How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

26 – 26. What I Want to Show

26.

Despite arbitrarily expressing a phrase that could invite various misconceptions, there was no change in Teia’s expression.

In contrast, Alan’s face turned red, seemingly flustered by the remark.

Meia let out a soft sigh to herself.

‘Even the young master is a man. I understand that.’

There are things she learned from Duchess Mueller, her swordsmanship trainer, and mistress.

Men are essentially very weak to a woman’s temptation.

Give them a chance and they’ll let their imagination run rampant.

Although Alan seemed no different in that respect, the problem was Teia’s attitude, who didn’t hesitate to utter such statements. Meia thought.

“…I would appreciate it if you refrained from teasing the young master.”

“Hmm?”

“I would prefer if you refrained from making statements which can be interpreted in various ways.”

At Meia’s words, Teia chuckled, as if amused.

“I didn’t put much thought into it. I mentioned magic because the young master seemed interested. Wait, did you think it was something obscene? Judging by your blushing face?”

“…Ugh.”

Allen slapped his cheeks and took a deep breath.

His flushed complexion promptly regained his normal color.

Teya thought this quick return to calm was very much like the son of the Sword King.

“You are quite mischievous, Professor.”

“Fufu, not a few people have lusted over my body.”

“I have told you to refrain from such remarks, Professor.”

Meia’s temper is sharp.

Even without a sword in her hand, the harsh anticipation flickered as if she held one.

Teya was intrigued by Meia’s energy, which was quite different from ordinary maids.

“It seems that maids these days also learn swordsmanship.”

“For servants of the Muller family, it’s a basic skill.”

“Meia, stop.”

At Allen’s intervention, Meia’s angered spirit subsided.

Noticing Meia’s once rampant energy quiet down in a moment, Teya looked at Allen with an odd expression on her face.

Her gaze shifted back to Meia.

‘Not necessarily at master level, but beneath that… just above an expert…? A graduate? At that age?’

Rankings, of course, exist among knights who wield the aura.

If one has just begun to handle their mana, they are a sword-user. And when they are able to channel their energy into their sword and use the aura, they are called experts, from then on. And those who have somewhat approached the sword master level but are not yet masters, exist at this awkward place and are referred to as ‘graduates’.

Using the expression of the Shuren war records, they are supreme class warriors.

Though they don’t possess the power of a master, they can handle an aura blade and have the strength of national knights.

Deep interest arose in Teya’s eyes.

‘Such a girl, controlled by just one word…’

It was a spectacle that proved the undying loyalty this white-haired maid, Meia, had toward her master, Allen.

A smile formed on the edge of Teya’s mouth.

“How intriguing. A celebrity. Even the maid at a graduate level. The Muller family is different indeed.”

“Meia is my escort maid. Surely she should be around graduate level even if not a master, no?”

“An escort maid, that’s unusual.”

A maid is a servant who simply does housework; they do not typically serve as a bodyguard.

As Teya herself said, it was an unusual case.

No noble family would teach swordsmanship to a maid.

Aside from a single, special case – the Duchy of Mueller, the Empire’s Blade – it was so.

“Having a graduate-level swordsman as a maid, huh… Is it possible because it’s the Mueller family?”

Teia thought she would become even more interested in Allen.

Allen asked.

“By the way, what is it you want to propose to me?”

“Hmm? I was talking about if you want to try something like being my lab assistant. We could have a deeper personal relationship as well~?”

Allen scratched his cheek.

Unlike before, his face wasn’t blushing. He had completely regained his composure.

“It’s not a bad suggestion, but I will decline.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Because it’s difficult enough for me to manage both academic and writing activities.”

It was a practical reason.

Allen added one more thing.

“Besides, ever since the release of Shuren Chronicles, minor troubles have started to break out here and there, so even though I appreciate your offer, I will regretfully have to decline.”

“Trouble, huh~. I heard about it. The guys from the Knight’s Department are betting heavily just by looking at the sword skills illustrated in Shuren Chronicle. Rumor has it that Albert completely overpowered them.”

Allen gave a bitter laugh.

Well, it’s not possible for the professor not to know about the betting spree in the Knight’s Department. If he didn’t know, it would be even weirder.

