episode_0031

Episode 31

You took a hit.

Even before I could do anything, it was done as Carmel and Walter had intended.

The holding of the Sword Festival has already been confirmed.

But it might actually be a good thing.

If the Battle of the Sword ends with the Guard’s victory, Philgret will also have jurisdiction over the Guard. This would be the completely opposite result of what Carmel hoped for.

The Festival of Swords is a battle between five knights selected by the captains of both sides.

Although it is called the ‘Sword Festival’, you are basically free to use any weapon. However, mechanical devices or objects with magical powers cannot be used.

Although actual blades are used, casualties are rare. Before starting, non-lethal magic is applied to both weapons. Losing the kingdom’s greatest power through an event like this would be a complete disaster.

A battle between swords and swords. It’s also a multiplayer battle, not one-on-one. There are bound to be many variables.

No one can guarantee unconditional victory. Nevertheless, Carmel continued to fight confidently.

It must be seen that they are plotting something. Something that can guarantee 100% victory.

Before figuring it out, I first called Philgret and talked about the Sword Festival.

“Pilgret, you heard it, right? The Festival of Swords will be held again.”

“Yes, princess. This is what I just heard.”

“Which do you think is superior, you or Walter? As honestly as possible.”

Philgret was silent for a moment. In his mind, he seemed to be assessing the strength of Walter, himself, the guards, and the direct force.

“Based on our current strength, we win by about 8 to 2.”

You are overwhelmingly confident.

Pilgret is not a very pretentious person. If that’s the case, then I guess I guess I’m really confident. Of course, there is a possibility that there is hidden power.

Moreover, there is no way Carmel would have fought an unwinnable battle on her own. There must be something there.

“I feel quite relieved to hear that. But please don’t let down your guard. Have you already decided on the number of people who will participate in the Festival of Swords?”

“Yes, to some extent. However, it has not been confirmed yet.”

“If possible, keep it from being known to the outside world. Of course, you should also pay attention to your health and safety. To me, it feels like this festival of swords is meant to take your right arm away from me.”

“Is that true?”

What, did you really not notice? I didn’t know I would have to explain something like this.

“Yes. The winning side in the Battle of the Sword can take command of the losing side, right? It is said that this was planned by someone who is hostile to Walter and me from the direct unit.”

“Oh, I’m being presumptuous, but that’s not what I was asking. Do you really consider me as Princess Sera’s right hand man?”

Oh, there?

As of now, apart from Pilgret, I don’t have anyone who works just for me. At most, it’s a ciniara level.

So the rhetorical expression that he is my right-hand man would not be such an exaggeration. He also has a certain level of skill and status.

“Yes? Oh, well, yes… That’s actually true, right?”

My answer was somewhat bland, but Pilgret’s reaction was in contrast. When Pilgret heard my answer, there seemed to be a spark in his quiet eyes.

what?

“I will definitely repay the princess’s feelings. I will definitely win this sword festival. Even if my body falls apart.”

“Ah, no, I just told you to be careful about safety… Besides, there’s no point in hurting yourself?”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

It feels like the conversation isn’t subtly aligned. This guy seems to have gone into a strange mode.

I once again ordered him to be careful with his actions and sent Philgret away. Pilgret’s footsteps coming out of the room somehow sounded more passionate than usual.

* * *

When the news that a sword festival would be held became known, the people also showed great interest. The most enthusiastic class were, of course, young people and boys with boiling blood.

A battle for the pride of the kingdom’s strongest knights. It is a subject that men who watch anything with a confrontational attitude cannot help but lose their minds.

No matter where I went to Lurie’s bar, I could only hear this story.

Pilgret showed considerable confidence, but it seems that the overwhelming majority of people in the world are predicting that Hogak will win.

In particular, who is stronger between the two sides’ captains, Walter and Pilgret, seemed to have a greater influence on who one was rooting for than on objective strength analysis.

Walter Grave was a swordsman prodigy who was called a genius swordsman.

The first time he passed the entrance exam was when he was only 15 years old. It is said that from then on, it was able to easily subdue even a decent number of veteran knights.

