Episode 76 As soon as Henderson unpacked his belongings in his assigned room, he ran outside.
My heart was pounding so hard that I couldn’t stay still.
I thought it was because I was particularly hot-tempered.
bang.
“Tsk. What is it, Captain?”
“you also?”
“What? It’s all the same.”
The members of Group 18, who came out at about the same time, looked at each other’s faces and smiled awkwardly.
“If you didn’t see it, you wouldn’t know. How could you resist seeing those knights with the eagle symbol?”
Co-pilot deGrom, who had assigned me to hold the reins, said something he liked for the first time in a long time.
It’s not just them, it’s the same for all knights.
‘Knights of Esperanza. I want to compete.’
When it comes to the best knights in Grandia, the swordsmith’s Esperanza Knights were always ranked first.
The Royal Knights, also called one of the three major knights, operated only within the royal palace, and the other, the Waltermain Knights, was famous for its size rather than its quality.
And above all, what stimulates their desire to win the most.
‘The knights raised by the swordsman himself.’
The best swordsman in the country, admired by every sword-wielding knight in the kingdom.
The Esperanza Knights who received the teachings of swordsmanship.
How could you not be curious about his skills?
“Okay. Let’s go. Let’s show the skills of the McLane knights.”
Henderson, who was walking at the front, had several times more passion in his eyes than when he first saw the sophisticated ladies upon entering the capital.
“I’m sorry, but we are intermediate level knights. I don’t know about you, but it’s a bit difficult to spar with other friends. Or would you like to spar with trainee knights?”
However, Henderson and his team members, who were excited by a word from a knight wearing eagle-patterned armor, were demoralized from the beginning.
“If you are a low-level Force user, now is the time to learn swordsmanship as an apprentice knight. By our standards.”
McLane, a mid-level knight who reached the rank of captain in most knights’ orders, was qualified as a rank knight in the Knights of Esperanza.
200 intermediate technicians, 40 senior technicians, 2 top technicians.
The true power of the Knights of Esperanza, vaguely known to be powerful, was shocking.
‘Our lord was a superior until a few years ago and had no rivals in the vicinity! But what is this place, damn it.’
But I couldn’t just back down after coming this far.
“Good. Henderson, leader of the 18th division of the McLane Knights. I invite you to spar.”
“good night.”
Although the expressions of his colleagues’ pride were distorted, Henderson surprisingly achieved above average results in the sparring with Knight Esperanza that started like that.
It wasn’t a bad performance, but there was something that bothered Henderson a little.
“Damn. Should I at least spar with trainee knights?”
“They are all still young. I heard that if you don’t awaken your Force powers in your 20s, they won’t even accept you as a trainee knight.”
“Really? No matter what, it’s pride…”
“Does pride feed you?”
Henderson walked in silence for a while with a slightly dazed expression, listening to the words of his colleagues with one ear.
The sparring with Knight Esperanza, who had mastered a completely different style of intermediate swordsmanship, was so impressive that just looking back on it was helpful enough.
However…
“Chief. But that knight did his best, right? His swordsmanship is a bit…”
“It’s true that he did his best. That’s why it’s a bit strange.”
DeGrom’s gaze was accurate as he reached the end of the lower class and soon crossed over to the middle class.
A rank knight of the Knights of Esperanza who appears to be about the same age as himself.
The swordsmanship he used was clearly of a lower level than that of the iron blood sword.
Nevertheless, it was a sight that was difficult to understand for Henderson and DeGrom, who fought on equal footing with Henderson, perhaps due to the difference in years of reaching the level, but who knew that the Iron Blood Sword had entered McLane through swordsmanship.
“Everyone, how about sparring with trainee knights starting tomorrow?”
“Okay. I guess it’s not a good idea to show off your pride here, right?”
“Okay, then let’s do it. Even if it means getting embarrassed.”
Looking at their colleagues like that, Henderson and deGrom were lost in thought with puzzled expressions.
Although they didn’t talk to each other, their thoughts were the same.
Perhaps the iron blood sword that Prince Logan had obtained might not have been given to him by the swordsman.
‘It couldn’t have been invented by the Grand Duke…’
‘Where on earth did you get it?’
The directions in which the thoughts went were different, but the conclusion was obvious.
The Archduke gave his family swordsmanship that was superior to that of the Duke of Esperanza.
In the hearts of the two knights, the expectations for their future masters could not help but grow a little more.
