【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 24: Old Man, More Concerned About His White Tee Than His Grand Victory

Darn… Did I overdo it with the movement?

But anyone would sweat if they moved this much, and metabolism slowed down at my age. I’m not secreting that fresh, youthful sweat anymore. I wish people would understand that.

Suddenly, something soft threw itself at me with a bounce – it’s Liena.

This girl sure has a habit of jumping on people.

“Baldo-sama~~~ That was amazing! Defeating such a giant golem!”

Hold on! Don’t you remember how bad I smell? Weren’t you just frozen in place a moment ago?

But wait… just because Liena has this habit of jumping onto people, would she do that to an older man reeking of old age?

Does that mean… I don’t smell bad.

Then, with the word “Heal” from Liena, a gentle light enveloped me.

Wow! I feel so refreshed from the inside.

Oh, this is healing magic, huh? So, Liena’s spell requires her to be close to the target? Honestly, I’m not too familiar with magic.

But I think it’s a bit much for a princess of a nation to jump onto someone in public like that.

And honestly, that golem was just full of malfunctions and leaking magic everywhere; it was only impressive in size.

“Woah! General Baldo… you defeated the King Golem?! The top-secret weapon of the magical tool powerhouse got slashed!”

Nuketel followed Liena’s example and overreacted as well.

As Nuketel continued his rants, a woman gracefully approached – it was Alesia.

“As expected of the Master… I was saved by you again.”

She said with embarrassment and joy, slightly diverting her eyes.

“Haha, I just helped out at the end. Alesia, you did a great job. I’m proud of you.”

I just slashed a malfunctioning golem at the very end.

We could repel the 10,000-strong Northmane army because Alesia led from the front and fought bravely.

She did her best. I’m so proud.

I showered Alesia with praise.

“You haven’t changed at all, Master.”

She looked back at me, her silver hair swaying, and gave a small chuckle. It felt like the usual Alesia was back.

“Wait, Master? The person Captain Alesia calls ‘Master’?”

“Are you Captain Alesia’s master?”

Suddenly, people started gathering around me. And I recognized those armors – not Natol’s, but Fridania’s. According to Alesia, these were her former subordinates. Prince Genus unjustly fired them. The fact that they came to help Alesia speaks volumes about their respect for her.

“Baldo-sama, your battle against the giant golem was commendable. You’re even stronger than the rumors suggest!”

“Hehe, I’ve always told you, the Master is amazing.”

Hmm, I don’t quite follow. What do they mean by “stronger than the rumors suggest”?

“As expected of the great swordmaster, Captain Alesia’s Master!”

“Please, shake my hand!”

“Three cheers for Baldo-sama!”

It seems they’re chanting for the older man. I’m just a regular old man. Alesia is known as the greatest swordmaster—the fact she calls someone “Master” might be causing some confusion. But saying the truth now would dampen the mood. I can at least read the room. I didn’t age in vain, after all. Alright, let’s play along.

“Haha! That’s right! A mere golem won’t beat me. Line up for handshakes, everyone. I’ll even give autographs if you want~~”

Did I get a bit too carried away? But when you ride the wave, you’ve got to ride it all the way. I thought they wouldn’t seriously want a handshake, but…! There’s an overwhelming number of people lined up…

Wait, you don’t need to line up like this… What’s the point of shaking hands with an older man like me?

While busy with the never-ending handshake line, I noticed Liena and Alesia deeply engrossed in a conversation.

“Liena, did Alesia defeat 20 Black Golem soldiers in an instant and easily slash that giant golem?”

“You’re joking, right, Liena? Even I can’t instantly defeat 20 Black Golems. Even if the giant golem from earlier didn’t have dark power, I’m unsure if I could have defeated it. The only one capable of such a feat is undoubtedly the Master.”

(Thank goodness the golems are the elite force! I was worried I might have been mistaken. So it was just that Baldo-sama was exceptionally strong. Ah, that clears things up.)

(Hehe, Liena. The strength of the Master is limitless. Nobody can rival the ‘Fighting Spirit’ he emanates.)

I couldn’t hear the content well, but they sounded cheerful. Finally, the long queue has disappeared. I let out a sigh after shaking hands with the last person.

“At last, it’s over…”

“Baldo-sama, you’re so popular~~.”

“Of course, he’s the Master! Strangely, he wasn’t popular until now!”

My hand hurts. And they’re still cheering for the older man… I want to go home and change into a white T-shirt…

Vibrate Vibrate Vibrate

“Whoa!?”

Ah! It’s happening again! The vibration!

It’s the communication stone in my pocket vibrating. It’s a call from Princess Mariessia of the Fridania Kingdom. This is nerve-wracking; I’m breaking out in a sweat.

“Baldo-sama, it’s Mariessia. My, it sounds quite noisy around you, doesn’t it?”

“Um, this is the old man chant… I mean, uh…”

“Princess Mariessia, it’s Liena! The thing is, Baldo-sama has been so impressive that there’s a storm of praise swirling around him.”

Hey, Liena! That joke won’t make sense to Princess Mariessia. Inside jokes aren’t understood outside of the group. It’s so awkward!

“Oh my! As expected! You’ve successfully defended Natol! Truly commendable! My dear Baldo-sama~~♡”

What does she mean by “as expected”?

Then, Mariessia, Liena, and Alesia joined in, and a lively (?) conversation began.

“He’s mine!” “No, he’s already a national hero of Natol, so he’s mine!” “No, the Master is mine!” It’s a somewhat confusing conversation.

I appreciate the lengthy chat, but I want to go home soon.

“Oh, right. About the reason my elder brother, Prince Genus, concentrated his troops in the mountainous region…”

Princess Mariessia changed the topic. That reminds me: Prince Genus of the Fridania Kingdom had inexplicably sent his troops to the seemingly valueless mountainous region.

“It seems that my brother has hidden something in those mountains.”

“Speaking of which, when the Northmanea soldiers were retreating, they mentioned heading to the mountainous region. Something smells fishy.”

“Yes, Alesia. It does smell fishy.”

—!?

“Fishy”…

“Captain Alesia. We did ask Prince Genus why he was deploying so many troops to the mountainous region, but he just brushed us off with vague answers. It certainly smells suspicious.”

Alesia’s former subordinates also began to say it smelled fishy unanimously…

Is this for real…? An ominous feeling starts swirling within me.

“That, indeed, smells suspicious.”

Even Liena… Even though she was all over it just moments ago…

And then, my suspicion becomes conviction.

Is it smelly? Is that it?

—Is my white T-shirt stinking!?