Chapter 22. Calmly move forward one step at a time. (7)
Some successors were not knighted. He simply possesses the level of swordsmanship to protect his own body.
They came along as representatives of the family because of the symbolism of this northern subjugation war.
As a result, it shows such poor appearance.
Judging by Conrad’s expression, it seemed like he expected me to look like that.
“I vaguely thought you would have a hard time since you have no camping experience.”
He furrowed his eyebrows and scratched his cheek.
“But somehow, you are very skilled. Do you have any experience camping?”
“You must have heard how I carried the seal to the capital.”
In response to my answer, Conrad slapped his forehead with an “Ah” sound.
“I see. Somehow, your horseback riding skills are at a high level. I was honestly impressed.”
“…….”
“Even though you’ve been riding all day, your complexion hasn’t changed at all. Are you really okay?”
“You seem to be very worried about my physical condition.”
I smiled proudly at him and then raised my voice.
“To ease the vice-captain’s worries, we will continue our sparring after we finish eating.”
The once cozy atmosphere around the bonfire suddenly became cold.
“Then it will prove that my body is fine.”
Thump, thud.
Some members lost their spoons from their hands,
“Vice-captain, what did we do wrong?”
“Why are you doing this to us?”
A look of resentment shot towards Conrad like an arrow.
“Today’s sparring includes the vice-captain.”
Then I said something,
“Long live Master Abel!”
“As expected, young master! I believed you!”
A different, enthusiastic cheer than before rang out.
“……Master, I was wrong.”
Conrad cried.
❖ ❖ ❖
After finishing the meal, representatives from each knighthood gathered together and had a short meeting.
Of course, thanks to the delay of other knights, our knights were able to complete their special training.
“If only they had prepared quickly….”
“I would never have been beaten like this…”
The increased resentment of the Ovest Knights towards the surrounding knights was a bonus.
The meeting place is Mikel’s tent. In a unique atmosphere filled with northern leather goods and fur furniture.
Twenty people, including the heirs of the family and the knight commanders, gathered and talked.
“Tomorrow, just like today, we will run across the wide plains. This schedule will continue until we reach the beginning of the northern mountain range.”
“How long do you think it will take to arrive?”
“I’m expecting it to take about three days. At the current rate.”
Bennett, a young man with a noticeably pale face, raised his hand.
“Are we going at this speed tomorrow too?”
His green eyes trembled from fatigue.
It seems that today’s schedule was a bit difficult for the well-bred master.
“I feel sorry for Prince Bennet, but….”
Mikel furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth.
“Once we enter the mountains, the schedule will be further delayed. We need to shorten the running time as much as possible while we can.”
“……I understand. I understand Lord Mikel’s feelings.”
Bennett quickly calmed his expression and answered resolutely. I hid the bitter smile that rose up at the sight.
‘Still, he pretends to be a nobleman.’
I expected him to be a little more obnoxious or to throw a tantrum.
I didn’t really like Cain’s close friend. The image he showed when he asked people to join their club wasn’t very good either.
‘Well, if we wait, the bottom will be revealed.’
In extreme situations, humans tend to shed their outer layer of politeness and show their true nature.
“…….”
Just before I looked away, I made eye contact with Bennett, who was looking at me. He snorted proudly and turned his face to the other side.
‘That’s childish.’
It’s a shame that Cain isn’t here. If he were, they would have been busy harassing me together.
“Then, let’s leave these precautions to this.”
Mikel concluded the meeting.
“Everyone, please keep watch and get a good rest for tomorrow.”
“With this many people, is there really a need for an on-call watch?”
“Even if I were a monster, I don’t think I would attack a place like this.”
Mikel’s mouth stiffened at the negligent questions of some representatives.
“now-”
As he was about to open his mouth,
“Okay then, you can sleep without waking up.”
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My bitter voice filled the space.
“And then, if I fall asleep and get stabbed to death with a blind knife, what can I do?”
He smiled and smiled awkwardly.
“At that level, it will only hold you back, so it would be better to disappear now.”
“What now….”
The face of the person who was openly criticized turned red.
bang!
He couldn’t control his anger and knocked on the table.
“Prince Abel, have you said everything now? Are you doubting the skills of our knights?”
“No matter how famous the Ovest Knights are as the strongest knights in the empire, you went too far with your words just now!”
Even the representatives of other knights got angry and raised their voices.
“I was just stating the truth, but it’s surprising that it turns into doubt about my abilities.”
Despite their burning gazes, I smiled brightly.
“If I were proud, I wouldn’t even think about that.”
The moment our gazes towards each other became harsh,
“Stop it.”
Director Joshua’s heavy voice separated us.
“If there was no need to be on guard, Lord Mikel would have said so.”
He slowly looked around and cast a stern look at each person.
“The person in charge of this march is Lord Mikel. I hope everyone doesn’t forget that.”
It was a decisive ending that made it impossible to refute any more.
I shrugged my shoulders and walked away, and the others also walked away, chewing their lips.
However, a sharp gaze flew like an arrow with the meaning that I would not leave it alone next time.
‘You must be young.’
Families who sided with Cain.
It was intentional to tease them. The more you lose your temper and become more excited, the more mistakes you make.
