Ch.9393. I’ll Follow You

Charlotte thought her life was boring.

Knight of the Sword, Marchioness of the Empire. The positions she held were noble ones that anyone would desire, yet Charlotte herself felt no particular value in the seat she occupied. Of course, it wasn’t a position she had gotten for free. She had held a sword as soon as she could walk. She had learned the sacred arts before she could call the names of her mother and father.

She had enjoyed her own efforts. Her noble bloodline and once-in-a-century talent had quickly elevated Charlotte to the rank of Apostle. But only that far. After becoming an Apostle, her enjoyment had ceased as if by some cruel joke.

Her only hobby had been training other disciples, but a few years ago, they had all grown up and left to find their own paths. In the end, her days became a repetition of being stuck in the family estate, handling tasks she had no interest in—a routine that was exceedingly difficult for Charlotte to endure.

That’s why.

Three months ago. From the moment she received her first letter from Berger, she had been waiting for this very moment.

“I understand your temperament now.”

Charlotte looked down at the ground with a fresh smile.

“You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you?”

Rex couldn’t answer. He didn’t even have the energy to make a sound. Charlotte’s smile deepened at the sight of him lying on the ground, breathing heavily. She didn’t bother to scold Rex for his rudeness. Rather, she was impressed that despite being so exhausted that his legs had given out, he still hadn’t let go of his sword.

“Shall we stop now?”

“…Not yet.”

Rex slowly pushed himself up with his hands against the ground. His entire body was drenched in sweat, and his clothes were covered in dirt from rolling on the ground.

But there were no wounds. Even in ordinary sparring, injuries tend to occur no matter how careful one is. Charlotte was different. Despite using a real sword rather than a wooden one, her longsword hadn’t cut Rex’s skin or even his clothes. Instead, his bones resonated as if he’d been hit with a blunt club.

Yet not even a bruise had formed.

“If we continue like this, you’ll just keep getting hit, you know?”

Charlotte spoke in a peculiar tone. While training with Charlotte carried no risk of injury, it was mentally grueling in equal measure. She would push one’s stamina to the limit until they collapsed from exhaustion. In truth, most people would have been clutching at her pant leg by now, begging for mercy. Even among the disciples Charlotte had taught, few could endure her training to the end.

“That doesn’t matter.”

Rex shook his head as he dusted off the dirt from his body. Charlotte let out a satisfied laugh.

“Then I won’t try to stop you.”

It felt like discovering a sparkling gem. Charlotte disliked the word “talent.” Given that she herself had always been called a genius, some might consider this an inappropriate thought. But the reason Charlotte despised the notion of innate talent was because she had seen many people born with exceptional abilities who never put in the effort and let their gifts go to waste.

For a gem to shine, it needs to be processed. Sharply cut, refined, and carved. Only through such efforts can it display its beautiful light. She couldn’t understand those who fled in fear before even trying, intimidated by the process.

So.

‘I like you.’

Meaning she liked those who put in the effort. Charlotte couldn’t contain the excitement rising within her. With a small snort, a dark blue light enveloped her body. Rex swallowed hard. Aura. Rex could also manifest aura, but compared to Charlotte’s, his was smaller and weaker in energy.

It couldn’t be helped.

Even with the same ability, the level varies depending on the user’s mastery. The same goes for swordsmanship. The Kaiserion style was a secret art passed down through generations in the Sword Order. And naturally, the one who wielded it best was Charlotte, the Apostle of the Sword.

Knowing all this, Rex still didn’t back down. His sword strikes were deflected, and he was knocked down by counterattacks. From when the blue sky turned red until evening arrived, Rex got up again and again, charging at Charlotte.

“Enough.”

In the end, it was Charlotte who stopped the sparring first. Rex, sprawled out on the ground, asked in a puzzled voice.

“Why?”

“Don’t you ever get tired?”

Charlotte shot back with a disgruntled expression. She liked those who put in effort. But this was too much. At least half a day had passed since they began sparring. Ironically, Charlotte, who had been doing the beating, was more fed up than Rex, who had been taking the hits. She was beginning to understand how someone as young as fifteen had already reached the level of aura manifestation.

“Opportunities like this are rare.”

Rex replied in a calm tone. Although he hadn’t received formal instruction per se, just crossing swords with an Apostle was immensely helpful. Charlotte’s efficient movements and the way she handled her sword—if he could review these memories and continue his training in the mental training hall, his growth would accelerate even further.

Charlotte didn’t know Rex’s thoughts. But she could tell that he genuinely enjoyed the current situation.

“Not stubborn after all.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re insane.”

“No, that’s not—”

Rex trailed off with an incredulous look. When Charlotte narrowed her eyes and glared at him, his mouth closed involuntarily.

