Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles Volume 17, page 1
Table of Contents
Cover
Color Illustrations
Character Introduction
Prologue: Vow
Chapter 1: Life in the Galarc Kingdom
Chapter 2: Preparing for Departure
Chapter 3: Reunion at the Village
Interlude: A Conversation between Ruler and Saint
Chapter 4: New Reunions, New Meetings
Interlude: Letter to the Centostella Kingdom
Chapter 5: The Saint’s Development
Chapter 6: The Saint’s Attack
Epilogue: Companion
Afterword
About J-Novel Club
Copyright
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Prologue: Vow
I hate it.
This world.
Everything in it.
I hate it all.
That’s why I decided...why I made a vow.
On that day, I realized that kindness was just an ideal.
It was the moment I lost everything without any reason.
I was betrayed and had everything snatched away from me.
So, I made a vow to end this world, riddled with foolish humans.
To take vengeance.
That was something I was capable of.
I had the right to do it.
I had the vexing power to make it possible.
That’s why I’ll destroy it all.
There’s no worth in a world like this.
The die has already been cast by none other than my own hand.
That’s why I couldn’t turn back anymore.
I had no intention of turning back anyway.
I cannot forgive this world. These humans.
And more than anything, I couldn’t forgive myself.
That’s why I desperately...
Charged towards ruin.
That was my punishment.
For not being able to save someone...
Chapter 1: Life in the Galarc Kingdom
Meanwhile, in the mansion Rio was given by King Francois as Haruto Amakawa, honorary knight...
Ten days had passed since Rio started living with the members of the stone house. It was past noon, and Charlotte was once again visiting the estate. Satsuki, Liselotte, Christina, and Flora accompanied her.
Charlotte wet her throat with the tea that was served, then addressed Rio and Celia seated across from her sofa. “I am here today to give you two a job request.”
“Us?” Rio and Celia exchanged a look before answering together.
“Yes. It’s an official request from the kingdom, so you’ll naturally be compensated for it. The terms of work can be limited to while you’re in the capital. If you could give it your consideration with these details in mind, I would appreciate it,” Charlotte said, prefacing her explanation with emphasis that the job was voluntary.
“What kind of job is it...?”
“I’d like the two of you to become temporary instructors. I’m hoping for Lady Celia to hold a special class on sorcery at the Galarc Royal Academy, while Sir Haruto teaches close combat to a class prepared by us.”
“I understand Celia with her lecturer experience from the Beltrum Royal Academy, but I’ve never taught a class before.”
“Hee hee, that is a needless fear. I’m positive teaching won’t be a problem for someone of your abilities.” Rio was unsure of himself, but Charlotte gave her approval with full confidence.
“It’s a great honor to hear that, but I am unfamiliar with the sword styles and martial arts of the Galarc Kingdom.”
“That isn’t a problem either. What I’m requesting isn’t for you to teach technical basics to beginners, but to give more practical instruction to people with combat experience. There’ll be people specializing in various weapons and styles of fighting.”
“I see...” Rio muttered in thought.
He had previously taught Masato, who was completely new to combat, as well as the warriors of the spirit folk village, who had no experience in hand-to-hand combat due to their lack of infighting. But teaching the career soldiers of Galarc and the Restoration who already possessed all the required knowledge would be a different matter. Of course, there’d probably be people of nobility among them, so he wasn’t sure how much he’d be able to teach them.
“I know you have a strong sense of responsibility, so I understand if you won’t agree without careful consideration. But you don’t have to think so hard about it—you can treat it like a mock battle or a light sparring match. The reason why this job came up this time is because many have expressed a desire to spar with the Honorary Knight Sir Haruto.”
“While I wouldn’t refuse a light sparring match...do you know roughly how many people will be in attendance at this class?”
“I’m thinking of limiting it to a maximum of twenty people at first. I imagine whoever is free at the time will be in attendance, but I will take responsibility for the selection of attendees, so you don’t need to worry in that regard.”
Charlotte grinned boldly, as though to say she wouldn’t allow anyone to pull anything funny. As one would expect, she had considered all the points Rio could possibly find concerning. Rio was impressed by her prudence, and his expression softened in amusement.
“It may be better to reduce that number if I’m to face everyone myself, but if the attendees don’t mind sparring with each other, then that works too.”
“Whether it’s one-on-one, or an all-out brawl, I’ll leave it to you to decide based on the number of attendees at the class at the time.”
“I see. In that case...”
It may be possible to maintain a proper lecture format that way. Whether the attendees will be satisfied with that is a different matter, though...
“For now, the attendees of the first class are pretty much decided already, so how about you give it a try? You can decide if you want to continue with future classes after that,” Charlotte suggested.
