Ch.14Prologue (14)

Anyway, after dismissing those anxious and ominous hypotheses that had surfaced in my mind.

‘If I… absorb this, does it mean I can gain something?’

Having roughly deduced the situation through context, I now turned my attention to these… remnants too pitiful to be called fruits.

If I had to compare these incomplete fragments to something, they’d be particles.

There were some mottled green ones that immediately struck me as shabby and pathetic, and ten gray particles that, while relatively better, still looked rather miserable.

Presumably belonging to goblins and wolves respectively, I unconsciously reached out toward them, and those particles clearly recognized me, approached, and burrowed into my “body”—

‘…Huh?’

As I was surprised by these particles seeping into my body despite my not particularly wanting to absorb them, they naturally dissolved into me as part of myself and disappeared in an instant.

‘Ah, so that’s how it feels.’

After absorbing a total of 36 remnants and feeling the changes in my body, I could finally make a rough inference about the mechanism of this “absorption ability” (tentative name).

First, this “absorption ability” activates when I personally kill a creature with intent, using my hands or through equivalent means.

Second, there are specific criteria for what can be targeted by the “absorption ability,” and it doesn’t activate against targets that don’t meet these criteria, such as mere insects.

Third, if the accumulated karma (or experience points, in game terms) in the slain creature’s soul is below a certain level, or if the power difference between us is too great, I cannot inherit separate “factors” (tentative name).

What gets absorbed in such cases is more like leftover residue that couldn’t be refined into factors, and the changes that occur through this process are improvements in physical functions or increases in total magical power.

And finally, fourth. If I succeed in refining factors by combining multiple sources, the completed factor presents three possibilities and requires me to choose one of them….

‘This voice is….’

As a result, after absorbing the grape-like fruit, I now found myself pondering over the three choices that appeared before me and the voice announcing them.

[This is the craftsmanship of the green little ones.

You will be able to work as a basic carpenter or craftsman without training, and you will be able to detect and create simple traps.]

[This is the power to tame beasts.

You will gain special advantages in training and taming beasts, and will be able to understand their intentions more easily.]

[This is the method of mounted combat.

You will be able to act like an expert when riding any beast in battle, and wield weapons more skillfully.]

Realistically speaking, the most appealing option was the last one, “Mounted Combat Proficiency” (tentative name).

Given my current inexperience in mounted combat, I would normally have chosen this without a second thought.

However, as luck would have it, I already possess the “Sword Demon” factor, which is somewhat of an upgrade and can compensate for this to some extent.

Moreover, this factor is merely a “skill,” not an innate talent. There’s no need to waste this precious opportunity on something I could acquire through training.

On the other hand, the first option, “Goblin Craftsmanship,” is certainly a special ability in the realm of goblin racial passives, something that couldn’t be normally acquired, making it somewhat valuable…

But honestly, it’s not particularly useful, so I’m not very inclined toward it either.

Therefore, my attention naturally turned to the second factor, “Beast Affinity.”

While that ability might appear to be a skill or talent on the surface, it’s strictly a special ability that cannot be acquired through effort or training.

Considering how important horsemanship is for a knight, it’s not without practical use, so I reluctantly reached out for it, feeling as though I had no real choice in the matter…

With that memory, I emerged from that dream world I had entered for the second time.

※ ※ ※

And so, the very next day after my first real combat experience with goblins.

‘…Hmm.’

While I was groaning, recalling that mysterious experience from last night’s dream, our party quickly walked for about an hour at daybreak and returned to the capital of the domain.

“…Young master, are you alright?!”

“Nanny, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying.”

Receiving the warm welcome of my nanny, who had raised me almost like a parent in this life, I quickly changed my clothes, switching from the uncomfortable armor to casual attire, and was about to take a short rest when…

“Young master, I apologize for interrupting your rest, but the Baron has summoned you.”

“…Father has? I understand. I’ll get ready right away.”

Though curious about why Father had summoned me, I followed the servant who had delivered the message to Father’s office, thinking I should go if called.

And so, with a mixture of concern and curiosity, after I headed to Father’s office.

“I heard you experienced your first real combat, Camille.”

“…Yes.”

