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Chapter 138
Met Amemiya Kurando, the Sword Saint ②
Translated by AmaLynne
“Please continue to use the sword. Not only to protect yourself but also to protect those you love, for there are times when strength is necessary.”
“Yes, I will devote myself to it.”
“―But it is also true that there are many things in life that cannot be solved by the sword alone. Do not forget that.”
“Yes.”
Seeing Lise nodding sincerely at the sword saint’s words, he looked satisfied.
“Then I am glad. I am sorry for being so preachy, even though you came to report on our celebration. So much for meddling, and lastly, Samuel Scheidt.”
“Yes.”
“Lise is not only an important disciple to me, but she is as lovely as my daughter. Please make her happy.”
“I will make her happy with my life.”
When Sam told him this, Lise’s eyes became moist and Kurando smiled deeply and nodded.
“You’re a good honest boy. Lise will be happy. Around what time is the official announcement scheduled?”
Sam and Lise looked at each other.
“We are planning to announce in the fall―after Sam comes of age.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard from His Majesty that he’s engaged to Stella-sama as well.”
“Uh, well, that’s, uh
”
Sam made an awkward face.
It is not very comfortable for him to tell Sword Saint, whom he said he loves like a daughter, that he is engaged to another person.
Even if it weren’t for that, Sam’s forehead would break out in an uncomfortable sweat as he brings his arranged marriage partner, Hanae, to this meeting.
“No, I am not accusing you. You are in a position. It would not be a problem if you had more than one fiancĂ©e. I have heard from His Majesty about the circumstances that led to the engagement. Stella-sama has been through a lot, so please make her and Lise happy.”
“I will try my best.”
That was all Sam could say.
His relationship with Stella, whom he had only known for a short time, was not that deep.
He still did not know why Stella had agreed to marry him, and he did not know her true intentions.
But they have just started exchanging letters to get to know each other first.
Fortunately, there is time until we come of age.
He wants to get to know Stella better by then and to know if she thinks he is good enough for her.
Sam also wants to get to know her and wants me to get to know her.
We are not friends at first―but he wanted to take some time.
“I heard that you and Hanae-dono also had an arranged marriage the other day. Since we are here, would you like to have an arranged marriage with Mizuki as well?”
“Oh, please don’t do that.”
“Hey! Sam! You’re being rude to Mizuki that way!”
“Ahaha. I don’t mind. But, Father, you make fun of Samuel a little too much.”
“I’m sorry. I meant to make a good-natured joke, hoping it would relax your shoulders.”
(It’s not funny at all!)
It’s not that he doesn’t like Mizuki or anything, but he doesn’t want any more matchmaking or anything like that.
As a nobleman, as a court wizard, you might say, but Sam, who still has the sensibilities of a former Japanese, can’t keep up with the developments.
While making love with Lise, he would like to get used to the customs of this world little by little.
“Geez father
I say so, father. Samuel, you have been to the Land of the Rising Sun.”
“Oh, that’s very good of you. I’m surprised you made it to that faraway island country.”
Perhaps noticing Sam’s troubled look, Mizuki changed the subject.
Thanks to this, Kurando’s interest seemed to have shifted to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Perhaps because he is from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Sam gave Mizuki a small bow, and she smiled and nodded.
“It must have been difficult for you because the country was closed off from the rest of the world.”
“Yes, but everyone was good to me in the end.”
“What were your requirements for coming to the Land of the Rising Sun?　To learn swordsmanship?”
“I went there to learn fire magic.”
I see, Kurando nod.
“The Land of the Rising Sun is known for its swordsmanship and fire magic. You learned a lot, didn’t you?”
“I learned many things.”
The days were spent learning magic and learning the horror of the swordsmen of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Land of the Rising Sun was, as Kurando said, a closed country.
It was not that they were not interested in Sam and Ur, who was from another country, but they did not want to get involved.
However, Ur demonstrated her natural pace and deepened her interactions with the locals, and before we knew it, they had become friends, learning magic, fighting, and laughing with each other.
Memories that remain vividly etched in mind to this day are unforgettable.
“If you don’t mind, could you tell Mizuki and my other daughter, Kotomi, about the Land of the Rising Sun?　They both want to visit my hometown, but it’s not easy to get a chance. I can’t leave the country easily because of my position―and I’m worried about letting my daughter go there alone.”
“It’s a long journey from the Skye Kingdom. I understand your concern.”
It’s a long way, because you have to travel east across the continent and even cross the ocean.
The Land of the Rising Sun is full of things that cannot be seen on the continent, even monsters, as well as culture.
In Japanese knowledge, yokai (monsters) exist and roam the land with impunity, and that alone makes it a terrifying country.
As a parent, he must be worried about his daughter going to such a country, even if she excels in swordsmanship.
“Excuse me, Kurando-sama. How is Kotomi-sama doing?”
(―Oh, by the way, he said she was frail, didn’t he?)
Lise asked in a worried voice, and he remembered Kurando’s words earlier.
He also said that she was being looked after by Magnolia, and it is understandable that Lise, who must be an acquaintance of his, would be concerned.
“Thank you for caring about Kotomi. These days, thanks to her growth, she is not as frail as she used to be. Sometimes she is so energetic that she even does some swinging in the dojo.”
“I am glad to hear that you are feeling better――thank goodness.”
Relief comes to Lise.
He could see that she was worried about the other swordswoman’s daughter, who was not here.
“She was so fond of Lise, I would like you to meet her later, if possible.”
“I would be delighted to see her.”
“――I’m sorry, Samuel-kun. I don’t think you know this, but Kotomi, my second daughter, is frail. No, perhaps that’s not quite the right way to put it.”
“What do you mean?”
Mizuki and Lise’s faces clouded over at Sam’s question, and Kurando replied a little sadly.
“Kotomi is only twelve years old, but she has a lot of magical power. It seems her body can’t keep up with her magical power.”
“This is common among children with a lot of magic power.”
“That’s right. I am relieved that she is not ill, but it is still very hard for a parent to see a child of her age spend her days sleeping on the bed, unable to play.”
“I sympathize with you.”
“’Thank you. However, as I said before, I am relieved because her body has grown and she is more energetic than before. I’ve also been taught how to use magic by Magnolia-dono, so it seems that the burden on her body has decreased as well.”
Sam has never experienced this, but occasionally his body aches or develops a fever.
In this world, where few people have a large amount of magical power to begin with, this is a rare occurrence.
However, it is said that people who show this symptom are, without exception, full of magical talent.
“Kotomi has a talent for swords, but according to Magnolia-sama, she also has a talent for magic.”
“You may laugh at me for being family-biased, but Mizuki is right, Kotomi has a talent for swordsmanship and magic. And with the amount of magic power she carries in her body――she has a bright future ahead of her.”
The way Kurando and Mizuki smiled at each other made him feel that Kotomi was loved by her family.