35 – 10. Northern Meeting (2)
“Me, Instructor.”
One of the attendants, who was preparing for the sparring, secretly raised his hand.
“Why?”
“Um, that friend named Adele won’t be participating?”
The other attendants then nodded in unison.
Everyone already said that Adele was the best of the attendants.
They seemed to think of themselves as representing them.
“Would you like him to come out and do everything for you?”
“no. It’s not like that, but this time… .”
“Adele’s achievements must have already been passed on to other families. One of the attendants won a landslide victory over the knight. Even so, they dared to ask for sparring. Why?”
The attendants look at each other at the instructor’s question.
Those who don’t know really don’t know, and those who expect it don’t care that it’s a wrong answer.
For those reasons, I couldn’t go ahead.
“Be bold and tell me what you think. Gentlemen.”
Following the instructor’s urging once more, an attendant carefully raised his hand.
“I-I think… It seems to be trying to figure out the level.”
“Identify the level. Let me tell you in more detail.”
“So, is Adele alone exceptionally strong? Or are the attendants of this jockey as a whole great? Several northern families seem to want to take a look.”
The instructor smiled softly at the attendant’s answer.
“That is correct. Perhaps other family heads want that.”
“that… Would you really? How many times our Lichtenauer has helped us… .”
“Don’t just look at the situation. Because of the antagonism of Lichtenauer. It’s not that I’m looking for a gap to take away the center of the meeting by aiming for a gap. It is to grasp the level to gain confidence again.”
“Are you sure?”
Then, the instructor looked at the attendants belonging to other families who were preparing in front of them.
He handed the wooden swords he was holding to the attendants one by one.
“The hardest thing for those family heads is to convince the people of my family. The reason why they bow down to Lichtenau, that’s it. Only when there is a reasonable reason, they nod their heads and follow the will of their lord. Only then will the family remain stable and unshakable.”
“… .”
“That’s why they want to see it. The firm figure of our Liechtenau. That’s why you have to show them. The proud image of our Lichtenau.”
The instructor holding a wooden sword taps my chest lightly.
His attendants also imitate his actions and burn their will.
“Adele, it is true that that friend is overwhelmingly outstanding. So, are you weak?”
“no.”
“All the training Adele did, you all did. Am I wrong?”
“no!”
“But what are you worried about? If Adele doesn’t come out, it won’t come out. That’s all. Why do you care if you don’t have that friend? Do you not want to win?”
“no!!!”
The attendants answered loudly with booming voices.
The instructor smiles at him and says.
“I hope you will show up worthy of the name Lichtenauer, gentlemen. Go and win by all means.”
* * *
“Ahhh!!”
“Keugh!”
cooong!!-
“stop! All the way!”
“result! Victory for Lichtenau!”
“Waaa!!”
The assembled crowd congratulates the winner with cheers and applause.
Why did not only the lords come to the northern meeting, but also the common people of the empire?
It’s because there is a very interesting spectacle like now.
Although sparring between knights and mock battles between soldiers are the most fun.
The sparring between the servants was no less exciting.
“thank you. I learned a lot.”
“I really learned a lesson!!”
It’s not like the pride battle between Lichtenau and Fiore that happened a while ago.
Because each other should be each other’s spear and shield.
The goal is to look at that level and make up for the lacking parts of the opponent or me.
Friendly matches, yes. It would be fair to say that this is a friendly match.
“Heh heh heh. After all, the people of Lichtenau are all great.”
“You are exaggerating. The attendants under you were also excellent.”
At the words of various family heads, Shien waved his hand.
There was also a sense of humility, but in reality, the attendants of other families also fought very well.
Of course, Lichtenauer had the highest win rate.
Among them, there were definitely those who were defeated by servants of other families.
It’s definitely a pity that someone from my family lost.
However, as much as the level of the North has risen.
It wasn’t a loss at all from Shien’s point of view.
‘Those attendants will get scolded a bit later, though.’
It is unavoidable.
It’s true that I did my best, but it’s also true that I lost.
You must take responsibility for your own shortcomings.
No matter what kind of punishment and rebuke.
It would be less than losing my life on the battlefield.
The sparring of the attendants is about to end.
Some of the heads of households sneak up to the side.
“Lord Liechtenauer. Come to think of it, I heard that you hit the Fiore family with a splendid blow.”