“I’d like to dig into that head of yours. I wonder why you’re so obsessed with strength. Everyone desires achievement, but you’re peculiar even accounting for that.”

Charlotte added as she sheathed her longsword.

“Anyway, I like you. Teaching you will be worthwhile.”

Rex awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth. Seeing this, Charlotte chuckled and waved her hand.

“Go back for today. There’s no need to rush. Rest well until we leave Lindvale.”

“Is this the end of our sparring?”

“Yes. I’ve seen enough of your level. I also know what you lack. When we return to my domain, I’ll teach you step by step. We’ll depart right after the investiture ceremony, so if you have any unfinished business, take care of it before then.”

Charlotte shrugged and turned her back.

“Are you okay?”

Chloe cautiously approached Rex, who was staring blankly at Charlotte’s retreating figure. Elin bluntly remarked.

“You’re filthy.”

“I’m sorry. After calling you here, I just made you watch the whole time. You must have been bored.”

“It’s fine. We’re the ones who wanted to see. So, are you heading back now?”

Rex nodded with a bitter smile.

“I need to wash up and eat something.”

His stomach was screaming in protest after skipping lunch and moving his body so vigorously. While becoming a Sanctified kept his body in optimal condition, there was one inconvenient aspect—hunger struck at all hours. The more energy expended, the more needed to be replenished.

“Shall we eat together?”

Chloe asked, brightening up. Elin, who also seemed to want to join, grabbed Rex’s sleeve. Rex scratched his chin and replied.

“Sure. It’s been a while since we all ate together, so maybe we should invite the others too…”

“Later.”

“Huh?”

“Party later.”

Chloe said with a grin as she started walking. Feeling an inexplicable chill, Rex kept his mouth shut.

‘Well done.’

‘What?’

Elin and Chloe exchanged meaningful glances. Had they become friends already? Rex tilted his head in confusion as he followed behind them.

[You are quite oblivious.]

Rex ignored Kaordix’s sudden interjection.

***

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

“Lucky bastard.”

Wolfram surveyed the table and grumbled as he set down his plate. Since his gruff manner of speaking was nothing new, Rex quickly dismissed his momentary confusion and turned away. The rich aroma of meat made his mouth water.

“Let’s eat.”

In the middle of the meal, Chloe wiped her mouth with a cloth and said.

“Three days left.”

“The investiture ceremony?”

“Yes. After the ceremony, you’ll be leaving Lindvale.”

Chloe muttered with a gloomy face. Nevertheless, she continued putting meat into her mouth. Rex barely managed to suppress his laughter at the sight of her chewing with her cheeks full. Not noticing his reaction, Chloe stabbed at her meat with her utensil and murmured.

“Not knowing when you’ll be able to return…”

“That’s true. Lady Charlotte said she’d let me go when I reach a level she’s satisfied with, but it definitely won’t be quick.”

Chloe sighed deeply. Going with Charlotte for training was certainly better than being kidnapped by Shaharon and taken to the Chaos Order. Still, she hated the idea of parting. She hadn’t even properly expressed her feelings yet. No, even apart from that, she simply disliked the thought of being far away from him.

“I’m going with you.”

Elin said in a calm voice. Chloe jerked her head up to look at Elin. Unfazed by the surprised gaze, Elin took a crisp bite of her apple.

“Going with him?”

“Yes. Why?”

“That’s impossible—”

“Why would it be impossible?”

The returned question left Chloe speechless. Why shouldn’t she go along? At first, she thought it was obviously because it would be a burden, but… Chloe twirled her hair with her finger as she pondered.

“…I guess there’s no reason why not?”

“I’m a mage. If I stay as a guest, they’d probably welcome me.”

Elin took another bite of her apple with a low chuckle. That voice sounded particularly vexing to Chloe, who glared at Elin with a sulky face.

“That’s unfair! After going through so much together, you’re just going to slip away by yourself?”

“…Pfft.”

Elin’s robe swayed. Even that seemed like it was mocking her. Chloe clenched her fists tightly, then immediately put on the most pitiful expression she could muster as she looked at Rex.

It was hard to withstand those sparkling eyes. Rex took a drink of water and nodded.

“I’ll talk to her about it.”

“Thank you!”

Chloe clasped her hands together with a radiant smile.

“…Tch.”

Rex and Chloe turned their heads.

“Did you just…”

“You’re imagining things.”

Despite clearly hearing a clicking tongue, Elin calmly continued eating her apple as if nothing had happened.

[This is a trial. Endure it firmly, my warrior.]

Rex asked in an incredulous voice.

‘You consider even this trivial matter a trial?’

Kaordix did not answer.