Tobal, the town of martial arts.
Its origins lie in the hero Zahat, from the founding era of the country, opening a martial arts dojo there.
The school he founded wasn’t a full-fledged, expert-level martial art… not at all.
It was a systematization of simple self-defense techniques that even ordinary people or women with low physical strength could perform.
Because of this, young women and merchants seeking a minimum level of self-defense began to gather.
With people and goods coming and going, it seems that a town naturally developed.
Seeing his success, other martial artists aiming to be the “next Zahat” opened more dojos, leading to Tobal’s current form.
“And, that’s the gist of the town’s history, I guess.”
“I see. It’s mostly the same as what I heard from Grandfather. He chuckled, saying that immediately after resigning from the Royal Guard, he received an enthusiastic invitation from the mayor of Tobal, asking him to open a dojo in their town.”
To make a living through martial arts, and then open a dojo in Tobal after retirement or discharge.
For martial artists and soldiers in this country, it’s considered the elite course, the ideal path.
We’ve traveled about eighty percent of the way while engaging in this kind of idle chatter.
We’re just steadily moving along the highway.
The road to Tobal is well-maintained, so we’ve been able to stop at villages and towns along the way without having to camp outdoors so far.
This is proof that there’s usually a significant amount of people traveling.
I think we’ll arrive sometime today.
“That sounds about right. I think there are a lot of people who want to learn from the Sword Saint. I’m one of them.”
“The Sword Saint’s dojo, huh? If there was one, it would probably be overflowing with disciples.”
“He seemed to enjoy teaching itself, though.”
When he was teaching me swordsmanship, he looked truly happy.
If it weren’t for the interference from the nobles, the Sword Saint Dojo might have become a reality.
However, in that case, both she and I would likely have died, so it’s a complicated feeling.
“When he was young, he said that just walking around Tobal, he would be constantly challenged to duels, and it was very difficult.”
“Even now, it’s a town where private duels are allowed if both parties agree. Someone like the Sword Saint would have to disguise himself to walk around town, I guess.”
Grandfather doesn’t have a particularly conspicuous appearance, though.
Nor did he in his youth.
But, his superior officer is someone who doesn’t care about hiding…
“He was apparently guarding King Spike’s inspection, so there was no way to hide…”
Apparently, he had a terrible time when he went out into town during a break from guard duty.
He said he ended up more tired.
“Katia, you should be careful too.”
Tobal is that kind of town, where duels can suddenly break out in the streets.
That said, it’s not like the town has bad security. Killing is prohibited, and there are fines for causing damage to the surroundings, so it’s regulated.
Duels in the town are actually held in the town’s arena or dojos.
Those who are hot-blooded provoke their opponents, and those who want to test their skills challenge others to a match.
If there’s an agreement, a witness is appointed, and the duel takes place in the arena.
So, it’s true that famous martial artists are often challenged to duels wherever they go.
But, in my case, I don’t think I need to worry.
“I’m not a celebrity, and I think it will be a while before Fina’s paintings become widely known.”
Besides, I don’t think I look strong, appearance-wise.
“Well, you never know. It’s like, the strong can sense other strong people, or something?”
“I wonder if there are really people with such a keen sense of smell… Can you tell, Katia?”
“Only if I look closely, and even then, it’s just a vague feeling. I definitely can’t tell if someone is strong just by seeing them on the street.”
If I were to observe them carefully, maybe, but not just by passing them in town.
To be able to do that, one would either need to have exceptionally high perception and observational skills.
Or they’d have to be incredibly tense, constantly seeking out battles.
Tobal was a more beautiful town than I had imagined.
Flower beds lined the cobblestone streets, and flowers of an unknown variety, a sort of yellowish-orange, were in bloom.
Apparently, there used to be constant fights between martial artists, so they started planting flowers to reduce their fighting spirit.
I’m not sure how effective that is.
This is because the construction of the flower beds coincided with the completion of the arena and the granting of permission for private duels.
Fights were elevated to duels, and since they had to follow a certain format, the number of fights naturally decreased.
Well, the scenery is beautiful, so I have no complaints.
It’s soothing.
“Hey! You, over there.”
Ah, there are red flowers too.
They make a nice accent.
“I’m talking to you, the one with the bright red hair.”
Yeah, red… huh? Hair?
