episode_0124

Episode 124

In Philgret’s office, I was talking about Rika.

“…Are you talking about the immigrant woman from back then?”

“Yes. We will act as a reserve unit for this visit. Secretly using the Earth Dragon’s Gauntlet. It’s insurance for emergencies.”

As someone who accepted the invitation, I am in a situation where I cannot move many troops. Needless to say, Pilgret would have approved of keeping the reserve unit hidden.

However, it was an expression that did not readily welcome him. The reason is probably because the person leading the reserve unit is Rika.

“Are you sure it’s okay? Wasn’t that woman the one who tried to murder the princess? It didn’t look like I was going to change at all.”

“But Rika is definitely on my side now.”

“What method did you use?”

“Confinement, torture, drugs… It may not be a way to reveal it publicly.”

“…Oh…”

Philgret looked at me with reverence. This guy is definitely not in his right mind.

I locked him in a coffin, slowly destroyed his mentality, and made him dependent on me.

If you simply list the facts that happened to Rika, that’s it. Excluding the emotional exchange between me and Rika.

“But is it possible to fight properly in that condition? I don’t think it’s normal, either physically or mentally.”

“To me, it was definitely normal. Maybe.”

Rika alone defeated the bandits who attacked Orbin Monastery.

However, it is difficult to be sure that he has the same skills as before. They would have been nothing more than a ragtag group of wandering thieves anyway.

Philgret, who was lost in thought for a moment, suddenly spoke.

“Princess, if you don’t mind being rude… may I spar with him?”

“…sparring?”

“Yes. You can find out roughly by crossing swords. The extent to which the other person’s condition is normal. Especially if it’s someone you’ve competed with before.”

It’s sparring…

It might be a good way to find out if Rika has the same skills as before. Although it is doubtful whether it will have the effect that Pilgret says.

Plus, I had some concerns. I am worried that Pilgret may be trying to eliminate the risk factor called Rika in the name of sparring.

I spoke in a clear voice.

“You’re not planning on killing me under the pretense of sparring, right? If you do that, I will never forgive you.”

“Never. Wouldn’t it be an act of defiance if the princess killed the person who attacked her with her own hands? For sparring, a blunt sword or wooden stick is sufficient.”

“Okay then.”

If Rika comes to work for me, she is bound to run into Philgret at some point. In that case, it might be better to have a chance to understand each other’s intentions quickly.

Pilgret’s quiet eyes seemed to be burning for some reason.

* * *

Rika was waiting for us in the clearing in the forest outside the castle walls. Rika, who was waving happily when she saw me, looked wary when she saw the man next to her.

“Princess, that person…”

“The leader of the royal guard, Pilgret, a woman of a foreign nation.”

“Rika, not a woman of an alien race.”

“Yes, …Rika.”

Pilgret is already thinking about fighting.

It is not very common for Pilgret to show overt hostility towards someone.

It’s probably because of Rika’s past of trying to kill me. There may be an attempt to raise the fighting spirit before sparring.

Rika’s side also had the same antipathy. Although she didn’t show it openly because it was in front of me, Rika’s eyes seemed to be recalling her previous humiliation.

“Rica and Philgret are planning to accompany me and serve as my escort during this visit to Laurentia. You could say that this is a relationship that requires close cooperation with the mercenary unit you lead. Philgret, you too.”

They both answered briefly ‘yes’ and then stared at each other in silence again. Philgret threw one of the two swords he was carrying at Rika’s feet.

“…What are we going to do?”

“Pick it up. I will test whether you are worthy to become the princess’s sword.”

Rika looked at me. I nodded. Rika said as she picked up the sword that had fallen on the floor.

“Good.”

Yikes!

Rika tore the skirt she was wearing. Her toned thighs were exposed through her torn skirt. Obviously, long skirts will be difficult to move around in.

Philgret also took off his heavy armor. Not only that, but the gauntlets, greaves, and other armor were also removed.

I don’t know if it’s to lighten the body or to be on equal footing with Rika, who wears everyday clothes. It could be both.

Although it is a practice sword, it is just a piece of metal. It had enough power to hurt people. There is a high risk of injury if you are hit without any protection.

I said with a sigh.