Apparently, she had arranged everything regarding the first class in preparation for Rio’s agreement. Since she had gone through so much trouble before approaching with the request, Rio found it hard to refuse. Or rather, he found himself wanting to repay her for her consideration.
“I understand... I’ll give it a try,” Rio said, accepting the request.
“Thank you. I believed you would say that, Sir Haruto. In that case, the first class will be held—I’m so pleased. I can’t wait to see your gallant figure again,” Charlotte smiled in delight. Charlotte replied gleefully, smiling in delight.
“You’re in high spirits, Char.”
“Hee hee. You said it’d be interesting yourself, Lady Satsuki.”
Satsuki had been sitting in silence as they talked but joined the conversation with a giggle. Charlotte had also given her reply in a cheery mood.
“Incidentally, who’ll be attending the first class?” Rio asked, looking at Satsuki.
“First, Lady Satsuki will be there. Attending from Galarc will be several of my knights and Liselotte’s attendants. Some of Princess Christina and Princess Flora’s female knights will also be attending from the Restoration side,” Charlotte answered with a look at Christina and Liselotte.
“Princess Charlotte approached us with the offer. The Restoration will attend through Vanessa and some of her subordinates. They may cause you trouble, but please guide them well, Sir Amakawa,” Christina said with a nod.
“A few of my attendants who accompanied me to the capital will also be in attendance. Please teach them as well,” Liselotte continued with a bow.
“Which means there’ll be some familiar faces...” Rio was a little bothered by how they were all women. “I understand. I don’t know how well I’ll be able to teach them, but I’ll do my best,” he replied, straightening himself and nodding.
“As long as it’s okay with you, I’d like the first class to be held in a few days. Would that suit your circumstances? I’m thinking of holding it in the morning, after breakfast and before the afternoon...”
“I’ll be free as early as tomorrow at that time.”
“Really? Then let’s hold it tomorrow! If the others in your mansion would like to watch or participate, we can hold it in the square in the rear garden. I’ll drop by around nine o’clock in the morning.” Charlotte looked around at Latifa and everyone present.
“Yes! I’d love to go and watch!” Latifa raised her hand energetically.
“If Haruto’s teaching, I’d like to attend as a student.”
“I’m also interested.”
Sara raised her hand shyly, followed closely by Alma.
“The two of you are most welcome to join. That is fine, right?” Charlotte agreed readily, checking with Rio for confirmation.
“Yes, of course. In that case, you can take the class for most of the time, but could you act as my assistants when I need help?”
“Sure!” Sara agreed.
“Leave it to us,” Alma added.
“Aishia, you too.”
“Yup.” Aishia nodded without hesitation.
“That settles the matter of Sir Haruto’s special instruction. Lady Cel
“There are a few things I’d like to confirm, but the fact that Princess Christina is here means you’ve cleared this with her, right?”
“Yes. Or rather, you’ve been temporarily transferred to Sir Amakawa right now, so the decision is up to you two,” Christina answered.
“Thank you. What kind of subjects are you expecting me to cover?” Celia asked Charlotte.
“Any subject is fine, but your students will range from upper elementary- to middle school-aged. Each class can be a complete course, or you can take several classes to cover a topic if you prefer. We can discuss that after taking into consideration the duration of Sir Haruto’s stay in Galarc.”
“I plan on staying for another month. If Celia agrees to teaching, please plan around that schedule,” Rio explained.
“If you could proceed with the arrangement of the classes, I’ll start thinking about my lesson plans.”
Thus, Celia decided to hold her special lectures as well.
◇ ◇ ◇
The next morning, in order to take Rio’s close combat class, people who crossed organization borders gathered on the mansion grounds.
Galarc Kingdom’s Second Princess Charlotte walked in the lead, guiding them. She was accompanied by her attendants and female knights behind her. Walking beside her were the Restoration’s Christina and Flora. They were similarly followed by their attendants and knights, including Vanessa. A little farther behind the princesses was Liselotte, daughter of Galarc’s Duke Cretia. She was accompanied by her attendants who also acted as her guards—Aria, Cosette, and Natalie.
In front of the gate were two female knights from Galarc. Rio had no retainers, and the hero and princess of the kingdom often visited his mansion, so the area was guarded by the castle’s knights.
Incidentally, since the mansion Rio was given was on the castle grounds, space was limited. Therefore, the mansion was located a stone’s throw away from the front gate. Instead, the rear garden had a bigger private space away from the public eye, and there was more than enough room to hold a sparring match with weapons.
In preparation for the arrival of the guests, a gazebo was set up in the garden towards the front gate for Rio and the others to relax in. (Satsuki had stayed over the night before, so she was at the mansion already.)
“Welcome, everyone.”
“Good morning, Sir Haruto. We’ve arrived as promised.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
Rio approached the group and placed his right hand over his chest, welcoming them.
