The Villains I Taught Became Heroes chapter 15

15 – Journey – 1

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“Heading to Robein City for business?”

“Yes. We also need to deliver goods to the Logan Trading Company. Since we’re all going in the same direction, how about traveling together?”

Master Baek’s proposal was an offer that couldn’t be refused.

It takes about a day on horseback to reach Robein City from here, but if we pull a carriage, it’s roughly a three-day journey.

During those three days, if the preparations for eating and sleeping are taken care of from above, Sowol can concentrate on her training.

“Well then, let’s do that.”

“Thank you.”

Seemingly pleased that her suggestion was accepted, Master Baek hurriedly headed elsewhere.

As I watched him leave, I headed towards the church of the estate with Serin.

“Move my residence?”

Serin, who had been staying in the lodging provided by the church, looked visibly tired.

She seemed to be deeply engrossed in making holy water.

“Yeah. I have a residence in the upper east that you can stay in for a while.”

“Why?”

“I just feel a bit uneasy, that’s all.”

I shared my thoughts with Serin.

Perhaps she was considering the idea of targeting the Eastern Market in social circles. After listening for a while, she casually shrugged her shoulders, accepting my proposal.

“If it’s something like that, I can’t refuse. Ah, and Sungsoo should be able to make it in a few days.”

“Good.”

“But where are you planning to use this?”

“To make medicine for my disciple.”

“You’re really putting your heart into it, huh?!”

“I have to. Finding someone like him is not easy.”

“Well, if you say so.”

“Is that really enough?!”

The effort I put into finding a talented disciple before meeting Sowol was so intense that even if I went through it again for three days and nights, it wouldn’t be enough.

“So, what about me? Should I look for someone too?”

“Do you have a talent for exploration?”

As far as I know, she doesn’t have a talent for exploration, does she?

As I looked at her with curiosity, Serin lowered her head.

“The church takes care of many orphans. They sometimes bring in those with good talents among the orphans. Being in the central position, I receive a lot of information about such children.”

“Oh, I see. Really? Then if you find someone good, let me know.”

“Sure. But you know it won’t be for free, right?”

Nodding towards her happily speaking with a wink in one eye, her condition was ultimately to assist in handling social circles, so there was no reason to refuse.

“Don’t worry about it.”

If I have the power of the vast group called the church instead of searching alone, the chances of finding someone will increase.

Serin and the knights who had stayed at the church moved to the Eastern Market, but thanks to the prior agreement, there were no major problems. Some knights occasionally preached to the staff of the non-religious upper class, but considering that their presence prevented unnecessary issues, it was something I could overlook with a smile.

“Master, you should start leaving now.”

Turning away from watching Serin and the knights preaching, I faced the other way.

Four large carriages were loaded with a lot of luggage.

As the guards approached the carriage, I climbed onto it and sat down.

“Should I walk?”

“No, sit. Meditate on the carriage.”

“It seems difficult to concentrate…”

“Being able to concentrate in any situation is important.”

If one cannot help but be fascinated by the swaying carriage, wouldn’t it be possible to become entranced during battle as well?

That’s how crucial concentration is.

Laila, who had closed her eyes while sitting on the carriage and holding a weapon, approached with military-like precision.

“It seems you’re teaching them well.”

“Well, of course. Ah, and as we go, I expect you all to guide as well.”

“Us too?”

A nearby warrior looked at me with delight as he spoke.

Yes, I should teach the warriors from the eastern region as well, so it will be easier for me later.

“The first thing I’ll teach you is footwork. I’ll teach you the basic movements that can be useful in combat, so remember them well.”

As I descended from the carriage, I immediately cast a spell—forward, turn, backward, and even leap. The warriors, who were closely observing the footprints deeply imprinted on the ground, began to follow one by one.

“Oops!”

It won’t be easy to succeed right from the start.

But it’s a useful footwork to know, so it’s worth the effort.

“What’s the name of this footwork?”

“Cloud Step. It’s something you can’t learn even if you pay, so memorize it well.”

I had obtained this footwork from the ruins I explored over the past year. It’s a technique useful in the early to mid-stages of the game. If mastered well, it can be used to dominate most enemies.

“Uh, it’s difficult.”

“Thought it would be easy?”