“Please avoid serious injury to each other. I will not forgive either the one who got hurt or the one who hurt me.”

I moved a little away from the two of them. About ten steps away, Pilgret and Rika pointed their swords at each other.

At almost the same time, the two rushed towards each other.

Rika flexibly dodged Pilgret’s sword, which was swung at her upper body. Then, in a rebound, he stabbed the sword into Pilgret’s face. But Pilgret also avoided it by just moving his head.

They clearly told us to avoid major injuries, but the only places they target are vital points. Are you sure the other person will avoid it? It is a world that is difficult for me to even fathom.

High-level battles that are difficult to think of as just sparring continue to come and go. Both sides seemed to have trained their skills and bodies to the limit.

But even in such a fight, the upper hand clearly existed. The more the sums were exchanged, the more it was Rika who was losing out.

If it is natural, it may be a natural result.

Rika had already been defeated by Pilgret even when she was in perfect condition.

Moreover, compared to Rika, whose body may have become dull due to the physical gap between men and women and the life of confinement, Philgret participates in the knights’ training every day.

The outcome of the game was inevitable.

Pachaaeang-!

The sword flies out of Rika’s hand. The bounced sword flew and was deeply embedded in the tree standing behind it.

Rika’s arm felt numb after receiving the shock, and she clutched it with gritted teeth. Philgret spoke while aiming his sword at Rika’s neck.

“Looks like the winner is up, Rika.”

“Crrr…”

Rika growled, baring her fangs as if threatening. It might be something like the habits of northern warriors. It didn’t look like he was admitting defeat.

Rika grabbed the blade pointed at her neck with her hand. Although it was said to be a blade, it did not have a sharp edge. In that state, it burrowed into Pilgret’s arms and opened its mouth as if it were going to bite its neck.

I, who couldn’t see anything, waved my arms loudly and shouted.

“Stop! stop! Stop it!”

Rika’s teeth and Philgret’s elbows stopped just before they touched each other’s bodies. I poured out my words to the two people who were in despair.

“Didn’t I tell you clearly at the beginning? Don’t hurt me! But what are you both thinking? Doesn’t the sword only target vital points, and eventually it even tries to bite it? What I’m saying is that you can just ignore it?”

“Sorry, sorry…”

“No shame…”

The two lowered their heads like children being scolded by a teacher. I sighed and then asked Philgret.

“So how was it? Rika’s condition is.”

“It was a great skill. I almost wanted to tell the knights to follow suit. Moreover, it seemed like he was more determined to die than when he fought before. I have to admit it.”

A desperate determination to bite off the opponent’s neck even after losing the sword.

That wasn’t just an attempt to avenge the humiliation of defeat.

Perhaps the word “test” in Philgret’s words made Rika even more desperate. I thought that if I didn’t pass this test, I might not be able to be by my side.

There’s nothing I’m more afraid of than being abandoned by Rika right now.

Of course, even so, I cannot forgive you for ignoring my caution and trying to see blood. We have to severely punish him.

Philgret extended his hand towards Rika. And unlike before, he spoke in a polite tone.

“Thank you, Rika. I understand why the princess brought you in.”

“…Ahh. Best regards, Sir Pilgret. That’s great skill too. I admit that you are above me. Just a little bit.”

What a heartwarming sight. The sight of two people who had been competing with each other for their outstanding skills shaking hands while praising each other.

But that would be that and this would be this.

“Good, both of you. But it’s still too early to end it like this. You should get the punishment for disobeying me, right?”

“Oh…”

“…Ah…”

The scene, which was about to end on a warm note, quickly becomes cold. The two looked at me with friendly, anxious faces.

“Pilgret received a 3-month pay cut for disobeying orders.”

“…, salary reduction…”

Pilgret’s shoulders slumped. Even the fearless knight commander seems to be afraid of a pay cut. Well, as a former salaried worker, I can fully sympathize.

Next it’s Rika’s turn. Rika was also looking at me with a fearful face. However, unlike Pilgret, the fear seemed to contain a subtle palpitation.

“I will personally punish Rika later.”

“…Yes.”

Rika seemed to fully understand what the word ‘punishment’ meant when it came out of my mouth. His shoulders, as if he was downcast, were shaking slightly.