Ch.262EP.58 – A Knight Never Forgets a Grudge (5)

Irene’s magic marked a turning point in the battle, and the flow immediately shifted in their favor. The goblins, who were being one-sidedly massacred, began to flee.

Of course…

“Chase them! Go and make sure they’re dead!!”

“If we let them live, they’ll definitely cause trouble later…!”

“Charge!!”

They wouldn’t be able to escape from the veteran mercenaries who were masters of pursuit.

In reality, the goblin horde was destined for annihilation, and Roen’s sword gradually ceased its movement.

“Phew, this is tiring.”

“Of course you’re tired. You single-handedly cut down over a thousand of them.”

“If I want to keep the cadets from getting hurt, I have to put in some effort.”

“…You do realize that you’re a cadet yourself, my lord?”

“Am I really in the same position as them?”

“……”

Jack wanted to make a joke, but he couldn’t form a complete sentence in his mind.

And for good reason.

Thud, thud…

Blood stained only his sword, with none splattered on his clothes or body. Jack felt overwhelmed just looking at him.

‘My lord’s swordsmanship is becoming more and more perfected.’

This overwhelming swordsmanship and expertise was hard to believe from someone of his own age.

Watching his swordplay become increasingly precise and powerful, as if walking a path he had already traveled before, Jack could only marvel in admiration.

“My lord, could you have actually cut down all 8,000 by yourself?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Just from the power you’ve displayed, I can’t shake the feeling that you were holding back.”

“……”

“So it’s true…”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“They call that silent confirmation, don’t they?”

“…Your way with words has improved since coming to the capital.”

Roen neither confirmed nor denied it, but Jack was convinced that he could have killed the entire goblin horde by himself.

Yet the reason he deliberately centered the cadets and mercenaries was clearly…

‘For the growth of others.’

More specifically, for the growth of the cadets.

His lord, Roen Dmitri de Lionel, possessed a [Mystery] similar to foresight.

Perhaps because of this, he always seemed to be preparing for the future, and had been active in uncovering evil individuals and noble corruption that had been hidden for decades.

He truly was an impressive person, but…

‘Sometimes he goes too far.’

With certain targets, his eyes would change, and the usually rational lord would lose his temper and rampage like someone unable to control his anger.

Perhaps it was a side effect of his powerful mystery of foresight, making him express anger as if he had ‘personally experienced’ future events.

Fortunately, except in those special cases, Roen remained calm like now, focusing more on guiding others rather than prioritizing personal glory.

Just like now…

‘My lord sees their growth as necessary for the future.’

The generation trained in Muscle Arts (light) rather than combat techniques.

Among them, Roen spared no investment in those called commoners, hoping they would usher in a new era.

“If it became known that even the mercenaries were merely devices for their growth, it would cause quite a stir.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jack.”

Roen neither confirmed nor denied this time either, but the faint smile playing at his lips seemed to affirm Jack’s words, making him laugh.

‘While I admire my lord’s cold rationality, this side of him is much better.’

This humane aspect of caring for others reminded him of a ‘mentor.’

‘Though he pretends otherwise…’

Among the cadets, Jack was clearly the one most influenced by him.

Roen had no time to see through whatever strange thoughts his adjutant was having.

Or rather, he would have quickly seen through them normally, but in this place…

“Lord Roen.”

They weren’t alone.

“…Jeanne.”

“?”

“Ah, I apologize, Lady Levi.”

“Oh, no. Using the surname to address someone isn’t strange among nobles. If you prefer, you can call me that.”

“I appreciate it.”

Levi Jeanne d’Arc.

She was the only woman in the group whom Roen couldn’t easily deal with, and he addressed her with a slightly awkward expression.

“Ahem, so what is it? Do you have something to report?”

“That too, but there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it?”

“……”

Levi felt awkward seeing Roen’s apparent willingness to answer whatever she asked.

Sometimes she wondered…

‘Why does he look at me with both difficulty and admiration?’

Was she being too presumptuous to think this way?

Levi felt a sense of dissonance and doubt, but decided not to dwell on it.

What mattered was that he would give her a good answer.

“This is just a personal question, but I was wondering about your purpose.”

“Purpose?”

“Yes, you’re busy with Grand Temple matters, yet you personally set out on this journey, which seems a bit strange.”

“……”

“Of course, I know you have an agreement with the dwarves, but it seems like something you didn’t need to handle personally, especially given how busy you are.”

“Hmm.”

“Ah, I-I’m not trying to nitpick or interrogate you. It’s just that, having been given the role of commander, albeit nominally, I thought I should understand my employer’s objectives. If I know what you’re thinking, I might be able to help.”

“…It seems I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Pardon?”

“Just talking to myself.”

“??”

…Roen swallowed a bitter smile.

