“Please come to the capital.”

I spoke with a tense expression, not letting my resolve waver.

“There, you can be with all your disciples.”

“Hm.”

The Swordmaster seemed to contemplate my words, and for a moment, he loosened his grip on his sword.

I felt a momentary relief—only to be abruptly interrupted.

Thwack!

“Eek?!”

The Swordmaster’s blade tapped sharply against the top of my head.

Reflexively, I clutched my head, glaring up at him.

He looked at me with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief.

“Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? I came to this mountain to avoid the …