* * * The ostensible reason for coming to the capital was to meet his teacher, Sword Duke, and stay until his successor was born.
Not only that, but in order to achieve a practical goal, it was necessary to start by building trust with the teacher.
Therefore, Logan willingly accepted the training that began on the first day he arrived.
However, the training that started with such a light heart made him reflect on his mistakes so much that Logan forgot all the calculations and concentrated on training for a while.
Therefore, a week had already passed since I arrived when I remembered that I had decided to take good care of the knights as soon as I arrived at the Swordsmith House to prevent any accidental accidents.
‘I don’t think these guys are going somewhere else and causing trouble.’
On the road he was so worried about, he saw a completely unexpected sight.
“It’s the Archduke! Loyalty! Castle!”
“Confucius! Loyalty!”
“I respect you!”
“…Oh yeah.”
‘What are these… why is this happening all of a sudden?’
The reaction of the guys I met after a long time was too much.
Even considering his status within the family, he felt it was too much.
“DeGrom. What happened?”
“Nothing wrong!”
“What’s your routine so far?”
“I was constantly sparring and training with the Knights of Esperanza.”
“…Really? You’re eager.”
Obviously, despite the chilly weather in the early morning, beads of sweat were visible.
Seeing that Logan was so engrossed in training that his worries were in vain, the corners of his mouth naturally rose, even though his original intention of visiting them was nullified.
“Then training…”
“I will work even harder in the future!”
“I will never forget Confucius’ consideration for the rest of my life!”
“thank you!”
However, the only question was that the violent reaction did not stop for some reason.
The guys who were trying to roll were rolling even more on their own, so there was nothing to say.
Rather, I had time to reflect again.
‘Even regular drivers are this enthusiastic. Surely I…’
Logan sighed softly and raised his sword next to the knights.
“Huh? Archduke?”
“I will practice with you today.”
The knights nodded with bright expressions, and Logan’s sigh quickly turned into a smile.
On the way out of the training in a good mood, sweating with the knights.
An unexpected and absurd thing was waiting for him.
“Meeting…?”
“That’s right. What a shameful thing to be the heir of a noble family without a fiancé at the age of 21. What’s more, he’s my student! So, I think I’ll find a partner for him myself.”
“Didn’t you tell me to focus on training while I was there? Why all of a sudden…?”
“When your mind is at peace, you can train well. I only realized this after meeting my wife.”
“….”
In a few months, a civil war will engulf the kingdom.
Your disciple plans to fight his hardest in that war.
‘You can’t say… shit.’
Why is this a sudden thunderstorm?
Logan tried to keep his facial expression from convulsing.
“Still, I’m embarrassed because it’s so sudden. Why are you suddenly saying this…?”
“Well, let’s just say I was asked to do it. I’m also worried about the future of my beloved student.”
There was only one thought that came to mind when I heard the word please.
“You mean from our family?”
“The grown heir can’t even get engaged. As a parent, wouldn’t you be worried?”
The swordsman said it as if it was obvious, but Logan had to work hard not to wrinkle his face.
‘Holy shit.’
Logan could immediately understand how the situation was going.
‘It’s meaningless. ‘After a while anyway…’
I knew it in my head, but I couldn’t just ignore my teacher’s words.
“…I’ll see you later.”
I told myself that it was okay to waste that much time for about a day.
“Yes. You won’t be disappointed. I looked into him and he seemed like he would be a good match for you. He’s quite famous even in the capital.”
Although I was a little bothered by the mischievous smile on my teacher’s lips.
* * *
“Huh? A fight? You still haven’t given up?”
In response to his daughter’s response, Count Roberts Floyd tried to control his trembling heart and responded calmly.
‘I will somehow help you find happiness as a woman.’
Sweat-soaked black military uniform and sword in hand.
Although she didn’t look at all suitable for a count’s eldest daughter, she was still pretty in her father’s eyes.
Of course, I am confident that she is objectively beautiful.
“Yes. Our pretty daughter is still popular. It was recommended by His Excellency Duke Felix Esperanza.”
“…Esperanza? Are you talking about the swordsman’s family?”
My daughter’s face is a little brighter.
However, knowing that it was not because of marriage talk, the young bitterness on the count’s face became a little deeper.
But there is something about this that shows interest.
Thinking positively, Roberts brought up a topic that would increase her daughter’s interest.