After that, without a single mission failure or defeat, Walter rose to the rank of captain of his direct unit. At the age of only 20, he became the best knight in the country, both in name and reality.

However, he is not satisfied with that, and this time he even has the ambition to bring the guards under his command. When I get to this point, I even feel like I want to meet him at least once to see what kind of person he is.

And that opportunity came not too long ago.

As I was about to board the carriage for an appointment outside the palace, a knight approached me and took off his helmet. A handsome face and reddish-yellow hair were revealed. He said, getting down on one knee.

“This is your first time greeting you formally, right? This is Walter Grave, the direct commander and leader of the Silver Sword Knights.”

That look with a gentle expression that seems harmless. Moreover, he is even set to be a swordsman genius. He is a human being who inevitably has many fangirls.

But looking at that handsome face and kind attitude, I suddenly feel uncomfortable.

Are you saying that this guy and Carmel had a secret affair in the middle of the night?

Of course, Carmel is not something that can be overlooked simply by looking at its appearance. But just imagining this guy and Carmel in the same picture makes me feel a little sick.

I’m sure you weren’t flirting at all? If so, the death penalty is immediate. Of course, even if it wasn’t me who was crazy enough to flirt with the queen, I would probably be sentenced to death anyway.

I answered in a somewhat cold tone. They were enemies to begin with.

“So?”

It was a word that strongly expressed his intention to not have any conversation with you, but Walter did not give in and responded with a smile like a spring breeze.

“Your plan is to visit monasteries in Lurie today, right? I personally took charge of the escort and greeted you, Princess Sera.”

Unless it is an inspection in which one’s identity is hidden, escorting one’s activities within Lurie is the role of the direct unit. However, there is no need to greet people in this way.

Plus, an overly friendly attitude. No, they’re just pretending that way.

Since I had joined forces with Carmel in the sword battle, Walter must have known for sure that I was the enemy.

The reason why he approaches me so warmly even though he knows that is… of course, it’s because there’s something he wants to find out from me.

In that case, there is no reason for me to reveal my true feelings.

“Hehe, you said that. I hope you have a good day today, Sir Walter.”

“We will protect it thoroughly. Princess Sera is the greatest treasure of this country. With my honor as a knight, I will not allow anyone to surpass me.”

What is he saying now?

I already hate this guy. Are you intentionally trying to make me sick?

Of course, he didn’t show it on his face. She answered with the elegant smile of a princess painted on her mask.

“That’s really reassuring.”

It’s quite a hardship. From the viewer’s perspective, it may just be a heartwarming scene.

I passed by Walter and got into the carriage. Soon, the leader started moving forward.

Walter also mounted a horse and joined the procession.

Right next to my carriage, side by side.

Knock, Walter gently knocked on the carriage window. I opened the window and answered.

“What’s going on, Sir Walter?”

“I was wondering if the way there might not be free. If it’s okay, I’d like to be your friend.”

Every single one of them is annoying.

What is it that you want to know from me so much?

But this might actually be a chance. Through conversation, I will be able to find out more about Walter.

I answered with a smile, hiding my annoyance.

“Good. Then let’s do that.”

The first question from Walter was quite unexpected.

“Princess Sera, what books do you like?”

Why are you asking this?

It’s probably not a high-level trick to read the flow of my thoughts from the tendencies of my favorite books.

I answered appropriately.

“Of all the things I’ve been reading recently, I liked Ivan Yuna’s The Prince the most. There were so many things I had to learn as a princess.”

“The monarchy theory is excellent, as expected. I also prefer books that allow me to learn. When you read a book about swordsmanship, you often lose track of time.”

Right. It was information I didn’t want to know at all.

When I answered with a silent smile, Walter brought up another topic.

“Excuse me, but how do you spend your days when you don’t have any plans?”

Why are you asking this?

This time, I gave a suitably Sarah-like answer. But Walter’s questions continued.

His mental attacks continued until he reached the first monastery. If it was an operation that would tire me out, it was a complete success.

“It was a pleasant conversation, princess.”

Only when we arrived at our destination did Walter let me go. Looking at his satisfied expression as he lowered his helmet, I couldn’t help but feel an ominous feeling.

Was that really something that was being done on me?