Kays Translations

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Knight Commander’s Thanks

Ren was still stunned by Licia’s sheer force of action when her expression softened.

“Still… I’m sorry. I wish House Clausel had more power.”

Her dejected tone made it clear that Viscount Given’s actions troubled her as well.

“Did Baron Clausel protest directly?” Ren asked.

“Father said he couldn’t. Our factions are already different, and it is difficult for a lower-ranking noble to accuse a superior.”

The problem was not a lack of courage on Baron Clausel’s part. The difference in rank was simply too great.

“To protest against a higher noble, we would have to rely on a patron or a powerful house with which we share close ties. For House Clausel, that would mean at least a count in the Neutral Faction.”

“Then did you ask one?”

“Of course. But the Neutral Faction is weaker than the other two.”

Even a high-ranking neutral noble could hesitate. If that noble challenged Viscount Given, an even more influential member of the Hero Faction might interfere. Many aristocrats preferred to avoid becoming entangled in such a dispute, especially while their own faction lacked strength.

“So the leading nobles of the Neutral Faction are waiting to see what happens,” Ren said.

“Exactly. I hate it. We’re nobles of the same empire, yet factions and titles force everyone to behave this way.”

Licia did not hide her frustration.

“I’m truly sorry. As the lord’s daughter, I apologize for allowing a foolish quarrel among nobles to involve your village.”

Even while sighing, her profile had the delicate beauty of a fairy. It was easy to understand why players had called her the “unconquerable heroine.”

Ren, however, was thinking only about how tiresome aristocratic politics were.

“This isn’t your fault.”

“Even so, my family is involved. And… aren’t you going to sit down?”

“Right. Excuse me.”

It was his own house, but he had remained standing because his guest was a baron’s daughter. Licia nodded approvingly when he sat across from her.

“There is something I don’t understand,” Ren said. “Even with differences of rank and faction, shouldn’t the presence of a saint give House Clausel greater influence?”

“What a coincidence. I once thought so too.”

Licia sighed again.

“Many saints have been born throughout history, but unlike the Seven Heroes, they never accomplished anything decisive. Saints have long been called people blessed by Main God Elfen, but no saint defeated the Demon King.”

“I can’t really argue with that.”

“You don’t need to. It’s true.”

Saints were objects of reverence. In the Leomel Empire, however, two legacies inspired still greater awe.

The first was the absolute bloodline of the Seven Heroes.

The second was the imperial family descended from the Lion King, founder of an undefeated great power.

Saints were not insignificant, but they had never achieved anything comparable. Their existence therefore did not grant a faction the overwhelming political authority Ren had imagined.

“Now let me ask you something,” Licia said.

She leaned across the table, jewel-like eyes fixed on his face.

“Will you accept Viscount Given’s invitation?”

“No. I told you before that I have no intention of leaving this village.”

“Are you certain? If you’re lying, I’ll drag you all the way to Clausel.”

She looked capable of doing exactly that.

Ren repeated that he would not go, and Licia finally withdrew with a satisfied expression.

“How was the bath?” she asked, abruptly changing subjects.

“Exceptional. Had I not suddenly remembered that you were here, I might have stayed under the shower for another hour.”

“Would you like to keep it?”

“It would be useful, but it must be expensive.”

“Don’t worry about the price. The magic tools were old and no longer worked. I repaired them with my allowance, so there is no need to be reserved.”

Ren made a troubled sound.

“What is that reaction supposed to mean?”

“It sounds suspiciously like another attempt to buy my agreement to visit Clausel.”

Licia flinched. He had struck the mark.

“I don’t expect that much. I only want you to spar with me while I’m staying in the village.”

“Does that mean you intend to keep visiting?”

“Am I not allowed?”

Ren did not want to deepen his connection with her, but he had no authority to forbid the baron’s daughter from entering her own family’s territory.

“I doubt Baron Clausel will approve this repeatedly.”

“He approved it twice. Three times, four times, even ten times won’t be any different.”

Her logic relied almost entirely on momentum.

“If the baron has no objection, then neither do I.”

In reality, Ren had little ability to refuse.

“Good.”

Licia smiled warmly.

Perhaps repeated visits were still better than being abducted and carried to Clausel. Even so, the situation remained deeply inconvenient.

(I should lose on purpose.)

“You know you aren’t allowed to do that either,” Licia said.

“Do what?”

“Lose deliberately.”

“I would never show such disrespect to you.”

“You looked as though you were planning something wicked.”

“It was your imagination.”

A brief silence followed, broken by the dry crack of firewood in the hearth.

Ren wondered whether Licia expected him to spar with her that day. He would need to speak with Weiss—but at that moment, the Knight Commander’s voice came from outside.

“Weiss went to Grandma Rigg’s house with your mother,” Licia explained. “We brought the medicinal herbs House Ashton ordered, so they delivered them together.”

That explained Mireille’s absence.

Soon Mireille entered the kitchen and began chatting comfortably with Licia.

(They’ve become close already.)

Ren quietly held his head.

* * * *

After sunset, Ren sparred with Licia.

She had improved considerably during the previous two months and displayed movements unlike those of their first encounter. Nevertheless, Ren won decisively.

Licia appeared to have expected the outcome. Even so, she declared, with admirable determination, “We’ll fight again tomorrow morning.”

“Forgive me, boy,” Weiss said after Licia returned inside.

“This much is fine. But the young lady seemed like a different person from before.”

“That is thanks to you. Since her defeat, she has worked harder than ever—not only in swordsmanship, but in her studies as well.”

“Then I’m glad.”

“Our lord is grateful. So am I. Is there anything you would like me to do for you?”

The offer was abrupt.

“Baron Clausel has already rewarded me.”

“This would be a personal gesture from me.”

Ren considered asking for money, then dismissed the thought as shameless. He was about to request sword instruction when Weiss spoke first.

“How would you feel about learning fieldcraft?”

“Fieldcraft? I don’t travel far from the village.”

“Perhaps not now. But the knowledge is worth having. What would you do if an unforeseen event forced you to spend a night in the forest?”

Weiss had a point.

“Roy probably intended to teach you, but he must remain at rest for some time. I thought I could take his place.”

The skills would be useful even during ordinary hunting.

“Please teach me.”

Ren bowed deeply.

“Raise your head. This is my way of thanking you.”

Weiss looked up at the snowy sky and folded his arms.

“Have you kept any Little Boar pelts?”

“Yes. I hunt them almost every day, so we have more than we need to sell.”

“Good. Then we can begin tonight.”

“Tonight?”

Weiss smiled broadly.

“It is already late.”

“There is more to learn at night.”

“I meant that if we leave now, we won’t return until—”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“So we are spending the night in the forest.”

Weiss nodded.

“I will not force you. We can choose another day if that would be more convenient.”

“No, I was only surprised. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Ren had little to do at night, and a lesson from a busy and experienced Knight Commander was too valuable to postpone.

“One thing concerns me. Is it acceptable for you to leave the young lady?”

“Her dedicated guards will remain at the manor.”

“So you are not one of her personal guards?”

“Many people misunderstand that. I guard our lord and command his knights. I am not Lady Licia’s bodyguard, which is why I am often absent from her journeys.”

Licia had brought enough guards for Weiss’s absence to pose no danger. He had apparently accompanied this journey because he judged Ren’s village worthy of his attention.

“Then I would be honored to begin tonight.”

“Leave it to me.”

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