"Was he truly that skilled?"
"He was. Albert has already lost to him. Even I had to fight for nearly an hour before I could barely subdue him."
At Krovitz's words, Count Perushtein seemed somewhat shaken.
"Remarkable. To think that an expert of your caliber needed an hour of combat to finally subdue him… Surely you did not use your full strength?"
Krovitz nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"I used nearly my full strength."
"No matter how friendly the match, for an ordinary Paladin to exchange blows with a top-grade Sword Master for nearly an hour… I truly wonder if I should believe this."
Watching the grumbling Count Perushtein, Krovitz's expression turned grave.
"His swordsmanship was truly that outstanding. One thing I can say with certainty is this: if one is facing that boy for the first time, even a Sword Master cannot rashly guarantee victory. His left-handed sword technique is that unconventional and powerful. If he were deployed in actual combat, he would likely display even more astonishing might."
Count Perushtein let out a wry smile.
"I believe this is the first time I have heard you offer such high praise…"
"Honestly, I covet him. To become an intermediate Paladin before even the age of twenty and develop a swordsmanship entirely his own—this means, in short, that he possesses prodigious talent for the sword. He may very well have sufficient potential to reach Grand Master level."
"A Grand Master…"
Count Perushtein fell into quiet contemplation. Though he had poured his heart into nurturing them, his Duke Knights had not dared challenge the fortress that was the Crossen Knights. Their number of Sword Masters was part of the reason, but the most crucial factor was Count Williams, a Grand Master.
To find a warrior capable of facing him, the Count had exerted astronomical effort until now.
But it had been impossible from the very beginning.
Absolute beings who had reached the Grand Master level rarely appeared in the human world. Even after suppressing all worldly desires and endlessly dedicating oneself to training, reaching the Grand Master level was like plucking a star from the heavens. Therefore, warriors who had attained such a realm were seldom found in the human world, and moreover, they did not bend to money or fame.
Thus, Count Perushtein had no choice but to abandon his search for a Grand Master-level warrior… Yet in these circumstances, he had found a talent with the potential to become a Grand Master……. Having finished his thoughts, Count Perushtein sprang to his feet.
"Very well. I shall definitely win him over and place him under your command."
At those words, Krovitz's face lit up.
"A truly excellent decision. However, it will not be easy. His camaraderie is truly extraordinary. He said he would die alongside his comrades rather than abandon them…"
A faint smile formed on Count Perushtein's face.
"Do not worry. Is not recruiting people my specialty?"
"Ah… Understood."
Krovitz said nothing further and closed his mouth. The Count's ability to draw in talent by any means necessary and command their loyalty was something even Krovitz acknowledged. Was not Krovitz himself such a case? Krovitz quietly followed after Count Perushtein.
As Count Perushtein walked down the corridor, a myriad of emotions swirled in his mind.
'Heh. To think that I must recruit the comrade of the Black Magician who implanted the blood parasite of subordination within me as my own subordinate.'
Yet he felt no particular aversion. Although the Black Magician had implanted such a wicked demonic parasite as the blood parasite of subordination, he had instead given him a different goal. A far grander goal than his original one, in fact. In that context, creating a hostile relationship with the Black Magician was hardly desirable. Only if the Black Magician removed the blood parasite could the achievement of that goal be realized. Maintaining a favorable relationship with him seemed advantageous in many ways.
The Count silently recalled the results of his investigation into the Black Magician.
'He cares for his comrades more than he appears. This will not be too difficult.'
True to the Count's excellence at recruiting talent, he knew exactly whom he needed to meet first.
Kasim was extremely anxious. Gerald, who had disappeared during training, had unexpectedly caused a tremendous incident(?). The very thought sent chills down his spine.
"That damned brat. I thought he was just holed up in a corner training. To think he would challenge the captain of the Duke Knights to a spar… I'm going mad."
Unlike Gerald, the experienced Kasim knew that this was behavior greatly lacking in courtesy. Had he known beforehand, he would have rushed to stop him.
"The captain of the Duke Knights did not seem like the generous type… This is serious."
No doubt the captain had been terribly offended. For a mere mercenary to dare challenge the captain of a formal knight order was unthinkable for anyone in their right mind. So great was his worry that his head began to throb.
"I doubt he'll make too big an issue of it, but it's still a headache."
Gerald had not revealed that Krovitz had tried to recruit him into the Duke Knights. He had simply said that he challenged the captain of the Duke Knights and lost. Kasim shot Gerald a furious glare. The simple-minded and reckless training fanatic was currently absorbed in mana cultivation in a corner, completely oblivious. At the sight, Kasim let out a long sigh.
"For now, there is nothing to do but hope the Duke Knights' captain will let this pass generously…"
While he was furrowing his brows, a sudden knock sounded.
"Who is it?"
A familiar guard's voice echoed from outside the door.
"His Excellency Count Perushtein has come to meet Captain Kasim. The captain of the Duke Knights has accompanied him."
The moment he heard the guard's words, Kasim's face turned deathly pale.
'It's finally blown up. I'm in trouble. How am I going to resolve this…'
Kasim's body trembled as he glared at Gerald, who was peacefully immersed in mana cultivation. Count Perushtein had no doubt come to demand an explanation for Gerald's discourtesy.
