Kays Translations

Chapter 171: Gathering Information inside the Royal Castle, Part 2

　Axel and I distance ourselves and bow to each other.

　

　Since the fight is with wooden swords, there is little risk of injury. However, we cannot let our guard down. There is a healing room in the royal castle, so even if I get hurt, I should be fine, but I will have to drink that vomit inducing recovery medicine. I would like to avoid that.

　We hit each other with thud. It is a soft touch as we both try to get an impression of the other. We continued to slowly exchange blows as if we were practicing kenjutsu kata (swordsmanship form).

　Axel’s wooden sword suddenly stops right near my head. My wooden sword stopped dead near his torso.

“Hmm, even though you’re a nobleman, you’ve learned how to use a sword properly.”

“why yes, Thank you. Are there any nobles who haven’t learned it?”

“There are many.”

　While having this conversation, we again moved away from each other. This time, we moved faster and sharper than before. The movement was exactly the same as before. There was no fluctuation in the trajectory of Axel’s sword. He must have been swinging and running well to keep his body stable. Thanks to that, I was able to receive the sword with stability.

“You shouldn’t be just passive, you can also come on the offensive, you know?”

　Axel grins. He seems to have mistaken my passive attitude for a defensive one. Oh dear, let’s get serious, shall we?　Just kidding.

“Well then, I’ll come without hesitation.”

　I pretended to take Axel’s cute provocation and turned to attack. He immediately went on the defensive.

　That’s right. I’ve been seriously fighting with the knight commander of the Margrave Heine family for years, so there’s no way I could lose to a kid like him. In addition, there’s also the in-game cheats.

　I quickly cornered him and flicked his wooden sword away.

“I guess I win.”

“Damn it!　One more time.”

　Axel seems to have a strong competitive spirit. I think his swordsmanship is pretty strong for a kid, too. I wish Ijidol had this competitive spirit. I worry about him because I think he is a little weak.

　This time, unlike before, I match his strength when striking. This way is probably better for training with Axel.

　After the swordsmanship practice was over, we greeted the Knight Commander Yeongseon. By then, for some reason, there were a few kids looking at me and Axel with respect.

　Somehow I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I invited Axel to join me in the common room. Of course, I ask the servants to prepare tea.

“Ha, sweets after training are delicious.”

　Axel is munching on some pound cake. It tastes good, probably because it’s a fancy pastry. But I’ll keep quiet. I don’t want him to feel uneasy.

　I picked it up and ate it too. After drinking tea, I felt relaxed.

“Are your parents working for the Knights’ Order?”

“That’s right. My dad is a troop leader in the Order.”

“Oh, that’s amazing.”

　　It seems he’s quite a skilled swordsman. The reason Axel’s sword skills are so good is probably because he’s been trained by his father on a daily basis. Of course, his own talent may also be a factor.

　As proof of this was the way he had improved a lot after our brief exchange of blows.

“Julius, let’s go at it together again tomorrow.”

　He said with a really nice smile, probably gotten a good taste of it. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes that said, “Of course we’ll do it together, right?” It was like a dog asking to be taken for a walk.

“Oh, that’s right, I have magic training tomorrow. I’m supposed to alternate between swordsmanship and magic training.”

“Isn’t that a lot of work?”

“Yes, it is. But it’s no use being a nobleman’s child. I have to be able to do both.”

　Axel looks disappointed. I don’t want you to look at me like that. Besides, my time here in the capital is limited. When this social season is over, I will return to my domain, and from then on, I won’t be coming to the capital as often.

“Do you have any other friends besides Ijidol, Axel”

“What, you want me to introduce you to my friends?　Sure. ……”

　Axel knew a lot of kids. Whether they were friends or not, he seemed to be very sociable. Hang in there, Ijidol. I’m on your side, my friend.

“Oh, by the way, what about Ovidio, the son of the Knight Commander?　He’s not in the story at all.”

　When I said that out of curiosity, he made a very disgusted face. He hated him, Ovidio. I wondered what had happened to him.

“He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t like it when he isn’t the best. That’s why he doesn’t get along with me. He doesn’t seem to like that I’m strong.”

　For some reason, he was proud of that last part. In Axel’s mind, he was proud of himself, saying, “I can’t lose to Ovidio.”

　No, Axel. You will never grow if you have such an arrogant attitude. Teaching others can lead to personal growth, but being taught seriously by others also leads to growth. If that’s the case, it’s definitely better to get the best of both worlds.

“ You’re very strong, Axel. Then I think you can become even stronger if you learn from the Knight Commander. Isn’t that what the Knight Commander is also hoping for?”

“Yes, but he doesn’t like that either.”

　Oh dear, Axel holds his hands up. He seems to be at a loss. It looks like Ovidio has a personality problem. I hope he gets it fixed soon.

“So you haven’t learned much from the Knight Commander then?”

“Well, yes. I always end up with running, swinging, and kata practice like today. I have never really received any formal instruction, except for the occasional corrections. Well, I’m not the only one.”

“Ovidio wasn’t happy about that either.”

“Yeah.”

　We both looked at each other and smiled bitterly. The basics are important, though. If you neglect them, you won’t be able to apply them. I guess that’s why the Knight Commander is probably only doing basic training, because he knows that.

“I heard that a carriage with the national emblem on it comes and goes in the morning. Rumor has it that a prince from some country may be secretly coming and going to meet the princess.”

“W-Who told you that rumor?”

“The servants. They were making a lot of noise this morning.”

　It was only my second visit to the castle, and already there were rumors like that. The network of servants is amazing.

　I see. They are everywhere in the castle. I hope there won’t be any more strange rumors.

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