Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 265: The Melancholy of the Troublesome Old Man
“Hey, Lutz, let’s go have some fun.”
The bored elderly man from the next room called out.
“Gerhardt-san, didn’t you just get caught in a big brawl at the tavern the other day?”
“Oh, it was fun, it was really fun. I’d love to do it again.”
“Poor guy, one of the guys who got hit was spitting blood from cuts in his mouth.”
“In my younger days, I would’ve shattered his jaw with one blow. I’ve really mellowed out.”
The two continued their conversation in the hallway on the second floor of the inn. Gerhardt seemed stressed from not being able to get his hands on a sword and being away from his territory for so long. While settling disputes with fights wasn’t the most considerate method, it seemed to be his way of letting off steam.
“Isn’t there something else we can do to pass the time? We’re in the capital city after all, maybe sightseeing or something.”
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“Those things get old after three days.”
“What about women?”
“Don’t be cruel to an old man. No matter how energetic you think you are, there are some things you just can’t do.”
Gerhardt replied solemnly.
“I’m sorry, that was thoughtless of me.”
Lutz apologized sincerely to Gerhardt’s genuinely sad expression. A man’s life can be greatly influenced by such things.
“What else is there to do for pastime? How about going to watch dogs mating
“…What’s fun about that?”
“I used to get excited watching that when I was a kid, but when you think about it calmly, what’s really fun about it…”
Lutz’s mind seemed to be reaching its limits as he blurted out something strange. Normally, when he was at home and bored, he could sharpen knives or make daggers, but he couldn’t do that in the capital city. Being away from the forge for so long was making him anxious.
“I wonder if there’s an underground arena or something in a big city like this. Where rich folks do some questionable gambling.”
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“But it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to participate, given your position.”
“Then I’ll just wear a disguise like Hannya-men.”
“Those things are pretty obvious if someone looks closely.”
“Only Josel could pull it off.”
“Speaking of which, how’s Josel doing?”
Lutz asked, scanning the surroundings.
“He’s going around visiting swordsmanship dojos. As expected of the capital city, he’s getting beaten up by strong guys every day, but he seems happy about it.”
“Why don’t you go with him, Gerhardt-san?”
“Dojos don’t really suit me. Swordsmanship is just a means of killing people; manners can go to hell.”
“You’d probably aim for eye-gouges or groin shots without hesitation.”
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“Where’s the downside?”
Gerhard declared it as if it was only natural. This kind of thinking is truly typical of a former adventurer.
“Ah, I’m so bored, so bored, so troublesome. I just want to get the sword and go home already. Maybe I should just sneak into the church’s warehouse.”
“Did you know, Gerhardt-san, that stealing is a crime?”
“Tell that to those villagers. They have no right to claim ownership of the sword.”
“That’s true. Besides, we’re already irrelevant once we’ve handed over the sword.”
“Well, yeah, that’s true, but…”
Gerhardt’s voice trailed off.
“That’s why we can only get involved as helpers. So, we’re waiting for Claudia to make contact with Lord Leonard’s sister, and she’s preparing for that. That’s what it boils down to.”
“Well, isn’t that just back to square one.”
“Well, well, setting aside fights, I’m always up for some drinks.”
“…Alright, you said it. I won’t go back until my bloodstream turns into alcohol.”
Gerhardt chuckled.
“Please take it easy on me.”
Although it was too late to say he didn’t want to, he couldn’t just let this troublesome old man loose. As Lutz prepared himself to go to his room to fetch his wallet, footsteps ascending the stairs could be heard.
A knightly-looking man stood before Lutz and Gerhardt, staring at them intently. Was he their savior, or perhaps the source of new troubles? There was something familiar about his face. There weren’t many acquaintances in the capital city, but Lutz felt like he recognized the man.
“Long time no see, blacksmith Lutz
“Hmm?”
When spoken to by the knight-like man serving the royal family, Lutz couldn’t answer who he was. As he muttered ‘Ah’ or ‘I see’, the number ’13’ entered Lutz’s eyes. It was definitely written on the man’s shoulder.
…He remembered. This was the person who had come to tell him that Lord Leonard was calling him after the ceremony.
At that time, Lord Leonard was still alive; it was their final conversation. Thinking about it made Lutz feel quite complicated.
“Long time no see. I haven’t asked for your name yet.”
“I’m Keith from the Thir… No, from the Fourth Knight Order.”
“You’ve been transferred to serve Lord Victor, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. And Lord Victor asked me to be the liaison between him and you. If you have any business, just tell me.”
Perhaps it was because the hallway was dimly lit, but Keith’s expression seemed heavy and somber.
No, it wasn’t just his imagination. If one had many troubles and hadn’t solved any of them, one’s face would naturally look like that.
“I see. Well, it’s nice not to have to pay bribes anymore.”
While Lutz intended to express gratitude for Victor’s consideration, Keith’s gaze sharpened as if to say, ‘Don’t say unnecessary things.’
Keith was also fed up with bribery politics in the palace, but criticizing the palace as a mere blacksmith was extremely rude. Lutz wanted to punch him, but in a way, he was a guest of Victor’s, and he might be the one to solve the sword problem. He couldn’t afford to worsen their relationship here.
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Therefore, all Keith could do was glare at Lutz with a pained expression, holding back his frustration.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Lutz glanced at Gerhardt for a moment.
…Did I mess up?
…Looks like I did.
Gerhardt silently shook his head. Lutz hurriedly changed the subject, waving his hand.
“Um, anyway, there’s something I’d like to ask Lord Victor right away.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Lord Leonard’s sister. I’d like to meet her and would appreciate it if Lord Victor could write a letter of introduction.”
“You intend to involve her. If she can convince the villagers, then…”
Keith trailed off, covering his mouth with his hand and deep in thought for a moment. Eventually, he nodded, more resigned than convinced.
“Understood. I’ll inform Lord Victor. I’ll come back in a few days.”
Keith said, descending the stairs with a dark expression.
After seeing off Keith’s back, Gerhardt chuckled, stroking his proud white beard.
“That lad’s got the look of death about him.”