'It can't be helped. As the captain, I must take care of this.'
Letting out a long sigh, Kasim silently walked toward the door.
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
Opening the door cautiously, Kasim's eyes went wide at the Count's unexpected words. He had thought the Count had come to confront him about Gerald's rudeness, but that was not the purpose of his visit.
"I will not waste words. Give Gerald to me."
"G-Give you Gerald?"
Kasim stammered at the unexpected remark. Count Perushtein looked at Kasim with a profound gaze.
"I mean to take the member of your mercenary group named Gerald and raise him as a formal knight of the Duke Knights. The Duke Knights are not inferior to any other knight order, are they?"
"Th-that may be true, but still, he is…"
The Count well knew what Kasim was trying to say.
"Do not worry. I will not cause any disruption to your mercenary group's missions… In other words, he will continue carrying out missions with his comrades as a member of the Kasim Mercenary Group, but I wish to make his standing that of the Duke Knights."
"……."
Looking at the speechless Kasim, the Count continued.
"I heard rumors that you and Mitchell received titles in Penslotte. That once you finish your mission and disband the mercenary group, you will become knights of Penslotte?"
"That is correct, but…"
"My proposal is the same. I intend to make Gerald a knight of the Duke Knights, and once the Kasim Mercenary Group finishes its mission and disbands, he will return to the order. I promise to take responsibility and raise him into an outstanding knight. What do you say?"
Kasim fell into deep thought. But for Gerald's future, accepting Count Perushtein's proposal seemed appropriate.
Even if they were the Dragon Slayer Mercenary Group, mercenaries were still mercenaries. Their status and social perception were entirely different from knights of a formal knight order.
Even the most mediocre knight was regarded far more highly than an experienced mercenary.
While Kasim was lost in thought, Count Perushtein's persuasion continued.
"What will you do after the dragon hunt? Escort a noble? Hunt monsters? Do you intend to use talent like Gerald for such trivial tasks? I cannot permit that. One does not use a cow-slaughtering knife to kill chickens, does one?"
"……."
"Since you have already secured two in Penslotte, you should yield Gerald to us. Would that not be fair?"
Kasim had now regained his composure. Having organized his thoughts, Kasim looked Count Perushtein in the eye.
"Very well. I am personally in favor of Your Excellency's proposal. If it is the Duke Knights, I can entrust Gerald without any worry."
A slight smile crossed Count Perushtein's lips. But he said nothing and quietly listened to Kasim's words.
"However, I must first hear Daemon's opinion. He will likely not object. He was the one who was overjoyed when we became knights of Penslotte."
"Very well. I will make the arrangements, so go meet the Black Magician and return. I shall await good news. Once it's decided, send Gerald to Krovitz immediately. We shall hold a grand induction ceremony…"
"Understood."
Seeing Kasim offer a polite salute, Count Perushtein rose. As he turned, a faint smile lingered on his lips. As if unable to help himself, Krovitz added a word to Kasim.
"I shall prepare everything for Gerald's induction. So do not make me wait too long."
"I shall endeavor not to."
After Count Perushtein and Krovitz left, Kasim gave a bitter smile. The matter he had feared had unexpectedly been resolved.
"I must hurry to meet Daemon."
Perhaps because he was in a hurry, Kasim quickly left the annex. Inside the annex's training room, Gerald was lost in a trance, immersed in mana cultivation. Of course, he had not heard a single word of the conversation between Kasim and Count Perushtein.
Having met Daemon, Kasim called for Gerald and Heinrich. Having finished their mana cultivation and immersed in training, Gerald and Heinrich approached Kasim.
"Did you call for us?"
Kasim looked at the two with a stern expression.
"You two are to go to the Duke Knights' headquarters immediately. Captain Krovitz should be preparing for your induction. Oh, and Heinrich, you will probably need to undergo an entrance examination first. But do not worry. Though your skills are somewhat lacking, you are young, so they will accept you without difficulty."
At the unexpected order, both their eyes went wide. Gerald, who had roughly guessed the situation, stamped his foot.
"That cannot be. I intend to die as a member of the Kasim Mercenary Group."
Kasim deliberately furrowed his brow.
"You fool. What do you plan to do if the mercenary group disbands after we finish hunting the dragon?"
"I would simply follow you, Captain."
"Do not speak nonsense. As you both know, I plan to inherit the position of lord of Arne. Do you intend to serve as a territory guard under me?"
"E-even so…"
Kasim's voice suddenly turned gentle.
"Daemon has already readily agreed. He said it is the best possible choice for your futures. Of course, there is nothing to worry about. It is something to consider only after our mercenary group disbands."
"……."
Kasim reached out and pointed at the weapon rack.
"Pack your equipment well and go. And Heinrich, you must do your best in the examination. You are good in every other way, but your heart is still too soft. Though you have toughened up a bit after taking a beating from the Death Knights… In any case, I wish you luck."
Heinrich, not knowing what was going on, nodded.
"Understood."
"Then be off."
Without waiting for a reply, Kasim turned away. Behind him, Gerald was at a loss.
But at the thought of becoming a formal knight, Gerald's chest swelled slightly. Heinrich felt the same.