“If you are talking about sparring in the imperial family… yes. It was.”
At Cien’s affirmation, each family head exclaims.
“Didn’t you say that your young friend was also an attendant?”
“I’ve heard that you’re definitely an attendant.”
“That’s great. All the attendants on the Lichtenau side that I have already seen are great. I never thought there would be an attendant who would ruthlessly defeat an official knight. It’s as if you’ve already won your knighthood!”
Yes, perhaps the family heads gathered next to him.
I would have liked to talk about Adele.
Where in the world could there be a case where a servant could defeat a knight?
No matter how talented you are, the gap is too big in the first place.
But since I had actually done that, of course my mouth was itchy.
However, if I brought up the story of Adele, would he go to sparring?
I could see that he had deliberately kept his mouth shut because he was worried about that part.
And, of course, Sean didn’t let Adele participate.
Anyway, the family owners are hoping that they will not come out.
And I didn’t want to entrust Adele with useless work.
Because he’s already busy enough and doing his job.
At this time, an article sneaks in.
“My lord, for a moment.”
Then, in my lord’s ear, he whispers something.
“… Ahh. Did you finally come? Got it. Big hum. Hey, can I go to Lichtenau?”
“yes. Please speak.”
“It is said that Lord Derry of our estate arrived here a while ago.”
“Sir Derry… I say.”
“Ahh. That’s the person who was an Imperial Knight until two years ago. After that, he retired and went to another province for a while, then returned to his hometown. I would like to invite a person who had his best moment as a knight to this honorable place, even for a moment. Would you be willing to allow it?”
Shien was well aware of how great the glory and honor of an imperial knight were.
A knight who served the absolute supreme of the empire right next to him.
He is as great a person as the knights of a place called the famous swordsmanship.
Also, since he had been loyal to the Empire for so many years, he deserved to be treated.
“of course. Imperial knights are always welcome. Please come and get me.”
“thank you. Hello! Hurry up and fetch Sir Derry!”
“Yes, I understand. Lord.”
The knight quickly jumped off and headed somewhere.
And after a while, he returned with an old knight.
“I’ve brought you, many family heads.”
“You worked hard. Just go away.”
Shien looked at the old knight standing in front of him with calm eyes.
Even though he sees himself like this, who is still lacking in many parts.
The old man was very neat and had a calm energy.
“Nogu meets several heads of households.”
It’s soft and benevolent, but there’s a clear power in it.
Even though he is now a man who has returned home with his decrepit body.
Once upon a time, following the Emperor’s footsteps to that level of maturity.
He would have wielded a sword and rode a horse to protect the empire.
Everyone who has gathered here knows that hardship.
As a knight, how could he not have suffered during that chaotic period?
Even the emperor took the lead and wielded a sword.
It is clear that the imperial knights must have fought fiercely as well.
“This is the first time I’m meeting you, Lord Derry. I am the head of Lichtenau.”
“You are the new head of the great swordsmanship family. It is an honor to meet you.”
An old knight kneeling on one knee and bowing his head.
It was the best courtesy a knight could show.
“Thank you very much for inviting this old man to this honorable occasion.”
“It’s nothing. I heard that your hometown is here in the north. You must have been really tired during that time, so I hope you spend the rest of your life in peace.”
“I am just grateful for the blessing of the head of the household.”
Since then, Lord Derry has also greeted other household heads.
One person, one person, with sincerity and courtesy.
As expected, an imperial knight shines even when he retires.
Each head of household gave him a small clap and welcomed him.
“… .”
“… .”
So was it?
As I straightened one knee that was bent, I raised it.
Nogisa, who was slowly getting up, stood quietly next to Shien.
No one knew the scene where he and Adele briefly met each other’s eyes.
First surprise, then bewilderment.
After that, a small smile for no reason.
Nogisa looked at Adele and reacted like that.
And quite by accident.
A family head said that he had a good idea and took his luck.
“Sir Derry.”
“Yes, please tell me.”
“If you don’t mind. As a senior who went on to become a knight of the imperial family, would you like to show your swordsmanship to the younger knights and young attendants who dream of becoming knights?”
“Heh heh heh… I am just an old man.”
“The ability that comes from years of experience is something no one can ignore!”
At the words of the aristocratic family head, Lord Derry averted his gaze slightly.
There, with a calm gaze like that of Sir Derry.
Adele stood there, staring at him.