“Well done, you handled it splendidly.”

“Thank you, Father!”

Realizing that Father was worried about whether I, at just 10 years old, might have been traumatized by the combat experience, I couldn’t hide my improved mood… while wondering about the mysterious man in the office.

‘…Who is he?’

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a servant or administrative official, but the muscles hidden beneath his clothes clearly belonged to someone well-trained, and his aura was at least at an intermediate level.

As I glanced at him repeatedly, trying to figure him out, Father, noticing my behavior, spoke up.

“Ah yes, there’s someone I need to introduce. Sir, please introduce yourself.”

“Yes, Your Lordship. …Pleased to meet you, young master. I am Corin Lanster, from the Alzar Barony’s domain forces, and as of today, I will be serving as your direct attendant.”

“…Attendant?”

While the name might make one mistake an attendant for a mere servant, in this era, an attendant is a high-ranking position equivalent to a secretary.

It’s a significant role that involves acting as a representative and secretary for social elites, assisting them in their duties.

So I felt quite strange at the thought of having my own secretary, but Father’s next words completely dispelled that feeling.

“Yes. And I’ll tell you now. This meeting was originally meant to accept you as my squire.”

“S-squire?”

A knight’s squire is essentially a knight’s attendant and apprentice knight.

While many knights treat their squires merely as servants, having a child become their parent’s squire is… practically equivalent to promising to make them a knight.

“But unfortunately, due to my busy schedule… Sir Corin Lanster will be handling your knight training for the time being. So, don’t think of him as an attendant, but treat him as you would a knight, as his squire.”

“Yes, I understand!”

As soon as Father finished speaking, I enthusiastically expressed my agreement and then addressed the knight-cum-attendant, Corin Lanster, standing behind Father.

“Sir Lanster. Though I am lacking, I look forward to working with you as your squire!”

“Yes, young master. Likewise, I look forward to working with you.”

Seeing us both showing mutual respect, Father smiled with satisfaction and continued.

“Now then, I shall announce. To commemorate my proud son becoming a squire, Camille, I bestow upon you a warhorse.”

“A warhorse…?”

“Yes. Now that you’re officially a squire, you should have your own warhorse.”

For knights and warriors, a warhorse is more than just personal transportation—it’s an essential item like armor or weapons.

Considering that well-trained cavalry was one of the major pillars that allowed humanity to maintain their territory, I could certainly understand why Father wanted to bestow one upon me.

“Father, I have a request.”

“What is it? …Ah, of course, you can’t have my horse.”

Seeing Father, who usually showed only a stern face, making a rare joke, I smiled slightly while expressing what I truly wanted.

“No, that’s not it. Actually, there’s a warhorse named Gus that I rode this time. Could you give me that one?”

“This time… Ah. That warhorse?”

While it was my choice based on good compatibility and a feeling of connection, Father’s reaction was somewhat ambiguous.

“Camille. The warhorse you mentioned, Gus, is probably from the common stables… The warhorses there are of ordinary lineage and have no exceptional qualities.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I would prefer you to ride a warhorse of good lineage and superior quality. What do you think?”

Certainly, listening to Father’s words, his choice seems more rational and reasonable, and in reality, it is the correct answer.

The warhorses of this world, almost like chimeric beasts, vary tremendously in combat ability depending on their lineage, so choosing a horse of better lineage and quality would indeed be the more rational option.

However, the fact that not everything in life revolves around rationality and reason… is something I know better than anyone.

“Father. I… I just like that one. Rather than a horse of better lineage, I somehow feel that one would be better.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I felt that way from the first time I saw him. This inexplicable attraction is precisely why I want to choose him.”

As I looked straight into Father’s eyes, showing no intention of changing my mind, he gazed at me with a fond expression and said:

“Very well. If that’s your wish, so be it. From now on, that warhorse, Gus, is yours.”

“Wooow…!!”

My own warhorse. It’s like getting your first car.

The feeling of personally owning a warhorse was so overwhelming that it was beyond words…

“Father, thank you!”

“You’re welcome. …If things get difficult, come to me anytime.”

Father watched me rejoicing with what seemed like complex emotions for some reason.