‘She already sees through me like this.’

Roen hadn’t said anything, yet she had gained such insight into him just by observing his actions, which he found truly impressive.

‘Well, penetrating insight was always Jeanne’s specialty.’

It might be too much to expect now, but as that insight grew, she would not only uncover people’s lies but also completely dissect their tactics.

The ability of the Mercenary Queen who struck fear into countless strategists and military tacticians—Roen cleared his throat, showing a mixture of nostalgia and awkwardness before this fragment of the Mercenary Queen.

“Ahem, you’re right. My purpose isn’t simply to return the dwarves to their homeland. Rather, my true objective lies in the dwarves’ homeland.”

“…I didn’t expect you to actually answer.”

“There’s no need to hide it. However, I’d prefer if only you knew. If rumors spread, persuading others might become troublesome.”

“I’ll definitely keep it secret.”

“…No, you can reveal it. Somehow I feel you wouldn’t disclose it even in a crisis, out of loyalty.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Never mind. My true purpose in heading to the dwarves’ homeland is nothing special. If I had to name it… ‘treasure hunting’ would be my real objective.”

“Treasure hunting?”

“Yes, you’ve probably heard of it.”

Flutter.

“……”

Levi blinked.

What he handed her was an old map that looked like it might crumble into sand at any moment, inscribed with ancient characters no longer in use.

And Levi…

“…This is ancient Briton script?”

“You can read this? Impressive.”

“I’m taking it as a cultural studies course.”

“Many learn it but can’t read it. …So you understand what’s written on this map?”

“Yes, but is this… genuine?”

Levi tilted her head.

If what she read was true, this would be a truly historic discovery.

“-The Holy Grail.”

The sacred relic said to have been bestowed by the White Silver Dragon, guardian of Pendragon, and a legend that disappeared after the Knight King’s death.

“More precisely, it’s a map to find a fragment of the Holy Grail. According to this map, one of the fragments is in the dwarves’ homeland.”

“…And you’re going to find it?”

“If possible.”

“……”

His demeanor was unlike that of a treasure hunter expecting a windfall.

Rather, he seemed somehow desperate, as if he had a compelling reason to find it.

Levi swallowed dryly and shook her head.

As if she had been too presumptuous in assuming his thoughts.

Even so…

‘Could the Holy Grail really exist?’

She couldn’t help but feel some doubt.

After all, it was just a legend.

“You seem skeptical.”

“Ah, well…”

“I understand. Even I wouldn’t believe in such legends if someone told me to.”

“……”

“But the Holy Grail does exist. And the grail pieces are scattered like puzzle pieces. Well, even though they’re called fragments, each has its own shape and form.”

“…You speak as if you’ve seen them yourself.”

“I’ve seen three of them in person.”

“!?”

She didn’t consider his answer to be a lie.

After all, he had no reason to lie to her.

“Well, even so, I won’t be able to complete the Holy Grail. There are five fragments in total, and the whereabouts of the last piece remain unknown.”

“Then isn’t there no point in searching?”

“I still need to find them. There will be times when the power of the Holy Grail is absolutely necessary.”

“…I hope you can find the last piece too.”

She meant it sincerely.

His expression revealed a desperate longing.

A desperation that was impossible to describe.

Perhaps seeing this sincerity, Roen nodded gratefully.

“If fate allows, I’ll find it. According to texts, it’s in the form of a ring, but where could it be…”

“A ring?”

“Yes, a ring. They say it emits a peculiar light.”

“…Oh.”

“What is it?”

“Ah, nothing. I just feel like I’ve seen such a ring somewhere.”

“Where?”

“Well…”

At the girl’s next statement, Roen blinked for a moment and then shook his head.

Saying she must be mistaken.

And for good reason.

“-How could such a precious item be in the hands of a mere maid?”

The claim that a maid possessed it was simply too incredible to believe.

*

*

*

“Achoo!”

“Miss Maid, have you caught a cold?”

“No! My nose was just itchy. Besides, I’ve never caught a cold in my life, hehe!”

“R-really?”

“Yes. I once wanted to experience a cold so badly that I went swimming in winter and ate ice, but I just became healthier!”

“…Please don’t do that again. You might not catch a cold, but you could freeze to death.”

“My parents scolded me for that too!”

The maid, Leira Winter, smiled brightly with an innocent expression, and Ihan looked at her incredulously.

Just then.

“Hehe, and the ring the knight gave me keeps me warm, so I think I’ve become even healthier lately! This is really nice.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

She fondly caressed the ring hanging from her necklace and proudly held it forward. He was thoroughly satisfied with her genuine appreciation for the ring.

‘That thing is actually useful.’

As a hand warmer.

Ihan nodded, thinking it would be nice to have about three more of those.