from what I can see, Ronaldo-sama himself believes what he did was really necessary.”

“All he did was necessary?”

“Yes. Although this might be rude towards Eto, Ronaldo-sama believes the Hero’s party should be strong enough to reassure the people. That is why at that time he didn’t admit Eto’s existence, who wasn’t strong enough in his eyes.”

“Fumu.”

“And I think Ronaldo-sama also believes that since Eto was chosen by the Goddess-sama as the Sage, he has to contribute to the party by doing what he can. At least at first, he probably really thought that it was natural to forbid Eto to use the support magic that he deemed ineffective and help the party in other ways. And that was the thing that later led to an attitude of looking down on Eto.”

“Continue.”

“At that time, I didn’t blame Ronaldo-sama or help Eto, and I was just swept away by the situation and believed in the bad rumor about Eto. I am the worst.”

Musik just silently listened to Lana’s story, while occasionally nodding to reply. Because he felt that Lana wasn’t asking for words to console her.

“But precisely because of that experience, I think I have to do what I can do right now. I am Lana, the Sword Saint of the Hero’s party. It is my job to support Ronaldo-sama.”

“From what I can see, Ronaldo-sama seems to be mentally unstable, more than before. You might receive the discrimination that Eto received there, you know?”

“Musik-sama, the thing is, Ronaldo-sama has been mentally unstable for a long time. I noticed that immediately when we first met. Mirei-sama also agreed with me on this.”

“Is that so? At least in my eyes, he didn’t seem so before, though?”

“But I think Ronaldo-sama is fine right now. I believe the bond that we made from training in the royal castle to the journey to subjugate monsters is already solid. Although I do understand that what happened to Eto is indeed our sin, I believe at least Ronaldo-sama, Mirei-sama, and I have a feeling of comradery for each other.”

“I see. Looks like you are already determined.”

“Yes.”

“In that case, there is nothing for me to say anymore.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“At any rate, since it’s been a while, let’s go to the training ground. I will practice with you.”

“Yes, Instructor Musik!”

“I hope you can stop calling me instructor, though…”

“You never told me to call you vice captain, after all. For me, you are Instructor Musik, who taught me swordsmanship!”

“Alright. I’ll allow you to call me that only when we’re training.”

Musik loosened his eyes and went to the stairs leading to the training ground with Lana.