Episode 5: Kennan V (The Sword Saint’s Lament)
“Well, well! What a surprise to see you again after all this time. And what do you want to talk about? Is that all?”
It had been several years since I graduated, and there he was—Simmons, unchanged, wielding his influence as a teacher at the national knight academy.
“What do you mean, ‘is that all,’ Simmons?”
Simmons burst into laughter.
“‘Simmons,’ huh? The same girl who used to call me ‘you’ or ‘you there!’ If we ever got into an argument, she’d raise her voice and shout ‘you!’ without hesitation!”
Her combative, yakuza-like mentality of “an eye for an eye,” “never let yourself be underestimated,” and “if you’re unsure whether they’re friend or foe, strike first” was a testament to the upbringing she received from her parents. The roughness in her speech towards Simmons was a clear reflection of those teachings.
“Ah, that was—”
Orphelia’s face flushed. The world was vast, and she had been just a child. She realized she had relied on Simmons too much. Though only a few years had passed, she had encountered various professions beyond just swordsmen, each with their own roles, regardless of strength or weakness. Healers who used Healing Magic, scouts who detected traps and guided the party safely forward—there were countless professions that supported the party. Orphelia, who wasn’t particularly good with numbers, had come to deeply understand the significance of party management over the past few years.
“I get it, that was just youthful folly on your part.”
Simmons chuckled, “But you’re still young, after all.”
“Wait a second!”
“Nope, not waiting! Let me finish this.”
Simmons bowed his head towards Orphelia.
“I couldn’t fulfill my role as your mentor due to my own shortcomings. I’m sorry.”
She was taken aback by his sudden apology and instinctively reached out to stop his bowed head by placing her hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t say that, Simmons.”
Orphelia felt a strong urge to prevent him from saying such things.
“Thank you for caring about that brat who was sulking in a boring academy.”
The words slipped out before she could think.
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
Thus, every word was pure and heartfelt.
“Oho! Are those the heartfelt words from a candidate for heroism? Oh! My tears are flowing!”
Simmons, who had initially grumbled, ended up laughing.
“Make sure to show me that lively face again! And let’s cross swords once more! So, Orphelia—I’ll be here, taking care of the kids, hoping that the next person you meet will guide you well.”
He waved goodbye as she departed.
In response, Orphelia declared, “I’ll come back! And then, I’ll wipe the floor with you!”
This was her way of expressing gratitude. Even as she grew, she remained as combative as ever.
Eris and Ryuguin’s whereabouts were soon revealed. After clearing the infamous Blade Labyrinth, they had headed towards the largest town near the dungeon, Lemone, to establish a new base for tackling the next dungeon.
Upon hearing this, Orphelia wasted no time. One of her favorite sayings was “Good deeds should be done swiftly.”
After changing carriages, she arrived in Lemone in just two weeks, a journey that would typically take three. It was a grueling pace, but her anxious heart wouldn’t allow her to dawdle.
Upon reaching the town, she ignored the usual first stop for explorers—the inn—and headed straight for the Guild.
She was eager to reunite with Eris and her mentor. Even if they weren’t at the Guild, she figured she could at least gather information about their current situation or whereabouts.
With determination, she flung open the Guild’s door, only to find it nearly empty. It was common for the place to be deserted by midday after the good requests had been snatched up in the morning.
Looking around the Guild, it was no surprise that Eris was absent. “Guess it won’t be that easy,” she thought for a moment, feeling a bit disheartened, but then reminded herself, “First, I should talk to the receptionist.”
Just as she approached the counter, she heard the sound of a blade slicing through the air.
The source of the sound was the training area.
Could it be?
A top-tier swordsman like Orphelia could easily guess who was practicing there.
Having been disappointed once, her joy was now magnified. Yet, there was still something troubling her.
As she opened the door to the Guild’s training area, she spotted a girl inside.
Whether it was good timing or bad, the girl—Eris Gladius—had paused her practice and was engaged in conversation with a man who had just arrived.
Curious, Orphelia leaned in, eavesdropping on their exchange.
“Master—so I—once more—I—”
Eris reached out desperately.
“No, you’re being persistent—how many times do I have to tell you—so—it’s laughable—there will be another chance—so—”
The man scoffed and swatted Eris’s hand away.
“Why—Master—I—please—let me—please—”
Kneeling on the ground, Eris sobbed, her cries echoing in the air.
It was hard to believe this was the same person she had seen in the training area before, shining with brilliance.
For reasons unknown, the girl before her—Eris Gladius—seemed pitiful. So pitiful that Orphelia wanted to look away.
The man ignored Eris’s words, waving his hand dismissively without even glancing back.
He approached the door, leaving Eris behind. Orphelia recognized him.
He was the one who had engaged in fierce combat with Eris before they conquered the Blade Labyrinth, the one who had guided her. Yes, he was indeed the one referred to as the driving force behind Eris’s evolution—Hero Ryuguin.