episode_0063

The order Emma gave was very simple.

Expel Karsein from the training grounds.

There were no other conditions.

The knights who received such a seemingly easy task from Emma were pondering on what to do with the money they would receive from her.

They planned to toy with Karsein for a day or two, and on the third day, they even opened a gambling den. From then on, their only thought was to make money and time their moves.

However.

Things started to go awry after Isabella arrived.

On the fourth day, Arina came.

On the fifth day, Claire showed up.

Because of them, Theo faced a dilemma.

He had planned to expel Karsein in a ceremony that was customary for knights, but how could he do that when the noble ladies were glaring at him with wide eyes?

Furthermore, Karsein was stubbornly completing his training.

He was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, but he was managing to get through the daily routine.

“Ah, damn it. It’s so obvious someone else will come on the sixth day.”

As Theo received Emma’s summons and headed towards the isolation cell, he thought he would finally get a proper punishment this time.

But, as it turned out.

Walking towards the isolation cell with a fierce gaze, Emma suddenly asked.

“If he hasn’t reported to me for three days, he must have been expelled, right?”

Theo hesitated for a moment before answering in a subdued voice.

“…Not yet.”

“What!”

At Theo’s response, Emma stood up in anger.

“How could you not expel a commoner from the training grounds after three days of not reporting to me?!”

“…”

There was nothing to say. Theo remained silent, and Emma expressed her frustration.

“How can a knight not even remove a commoner! You can’t even punish one guilty person, and yet you call yourself a knight?!”

“Oh, come on. It hasn’t been a week yet.”

“If it’s been a week, it will be too late! If he manages to endure until the seventh day of training, what will you do?!”

On the seventh day of training, Karsein would become an apprentice knight.

From then on, he would be free to move around the training grounds, which was why Emma was so agitated.

“Are you trying to betray me now? And you think you’ll be fine after that?!”

“That’s not true!”

Theo retorted with annoyance towards Emma.

“Your Grace, please wait. How can I confront him in front of the ladies? Flora will come today, so we can definitely expel him.”

“What?”

“Lady Flora came on the third day, Lady Arina on the fourth day, and Lady Claire on the fifth day. Who do you think will come next?”

Theo’s reassurance calmed down the agitated Emma.

Although not certain, the presence of Lady Flora gave them a glimmer of hope.

“…Are you sure? Lady Flora is coming to the training grounds.”

“Pretty sure. There are already rumors spreading in the noble circles.”

They couldn’t just expel Karsein recklessly in front of the other ladies and the Madam.

If that was the case, it was understandable why they hadn’t been able to expel him until now.

“What’s the specific plan then?”

At the question about a concrete plan, Theo swallowed nervously.

In reality, it was difficult to take action at the moment.

The forces he had under his command had been driven out by Claire, and the numbers available to him were limited compared to before.

Moreover, Bruce had not been able to defeat Karsein, causing a slight shift in public opinion.

He had no choice but to reveal what he knew and try to come up with a plan.

“Even though we don’t know much, what if we put something in his bag when he enters the dormitory? Something that could be used against him.”

“Just that?”

“It’s not just that. If we use that to provoke him and exaggerate, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Emma, filled with accumulated anxiety in the isolation cell, was in a state of heightened aggression.

Just that wouldn’t be enough to put her at ease.

“No. You guys should act first.”

“What?”

“Since Lady Flora is coming, you should be able to handle it properly, right? It shouldn’t be too difficult to sneak something into his bag that you were given. Deal with it there. It’s the knights’ way, through a duel.”

Theo understood what she meant and nervously swallowed.

‘Indeed, Lady Flora has given us many things. If we use them, we could even frame him as a thief… It shouldn’t be difficult to challenge him to a duel.’

Regardless of the outcome, they could have another chance, and they could also turn the tide of public opinion against Karsein.

But the risk was quite high.

If they were to fail, it would be the end once they went as far as a duel.

Emma’s eyes filled with aggression made Theo feel a sense of urgency, and she continued to press him.

“If we don’t deal with it this time, it’s over for both of us. Do it today. Make sure he can’t use his limbs or whatever it takes!”

Sweat dripped down Theo’s back as he felt the pressure from Emma’s intense gaze.

Was it really necessary to handle it so urgently? But…

This was serious.

If it was revealed that the money was Karsein’s, it would be over. There was no room for error. “Remember my words, Theo Ramstare.”

“…I understand.”

Theo wiped his face and bluntly replied before leaving the isolation cell.

“Argh! Because of that damn bastard!!!”

– Crash!