Now that they had lost their central point of Cain, they had to be further broken down and dug up to make it impossible for them to unite again.
‘Looking at what they’re doing, it seems like they’ll destroy themselves sooner or later.’
However, I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to give them a hard time.
The moment you hide your satisfied smile and lower your gaze,
“…….”
I felt several eyes on me. A gaze closer to exploration rather than hostile.
When I raised my head and looked for the source, they quickly turned their gaze as if they had never done that before.
‘aha.’
It seemed like I would have to meet them sooner or later.
“Thank you everyone for your hard work.”
“I’ll see you at dawn tomorrow.”
With a brief greeting, the people gathered at the meeting dispersed. When I returned to the barracks, Conrad was waiting at the entrance.
“What about the members?”
“We are patrolling on watch.”
“Good. It’s good that the first day passed without any problems.”
I patted Conrad’s shoulder to congratulate him. I lifted the cloth at the entrance to the barracks I was using alone and went inside.
“Don’t wake me up or come into the tent. Never.”
When I put emphasis on the last word, Conrad rolled his eyes and responded.
“Okay. Have a nice night.”
After lowering the tent cloth, I looked around inside. Soft sleeping bags made from animal fur, small tables and chairs, etc.
“Still, we have quite a selection.”
It was a very luxurious life compared to other knights who slept together in one barracks.
“Anyway, how much money did I spend this time?”
There was no feeling of regret or shame about sleeping alone. The positions of an individual knight and the leader of a group of knights are clearly different.
Since ancient times, my peace has been the peace of the Ovest Knights.
Instead of getting right into my sleeping bag, I knelt down in the middle of the barracks.
“…….”
I gently closed my eyes and calmed my breathing. She expanded her senses around the barracks.
[Thump, thud.]
The sound of firewood burning in the bonfire lit in the center,
[Tap, knock.]
The sound of each knight’s watch squad patrolling could be heard.
[-Why not? Even starting tomorrow… … .]
[- is not good. For now, it would be better to watch.]
The sound of voices I know well having a conversation.
While there are those who diligently hold meetings for tomorrow,
[Grunt-pooh.]
[Crumbling, sniffling.]
The sound of black men snoring could be heard from all directions.
[Ah, bastards. Did you put a trumpet on your nose?]
Even the irritated muttering of those sleeping next to him.
It was a truly peaceful night.
How much time has passed?
“Hey, let’s take shifts.”
The sound of a conversation between watchmen could be heard from the nearest area.
‘now.’
We lifted up the tent and quickly escaped.
Since I had loosened the stake earlier, it wasn’t difficult to slip through the gap.
After standing up, I quietly walked away. Since she had the absolute zone turned on, there was no chance of being discovered by patrolling personnel.
I walked quietly and focused on my hearing again.
[…] … There is no such thing.]
[…] … If so, I might have to return without any income.]
Indeed, I felt that the voices I had expected were gathered in one place.
I walked towards the tent there. As if he was showing off his presence.
When I suddenly appear in the dark,
“-!”
“-omg!”
The knights guarding the front of the tent were startled when they saw me.
“Abel Kindreal.”
“What’s going on here?”
He spoke in a calm voice to those who were very embarrassed.
“I have some business to do inside.”
“Inside here now….”
“I know, I know. Everyone will be gathered together.”
I passed them by and approached the entrance.
“for a moment-”
The member stretched out his hand toward me, but
Flap!
It was faster for me to open the tent entrance.
“Howdy.”
There were six people gathered inside the tent.
“Oh, Abel Kindreal?”
“Why are you here….”
People sitting around the table stood up in surprise. I entered the tent, taking in their faces.
Tap, tap.
The sound of firm footsteps cut through the silence in the tent.
“That’s rude.”
Someone opened their mouth.
It was a man with brown hair that was as fluffy as that of a dog, and eyes that were slightly droopy at the ends.
“Derek Graham.”
When I smiled and called his name, Derek ruffled his hair nervously.
“I put someone here to stop you from coming in like this.”
“Tell them, let them know inside, and get permission. That would take too long.”
“I never invited Prince Abel here.”
“know.”
He grumbled in response and approached and pulled out the one remaining chair.
dump.
He sat there and smiled.
“You can just accept the invitation now, right?”
Everyone around me looked sick of my shameless attitude.
“It’s okay, let’s go out.”
Derek let out a soft sigh and gestured toward the members standing awkwardly at the entrance.
“Everyone sit down.”
After talking to people around me who couldn’t bear to sit and look at me,
dump.
He also sat on the chair so that the sound could be heard. It was a quite harsh sound, as if showing discomfort.
“I don’t think I’ll just leave. It would be quicker to have a conversation.”
Derek looked at me with his bluish green eyes shining.
Derek Graham.
The eldest son of the Graham family, a historic aristocratic family that dislikes quarrels in politics and maintains neutrality.
Likewise, the people gathered around him were also the successors of a family that maintained neutrality.
‘That means there is a possibility that he could become my ally.’
My power in the capital was still weak.
Although the status of the Obest family was raised at this meeting, its power was not established in earnest.
One of my plans was to use this subjugation war as an opportunity to recruit noble families who would support me.
He opened his mouth with a smile on his face.
“It sounds like you’re telling an interesting story.”
fantasy,
