Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Even within the Empire where countless merchant groups existed, the Paladin Merchant Group was quite renowned.

It was thanks to the fact that the commander of the Imperial Eastern 13th Knights, who also had Akerandir under his jurisdiction, and his subordinates had established it after retirement, resulting in broad networks and guaranteed safety.

‘Since most bandit groups wouldn’t even dare approach after seeing the flag, it’s an easy volunteer job.’

Although a significant number of merchant caravans were waiting to depart in front of Cayler Hall, finding the Paladin Merchant Group among them was extremely easy for Roan.

“There they are.”

“Huh? Roan, you even know the Paladin Merchant Group’s flag?”

When Roan pointed to a huge cargo wagon and passenger carriage adorned with a gold-decorated helmet flag, Yusina tilted her head.

Since the Paladin Merchant Group mainly operated only around Akerandir, there shouldn’t have been any particular reason for him to see them at the Holy Emperor’s Palace, though?

“…I remember seeing them when I dropped by the Holy Emperor’s Palace in the past. Is that the one?”

Roan asked back in a tone that suggested he wasn’t sure belatedly.

At that, Sion chimed in.

“That flag should be the right one.”

“Oh, Sion knows it too?”

“We studied the major merchant groups of the continent back in my family.”

Sion of the Beatrice family, renowned for information in the Ricardo Kingdom!

From Sion’s expression as she replied, a hint of pride could be felt at a glance.

“Sion~ impressive~”

“Indeed. As expected, not just anyone becomes a Saintess Candidate.”

As Yusina and Espard showered her with praise, Sion blushed in embarrassment.

But even in the midst of that, her shoulders rose just a tiny bit.

“B-Both of you are already a Saint and Saintess, yet…”

“Still, I didn’t know a single merchant group’s name when I was a freshman. Hehe. What about Uncle Espard?”

“I was the same~ Actually, I still don’t know them well now.”

In the appearance of the Saint and Saintess chatting so casually, there was a simplicity that didn’t make them feel like noble existences.

“As expected of the Beatrice family, renowned for information. I learned something new.”

Roan also subtly praised Sion to somehow dilute the situation.

Sion tilted her head.

“But Darc, you knew it too…?”

“…”

Since it didn’t work at all, Roan clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Tsk, she’s unnecessarily sharp.’

Regardless, the party approached the carriages of the Paladin Merchant Group.

Among the caravan members who were chatting in low voices, one who appeared to be the person-in-charge recognized Tyrmi and greeted her warmly.

“Ah, Professor Tyrmi! Over here, over here. We look forward to working with you again this time.”

“Eddinger.”

“Yes, yes. Reaching the Eddinger campsite is the extent of the mission.”

“The return.”

“Once we arrive there, another carriage from our merchant group will escort the professor and students back to Akerandir.”

Tyrmi speaking in only a single word, and the person-in-charge understanding it perfectly!

Sion listened to the conversation with a dazed expression, then quietly asked Roan,

“Darc. But what subject does Professor Tyrmi teach?”

Speaking like that, she thought it would be difficult to perform duties as a professor no matter how she looked at it.

Roan replied briefly.

“Duel.”

“?”

Was that a sudden duel proposal?

“Ah, sorry. Listening to Professor Tyrmi made me do it without realizing. She teaches duel-related classes. You might see her starting from the sophomore year.”

“Ah…”

Sion seemed to more or less understand.

Indeed, if it was a duel class, perhaps words weren’t very necessary…

‘……Wait, no!’

Sion suddenly came to her senses.

Having seen so many strange professors, she had momentarily thought, ‘Isn’t that level decent enough to be a professor?’

“No matter if she is in charge of duel classes… why is she like that?”

Sion rarely spoke rudely to professors, but this time, she had no choice.

A duel class was a duel class, and teaching was teaching, after all.

To teach, she naturally had to say at least a minimum of words.

Or write well like Miracle Worker Bogdin.

Roan kindly explained for Sion’s sake.

Seeing Tyrmi for the first time, it was fully understandable that she wouldn’t comprehend.

……Actually, that was natural.

“Because it is a duel class. Professor Tyrmi is an excellent duelist who pursues extreme efficiency.”

“So, that way of speaking is also the result of pursuing extreme efficiency?”

Roan nodded.

“A duel is settled in a tenth of a second. In the time it takes to say a word, it is more important to observe the opponent further and attack faster.”

At the extremely serious explanation, Sion was almost convinced for a moment.

‘It sounds plausible, but still, is there a need to act like that even in daily life?’

If such a habit were truly helpful, all the duelists in this world would be practicing silence.

“……I see. I roughly understand.”

Of course, Sion didn’t ask that far.

Roan had already explained sincerely.

If she asked more, he would surely stare at her with a look of disdain and consider her on the same level as Demona and Hektor.

At that moment, Tyrmi, who had finished her conversation with the person-in-charge and returned to the students along with the caravan members, spoke to Roan.

“Good.”

“Thank you.”

At the praise of having a very correct concept regarding duels, Roan bowed his head slightly in greeting.

Meanwhile, Roan and Sion’s conversation all along, Yusina and Espard exchanged dumbfounded glances.

‘When did he take Professor Tyrmi’s class?’

‘W-Well, did she go to tutor him at the Holy Emperor’s Palace?’

It was truly mind-boggling that a freshman who had just entered the school knew about Tyrmi’s unique view on dueling.

Even Tyrmi wasn’t surprised to hear those words.

……For Tyrmi, even an emotion like surprise was an inefficiency that had to be thoroughly excluded from a duel.

The professional spirit of ‘I’d rather stab with a sword once more than be surprised and make a fuss’!

