EP.166 That Painful Name, Summer Break
Huu-.
A tension-filled sigh escapes from the old knight's lips.
His body has aged far beyond recognition compared to his prime.
His once-powerful arms have grown thin, and his sturdy legs have greatly diminished.
Where he could once swing his sword countless times without tiring, now even three swings are difficult.
Yet his eyes remain unchanged, exactly as they were in his youth.
Until his dying breath, these eyes - and this spirit - will remain eternal.
"Huff, huff..."
He forcibly steadies his trembling body while catching his breath.
Even if he were to collapse, he cannot use his sword as a cane.
The sword art always waits, ready to advance toward the opponent.
"Do you know something?"
Once his breathing settles somewhat, the old knight slowly opens his mouth.
"Until this old body dies, I thought I would never see you again."
"Is that so."
"You're different from me. Because you never stop. While I, defeated by mere illness, have become this pathetic sight - it's shameful to even call myself a warrior anymore."
At these words, the other elderly man standing opposite shakes his head.
"We all fall ill sometimes, and sometimes lose our lives. While becoming stronger depends on individual effort, lifespan is determined by heaven, not the individual. That much is beyond our control."
"Yes. Yes indeed. In the end, it's up to heaven. Perhaps meeting you again like this was also heaven's will."
Shing-.
The old knight raises his sword, preparing for the final strike.
Though he wishes to fight more, to cross swords longer, he's reached his limit.
His body can't endure anymore. Age, time - how frightening they are.
"Forgive me that I can fight no longer. Getting old is quite difficult."
"I was actually about to stop you myself. Your family over there must be worried."
The old knight slightly turned his head to look at his family.
Until recently, he had been groaning in bed, fighting illness.
Now suddenly he's up wielding a real sword in combat - of course they would worry.
Among them, he notices a woman with eyes mixed with concern and pride.
'Priscilla.'
That small child has grown into a full-fledged woman.
She's become far stronger than he was in his prime. She's even called one of the Empire's Top 10.
But still, in his eyes, she remains his little granddaughter.
'Thank you. For not forgetting this old man's final wish.'
Today was arranged by his granddaughter thinking of her grandfather.
That's why he must give it his all. This chance will never come again.
His opponent from past glorious battles. The rival who had handed him defeat.
Yet rather than anger or hatred, he was someone who had shown him the results of endless training.
"Come to think of it, I never knew your name. Well then, what is your name?"
"It's Neil. Neil. That's what everyone in my hometown calls me."
"Neil, is it. I am Otto Franz. How amusing. We met decades ago, yet only now learn each other's names."
"What does it matter? We were great warriors to each other, that's all that counts."
At Old Man Neil's words, Lord Otto bursts out laughing heartily!
When was the last time he had laughed so freely since being confined to his bed?
Though his body is heavy, his heart feels as if it's returned to his prime.
That confidence, that sensation of being able to cut through anything before him.
Yes, this was it! Wasn't this what he had dreamed of!
"Neil of Jonathan! Otto Franz shall cross swords with you one last time! Prepare yourself!"
"I look forward to it. Come, Lord Otto Franz."
A bright smile spread across Lord Otto's face.
His body, which had felt so heavy, is light as a feather just for today.
Unstoppable laughter, his heart pounding wildly.
Once a warrior, always a warrior - no, even in death, one remains a warrior.
"Haaaah!!"
With the old knight's battle cry, his sword, carrying killing intent, released a flash of light.
Clang!!-
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**
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"Thank you for your hard work."
After their final match, Priscilla approached Old Man Neil.
Old Man Neil chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
"Hard work? To call a battle with a strong opponent hard work is absurd. If anything, I should be the one expressing gratitude. You were a rival I never once forgot."
Priscilla smiled at Old Man Neil's words.
A formidable warrior, his rival.
Even Priscilla herself would find it difficult to casually discuss victory against such a person.
Such was Old Man Neil's assessment of her grandfather.
From childhood until now, there hadn't been a single moment when she didn't respect her grandfather.
She couldn't help but feel pleased at such high praise for him.
"Are you leaving now?"
"I must. The young master said to return within a week at the latest."
To think that Jonathan is overflowing with such overwhelming warriors.
Sometimes she wonders if the people there are truly the same 'humans' as everyone else.