As I cast the spell, I chuckled at Laila, who almost tripped over her own feet.

Seeing that she couldn’t perform it perfectly from the beginning, it was clear that Laila’s talent had not yet reached the level of sophistication.

Still, she seemed to be learning faster than the other warriors, so perhaps…

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You seem quite skilled for your age. How about trying a match with Sowol later?”

“A match with the lady?”

Glancing towards Sowol, who was meditating, Laila waved her hand.

“Oh well, even if it’s the lady, how can I…”

“It’s a skill test. Let’s try it later in the evening.”

“Ugh, alright.”

Eventually, Laila, who reluctantly agreed, went in another direction, and I boarded the carriage.

“I am pursuing the law, so my movements are slow,” I said to Sowol, who was meditating on the wagon, trying to shake me off less.

“Did you hear?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not concentrating, are you?”

“Um. It’s not easy.”

Finally, Sowol opened his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

Yes, it won’t be easy.

But still, I have to do it.

“Can you do it, Master?”

“For me, this is nothing. If it’s difficult to maintain emptiness and not get lost in the void, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to think about something.”

“To think about something?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to think about what is important to you.”

“Did you do the same, Master?”

“Well… I did.”

In my case, I dreamed of going home.

When I tried to achieve that goal, I could concentrate better.

I’m not sure how Sowol took my explanation, but he nodded slightly.

“And by the way, do you think I can achieve good results by sparring with Laila?”

Sowol, who has barely learned the sword for less than a year, is indeed burdened by fighting against Laila, who has practiced the sword for a long time, unlike himself. Even if he has learned how to harness mana, it’s still a challenge.

As I looked at Sowol, who was worrying, I gently stroked her head. It seemed that she had become accustomed to the touch of my hand, as she was quietly lowering her head to be petted.

“There’s no need to necessarily win. It would be nice if you win, but if there’s something you can learn from fighting with Laila, that’s not a bad thing either.”

“Not a bad thing… Then what’s a good thing?”

“Winning, I suppose?”

As I said, it won’t be easy.

Although Laila’s talent may not be better than Sowol’s, considering what she has honed so far, she is still superior.

“…If you win, what happens?”

“I’ll give you a praise sticker.”

Indeed, that’s the best reward. Look. Clenching your fist and igniting your will.

“I will definitely win.”

“Yeah. Yeah.”

While concentrating again, So-wol continued his meditation as the carriage kept moving. As the sun set much later than expected, the weary warriors, exhausted from performing the rituals, immediately fell into a deep sleep.

“Ah, it’s tough.”

“If we get attacked in this state, what should we do?”

The reason warriors on the way up participate is to prepare for potential attacks by thieves or monsters.

However, as the question of what to do if attacked in this exhausted state was raised, all eyes turned to me.

“If a crisis occurs, I’ll handle the fighting, so don’t worry.”

“Hahaha! That’s good to hear! Then we can relax!”

Sure, I thought. After giving them a wry smile, I watched as the workers prepared the meal.

During that break, Laila approached.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. But how about you?”

Laila, too, was equally exhausted from the ritual.

However, she either thought it was a manageable penalty or simply nodded indifferently.

“I’m fine.”

“Good. So-wol, let’s start now!”

So-wol, who had descended from the carriage, approached with his wooden sword.

As Laila, watching this, raised the sword she had tucked into the scabbard.

“Begin.”

– Wooooo…!!

A white light began to emit from So-wol’s wooden sword, distorting Laila’s expression as she witnessed it.

“Sword energy?! Miss?! How can you use sword energy…?!”

Surprised, Laila, with a bewildered expression, quickly glanced at me.

To her, I just smiled.

“Heh…”

Laila, with her mouth agape, narrowly avoided So-wol’s attack.

I approached the serious warriors watching and said with sincerity, “How about we make a bet on who will win?”

“I didn’t know Miss could use sword energy… I’ll bet on Miss.”

“I will also go to the lady…”

“I’m going to Ryra.”

The win rate is determined quickly. So Wol is dominant with a ratio of about 7:3.

“Where will you go, Master?”

“Me?”

I watched the clash between the wooden sword and the real sword, nodded my head, and tried to set the atmosphere as much as possible as I spoke.

“I’ll bet on a draw.”

What do I do if I’m wrong?

Please, So Wol!