WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey

Chapter 42: Exercise

Tain was sent tumbling by Marius.

“Oh my, that landed beautifully, even if by chance.”

Marius smiled pleasantly.

“By chance…?”

Perplexed, Tain was helped to his feet by Marius, who then struck a casual stance, inviting him to go another round.

Long sleeves, a robe that hung down, and two strips of ornamental cloth draped from his shoulders to below his knees.

By all rights, it was an outfit that should hinder movement. Yet Marius moved without the slightest delay, even turning the flowing cloth into feints and distractions.

With body-enhancing magic, Marius’s blows were not only swift, but heavy.

And once again, Tain found himself flat on his back on the ground, arms and legs sprawled, staring up at Marius in astonishment. Marius, with a calm expression, looked down at him.

“That’s why I told you there was no need to worry…”

He cast a gaze tinged with pity upon Tain.

It was along the road to Terenoa, where we had turned a little off the highway into the forest for a rest.

Over tea after our meal, we had spoken of how, if monsters were to appear, it would likely be in Terenoa. From there, Tain had voiced concern about Marius’s health, and that had been the spark.

With his gentle manner, humble posture, almost frail air., and a smile that to my eyes reeked of guile, Marius had maneuvered the conversation into a sparring match with Tain. The result was that Tain ended up rolling about on the grass several times.

The Hero’s Party—a legend, the strongest of all parties. Yet Marius’s name did not spread for destructive might like ours, but rather as the party’s healer, famed for his powerful support magic and his ability to mend any wound.

n particular, the younger generation now knows nothing of Marius’s physical strength. If, back then, he had chosen a sword instead of a staff for his weapon… no, I would still be the stronger.

Without the staff, he would not have gained the same degree of body-enhancing magic. Yes, I would be stronger.

Still, fifty years have passed, and we have grown old. Considering both Marius’s vocation and his age, it is no wonder some worry about his health on such long journeys that often require sleeping rough.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

Tain lay spread-eagled on the ground, staring blankly in shock.

He stood, only to be thrown again. Stood, only to be thrown again. At first it might have been carelessness, but even when he put his full spirit into it, the result did not change.

“Marius usually pretends to lack stamina so he can make others carry the baggage, but in truth he is a man who has trampled entire platoons of knights who picked fights with him, doing as he pleases.”

A platoon meant about twenty men. And what Marius faced were not mere infantry, but knights.

Of course, there are none foolish enough to challenge Marius directly.

It was usually hotheaded types who picked quarrels with military healers or elder veterans, and Marius would step in to settle matters on their behalf. The fellow has always been rather quick to fight.

And before even reaching the match itself, he creates circumstances where, should his opponent lose, it would be shameful for them to let word of it spread.

I suspect he deliberately manages information so that Marius’s strength does not become widely known, while also making it easy for fools to accept a sparring match.

As for me, I would be deeply uncertain of my chances against him barehanded. Or rather, if Marius were using body-enhancing magic, I doubt I could counter it with any enhancement cast by someone else.

If I had my sword, that would be another matter!

“Uncle… you were so strong…”

Io stared at Marius in blank astonishment.

“To cultivate mental strength, physical training is also an effective path.”

Without the slightest sign of breathlessness, Marius returned to sit by the campfire.

“Amazing!”

Alina gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

Alina, too, has been training to fight unarmed, in case she is ever forced to set aside her sword. That must be why she found Marius’s movement all the more impressive.

Once one has a weapon in hand, it is rare indeed to be left without it. Yet there are several ways to seal a weapon with magic. Or a sword might sink deep into a monster and stick fast, leaving its wielder vulnerable to attack from another. Preparation is vital.

“You’re strong… it seems my worry was an insult.”

With a groan, Tain made his way back to the campfire.

Perhaps his back still ached from being slammed into the ground, for his movements were a touch stiff. Still, Marius had thrown him in such a way that he could take the fall properly; in time he would recover.

I passed cups of tea to Marius and Tain.

“Thank you for your concern. At my age, if I do not move my body a little, I truly would grow weak.”

“A little… You threw me down with the barest of movements.”

Tain let out a sigh at Marius’s cheerful smile.

“Even after fifty years, the heroes show no decline. As expected… though compared to that, I must seem rather pitiful.”

Tain took the tea he was handed, but winced as the heat touched his lips.

“I would say you fall among the stronger sort, Tain. You’re worldly, after all.”

“I think being worldly is something else entirely…”

“Tain, you should keep traveling with us. If you see Grandfather wield his sword up close, you’ll no doubt grow stronger!”

Alina clapped her hands together, her smile bursting with joy.

“Pyaa.”

Pya added his agreement.

…No, that one was only asking for more tea.

Footnotes:

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