【The Old Man of the Expelled Inn Unwittingly Dominates Today Too】Although I Want to Lead a Slow Life, for Some Reason the Strongest Beauties Who Hold Important Positions in the Country, and Were Once My Disciples, Gather Around Me Asking to Be Hired – Even Though I Only Taught Them a Little～ - Chapter 2: The Old Man Saves the Princess in Exile

“Yawn~ Morning already~”

I stretch widely, scratching my head, and sit up.

Sitting cross-legged on the complex, rugged ground, I pull the last red bean bun from the wrapping and take a bite.

It’s a bun given to me by the First Princess Mariessia. She prepared it especially for me, knowing I was coming to the royal palace. That she remembered such a favorite food of a humble older man like me is moving.

“Ah, delicious…”

As I nibble on the bun, what spreads before my eyes is the royal capital of a small country called Natol.

Natol is allied with Fridania, from where I was exiled. In reality, the relationship is closer to Fridania being the boss and Natol being more of a subordinate.

All of my meager assets and my inn in Fridania have been confiscated.

All I have left are the travel money and communication stone given to me by Princess Mariessia and a cheap, shoddy sword.

I used much of that precious travel money to cross the border. I can’t waste anymore, so I camped in the forest on the outskirts of the royal capital.

The place where I camped is called the Great Forest.

The Great Forest stretches right along the border between Natol and Fridania. It’s where monsters appear, and sometimes, there are phenomena called stampedes where monsters proliferate en masse.

For now, I must save money in this country to become an innkeeper again.

Why am I so fixated on running an inn?

Travelers primarily use inns. And unless they’re wrong, travelers tend to return quite frequently.

Everyone prefers an inn they know well.

That’s why travelers create their favorite lodgings in various places.

Even in Fridania, my inn was frankly shabby. But I had some regular customers, and they would show up to stay now and then, when I’d least expect them, with faces like they were coming home.

We weren’t particularly close, nor the type to go out drinking together.

But I liked seeing their faces.

So, I want to spend my leisurely retirement in a small inn where such folks gather. That’s how I’ve come to feel.

I’ve rambled on in my mind, but a 39-year-old guy who’s only ever been an innkeeper doesn’t feel like taking up a different job now. This is probably the more realistic reason.

“Alright then… breakfast’s done.”

I stand up with a groan, brushing off the sand that had stuck to my butt.

Well, there’s no use in being pessimistic all the time. I have to change my mood and work hard for a relaxed, slow life in the future.

There’s something I have to do before going to the castle town. It’s my daily morning training.

First, the sword practice swings.

Concentrate…

I wring out an aura from my body…

“Sei!”

“Sei!”

“Sei!”

I keep repeating this earnestly.

The same motion, over and over again.

Incidentally, the aura-like substance that envelops my body is 【Fighting Spirit】.

This refined and purer form of energy circulates within the body. By doing so, you can gain slightly more power than usual.

【Fighting Spirit】 can be used by those who have trained somewhat. My father and grandfather could use it, too.

I move on to the next training when the sword practice swings are finished.

Including the practice swings, I perform three trainings every day.

You might think I don’t have to do it now that I’m old.

— But I can’t slack off.

The reason is the teachings to my disciples who have left the nest. Train and repeat one thing more than anyone else. Keep repeating it anytime and anywhere. I’ve always taught every disciple this. If I, the person who said it, don’t execute it, it won’t have any credibility. Even if they become far more potent than me and achieve great success, it won’t change.

That’s why I’ve decided never to miss training, no matter when.

“Phew~ That’s enough for now.”

Having finished my morning routine, I take a deep breath. Now, I must go to the castle town and gather information for the inn funds.

I want to change my white undershirt, but maybe that’s a luxury I can’t afford now.

Let me clarify: I don’t stink like an older man. I just wanted to refresh myself by changing my clothes.

With a heave-ho— as the older man raises his hips

“Kyaaaa!”

Huh? What!?

Suddenly, a scream was heard coming from the direction of the forest. It sounded like a woman.

I grabbed my sword and immediately dashed towards the mountain path in the forest.

After running for a while, I spotted two carriages. There were several fallen knights in the area. It seemed like a monster had attacked them.

Is that a Big Bear? A giant bear-like monster. Its arms are tremendously strong and can efficiently mince a knight’s armor.

“Groan!”

“No, please don’t come…!”

The monster’s raised right arm was just about to slash the screamer.

Tears flowed from her eyes, and her body trembled in terror.

