Chapter 22. Calmly move forward one step at a time. (9)
Instead of answering, I laughed. As if she had heard some nonsense.
I wasn’t the type of person who would fall for low-level provocations that were so obvious to the eye.
Moreover, the likelihood of Bennett’s provocation being realistically realized was too low.
“Why are you smiling?”
Bennett, his face red, pushed me. She answered leisurely, turning her palm over.
“I think it’s funny that you’re asking for a match with such an obvious outcome.”
At the bold remark, the faces of everyone who participated in the meeting stiffened.
“It seems clear to me who will be the ultimate winner.”
Although I didn’t specifically say which knighthood it was, my confident expression already told me the answer.
Before people who realized what I meant said anything,
“I know everyone is burning with a competitive spirit,”
I stretched out my finger and pointed at a place on the map.
“I think everyone has forgotten what Lord Mikel said at the beginning.”
Mountain ranges rising steeply from the north of the map.
“We will enter the beginning of the northern mountain range tomorrow. The climate will change significantly, and there will be a blizzard.”
Only then did the people startle and erase their displeasure from their faces.
“So we’ll be busy tonight just preparing for the cold and checking supplies.”
After finishing speaking, I glanced at Mikel, and he nodded slowly.
“That’s right. So during today’s meeting, I wanted to give a detailed explanation in preparation for tomorrow.”
Bennett and some others who sympathized blushed. He turned his gaze away from them and smiled sweetly.
“But… now that I think about it, I think there is some truth to what Prince Bennet said.”
Bennett was startled by the sudden remark and straightened up. He looked at me here and there with an expression as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
“Instead of a martial arts competition, how about this method?”
He slowly interlaced the fingers of both hands, clasped them, and placed them on the table.
“The competition is based on the number of monsters each knight slain before arriving at the node territory.”
The soft voice was gentle yet uninterrupted.
“It will meet the original purpose of a subjugation war and at the same time increase the motivation of the knights by creating competition.”
People were concentrating on my every word, forgetting that Mikel was the host of the meeting.
A calm, downcast voice, an accurate insight into the situation, and even the ability to naturally bring the atmosphere towards me.
“Oh… I think that’s a good method.”
“It’s a monster that needs to be caught anyway, so you just have to count the number of monsters.”
“It would be efficient because it wouldn’t waste any time.”
As expected, the idiots who were blind to victory quickly showed interest.
Most of those who attended this event were either the leaders of the knights or young successors who had not yet matured.
Unless, like Mikel, he serves as both a lord and a knight commander.
It was very easy to roast and boil them with my speaking skills.
“Fine. However, you must not use unfair methods such as intentionally harming the other person.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Let’s compete fairly, like knights.”
Perhaps they were thinking in their own way, but there was no mention of using the number of monsters killed per person.
‘I guess they have a lot more people.’
I don’t know if it will turn out as they think.
While I was hiding my laughter, Mikel quietly raised his hand.
“We, the Nord Knights, will serve as referees in that match.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on him.
“I believe there is no knight order that catches less than us who are the judges.”
LOL… … .
His laughter spread among the people.
Pajik!
In the meantime, people’s sparkling gazes were exchanged.
“Hehe, Lord Mikel is saying the obvious.”
“Everyone needs to work hard to avoid being defeated by the Nord Knights.”
People pretended to relax their shoulders and showed a relaxed attitude.
However, his eyes were so burning that it felt as if lightning had struck this place.
Amidst the noisy back-and-forth of nerves. An incongruously calm gaze fell upon me.
‘Derek Graham.’
He was staring at me in a noisy atmosphere.
“…….”
He nodded slightly to indicate that this was the time he had mentioned before.
“-!”
A look crossed Derek’s eyes, and he nodded as if he understood.
It was no mistake that his gaze toward me had become unusually soft since I delivered him food the other day.
“Then the deadline will be from the moment you encounter the first monster until you arrive at the node territory.”
Mikel said, leisurely stroking his beard.
“The easiest way to count is to cut off its ears. Usually, each monster has two ears, so even if you try to trick them, you will be found out right away.”
He looked around at the people and declared in a low voice.
“Once again, I would like to thank everyone who was here. Separate from this match, I will reward you with a lordship once the subjugation war is over. This is what I, Mikel Nord Concellare, the representative of the Nord Territory, promise. ”
His blue-grey eyes shone calmly.
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“In addition, the person who wins will be sentenced to death by His Majesty the Emperor. I will personally make a proclamation to His Majesty the Emperor.”
After finishing speaking, he put his snow shoes on the table.
“Then, with that in mind, I will explain the precautions for tomorrow.”
Just like that, the night of different dreams was passing by.
❖ ❖ ❖
next day.
How long has it been since I urged my horse to run as fast as I could?
“and…….”
“Those are the northern mountains….”
A soft exclamation came from people’s mouths. Their eyes were all focused on the white snow mountains in the distance.
“The altitude will gradually increase.”
“All I can see is mountains.”
Murmurs of concern spread here and there.
The road I had been running so far was on a wide plain, so I was able to speed up as much as I wanted.