Since the party involved was not surprised anyway, the onlookers could only be even more shocked on her behalf.

Slide—

Tyrmi rummaged through her chest, pulled something out, and threw it like lightning to the caravan chief.

It was as if an assassin was throwing a hidden dagger, but the chief received it familiarly, befitting a retired paladin of considerable skill.

“What is this, Professor?”

“Hang it.”

When the chief looked down at his hand, there was a premium blue cloth.

Flutter—

When the fairly large cloth was unfolded, a flag embroidered with Harden’s crest was revealed.

“T-The crest of the Holy Spirit!”

A crest was soon the deputy of its owner.

In other words, Harden’s crest carried a prestige equivalent to Harden himself, so not only the chief but also the surrounding people all expressed their respects.

Soon, Harden’s flag was hung above the Paladin Merchant Group’s flag.

Roan, watching the flag flutter vigorously even without wind through the power of holy magic, spoke with satisfaction,

“This volunteer work will become even easier.”

“Why?”

“Because once they see the Principal’s crest, even crazy black mages will all run away. I don’t know about crazy heretics, but those guys are actually harder to run into.”

“……Ah.”

Listening to Roan’s explanation, Sion nodded.

Indeed, even if she were a bandit group, she wouldn’t raid a merchant group flying Harden’s crest.

Since if one truly didn’t want to live in this world, there would be countless easier ways than that.

With the Paladin Merchant Group, the duel professor Tyrmi, and even Harden’s flag.

To this extent, it was safe to view it as practically a moving holy land.

Suddenly, Sion asked Roan curiously,

“But Darc, Professor Tyrmi is a duelist.”

“She is.”

“Then she wouldn’t particularly avoid a duel, so was there a need to even get a crest like that?”

Roan turned to look at Sion with a look of disdain and replied.

A vibe of ‘Are you Demona or Hektor?’ emanated strongly.

Sion felt extremely mistreated.

It’s not like she asked something she shouldn’t have!

“A duel is most efficient when not fought in the first place. Professor Tyrmi tries to avoid duels as much as possible.”

“Oh, right. I heard that story in class too. I received a lot of influence.”

“Wow~ Roan is truly smart.”

Espard and Yusina also nodded repeatedly, agreeing.

Sion was so dumbfounded and resentful at the sight of the three, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask the next question.

‘So, then why is she the duel professor!’

In other words, wasn’t it the exact same thing as Pluvang, whom they met yesterday, saying he avoids gathering as much as possible?

However, there seemed to be no one who would empathize with Sion’s question here, at least.

“Introduce.”

Tyrmi said, looking sharply back and forth at the students and caravan members.

It meant they should introduce themselves to each other and depart.

“Ah, I am Gordon, the person-in-charge of this trade journey. I am from the Imperial Eastern Holy Knights.”

First, the names of several caravan members whom the party needed to know, starting with Gordon the person-in-charge, followed.

Next was Sion.

Tyrmi pointed at Sion with her hand and said,

“Sion. Saintess Candidate.”

As a Saintess Candidate was suddenly announced, the caravan members were startled, their eyes almost popping out.

─ Oh, a Saintess Candidate! So that’s why even though she’s a freshman…!

─ This trade journey will surely be filled with Lady Hiloa’s grace!

To Roan, she was a face he saw every day, but a Saintess Candidate was actually a person whose appointment as Saintess was confirmed.

In other words, it was safe to consider her as one of only three Saintesses among those countless citizens of the Empire.

Next was Yusina.

“Yusina. Saintess.”

“Everyone, please take good care of me~”

─ ……?!

As a real Saintess appeared following the Saintess Candidate, the complexions of the caravan members changed slightly.

─ C-Come to think of it, I’ve heard rumors that a Saintess is attending Akerandir.

─ Has she not graduated yet?

It was bewildering, but still, this much was understandable.

─ Perhaps she is guiding the Saintess Candidate!

─ Still, with even the Saintess accompanying us, this trade journey will surely end safely!

─ I should brag about it when I return to the merchant group later!

The caravan members rejoiced, even clapping.

Next was Espard.

“Espard. Saint.”

“Hahat, I hope it turns out to be a pleasant trip.”

─ ?!?!?!?!?!!!!

The mouths of the caravan members fell wide open.

Let’s let the Saintess Candidate slide.

No, even the Saintess, okay, she is a student, so let’s say that’s possible.

However, there was no way another Saint could suddenly appear.

─ S-Saint Espard, are you talking about the Saint of the Bell?

─ Has that person not graduated yet either?

─ Hey there! My good man, if he is the Saint of the Bell, his age is well over thirty!

─ Exactly…

Among some caravan members, people escaping reality finally began to appear.

Since they were people who had active careers as holy knights for a long time in the first place, they were bound to feel even more burdened by the existence of a Saint and Saintess.

Gordon the person-in-charge spoke hesitantly to Tyrmi,

“U-Um, excuse me, Professor. We requested caravan escort duty, we did not say we would provide an escort. It seems some misunderstanding has occurred.”

His words were indeed correct.

No matter how renowned the Paladin Merchant Group was in the Empire, in reality, they were merely a caravan operating only within the eastern region.

Moreover, this trade journey was also merely to supply ordinary materials to Akerandir.

And yet, the people providing the escort were a Saintess Candidate, a Saintess, and a Saint?

If so, the relationship was completely reversed.

Tyrmi looked sharply at Gordon and said,

“Mission.”

It meant that since there was no high or low in a mission, they should receive the escort without worrying about whether it was a Saint or Saintess.

‘D-Do you think that can be done at will…!’

Even Gordon, who was quite accustomed to Tyrmi’s way of speaking, had no choice but to be rendered speechless at this moment.