Uden’s expression as she spoke about Luca was surprisingly bright.
“You’re close with that perverted professor? It doesn’t seem like someone like you, with an empty head, would get along with a pervert like him.”
“On the contrary, it’s because I’m an idiot that I got along so well with him.”
It seemed that Uden had fond memories of the days she spent with Luca. She immediately began talking about her past, particularly when she was still an adventurer before becoming the Sword Saint.
“He was always good at teaching others. I received a lot of help from him.”
Uden spoke as if Luca had helped her a great deal, claiming that his presence had allowed her to grow.
However, from what I knew of the truth, her words seemed completely different to me.
Luca had never genuinely tried to help Uden.
Driven by jealousy of Uden's talent, Luca had always sought to bring her down.
But Luca's plans always failed.
The talent Uden possessed, which would eventually make her the Sword Saint, was far beyond what Luca could handle, and his schemes only ended up further strengthening her.
Every effort he made to bring her down only made her shine brighter.
“When he quit adventuring and decided to become a teacher, I was a little disappointed. He was someone who could soar to great heights once he crossed a certain threshold. But seeing him succeed as a professor, I guess it was the right choice for him.”
As Uden smiled lightly, I became certain of one thing.
If anyone could truly destroy the mask Luca wore, it was Uden.
If there was anyone who could tear him down, it would be her.
“Personally, I regret that after becoming a professor, I wasn’t able to see him again. Even when I became the Sword Saint, he just sent a congratulatory letter.”
“Do you want to see him?”
“Of course. He’s one of the few genuinely good people I met during my adventuring days.”
It wasn’t the best idea to mention that Luca was up to something with me to Uden.
She already thought of him as a close friend, someone who had helped her, so it was obvious who she would trust.
That’s why I didn’t say anything. I would let Uden face Luca with her own eyes. By doing so, I’d let Uden’s true feelings reveal to Luca, making him squirm.
Ah, just imagining it is already so fun. When Uden expresses her gratitude, I wonder if Luca will be able to keep his expression in check.
“Oak girl. You’re a fool who can’t do anything by herself, aren’t you? I bet you’ve got plenty of things you want to ask me for, right?”
“Yes, yes. That’s right.”
“So, I’ll say this. There’s an idiot who suits you perfectly.”
I mentioned that there was something she wanted to ask me as I subtly turned my gaze to Karia, who smoothly continued the conversation.
“Are you talking about the Lady Kent? Have you heard of her?”
“Oh, her? Yes, I know her well. I’ve actually seen her wield a sword before.”
“Really?”
“The Lady Kent used to participate in many tournaments. Back then, I was dragged around by the previous Sword Saint to various tournaments as well.”
Uden’s expression was somewhat ambiguous as she recalled the swordsman, Frey.
Why? I can’t figure it out. Frey has overwhelming talent in swordsmanship, so why does Uden look like that?
Could it be that she’s worried about being threatened by Frey?
That wouldn’t be it. Uden is the type of person who would have abandoned her title as Sword Saint at the right time, so she’s not worried about that.
Then why? What is it? I tilted my head as I tried to make sense of it, and after a moment of thought, Uden cautiously spoke up.
“Perhaps what Lady Arlen wants from me is for me to take a look at Lady Kent’s sword?”
“Yeah, that’s it. You’re quick-witted for an orc.”
“I’m not sure about now, but if Lady Kent is the same as I remember, standing by her side wouldn’t change much.”
I recognized this dialogue from the game.
In Frey’s personal story, after Uden defeats Frey, she says something similar and then leaves.
Knowing what happens after that, I couldn’t help but smile at seeing Uden frown.
“You’re not that desperate to meet our stupid papa, huh? You said you admired him, but is that all you really feel?”
“Why are you suddenly saying that?”
“I’ll be sure to tell Papa all about you when we get back. That you’re skilled with a sword, but that’s all. You’re not very good-looking, not very smart, and have a terrible personality. You’re just a beast with no fun.”
“Do you think you can say that!?”
It seems that Uden’s admiration for Benedict wasn’t as empty as I thought. She buckled under my threat.
With this, I now had a reason to call the Sword Saint to the academy and also help Frey and Arthur.
No matter what, Uden was one of the best swordsmen on the continent, so I hoped those two could benefit from it.
“Ugh. Why does such a righteous and upright knight have a daughter like this?”
Looking at Uden, who was muttering with her head down, I was struck by how many bad things I wanted to say.
Had I always hated Uden’s character like this? I didn’t feel anything special about her before, so why does she bother me so much now?
I felt like I would keep prodding at her until she exploded, so I subtly turned my head toward the perverted apostle.
“You should come with us too.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. There’s no way this beast could get there by itself.”
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“The Sword Saint is not someone so lacking.”
