166 – That Painful Name, Vacation

Huh-.

Tension-soaked breath flows from the old knight’s mouth.

It is a body that is incomparably senile compared to that of its heyday.

My arms, which used to be full of strength, became thinner, and my legs, which used to be firm, became much thinner.

I was fine even after swinging my sword countless times, but now it’s hard even three times.

However, his eyes are the same as when he was young. It hasn’t changed.

Even the moment I die, these eyes and momentum will last forever.

“Heo Eok, Heo Eok….”

I managed to catch my breath and forcibly calm my trembling body.

Even though I might fall, I can’t use my sword as a staff.

The swordplay always waits for the opponent, ready to advance.

“You know what?”

Once his breathing calmed down to some extent, the old knight slowly opened his mouth.

“Until the day this old man dies, I thought I would never see you again.”

“Is that so?”

“Because you are different from me. ‘Cause I’ll never stop On the other hand, I was only defeated by disease and became like this, so it was embarrassing to even call myself a warrior.”

At those words, another old man standing opposite shook his head.

“We also get sick at any time, and sometimes we lose our lives. Being strong depends on individual effort, but lifespan depends on the sky, not the individual. There is nothing you can do about it.”

“Yes. That’s right. After all, it depends on the sky. So, meeting you again like this must have been granted by heaven.”

Seureung-.

The old knight who raised his sword prepares for the final blow.

I want to fight more, I want to compete more, but now I’m at my limit.

My body can’t stand it. Age, years, is so scary.

“Forgive me for not fighting anymore. As I get older, it is very difficult.”

“Rather, I tried to stop it. Aren’t the family members over there worried?”

Nogisa turned his head slightly to look at his family.

Until recently, he was struggling with illness and groaning in bed.

I have no choice but to be worried because he suddenly got up from his seat and was fighting with a real sword.

In the meantime, a woman with a mixed look of worry and pride comes into her eyes.

‘Priscilla.’

The small child has become a grown woman.

I have become much stronger than I was in my prime. It is even called one of the top 10 empires.

But still, in his eyes, she is just his little granddaughter.

‘Thank you. For not forgetting this grandfather’s last wish.’

It is today that her granddaughter brought out her grandfather.

That’s why I have to do my best. It’s an opportunity that will never come again.

An opponent who fought a glorious battle in the past. An enemy who had defeated him.

However, he is a person who made me feel the results of endless training rather than anger or hatred.

“Come to think of it, you didn’t even know his name. So, what is your name?”

“This is Neil. Neil. Everyone at home calls it that.”

“It’s Neil. I am Otto Franz. That’s really funny. We met decades ago, and now we know each other’s names.”

“What do you think? It doesn’t matter, since each was a great fighter for the other.”

Sir Otto chuckles at Old Neil’s words! Burst out laughing

Since lying in bed, when was the last time you smiled so relievedly?

Although his body is heavy, his mind feels like he has gone back to his heyday.

That confidence, that sense of being able to cut through whatever is in front of you.

Yeah, that was it. Didn’t you draw this even in your dreams!

“John Nassen’s Neil! Otto Franz will aim his sword for the last time! Take it well!”

“I am looking forward to it. Welcome. Sir Otto Franz.”

A bright smile formed on Sir Otto’s lips.

A body that used to be so heavy is as light as a feather today.

Unstoppable laughter, madly beating heart.

Those who were once unmanned for life, no. Even if you die, you are still a man.

“Haaa!!”

With the old knight’s shout, the sword with anticipation spewed out a flash of light.

Chae Ae Aeng!!-

*

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After finishing the last sparring, Priscilla came to Neil’s side.

She smiled and gestured like it was no big deal, heh heh, inspired by Neil.

“It’s hard work. Fighting against the strong is hard. It’s not even worth it. Rather, I want to say thank you. It was a nemesis I never forgot.”

At Neil’s words, Priscilla smiled.

An outstanding strongman, his own nemesis.

Even Prisilli herself is a person who is difficult to discuss victory carelessly.

That was the evaluation Neil gave about my grandfather.

From childhood until now, he is a grandfather that I have never not respected.

I can’t help but feel good since the evaluation of that person is so generous.

“Are you going to die now?”

“It should be. Because the little boy told me to come back within a week at the latest.”

To think that there are so many overwhelmingly strong people in John Nassen.

Sometimes I think about it, but I wonder if the people there really are the same ‘humans’.

