Original subtitles

So your temporary teaching position at the Magic Institute is on hold, then.

Yeah. It's summer break, so I'll be focusing on the Order for a while.

It's really gotten hot.

I've instructed the knights to take breaks as needed and to stay hydrated.

Passing out never helps anyone.

Henblitz looks as cool as a cucumber.

-That's so like him. -Master.

A letter arrived at headquarters addressed to you, so I brought it over.

-A letter? For me? -Yes.

It's from Dad...

EPISODE 4

The Old Country Bumpkin Returns Home.

I guess it's that time of year again.

Allucia, is it okay if I take some time off?

That's fine, but may I ask why?

My dad wants me to come back and lend him a hand for a bit.

Ah... it's about that time of year, isn't it?

Yeah.

Um...

Sorry, I don't follow.

Every year around now, a herd of saberboar shows up near my village.

Dealing with them before they reach the village is an annual event.

Saberboar... They're monsters that look like wild boar, right?

They taste great, and we have a feast after the hunt ends. It's like a festival.

So the men of the village investigate the size and location of the herd,

and then request knights or adventurers to subjugate the monsters.

No, we don't bother with all that.

It's faster if we do it ourselves.

But you're dealing with a herd of monsters, right?

Henblitz, that's simply the kind of place Beaden is.

So it has the strength to deal with a monster herd without outside help, then?

We've got the students at the dojo. And above all...

my father's there.

So I'll be going back home for a while.

My father asked if you'd like to come along too.

I told him about you in my last letter, so I guess he wants to meet you.

-Whether you go or not is up to you... -I'll come.

You'll want to hang out with friends over summer, so you can stay with Lucy...

-I said I'd go. -Huh?

I said I'd come with you. Got a problem with that?

No, nope, not at all.

I thought she'd say it was a hassle and refuse, but she agreed pretty easily.

-Can I ask you something? -What is it?

So... when we visit your village, I wanna bring my wooden sword with me.

Yeah, that's fine, but we've got some at the dojo too.

I like the one I'm using now.

The weight and the thickness of the grip...

I wanna swing it every day, even if it's just a bit.

Yeah, that sounds good.

It looks like Mewi's starting to like swordsmanship. I'm glad.

-Hey. -Hmm?

The vice commander coming with us... what's he like?

Oh, Henblitz. He's a nice, honest young man.

He asked to come along to broaden his horizons, and Allucia said okay.

Huh.

She's gotten better, but Mewi's always been shy around strangers.

I'll have to help them get used to each other.

Good morning, Master Beryl.

Morning, Henblitz.

Thanks for arranging the carriage. I can pay once we arrive, right?

Yes...

Is something bothering you?

-Well, actually... -Morning, Master!

-Curuni?! -Yup!

No, not "yup"!

What are you doing here?

Sorry, she talked me into it.

I heard about it all and wanted to see what I could do now.

In my dojo days, I wasn't strong enough to fight saberboar.

Is it okay for you to take time off?

If I lump all my days off together, I can make it work.

I already put in a request.

I get how you feel, but you shouldn't just show up without discussing it first.

Henblitz, as her superior, you should have dealt with her firmly,

or let me know at the very least.

-Sorry! -Sorry!

I couldn't just let this slide.

Mewi, is it okay if one more person comes?

It's fine, I guess.

Thank you!

Um... Henblitz...

You can relax, you know.

No. I deeply regret making a fool of myself

in front of Miss Mewi at our first meeting and setting a bad example for her.

Stop it... you're making me tired just watching you.

I see. Very well, then.

Mewi-kins, are you hungry?

Drop the "kins"!

Mewi, then! I brought some snacks, so help yourself.

I have scones, too!

R... Right...

I'll have one of those.

I have lots of other snacks too.

She's awfully quick at getting close to people.

Um... Miss Curuni... was it?

Just Curuni's fine.

You're not that knight-like, are you?

-True. -You think so too, Vice Commander?!

I'm trying my best to be a cool knight, but I've still got a ways to go.

You've said that since your dojo days. So, why did you want to become a knight?

It's my dream!

When I was little, I went to Baltrain on a trip with my parents.

We wandered into a dangerous area and almost got robbed.

The knights patrolling the area helped us,

and even gave me sweets at the end!

So I wanted to become a cool knight like them and help people too.

That's a wonderful reason.

Yeah.

Want me to make some tea?

No, I'll handle it.

Wait for it... now!

-Here you are. -Thanks.

This is good.

I tried several methods, and found this to be the best.

That's the Vice Commander for you!

