How to Live As a Returnee Munchkin Swordsman

23 – Red Grove (2)

The day after course registration.

I was on my way to the administrative office of the Faculty of Swordsmanship after hearing that the application for ＜Balut Swordsmanship＞ was very successful.

In fact, I rarely come to the administrative office.

This is because important issues or administrative processing within the department are mainly handled by the dean instructor and experienced instructors.

Even though I was a third-class instructor, I didn’t have much authority within the undergraduate department as I was still only in my first year.

In other words, when the administrative office called me, something big or small happened.

As proof of this, when I arrived at the office early in the morning, a knight belonging to the Royal Knights was greeting me.

“hello? It is an honor to meet Instructor Edgar of the prestigious Mullique family. My name is Rick Jude, senior knight of the Royal Knights of Clepe.”

Rick Jude.

first name and last name

It could be a descendant of an unknown family, or it could have been given the title of nobility by single rank.

Up to rank knights are accepted as commoners, but from senior knights onward, they must be nobles.

Therefore, non-hereditary honorary titles such as ‘quasi-baron’ are given to commoners who do not have titles, and they are promoted.

If it was an authoritative knight order like the Royal Knights of Clepe, this tendency was even more severe.

No matter how much skill and heroism the Kingdom of Cleppe moves, it wants to keep the minimum rules in this area.

Seeing Rick Jude politely bowing, I also responded with a courtesy as an aristocrat.

“This is Edgar Mulick, the instructor of the Tristan Military Academy. nice to meet you.”

“As I heard, your body balance is perfect as a swordsman. Indeed, his performance in the red forest area is understandable.”

“It’s an overstatement.”

Of course, it won’t be empty words.

More than a month has already passed since I returned, and during that time, I have been steadily training my body based on the inevitable ＜Indomitable Body＞.

Although he couldn’t fully recover his state right before his return, he created a body comparable to that.

Now, it’s hard to believe that he’s a descendant of the great magic family just by looking at his appearance.

However, seeing that he gave compliments like this from the first meeting, it seems that he is hoping for something.

He could tell just by looking at the official letter of cooperation he brought out.

“The reason I visited Instructor Edgar today is also related to the red forest area you hunted before.”

＜Request for official letter of cooperation＞

– The safety of the people of the kingdom and the comfortable movement within the country are values that must be observed as a hero belonging to the kingdom. Therefore, it is considered that a more professional and active investigation is needed in the ‘Red Forest Area’, where high-ranking monsters suddenly appeared, so the investigation of this designated area has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Royal Knights of Klepe.

-We request ‘Edgar Mullik’ (Tristan Hero Academy) as a cooperating reference for the designated area investigation. This request can be rejected at any time according to the will of the referrer, and it is not compulsory.

I remember hearing from Ray once.

Unexplored areas that are judged to be dangerous in the kingdom are often transferred from the ‘Kingdom Investigation Team’ to the ‘Royal Knights’, but in most cases, this only happens when the possibility of a high-level monster or monster is confirmed.

Usually, ‘explorer heroes’ go to these areas to hit the jackpot, but even they tend to avoid areas that are so publicly important and dangerous.

A reference person is a person who acts as a guide or assists in this process.

In particular, I am a hero who hunted a group of Kellails that suddenly appeared in the red forest area, and as such, it seemed that I was competent enough to join the investigation of the dangerous area, so I received a request for cooperation.

“The pure investigation period is about three to four days. Considering the preparation period and processing process, we are looking at up to two weeks.”

“What if I decline the request?”

“Of course there is no problem. As mentioned in the official document, this request is a request for cooperation, and Instructor Edgar has the right to refuse it at any time. However, as it is judged that the area has a high degree of anxiety and danger to the people of the kingdom, we have only requested Instructor Edgar as a reference in order to effectively conduct the exploration.”

I have roughly calculated the date.

Three to four days, up to two weeks.

With one month left until the start of the semester, it’s time to subtract enough.

Of course, this preparation period would be very important for an instructor who was just opening a new lecture, but I had already completed ＜Balut Swordsmanship＞ and had the experience of teaching it several times, so I didn’t need any special preparation.

‘It just went well.’

In fact, I had something to do while floating.

If it was just a nuisance, I wouldn’t have paid attention to it, but it’s a problem in a dangerous area where monsters and beasts are intertwined.

It could have an impact on the safety of people around me, so I naturally became interested in it.

“great. Let’s go together.”

Knight Rick’s expression brightened as I readily nodded.

“Thanks for your cooperation.”

