Ch.236236. Do We Have Time to Dawdle?

“Huh, gasp…”

Who is Baltazar?

He’s a promising holy knight among the holy knights.

Achievements gained from countless monster exterminations.

And thanks to his non-confrontational personality, he gets along with other holy knights without friction.

But now, he’s facing a turning point in his life.

“What are you doing? Not getting up?”

That man holding a wooden sword and wiggling his finger.

With silver hair fluttering, he exudes an air of annoyance.

It’s frustrating enough being treated like a child, but what’s more absurd to Baltazar is that he can’t even graze the collar of the man before him.

Whoosh-!

Thwack-! Thwack-!

He knew well of Selden Alphonse, the first to stop a monster wave in the Eastern Continent.

He was an extraordinary figure.

When the holy knights in charge of defense saw his blueprint sent from the Imperial Palace, they were absolutely terrified.

However.

That was all there was to it.

Stopping the monster wave at Lake Territory couldn’t just be called luck, but a defense formation is just that—a defense formation.

What does it have to do with swordsmanship skills?

Yet, Selden Alphonse far exceeded Baltazar’s expectations.

Whoosh-!

Crash-!

Baltazar, his back hitting a tree, let out a small groan.

Then slowly got to his feet.

“…Why are you training with me?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“Because even if you train with me, Sir Selden Alphonse, it won’t be of any help to you.”

“Oh, you know that too?”

Selden Alphonse speaks condescendingly.

It wasn’t just empty words.

At first, when he heard about kidnapping Saint Claudia, how absurd it must have seemed?

He had stood in his way out of concern.

Of course, it didn’t take long to realize that his concern was arrogance.

Selden Alphonse placed the wooden sword askew on his shoulder and spoke.

“I need a friend among the holy knights.”

“F-friend?”

“And preferably a strong one, at that.”

“What benefit could you possibly gain from me becoming stronger?”

“Conversely, what would I lose?”

Baltazar rose to his feet, dusting off his clothes.

“I understand your feelings, Sir Selden Alphonse. Even kidnapping Saint Claudia must have been an unavoidable choice given the Emperor’s critical condition.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“Still, I cannot be friends with you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve never been friends with someone who lacks manners.”

And with that, Baltazar took up his wooden sword and assumed a vigilant stance.

Jawil Wilson, watching from the side, makes a slightly pitying expression.

“Um, Sir Baltazar.”

“Yes?”

“If you keep provoking the young master, one hit will turn into ten. I know this very well from experience.”

“…No matter what, as a holy knight serving the Saint, I cannot speak with a forked tongue, can I?”

“I’m telling you this out of concern. Please don’t take my advice lightly.”

They say a meddling sister-in-law is more hateful than a beating mother-in-law?

Baltazar is gradually getting angry at Jawil Wilson, who sits on a rock nearby and adds a comment here and there.

Yet, Selden Alphonse’s movements didn’t stop.

“Do you have time to dawdle?”

Thwack-! Thwack-! Thwack-!

Clearly, the wooden sword should have broken long ago from such force, but it seems to have metal inside, making it incredibly sturdy.

Once again, Baltazar misses Selden Alphonse’s movement and is pushed back, this time crashing into a tree on the opposite side.

“Kuhk!!”

The smell of blood fills Baltazar’s mouth, and his hand holding the wooden sword trembles.

Is this what training is supposed to be like?

It was more like real combat than actual combat.

Despite being a wooden sword, there was a chilling aura that made him feel like his neck could fly off at any moment.

And on top of that.

More hateful than the beating mother-in-law.

More hateful than the meddling sister-in-law.

Was Saint Claudia cheering them on.

“Sir Selden Alphonse.”

“Yes?”

“You seem to be sweating a bit. Should I restore your stamina with my holy power?”

“Haha! It’s fine. Sweat is proof that I’ve trained.”

“Indeed!! Sir Selden Alphonse, you’re truly dedicated to training.”

At Saint Claudia’s words, Jawil Wilson, standing nearby, narrows his eyes.

“…Um, Saint Claudia.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Well, Sir Baltazar seems quite injured… wouldn’t it be better to heal him with your holy power?”

