Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

Ch 23.5

Because the backyard is still within the lord’s residence, it covers quite a large area.

As we go deeper into the backyard, gravel makes an appearance, taking the place of the grassy lawn. There are tall trees all around, obscuring the backyard from sight from the outside. For this reason, the Owen family uses this pace to train its escorts.

After Instructor Granza tells Alfred to pick a weapon he’s most familiar with from the weapon rack, he grabs a two-handed sword and tests it out.

As Alfred swings it around with one hand, Instructor Granza arched a brow. “…Wow. You can wield that single-handedly? You sure have a lot of strength. Really can’t tell from your appearance.”

Alfred doesn’t answer. Instead, he continues to stare at Instructor Granza. …Seems like he’s still wary of him.

But Instructor Granza doesn’t seem to mind his intense gaze. He even flashes a mischievous grin as he lightly swings his weapon, as if warming up.

He then gives a signal. An indication that the match has started.

A bit of joy blooms in my chest as I watch them from a distance.

Before the match, I thought that Alfred would be brought to a disadvantage right from their first clash. But to my surprise, it’s a fairly even fight.

Don’t look down on Instructor Granza for having only one arm. Even in his current state, he is still much stronger than those knight commanders.

I’ve heard that some people from the Royal Capital Guards, the ones he previously saved, recently asked for his help dealing with those rascals with illegal dealings outside of the capital. And he ended up defeating a hundred of them with one hundred slashes of his sword. That’s one slash per person. With only one arm.

…Was it really necessary for him to retire?

Well, he seems to enjoy his current life, fighting, travelling, and fishing whenever he feels like it. So I guess it’s fine.

Despite his undeniable skill, creases form between Instructor Granza’s brows. How unusual.

What? That instructor is actually struggling?

With one fluid motion, Alfred swings powerfully with his sword, about to knock Instructor Granza down—

But Instructor Granza clicks his tongue and jumps back. Just in time to evade Alfred’s sword.

Or not.

Woah, Alfred. Aren’t you doing pretty well?

But that’s the only time Alfred gains the upper hand.

All of a sudden, Instructor Granza’s movements grow nearly imperceptible to the eye in speed, messing up Alfred’s rhythm and balance. After which the older man slips into extremely close proximity, right at his chest.

The technique I often use against Alfred.

Alfred has a large frame; inevitably, so were his movements. Slipping past his defense like this is an advantageous move.

Alfred pulls back and raises his arm, aiming to strike Instructor Granza down.

But at that moment, Instructor Granza bends his body, lowering his stance even further.

Alfred widens his eyes in surprise.

Instructor Granza kicks Alfred in the legs, causing him to stumble.

As Alfred is in mid-stumble, the older man elbows his belly, then strikes him with his sword handle. And as a final blow, kicks Alfred with ballistic magic imbued in his leg.