After finishing my conversation with Yarzak, the four of us headed to the cafeteria together. The cafeteria was adjacent to the outpost, and it was a bit crowded since it was mealtime.
“How about over there?”
There was a long table available in the back. After securing our seats, we went to the counter to get our food.
Today’s menu… grilled meat, perhaps? Steak? That’s a pleasant surprise. Along with some vegetables, we filled our plates and brought them back to the table.
“Less vegetables for me!”
“Again?”
“Yeah, Miki-chan, you should eat more vegetables.”
“See, even the senpais are saying it!”
“Ugh…”
The server lady laughed and piled the vegetables high on Sakuragi’s plate. I couldn’t help but laugh, but when Sakuragi shot me a glare, I quickly looked away.
We started our meal. The meat tasted like pork steak, with plenty of what seemed to be grated garlic on top. It was quite delicious.
“Oh, this meat is good.”
“Was it from a boar?”
Nishina seemed to like it too, as he was shoveling the meat into his mouth.
“Is this seat taken?”
While we were eating, Yarzak approached and asked if he could join us. Looking around, almost all the seats were taken. Yarzak had come with Pardomikhov, Sid, and Miree, and this table was the only one with enough space for four.
“Ah, sure. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. That meat is from the Dirty Boar you guys took down the other day.”
“Oh, this might be the first time I’ve eaten something I hunted myself.”
“Dirty Boar is popular, so whenever we get one, it’s always served in the cafeteria.”
“I see. That’s kind of nice.”
So, it’s something we caught… Well, the students were the ones who took it down, but I helped with the butchering, so it counts.
Somehow, I found myself enjoying this kind of experience, something I’d never have thought possible back in Japan.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
The four of them got their food from the counter and joined us at the table. Since the incident with Sid this morning, Kimijima and the others seemed a bit wary, but Sid himself was quietly eating at the end of the table. He must have been thoroughly scolded by Pardomikhov. Still, he seemed to be enjoying his conversation with Miree, who had been looking after him in various ways.
The conversation started with small talk but gradually moved toward more serious topics.
“So, Yarzak told me you’re also considering joining the Federal Army.”
Pardomikhov looked directly at Kimijima, who was sitting next to me.
“Yes. But if I can stay with Sensei, I’d prefer that. If I have to go to another state…”
“I see, I see. I’ve heard about that. You have a spirit skilled in tree magic, right? I heard your abilities were crucial during the escape from Gallarblue. With your skills, the Federal Army wouldn’t turn you down.”
“Thank you.”
Pardomikhov shifts his gaze to me and continues speaking.
“As I mentioned this morning, for the Federal Army, just the existence of someone at the Celestial rank is a huge help. However, those at the Celestial rank are also often targeted for their lives.”
“Y-yes.”
“I’m no exception. That’s why Sid is always by my side… though he does have a bit of a problem when it comes to handling behind-the-scenes work.”
“M-Mr. Pard! I’m doing my job properly!”
Sid interjects nervously, but Pardomikhov doesn’t even glance at him and keeps talking.
“Given that we’re always together, someone close to me, like my disciple here, takes on the role of a Guardian Knight to provide protection. Shigeto… or should I call you ‘Sensei’? If you become a Celestial rank under the Federal Army, it’s our rule to assign a Guardian Knight to you.”
“A Guardian Knight… for me?”
“Your abilities are particularly specialized. You’ll need to raise your rank as quickly as possible and increase the number of times you can draw your blade, but before that, you’ll need protection.”
“Right…”
“So… if possible, I’d like Yuzuki to take on that role. It would also fulfill her wishes.”
“Kimijima?”
“That’s right. By joining the Federal Army, she can stay by your side at all times…”
I’m at a loss for words at this sudden turn of events. Having a student protect me? No, no. That’s too dangerous—
“Understood. I’ll do it.”
“K-Kimijima?”
“Hmm… I think you’d take the responsibility seriously.”
“N-no, that’s not okay! I can’t let a student become my shield like that!”
“But she’s willing to do it, right?”
“Yes! Even if I don’t join the Federal Army, I plan to stay with Sensei forever.”
“W-wait, wait! But Kimijima, you’ve only just arrived in this world—”
“Of course, her current abilities aren’t sufficient yet. So for the time being, we’ll send someone from headquarters to help train Yuzuki into a first-class warrior.”
“A first-class warrior…? That’s too dangerous—”
“Please!”
“W-wait, what do you mean ‘please’…?”
The conversation has taken a sudden, absurd turn. I glance at Nishina, hoping for help.
…No good. For some reason, Nishina’s eyes are sparkling too.
“Mr. Pardomikhov! I’ll protect Sensei too!”
“W-wait! Nishina, you too?!”
“I’ll do it too!”
“Sakuragi~!”
I can’t help but hold my head in my hands. Why do my students have to be dragged into my danger…?
While I’m panicking, Pardomikhov calmly responds.
“Hmm. But you two are technically members of the State Army.”
“Is that… a no?”
“Not exactly… Miki here has the protection of the Holy Crown. If she simply raises her rank, she’ll likely reach the Celestial rank naturally.”
“Huh?”
“Miki will be in the same position as Shigeto-sensei.”
“Me…?”
“That’s right. When that happens, she’ll become too much for the State Army to handle. At that point, I’d like her to join the Federal Army.”
“Whoa…”
“And when that time comes, Takato here could serve as her Guardian Knight, staying by her side. How does that sound?”
“Me… with Takato?”
“Me… with Sakuragi?”
Pardomikhov’s words leave the two of them staring at each other in shock.
……
“Hahaha. But magic users don’t often switch roles… so I don’t think you need to worry too much.”
According to him, close-combat fighters often engage in fair duels, but magic battles are much harder to manage. Still, while magic users might switch roles among themselves, it’s rare for a magic user to be challenged by a close-combat fighter. At least, that’s what Pardomikhov says.
…Huh?
But somehow, these two…
When I look at them, Nishina shyly averts his gaze. Sakuragi does the same, her eyes darting in a completely different direction. It seems like I’ve just witnessed the moment they both became aware of something.
“W-well… I’m a healer, right? If I’m told to fight… I’ll fight, but…”
“That’s true… but Takato, your guardian spirit is a high-ranking one. You should be able to grow strong enough.”
“Y-yes…”
I smirk as I watch Nishina deep in thought. Feeling a gaze from the side, I turn to see Kimijima staring at me with a meaningful look.
“Ah, well… it’s youth, right?”
“…I’m trying to have my youth too, you know?”
“Hahaha…”
“Sensei, you always do this…”
In any case, it seems they’ll introduce us to experts in magic combat, since we came from a world without magic. They also tell us to continue raising our ranks, as this land is quite favorable for that.
I’m starting to get pulled into the affairs of this world, bit by bit.
After some light chatter, we finish our meal and disperse. Pardomikhov and Sid plan to leave town early tomorrow morning, so we say our goodbyes here. Sid has become surprisingly quiet. Maybe he’s started to acknowledge my abilities to some extent.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
