Episode 3. The duke’s incompetent child (2)
A sparring match between Kranz, the family’s promising leader, and Xian, an incompetent child.
Without predicting who would win, the spectators predicted a one-sided Kranz victory.
Seeing Xian standing defenseless, I thought that he might have given up on sparring altogether… … .
What is this?
With a quick movement, he dodged Kranz’s sword and instantly made him fall to his knees.
As if that wasn’t enough, he knocked him out by hitting him in the face with his foot and ended the sparring by pointing his sword at him.
“… … !?”
The attendants, who had no martial arts experience, were confused as to what had happened.
However, the perspectives of warriors who had trained their swordsmanship, including high-ranking knights, were different.
Xian’s foot fell exactly at the moment when Kranz, who was running, was about to throw his sword. It was as if he had watched his opponent’s movements to the end and responded.
Kranz, who lost his target, lost his balance and fell down, and Xian, who did not miss the opportunity, overpowered him in an instant.
It could never be said to be a coincidence.
It was a job that required a very delicate sense and concentration.
It was the same for Duke Berthe.
The fifth and youngest son, Sian Bert, inherited his blood.
He was a child who received no attention from birth because he was known to have no talent for swordsmanship or enthusiasm for martial arts.
However, even such children have parental affection.
Even if he was an incompetent child who couldn’t do anything, I watched with anticipation, wondering if he would show even a small possibility through today’s sparring.
But what is this?
He defeated the fourth in just one contest.
The Duke smiled.
Even the youngest child had talent.
In fact, he may have been hiding his talent all along.
If you complete the academy’s education, you will definitely be able to grow into a worthy member of the family.
It’s like discovering a gem under a lamp that you haven’t paid attention to.
However, the moment I saw the next action, that joy turned into doubt.
“… … ?”
A brutal assault that did not need to happen.
Even if he made the excuse that it was for complete suppression, there was no need to inflict such a merciless blow on his brother when the game was already close.
This was truly an act born of the desire to completely subdue the opponent.
Is there a need to show something like that in sparring, even if it’s not on the battlefield?
A ten-year-old child who doesn’t even have fur on his body yet?
The duke’s face immediately became one of agony.
“Yulken?”
At the duke’s call, a guardian knight came running.
“Did you call me, Duke?”
“I will delay my return a little. Let the knights on the front lines know… … .”
The driver seemed a bit surprised to hear that he would delay his return, but did not question it and just bowed his head and walked away.
However, he didn’t question him and just bowed his head and left.
“… … .”
The duke continued to look at Xian’s figure.
Whether she was aware of that gaze or not, Xian was just handing the sword back to the maid with a grave expression.
* * *
An afternoon with the sun rising in the sky.
I sat down at the table to eat lunch, but it felt like something had changed.
The food was spread out so wide that it felt like my upper legs would break.
I’m not saying you should burst your stomach and die, but how can you tell that this is a meal for one person?
No, well, let’s say the food is like that… … .
“What are they all doing, Emily?”
“Well, I don’t know either. I didn’t hear that they were supported… … .”
The servants of the mansion, who I normally didn’t even notice, were lined up in front of me.
Among them, there were a few people who were in charge of Kranz.
The maids who prepared the food were staring at me with sparkling eyes as if asking me to try their food.
It actually goes in through the nose, not the mouth… … .
Just by winning one sparring match, my status does not rise rapidly.
From the beginning, there was only one maid in charge of me, Emily.
In other words, they all gathered voluntarily.
It is a human habit not to forget the grace that has helped us grow.
In order for a person to succeed, there are bound to be many supporters who help and support him.
When children of noble families become successful, they usually do not forget to take care of the nannies or maids who raised them, and it is customary to do so.
However, there are no bats like this.
It’s like people who never even said hello to each other before are now flocking to get a bite to eat… … .
Well, I understand.
In a way, this is an extremely mean law of living in the world.
How humane is it to be busy trying to survive?
“Can everyone please leave?”
Still, I want to eat comfortably.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
“It’s because I feel burdened. Thank you for making it, but I want to eat a little more comfortably. “I’ll call you if I need anything, so I hope everyone leaves.”
The attendants, who were looking at each other, soon went out one or two at a time.
Emily, who had been watching me secretly, was about to leave, so I immediately called her out.
“Why are you leaving, Emily?”
“yes?”
“You don’t have to give me dessert.”
At the mention of dessert, she smiled and returned.
For your information, Emily is really bad at cooking.
So much so that she was considered the worst among the maids in the mansion.
Aside from cooking, I’m not particularly good at anything.
Well, it’s not that strange for an incompetent son to have an incompetent maid.
I didn’t specifically ask her to stay because I wanted to drink her tea.
He just showed his affection as an owner.
However, one could argue that it is good to have a maid by one’s side who does not hesitate to say rude things to the duke’s daughter.
However, I dare say that there is no one in the mansion who cares more about me than this maid.
About nine years old? One time, I had a fever and was in and out of consciousness.
At that time, Kranz announced that he was going out hunting for the first time, and dragged away all the servants of the mansion, leaving no one left to look after me.
At that time, the person who rushed to the Youngji healing center carrying my fiery body was Emily.
Then she nursed me for two days and nights without sleep.
I may have a bit of an unusual personality, but if it weren’t for her, I in my past life might have suddenly died in a mansion one day.
In other words, he is the only person I cannot abandon and have no choice but to keep by my side.
After the meal was over, she brought out tea as if she had been waiting.
“But master! How on earth did you win, Master Kranz?”
“How do you win? “You saw it too.”
