Chapter 270: Reunion and Meeting (2/2)

Likewise. It was only thanks to all the groundwork you laid out that the reconstruction of the city could proceed so smoothly. [Ryouma]

Im glad to hear that, but it wasnt just me. These two helped out too. Weve known each other for a long time, so I knew they could be trusted, and they also have quite the reputation themselves, so they could act in my stead. [Reinbach]

I see Thank you very much. [Ryouma]

Dont mention it. Reinbach-chan is going to be helping me too as payment anyway. [Remilie]

Its a knights duty to help others. All the more so when its a friend. [Schieber]

The ones that responded to me were Remilie-san and another man that went by the name of Schieber Gardak. Apparently, hes the former knight commander that Reinbach-sama once jokingly recommended to be my stores guard, though Im not sure that was really just a joke.

Schieber-san claims to have retired because of his age, but his physique still looked plenty strong to me. Im sure he must be skilled as well. But I cant feel any pressure from him. Though it would be problematic if I were to be intimidated in our first meeting, Ive always imagined knight commanders to carry a solemn air, so its a bit of a letdown.

As for Remilie-san, apparently, she used to be a wizard of the royal court, but what was really surprising was that shes likely to be the oldest one here, as shes actually a dark elf, a close relative to the elves that age little compared to their age.

Im not sure about her age though since I didnt ask. Schieber-san almost slipped, but she glared at him with blood l.u.s.t and mana, so I decided to just avoid the topic altogether.

By the way, I started referring to them with a san. At first, I referred to them with a sama, but Remilie-san didnt like it, and Schieber-san said he wasnt a knight commander anymore, just a senile old fool.

It wasnt exactly good manners, but since Remilie-san hated it, and Sebasu-san said it would be fine too, I decided to just call them with a san.

By the way, why did you come to this town? From what Ive investigated, theres nothing really worth seeing here. [Ryouma]

Theres a labyrinth near here known as the Town of Departed Spirits. She has something she wants there, so well be helping her get it. Thats her compensation. [Reinbach]

Have you heard of the herb, Everlasting Darkness? [Remilie]

Its a herb often used as a tranquilizer or as sleep medication, but its a difficult drug to handle because depending on the amount used, it can also be a poison that would make people hallucinate or suffer. [Ryouma]

Youre well informed, I see, but the Everlasting Darkness isnt just a medicine. [Remilie]

As she said that, she held out a black staff.

This staff was created at a dark elf village using wood that dipped in the broth of Everlasting Darkness and dried many times. Wood treated in that manner makes it much easier to use dark magic. {Remilie]

Wow Are you sure its okay to be telling me that? [Ryouma]

I dont mind, and its really nothing that amazing since its just soaking the wood. Anyone with Everlasting Darkness would do it back at home. [Remilie]

I thought it was a secret technique or something, but it looks like thats not the case.

This staff was given to me when I became an adult, and I have been maintaining it, but as expected, its almost at its limit. [Remilie]

I see, so youre looking for Everlasting Darkness to build a new staff. [Ryouma]

Exactly. [Remilie]

How about you, Ryouma-kun? Why are you here? I was sure youd be somewhere working near Gimuru. [Reinbach]

Actually, Im also looking for the Everlasting Darkness from the Town of Departed Spirits. [Ryouma]

Though I mentioned earlier that it was mostly used as a tranquilizer, there were other ways to use it too. Personally, I wanted to use it to make a bug repellent.

The Great Forest of Shurus that Im headed to is, as the name implies, full of trees. In other words, a hot and humid environment, where insects and monsters lurk at every corner. Traveling there would require an effective insect repellent, and one of the materials to that end is Everlasting Darkness herb.

Moreover, the Town of Departed Spirits was also crawling with undead. The Great Forest might not particularly be full of undead, but the adventurers that die in it could turn into one and start wandering, so this trip is also meant to be training to help me deal with those.

Hmm, to go to the village inside the Great Shurus Forest, huh {Schieber]

Its true youll need an insect repellent and a way to deal with the undead to go there. [Remilie]

When I explained that, the two understood and deeply nodded.

