【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 43: The Old Man Charges at the Dragon Turtle

“Wow! Milene’s ‘Barrier’ is amazing, isn’t it, Master Baldo?”

“Yes, indeed! It’s incredible because she’s a saintess, after all!”

I, watching Liena’s eyes sparkle at Milene’s “Barrier,” felt a bit proud. Milene has truly become a splendid adult. That crybaby girl has now become a saintess, a beacon of hope for the people.

The “Barrier” of Milene, the hope of the people, continues to expand its wall of light.

I was heading towards the central church where Liena and Milene were. I left the inn in the care of Alesia and Sera.

But, considering Milene’s “Barrier” already covers the entire royal capital, there’s probably no risk of monsters invading the inn. Right now, she’s in the process of extending that wall of light across the entire Natol Kingdom.

“Still, Master Baldo, you really do love anpan, don’t you?”

“Ha ha, yes, I do. But Milene loves anpan just as much.”

My backpack is packed with lots of anpan, a little gift for them. It’s a long and strenuous task, and anpan are perfect for a quick sugar boost.

Maintaining such a “Barrier” while expanding it is a tough job. There’s only so much an old man like me can do…

But I want to do something for my beloved disciple, who is working so hard.

――Boom!!

A tremendous noise came from the church we were heading towards.

“Ma-Master Baldo! The ground is…”

The earth trembles violently. Something unusual has happened.

“――We need to hurry to the church!”

◇◇◇

“Master Baldo, as we get closer to the church, the shaking becomes more intense… What is that!? Over there!!”

Liena exclaimed in shock, pointing towards something resembling a large half-dome emerging from the partially destroyed church.

“Could it be… a monster!?”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“But, how can there be a monster when Milene is expanding the ‘Barrier’?”

Liena’s point is valid, but the monster is indeed rampaging. We need to deal with it first.

I hoped it would be a monster even an old man like me could handle…

As we got closer to the church, the full form of the monster became clearer.

“Ma-Master Baldo! That is!”

“Yes…”

“Is that a Dragon Turtle? A three-headed one at that! It’s enormous! This is beyond an S-ranked monster, it’s SS-ranked! How are we supposed to fight that!?”

“No, Liena. Take a closer look.”

“Take a closer look? It’s so huge, I’ve been seeing it clearly… Oh! Wait… You mean…”

“That’s not a dragon.”

“Ah… I see. May I know why, though?”

Liena asked for the reason, though I thought it was obvious.

“――It has no wings!”

Yes, it’s a very simple and clear fact.

“Liena, as I’ve said before, a dragon is a winged creature (though I’ve never actually seen one).”

“Ah… yes.”

“Look closely at its back. What do you see?”

“Um… a shell…”

“You get it now?”

“Eh… what does that mean?”

“Basically, it’s a turtle. Specifically, a big turtle. So there’s no need to be unnecessarily afraid.”

“Really! That seems a bit… But if Master Baldo is so confident…”

“Rest assured, Liena. I once hunted one of these with eight heads. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Eight heads! Isn’t that like a mythical monster…?”

“Ha ha, that’s a funny joke, Liena. I think it was called Yamata no something… Just a big turtle.”

After a moment of silence, Liena began to mutter to herself.

“It’s okay, Liena! You’re fine! It’s just a matter of interpretation! Just think of it as a turtle-dragon, more turtle than dragon! Yes, trust in Master Baldo! You can do it, Liena! Fight on!”

Oh, Liena is really getting into it with her battle cry. She’s got plenty of spirit.

That’s right, thorough analysis can usually lead to a solution for most problems.

Several minutes after the loud explosion, we arrived at the entrance of the church.

“Master Baldo! Milene is…!”

“Hmm…”

In the depths of the partially destroyed church, there was Milene. She seemed to be shielding the children from the monster.

Milene…

She’s really trying her best.

Under normal circumstances, Milene’s “Barrier” wouldn’t be broken by such a turtle. A large hole in the chapel suggests it probably emerged from underground. Milene might have detected its approach under normal circumstances, but she’s diverted most of her strength and attention to expanding the “Barrier.”

Yet, she’s still fighting.

Pushing herself, even if it’s hard.

Her expression says it all.

She’s desperately fighting her fear.

Now, as her former teacher…

It’s time to…

Not just let my disciple handle everything.

“It’s time for action!”

I firmly plant my feet on the ground, clenching my fists. Fighting Spirit starts to course through my body.

The turtle’s head, one of them, opens its large mouth towards the barrier surrounding Milene and the children.

“Is that light… Is it going to breathe fire at such close range!?”

Liena exclaims in a tense voice.

Breath? Fire?

Ah, this one too. Like the lizard that attacked the inn. I completely understand now. It’s about to spew that stuff (probably fire).

I kick off the ground, closing the distance to the giant turtle in a flash.

You dare spit that at a holy church, at a saintess and children, you miscreant!

“With one strike, divide――!”

With my battle cry, the turtle’s head flies into the air.