Chapter 44: The Reservoir Town and an Aspiring Disciple
The next morning, we decided to take a walk around the reservoir town.
A road had been neatly built encircling the massive reservoir, and along the water’s edge, small fishing boats that had returned from their work were tied up in rows.
The lively cries of waterfowl mixed with the energetic voices of fishermen skillfully preparing their fresh catch, filling the morning air with vitality.
“Wow… it’s like a lake,”
Rowena murmured softly.
Her eyes were fixed on the endlessly stretching, shimmering water.
For lunch, we entered a particularly lively tavern.
As I pushed open the wooden door, a wave of heat, mingled with the chatter of various patrons and the scent of ale, greeted us.
I sat with Rowena at a table in the corner and casually listened to the conversation of some merchants nearby.
“Hey, did you hear? This place is about to officially become a ‘town’!”
“Now that’s great news! This is where the roads connecting north and south meet. People and goods are only going to keep flowing in.”
“With this reservoir, water’s never a problem, and agriculture’s thriving. Makes sense it’d grow into a town.”
I see—this wasn’t just a simple rest stop.
It was a place in the middle of rapid development, full of life.
Then, from another table, I heard an excited voice.
“Hey, did you hear? The arena tournament qualifiers have already started!”
“Yeah! I heard if you win, you get recruited as a knight under the lord!”
An arena, huh.
It sounded like trouble would gather there, but I couldn’t deny it piqued my interest a little.
After finishing our meal, I asked the owner for directions and headed there with Rowena.
The arena stood at the edge of the settlement.
It was a simple circular structure, but the stands were filled with a decent amount of excitement.
Amid the mix of dust and sweat, two men clashed their swords with dull, heavy sounds.
We took empty seats and watched for a while.
A regular sitting nearby told us that these were the qualifiers for the main tournament, which would begin in three days.
Rowena, who had been watching the matches, suddenly pointed between me and the arena.
“Edo… join?”
At her innocent question, I let out a wry smile and shook my head.
“No, I won’t. Things like that attract attention. I’d rather avoid trouble.”
She puffed her cheeks slightly, looking a bit disappointed.
That evening, we left the noisy arena behind and chose a quieter tavern for dinner.
I set a bowl of warm stew and bread in front of Rowena, then ordered an ale for myself—and another identical set for the empty seat across from me.
I had noticed it the moment we entered.
The one who had been tailing us until yesterday was sitting in the corner of the room.
A poorly attached fake beard and a cloak that clearly didn’t fit him.
His clumsy disguise only made him stand out more.
I tilted my chin toward him, signaling.
Come here.
The man flinched, then, as if resigning himself, stood up and approached our table hesitantly.
“…What do you want?”
I asked quietly.
The man fidgeted, his gaze wandering.
“Uh… about before…”
It was the skilled fighter I had subdued instantly back in the Apon River town.
“I didn’t mean to do anything to you. I just… wanted to talk, so I ended up following you…”
“So, what’s your business?”
In a place this crowded, he wouldn’t dare make a move.
At my blunt question, he straightened himself, adjusting his fake beard as if gathering resolve.
“After that, I cut ties with those guys. I was already fed up with how they did things. What happened with you… gave me the push I needed.”
He swallowed hard.
“Your movements…! No wasted motion, smooth yet sharp! I’ve never seen swordsmanship like that before! I was completely captivated at first sight!”
In his excitement, half of his fake beard was peeling off.
Before I could even react, he suddenly stood up—
Then, with a loud thud, he dropped to his knees right there on the floor, drawing the attention of everyone in the tavern.
“Please! Take me as your disciple, Master!”
At the sudden prostration, all eyes in the room turned toward our table.
(How did it come to this… what a hassle.)
I pressed a hand to my forehead and let out a long, deep sigh.
The man, his fake beard half hanging off, simply looked up at me with unwavering, serious eyes.