Chapter 603
My Villains Episode 603
71. swordsman teacher(6)
Originally, I, so-Seungsu Kim, lived a life that had nothing to do with the word ‘greed for talent.’ Since I have never had any experience managing people in my life, I haven't even had a chance to feel greed for talent..
During my school days, I never got to be president or vice president, which everyone else did, and even in the military, I had no experience with epaulettes. Even when I was doing group assignments in college, I don't remember ever being the leader..
Then, when I came to this world, I was always the leader..
Even though I had many companions, including Ellen and Utequai, it was always up to me to lead the party, and later on, I had several mercenaries as my subordinates..
It was around that time that I realized that the basis of leadership is leading by example, and that putting this into practice is easier than I thought..
The best example required of a leader of mercenaries is bravery. Overwhelming force and the courageous spirit of always being at the forefront were enough to capture the simple and ignorant swordsmen..
When the Kalman War was being waged under Prince Ulkar, the number of troops he personally commanded exceeded 100, and by the time the war was over, he had even taken over the territory. Because living in a small town in the countryside seemed like a burden, they ended up taking on a piece of land almost the size of Jeju Island..
To be honest, when I first sat down on the throne, my eyes were completely dark. It was natural to feel suffocated as a person who until recently was just an office worker was suddenly given the power over the life and death of 120,000 people..
However, the actual role of lord was easier than expected. It wasn't without difficulties, but it wasn't enough to make you feel intimidated..
To begin with, the work of a feudal lord was not that complicated. There were quite a few minor responsibilities, such as collecting taxes, paving roads, dispatching inspectors to sawmills, building water wheels, and resolving petitions, but the most important thing, no matter what anyone said, was the use of force..
Protect citizens and merchants, exterminate monsters and thieves, and drive out external forces snooping around the territory... … . If you do it right, there's almost no chance of being criticized, and both I and my subordinates were very knowledgeable in that field. As a lord, it was like eating half a meal..
And what makes up the other half is talent..
It hurts to say it twice about Heila, who actually acted as the Lord's representative and still holds that position. Perhaps, without her, the population of the territory would have decreased by at least 10,000 to 20,000. There have been ten uprisings, famines, monster attacks, local wars, and epidemics that Heila has prevented or resolved early on..
Without Confior of the Combat Brigade, Dillon of the Guard, and talented soldiers from the Silver Prince Army, it would not have been possible to maintain a standing army of more than 3,000. Without native officials such as Secretary Omol, Judge Reinhoyt, and Treasurer Walder, he would not have been able to properly govern even the capital city of Eisbowald, let alone the entire Prince. Even the gangster leader Deogen was useful when it came to handling the dirty affairs of the territory..
In addition, over the past two years, I have learned clearly how effective it is to place a competent person in the right position. It would be strange if, even after experiencing this, I did not have a desire for talent..
Maybe that's why, when I look at the students at the Royal College, my greed suddenly rises. If you don't roll your eyes when you see the prospective administrators, judges, knights, officers, and alchemists who have been carefully trained at the best educational institution in Middle-earth, is that really a proper lord?.
Should I say it’s thanks to that? It was always a pleasure to meet students. Regardless of level.
It is fun to see students in each and every class showing outstanding skills that are not appropriate for their young age. When dealing with the Bear and Chicken classes, I look at the students with the thought, 'It would be nice to attract a few people here and take them to the territory.'.
But among them, the two in the highest class... … They were guys who evoked a slightly different feeling..
“…….”
“…….”
There was silence in the hall..
The duel hall is the smallest of the indoor training halls in the training hall. Still, with only three people using it, it was so spacious that it felt empty..
“What did you just say? What is the goal of the lecture??”
“‘‘Kill the Master’.”
When I answered again, Viscount Arthur, one of the only two students in the lion class, made a dumb expression..
He was a young man of moderate build and ordinary appearance. Looking at its appearance alone, it would be said that a grandiose nickname like ‘Sword of the Blizzard’ does not suit it..
“I'm speaking sanely now.?”
“Calm down. It's just a metaphor.”
“Anyway, it's still like that…….”
Unlike Arthur, who showed even a slight divergence, another young man, no, a boy, remained silent..
Sir Caliora, the commander of the kingdom's royal guard and the strongest swordsman of this era, known by various nicknames. The boy in front of me was ‘Shripps’, the youngest son of the living legend..
Even leaving aside for a moment the fact that he was Lord Caliora's bloodline, he had a strange impression..
He said he was 17 years old this year, so he should be treated as an adult, but on the outside, he was just a tall and fluffy kid. Meanwhile, the calm eyes and flexible posture were clearly those of a prosecutor, so even I felt a little confused..