Emma screamed as she shattered the glass cup in the room. Glass shards flew everywhere, grazing her face as blood trickled down.

But the problem wasn’t the wound or the blood.

– Thud.

It was because the small notebook she held in her hand was pushing Emma to the edge.

“It must be dealt with this time. It must…!”

***

The fifth day came to an end.

It had been quite a tiring day, Theo thought.

Although he had gotten somewhat used to it, the training with Karsein was still strenuous, and on top of that, there was a duel with Bruce.

After completing the final task, Theo’s body was drenched in sweat, and he was breathing heavily as usual.

However, he didn’t feel particularly tired.

“…”

He spread out his palms and looked at them.

Karsein’s hands were marked with small calluses.

They were a testament to how hard he had wielded the sword during that time.

But that feeling.

I had it too.

“It’s been a while since I held it like this.”

Looking at the calloused hands, memories of my past self came to mind.

I, too, had been to a dojo before.

I, too, had wielded a sword and developed calluses on my hands just like Karsein.

That’s why, perhaps, I didn’t feel so much tired as a sense of…

No.

It wasn’t to that extent.

“Why are these things so similar?”

It wasn’t just Karsein. Even in my foolish days, there was a time when I ran away from home.

It was raining at the time.

A woman approached me and offered me an umbrella, asking what I was doing here.

And then…

I entered the dojo.

I received kindness from someone outside my home or school, filled my stomach, and didn’t want to go back home, so I wanted to learn swordsmanship.

As I held the sword, memories of that time resurfaced.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the sky and murmured.

“Thank you, Hyunseong hyung. Thank you, Yoonji noona.”

To be fair, I didn’t lose to Bruce because I had learned the sword from them.

I had received their help.

“Still, I didn’t lose. I definitely put him in his place.”

“Won Hyun-seong, who always warned against supporting thugs, would often give Hyun-seong-hyung a hard time when he was bored, teaching him legal techniques they could use together. Yoon Ji-nuna was the one who taught them.

I don’t know where they are or what they’re doing right now… but I want to express my gratitude now.

The two of them. They vehemently refused when their eldest brother and mother came to visit and handed over a thick purse of money, telling them never to accept it again.

After that, I never saw them again.

I was restricted from finding them.

I heard that they went to learn how to fight or do some sparring after beating up a thug at school.

The time spent without a sword was quite long since I couldn’t go to the dojo.

But.

“…Maybe I can continue to hold a sword here.”

It’s not disappointing to hold a sword after all.

Even though it’s not a real sword but one in the game, it still feels like something.

But in this world, there’s no reason to refuse to learn how to use a sword.

It could also be a means to protect myself.

There’s no need to hesitate.

Even after finishing this episode, I must have the strength to protect myself.

-Ding!

▶Successfully overcome the crisis of the 5th day!◀

▶Successfully triggered results beyond the choices!◀

■Rewards

[ The danger level of each area of the Yeonmu Territory decreases by one level! ]

[ Restricted→Caution, Caution→Normal ]

▶The Broken Wing episode will be divided into two parts!◀

▶Treat Episode V. Broken Wing (Upper) as completed and proceed with Episode V. Broken Wing (Lower)!◀

▶Be careful! There are unseen threats lurking!◀

▶The threat level of certain individuals rises to Warning, Danger!◀

[ Warning: Theo Ramstair, Bruce Ivan ]

[ Danger: Emma Urnen ]

As I finished the 5th day, the progress window and status windows appeared brightly.

Although I progressed through an episode called Broken Wing that I didn’t know, fortunately, I was able to handle it without deviating much from my original approach.

No, maybe there wasn’t much difference, so I could use my original strategy as it is.

Today’s training was quite challenging compared to Karsein’s body, but as I persevered without giving up, the intimacy of the official knights began to rise, and there was a change in perception.

And there was a significant change.

Those who recognized my passion during the duel with Bruce showed their support by stepping forward despite the disadvantages, almost eliminating the ashy boxes that indicated negative intimacy.

Having reached a favorable point at a certain moment and winning against Bruce with the sword I had not used in a long time, I only left the last choice for today.

▶Where will you go?

[ 1. Mark’s office ]

[ 2. Official Knight Glenn’s residence ]

[ 3. Restaurant ]

[ 4. Dueling ground ]

[ 5. Radial’s training ground ]

[ 6. Karsein’s residence ]

How will I end the 5th day.

The system gives the player the option to choose where to go to find a character that Karsein mentioned and prepare for the next task, as the danger levels of Bruce, Theo, and Emma have increased.

But isn’t it strange?

Why do I have to choose a place to go and meet someone to find an ally?