"It was an honor to cross swords with Lord Otto again. All thanks to you, Commander."
"What did I do? If anything, we should thank Brother Kyle."
"Indeed. I should express my gratitude to the young master as well. Ho ho ho."
Old Man Neil wore a gentle smile.
It was hard to believe this was the same person who had just fought such an overwhelming battle with that fierce spirit.
"By the way, I heard you're also one of the Empire's Top 10?"
"Yes. Though I'm somewhat embarrassed to carry such a title."
"If you ever find the time, you should visit Jonathan."
"Ah... I appreciate the offer, but being affiliated with the Order, I have many duties. It would be difficult to take leave for personal reasons."
"Ho ho. I'm not trying to force you. This is merely advice for your own benefit."
At those words about it being for her benefit, Priscilla listened intently.
"I noticed while watching you swing your sword earlier - you seem to be feeling constrained. Isn't that right?"
"...Was it that obvious?"
"This old man may not have reached such heights himself, but I've been beside those who have. They would sometimes show similar signs of constraint."
At Old Man Neil's words, Priscilla could guess exactly who he was referring to.
Nine times out of ten, it would be Baron Jonathan and his successor, Lear.
'They say even the Empire's Top 10 can't handle warriors of that caliber.'
While some might feel their pride wounded, Priscilla didn't.
When there exist warriors beyond human limits like the Top 10,
Why wouldn't there be those who could overwhelm even the Top 10?
"Those I serve broke through that constraint before long. Perhaps you too might gain a small, yet crucial insight."
Old Man Neil bowed his head as he finished speaking with a gentle smile.
Even when offered to rest longer, he declined, saying he would leave as is.
Even when offered a horse, he declined that as well.
"I'll go on foot, to see the Empire's scenery and get some cardio in."
The distance to the Academy was considerable, yet he planned to run it.
And this wasn't even a youth in their prime, but an elderly man with white hair.
However, not even Priscilla dared to voice these thoughts.
Everyone knew - this old man was elderly, yet not quite elderly at all.
"I hope we meet again someday. Well then, I'll be on my way."
Just as suddenly as he had arrived, Old Man Neil vanished.
With a "Ho ho ho!" laugh, he disappeared - it was almost unbelievable.
Where such superhuman strength came from was truly one of the great mysteries.
"..."
After quietly watching this scene, Priscilla turned around.
And went to see her grandfather - the man she had admired until now, no, would admire for life.
"You've come."
The knight who had commanded the battlefield earlier was gone, replaced by Otto Franz, now clearly showing signs of age.
But his eyes remained the same. If anything, they were even clearer and more intense than before.
"Priscilla."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"I've decided. I'll be up from this bed within the year. Without fail."
"Yes, you must. You absolutely must."
"And this time, I'll be the one to visit. Neil. That man- no, that old man now, is it? Anyway, I'll meet him again. And this time, I'll definitely, definitely settle the score!"
Lord Otto let out a hearty laugh!
All traces of his recent frailty and complaints about aging had vanished.
He knew he couldn't win, but his determination to fight was a promise to himself never to grow weak again.
"I felt it today. That I'm not dead yet. This heart pounding wildly before a strong opponent. This fighting spirit that can't wait to battle! Yes, I, Otto Franz, am not dead yet!"
As he clenched his wrinkled fist tightly.
Speaking with that powerful voice that once commanded knights.
The aging knight once again raised his fighting spirit.
"Yes, please do, Grandfather. Please do. Old Man Neil will be delighted too."
"Indeed he will! That old man will be surprised! When I return in even better shape! He certainly will! Ha ha ha! Just you wait, Neil! I'll come to meet you again soon!"
Otto Franz made this promise to himself with laughter that could shake the world.
Following her grandfather's smile, Priscilla held back tears of joy.
'Jonathan. Jonathan, huh.'
Though she had been curious, she hadn't felt any particular need to visit.
She wanted to grow stronger, but there were too many immediate tasks at hand.
Leading others, bearing responsibility - these were truly difficult tasks.
Getting caught up in all that had made it hard to focus properly on training.
But today, for the first time, she sincerely wanted to visit that place.
What kind of place was it? What kind of people lived there?
What made it so special that powerful warriors admired it so much!
'...That's right. Come to think of it, the Saintess mentioned she would tell His Holiness the Pope about her wish to visit Jonathan.'