Chapter 18
Shion Tristan’s Story of the past Part 2 – Kasim Sahid
With professor’s recommendation letter, I went to sir Kasim Sahid’s residence the next day .
I supposed he’s been informed in advance .
[So you are Tristan? I’ve heard the story from Artorius . Get in . ]
Sir Kasim allowed me to enter inside .
Sir Kasim has sun tanned skin, but his hair was pure white . A turban was wrapped on top of his head, most likely the custom of his foreign country .
Looking around the room… . it was spa.r.s.ely decorated with only a small chair and table inside .
He looked at my face which was filled with question .
[I do not stay in one place for long . Therefore there is no need for more furniture . ]
He then smiled and laughed .
[You are an interesting person . I’ve heard about the simulated battle from Artorius . I wish to ask a few questions, do you mind?]
Showing a friendly smile, we started talking .
We first started with the simulated battle and later on, the talk developed into touching upon war stories and strategies .
=====
◆
Sir Kasim questions were pretty much the same as what professor Artorius asked . So I merely replied him the same way as I did before .
However, his responses were different .
[I see . We have the same idea more or less . However, if it’s me, other than shouting, and thrusting the spear uniformly, I would’ve taught them one more thing . ]
[There is one more thing?]
[That’s right . It’s 『how to escape』,]
Sir Kasim laughed as he said so .
I could only afford a [Ha] when I heard that . Looking at my expression, sir Kasim grinned .
[Ho, you understand already?]
[I see . Amazing . Indeed 『Escaping』is also one form of strategy . ]
[『Escaping』isn’t something that we should be embarra.s.sed about . I personally think that it’s one of the important thing in warfare . If you are about to lose, you should still be able to escape, and only then you’ll be able to rebuild and avoid the worst situation . We are dealing with people’s lives after all . However, this is something that the more recent soldiers seem to lack… . they are too eager… . ]
Even forgetting to sleep, me and sir Kasim continued to discuss other topics . War stories, politics, history, heroes of the past both from the west and the east .
Sir Kasim’s stories were very interesting . Also, he was in possession of books I’ve never seen before and even allowed me to read it . It’s like we were meant to meet . One day quickly pa.s.sed that way . Sir Kasim then said .
[Say, Shion-kun . Your life is being targeted by that young professor who lost that simulated battle against you . Why don’t we go look around the continent? We can ask Artorius to handle the academy matters . ]
Saying so, sir Kasim reached out to me slowly .
[I’ve been going on my own without taking any disciple so far . Because I never came across anyone that interested me . However… . . at first I thought it’s just Artorius’ bragging, but after I talked to you, I’m convinced . The Lord above has lined us up together… . . no, I’m such a『Big Fool』 . This is probably destiny . ]
He finally laughed and said .
[How about it? By formally becoming my disciple… . . will you come along with me?]
It was a proposal that I had no complaints about .
Sir Kasim’s story had been really interesting so far . I came to know things that I haven’t before . In addition to that, we may come across rare books while travelling… . I truly had nothing to complain .
Getting down on my knee, I accepted his hand and said .
[I’ve learned a lot from you in just one day . I would be pleased if you can teach me even more things in the future . Please show me the path, o『Great Fool』 . Master . ]
And that was how… . . I became the disciple of the Wandering Great Soldier Kasim .
=====
◆
I took a leave from the academy and wandered to various places alongside sir Kasim .
Intervening with the conflict between aristocrats, joining the battle with a small country in the east and even taking part in the Zarunagora civil war on the South .
Once sir Kasim picked a side, he’ll devote himself to it and would lead his allies to victory .
He would be awarded a prize, and most likely be offered to become an official . However he declined all of it .
I once asked sir Kasim why he always did so .
And to that question, sir Kasim replied:
[I just haven’t met a master that I should serve . ]
and laughed .
His relation with a country would change once they know that they couldn’t control him . He’ll be a troublesome enemy if he is to go to the opposing faction . Some countries would try to persuade him while others would send a.s.sa.s.sins .
Whatever the case, sir Kasim would handle the matter with a laugh then leave the country . There was nothing else to say about his att.i.tude other than ‘Superb’ .
Everyday was really exciting . Moreover, I got to meet the leaders of various nations thanks to my position as sir Kasim’s disciple and I got to read various books as well .
Sir Kasim once said .
Read books and study . Ancient wisdoms are sleeping inside books .
Also, sometimes I also got to devise a plan in place of sir Kasim .
Occasionally, sir Kasim would discuss with me during military councils . Each time, I would show off my strategy in front of many people . Sir Kasim would then look at me with satisfaction .
Everyday was never the same .
I was able to experience many things that I wouldn’t be able to if I were to stay in the academy .
=====
◆
I spent a few years with sir Kasim .