‘I can’t be swayed by choices forever.’

So, I waited at the crossroads where I could choose all six places.

And. As expected.

Although I waited for some time, the warning window for choices did not appear. The timer was the same.

Soon, as the figures of the two people came into view, the choice window disappeared immediately.

“Is that… over there? Radial.”

“Master? Could it be, Master Karsein?”

Mark and Radial rushed over.

Yes. It’s not necessary for only one person to hear this.

Just like the troublemaker in Yeonmu, the information gap between the two people could prevent a situation where one is left behind.

“I think it’s natural for some kind of request to be made at Yeonmu after my duel with Bruce. Mark, what do you think?”

“I agree. But there’s still something that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

“You said you were confident this time, but… I don’t really understand how you’re going to clear your name.”

Even though Radial explained it very well.

Then I should move right away.

“I don’t want to talk about it here, so I want to move to a different place.”

Both of them nodded.

***

Since Karsein said he wanted to change seats first, Mark followed him.

If this story spreads within the Order, it will cause a commotion just like before. It was very right to move to a place where there are no ears to listen and have a conversation.

But.

Every time he followed him, he couldn’t help but shake his head.

‘I thought the secret of the nobleman would be related to us in some way. But…’

This direction was not a place to have a conversation.

Mark lowered his voice and asked Radial.

“Radial. Do you happen to hear anything?”

“Huh?”

“Did he say anything separately or…?”

Radial shook her head.

She also meant that she didn’t hear anything.

‘But no matter how you look at it…’

The old building that was gradually abandoned as the warehouse, where they usually stayed, was moved, and the internal buildings of the Order were expanded.

Karsein was walking towards that old warehouse.

It seemed that Mark’s thoughts were not wrong as Karsein stopped in front of the old warehouse.

Karsein stopped in front of the old warehouse.

With the key he took out of his pocket, he inserted it into the door.

-Creak!

The warehouse door, which squeaked a few times, opened.

After opening the door, Karsein turned around and looked at the two knights alternately.

“Radial. Wait here.”

He gave a somewhat cryptic instruction.

“Why is that, Master?”

“There’s a high chance that you won’t be able to keep your composure this time.”

“Me?”

“There are documents hidden here that Emma Urnen tried so hard to hide. How would you react if you got your hands on them?”

“Of course, I would either give those documents to Lady Agnes or Lady Arina…!”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m telling you to wait here.”

Radial raised her eyebrows.

“You can’t drive Emma away with just that. You already know, right? How those artificial evidence was made.”

“…”

“Radial.”

Mark lightly put his hand on Radial’s shoulder, who had tightly closed her lips.

“You know how your expression changed when you heard Master’s words, right?”

“What was my expression…?”

“…You seemed ready to kill someone right away. You seemed like you were going to storm into the nobleman’s house with that sword and do something!”

Mark had seen Radial go out alone at some point.

That day, Mark saw Radial with a fierce look in her eyes as she watched Emma pass by near the nobleman’s house.

Radial was so hasty and ruthless.

If she had a sword, she might have immediately tried to cut her throat.

At Mark’s persuasion, Radial agreed and took a step back.

“Got it. I’ll wait outside as Master said.”

“…Thank you. Radial. You must be the most difficult one to endure right now.”

“Okay, so come back. Master… Will you explain everything later?”

“Yeah.”

▶Radial’s anxiety is resolved!◀

▶Successfully avoided the dead flag!◀

After checking the status window, Karsein could finally enter the old warehouse with peace of mind.

And soon, he arrived inside.

In the cluttered warehouse with various valuable items and numerous purses of gold coins found in the floor.

“Could this be…!”

“I took on the request, but even if someone were to suspect, it would be strange for money to come in all at once. Plus, the activities of the knights are limited, so we had no choice but to hide it like this.”

Of course, there must have been suspicions. But no one could have imagined that the hidden place was beneath the floor of the training grounds.

Who would have expected this? It’s so dark under the lamp.

Mark’s fist trembled.

However, on the other hand, it was understandable why they didn’t bring Radiel.

“But, Sir. This might not be enough. Using it as evidence could also lead to danger.”

Even if you look at it objectively, it ends within the boundaries of receiving a reward or punishment.

There are plenty of excuses to make.

“Right. So we need to create evidence too.”

“Excuse me?”

“Flora will come tomorrow. From the perspective of those who watched the trial, there will be no stronger ally than Flora.”

“W-wait, Sir!”

He chuckled.

“Mark. I will tell you what you need to do tomorrow.”

The preparations for the naive little boy were already complete.