By the way, Henblitz, why did you join the Order?

-My father is a civil servant... -Right.

So he gets that sense of integrity from his father.

Watching my father, who took pride in serving the country,

made me want to contribute to the nation too.

But you didn't end up becoming a civil servant.

I planned on being one, so I studied hard.

I devoted myself to it, barely sleeping.

But I have a bad habit of getting too absorbed in things,

and when it affected my health, my family stepped in and stopped me.

They suggested swordsmanship as part of my rehabilitation.

And apparently, that suited me better.

The way of the sword is good.

Physical conditioning is part of training, so you get healthier the more you train.

Sometimes, I imagine myself as a civil servant,

but in hindsight, I clearly wasn't suited to it.

I can't really imagine myself being the kind of cool knight

little kids would look up to...

Well, nothing ever goes the way you want it to.

Wanting to be a knight and becoming one is already pretty impressive.

Mewi!

You saying that makes me so happy!

I wish I hadn't...

We managed to make it before nightfall.

Luckily, nothing went wrong on the way.

This really takes me back.

It's your first trip out of Baltrain, isn't it, Mewi?

Yeah. It's all so spread out...

And it smells totally different.

I'm home.

Well, if it isn't Beryl.

Your friends must have had a long trip too.

We appreciate your concern.

Thank you!

You probably already know, but I'm Mordea Gardenant.

I'm his father, for what it's worth.

What does he mean by that?!

This is Frenne, my wife.

We don't have much, but please eat your fill while you're here.

I'm Henblitz Drout, Vice Commander of the Liberion Order.

Well, we've got quite the VIP with us.

I'm Curuni Cruciel. It's my first time visiting here!

Huh? Aren't you one of ours?

Yes, my Master took care of me back then, and he still does now.

The one being taken care of now is my son, I'd wager!

He's a country bumpkin who has no idea about city life.

He's not wrong... but he's the last person I wanna hear that from.

So this little miss here is the girl you mentioned in your letter, then?

Yeah. Go on, Mewi.

H... Hello... I'm Mewi...

No need to be so stiff, relax and make yourself at home.

O... Okay...

Mewi...

If you're living with Beryl, then that makes you my granddaughter.

And nothing will change that.

I didn't know the old man could look like that...

So, Curuni, was it?

Yup!

You're a potential wife for Beryl?

Hey!

W... W... Wife...?

Curuni, don't pay any attention to what this old git is saying.

-What, so she's not? -Of course she's not!

Uh... Y... Yup...

I can't believe you live in the city and have no romantic stories to share.

I was a fool to get my hopes up with you.

Honestly, he really is a fool...

Calling my student a potential wife like that...

I'm sure you have plenty to talk about, but eat up while the food's hot.

Oh, you're right.

Everything looks great.

Mewi, there's plenty more if you'd like seconds, so eat up.

I'm not sure city folks will like it, though.

It's delicious.

Even Mewi, who hates nicknames, is no match for Mom, huh.

Haa...

My student Randrid has already got himself a wife and child,

and yet my own son...

It's gonna be a long night...

Randrid...

Oh, Randrid Pattlerock!

Huh? Henblitz, you know Randrid?

No. But he's a highly skilled adventurer who's nearly reached ocean rank.

As a fellow swordsman, it would be rude not to know.

It's a pleasure to meet you. I know of you as well.

The vice commander of the Liberion Order, famed throughout the kingdom.

It would be rude not to know of you.

Oh, so they're both famous, then.

Mewi, I've got a favor to ask you.

I'd like you to call me Grandpa.

Seeing as Beryl hasn't given me any grandkids to hold,

I'd almost given up on my dream of being called Grandpa.

What the hell?!

Mewi, please make this old man's dying wish come true.

G... G...

Don't upset Mewi with weird jokes like that!

Alright... sorry.

Master Beryl, what are our plans?

Hmm... First, let's watch the dojo practice.

If there are any capable students, I'd like to recruit them.

Is that okay?

That's fine.

I'd like to show Mewi around the village.

It's been a while for me too.

Yeah, that would be good.

Ah, it's Master Beryl!

It's been ages, Master!

Who's that, Master? A visitor?

Yeah, something like that.

I'm Henblitz Drout, Vice Commander of the Liberion Order.

-The Order? -Wow!

You have Master Beryl and a knight watching you.

Let's all do our best!

Okay!

The Order isn't anything special.

Adel, don't be so rude.

I didn't say anything wrong.

Adel's still as hot-headed as ever, I see.

