Overgeared

A long time ago.

It was when Grid was a duke of the Eternal Kingdom. Grid and the members of Overgeared were taught swordsmanship by Piaro. They learned valuable lessons. They didn’t gain strength that was expressed in numbers, such as their level or stats going up.

Nevertheless, those who learned swordsmanship from Piaro clearly became stronger. They quickly learned the know-how that should’ve been gained through actual combat. It was why Piaro was praised as the pillar of the Overgeared Empire.

Defeating the great demons who invaded the surface, leading the war against the kingdoms hostile to the Overgeared Kingdom, and resolving the food shortage by turning all types of devastated land into rice paddies and agricultural fields—in addition to his numerous achievements, Piaro was the teacher of Grid and the Overgeared members.

He was treated more highly than a meritorious retainer by the people. He was a big shot among big shots.

“Please teach your junior as well.”

Piaro went to Sword Saint Muller and bowed his head. It was after Grid declared the hell expedition. The heroes of the empire scattered all across the continent for training, but Piaro remained in Reinhardt. It was because the best teacher, Muller, was in Reinhardt.

Muller was puzzled. “I heard that you created this farmland.”

“Yes, farming is one of the few talents that this lowly junior can boast about.”

“You have made great achievements as a farmer. You shouldn’t be humble.”

“Senior, how many people in the world can’t be humble in front of you? Please don’t use honorifics with me. I feel uncomfortable.”

“Um... But I’m not your senior...”

He could understand to some extent why Mercedes regarded him as a teacher. Mercedes was a knight who used swords. It wasn’t strange for her to ask Muller to teach her.

On the other hand, Piaro was a farmer. Muller was flustered when a farmer kept calling him Senior and asked him to teach something. He couldn’t glimpse the remnants of the Matchless Sword from Piaro.

Piaro had grown into a legendary farmer. Before he knew it, he had completely abandoned the form of a swordsman and built up his own martial arts. The fact that he was once a swordsman wasn’t recognized by the greatest swordsman of all time. This meant Piaro was a complete farmer.

“The path you have walked is too precious for you to set your heart on the sword again. It will be a great loss to the world if you abandon the path of a farmer and become a swordsman.”

Natural State—all the energy of nature was seeping into Piaro in real time. Every breath and gesture of Piaro’s won the world’s favor.

Muller recognized it instantly. It was the fact that the farmer in front of him was a person who would become more powerful as time passed. He was confident that the more prosperous the world became, without being threatened by demons or gods, the stronger that Piaro would become.

However, Piaro had little faith in himself.

“This junior... was previously a swordsman,” Piaro confessed, “I was one of the countless swordsmen who admired you and dreamed of becoming a Sword Saint. Yet along the way, I fell in love with the farmlands. I abandoned the sword and picked up a hand plow. How can I dream of becoming a swordsman again?”

“The lesson you want to get from me isn’t swordsmanship.”

Muller noticed it. The farmer in front of him wasn’t sure if the path he took was really the right one and wanted someone to evaluate him objectively on his behalf. This was what Muller was suited for.

“The apostles are all outstanding.”

Muller’s hand was placed on the sword handle. It was the handle of an old iron sword. Far from being ugly, it looked precious like an old antique.

“You might have doubts if you compare yourself with them.”

“......”

victory after victory. Neither Grid nor Hayate nor Muller. They started their lives from the position of an underdog. Even when they were hailed as heroes, they faced enemies far stronger than they were and were defeated repeatedly. Sleepless days were common. It was just that

the time when I wandered around with a similar feeling to you. I guess I

heirlooms boasted about by famous swordsmen. It was dull rather than sharp, dark rather than shiny, and crude rather than flashy. However, it was a sword that could cut anything. It was the ‘greatest and most famous sword of all time’ that shared every moment with Muller and

words.

power of Natural State and ran forward. He sowed seeds to make the terrain beneficial

the surging beanstalks and intertwined sweet

a blessing that there are people who are catching up to you

sword, which cut and scattered the layers of sweet potato stems. They were those

He wondered if he was becoming a worthless existence to them. However, Muller was right. He shouldn’t be afraid. It should be regarded as a blessing. He was able to develop

fell like a thunderbolt at every moment. It wasn’t simply a metaphor that he used because it was fast. It

Breath. Then the ground that assimilated with him soared

there are those who are

hanging from the stems like cannonballs to ward off Muller’s advance. They were those who carried a huge history, unlike himself, who easily betrayed his nation due to being betrayed, and gave up his

with no hesitation and lightly overtook Piaro in every way. It was right that he should be grateful to them. They were those who inspired Piaro every

“...I know.”

raised a large mound of dirt. It fired in a straight line, as if inspired by the Breath Grid once showed. This forced Muller to unleash

who was lonely, I have always understood that the environment I am in is a blessing. Even so, I didn’t know how to manage myself because I

first time Piaro had

day when he realized he would never catch up

he was completely overtaken by Mercedes, who was once

day he witnessed Nefelina

the day that Mir recreated

He wandered again even after overcoming it,

“I...”

I am qualified to

Finally—

the moment when Piaro was about to express the truth he had been

feet. “You have a good understanding of the environment needed for a swordsman to fully demonstrate their skills. The apostles who handle swords seem to be able to demonstrate their full

Certainly.

plowed the farmland that Mir started to act in earnest. Muller’s condition wasn’t perfect at the time, but

magic power contained in the

about this and smiled. “I suspect that the other apostles are relying on

Piaro was enlightened. The people and soldiers who were able to feed themselves thanks to the crops that were harvested—he realized that they and the apostles weren’t very

you have walked

in the nail again. The greatest Sword Saint of

farmer ‘Piaro’ have established a new law

in the future, the power of swordsmanship-related skills you have learned will greatly

“......?”

The stage of farmers was no longer confined to the farmlands. For the farmers who already respected

worships your apostle

gained 3 points of

“...What is happening again?”

grow faster in his absence. Grid thought seriously

meet the Gray Dragon, Xenon. To be exact, it was the day when Xenon presented his