I was also able to graduate thanks to professor Artorius’ help . Apparently, he’s forcibly persuaded other professors, forged some agreements with them or something else along that line .
Not everyone accepted it of course… . well, considering I could graduate without even attending the academy, why should they accept it easily? Although I didn’t really mind, there were still eyes looking at me in disgust .
Of course I didn’t attend my own graduation ceremony, it’s already known that I’m currently in a foreign land .
Imperial Academy was already like a past to me now .
Of course I didn’t attend my own graduation ceremony, it’s already known that I’m currently in a foreign land .
Imperial Academy was already like a past to me now .
And now, there were two letters .
One was from my friend George .
He seemed to be gathering officials in the imperial capital after retiring as a chief of the imperial academy… . . he’s a very sharp mind . Regarding political affairs, even I was no match for him . He’s perhaps the greatest teacher in the history of the academy… . However he always had trouble suppressing his personality . Perhaps it’ll cause a dispute later . Because he’s the kind of man with not only a sharp mind but also sharp character at the same time… .
His letter was immediately a complaint about the stance and motivation of officials in the capital, as well as a complaint about the aristocrats .
And lastly, he also mentioned about my other friends… . it’s been always his habit to do that .
Apparently everyone was having a trouble there .
I can only pray that… . they’ll be safe while working .
The other letter was from professor Artorius .
It was the procedure I need to do before graduating as well as the recent happening on the capital .
I still couldn’t forget professor Artorius . Even now, I’m able to learn under sir Kasim was also thanks to his recommendation and arrangement .
Someday I’ll have to pay the favor back……I thought to myself .
Enough talking about that .
Now then .
I kept wandering to various countries with sir Kasim after I graduated . Recently it’s mainly me who devised the war strategy in place of sir Kasim .
Age had started to get to sir Kasim . It became hard for him to move around too much . Therefore it’s me who took over most of his duty .
On a certain day, I saw sir Kasim with two letters .
[Master… . . those are… . . ?]
[Let’s first read the letters . ]
Both of them were letters requesting for cooperation as a military leader . The first one . . came from the east of Holy Arcadia Empire, signed by Marquis Morlot . Up there…… . the territory of Baronet Tristan, my hometown, was included .
The sender was Marquis Morlot .
People, knights, and local lords were banding together to rebel . The request was for us to help suppress it .
[Let them suppress the rebellion themselves if possible, I don’t want to involve myself with the empire’s matter for too much . ]
Currently the Arcadia Empire’s rural areas were ruled with autonomy of the local aristocrats . Therefore they had huge power within their territory… . so what they fear the most is to have their territory confiscated . If rebellion was to happen, it’ll be people who pay the price .
If the main army of the Empire is being deployed… . . half or more of the territory will surely be confiscated .
Currently the Arcadia Empire’s rural areas were ruled with autonomy of the local aristocrats . Therefore they had huge power within their territory… . so what they fear the most is to have their territory confiscated . If rebellion was to happen, it’ll be people who pay the price .
If the main army of the Empire is being deployed… . . half or more of the territory will surely be confiscated .
The current emperor, Emperor Sephiros Arcadia has been trying to empower the royal family by directly commanding the increase of territory under the control of royal family and those connected to them . And he’s been doing that mercilessly .
[Marquis Morlot won’t let such a bad rumor to spread… . perhaps it’s due to his own trouble . But they have many warrior clans under their command . Also a large number of knights and soldier . Shouldn’t they be able to handle the revolt by themselves?]
[Well, they want to ensure their victory by relying on me . ]
That said, sir Kasim spread another paper on the table .
It was a list regarding Marquis Morlot .
[Highway robbery of civilians, plundering neighboring territory by working together with bandits, bribing the officials in the capital… . ma.s.sacring the populace… . . this is getting to out of hand . ]
Taking all that aside, he opened the other letter .
[These are… . . the request from the insurgents?]
They didn’t fare fairly well against Marquis Morlot . Also, about their current suffering under his rule . Apparently the rebellion army was formed spontaneously and is still figuring out their situation .
[Marquis Morlot has three thousand knights and five thousand soldiers . Meanwhile… . . the rebel only has two thousand farmers… . this will be tough . ]
Saying so, I was stunned upon seeing the rebel’s letter . There was a list of people we can trust inside Marquis Morlot’s territory, including several barons and baronets, knights that joined them, and among them:
Imperial Baronet Luke Tristan
Right . The name of my younger brother was written there .
[Well… . clearly the rebel army is in a tough situation . Marquis Morlot came from a warrior clan, and his knights and soldiers are well-trained . The rebels in the meantime only has half the number of Marquis’ army . Moreover, they don’t have fighting experience… . at the very most they could only fight off several knights and soldiers… . . well, which side you’ll be taking?]