The weather was also a bit chilly, so I ended up sweating a little while running as hard as I could.
but.
“There’s that much snow….”
“I’m going to have to use all my strength to climb that mountain.”
I could see snow falling around the snowy mountain. It was obvious that the closer we got to that side, the more difficult it would become.
“Everyone, prepare your mind well and be careful not to let your members fall behind.”
Before climbing the mountain in earnest, Mikel gathered representatives from each knighthood.
“Even though the snowy mountains may seem far away, the moment you don’t realize it, a snowstorm will suddenly begin. Therefore, I will put on your winter clothes in advance now.”
He said in a serious voice.
“Also, I believe that you have clearly informed the entire knighthood of what was reported yesterday.”
“of course.”
“Of course.”
Everyone answered readily, but I saw it. A few people’s eyes are slowly turning downward.
‘Tsk tsk, if you do that, you’re going to get seriously hurt.’
Someone spoke in a relaxed tone.
“I made thorough preparations before leaving the capital, so nothing bad will happen.”
As the schedule continued to be too peaceful, people’s hearts were filled with relaxation rather than tension.
“Besides, look at our numbers. No matter how many monsters come, we will be able to easily defeat them.”
People were full of confidence. Or, they would show off their power by banging on the weapon they were holding.
“…I think talking about it here will only make my mouth hurt.”
Instead of reprimanding them, Mikel simply spoke quietly.
“First of all, I will climb the mountain while following the precautions as much as possible. We will leave once everyone is dressed in their costumes.”
He raised his hand and pointed to a small building at the mouth of a snowy mountain in the distance.
“The destination is a guard post at the beginning of the mountain. We will prepare our supplies there and spend the night.”
“Barely there? Wouldn’t it be better to move forward a little further?”
“It’s so close. I think we’ll be there in a few hours.”
In response to some people’s questions, a slanted smile appeared on Mikel’s lips.
“You’ll find out when you get there.”
A few hours later.
“Uh-huh, this guy?”
“Why aren’t you moving?”
As the altitude of the mountain became steeper, the horses refused to move while carrying people.
In the end, all the knights had to dismount from their horses and drag them up the mountain themselves.
“Huh, huh.”
“Whoa, whoo.”
The steep altitude made even seasoned knights tired. Everyone had to climb the mountain gritting their teeth due to the pain in their legs.
Except for a few groups.
“Master, are you okay?”
Conrad looked at me with a worried face.
“what?”
He paused when he saw my very peaceful face.
“No, it’s nothing. I said something unnecessary.”
He shook his head and looked around.
“Hmm….”
“Ugh.”
Among the family’s successors, there were many who broke their legs. They had to be carried by cart or horse with their legs in splints.
Their faces were filled with indescribable humiliation as they unwillingly became a burden to the knights.
“You don’t trust me too much.”
I followed Conrad’s gaze and laughed.
“No, actually, I think he wants me to fall over there.”
“What are you saying!”
As if he had hit the nail on the head, Conrad hurriedly put up his hand.
“No, absolutely not. I never even thought about that.”
Nope.
This may have been the underlying reason why he readily approved my joining.
‘You probably thought that even if you used a sword, you wouldn’t be able to survive the rough march.’
He must have been waiting for me to say that I was tired of all the work and would eventually go back to the capital.
However, I am very used to camping, and I was able to climb these steep mountain paths with ease.
Dressed in thick fur clothes and a cape.
“What can I say… you’re so good at it. It’s like it’s not your first time.”
Conrad said, scratching his head.
“The more I get to know you, Master, the more I think that all the stories I’ve heard are lies.”
“What story?”
“Yes. The story about him changing the woman he hangs out with every night, being addicted to gambling, and being beaten with a sword by Captain Diego…”
Conrad, who had been spitting out words without thinking as he climbed the rough rocky road, was startled.
“Keep trying.”
Conrad’s shoulders shrank under my gaze that was colder than the biting wind.
“I was just reciting what I heard. Please stop your anger.”
“…….”
“Are you really going to break my leg here?”
The grim-faced man drooped his eyebrows and made a sad face.
“……So, what’s next?”
It was very difficult to watch. So she pretended she couldn’t win and quickly moved on.
Since ancient times, facial expressions like that were only effective when made by a pretty boy like me.
No, looking at it now, I think Conrad’s face was more effective. In the exact opposite sense to me.
“Anyway, there’s no way someone like that could lead the knights so brilliantly. I’m just wondering why such a rumor came about.”
He tilted his head towards Conrad with a soft smile.
“Aren’t I the only heir to the Kindreal family?”
“As expected, that’s true….”
“Shh, leave it to me to guess.”
“Oh, I understand.”
Conrad’s eyes sparkled as if he saw me again.
He seemed to believe that the notoriety I had accumulated over the years was not real, and that I had actually been receiving thorough training as a successor.
“As expected, young master….”
Although it was a slightly different word from Elice, a similar sentence flowed from Conrad’s mouth.
I responded indifferently, ignoring his respectful gaze.
“Get your face away from me. It’s burdensome.”
“……yes.”
fantasy,