I didn’t want to get involved in trouble… but now was not the time to say that.

First, I have to get its attention!

I grabbed a stone from the ground and quickly threw it, hitting the Big Bear in the head.

There was a dull metallic sound, like “clank!” and the Big Bear turned towards me.

Good, it’s looking this way now!

“Groan!”

Perhaps angered by having a stone thrown at its head, the Big Bear turned towards me and charged with furious momentum.

Without flinching, I readied my sword and began to concentrate, infusing my entire body with 【Fighting Spirit】 little by little.

“Wait… that’s not a normal Big Bear. A sword won’t work; it will break!”

One of the fallen knights strained to shout a warning at me.

Break my sword? Indeed, when the stone hit earlier, there was a strange metallic sound. It might be a species with a higher defense than the usual Big Bear.

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to play around. I’ll go all out from the start.”

【Fighting Spirit】 surged from my body, and power circulated from my core to both arms.

“Groan!”

The moment the Big Bear approached in front of me…

“——-【One Slash, Two Halves】!! Sei!”

A single flash of the sword was cleanly slashed down from the Big Bear’s head to the ground.

A gap gradually opened from the center of the Big Bear, and its massive body was neatly split in two and crumbled.

“Phew somehow made it…”

I sheathed my sword and exhaled to relieve the tension.

“Wh…what? You just cut the Mithril Bear, known for its ultimate hardness, in half with one slash… What kind of sword did you use…?”

A fallen knight got up and muttered while staring at me in disbelief.

No, I defeated a slightly different and more brutal Big Bear! This kind of thing is expected in the great forest! Stop overreacting!

This older man’s only forte is controlling the 【Fighting Spirit】 and concentrating on a single point.

Though it’s not as impressive as it sounds, it increases my attack power more than usual.

What I taught my disciples in childhood was also this 【Fighting Spirit】.

By the way, 【One Slash, Two Halves】 is the ultimate secret technique of my former disciple, the Sword Saint Alesia. It’s simply slashing down from a proper stance, but she unleashes it with this 【Fighting Spirit】, so it shows tremendous power. Mine is just a fake version of the technique. It’s far from her original.

Now, the fallen knights have started to stand up, and rescue activities seem to have begun everywhere.

The carriages further in don’t seem to have suffered much damage either.

—– I’m no longer needed here.

Something soft jumped at me as I turned on my heel to leave.

Bounce!

“Wow, thank you so much for saving me! Amazing! So cool~!”

The thing that bounced was the girl whom the monster had attacked.

Hey, you shouldn’t just hug an older man carelessly. Those two voluminous bulges are bumping against me.

“Whoa, wait… you’re too close!”

“You’re my lifesaver~~~!”

She hugged me even tighter. This is getting dangerous! The close contact is deforming those two bulges!

This lousy older man’s weak rationality is about to collapse!

And I haven’t changed my white tee. That’s why you shouldn’t hug an older man carelessly!

“Liena~~!!”

From further away, a large older man with a beard came running towards us with all his might.

Huh? The thing on his head… isn’t that…

—–A crown!

“Father~~!”

Hmmm? Father~~? So that means…

“Ah, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I am Liena Loy Natris, the first princess of the Natol Kingdom.”

Yes, the royalty has arrived—–!

Why why does this have to happen? I’ve had enough of dealing with royalty… All I want is to enjoy my slow life quietly.

But the princess has introduced herself. I have no choice but to do the same.

“My name is Baldo Dalsis. I come from the Fridania Kingdom. I was unaware of Your Highness’s identity, and I beg your forgiveness for any disrespect.”

Though it was unavoidable, I did indulge in the festival of voluptuousness. This isn’t good. What if they order my immediate execution?

“Ah, Baldo! I must thank you for saving my daughter! You did a great job!”

“That’s right! How could there be any rudeness towards the one who saved my life?”

The man with the crown also arrived, patting my shoulders gratefully. He must be the king.

“No, I must hurry, so I’ll be on my way.”

As I said that and tried to leave, my shoulders were firmly grasped by the king and princess.

“Don’t just leave like that.”

“Hmm, Baldo, we want to thank you. Come to the royal castle at any rate!”

“Yes, indeed! It’s only natural! Baldo-sama~~ let’s go!”

They won’t let me leave.

I don’t want to go. I have no fond memories of recent visits to royal castles. I want to enjoy my quiet, slow life.

Despite my feelings, the man with the crown and Princess Liena grabbed my shoulders and forcefully pulled me towards the carriage.