【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 22: The Old Man Single-handedly Charges at the King Golem.

“Baldo-sama! Look over there!”

“Oh my! General Baldo, what is that gigantic golem?!”

What awaited us on the edge of the main battlefield was a massive golem.

While it was easy, dealing with the malfunctioning golems earlier delayed us quite a bit.

The battlefield was littered with fallen soldiers and holes likely created by magic.

“Baldo-sama! The surroundings of the Natol soldiers are pitch black. Is that massive golem emitting dark magic?”

“General Baldo~~ Could that possibly be Northmanea’s ultimate magic weapon? Eek!”

Liena and Nuketel seemed to be panicking, but…

Hmm… I calmly surveyed the battlefield.

Almost no operational units from the Northmanea army were in sight. Only the giant golem remained.

Of course, Alesia was leading the vanguard. She must have done well.

A victory for Natol seemed almost inevitable.

“Baldo-sama! At this rate, the Natol army will…”

“General Baldo, what should we do about that gigantic golem? It’s scary!”

Black smoke billowed from the massive golem.

“What are you two talking about? Isn’t this an easy win?”

“What? Easy win? Baldo-sama!”

“What are you saying, General Baldo?!”

“Liena, Nuketel, look closely at that huge golem.”

“We’ve been staring at it this whole time…”

“Oh my~~ The more I look, the scarier it seems!”

“Both of you, look more carefully. That giant golem has smoke all over its body due to poor maintenance. Also, can’t you hear the malfunctioning sounds from various parts? It’s the same as those black puppets from earlier.”

“Huh? No? Look closely. Wait… isn’t that dark magic device operating? Or am I overthinking?”

“Hmm, Liena. When a machine spews smoke, it means it’s broken. From my experience, I once used a washing pot until smoke came out, and it broke down completely. It couldn’t clean my white T-shirt, especially the armpit stains.”

“Wait, what does a white T-shirt do with anything?!”

And that humming sound is undoubtedly a signal that it’s on the brink of breaking down.

I’m sure of it. The washing kiln made the same humming sound just before it broke down.

“That’s why even an old man like me can handle it.”

(Baldo-sama, does he think anything emitting smoke is broken? But he did surprisingly quickly wipe out the previous golem unit. Does that mean what Baldo-sama says is true? But Baldo-sama is vital, so the golems should’ve been strong, too. So, umm… Ah, my head’s starting to hurt again.)

Liena was holding her head, murmuring to herself. Does she need the restroom again? She’ll have to keep it in this time.

“But, the Sword Saint Alesia should also be in that darkness. We can’t see her from here, but isn’t she struggling?”

“Haha, Liena. Alesia is truly amazing. Such a massive golem is no match for her. But, she’s not good in the dark… just between us.”

“Is that so…? Then, we have to do something.”

Hmm, with Alesia and the Natol soldiers’ efforts, the outcome is almost inevitable.

I wanted to help, and it looks like I can contribute a bit at the end.

I mustered strength into my legs.

“Alright, Liena and Nuketel, go support the injured soldiers.”

“And what about you, Baldo-sama?”

“I’m… just going to pop over there!”

“Wai- Going?! Again?!”

“Hahaha! This feels like déjà vu! And he’s already off!”

I sprinted across the battlefield at full speed. In front of me, the black smoke and the massive golem loomed.

The gigantic golem made creaking sounds like it was about to break at any moment.

“Hmm! A [Fighting Spirit], huh?”

From within the smoke, I sensed a strong [Fighting Spirit]. It’s Alesia.

Ah, she’s battling the darkness…

Her [Fighting Spirit] seemed weaker than usual. But she’s probably doing the best she can in this overwhelming darkness.

I gathered my [Fighting Spirit], adjusting so my slash wouldn’t accidentally hit Alesia.

As I got closer, I heard a loud noise. With the rumbling of destruction, a shockwave approached.

It’s probably due to magic leakage. That’s what happens when you force malfunctioning machinery to move.

Alright, I’ve sufficiently channeled my [Fighting Spirit]!

Alesia has already activated her sword technique.

I may not match up to you, but let this older man join in—

—”【One Strike, Two Cuts】!! Sei!“

My slash followed right behind Alesia’s.

The two strikes split the incoming shockwave in half.

That shockwave blew away the black smoke surrounding us.

—Alesia!

I rushed to Alesia, who had slumped and was on her knees.

“Te… Teacher. You came.”

“Of course. You did well in that darkness. Good job!”

“I…”

Choking on tears, Alesia didn’t say any more.

She indeed did her best. It’s not easy overcoming one’s greatest weakness, but Alesia faced it head-on. What a commendable disciple.

—Now,

I took a deep breath and stood in front of the massive golem.

It seemed someone was riding the golem’s head, screaming frantically.

There’s only the easy part left—

“Alright! Leave the rest to this old man!”

I poised my cheap bronze coin sword with determination.

“Come at me, massive golem! I want to finish this and head back to the inn!”