Teia chuckled.

“It’s quite fascinating. Who would think that a single novel could have such an enormous impact? It’s stirring up the Imperial Academy, and within it, its influence is quite palpitable. Isn’t the prospect interesting?”

“…Thank you for your compliment.”

“Hmm, are you really not considering helping out in the lab?”

“Yes.”

“You’re so decisive. I’ve never been rejected before.”

Teia laughed amusingly and stood up from her seat.

“Fascinating, Mr. Celebrity. I look forward to reading your next work. Personally, I’m a fan of your novels.”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Hmm, be careful on your way home? I might take you by surprise.”

Allen’s face paled.

Teia touched her lips and smiled.

A tingling feeling rippled through her skin. It was the killer instinct that Maya was silently letting off.

“It’s a joke. Oh dear, your maid looks ready to kill me.”

“…Anyway, I’ll be going now.”

“You’re welcome to visit anytime if you’re free. My door is always open~.”

Alan quietly took his leave, exiting her study.

Left alone, Teia crossed her legs as she took a seat in her chair.

“Things are looking interesting from here on out.”

***

Volume 2 of World History of Shuren didn’t garner as much attention compared to its first edition.

However, it wasn’t so much because of the lack of impact with the second volume, but rather the overwhelming aftermath left by the first. In fact, the second volume had its own level of destructive power. It especially sparked a renewed caution towards black magic, a concept long forgotten by the Tiranto Empire.

“It’s just a mere fiction novel, isn’t it?”

“It wouldn’t hurt us to be cautious. After all, it’s a direct command from the Prince. We don’t have the privilege of refusing.”

Sigh…

The issue is that the Prince himself felt something from the novel and issued a direct command to the Empire’s Intelligence Bureau.

Consequently, the intelligence bureau was working itself to death tracking down black wizards who could be hiding anywhere on the continent.

The bureau leaders murmured among themselves.

“What’s the big deal with this novel that it’s causing such commotion? I don’t get it.”

“It is well written, though. It’s the first time I’ve found it so hard to get a book in the capital.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s incredibly popular. And it’s only up to the second volume. Apparently, there’s this weird dueling trend happening at the academy because of this book.”

“You seem to know it quite well.”

“My son just started at the academy this year. He constantly nagged me to get him the book.”

The commander with a square jaw swung his head in exhaustion.

“Anyway, it doesn’t cost us anything to be cautious. Team 7, make sure to also monitor the situation in the eastern border region. We’re going to be busy.”

“At least the eastern border region has been quiet for the past few years. Thank heavens for that. Plus, we’ve the eastern nobles always on guard, so the barbarians will find it difficult to attack.”

“Barbarians? They’re nothing but monsters.”

Between the eastern border region of the Tiranto Empire and the Kunlun Empire lies a vast desert.

Beyond the barren wasteland and the desert, a vast grassland sprawls where its inhabitants make their living.

The land for those cast out from the Tiranto Empire.

The eastern frontier was the territory of beings that were non-human, yet sentient. This includes the beastmen.

“World History of Shuren, huh. Well, anyway, I’ll read it when I have time.”

“There’s really no need to read it. It’s entertaining enough, but it’s certainly different from traditional imperial novels. It feels a bit alien.”

“So that’s why those literary cartel old farts are grumbling. Tough luck, Squad Leader 1.”

“Tough luck to you too, Squad Leader 7.”

The intelligence officers who had been chatting idly dispersed.

***

The work on the manuscript of “The Chronicles of Schuren” Volume 3 was going smoothly.

Since Allen didn’t care much about the sales of Volume 2 or anything similar, the manuscript had to be his main focus.

Despite the routine visits by Diavella, and the meetings with Felicyana Rin becoming more common, nothing had changed the fact that the time when Allen focused most passionately was when he wrote “The Chronicles of Schuren”.

Maya, of course, was the one who helped him with the manuscript review.

Privileged with reading the now half-complete third volume, Maya, trying to hide her joy expressed by the faint curve of her lips, handed ba

“…Thank you. Ah, could you bring me some water, Mya?”

“Just a moment, please.”