“I would appreciate it if you could understand that I will set my goal that high..”
I glanced at Shrimps and continued my explanation. Only after all the learning objectives of the other classes had been introduced did Viscount Arthur's expression soften..
“……I also admit that Teacher Ludo’s skills are amazing. But I didn't expect you to set such an arrogant goal..”
It wasn't meant to look down on me or start a fight. The grandson of ‘Frost Duke’ was truly suspicious..
“It is my life's goal to surpass my grandfather, His Royal Highness the Duke of Wevelter. The situation here in Shriffs County is similar to mine. I don't know how many lessons a teacher can show me the path I should take in life..”
It is a rather euphemistic expression, not typical of the great nobles of the North. Do they respect me, or are they cautious about mentioning my grandfather?.
If you remove the filter, it can be interpreted as 'Why are you setting a goal for something you can't accomplish?' The more blatant intention is, ‘Why are you showing up? 'Can you beat my grandfather?' That's about it.
“okay. I understand your concerns..”
I nodded readily..
“It would be impossible for anyone to show the way to reach the two teachers. I am just a swordsman and not the god of swordsmanship. However, we can provide ample opportunity to look around..”
“A chance to look around?”
“If you experience the empire's historic swordsmanship, you will be able to gain completely new learning that is completely different from what you are used to..”
Although it is packaged in a plausible way, it is an extremely general theory of learning. Who wouldn't know that a new stimulus can help when achievement slows down?.
“hmm. That's true, but.”
Since there wasn't much room for refutation, Arthur nodded. But there was still an uneasy look on his face..
“Then I wonder if there was a need to set such absurd learning goals from the beginning..”
“It's not like that..”
“That's not true? Why??”
“‘The expression ‘killing the teacher’ also implies that the two of you should forget for a moment what you have learned so far..”
“……indeed.”
He shook his head as if he completely understood my intention. Shrimps, who was standing silently, had a strange look in his eyes for just a moment..
“ruler. I think you understand what I mean... … Let's get started right away?”
The lectures to Arthur and Shriffs consisted of constant sparring. I took turns dealing with the two using the techniques of various imperial schools..
Even for the seven people who received the mark of the falcon, it was not very meaningful to teach them basic techniques or new sword techniques. Would you say that if you refine what you are learning a little more, it will be sufficient?.
However, Arthur and Shrimps were much more skilled than him, so there was little point in giving them verbal advice. I believe that encouraging self-improvement through practical sparring is the most effective - indeed, the only - teaching method..
Of course, it wasn't that there was nothing to point out, but just saying one word was enough. If I think my point is right, I will quickly accept it, and if I think it is wrong, I will reflect on it when I practice alone. Arthur and Shriffs could probably handle that much on their own..
Arthur wielded a wooden sword whose length was similar to his height. Would you say it is a typical but powerful two-handed sword technique worthy of a northern noble? He possessed both fierce strength and wind-like speed, and at the same time, the transition between offense and defense was so smooth that it was almost elegant..
Shriffs handled the two large and small wooden swords as if they were part of his body. In his left hand he held a small sword slightly larger than a dagger, and in his right hand he held a regular one-handed sword. In general, small swords seemed to be handled defensively and one-handed swords were handled offensively, but the movements were so irregular that it was difficult to deal with them..
However, whether it is Viscount Arthur or Shrimps, 'Is this the family's secret?' I didn't use any technology I wanted. Although it was a high-level movement, whether it was the sword or the feet, it felt like an extremely standard movement had been forged to the limit, and it was difficult to call it a season of vision..
Meanwhile, in the midst of sparring, a somewhat shameful feeling suddenly passed through the back of my neck. The identity of that emotion was none other than caution..
I can't believe I have this level of skill at just 20 or 17 years old. If these young monsters grow up at this rate for about 10 years and attack, armed with all the magic weapons and tools of the Duke of Elsen and the royal family,…….
He's probably as threatening as Fabio from 'Aurora's Spear'..
At the same time that my hair suddenly felt refreshed, my wariness towards Frostball and the Sword Demon increased. Those old monsters were just as ferocious as what Arthur and Shrimps would look like 10 years later, and it didn't seem like they would be able to do it..
Thinking like that, my enthusiasm for the lecture increased several times..
In fact, the class' motto, 'Kill the Teacher', was quite literal. Training to kill Wevelter, Arthur's grandfather, and Caliora, the father of Shrips. That's the learning goal.
Of course, I have to keep it a secret from the two students in front of me. There is no need to tell them that the subject of learning is me, not them..
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