Yes. I can use light magic, but Ive yet to experience fighting undead that have no form, so I was hoping to gather experience at the Town of Departed Spirits. [Ryouma]

Oh? You can use light magic? [Remilie]

Yes. But Ive only learned two spells: the beginner spell, Light Ball, and the anti-undead defensive spell, Holy Curtain. [Ryouma]

Id say thats plenty brilliant considering your age, but just that would make it problematic if you were to happen into a horde of undead. At the very least, you should learn intermediate light magic too. [Schieber]

In that case, how about I teach you a little about intermediate light magic? Reinbach-chan seems to like you, and if youre talented enough to notice me even while under the effects of Hide, then you should be able to learn quickly too. Besides, were heading to the same place and have the same objective, so We can go together? [Remilie]

Well, Im grateful, but Hide? That wasnt on the magic books I got before, but from the name, its clearly a spell meant to conceal oneself. If shes saying shes used that, then

Could it be that you used that when we met for the first time? [Ryouma]

Yes, its an intermediate dark magic that makes it harder to sense your presence. It doesnt make you vanish, though, so its not that convenient and isnt popular. [Remilie]

Remilie-sama is an expert at both dark and light magic and is said to be a brilliant mage even among the royal court magicians. Its not easy to meet a mage more skilled than her. [Sebasu]

Her personality can be problematic, but her skill is the real deal. [Reinbach]

Thats rude Theres nothing wrong with my personality. [Remilie]

Well, maybe its a good personality. [Schieber]

Reinbach-sama and Schieber-san looked at Remilie-san doubtfully, while Sebasu just remained beside Reinbach-sama, unconcerned. Id be glad if he could teach me about light magic, but is that really fine?

Youve already met, so youll suffer regardless if she teaches you or not, so Ryouma-kun, I suggest you just have her teach you. [Schieber]

What does that mean? Its a bit concerning, but it would be a waste to let this rare opportunity go.

It would be my honor to have you instruct me in the ways of light magic. Please teach me. [Ryouma]

Alright, its decided then! It wont be for long, but well be master and disciple, so call me master. [Remilie]

Master? Very well [Ryouma]

You can also just call me onee-chan. [Remilie]

When I was about to tell her that I understood, an unexpected proposal came. It was embarra.s.sing, so I refused.

Ill just stick to master. [Ryouma]

Eh, itll affect my motivation, though. [Remilie]

Remilie-san said with evident displeasure.

You were the one who asked him to call you master. [Schieber]

Im sure itll be exhausting dealing with Remilie, but youll just have to ignore her antics or let them pa.s.s. Good luck. [Reinbach]

Ryouma-sama, Remilie-samas skill is the real thing, so please be at ease. [Sebasu]

How should I put it Remilie-san strikes me as a really free person.

Reinbach-sama suggested one more thing.

Oh, right, Ryouma-kun. How about showing us how you fight? [Reinbach]

Okay. Do you mean when we fight at the Town of Departed Spirits? [Ryouma]

Theres that too, but how about sparring once with Schieber over here. [Reinbach]

With the former knight commander!? Schieber-san was surprised too, and he even asked Reinbach-sama what he was thinking even before I could ask myself, and apparently, Reinbach-sama wanted to see my abilities before I went to the Great Shurus Forest. I was also meeting Schieber-san for the first time, and he used to be the knight commander, so he should be able to objectively appraise my abilities.

When Reinbach-sama explained it in that way, Schieber-san agreed to the spar, though it seems he was just surprised to hear him suggest that out of the blue and wasnt particularly planning on refusing it in the first place.

Schieber-san also mentioned that he would be able to better gauge my abilities if I had no idea about his strength beforehand. Though it was certainly good to gather information and be prepared before a fight, that wasnt good enough to survive in situations where one couldnt prepare in advance, so we decided to just have the spar right away.

As such, I went ahead with Sebasu-san to go outside the town to a place where we could spar. Unlike me, who just arrived, Schieber-san didnt have any weapons or armor on him, so he had to prepare first.

The place we went to was an unremarkable rocky area. If its here, then we wont have to worry about our surroundings.

Sebasu-san teleported away to bring Schieber-san and the others over, so in the meantime, I started preparing My opponent is the former knight commander, so hes bound to be strong. This whole thing came abruptly, but Ill have to do my best so Reinbach-sama and the others wont worry.