“Yes. They say you are his disciple.”
“The swordsman’s disciple? He is his disciple?”
“Yes. Only those in the know still know this story, but they say he is a talented person who will soon become famous.”
‘But you’re the only one who will do it…’
Roberts swallowed the sincerity welling up in his throat, feeling the hopeful anticipation in his daughter’s tone.
Since he was an active child from a young age, it was thought that he might be interested in swordsmanship.
Swordsmanship training is difficult even for most adult men, so I thought he would give up quickly, but even when he enjoyed it, I was able to laugh and think that he was an unusual child.
Until the daughter awakened to the Force at the age of twelve and said she wanted to become a knight.
– A girl is a knight! Absolutely not! Are you planning to mess with 300 years of family history?
At that time, I still vividly remembered the time when my father, the late Count Floyd, was screaming as if he was going to vomit blood.
And my daughter is fifteen.
My father finally collapsed when he beat up his fiancée, who was five years older than him, and broke off their engagement.
The family also had to pay the heavy repercussions of beating up the grandson of Duke Waltermaim, an Auror user.
After that, daughter Eilen’s sword training was completely blocked.
Nevertheless, just two years later, Eilen caused an incident where he unilaterally beat up an opponent who qualified as a knight, proving that he was already more than an ordinary knight.
– I’m not interested in marriage!
By the time his daughter declared her family name, Roberts had given up.
A girl who catches a knight.
After that nickname was given, there was no conversation about marriage.
‘Why don’t you try to live like other women?’
It was very frustrating for Roberts, but her daughter was steadfast.
So I couldn’t miss this opportunity no matter what.
‘The Duke assured. He is such an outstanding talent.’
So maybe I can handle Eilen.
No, you can at least break it.
It was not that she wanted her daughter to be unhappy, but that she wanted her to know the happiness that other ordinary women enjoyed.
Moreover, Roberts was certain of one thing.
‘There’s no way a boy wouldn’t fall in love with my daughter.’
A healthy and slim body, perhaps due to swordsmanship training.
And I believed that her clear facial features and silky red hair, resembling her mother, who was called the most beautiful woman in the capital twenty years ago, were beautiful enough for a normal man of her age to fall in love with.
“I’m curious because you’re a swordsman’s disciple.”
okay. Stay tuned. If possible, go the other way as well.
“Please, never! Don’t even think about using violence this time! Understood?!”
But my daughter’s reaction was lukewarm.
“…If the person is polite.”
The father’s anxious heart was only turning black and rotting.
* * *
“Eileen…Princess Floyd?”
A neat-looking young man with red hair like his own and red eyes that seem to match his own, giving him a unique impression.
I have met countless men who gave me shaking eyes when they first saw me.
‘None of them were decent.’
– Since I have awakened the Force, I will have a strong baby.
Duke Waltermim’s son, who was talking nonsense, was to the point where he regretted not hitting him less.
– Even if a woman awakens to the Force, how strong would she be? I will deal with you with one hand. Oh, you can use a weapon.
I still didn’t understand why it was wrong to single-handedly beat up an idiot who couldn’t sense the difference between his own level and that of others.
Of course, the same goes for the other opponents who said crazy things about calling a wizard to seal the Force and allow them to live safely.
Pathetic males who only look at their appearance and giggle.
As I realized that I was no different from those guys, the slight expectations I had upon hearing that I was a swordsman’s disciple began to disappear.
But still, the minimum courtesy had to be observed.
“Nice to meet you, Prince Logan McLane.”
The emerald-eyed beauty was stunningly beautiful, wearing a light cream-colored evening dress that made her red hair reminiscent of roses stand out even more, and accented with a sparkling necklace.
But it wasn’t his appearance that caused Logan’s eyes to waver.
‘A force close to the extreme middle level of the lower level.’
Even the force that a beautiful woman and daughter, rare to see even in the capital city of Grand, have stored in her body is surprising.
I couldn’t believe I was only eighteen.
And only after I recognized that fact, a memory suddenly came to mind.
‘Yes, the Floyd family. Why didn’t I think of it when I first heard it?’
Countless rumors created by the three-year civil war.
Among them was one rumor related to the Floyd family.
Eileen Floyd, the rose of steel that bloomed in a collapsed family. The talented people of Grandia were lost in vain during the three-year civil war.
Among them, one representative person was standing in front of him in an unexpected manner.
