'I've been meaning to ask you. What do you Ghosts of Sorrows think you're doing to my students?

Thorn Lowell is known as a swordsman of mind, body, and spirit. Aside from his skill with the sword, his contribution to the development of swordsmanship has been remarkable, and the Thorn School of Swordsmanship, which he developed from his original training, is now widely recognized throughout the Empire. It is said that the abilities of his clan are much higher than those of other schools, and are comparable to those of hunters who have absorbed mana materials to improve their basic abilities.
They are trusted by the nobility, and are recognized as one of the forces protecting Zebrudia, on a par with the regular knights. It is still fresh in our memories that he sent Luke to guard the White Sword Gathering last time. In other words, he has enough power to send a manslayer to an important meeting, and enough influence to be unconcerned even if that manslayer goes on a rampage. Amazing!

What I'm trying to say is that my Luke, who had mastered the Thorn style of swordsmanship and had absorbed some of the Mana Material, was the most dangerous.

I'm not sure what to do.
Lucia sighs and follows behind me, but she doesn't help me.

'Do you know how many petitions I've been getting because of Luke? Hmm? I'm eighty years old and I can't afford to give way to the younger generation!

'............ I'm always sorry.

However, don't they also have a problem in that they only cultivated Luke's skills and body instead of cultivating his mind?

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. Trying out unknown new techniques with my brothers, trying out unknown new techniques with my brother disciples, trying out unknown new techniques with my new disciples, trying out unknown new techniques with me--''

You're always trying out unpredictable new techniques. ............ I'm glad to see you're doing well!

I'm glad to see that you're doing well! I've had you meditate for mental training, I've had you read books, I've had you bathe in waterfalls, I've had you instruct my younger apprentice, I've had you teach me soft techniques, I've had you do requests that were brought to me, I've had you do escort requests, and nothing has changed! To top it all off, he's inciting other disciples to commit suicide attacks on the treasure house, suicide attacks on the bandits' stronghold, using our name to break into dojos, and doing whatever he wants! Do you have any idea how I feel when I tell you to think about something other than the sword?

Sage said as if he was fed up with it all. Apparently he's been complaining too much because he rarely stops by.
Even though he wasn't going to run away, Mr. Thorn didn't let go of his hand. He dragged me straight into the house. I said, feeling like a cow being shipped.

'I think you'd better tell that to ............ himself.'

'Oh. You don't think I've told him, do you?

'I think it's better not to tell ............ me.'

'..................'

'! Brother!

The words came out unexpectedly, and Mr. Thorn fell silent.
This guy is really a person of character. ...... Now, if it was Franz, he would have been furious for sure.

I smiled from the bottom of my heart and said cheerfully.

'Luke is lucky to have you as his mentor. You're the one I can trust - or should I say, want to trust!

'............ Don't be fooled by such words! Luke killed the man I introduced him to in hopes that he would settle down with a family.

What? I never heard that story. He's more of a challenger than I thought. Even my childhood friend couldn't bring herself to attempt such a thing. He's a master of his craft.
And since Luke, who talks about everything, didn't say anything, my guess is that he doesn't think it's an arranged marriage?

'He thinks there are only two kinds of people in this world: those you can cut and those you shouldn't cut at all. He's a real pain in the ass. Isn't that opponent a swordsman?'

'Does Luke cut anything as long as it's a swordsman? Hmm?

'...... Well, if it's a reasonably strong opponent. I usually have him carry a wooden sword because he'll cut it. ......'

I don't know if it's because of the mana material or because of Mr. Thorn, but his ability is unstoppable. Good luck to Luke Sykor as he continues on his path!

' Luke said. 'I'll meet you if you're a strong female swordsman!

'............ Let's not talk about this anymore. It's barren, and there's no point in me talking about it if you're not going to. I'm sure the years will take care of everything.

I said something I didn't mean.
I've heard that Mr. Thorne used to be a violent man, so I guess there's no chance. I'd like to think it's not zero.

'Besides, I'm still teaching him not to aim for the vitals if possible! Because if you kill it, even Anthem can't bring it back to life!

'............'

Mr. Thorne didn't say anything.

In a delicate atmosphere, I was dragged into the mansion without question. I was released only after entering a splendid tatami-covered reception room.

Mr. Thorn's mansion was different from that of the Imperial City. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a bit like the hot spring resort in Surus.

As soon as I took off my shoes and was ushered into the tatami room, I sat up straight and bowed my head with both hands before anything else could be said.
Some people are not accustomed to sitting on the floor, but not me. But not me, because I'm not on the ground here.

Mr. Thorn did not react to my getting down on the ground. Is this what the Thorne way of sword fighting is all about?
Lucia even reacted more. She has white eyes, though.

Mr. Thorne, sitting in front of me, said.

'I heard from Sir Franz. It seems that Zebuldia has been visited by a curse. And it is presumed to be a curse.'

What? What's that? I've never heard of it. I didn't mention anything about it when I asked Franz-san to intercede for the Sword Saint with the sympathetic stone earlier.
Raise your head. Mr. Thorne sat down, folded his arms, and looked at me with a piercing gaze, as if he could see through my innermost thoughts.

'It's ............ like a bargain sale of disasters. How many times have you been here ...... this season already?'