“Sir Baltazar doesn’t seem to be sweating, though?”

“…He may not be sweating, but he’s covered in blood…”

“It’s alright. As I mentioned before, holy knights are people who always strive to exceed their limits. It would be disrespectful of me to help them without consideration. Isn’t that right, Sir Baltazar!?”

Baltazar’s eyes well up with tears.

Then, lifting his head, he looks at Selden Alphonse.

“Sir Selden Alphonse.”

“Huh?”

“…Let’s be friends.”

*

“You want me to hide the fact that I’m a Saint?”

“Yes, if you suddenly enter the Imperial Palace, there will be numerous speculations about the reason.”

Having arrived at night, they stayed at an inn in Lumestia Territory to head to the Imperial Palace early the next morning.

Saint Claudia, sitting in the chair opposite, tilts her head.

“Is there something happening at the Imperial Palace that I don’t know about?”

Emperor Malius would have told the Etherian Princess about the hidden details of that day as promised to me.

However, no one knows how the atmosphere might have changed.

Therefore.

It’s better to be cautious.

Only a few people within the Imperial Palace would know that Emperor Malius is critically ill.

“The Emperor’s critical condition is like a signal flare announcing the beginning of a succession battle.”

“…I see. I don’t know anything about imperial politics.”

“It’s alright. Saint Claudia, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just focus on treating the Emperor.”

“Then, will you stay by my side while I treat the Emperor?”

Saint Claudia’s eyes sparkle with anticipation.

I smiled gently.

“It will be difficult for me to stay by your side continuously.”

“…Why?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I need to meet with the Princess to prevent a succession dispute.”

“I see, so Sir Selden Alphonse is quite close not only with the Emperor but also with the Princess?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Saint Claudia holds her teacup and turns her gaze to Jawil Wilson.

“Then I should trust that person?”

“He’s not as strong as me, but he’s one of the stronger knights under my command.”

“…Is that so?”

Jawil Wilson, who had been watching the conversation with his arms crossed, puts on a haughty expression.

“Despite appearances, I’m Sir Selden Alphonse’s right arm… well, that’s Rio, but at least I’m his left arm… no, left foot.”

“L-left foot?”

“Our young master is surrounded by such monstrous individuals that being considered a left foot is quite an honor.”

Saint Claudia continues with a bewildered look.

“Are you stronger than Sir Baltazar?”

Jawil Wilson glances at Baltazar once and curls up the corner of his mouth.

“We haven’t fought, but I’m probably stronger.”

At this, Baltazar grips the sword at his waist and raises his voice.

“S-Sir Jawil Wilson! How can you judge without even facing your opponent? Don’t you know that in a battle between knights, a moment’s carelessness can change the outcome, regardless of skill difference!?”

Perhaps because he’s in front of the revered Saint Claudia, Baltazar expresses his anger with heaving shoulders.

However, Jawil Wilson calmly speaks.

“Sir Baltazar.”

“Yes! Speak!”

“During your journey to Lumestia Territory, you received training from the young master, didn’t you?”

Baltazar flinches as if recalling a nightmare.

“Y-yes, but?”

“That’s my daily life. I think you understand what I mean now, Sir Baltazar?”

Sweat drips down Baltazar’s forehead.

Then, his shoulders slump.

“Sir Jawil Wilson.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Honestly, I had some resentment during training, but it all disappeared in an instant.”

“It was all for your benefit, Sir Baltazar. Advice from a senior.”

“…Thank you.”

Jawil Wilson and Baltazar suddenly clasp hands as if they’ve become close comrades.

I clear my throat and turn my gaze to Saint Claudia.

“Anyway, Jawil Wilson’s skills are not to be underestimated by anyone. Saint Claudia, you need not worry.”

“…I feel reassured hearing you say that, Sir Selden Alphonse, but please stay by my side whenever you can.”

“I will do so.”

I looked out the window while seated in the chair.

It feels like the calm before the storm, doesn’t it?

Since I’m not certain that Saint Claudia can cure the Emperor’s illness, even I don’t know what results tomorrow will bring.

Taking a short deep breath, I rose heavily.

“Then, see you tomorrow.”