【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 36: The Old Man is Caught Off Guard by an Unexpected Visitor

Several days had passed since the incident with the bee monsters.

“Sei!”

“Sei!”

“Yaa!”

“Yaa!”

I was busy with my daily morning training with Alesia. Despite the looming threat of a massive monster outbreak, life at the inn went on as usual.

“Alesia! That’s enough! It’s my turn now!”

―――Well, there was one change.

Milene.

Since she started working at the inn, the morning training sessions had become more complicated.

“What! Milene, don’t just take away my Sensei! We’re not done yet!”

“What are you talking about, Alesia? Your time is up! Give me back my Baldo Sensei!”

Every day was like this now.

Milene, the elegant purple-haired saintess, was insistently pulling on one of my arms. On the other side, the graceful silver-haired Sword Saint, Alesia, was pulling back just as fiercely.

I felt like I was about to be torn in two. Neither of them needed to attend my morning training anymore, given their current skill level.

Despite the comical situation, it reminded me of old times.

Alesia was shy, while Milene was more forward, even from the first meeting. Initially, Milene mostly talked one-sidedly to Alesia, who hardly opened up to her. However, Milene started meditating in our morning training sessions to get Alesia’s attention. It seemed like an attempt to draw her out. Alesia would get angry, of course, but eventually, she seemed to understand Milene’s intentions and began to engage with her in a tug-of-war over me. Initially, it was just a physical pulling match, but gradually, they conversed more.

Ah, those were the days.

―――Well, it is time to join in the saintess’s training session.

I positioned myself at a reasonable distance from Milene and spread my arms wide, taking a deep breath. Milene mirrored my actions, filling her lungs with air.

“Sei―――――――――i!”

“Ei―――――――――t!”

【Fighting Spirit】 is circulated throughout the body but not projected outward. If attempted, it leads to temporary weakness, as experienced recently.

It’s like image training.

This is what I continuously practice.

Milene uses the 【Fighting Spirit】 not so much for projection but as a foundation for her barrier. When she said she wanted to become a saintess, I thought it might help and started teaching her 【Fighting Spirit】. Even when she went to the church, she never neglected her training.

She successfully blended 【Fighting Spirit】 with holy barrier magic through her efforts. I’m proud she blossomed her talents after leaving me, the older man.

“Wow… Baldo-sama and the saintess are shouting…”

Turning around, I see Liena, eyes wide, watching our morning training session.

Well, it’s something you see only sometimes.

“Hey, Liena, good morning.”

“Ah, good morning! Such loud voices… the underground passage was shaking… but I’m not surprised anymore. Oh, Baldo-sama, Sera has prepared breakfast.”

Today, she has come to work through the secret underground passage connecting the castle and the inn.

Liena has been reporting the monster outbreak to the king and shuttling between the castle and the inn for follow-up work. I suggested reducing her shifts at the inn to avoid overwork, but she sternly refused, saying, “That’s unacceptable! It would reduce the time I can see Baldo-sama! What are you thinking?”

Why? I just don’t want to run a black inn.

Anyway, let’s wrap up the morning training and have breakfast.

◇◇◇

After breakfast, we each went to our respective tasks.

“Baldo-sama, I’ve reported the monster outbreak to my father. He believes it’s a precursor to a large-scale stampede and plans to set up defensive lines immediately.”

While sorting through paperwork, I listen to Liena’s conversation.

The plan is to fortify the capital and several towns near the great forest with defense troops. A wise decision. It’s too late once something happens.

“The selection of the commander for the capital’s defense troops and reorganizing the army is causing quite a stir.”

“I see, Liena. If it’s too much for you, let me know. But the commander, huh… must be a capable knight.”

“―――What are you talking about? The commander is you.”

Ah, Liena’s impersonating the king. She’s good at it―just like father and daughter.

―――Alright, I’ll play along.

“Haha, what an honor. I, Baldo, humbly accept the position of commander.”

Realistically, there’s no way an older man like me would become the commander of the capital’s defense troops. But it’s just for fun, going along with Liena.

“Well said! That’s why I chose you!”

Huh? Wait a minute…

“My precious Liena is in your hands! Special officer!”

Isn’t that too similar…

I cautiously turn around.

Hmm? Since when did Liena grow a beard?

Hmm? Since when did Liena have such white hair?

Hmm? Why is she wearing a crown?

―――Wait, is that the real deal!?

Where did he come from?

The king, grinning, subtly points to a hidden staircase on the floor.

―――Why is he using the same secret passage as his daughter!?

“Fofofo~ Then Baldo, I leave it in your hands.”

It’s not ‘I leave it in your hands’! Ah… I said ‘yes’ already, didn’t I?

How did this happen?