Chapter 32 – Vallen

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When I woke up, it was already past noon. The Barresty had set sail before I knew it, and we’d already left the Northeastern Continent. I didn’t feel much of the ship’s sway—probably because it was a pretty big vessel.

As my senses gradually returned, I began to recall last night’s events. And then… I sank into self-loathing.
Simply put, what I did last night was nothing more than letting my impulses take over and going after Ati.

(…I feel like I’m such a hopeless bastard.)

I instinctively put my head in my hands. The only solace was that Ati hadn’t shown any sign of displeasure.

I glanced over at Ati sleeping beside me. She was soundly asleep. Though I had been gentle, we had persisted for so long last night that I must have worn her out.

In retrospect, Ati just accepted it all. Whether that was resignation born of our master–slave relationship or genuine affection for me, I couldn’t tell. But one thing was clear:

—I need to cool my head for a while.

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I wandered around the ship alone because sitting still wasn’t helping clear my mind. Fortunately, there were things to do: I exchanged the robs I had on hand for du—the currency commonly used on the Western Continent—checked the Barresty’s route, and gathered information about the port town where we were headed. Time passed as I busied myself, yet, disappointingly, I still couldn’t feel any cooling in my head.

There was an area on the ship that resembled a plaza. When I sat on a long bench there and let out a deep sigh, a voice suddenly spoke.

“—Oh? Isn’t this a young man?”

It was that jolly old fellow, Vallen.

“Hello,” I replied casually.

After that brief greeting, Vallen sat down beside me. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.

“Don’t make such a funny face. I just wanted to have a little chat with you… to thank you, you know.”

“Thank me?” I asked.

“Cecil was taken care of the other day. I’m sorry about that.”

The other day…?
Ah, I see—it must have been about that incident at the 【Mansion of Foreigners】. It seems Cecil mentioned it to you. I had a feeling, given how quickly you switched topics, that it wasn’t something worth dwelling on.

“Really, there’s nothing to thank me for.”

“No, I insist on saying thank you. Cecil is my precious granddaughter.”

“She’s stronger than me—and could manage just fine even if I weren’t around.”

“Strength or weakness, winning or losing, or even surviving… those are entirely different matters.”

Hearing that, I suddenly recalled my own father. He was fairly skilled, yet he never made it out of the labyrinth. Perhaps Vallen was right.

“That kid is just recklessly headstrong, I tell you.”

…I can see that clearly.

“A lack of caution is reason enough to lose one’s life. That’s why I’m grateful. Cecil mentioned that she wasn’t too happy with your methods… but because of that, I understood—you held her back. Whenever she can’t rein in her impulsiveness, she always complains.”

It’s true—I ended up playing the role of keeping Cecil in check. And apparently, that was something Vallen felt truly deserved thanks.

“Also, if I may ask, did Cecil perhaps catch you off guard?”

“…Yes, that happened.”

“Goodness, that girl… I’m truly sorry.”

As expected of a grandfather—he seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting his granddaughter’s actions and thoughts. But anyway, for me it’s already in the past, so I don’t really mind.

“I don’t really mind.”

“That’s a relief to hear. Sometimes, you looked like you had something on your mind—do you have any troubles? Not as a repayment or anything, but I’m willing to listen.”

For a moment, I hesitated at his sudden proposal. But in the end, albeit haltingly, I decided to talk. I didn’t want to dismiss his kindness, and deep down, I longed for someone to talk to. I rambled on, explaining that right now I just needed to clear my head.

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On the ship’s deck, Vallen and I faced each other—both armed with wooden swords and wooden spears. People, mistaking it for some kind of event, began gathering around like an audience. I had no idea how it had come to this.

“If you really want to cool your head, this is the best way—it’ll make you feel completely drained, I reckon.”

It seemed to be his way of showing concern for me. But that wasn’t all…
Honestly, I suspect Vallen can’t really say much about Cecil.

“Don’t hold back—come at me with full force.”

He said that, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit hesitant.

Just as I was thinking that, Vallen’s demeanor suddenly began to change. An electric tension filled the air—a strange, overwhelming intimidation that no ordinary or even moderately skilled person could possibly exude.

Vallen slowly smiled and said, “Now that I think of it, I haven’t even mentioned my title. I am Vallen— the previous Sword Saint… Vallen Myers.”