Chapter 65. < 28. A Guest Has Arrived (2) >
"I see. So your son is away......"
"That's correct. He said he wanted to look around the territory since it's been a long time since he came down......."
"......."
"He should return within a few days. We've prepared a room, so perhaps you'd like to rest and unpack first......"
The lord of Callad Territory, Baron Runo Callad, said while sweating profusely.
His tone was extremely polite. An attitude as if a noble of Count rank or higher had visited.
It was certainly not a sight one would show to a mere knight.
However, if that knight was a knight of the Knight Kingdom Zenas, and a high-ranking knight at that, the story changed.
The weight carried by the name 'Zenas'...... honestly speaking, was heavier than even that of Tarazan's royal family.
"Then I shall do so. I'll be staying for a few days."
"What are you saying...... please rest comfortably. Ah, would you like to have a meal together later?"
"If you're inviting me, I'd be grateful."
After a few more words were exchanged, Zenas's high-ranking knight Vercal Garcia retired to the guest room.
Baron Callad, seeing him leave, let out a large breath.
He had been so tense that his back was soaked with sweat.
He fanned himself with his hand and thought.
'For Zenas to send someone to recruit my son into their knight order......'
He couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.
Zenas was the strongest.
They possessed twenty-five Sword Masters alone, and all members of their knight orders boasted skills at Sword Expert level or above. Even the apprentice knights supporting them would be stronger than the knights receiving stipends in his own territory. That was certain.
Was that all!
The renowned name of Knight King Philip III, who beheaded the Demon King with a human body, was known even to three-year-old children.
For such an amazing country to send someone directly, he couldn't calm down.
Moreover, it wasn't just a probing level.
The person who came to negotiate seemed prepared to do anything to recruit Rumian.
'They'll let me join the Golden Lion Knights, the oldest knight order in Zenas, and not only grant territory and title, but also say I won't have to worry about any pressure from Tarazan?'
It was dedication and consideration like when recruiting a Sword Master from another country.
No, even more than that.
Baron Callad burst into laughter.
Tears trickled from his eyes.
"Haha......."
He was so happy.
The joy was so great that it was hard to just sit still.
Just a few days ago, his head was on the verge of exploding.
Baron Karayan picking fights with nonsensical provocations, vassals whose dissatisfaction had burst forth.
And his son, who was the cause of everything.
It was a situation where it wouldn't be strange for him to collapse clutching the back of his neck.
Yet those serious matters were resolved in an instant.
Ridiculously, the person who resolved the incidents was also his son.
Rumian eliminated the territory's troubles with a dignified appearance as if he were a protagonist from mythology. He melted away his worries like ice in summer.
And now.
As if to repay the hardships of that time, a gift had descended from heaven.
Baron Callad felt he would have no regrets even if he died today.
"My Lord! The Young Lord has returned!"
"Oh! Finally! Tell him to come immediately!"
Coincidentally, his son had returned. He immediately called Rumian to his room.
Normally he would have let him wash and rest first before slowly talking, but now there was no time for that.
He smiled broadly, thinking how surprised and happy Rumian would be.
As a father, he should maintain his dignity, but it was hard to manage his expression.
A short while later, his son entered looking disheveled.
He immediately got to the point.
"I heard the news. That someone from Zenas came? To have me join the Golden Lion Knights?"
"Hmm. I was going to tell you, but some loud-mouthed fellow...... yes. These are words from Zenas's high-ranking knight Sir Vercal, so there's no doubt."
"I see."
"As you know, this is an incredible opportunity. Knights far superior to the professors at Tarazan Academy will teach you. Is that all? Your path to success...... they'll handle the aftermath...... I'll say it once more, you don't need to worry about anything......"
Baron Callad continued his explanation.
He didn't know how many times he drank water while speaking. If he didn't, his chest felt like it would burst from excitement.
However, his son's answer after hearing everything was unexpected.
"I'm sorry, but I will not go to Zenas."
"What? Say that again."
"I will stay at Tarazan Academy. I want to pursue my dreams there."
Suddenly the atmosphere turned cold. Anger rose in Baron Runo Callad's eyes.
Yet Rumian's eyes did not waver in the slightest.