Sir Kasim asked me .
After giving it some quick thought, I raised my face and told sir Kasim my idea .
This civil war… . . was originally a revolt against the marquis . At first, it went unnoticed in the flow of history but later on, it become a well-known conflict in the history of Arcadia empire . The war became known as the [Slave War] ……the conflict that started the aristocrats’ discrimination against the beastmen .
Shion Tristan’s Story of the past Part 2 – Kasim Sahid.
With professor’s recommendation letter, I went to sir Kasim Sahid’s residence the next day I supposed he’s been informed in advance
[So you are Tristan? I’ve heard the story from Artorius . Get in . ].
Sir Kasim allowed me to enter inside Sir Kasim has sun tanned skin, but his hair was pure white . A turban was wrapped on top of his head, most likely the custom of his foreign country
Looking around the room… . it was spa.r.s.ely decorated with only a small chair and table inside He looked at my face which was filled with question
[I do not stay in one place for long . Therefore there is no need for more furniture . ].
He then smiled and laughed
[You are an interesting person . I’ve heard about the simulated battle from Artorius . I wish to ask a few questions, do you mind?].
Showing a friendly smile, we started talking We first started with the simulated battle and later on, the talk developed into touching upon war stories and strategies
=====. ◆.
Sir Kasim questions were pretty much the same as what professor Artorius asked . So I merely replied him the same way as I did before However, his responses were different
[I see . We have the same idea more or less . However, if it’s me, other than shouting, and thrusting the spear uniformly, I would’ve taught them one more thing . ].
[There is one more thing?].
[That’s right . It’s 『how to escape』,].
Sir Kasim laughed as he said so
I could only afford a [Ha] when I heard that . Looking at my expression, sir Kasim grinned
[Ho, you understand already?].
[I see . Amazing . Indeed 『Escaping』is also one form of strategy . ].
[『Escaping』isn’t something that we should be embarra.s.sed about . I personally think that it’s one of the important thing in warfare . If you are about to lose, you should still be able to escape, and only then you’ll be able to rebuild and avoid the worst situation . We are dealing with people’s lives after all . However, this is something that the more recent soldiers seem to lack… . they are too eager… . ].
Even forgetting to sleep, me and sir Kasim continued to discuss other topics . War stories, politics, history, heroes of the past both from the west and the east Sir Kasim’s stories were very interesting . Also, he was in possession of books I’ve never seen before and even allowed me to read it . It’s like we were meant to meet . One day quickly pa.s.sed that way . Sir Kasim then said
[Say, Shion-kun . Your life is being targeted by that young professor who lost that simulated battle against you . Why don’t we go look around the continent? We can ask Artorius to handle the academy matters . ].
Saying so, sir Kasim reached out to me slowly
[I’ve been going on my own without taking any disciple so far . Because I never came across anyone that interested me . However… at first I thought it’s just Artorius’ bragging, but after I talked to you, I’m convinced . The Lord above has lined us up together… no, I’m such a『Big Fool』 . This is probably destiny . ].
He finally laughed and said
[How about it? By formally becoming my disciple… will you come along with me?].
It was a proposal that I had no complaints about Sir Kasim’s story had been really interesting so far . I came to know things that I haven’t before . In addition to that, we may come across rare books while travelling… . I truly had nothing to complain
Getting down on my knee, I accepted his hand and said
[I’ve learned a lot from you in just one day . I would be pleased if you can teach me even more things in the future . Please show me the path, o『Great Fool』 . Master . ].
And that was how… I became the disciple of the Wandering Great Soldier Kasim
=====. ◆.
I took a leave from the academy and wandered to various places alongside sir Kasim
Intervening with the conflict between aristocrats, joining the battle with a small country in the east and even taking part in the Zarunagora civil war on the South
Once sir Kasim picked a side, he’ll devote himself to it and would lead his allies to victory
He would be awarded a prize, and most likely be offered to become an official . However he declined all of it
I once asked sir Kasim why he always did so And to that question, sir Kasim replied:.
[I just haven’t met a master that I should serve . ].
and laughed
His relation with a country would change once they know that they couldn’t control him . He’ll be a troublesome enemy if he is to go to the opposing faction . Some countries would try to persuade him while others would send a.s.sa.s.sins
Whatever the case, sir Kasim would handle the matter with a laugh then leave the country . There was nothing else to say about his att.i.tude other than ‘Superb’
Everyday was really exciting . Moreover, I got to meet the leaders of various nations thanks to my position as sir Kasim’s disciple and I got to read various books as well
Sir Kasim once said
Read books and study . Ancient wisdoms are sleeping inside books
Also, sometimes I also got to devise a plan in place of sir Kasim Occasionally, sir Kasim would discuss with me during military councils . Each time, I would show off my strategy in front of many people . Sir Kasim would then look at me with satisfaction
Everyday was never the same I was able to experience many things that I wouldn’t be able to if I were to stay in the academy
=====. ◆.