“no! You are a person who has never had the slightest interest in swords! Unless you trained me while I wasn’t looking… … .”
“I did it when you weren’t around.”
“yes… … ?”
It’s not a lie.
My sword skills training started at the academy.
Apparently they had been practicing in a place where she wasn’t around.
Emily’s bewildered face was a sight to behold.
-Jump, jerk, jerk.
While I was savoring my tea, I heard footsteps.
Not the thin steps of servants, but the heavy steps of a knight.
Since the mansion’s dining room was an open space without a door, a knight wearing pure white armor soon appeared around the corner.
“Guardian Knight Yulken. “I see you, Master Xian.”
It was Yulken Darius, a senior knight belonging to the Knights of Light.
Emily, startled by the appearance of a senior knight, quickly backed away and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry for suddenly coming to you while I was eating.”
“are you okay. But for what reason?”
“The Duke is looking for Master Xian. “I will guide you to the office, so would you please accompany me?”
It’s my father’s calling.
I heard that you postponed your return to the front line, but I never thought you would call me already.
“okay. “Can I go now?”
There was no need to delay as the meal was over.
I got up right away, was guided by Yulken, and headed to my father’s office.
Confucius being escorted by a senior knight.
This is by no means light.
The dissemination and guidance of news can at least be handled by lower-ranking soldiers.
However, the person guiding me now is a high-ranking knight who has reached the highest level as a warrior.
That in itself shows how much the value of my existence has risen.
The attendants bow their heads as soon as they encounter me.
Even though it was just a simple step toward the office, I was under strong protection that I was not even allowed to approach.
“Yes, master! hey!”
Emily, who had been following closely, pointed across the hallway.
I see a group approaching with a dignified gait.
Margaret Herges.
She was the duke’s confidant and the mother of Kranz, whom I had defeated a little while ago.
Looking at the direction, it looks like they went to the infirmary.
He must have come to check on Kranz’s condition.
“… … !”
When she saw me, she frowned as if it was obvious.
Without hesitation, I went over and talked to her.
“Is Kranz okay?”
She was very displeased.
“You’re so good at talking with your mouth. “After beating your brother so brutally, you shamelessly show your face?”
Gutara… … .
Did he say those things knowing the abusive behavior that Krantz had committed against me?
Well, I understand that you blame me for giving in a hundred times.
After all, I don’t feel unfair even if I get a slap in the face when the bastard is in trouble because of me.
It’s not like I couldn’t have expected this reaction at all.
The fact that she didn’t look at me favorably was something that happened from the beginning.
As long as I don’t cross the line any further, I can go over quietly.
“Well, I guess that means there’s nothing we can do about blood ties that have no roots. “He was born to a dirty mother, so can he be a healthy child?”
… … .
I crossed the line.
What little sense of morality I had as a human being was suddenly cut off.
If it were me in a past life, you wouldn’t know it. Saying those words in front of me now is the same as asking me to kill you.
“From the beginning, you were just selling food on the street. The duke took it from me, but you don’t even know the subject? “Well, people like you won’t understand even if I say it a hundred times!”
The Duchess’ words had already disappeared from my mind.
Oh, what should I do?
You just want to kill me?
What would happen if I killed the duchess here?
Should I think about it after I kill it?
I guess I could just rip off Yulken’s head so he wouldn’t have time to react… … .
After thinking for a moment, I quickly shook my head.
If you’re going to kill it so easily, you can’t do anything.
“Why are you standing around like that? “You can’t get out of the way!”
I just ignored it and stared at her face.
“W-what are those eyes! How dare you look at safety… … !”
“What are you trying to do?”
The surroundings froze at the words I barely spoke.
“I feel very bad when the noble Duchess says such harsh words.”
The Duchess laughed as if she was shocked.
“under! “What do I care about your feelings?”
“You’re supposed to care, right?”
“what?”
“Do you know what I’m going to do to Kranz?”
Her eyes trembled violently for a moment.
“Shouldn’t we at least go to the academy with our limbs still intact?”
My smiling face even makes me tremble.
My words are sincere, not vain.
Even if you break an arm or leg, it doesn’t mean you can’t live, but it doesn’t mean you’re committing a deadly crime, right?
My father is not the kind of person who would punish me severely for doing something like that.
“How dare something so baseless and shallow like this!”
“Don’t you know what kind of situation that vulgar bastard is in now? I have to go see the Duke, so please get out of my way. Gong, Jak, Bu, In!”
Not only she, but even her servants were shocked.
He dared to boldly tell the hostess of the mansion to get out of the way.
The duchess exploded with anger and raised her hands.
-chin
However, the hand stopped because it was grabbed by someone else’s hand instead of my face.
“… … !”
“Let’s stop there. Mrs.”
Once again, I am currently being escorted.
The escort of a high-ranking knight who received orders directly from the duke.
The guardian knight who is not attached to even the duke’s royal family is now next to me.
What does it mean?
My position now is no different from that of the Duke.
Even if the person who tried to harm me was the emperor, this guardian knight would try to cut off his head.
Even more so, not even a duchess could block my path.
“Can’t you let go of this?”
When I gently let go, she immediately took a step back.
“I cannot tolerate any further delay. “Please make way for me, Duchess.”
She trembled in shame and soon stepped aside.
As she retreated, the servants behind her also backed up against the wall to make way for her.
“Say hello to Kranz!”
I passed her with a bright smile as if I had never done that before.
The Duchess couldn’t say anything and just glared at me with an excited gaze.
I didn’t care and walked leisurely down the hallway.
(Continued in the next part)