He stated his intentions in a firm tone.
"The reason is......"
***
"Did the persuasion go well?"
"More or less? He's still displeased, but......"
"That's unfortunate. My reputation isn't exactly low either."
"Kid, no matter what, you can't compare to the Golden Lion Knights."
"I know that, but sigh. I'll have to train even harder from now on."
"That's right. To fulfill my role as your master, I need to become at least three times stronger than I am now."
Rumian said while taking a bite of bread.
Having been in the demon hideout for a long time, he was quite hungry.
Morgan asked him an additional question.
"When are you meeting that high-ranking knight gentleman?"
"In a little while. I think we'll meet right after dinner with my parents. He said to meet at the training ground, probably wanting to see my skills."
"Quite an impatient person."
"He's always been like that. I don't know for sure, but it seems he was that way. Whew!"
Rumian, who quickly finished the bread, sat on the sofa. Then he thought of Zenas, the country where he spent most of his previous life.
It was a nostalgic name.
When he closed his eyes, memories of his past life still came to mind.
Philip III, whom he served with lifelong loyalty; the virtuous and beautiful Queen Amelia; the princess who was a tomboy but became a lady; the prince who was dignified even at a young age.
Knights with skills comparable to his own, and excellent character.
And the training, training, training that made such knights possible.
The terrible training of the knight order, filled with nothing but men!
'I can't do that crazy thing again!'
This was exactly why Rumian refused to go to Zenas.
If it were just the training, he wouldn't have shown such rejection.
Originally, the training he did in his previous life was even more intense. Even now, when he had nothing to do, he spent most of his time on aura cultivation.
However, the fact that all members of the knight order were men was unacceptable.
'Because Zenas's cultivation method is incompatible with women......'
Of course, joining the knight order didn't mean he had to spend time only with knights, but there was no reason to give up the free life and youth romance of the academy to go to Zenas.
That was why he desperately persuaded his father.
Through two lies.
'I cannot give up my girlfriend at the academy.'
'I have already become the disciple of Mercenary King Morgan. My master has approved continuing at the academy, but I think Zenas would not.'
Of course, at first, harsh words burst forth.
To throw away a golden opportunity because of a girlfriend—as a father, he couldn't accept it.
However, the fact that Morgan was also one of the fewer than one hundred Sword Masters on the continent, and that receiving one-on-one instruction from him would be no less than Zenas.
Above all, when he emphasized that he could become the best even without borrowing Zenas's halo, Runo Callad finally nodded.
He didn't want to forcibly break his son's extraordinary spirit.
'Will you not regret it?'
'I will never regret it.'
'Then do as you wish. Instead, Sir Vercal doesn't seem like he'll back down easily, so handle that yourself.'
'Of course.'
This was the content of the conversation he just had with his father.
Rumian drank water and thought about Vercal.
'If he saw through my skills during the sword tournament...... he might really cling stubbornly.'
Perhaps he even knew that he could create an Aura Sword.
It would have to be at least that level to lead to a situation where he'd want a match with Kal Krone.
'He'll be incredibly greedy. The talent is the greatest in history, and being the son of a rural lord from a small country, there won't be big problems even if they take him away.'
Of course, they wouldn't drag him away against his will, but it was clear they would continue to be bothersome.
Rumian frowned.
'Should I just show him a completed Aura Sword?'
Should I just blow him away?
No, wouldn't that be too much?
While he was contemplating, the time came.
Rumian looked at Morgan and spoke.
"Let's go together, Master, just in case."
"Let's do that, Disciple."
The two, who chuckled, moved to the training ground.
It was an evening with a crescent moon rising.
***
"The Young Lord has arrived."
"I am Rumian Callad, Sir Vercal."
"I know. I saw you at the sword tournament finals. It was very impressive. Making the situation flow exactly as you wanted......."
'As expected, that's why he latched on.'
Rumian made a knowing expression.
Actually, that was the only reason.
He opened his mouth.
"I heard you made an incredibly honorable proposal."
"But you rejected that proposal. I did hear the reason, but may I ask once more?"
"Personally, it's because my important connections are at the academy, and broadly, it's because I cannot leave my master's embrace."
