Chapter 98

Episode 97

“Who is that? The pink-haired applicant.”

I pointed with my finger, and Selendis answered politely.

“Ionia Innerheim. She’s from the Hogden territory and belongs to a baronet family. She’s sixteen years old.”

“You answered so readily. You must have memorized her information.”

“I remembered her because her background is unique.”

“Because she’s young?”

“No. It’s impressive that she’s not from an academy. She learned swordsmanship from her family.”

That was news to me. I doubted there was anyone here who hadn’t attended an academy or a knight training facility.

Now that I thought about it, the way she was relentlessly attacking Sir Ferguson seemed unusual.

Her swordsmanship was unrefined. It wasn’t mainstream it felt more like a desperate struggle of an underdog.

*Crack!*

*Clack! Clack!*

Despite her physical disadvantage, Ionia bombarded Sir Ferguson with swift and aggressive attacks.

The gazes of all the waiting applicants were fixed on them.

“She’s impressive. So, she just came here after seeing the recruitment notice?”

“Yes. That’s why not only me but also the other instructors are paying close attention to her. I heard her father is a renowned mercenary in that region.”

“A mercenary receiving a baronetcy? That says a lot.”

Of course, a baronetcy was closer to an honorary title and wasn’t particularly special. But it was highly unusual for a mercenary to receive a title.

Mercenaries were generally rough and lacked manners. They were wanderers who lived a free life.

But he had received a title and taught his daughter swordsmanship?

Her background made me even more interested in this trainee knight named Ionia.

Her bold attacks were unexpected for someone of her small stature. She was giving it her all, as if trying to leave her mark on everyone.

*Crack!*

*Whoosh—Boom!*

But defeating Sir Ferguson was a difficult task. The difference in their aura levels decided the outcome.

Ionia managed to block Sir Ferguson’s attack but was sent flying backward.

She coughed up blood, indicating internal injuries.

“Ugh…”

Another impressive scene unfolded. Even though she had rolled back about ten steps, her gaze was still fixed on Sir Ferguson.

Her eyes were filled with regret and frustration.

I didn’t need to hesitate.

‘Our startup knight order needs talents like her.’

Someone with a fiery spirit, even if they lacked experience. Sir Paris would make up for her shortcomings.

“Your name is Ionia, right?”

She was slightly startled when I offered her my hand. But she didn’t take it and got up on her own.

“My hand is covered in blood. Don’t misunderstand.”

She seemed to realize something and clenched her fist, pounding her chest.

“Greetings, my lord. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“It’s not a big deal. That was a very impressive spar. I commend you.”

“But I lost.”

I liked her competitive spirit.

She was the complete opposite of Selendis. If Selendis was cold and composed, Ionia was like boiling lava.

I remembered my spar with Selendis.

‘She had surrendered when she realized she couldn’t win.’

Of course, it wasn’t a rash or foolish decision.

But I had a feeling that Ionia would have fought me until she collapsed in the same situation.

“Are you frustrated?”

“No. I’m just frustrated with myself. I could have endured longer if I had tried harder…”

It didn’t seem like she hadn’t tried hard enough.

Her hands, wrapped in bandages, were bleeding, and that was proof. It was a sign that she had been gripping and swinging her sword for a long time.

“You seem to be mistaken. Defeating the instructor isn’t the condition for passing the sparring test.”

“Huh? Really?”

“If that were the standard, very few would survive. Sir Ferguson, come down here for a moment.”

Sir Ferguson stood before me, looking nervous. I wasn’t calling him down to scold him, but he seemed concerned about injuring her.

“I want to recruit Lady Ionia to our knight order without further testing. What are your thoughts?”

“Excuse me? Immediately… you mean?”

His gaze darted towards Selendis. He realized his mistake and bowed his head.

“Everything will be according to your will, my lord. I believe she’ll be a valuable asset if trained properly.”

“Lady Selendis, what are your thoughts?”

“I agree with Sir Ferguson.”

“You heard them?”

I offered my hand once again.

“I look forward to working with you, Lady Ionia Innerheim.”

She stared at me blankly for a moment, then wiped her blood-stained hand on her pants and shook my hand.

Everyone watching was stimulated by this unexpected turn of events.

They realized that they could be recruited immediately without taking the remaining tests if they performed well. It was a performance I had partially intended.

The applicants who were sparring became more aggressive and fierce in their attacks.

I should buy the instructors a drink later.

“Did my father send you anything? A letter, perhaps…?”

Ionia asked hesitantly. Was her father a doting parent? I shook my head.

“I don’t know who your father is. So, I haven’t received anything. I’m curious. I heard your father is a mercenary. Can you tell me about him?”

“He’s just… a quiet man. I was worried he might have asked you for a favor. He did that once before.”

“I’m not foolish enough to accept such a request.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that…”

I chuckled and summoned Head Butler Balzac.

