The Great Sage Who Did not Remain in Legend - 37.4

Mergin extended a hand and helped her up.

“Mergin, when did you start doing this…?”

“The person who taught me swordsmanship. Their main job was as the commander of the army, so they had an overwhelming presence. When I was first hit with their intimidation, I thought I might faint.”

Rose worried about whether she had soiled herself.

“But you get used to it if you experience it repeatedly. It’s like you counter it by emitting your own intimidation. I think Rose, who has trained hard, will be able to do it.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. Let’s try it once more.”

“Please.”

Mergin repeatedly emitted intimidation towards Rose. Rose, who repeatedly faltered, grew frustrated.

“Damn it.”

In knights, it’s not unusual for those with rigorous training to emit intimidation. It might be that Rose is either being underestimated because she is a woman or hasn’t faced such opponents before. Despite her extensive sword training, her immunity to intimidation is lacking. I don’t think she has a weak spirit…

Maybe I should stir up some fighting spirit.

Mergin, pretending to hold a sword, made a motion as if placing the sword at Rose’s neck.

“Rose, was your sword just a sword for self-satisfaction?”

“What?”

Rose showed an angry expression.

“Can you really protect what you want with that level of skill?”

“Ugh…”

“Maybe you should reconsider and apply to be a decorative knight.”

“Mergin, you bastard!”

Rose’s anger flared as she was told she was suited for a decorative knight role.

Rose stood up and assumed a stance. Mergin intensified his intimidation.

Her legs were still shaking.

But Rose, not collapsing, endured.

“Is your strength only at that level?”

“Raaaaah!”

Rose let out a fierce roar and steeled herself to endure Mergin’s intimidation.

“Not bad for a decorative knight.”

“How dare you say that! I’ll show you!”

At that moment, Rose’s trembling stopped, and she slashed at Mergin.

Poff.

Mergin caught Rose’s attack and embraced her. He patted her back and said,

“You did well. You’re accepted.”

“Eh?”

Mergin released Rose, who had returned to her senses.

“You’ve become able to endure intimidation quite well. Now, work on overcoming it not just with emotion but with your own will. Relying on emotion alone can lead to losing focus and being defeated.”

“But… being suited for a decorative knight…”

“I wouldn’t say such a thing to you seriously. Once you can endure intimidation with your willpower, start training to emit your own intimidation.”

“Mergin…”

“Do your best in the swordsmanship competition. It’s a pity I can’t go to support you.”

“Thank you.”

Rose hugged Mergin in thanks. Mergin, who was embarrassed by such gestures, replied.

“Is Iris training properly?”

Looking over at Iris, Mergin saw her using his coat as a blanket, sitting down, and casting fire magic repeatedly. She was doing it from quite a distance…

Could she be a genius?

Mergin, more concerned about Iris’s magic than the embarrassment of being hugged by Rose, pondered the situation.