【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 37: The Old Man Talks with the King

In the “Father’s Inn,” the king, Liena, Alesia, and I sat around a table. This meeting was due to the king’s sudden declaration that I had been appointed as the commander of Natol’s capital defense force.

Why me?

No, assigning the fate of the capital to a mere older man is absurd. I strongly argued against it.

“Fofofo, what is Natol’s hero saying? It is because you are you that I entrust this task to you.”

He laughed and patted my shoulder.

As always, the older man’s words were incomprehensible.

But I can only lead a small army. I’ve never done anything like that before. I persistently explained this to the king.

After talking for an hour…

Whether he was persuaded or simply gave up, I don’t know, but I was finally assigned just the defensive duty around the inn. A knight of Natol would handle the command of the defense troops.

I will do my best within my capabilities. Finally, we reached an agreement. I’m exhausted…

“By the way, Baldo…”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Is there no tea here? I had difficulty coming through the long secret passage – couldn’t even use a carriage.”

“Uh… right away…”

I didn’t invite him here, but it’s rude not to offer tea.

The king sipped the tea we served. I wish he would leave soon; the guests might get scared seeing his beard.

“Well then, onto the main topic…”

What! The main topic? What was all that before?

“If a large-scale monster stampede occurs, we can’t be sure all defense lines will hold.”

True, that depends on the scale of the outbreak.

“I heard from my daughter Liena that a former saintess works at your inn.”

“Yes, that’s Milene. She is indeed an employee here, but surely…”

“Indeed. Natol lacks a saintess who can cast 【Barriers】. Could we borrow her power?”

“…I can’t decide that. It’s up to her. Alesia, please swap duties with Milene and call her here?”

Alesia nodded and left the room.

“Your Majesty, may I ask something before Milene arrives?”

“Hmm, speak your mind.”

“If Milene refuses to take on this task, I ask that you not pursue it further.”

“Hmm… I see but as the king of my people…”

“―――Please respect her decision!”

Ah, I was too blunt. I let my emotions get the better of me.

Milene left her position as a saintess in Fridania. She says the prince dismissed her, but knowing her, something significant must have happened for her to go. I speculate she was suppressing her own will in Fridania.

I don’t want her to endure too much in her new life.

Of course, if she willingly accepts, that’s fine. But if she dislikes it, she should have the option to refuse. She’s not a saint anymore but an employee of my inn.

After a moment of silence, the king nodded.

“I understand. I see your care for your disciple. If the saintess refuses, I won’t say anything more. But only if she refuses.”

A knock at the door interrupts us.

“Ah, Milene, sorry to bother you.”

“Oh, you must be Saintess Milene.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Milene Von Leria.”

She gracefully curtsies to the king, lightly lifting the hem of her skirt.

The sight leaves both the king and me speechless.

A saintess in a pure white maid outfit, lifting her mini-skirt – that’s a knockout blow for any older man.

Terrifying Milene…

“Ow ow ow ow!” Suddenly, Liena pinches me and the king hard, her face a mix of anger and a forced smile. No mercy.

“Father! Please get to the point!”

“Baldo-sama! Stop looking so disheveled! You were cool just a moment ago, so stay that way until the end!”

“Yes, yes…”

“Ahaha, both of you are quite under Princess Liena’s thumb, aren’t you?”

“Cough, well, Milene. I came to ask for a favor.”

“Yes, I understand you want me to cast a 【Barrier】 over Natol, right? I can’t think of any other reason for Your Majesty to visit me.”

“Ah, indeed. Will you do it?”

“Of course. Natol is a new land for me and Baldo Sensei. We can’t afford to lose it.”

Milene smiles at me warmly.

“Milene…”

“Baldo Sensei. This is my decision. I heard your concerns outside the door earlier, so don’t worry.”

I’m about to say something, but Milene cuts me off. Did she hear us? Embarrassing for an older man like me.

“If you speak so loudly, it’s bound to be heard.”

“Alright. If Milene has decided, then I’ll support her fully.”

We then discuss the details. Milene says her 【Barrier】 could cover all of Natol. Gathering enough magical power for such a large area would require a few days.

Her effort and dedication are clear. I could never reach such heights.

“But can Fridania’s new saintess cast a 【Barrier】?”

The king wonders aloud.

“Your Majesty, from what I’ve seen, she has sufficient magical power for a 【Barrier】, but covering all of Fridania would be challenging.”

Milene’s expression clouds slightly.

“However, if it’s just the border facing the Great Forest, that should be manageable.”

Fridania, unlike Natol, only has a portion of its land bordering the forest. There’s no need to cover the entire country.

Once we finished our detailed discussion, Milene stood up.

“I’ll start preparing for departure, Baldo Sensei.”

She heads to the central church in the capital, an ideal place for gathering the holy magic needed for the 【Barrier】.

As she leaves, her white maid outfit flutters elegantly.

“By the way, Your Majesty, if the stampede does occur, should I take Princess Liena to the castle?”

Naturally, the castle is far safer.

“Eh? Why! Of course not!”

Unexpectedly, both father and daughter object in unison.

“No! I want to stay by Baldo-sama’s side!”

“So do I! Beside Baldo is where I want to be!”

Oh boy…

I give up trying to speak further. I don’t understand what they expect from me, but arguing with this father-daughter duo seems useless.

The king then heads back to the hidden staircase.

He’s leaving through there again…

As he departs, he exchanges a few words with Liena.

“Fofofo, Liena. Did you see the killing intent he unleashed earlier? It silenced me, once known as the 【Demon Beast of the Killing Eyes】. If the stampede happens, stay by Baldo’s side. That will be the safest place.”