Ch.8383. At the Training Ground (4)

All knights of the Royal Guard possess exceptional martial skills without exception.

As they must protect and assist none other than the core members of the royal family.

They are all Sword Experts. And not merely at the rudimentary level—only those who have fully mastered and refined their skills can join the Royal Guard.

And I heard that Diolia once had an opportunity to join the Royal Guard.

Being a knight of the Royal Guard alone speaks to one’s elevated status without further explanation.

Along with the honor of protecting a nation’s royal family, they also receive high wages.

If possible, rather than remaining in this county situated at the western edge of the kingdom to make a name for oneself, it would be far better to become a knight in the royal palace and establish one’s reputation.

Diolia was a knight who had rejected this honorable opportunity and remained with the County of Sianella.

When I mentioned both Diolia’s and Siabel’s names together, Sione fell into thought for a moment.

“Asking Sir Diolia about my sister’s swordsmanship…”

After being lost in thought for a moment, Sione began to agree with my suggestion.

“That doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

I nodded at Sione’s words.

Not only is her martial prowess exceptional, but I remember that she used to spar with Siabel almost daily.

Even before going to meet Sione’s former fiancé, Evan, whenever I looked at the training grounds, Diolia and Siabel would always be crossing swords.

I recall that Diolia would block Siabel’s sword without much difficulty and give her guidance.

‘With Diolia’s help…’

I could approach my duel with Siabel already familiar with her combat style and unique swordsmanship.

‘The quest asked me to show her more than she expects.’

To awaken Siabel’s power and strengthen my Mana efficiency.

To meet her expectations, I need to know something about my opponent in advance.

After all—

‘…I can’t gauge how much she’s expecting.’

I don’t know with what level of expectation she’s waiting for our duel day.

If she’s expecting swordsmanship that could take down a single wolf alone,

It would be relatively simple to demonstrate martial skills that exceed her standards.

But our Lady Siabel knows that I’ve killed an Arachne, not just some wolf.

Well, it’s better than risking my life fighting those demon worshippers.

But I didn’t think the duel with her would be easily resolved.

Sione must have been thinking the same thing, as she looked at me with a worried expression.

“True… even in a duel, Sister Siabel’s sword will be quite fierce. Since we have plenty of time left, I think it would be good to consistently get Sir Diolia’s help from now on.”

Sione’s tone suggested she was overly concerned.

Her expression was even more telling.

She was looking at me as if I were a lover being dragged off to a battlefield.

Her excessive reaction made me feel slightly anxious.

“…Is she that merciless?”

Sione shook her head.

“I think she’ll be careful enough considering you, but… our family is the house of heroes who vanquished demons, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it was. Our ancestor was awarded the title of count at the founding of the kingdom in recognition of his achievement in vanquishing demons…”

“Yes, and because of that, the swordsmanship passed down is all meant for demon subjugation… my sister’s sword might be a bit aggressive.”

“Ah.”

I understood Sione’s words and my expression hardened.

I’ve seen it before. How someone with the power to destroy demons fought against them, and what his combat style was like.

The combat style I saw then was—

“Sigh…”

To catch a single demon.

It could only be described as relentlessly persistent to the point of astonishment.

Well, since it’s just a duel, I wonder if she would go that far…

But I couldn’t help feeling somewhat uneasy.

* * *

Sione had begun practicing in earnest to concentrate Mana on her arrowheads.

Seeing the blue energy gather on the sharp metal pieces, then scatter just as it was about to compress further, it seemed she still had quite a way to go before reaching the level I had mentioned earlier.

Still, thanks to completing the quest by resolving her past with Noah Velleia, I received the reward of accelerating Sione’s growth rate. I think she’ll accomplish it faster than I had initially estimated.

I stroked my lips as I watched her.

“Hmm…”

As Sione said, perhaps to steal my lips,

My lady was concentrating so hard that she was sweating even in this air that was growing cool as winter approached.

Since I had made a promise before, and since that promise clearly accounts for more than half the reason Sione is so diligently honing her skills, I couldn’t easily back out.

Though my mind became somewhat troubled thinking about what would happen later, I soon composed myself.

I decided to address the feelings she harbored, and clearly set our future course later.

‘Well, I’ll think about this later.’