C... Calm down, Sis.

What's your problem, Edel? You think the same thing, right?

Adel... Speaking your mind is fine...

but you should at least introduce yourself.

I'm Adel Klein. I'm Master Beryl and Master Randrid's student.

Miss Adel, may I ask why you hold that opinion of the Order?

You all just stay holed up in the capital.

When monsters attacked my father's fields, not a single knight showed up.

-Right, Edel? -Y... Yeah...

It's always adventurers, hunters, or our Master who come to help.

Knights are useless - they just hang around big shots in the capital.

Even my timid little brother Edel here agrees with me.

I get it Adel, but that's asking too much. And you're taking it out on the wrong--

No. As a knight of the Order, I will take Miss Adel's words to heart.

If there is anything I can do to address your concerns...

Okay, fight me, then. I'll prove the Order is nothing special.

As a swordsman, I accept your challenge.

Master Edel, if you agree with her, join us.

You...! You've got some nerve! Edel, let's do this!

B... But...

Quit your whining!

O... Okay, then...

I guess Randrid's not gonna stop this, so I'll just let it play out.

Whenever you're ready.

-Edel! Get it together! -Right.

You...!

Now!

Together!

Outta my way.

Ah... that's what I taught him the other day.

Dammit!

That's enough!

That attack was sharper than I expected.

Your lesson on fighting multiple opponents helped me handle it, Master Beryl.

Came in handy, huh?

As expected, your control to avoid injuring them

and the way you ended the fight were superb.

Thanks to you, I think those two learned a lot.

I'm sorry.

Since I lost, I'll apologize for being rude.

But some day, I'll surpass you...

There's no need to apologize.

It's true that the Order can't help everyone in the nation.

We're doing our best to improve...

but the anger you feel, Miss Adel, is not misplaced.

It will be the source of strength that drives you to keep pushing yourself.

So please, keep it burning...

and pour it into your swordsmanship.

I'll face you anytime.

O... Okay...

That mindset is probably too advanced for kids their age.

Randrid, sorry for taking up your time.

No, it was time well spent.

Next, defensive form number two!

One...

So this is form practice, I guess.

Yeah. We have five offensive and eight defensive forms.

I see... and the distinctive footwork is due to a focus on deflecting attacks?

Ah, trust you to notice that.

That's why you need a strong core to perform our forms correctly.

You're the best at linking the forms together, aren't you?

Nah, my old man is.

He's stronger than me.

He's the greatest swordsman I know.

-He's stronger than you?! -Yeah.

He always won easily, be it matches against other styles or dojo challenges.

I've never seen anyone get a clean hit on him.

I've never won against him either.

Forget winning... He always handled me with ease.

I was no match for him.

He's my ultimate goal as a swordsman...

The old man was always several steps ahead of me.

So why did he hand the dojo over to someone like me?

Ah, lunch is just about ready.

I don't have to go get you now.

Sorry for imposing so much. And getting three meals a day is just...

Ah, don't worry about it.

-Hey, Dad, I wanted to ask you someth-- -Hey, Beryl...

-Go and buy some booze. -Huh?

Don't "huh" me.

We didn't have any to offer our guests last night.

You can hold your liquor, right, Vice Commander?

I don't really drink much. In that case, I'll go and get some.

No, you don't know where to buy it in this village, do you?

Okay, okay, I'll go.

Get the good stuff.

Buy ten bottles or so. You're making good money, right?

Yeah, yeah.

I didn't get to ask him...

Oh, welcome back.

We're back.

Mewi showed me her swings during our walk. She's pretty good!

Hey...! I was just average.

Are you going somewhere, Master?

Yeah, to buy some alcohol.

-I'll help. -Then I'll come too.

That would really help.

Master Beryl...

Hmm? What about him?

Master Beryl said he doesn't think he could beat you, Master Mordea.

For someone like me who isn't even in his league, I find it hard to believe.

He's strangely lacking in confidence at times.

So he was just being modest, then?

Not necessarily.

It's true that he's never beaten me.

If you want, we can square off - you and me.

That's the fastest way for you to understand.

I'm kidding.

An old man with a bad back is no match for the Vice Commander of the Order.

No, if I have the chance to learn from you, I'd be grateful.

Come on, spare me.

As you can see, I'm getting on in years.

Nothing beats Mom's cooking.

But when you go home, you're still served a ton of food like when you were young,

and it's hard on an old man's stomach.

Next time: "The Old Country Bumpkin Lets Out a Roar."

SUBTITLES BY: MARDI MIYAKE