“Take Lady Ionia to Jericho and have her wounds treated. Then, provide her with weapons and armor.”

“Yes, my lord.”

A while later, Ionia appeared, her wounds treated, wearing armor with our family crest. I was glad I had prepared a smaller size just in case.

She finally looked like a knight, not a mercenary.

“It suits you well. You’ll have some time before your next mission. You can inform your father about this good news.”

“I’ll do it later.”

“As you wish.”

Selendis was about to say something to Ionia, but I raised my hand slightly to stop her. She was probably going to reprimand her for being disrespectful to her lord.

I turned to Selendis and whispered, “Manners can’t be forced. Guide her patiently so she can learn on her own. Don’t hurt her feelings.”

“Understood.”

I realized I had left the Lady alone and looked around. She was gone.

I returned to my office, hoping to find her. As expected, she was sitting at my desk, examining a map.

“You seem to like that knight. Skipping the final test is quite unconventional.”

“I believe she’s the most suitable candidate for our knight order right now. Further testing would be a waste of time.”

“I agree. Female knights are rarely deployed in actual combat. With her skills, she can be a valuable asset immediately. You’re as good as me… no, perhaps even better at judging people.”

“You flatter me.”

I stood beside the Lady and examined the map she was looking at.

The wheat would be separated from the chaff in about an hour. Then, I had to assign them their missions. It was a map of the city with marked mission locations and a map of the Walker territory.

“You’re sending the applicants to these two locations marked on the city map?”

“Yes. They’re both slums where traces of Baron Roman still remain.”

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“It would be dangerous here as well.”

I reached out and pulled the map of the Walker territory closer. It was a rough sketch of the territory’s terrain, using a large scale.

There were circles drawn around the areas marked as forests and mountains.

These were the locations Jericho and I had carefully chosen.

“These forests and canyons, which we’ve designated as monster subjugation areas, are known for their high fatality rate. There’s no guarantee that there won’t be any casualties in this exam.”

People considered it an honor to be injured or even die during a knight order entrance exam. I planned to offer compensation to their families if such an event occurred.

The Lady stared at the map of the Walker territory for a while, then tilted her head.

“Can I ask you a favor? You can refuse if it’s too difficult.”

“I would go to hell and back for you, my Lady. I’ll even bring you the head of the Great Demon Diablos.”

The Lady laughed out loud for the first time in a while.

“Are you still holding a grudge? I never knew you were so petty, Aubrey.”

“That wasn’t a joke.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”

I didn’t believe it was a joke. She was just pretending to be fooled.

“I heard something from Baron Roman before. Oh, don’t misunderstand. We talked a few times during banquets in the capital. This canyon is called Nottingham, right? He said it’s quite dangerous. How about… changing the location to this area?”

The Lady’s slender finger pointed to an empty plain. I expected a small hill or a forest, but there was nothing.

It was an area that even Jericho hadn’t mentioned.

But if the mastermind had pointed it out, I wouldn’t be surprised if a horned demon beast appeared.

“Alright. I’ll change the location.”

“Which areas will Lady Selendis and Sir Jericho be evaluating?”

“Lady Selendis and Sir Ferguson will be evaluating area A in the city, and the other four knights will be evaluating area B. Jericho will be in charge of area A in the city.”

“The location I chose is in area B of the territory, right?”

“Yes. I’m planning to go there myself.”

A small ripple appeared in the Lady’s clear eyes. I could see the pattern now. She was about to smile mischievously.

“I’m sure you can handle it without anyone getting hurt, Aubrey. I’m relieved. But it’s dangerous to go alone. How about taking Lady Ionia with you?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll send Lady Ionia to Jericho.”

I immediately informed Selendis and Jericho about the change in plans. They looked surprised when I told them it was the Lady’s order, but they didn’t question it.

By the time I went outside to relay the message, the sparring test had already concluded, and only about thirty applicants remained.

“The Lady is showing great interest in the establishment of the Walker Knight Order. I hope you all return safely without any incidents.”

“We’ll be fine. We have the numbers advantage. I’m more worried about you, Inspector. Be careful.”

“Thank you. Take good care of Lady Ionia.”

“Yes, sir! Let’s go, you brats!”

Jericho and Ionia left the castle with the applicants. They wouldn’t return for at least two days.

“Knight Captain, you be careful as well.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Selendis and the other knights also departed for the city with the remaining applicants. They would return tomorrow after completing their mission.

I looked at the seven remaining applicants.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do I seem untrustworthy?”

“No, sir!”

“Arm yourselves.”

I waited for the applicants to equip their gear. It didn’t take long.

“Listen carefully. I’ll be leading this operation personally. It’s a simple mission. There’s a plain half a day’s journey from here. We’ll be eliminating the monsters in that area.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Mount your horses. Anyone who falls behind will be disqualified!”

I wondered what awaited us on that plain. I mounted my horse, feeling a strange excitement, and spurred it forward.