'You seem to be saying that you're used to it,' he said.

No, I don't want to say that. .......
I can think of several that I'm aware of. I don't know how the Imperial Capital can be so peaceful with so many things happening. Could it be that the strange happenings at the treasure house and the foxes aren't as important as I think?

Ark and the others aren't always there when I want them to be... Are they actually stopping incidents in places I don't know about? I'll ask them next time I see them.

'But I don't understand why you brought the spell to me. Even though Luke stopped it, and even though it would not have been a problem if the apprentice had not been inexperienced - if it had not been brought in, nothing would have happened. Am I correct in my understanding?'



There was no anger in his eyes. I don't know why, but it frightens me irresistibly. The other party is the master of the imperial city's swordsmen, if anything happens to him, he can be cut down.
I don't know how I'm going to explain it. Or should I be honest? Lucia doesn't seem to be following me either. .......

'Oh, that's the curse? No way, no matter what the outcome--I gave it to Luke as a thank you for all he does for me. I didn't expect this to happen.

'Mmm, thank you ............?'

It's true that I was rash. It was a bit of an evil sword, but you can tell that to Eliza, who brought it to me. Well, maybe Eliza didn't think anything of it.

'Me and Luke pulled them out too, but we didn't get possessed. ...... Can you imagine a pupil of the Thorne school of swordsmanship getting possessed? No, you can't! Yes, no matter how devious I am!

''Brother, that's an insult. We should at least talk about it beforehand.

Whose side are you on, Lucia? .......
Mr. Thorne was expressionless. But the quiet eyes were a different vector from the burning old woman's, and frightening. Motion and stillness. I thought I could fake it with my momentum, but I don't think I can.
I hasten to add.

'But, of course, I didn't know that your disciple was weak against Lucia.'

'?

At my words, Thorn's eyes twitched for the first time.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
You can see from Krahi and Leeds that people with outstanding abilities, whether small or large, will cut down on their humanity to pay for their power. ---- No, sorry, there was Arc. There are also people who have not had their humanity cut.

But I'm sorry, but I can't give my precious Lucia to a pupil here. She has to be able to beat me. Of course, to earn the right to challenge me, you'll have to defeat the entire Footprint. There's an old saying that to fight someone who lives on the top floor, you have to break through the middle level.

While I was thinking about such trivial matters, Thorn-san, who had been silent for several tens of seconds, opened his dry lips.
Her expression hadn't changed much, but the fact that she wasn't showing any emotion was frightening. Lucia is also the type of person who becomes expressionless when she's really upset.

In a grave voice, the Sword Saint said.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea. You're giving me a gift--'

'Oh, a gift? ...... Yes. It's a really sharp sword, I think. If you have the power to wield it, it will definitely be useful to the Sword Saint--perhaps!

As I hurriedly began to make excuses, Lady Thorn let out a small breath and said.



'Then I'll have to return the ............ too. Wait here for a moment.



............ Huh? Maybe you're not that angry?

Mr. Thorn is leaving the room. I don't want to go to the bathroom and run away.

Lucia, who was sitting next to me with a posture as good as mine, said.

''Brother, you're doing too much! You're dealing with Luke's master!

'Wow, I'm sorry. But I'm only telling you the truth. I can't leave Lucia in the hands of a pupil here.''

'What do you mean? You didn't tell me that!

'If you want Lucia, you'll have to defeat Luke and come to .......'

Well, I'm not saying I'll give it to you even if you defeat Luke. Your feelings are the most important thing.
When I left my hometown, I didn't ............ ask my parents to take care of Lucia. On the contrary, they told Lucia. I just remembered something sad.

Soon, Mr. Thorn will be back. He took one look at us as we waited without shifting our stance and placed the stick-shaped object wrapped in the cloth he was carrying on the table.

'...... Sorry to keep you waiting, but even in my storehouse, there are few things that can match that sword. It is a rare item that was acquired long ago and stored in my warehouse.

Mr. Thorn removes the cloth. I thought he was going to give me some kind of sword, but what came out from underneath was a staff.
A twisted, jet-black staff. The head of the wand has a large jewel in it, making it look a little like the Round World.

It looks like a very expensive staff, but why is it in the treasury of the Sage?
I stare at Mr. Thorn. For the first time today, Thorn smiles and says.


'It's a staff of treasure from an old adventure, I don't know much about it because I'm a swordsman, but I heard when I got it that it has an unparalleled amount of magic amplification. It's a wand that I know nothing about because I'm a swordsman. If you sell it, I'm sure it will fetch a reasonable amount of money, but--don't sell it.

'Oh ............, this is quite a thing ......'.

I'll take it if I can get it. I'll take it if I can get it. I don't use a wand, though. The bigger the collection, the better.
Lucia rolls her eyes and looks at the wand, perhaps not expecting it.

I take the wand and lift it. The Round World was heavy, but this wand is so light that even I can swing it easily.
I guess I'll have to check the effects of the treasure later. Well, there are a lot of weapon type treasures that I can't check because of their equipment requirements.

'By the way, what is the name of this staff?

'The name is unknown. After all, it's been asleep in the storehouse for a long time.


Hmm, that sounds like a lot of work to find out the name. Well, I'll leave it to the experts.