“Let’s get straight to the point. If the preparations are complete, please begin teaching.”
Since they were limited on time, they got straight to business upon arrival.
“I understand. Please, follow me.”
Rio led the party to the rear garden. There was an even larger gazebo in the back, which he stopped by first. Wooden weapons for the mock battles had been brought over the day before and were lined in front of the gazebo.
“Anyone who wishes to observe, please head under the gazebo. Those participating in the class, please select your best weapon out of those available and come this way.”
Rio then picked up the wooden sword leaning beside him and walked a short distance away. Aishia and Satsuki picked up wooden spears and went after him, followed by Sara, who picked up two wooden daggers, and Alma, who chose a wooden mace.
Then, the rest of the participants, which included Vanessa, Aria, Cosette, Natalie, and the others, each selected their own weapon and followed them.
“Everyone else, please come this way.”
At Celia’s prompting, Charlotte and the others made their way under the gazebo. There was a table and chairs set up underneath where everyone other than the attendants sat down to watch Rio’s class.
In the meantime, the participants had already distanced themselves sufficiently from the gazebo.
“Around here should do.” Rio, who had been walking in the lead, came to a stop and turned around to face the knights and attendants. Aishia, Sara, and Alma stood beside him.
“It’s okay for me to be on this side, right?” Satsuki checked with Rio before lining up among Aria and the others.
“Yes.”
The participants are Satsuki, five knights from Galarc, five knights from the Restoration, and three of Liselotte’s attendants. Then there’s Aishia, Sara, and Alma. A total of seventeen people. And they’re really all women...
After looking around at everyone, Rio felt a little awkward. Being the only man in a group of women was rather wearing on the mind. The observers under the gazebo were also women, so he felt like he had walked into an all-girls school alone.
However, Rio guessed Charlotte had actually limited her selection of participants to women for his sake... Or rather, for the sake of Latifa and the others who were living in the mansion. After telling her they weren’t used to being around nobility, she probably assumed they’d be more comfortable around members of the same sex and acted out of consideration. The people here were also somewhat familiar faces that could usually be seen protecting Charlotte and Christina. That being said...
“My name is Haruto Amakawa. I am honored to be able to instruct you all in close combat at the request of Princess Charlotte.”
There were many he hadn’t spoken to before, so Rio gave a self-introduction. At that, the participants all drew their gazes to him. Some looked at him with curiosity, some looked at him with admiration, and some looked at him in evaluation.
“These three are my friends: Aishia, Sara, and Alma. They’ll be participating in the class as my assistants. We spar with each other on a regular basis, so I can guarantee that the three of them are good opponents. The hero, Lady Satsuki, will also be participating along with everyone.”
At Rio’s introduction, Sara and Alma bowed their heads first.
“I’m Satsuki. I’d appreciate it if you interacted with me without all the stiff hero formalities. Nice to meet you,” Satsuki said. However, the position of those present wouldn’t allow them to accept her words so naively, and they all responded with a respectful bow of their heads.
I guess I’ll have to work on the rest over the course of the sparring matches, Satsuki thought with a strained smile when she saw them react in such a way.
“The purpose of this class is to teach close combat, so I’m thinking of focusing the class on mock battles. To be honest, I don’t have much confidence in my abilities to instruct everyone. But since I’ve agreed to do this already, I will take responsibility and do my best. Now... Our time is limited, so let’s begin.”
Rio declared the start of the lesson. He had thought of the lesson plan yesterday, but he lacked teaching experience. He had no choice but to figure things out as he went along. Now that he felt aware of that all over again, his expression stiffened with slight nervousness.
“I’d like to begin by measuring everyone’s abilities, so I’m going to face each of you one by one. The match will be suspended as soon as I measure your strength, but can also end with an effective blow. So please come at me with the intention of hitting me. Magic and sorcery is allowed in the form of physical ability enhancement. The only necessity is a sign signaling the start, so will you be willing to act as umpire, Sara?”
“Yes. Leave it to me.” Sara stepped forward at Rio’s request. Hearing they would start with sparring made the participants all pull themselves together. They were probably drawn to the opportunity to spar with Rio, who had many military achievements under his belt. They wanted to measure his abilities just as much as—if not more than—he wanted to know theirs.
“Then, my first opponent will be...”
Rio looked around at the participants.
“Please allow me.” One of the knights from the Galarc Kingdom immediately raised her hand. Everyone’s attention gathered on her.
“You’re...”
She seemed to be in her early twenties. She normally accompanied Charlotte around the place and left an impression on Rio for occasionally sending him scrutinizing looks.
“I’m Louise Sharon, knight of the Galarc Kingdom and captain of Princess Charlotte’s personal guards.”
