episode_0049

First, I’ll wait.

Making a decision at this timing is not good.

“You might think it’s presumptuous. According to the rules set by Lady Arina, if the Lord visits here, we need to know the purpose of the visit. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Isabella, who had been sparing Karceine due to her illness, seemed to have resolved it by offering a reward, but Arina did not forget and took special measures against Karceine.

It was practically a declaration of banning entry to the war room. It was a declaration that deprived Karceine of his right to use it if the knights using the war room did not allow him in after hearing the purpose of his visit.

So what this knight is saying in front of me is clear.

Get out of this war room, he says.

‘It’s an impeccable argument.’

Because the fact that Karceine harmed someone in the war room will not change.

However.

That’s just a superficial event.

When the eyes of the knights directed towards me exceeded ten pairs.

I looked around and found a name.

‘As expected, there he is.’

A man with less ash-colored stripes.

His intimacy level is slightly higher compared to others.

[ Mark Redeltain ]

[ Intimacy: -25% ]

But still -25%.

If I can’t raise this to a white box, activity in the war room is impossible.

No, it goes beyond that; it could mean death.

It’s extremely difficult, but the means to overcome this situation is the man who is staring at me with folded arms.

“If you have no business here, please leave. We do not wish for the Lord to set foot in the war room.”

At one man’s gesture, the other two colleagues nodded and approached.

It must be a video. Probably an order to remove me.

“Don’t take it too hard. We are following Lady Arina’s orders.”

-Ding!

▶The knights are trying to remove Karceine. How will you act?

[ 1. (Struggling) Let go! How dare you try to drag someone away like this? ]

[ 2. Isn’t that Lady Arina’s command? Was it not properly conveyed? ]

[ 3. (Showing permit) I clearly have the qualifications! ]

…

…

Once again, a cruel choice appeared.

It’s time to calculate and differentiate between risk and return.

This decision will significantly affect the progression of Episode V.

Option 1 leads straight to a bad ending, so it should be avoided.

However, from option 2 onwards, a strategy needs to be devised, so I carefully assessed the situation.

‘In games, I’ve tried them all. Among them, I chose the least risky option, 3, but…’

Judging by the gaze of the knights, this doesn’t seem like the correct answer.

Avoiding and passing off the use of the war room as possible based on the permit from the Duchess, is that really the right development?

…No. It probably isn’t.

What I need now is.

A show of strength.

[ 6. Who is the master you serve? ]

“Who is the master you serve?”

I chose the option at the bottom, opting for the riskiest path.

***

The war room, filled with the heat of training and the sweat of achievement, suddenly turned cold as a determined chill spread.

The young son of the Duke, whom they thought would never set foot here again.

It was because he appeared.

‘Karceine Vagrand…’

Seeing Karceine again, Mark asked in surprise.

Not long after, a knight stepped forward.

“What’s happening with the esteemed Lord Vagrand in the war room?”

As soon as he set foot in the war room, he found himself in a dilemma.

It was because of the decree issued by the youngest daughter, Arina Vagrand.

Thanks to that, Mark was lost in old memories.

-No. Mark.

-What?

-The Lord, the Lord is not that kind of person…!

“Why do I suddenly hear Radiel’s voice?”

Mark shook his head, trying to deny Radiel’s voice.

Nevertheless, Radiel’s voice played in his mind.

-You are not someone who would harm me. It means you are not someone who would receive such measures!

-Kidding? Who made you like this, anyway!

-Even you, please help the young master. I’m asking you, Mark. Okay?

“…”

He raised his head again and looked at Carcein.

It’s obvious he will be driven away.

Due to Arina’s actions, the knights of the training ground have justification for that.

Sitting on the railing, leaning against it with a sneer, if he laughs along with them while watching him being driven away, it would suffice.

However.

-Mark. Please.

Radiel’s pleading figure flickered before his eyes.

‘…If it’s just using the training ground, it should be within my authority.’

Radiel won’t say anything about this level.

Mark loosened his arms and approached Carcein.

At that moment.

“Who is the master you serve?”

Carcein shouted.

Without flinching.

***

As the knights hesitated at the sudden answer, Carcein asked another question.

“Answer anyone. Tell me who the master you serve is.”

“Of course, it’s Duke Vagrand.”

The formal knight, who had gestured to pull Carcein away, replied without hesitation.

Mark sensed unease at that moment.

‘Could it be? Is he trying to impose a ban on their entry here, even on the knights who serve Duke Vagrand?’

Foolish.

Mark quietly clicked his tongue.

If he tried to press the knights with his family’s power as a status, they would surely prevent him from using the training ground.

Because the knights follow the rules of the training ground.

Rule 1 of the training ground.

A place where knights train to protect the duke.

This rule explains everything in the following two items.

Article 1, Paragraph 1.

Position in the training ground does not include status. They move only to protect the duke, to dedicate themselves to the duke.

Article 1, Paragraph 2.

Anyone who tries to intimidate others based on status in a place meant for mental and physical training will be immediately expelled. This includes any member of Vagrand who comes for training.

In other words, Carcein is voluntarily getting himself kicked out.

‘Hah. Why on earth is Commander Radiel…’

Mark sighed deeply again and splashed his face with water.

Coming all this way just to be driven out, what worth is there in believing in such a foolish person until the end?

‘Radiel. That’s just your misconception.’

Contrary to your words, nothing has changed.

You’re still the same person even after I banned you that day.

Having lost the desire to help, Mark stopped his steps abruptly, turning his back.

“So, between Arina’s prohibition order and the deputy’s permission to use the duke’s authority, which command will you follow?”

“What?”

“What’s this…”

“You read it as the representative. I can’t believe it if I read it.”