I spent a few years with sir Kasim
I was also able to graduate thanks to professor Artorius’ help . Apparently, he’s forcibly persuaded other professors, forged some agreements with them or something else along that line Not everyone accepted it of course… . well, considering I could graduate without even attending the academy, why should they accept it easily? Although I didn’t really mind, there were still eyes looking at me in disgust
Of course I didn’t attend my own graduation ceremony, it’s already known that I’m currently in a foreign land Imperial Academy was already like a past to me now
And now, there were two letters
One was from my friend George He seemed to be gathering officials in the imperial capital after retiring as a chief of the imperial academy… he’s a very sharp mind . Regarding political affairs, even I was no match for him . He’s perhaps the greatest teacher in the history of the academy… . However he always had trouble suppressing his personality . Perhaps it’ll cause a dispute later . Because he’s the kind of man with not only a sharp mind but also sharp character at the same time… His letter was immediately a complaint about the stance and motivation of officials in the capital, as well as a complaint about the aristocrats And lastly, he also mentioned about my other friends… . it’s been always his habit to do that Apparently everyone was having a trouble there I can only pray that… . they’ll be safe while working
The other letter was from professor Artorius It was the procedure I need to do before graduating as well as the recent happening on the capital I still couldn’t forget professor Artorius . Even now, I’m able to learn under sir Kasim was also thanks to his recommendation and arrangement Someday I’ll have to pay the favor back……I thought to myself
Enough talking about that
Now then I kept wandering to various countries with sir Kasim after I graduated . Recently it’s mainly me who devised the war strategy in place of sir Kasim Age had started to get to sir Kasim . It became hard for him to move around too much . Therefore it’s me who took over most of his duty
On a certain day, I saw sir Kasim with two letters
[Master… those are… ?].
[Let’s first read the letters . ].
Both of them were letters requesting for cooperation as a military leader . The first one came from the east of Holy Arcadia Empire, signed by Marquis Morlot . Up there…… . the territory of Baronet Tristan, my hometown, was included
The sender was Marquis Morlot People, knights, and local lords were banding together to rebel . The request was for us to help suppress it
[Let them suppress the rebellion themselves if possible, I don’t want to involve myself with the empire’s matter for too much . ].
Currently the Arcadia Empire’s rural areas were ruled with autonomy of the local aristocrats . Therefore they had huge power within their territory… . so what they fear the most is to have their territory confiscated . If rebellion was to happen, it’ll be people who pay the price If the main army of the Empire is being deployed… half or more of the territory will surely be confiscated
The current emperor, Emperor Sephiros Arcadia has been trying to empower the royal family by directly commanding the increase of territory under the control of royal family and those connected to them . And he’s been doing that mercilessly
[Marquis Morlot won’t let such a bad rumor to spread… . perhaps it’s due to his own trouble . But they have many warrior clans under their command . Also a large number of knights and soldier . Shouldn’t they be able to handle the revolt by themselves?].
[Well, they want to ensure their victory by relying on me . ].
That said, sir Kasim spread another paper on the table It was a list regarding Marquis Morlot
[Highway robbery of civilians, plundering neighboring territory by working together with bandits, bribing the officials in the capital… . ma.s.sacring the populace… this is getting to out of hand . ].
Taking all that aside, he opened the other letter
[These are… the request from the insurgents?].
They didn’t fare fairly well against Marquis Morlot . Also, about their current suffering under his rule . Apparently the rebellion army was formed spontaneously and is still figuring out their situation
[Marquis Morlot has three thousand knights and five thousand soldiers . Meanwhile… the rebel only has two thousand farmers… . this will be tough . ].
Saying so, I was stunned upon seeing the rebel’s letter . There was a list of people we can trust inside Marquis Morlot’s territory, including several barons and baronets, knights that joined them, and among them:.
Imperial Baronet Luke Tristan.
Right . The name of my younger brother was written there
[Well… . clearly the rebel army is in a tough situation . Marquis Morlot came from a warrior clan, and his knights and soldiers are well-trained . The rebels in the meantime only has half the number of Marquis’ army . Moreover, they don’t have fighting experience… . at the very most they could only fight off several knights and soldiers… well, which side you’ll be taking?].
Sir Kasim asked me
After giving it some quick thought, I raised my face and told sir Kasim my idea
This civil war… was originally a revolt against the marquis . At first, it went unnoticed in the flow of history but later on, it become a well-known conflict in the history of Arcadia empire . The war became known as the [Slave War] ……the conflict that started the aristocrats’ discrimination against the beastmen