There’s no need to dwell on an issue here that I can think deeply about before sleeping.

I put those thoughts aside, organized my thoughts, and left the shooting range.

On the wide open ground, I could see women training and sweating.

“Anna, your arms already seem to be trembling!”

“N-no, they’re not!”

“And you too, Heril, next to her!”

…They’re having a hard time in broad daylight.

The count’s soldiers were training their swordsmanship and building their stamina with wooden swords, following the instructor’s directions.

There had been recent disturbances related to Demonkin. And monsters frequently came down to the territory causing trouble.

They were swinging their swords more vigorously than in my memories, and becoming exhausted at an even faster rate.

“The training intensity seems to have increased quite a bit.”

Hoping it might offer them some consolation, I prayed for cool breezes to blow their way as they sweated profusely.

Then I turned my gaze toward where the sounds of exchanging sword strikes continuously erupted.

“There it is.”

Instead of wooden swords, they were engaged in fierce duels with blunted steel training swords.

Refined swordsmanship and movements without any waste. Even just their aura showed a stark difference from ordinary soldiers.

They were those called knights who had awakened their Mana.

I looked for Diolia among the knights.

“Found her.”

Diolia, who should normally be closely attached to Siabel discussing swords.

Whether she had matters to discuss with Ainel or problems to solve, Siabel hadn’t appeared at the training grounds for two days.

Naturally, Diolia was either having simple duels with other knights or training with her sword alone.

And even now, perhaps believing in the importance of fundamentals,

Diolia was silently swinging her sword.

Swish!

Watching her sword path cut through the air without any waste, I approached slowly.

“Sir Diolia, hello.”

“Hmm? You are…”

Diolia’s cold, deep eyes took in my appearance.

After briefly examining my face, she nodded with a look of recognition.

“Oh, Lady Sione’s personal attendant. It’s been quite a while since we’ve spoken like this.”

“Yes, have you been well, Sir Diolia?”

“Of course. There hasn’t been any major danger since catching the Demonkin in the Beltrin Mountains. I’ve been spending my time crossing swords with Lady Siabel at the count’s residence.”

Diolia and I began our conversation with simple pleasantries.

Indeed, since meeting Sione and Evan Feiosha, I hadn’t had a separate conversation with her, so I could talk with her with quite a welcoming feeling.

After exchanging words for a while, Diolia asked with a puzzled face.

“By the way… may I ask why you’ve come to me?”

I promptly nodded at her words.

“It’s presumptuous of me… but I came because there’s something I’d like to request of you, Sir Diolia.”

“A request, is it? I’d like to hear it before deciding.”

If she wanted to hear it before deciding.

I slowly began to explain my business to her.

Starting with how I came to cross swords with Siabel. To respond to her expectations as much as possible. I wanted to figure out how to break down her swordsmanship and how best to clash swords with her.

As I explained slowly, a smile gradually formed at the corners of Diolia’s mouth.

“Indeed, from protecting Lady Sione with just one sword before, to the rumors of you catching an Arachne. It seems Lady Siabel has taken an interest in you.”

“Does that mean—”

“I’ll help you. Bring a sword.”

Diolia pointed to a corner.

Where her finger pointed, blunted training swords were gathered in various types.

“The best way to learn swordsmanship is to experience it directly with your body.”

I stood in front of the weapon display.

From the longswords that Diolia and Siabel mainly used to the short swords I handled.

Fortunately, with various weapons prepared, I could pick up a sword form I was familiar with.

I naturally picked up a short sword and stood before Diolia.

Shing…

Though it was a blunted sword with a dulled edge, perhaps knowing it was still a sword made of cold iron.

As the white blade emerged from the scabbard, a metallic sound rang out.

And just as I adjusted my stance.

“Here I come.”

Whoosh!!

Diolia’s sword, as if saying it wouldn’t show mercy just because I was a man,

Mercilessly and plainly thrust toward my neck.

Clang!!

As I quickly deflected the long sword to the side, twisting its trajectory to block her attack, Diolia met my eyes with a short exclamation.

And I could only silently chuckle at Diolia’s sudden, nonsensical attack.

Please, really.

What’s the rush that makes you try to thrust a sword at my neck without warning?