My Gang of Swordsmen

Yesterday, due to some unavoidable circumstances in real life, the Author’s writing time was shortened, and I couldn’t reach 10,000 words (Leopard wailed, head aching.jpg)

Tomorrow, the Author will strive to make up for the ten thousand words owed today. (Leopard collapsed.jpg)

*******

*******

The hospital room was instantly enveloped in silence.

Arima and his group, and Chokata and others... everyone in the room now focused their gazes on Elodie, who unexpectedly uttered shocking words.

The expressions and emotions on the faces of everyone collectively wove a tension-filled atmosphere.

Under the pressure of this atmosphere, Elodie felt a unique stress. She shrank her shoulders and neck, and her inherently petite body became even smaller due to her youth. Her delicate cheeks flushed with some fear, and her hands placed on her lap unconsciously clenched tightly.

Even though she was already showing fear and was uncomfortable with the collective gaze and surrounding atmosphere, her eyes and the emotions within them remained unwavering.

Her crystal-clear sky-blue eyes, reminiscent of a summer clear sky, clearly reflected Aoto’s figure.

The will conveyed by her gaze was quite clear, and Aoto felt a peculiar strength.

Not impromptu; the words I just spoke were carefully considered in my mind and then uttered—Elodie’s unwavering eyes conveyed this message.

”Elodie, what nonsense are you talking about? (in French)”

The first to break the silence was Anthony.

Due to his impatience, Anthony unconsciously used French.

”Grandfather, I’m serious.”

Elodie tilted her head, meeting Anthony’s gaze without flinching.

”I want to apprentice under Mr. Tachibana and learn his swordsmanship!”

”Learning Mr. Tachibana’s swordsmanship...” Kondo interjected with a peculiar look, ”Is it that you wish to study the Natural Reasoning Heart Stream?”

”Mm!” Elodie nodded vigorously without hesitation.

Kondo, Chokata, Zhouzhu, and Abi exchanged bewildered glances.

A young girl from France wants to learn their Natural Reasoning Heart Stream and even specifically named Aoto as the master she wishes to apprentice under... This is all too sudden and unexpected...

Upon hearing Elodie’s confirmed answer, ”I just want to apprentice under Aoto,” Anthony’s expression became extraordinarily chaotic.

Aoto felt similarly.

Aoto raised his gaze and looked towards Anthony.

Seeing Anthony also looking flustered, Aoto realized that Elodie’s decision to apprentice under him had never been discussed with Anthony.

Both he and Anthony were pulled into an unprepared ”battle” due to Elodie’s words.

Fortunately, Aoto was now someone who has weathered many storms, and after a moment, he composed his expression and emotions.

”...Miss Angoulême.”

Aoto’s voice brought Elodie’s attention back to him.

Aoto did not immediately question Elodie with ”What are you doing” like Anthony.

Instead, he asked calmly:

”Why did you suddenly decide to apprentice under me and learn my swordsmanship?”

It seemed Elodie had anticipated this question, so her expression remained composed.

She took a deep breath, sat up straight, creating a tense atmosphere, and her eyebrows showed hints of nervousness.

Yet even though she was prepared to answer seriously, Elodie hesitated to speak.

Upon closer observation, Elodie was seen to be fluttering her large eyes, her gaze mixed with a hint of shyness, sneaking glances at Kondo, Arima, and the others nearby.

Chokata keenly noticed Elodie’s frequent gazes directed at them... After pondering for a moment, Chokata raised his head and smiled brightly at everyone around.

”Let’s step out for a while.”

Kondo, Arima, and others nodded to Chokata’s suggestion, albeit belatedly.

Just as everyone except Anthony and Miss Leroy was about to leave the hospital room, Elodie stopped them.

”You, you don’t really have to leave!”

Elodie closed her eyes and took another deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, the shyness of ”speaking about why I wish to apprentice under Aoto in front of so many outsiders” had completely disappeared.

”I want to protect my grandfather and Miss Leroy.”

Elodie’s first sentence changed the atmosphere in the room and the expressions of everyone, including Aoto.

”Although the Anti-foreigner Group is nearly extinct, no one can guarantee that another one won’t emerge in the future in this country.”

”Though firearms have greater power compared to traditional martial arts, our family is just an ordinary merchant household, and we don’t have the conditions to learn how to use firearms.”

”Therefore, I want to learn powerful martial arts.”

”Mastering powerful martial arts will ensure that those ’Radical Anti-foreigner Faction’ thugs can no longer harm my family.”

”Had I been as strong as Mr. Tachibana, that night ten days ago, my grandfather and I wouldn’t have been forced into a near-death battle against fire.”

”While I have practiced thrusting swordsmanship and personally enjoy it, I can’t find an excellent and suitable thrusting swordsmanship teacher in this country.”

”Without the guidance of a renowned master, no matter how hard I train alone, my progress will be extremely limited.”