"A pleasure, Sir Vercal. I am Morgan."
"Hmm. So you really are the Mercenary King."
Vercal finally acknowledged him.
In terms of status, he was higher, but considering the achievements accomplished as a swordsman, he should have greeted him first.
It was a kind of battle of wills, and quite an inflexible attitude for someone who came for recruitment.
'I thought someone more smooth-talking would come.'
Perhaps they thought this kind of upright personality would work better for a knight cadet.
Of course, it wasn't very important.
Anyway, they couldn't keep standing like this, so Rumian tried to express his intention again.
However, Vercal spoke first.
"Since you walked the path of the sword before me, I will call you Senior. Is that acceptable?"
"Please do, Sir Vercal."
"It would be a loss to the continent for the Young Lord's talent to be buried because of Senior's greed."
"......."
"I'm not disparaging Senior. How could someone like me look down on a Sword Master, of whom there are only twenty-five in Zenas."
"Hmm. Please continue."
"However, I want to say that it's unreasonable to handle the Young Lord's absurd talent. The Young Lord I saw...... is truly talented enough to be called the greatest in history."
Vercal's eyes shone as he spoke.
Despite it being a dark night, it was clearly visible.
Just how great his determination and mindset were.
Vercal was genuinely worried about Rumian Callad's future.
"The Mercenary King certainly has incredible skill. However, he is not the best. Trying to keep the Young Lord in his embrace alone is greed."
"......."
"How about joining as a guest knight of Zenas instead? That way, you won't lose your disciple, and the Young Lord can fully develop his potential......"
"Um, I'm sorry but."
Vercal's sharp gaze fixed on Rumian.
Perhaps because his emotions were heightened, his eyes were quite uncomfortable.
Of course, Rumian wasn't someone who would be intimidated by that much.
He spoke his words quietly but powerfully.
"Please refrain from insulting my master."
"......."
"As his disciple, I cannot just listen silently."
"......I was rude."
Vercal spoke with proper etiquette. Even bowing his head slightly.
However, his attitude after that remained the same. As if his thoughts were truth, he looked at Rumian and Morgan without moving a single step.
An appearance that suggested he would never move unless given the answer he wanted.
Rumian complained inwardly.
'Like a stubborn mule.'
Probably because it was an order from above, he didn't want to back down even more.
He shook his head.
Of course, he didn't dislike such people.
How could he hate a knight who acted not for personal glory but for the country and the continent?
He, who refused to go because it was hard to get involved with women, was a much more messed up person.
But he wanted to remain messed up.
At least in this life, at least regarding women, he wanted to be.
That was why he pretended to be even more angry.
"I don't think this is a problem that ends with an apology."
"Hmm."
"So how about having a conditional duel with me?"
"......Did you just say, a duel?"
"A conditional duel. The condition is......"
Rumian drew his sword.
Then instantly manifested an Aura Sword. Blue energy blazing brightly illuminated the night.
However, Vercal wasn't surprised. He already knew that Rumian was an Expert.
At that moment, the aura wrapping the sword disappeared.
"Without using aura, we settle this with pure swordsmanship alone."
"......!"
"Would you be willing to accept this handicap for me, who is young?"
"......Ha, haha. Hahahahahaha!"
Vercal's laughter spread through the empty training ground.
This was because neither Vercal nor Rumian wanted others present.
The laughter stopped abruptly a moment later.
With narrowed eyes, he looked at Rumian and spoke.
"Indeed, that is certainly a disadvantageous condition for me. After all, the aura the Young Lord has accumulated at a young age has its limits. Frankly, becoming an Expert alone is close to a miracle."
"......."
"But swordsmanship is the same. No matter how great a talent the Young Lord possesses, saying you'll defeat my swordsmanship trained for over thirty years...... isn't that too arrogant?"
"Why wouldn't I be able to? Unlike aura cultivation, physical time plays a significantly smaller role. Of course, cultivation is also a talent, but anyway."
Along with his words, Rumian raised his sword.
Vercal's eyebrows twitched.
Did this audacious boy really intend to duel with him?
Did he truly think he could win against him with swordsmanship alone?
While he was confused, Rumian's mouth opened again.
"I will now show you how well my master has taught me."