“Don’t talk back, you pervert who can’t even take your eyes off a girl’s thighs. Just do what you’re told, garbage.”
“...Thank you for the reward! Yes! I’ll do my best!”
In the Colosseum of the Teresha Empire, the remnants of a storm left by a girl still lingered in the streets. Jewelry made by a girl with an angelic appearance lay scattered around.
Everyone claimed it was genuine jewelry from the Art Guild, but in reality, the quality was much lower than the guild's authentic creations.
“Tsk.”
The blacksmith Inuki clicked his tongue as he looked at the fake jewelry lining the streets. It seemed like the garbage in this area never changed, no matter how much time passed.
They had no intention of improving their skills, only trying to earn money by any means.
“Hey, old man! Check this out! Jewelry made by the Art Guild! It’s a lucky charm that drives away misfortune!”
Inuki was about to ignore the merchant’s voice and walk past, but the merchant grabbed his shoulder, not letting him go.
“...Huh?”
Then the merchant realized something was wrong. The frail-looking old man’s shoulder was surprisingly solid, almost as if made of unbreakable metal.
“What are you showing me?”
Inuki turned his head, and his determined eyes revealed themselves.
Realizing he had picked the wrong person, the merchant started to panic, but that didn’t change the fact that he had already touched him.
“Hey, you. Is this really jewelry from the Art Guild?”
“Yes? Yes, of course it is.”
“Stop lying. There’s no way that idiot, Prete, would allow something like this to be sold.”
“What are you talking about? This is genuine...”
“Where should I start pointing out what’s wrong? The materials? The appearance? The finish? Ha. Nothing about this is right. If the goddess saw this, she’d be furious. You bastard.”
“Old man, aren’t you being a bit too harsh?”
The merchant knew that Inuki was right, but he raised his voice anyway.
If he admitted the product was lacking, his business would be ruined. So, he had to argue that Inuki was wrong.
“Shut your eyes and speak properly!”
“I’ll show you if I’m the one who’s wrong!”
Just as the merchant was about to start his tantrum, Inuki’s eyes met his, and a wave of fear overtook him.
Inuki, looking unimpressed, clicked his tongue and grabbed one of the jewelry pieces, crushing it in his hand.
“You can cheat people, but don’t insult the gods, you bastard.”
“...Yes, yes, sorry, sir.”
Inuki tossed the crumpled jewelry to the ground and stepped into the back alley of Bardronel.
“Inuki-sensei! You’re here!”
A man appeared from a shabby shop in the back alley.
Looking the man up and down, Inuki approached him and kicked his shin.
“Ugh?! Why? What did I do wrong?”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just annoyed seeing you, my lazy disciple.”
“...I wasn’t exactly comfortable.”
“Stop whining. I let you be, and now you’ve gotten cocky!”
The disciple, realizing his position, started to sweat and hurriedly raised his voice.
“But, there’s something important! A guest came by recently!”
“A guest?”
“Yes! A lady from the Arlen family! She insisted on meeting you!”
A lady from the Arlen family? So that’s the monster’s child. I heard she won recently at the Colosseum and came all the way here looking for a proper blacksmith.
Well, she seems skilled enough, but I doubt she’s worthy of me forging something for her.
Maybe her father, but she’s not of the same caliber.
“Why didn’t you just give her something you made yourself, using some excuse? The princess won’t be able to tell the difference between what I make and what you make.”
“No, master. She knew my work wasn’t good enough.”
“...Are you being serious?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you, master.”
Oh? Given her appearance, I assumed the rumors had been exaggerated. But maybe she’s not just another pretty face.
“Then, what kind of person did you think the Arlen princess was?”
“She’s a talented warrior, but she doesn’t rest on her laurels. She works hard, always pushing herself to improve.”
“Evidence?”
“I saw the armor she wore, and that’s what I think. I’m sure you’ll think the same, master.”
“Huh, really? Alright, let me take a look.”
As soon as Inuki gave his permission, the disciple hurried inside and brought out a small piece of armor.
The armor, which seemed made for a noble child, was of good quality, even by Inuki’s standards.
There aren’t many people who can make armor like this for a child, so the family must have paid special attention to it. But it seems like the girl didn’t fully appreciate the effort put into it.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have treated the armor so roughly.
Examining the traces on the armor, Inuki’s lips curled up.
“The Arlen princess is quite different from what the rumors say.”
“Yes, she really is.”
“Well, that works for me. I was getting fed up with this damn street anyway.”
“Are you going to meet the princess?”
“I’ll at least evaluate the armor first.”
Inuki spoke with a somewhat gruff voice, but there was definitely a sense of satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at the armor. The traces of effort left on it were enough to soften the old man’s grumpy nature.