The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 70

As the Swordmaster Frederick looked upon the princess, he couldn’t help but feel a curiosity deepening within him.

“Then how have you managed to train this way until now? Why come to me, specifically? It sounds like you already know how to meditate,” he asked.

“Because I’ve practiced it hundreds of times,” the princess replied, her voice carrying, for the first time, a tone of weariness, as if drained. But to Frederick’s trained eye, her condition was markedly improved since she first ascended the mountain; her inner energy seemed more focused.

“When I first climbed this mountain, I knew nothing. And the first time I learned meditation from you, I grasped only fragments by rewinding time, practicing repeatedly,” she explained.

“Is that so?”

The princess’s words felt odd to Frederick, the strangest of all her mysteries.

“After I had a feel for it, I started from the base of the mountain again, even before speaking to you each time.”

“Hmm.”

Though her statements made little logical sense, both Jennifer and the Swordmaster listened calmly as the first rays of dawn streamed through the window.

“Every time I climbed, I calmed my mind, strengthened my body, relearned meditation, and further improved myself. When I rewind, my body reverts to its original state, but my memories and sensations remain intact.”

“I see.” Frederick chuckled, realization dawning on him.

“That’s what was happening.”

“Master, you believe this story?” Jennifer asked, though her expression betrayed a knowing smile.

“If you don’t believe her, why does your face suggest otherwise?” Frederick responded, noting Jennifer’s amusement.

“Are you saying you can turn back time?” Frederick asked, a smile tugging at his lips as he pulled a chair, gesturing for his guests to sit.

“Yes.”

“Interesting. But I have one minor disagreement,” he remarked as he settled into his chair.

“Disagreement?” the princess asked, taking a seat.@@@@

“Is this the first time we’ve had this conversation?”

“Yes.”

Frederick gave her a nod. “Then think of it as foresight.”

“But I can turn back time whenever I choose. Calling it foresight seems... inaccurate.”

“Then consider that you may be glimpsing what lies ahead, peering into a future you hadn’t yet experienced,” he proposed with a grin.

The princess tilted her head, uncertain.

“Well,” he continued, “whatever you experience directly is bound to be more accurate than anything I say.”

The scrape of a chair broke the silence as Jennifer took a seat.

“Ah, I regret not having any tea for such distinguished guests. My apologies; I ran out.”

“If that’s your wish,” she replied.

“Not that I’d know if you didn’t,” Jennifer shrugged.

“Then, as we descend the mountain, tell me what I need to do. I’ll remember.”

“Hmm.” Jennifer’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “If you want to. If you choose not to rewind, it’ll be a pleasant surprise for me as well.”

Sylvia gave no reply, but Frederick imagined that, had she had a teacup before her, she would have quietly sipped from it—a gesture that would have suited her perfectly.

*

As his two disciples left to fulfill a portion of the agreement, Frederick remained seated in his tranquil cabin, murmuring to himself, “If you have business with me, come on in.”

A red-haired young man opened the door and stepped in silently.

“Such a dazed look on you, young man,” Frederick chided with a click of his tongue.

The young man crossed the room, took a seat at the table, and shrugged. “I don’t care for such noble pastimes.”

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Frederick said with a broad smile.

“You must be the swordsman the princess spoke of,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized up the young man.

He was no ordinary talent, that much was clear.

It was possible this youth already surpassed Frederick in skill, despite his seventy years.

“Impressive. Care to cross swords with me?”

“...What’s the point if time’s just going to rewind soon anyway?” the youth sighed.

Frederick burst out laughing. “You’re like a child who’s just found out a magician’s trick and doesn’t know what to do with the knowledge.”

The young man looked momentarily sullen, but Frederick rose from his seat, walked to the wall, and began buckling on his katana.

“But when all is said and done,” Frederick said in a firm tone, cutting off the young man’s complaints, “we’re here, talking in this moment, are we not? I’d wager we have at least a few hours left.”

The young man fell silent.

“Even if the world ends tomorrow, the living have no choice but to carry on,” Frederick continued. “If our memory of today is real, no one can deny this moment existed, not even a god.”

Hand resting confidently on the hilt of his katana, Frederick exuded a presence of absolute certainty, an indomitable aura worthy of a Swordmaster.

“Come, young man. Wouldn’t you like to spar with me in the time we have left?”

The red-haired youth looked at him, mouth agape, before bursting into laughter.

“Wisdom really does come with age, huh, old man?”

All traces of earlier despondency had vanished from his face.

“Alright, then. Let’s have ourselves a hell of a match.”