“It was an honor to share the sword with Sir Otto once again. It’s all thanks to the captain.”

“What do you think I did? Rather, I should give my thanks to Brother Kyle.”

“Okay. I should also say thank you to the little master. Heh heh heh.”

Grandpa Neil smiles benevolently.

I wonder if he was the one who fought a terrifying fight with overwhelming momentum a while ago.

“Come to think of it, the captain also said that the Empire is in the top 10, right?”

“Yes. I am ashamed to wear that title.”

“If you have time, please visit John Nassen.”

“Ah… I am grateful for the words, but it is because I belong to the church. I’m a bit embarrassed to pull myself out for personal reasons because I have a lot to do.”

“Heh heh. It’s not forced or forced. However, this is for the captain.”

The word for yourself. Priscilla listened to Neil’s answer.

“Seeing you wield a sword a while ago, you seem frustrated. Isn’t it?”

“… Did you see it?”

“This old man couldn’t reach that level, but instead, there are several people next to him who have achieved that level. There were times when you showed that kind of stuffiness.”

At Neil’s words, Priscilla could guess who it was.

Nine out of ten will be Baron John Nassen, and his successor, Lear.

‘According to the Empire’s evaluation, it was said that he was a strong player who could not do anything even in the top 10.’

Some may be offended, but Priscilla wasn’t.

There are 10 strong people who are out of the human category.

Why can’t there be a strong man who can overwhelm even the top 10?

“The people I served overcame that stuffiness not long after. Maybe you too can gain a very small but very important realization.”

Old man Neil, who finished his speech with a benevolent laugh, lowered his head.

He says he’s okay with the suggestion of taking a little more rest and says he’ll go back like this.

He said that even if he offered to give up the words, he was also.

“I will go on two legs to see the scenery of the empire and do cardio.”

The distance between this place and the academy must be quite long, so to say you’re going to run over it.

Not even a young man in his prime, but an old man with gray hair.

But no one, including Priscilla, said that out loud.

Everyone knows that. That old man is an old man, but he is not an old man.

“I hope to see you again someday. Alright then, let’s go.”

He is Neil’s old man who disappears in an instant just as he does when he visits.

Heh heh heh! It disappears with the sound of laughter, but it is absurd.

It is a rare mystery where such superpowers come from.

“….”

Priscilla, who had been quietly watching the scene, turned her body around.

And so far. No, she went in search of her grandfather, a figure she would admire for the rest of her life.

“Are you here?”

Otto Franz, the knight who commanded the battlefield just before, disappeared and returned as an old man with signs of frailty.

But those eyes were still there. Rather, it became much clearer and more intense than before.

“Priscilla.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

“I have decided. I’m going to rob my seat and rise up within this year. Definitely will.”

“You should. You absolutely must.”

“And this time I will go find it. Neil. The guy, no. Is that inspiration now? Anyway, I’m going to see him again. And this time for sure! I will definitely see the match!”

Lord Otto chuckles! And let out a hearty laugh.

Not long ago, the illness that had been growing over the years had all disappeared.

I know I can’t win. Even so, discussing victory would be a promise to yourself that you will never be weak in the future.

“I felt it today. That I’m not dead yet. This heart that beat like crazy in front of the strong. I want to fight quickly, this fighting spirit that doesn’t know what to do! Yes. This Otto Franz! I am not dead yet!”

Fiercely clenching his fist with a hand full of wrinkles.

With that strong voice that once commanded the knights under him.

The old knight, who had been dying, raises his spirits once again.

“Yes. That’s right, Grandpa. Please do. Neil will be delighted too.”

“Sure! The inspiration will surprise you too! If only I could go back to being more normal than I was! Definitely will! Chuckle! Wait, Neil! I’ll see you again soon, tax cut!”

Otto Franz makes a promise to himself with a big smile as if the world is about to leave.

As she smiled along with her grandfather, Priscilla swallowed tears of joy.

‘John Nassen. It’s John Nassen.’

Curious, but he didn’t feel the need to visit.

I want to become stronger, but there are so many things in front of me.

Leading someone, taking responsibility for something, is really hard work.

Being caught up in it, it was difficult to train with confidence.

But today, I really want to visit that place.

What kind of place is that? Where some people live

What is so special that the strong envy so much!

‘… That’s right. Come to think of it, the saintess said that she would tell the Holy Father that she would like to visit John Nassen.’