Who’s calling me?
I turned around and saw a beastman with golden hair styled like a lion’s mane.
He was nearly two meters tall, with exposed arms of steel-like muscle.
He’s huge…
I can’t see his face unless I look up.
In a word, he’s a man who looks like a lion.
He has a scar on his cheek and the bearing of a martial artist.
He looks to be around thirty years old.
“Do you need something from me?”
It can’t be, he’s not one of those duel-seekers we were just talking about, is he?
It sure looks like a martial artist, but that’s just what I thought…
I’m not calling.
“You, you’ve got an incredible body! I don’t meet many people like you! How about, you and I…”
“What, are you hitting on her!? Going after her body is the lowest! Apologize to Katia-chan and come back in a hundred years!”
“No, conversely, it’s so direct that it’s manly! Amazing!”
Fina hit Neil on the head.
Smack!
Good sound.
But, it’s not a request for a duel?
“No, it’s a misunderstanding. What I want to say is—”
“What misunderstanding! You’re probably after Katia-chan’s this and this, right?!”
“Um, Fina-san.”
Don’t point at my chest and butt…
Fina’s loud voice has attracted the attention of passersby.
I’m embarrassed.
“Ah, if I had to choose, it’d be more like that and that.”
The beastman pointed at my feet, and… my waist?
“S-So specific. But Katia-chan is off-limits!”
“That’s not it! The low center of gravity and footwork… Ah, forget it. It’s a duel, let’s duel! I want to fight you, I want to fight you!”
What, so he is a duel-seeker after all.
Even though I didn’t call for him.
Why me?
As I was about to ask, one of the passersby called out to the beastman as he passed.
“It’s no use, Lyall. There’s no one left in this town who’ll fight you.”
“Shut up, this one’s different from the others! She’s a rare gem, I can tell!”
Lyall?
I think I’ve… heard that name before?
“Ah! Lyall, as in Lyall of the Fist!? The S-rank soldier?!”
Neil shouted.
Ah, that’s right, he’s the person Grandfather was talking about.
I remember now.
About a year ago, Grandfather, in high spirits after drinking, told me an old story.
It was on the small wooden deck of the mountain cabin, while we were moon-viewing.
He said that two years before he retired from the knights, he was put in charge of training a certain person.
That person’s name was Lyall.
“He was originally royalty from the beastman kingdom.”
Grandfather, his face red, swayed his cup pleasantly.
I poured his drinks and prepared snacks for him.
“Why did he come to this country?”
“Apparently, he ran away from home. He said his country was boring, or something like that. And Spike took a liking to this unconventional guy, and made arrangements with the beastman kingdom to give him permanent residency.”
Grandfather spoke while picking at some dried meat.
“I understand that he’s an unusual person. To go from royalty to a commoner, and even to emigrate, there aren’t many people that proactive.”
I drink water.
Mountain spring water that makes you realize how tasteless the tap water of my previous life was.
Now I drink only water like this.
Even tea made with this spring water is delicious.
“Well, in short, that guy is what you’d call a battle maniac. He challenged me almost every day… I was already getting old, so it was tough to deal with him.”
“Oh dear, that must have been difficult.”
Knowing Grandfather, he probably beat him every single time.
I bet that only fueled his opponent’s fighting spirit even more.
“You think it’s someone else’s problem. If you ever meet Lyall, you should just give up and accept the challenge. He’s persistent.”
“I don’t have any plans to go anywhere, though. I’m satisfied with my life here.”
I lie down on the wooden deck and see the starry sky above.
It’s bad manners, but nobody’s watching.
I’m getting sleepy.
“Hmm… I see.”
“Grandfather?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
That’s how the conversation went.
He’s the younger brother of the current king of the beastman kingdom, Kainel, and a battle maniac.
According to Neil, he’s S-rank and has the character for “Fist” in his name.
Translator’s Note
拳 (ken or kobushi), meaning fist, or punch.
In this country, being called by your weapon in front of your name is often a sign that you’re recognized as being at the top of your field in that weapon.
It’s a kind of customary title.
I recently learned that Grandfather was called “Tim of the Sword” before receiving the title of Sword Saint.
So, Lyall is the top-ranked fist fighter in this country.
So, I guess I should accept the duel, just like Grandfather said?