* * *

The journey to the Red Forest area continued immediately after a day.

In fact, the Royal Knights of Clepe were already prepared for the investigation, so they could start right away if I accepted my collaborator.

Unfortunately, Ray couldn’t go with him.

No matter how noble aristocrats lived with an attendant, only authorized heroes could go to investigate areas designated by the king’s order.

– I’m fine. Have a good trip, Edgar.

Ray said that with an expressionless face, but actually I’m not okay.

Since returning, until now as an instructor-.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been with Ray all the time, but without her, I feel sad for nothing.

Who’s going to get the peppermint tea right now… .

It was a problem even if I did my job too well.

“… Instructor Edgar, did you really mean to go without talking to me?”

Of course, it’s not that no one knows at all.

Standing in front of me was Akina Crowfly, who had been teaching me about my instructor duties wholeheartedly for the past month.

She is an additional member of the military academy who will accompany this investigation mission.

I heard that only authorized heroes can go, but after talking with the related members a few times, they gave permission too easily.

… Also, this industry has the best connections.

I scratched my head in embarrassment at Akina’s question.

“that… I thought I could just go because it was an official document that came directly from the administrative office. Was it against the rules?”

“Not really, but… You can do it to a degree. We’ve been working together for a while.”

“Oh, sorry about that.”

At my polite apology, Akina quickly relaxed her expression.

Then he added with a brightened face.

“You won’t get anything out of it though. The Royal Knights of Clepe are very skilled, and their work is one of the cleanest among the knights in the kingdom.”

“yes. I am also looking forward to it.”

“If during the investigation, if the members make unreasonable demands, tell me right away. We are all collaborators, not members of the Knights.”

“… Senior, I am still a Marquis of Mullique.”

“Sometimes there are reckless heroes who don’t care about that. Besides, in our kingdom, there are no faults between nobles and commoners.”

“I will listen.”

I feel that Akina’s attitude toward me has changed a lot.

When I first met her in the instructor exam, she only showed a stiff tone and a lofty attitude, but now she was expressing her familiarity with a pretty colorful expression.

It’s probably because I’ve accumulated quite a bit of time working together as a senior instructor, but I think the fact that I’m a ‘same high-ranking aristocrat’ also plays a part.

‘Because there’s no reason to look good.’

Anyway, those around Akina who want to look good to her are mostly people who are greedy for power or honor.

However, I am the son of the Marquess Mullique, who has a reputation comparable to that of the Crowfly duke.

There was no reason or need to dwell on that part.

In the first place, it was an unfamiliar situation for a high-ranking aristocrat to work as an instructor.

Thanks to such an aimless relationship, Akina seemed to be able to treat me more comfortably.

“Nice to meet you. Theodore Crowfly.”

I also talked to the general manager of this investigation.

Theodore Crowflin.

The duke of the great swordsmanship that supports the kingdom, and a hero serving as the leader of the Royal Knights of Clef.

Among the kingdom’s nobles, he is considered the most famous along with my father.

As much as his overwhelming fame, the momentum and appearance he exudes as a swordsman were also tremendous.

‘I guess it would be hard for me to guess.’

You’d probably have to point the sword at yourself to find out, but you can’t guarantee victory just by looking at it.

but.

It is only natural that he is called the best knight in the kingdom of Clepe, and he is a hero who has blossomed at the ‘fifth fork in the road’.

Duke Crowlin was just like me in terms of the crossroads I had right now.

“It is an infinite honor to meet the great Duke Crowlin. “My name is Edgar Mullik, and I am an instructor at the Tristan Military Academy.”

“hmm? ha ha ha. The atmosphere has definitely changed since I was young. “The rumors are not exaggerated.”

Duke Crowlin burst out laughing at my polite manners.

Mullik and Crowlin.

As they were a prestigious family representing the kingdom, the exchange between the two families was quite deep.

My father had a public relationship with Duke Crowlin, and he also worked as a colleague with Instructor Akina during the Great War.

… I don’t remember, but Duke Crowfly seems to have seen me as a child.

“Let’s talk more about it as we go. Along the way, I’ll also explain today’s investigation in detail. ah. Is it okay if I speak comfortably?”

“It is a matter of course. Please make it as easy as possible.”

Is it because I, the reference, and Akina, my daughter, are together?

Duke Crowfly seemed to be moving with us from here.

Thanks to this, the formation of the knights moved naturally around us.

And with that said.

A knight waiting at the central wall shouted loudly.

“We leave in 10 minutes! Former knights and investigation referees, please complete your preparations-!!”