As confusion struck the knights, Carcein handed over a piece of paper.

After a while, a knight who checked the document swallowed hard, alternately looking at Carcein and the document, showing a bewildered expression.

“Everyone seems curious, so read quickly.”

The bewildered knight began to recite the contents written on the paper, his expression uneasy.

Granting temporary permission for Carcein Vagrand to use the training ground, the news that Lady Isabella Vagrand, the wife of Duke Vagrand, directly approved it spread among the knights, causing them to start buzzing rapidly.

“No way. Really?”

“It must be a lie. The duchess wouldn’t approve of this.”

“Check the seal. Quickly!”

However, the document did not signify falsehood.

Undoubtedly, the seal that only the handwriting of the duchess and the head of the Vagrand family could use clearly permitted Carcein’s use of the training ground.

Thus, the two commands clashed.

Prohibition order issued by Arina Vagrand for entry into Karsein’s courtyard.

Permission to use the courtyard issued by Isabella Vagrand.

As those who serve the Vagrand, they faced a dilemma.

However, surprisingly, the answer was easily determined.

“…Recently, there have been rumors that the duke has become more docile. It seems like it might be true.”

“Ma, Mark.”

Mark pushed through the knights and spoke.

The initial question wasn’t about asserting status.

In the clash of opinions between the Vagrands, the question was whose orders they would follow.

In response to this question, Mark shouted at the knights.

“We are knights dedicated to the duke. The lady’s command is the duke’s command. But until when will we only doubt that document?”

The knights united in hoping to expel Karsein.

But, wouldn’t there need to be a justifiable reason for that as well?

Currently, there was no justification for expelling Karsein.

‘I also failed to make the right judgment due to emotions. I have things to reflect on.’

Internally acknowledging his mistake, Mark immediately sought forgiveness from Karsein.

“I apologize. It seems all the knights of the 1st Division were unable to make the right judgment due to lingering emotions towards the duke. If you wish to punish, as the vice-captain, I will accept it humbly.”

Kneeling with one knee, Mark assumed a posture of reflection.

Seeing this, the knights grimaced.

They would likely reprimand Mark severely again.

The vice-captain wouldn’t get off easily this time.

Such worries filled their minds.

However, the sincerity behind Mark’s actions was a test towards Karsein.

If it had been merely lip service, it would have been obvious to anger him, pointing out the contradictory behavior and directly expelling him.

However, after glancing around, Karsein commanded Mark to rise.

And then.

“I hope such incidents won’t happen again. Vice-captain.”

Touching his shoulder, he continued speaking.

By setting a trap with unexpected actions, Mark lost the grounds to expel him directly.

No. Beyond losing ground, he realized he shouldn’t expel him.

‘He must have a purpose.’

As if seeing through that thought, Karsein asked.

“But you must be curious about my business, right?”

“…Yes. It seems like a report might be necessary.”

“I came to this courtyard for health reasons.”

“For health reasons?”

“Yeah. Being confined within the mansion made me feel my body deteriorating. That’s why I came here. Getting permission from Mother was for the same reason.”

For health, not for revenge?

Mark was taken aback by the completely unexpected answer.

Regardless, Karsein continued with his own words.

“Of course, I have no intention of breaking the rules of the courtyard in the process.”

“Surely you don’t mean…”

“The teachings I receive from knights who act for the Vagrand Duke will be the finest lessons for me. I will train in the same way.”

So, he said he would stay here for a while.

“…Are you serious?”

“Why would I lie?”

Doubts deepened among the knights once again.

The suspicion had not yet dissipated.

But to Mark, it meant something different.

-Can I teach that too?

His young lord had been like that.

When receiving instruction, he didn’t assert his status.

He simply asked, ‘Can you do it too?’

It’s the same now.

One shouldn’t start with doubts about whom to serve.

Ask why they came, what their goals are, and later grasp the essence of the matter.

Perhaps, Radial also refrained from reproaching Karsein for these reasons.

“I guess I can give you a chance.”

Mark refined his complicated feelings and accepted Carcine as his training ground.

“All right. Since you said so, you must be prepared firmly.”

Of course, it’s not forgiveness, but just words.

***

Assigned a lodging by Mark, I got a small room.

“Since you requested to treat me as a knight, the young master will use the trainee’s room. Is that acceptable?”

Of course, it is.

However, the room seemed quite dusty, probably because it hadn’t been used for a while.

After cleaning up adequately, I had some free time.

I immediately turned on the status screen.

▶ Entry with limited danger level of Carcine is allowed! ◀

▶ The power of choices makes the limited time disappear! ◀

▶ Intimacy with a specific individual increases! ◀

[ Mark Redeltine: -10% ]

“Have you passed the danger?”

Choosing to persuade Vice Commander Mark, fortunately, I was able to overcome the dangerous situation.

There are still many gray boxes, but as the Vice Commander of the First Knight Order, he should be able to maintain the appropriate boundaries.

“And this news will reach Emma too.”

She will be quite nervous.

For Emma, the mention of approval documents, embezzlement, and ledgers coming from my mouth meant that I had moved directly into the position of training ground.

Once the message reaches her, the urgency will soon come directly to me.

“Phew.”

I unpacked my belongings with a heavy sigh.

Then, I shifted my gaze to the items I had prepared in advance.

Starting tomorrow, my formal training ground life begins.

Undoubtedly, there will be movements within the knight order trying to expel me.

If I notice this, I need to prepare in advance.

But.

“Not yet.”

Muttering to myself, I put the item back into the bag, not the trainee’s pouch.

This should be used when a clear opportunity arises.

Not just to create a mood reversal.

After unpacking my belongings adequately, I fell asleep early.