38 – 10. Northern Meeting (5)
Some time after the northern meeting.
Just as promised, Lord Derry came to Lichtenau.
The official reason was to observe the knights training.
What kind of training do the knights of the famous swordsmanship do?
If there is a missing part, how should I fill it?
I was going to give you some advice on that.
It was almost like an imperial knight, Lord Derry who had served for decades.
Of course, all the vassals and knights welcomed them with open arms.
I also hoped that maybe he would come in as an instructor.
“hmm. You are working hard on your fitness. That’s a good posture. Physical strength is the basis of all activity and mental power. very good.”
“There is no need to discuss swordsmanship. However, the gymnasium is in very good condition. Considering the situation on the battlefield, I will carefully express my opinion as to whether it is necessary to intentionally rough it.”
Lord Derry passed on the know-how he knew.
It was trivial, but it was something that could make the difference between life and death in an instant.
Of course, the real reason he came to Lichtenau was.
It wasn’t purely for observational purposes, though.
“Do you like tea?”
“It smells really good and tastes good. It’s kind of like eating.”
The butler put on a puzzled expression at Lord Derry’s answer.
If such words come out of the mouth of an important guest.
Any seasoned person would be taken aback for a moment.
Then, Sir Derry chuckled and let out a hearty laugh.
Afterwards, he shook his hand and revealed that it was a joke.
“It’s a joke, a joke. It’s just that the person sitting with me didn’t even touch the car.”
“ah… .”
At Lord Derry’s words, the butler responded that he understood.
I deliberately prepared a decent car with few likes or dislikes.
Even so, Adele was just drinking cold water.
The person himself is not friendly with this car or something.
One day I will have to explain the beauty of cars to Adele.
The butler of Lichtenauer made that decision.
“Anyway, thank you very much for caring.”
“It was nothing. You are talking nonsense.”
After the butler leaves the seat and confirms that no one is around.
Lord Derry looked at Adele, who was sitting in front of him.
“I have heard all about you the past few days. Adele.”
“… .”
“I didn’t know you went all the way to the imperial palace.”
“I’m going back for a while due to Xien-nim’s schedule.”
“If not, have you even met His Majesty the Emperor?”
At that question, Adele nodded slowly.
“How did you look?”
“Still shining, still strong.”
It’s not like the flattery of the vassals.
Thanks to that, Lord Derry was relieved.
Because the monarch who devoted his life to loyalty still shines.
Because the sacrifices of himself and his colleagues were never in vain.
“I heard you had a duel with a knight of Fiore.”
“That was the first thing I suggested. I just responded to it.”
“I have no intention of blaming you. but… .”
Swoop-.
While fiddling with the handle of the teacup.
Lord Derry put on a slightly worried expression.
“Adele. How much do you know about Fiore?”
That would be a question that would have a very obvious answer.
Looking at the situation, Adele didn’t know much about Lichtenauer either.
I just happened to be involved with this place.
“… All I know is that he is a master of swordsmanship like Lichtenauer.”
“Is that so.”
“Recently, I found out that the next family head is Etria.”
As if he knew that, Lord Derry nodded.
“Adele. Have you ever seen Lichtenauer’s swordsmanship?”
“yes.”
“How was it?”
“… It was neither too light nor too heavy. More than anything, I felt very strongly that I wanted to protect something that stood behind me.”
“I saw it correctly. Lichtenauer’s swordsmanship is excellent in attack, of course, but it is said to have the highest efficiency and beauty in defense. In contrast, Fiore is very aggressive.”
“… .”
“Those who have seen their swords speak in unison. I don’t want to be the enemy. I don’t want to collide with that sharp, ferocious, and even tenacious sword.”
Having said that, Lord Derry took a deep breath.
Wet your mouth with a sip of tea, and then talk.
“Adele. Swordsmanship and those who handle it have a close relationship. Depending on what kind of disposition they have, the sword they wield will be different.”
“That word.”
“Fiore was disgraced in the previous duel. We will definitely come up with a countermeasure for that.”
“When you say countermeasures, what do you mean by preparing?”
Right now Adele is really curious, because she doesn’t know.
So that’s why I’m asking that question.
The fight he knows is only against visible enemies.
A battle of powers invisible from the same front as now.
It was only natural that political strife was ignorant.
“It will be either one. Appease, or remove.”
Adele’s face stiffened slightly at Lord Derry’s words.
Even if appeasement is said to be so, do you remove it?
Isn’t Fiore’s enemy the witch they hate so much?
But why is he removing himself, the same human being?
Adele couldn’t understand it no matter how much she thought about it.
“Because it doesn’t benefit them. Rather, it only causes damage.”
“I mean?”
“You are well aware that Lichtenau and Fiore are not on good terms.”
Adele nodded.
Didn’t you see it with your own eyes not too long ago?
“Now that the relationship is not good, it will not end with a simple quarrel.”
“why… is it?”
“The Demonic Realm still appears, but the situation is not as serious as before. Even if the level has risen and a 3rd grade demon scene comes out, if you prepare thoroughly, you can block it well. Isn’t it?”
“I heard that.”
“yes. Things got better. Now that we’ve taken a breather, everyone will want to solidify their position. The Great War continued for 20 years. It was too long. Dissatisfaction must have accumulated in the meantime, but the situation was not good, so I must have been patient.”
Horok-.
After taking a sip of his tea, Lord Derry continued.
“Now you will definitely want to do it. which one is more dominant. If there are several famous swordsmanship families, the value of that name will surely drop. So you’re probably only wanting one great house.”
“This is stupid. The fight is not over yet.”
“You don’t know, but that’s what a political egg is originally. Even if we roll over each other’s filth, even if it could kill us. They try to step on others and stand on top of them.”
“… .”
“Fiore wants to shine for all eternity as the only master of swordsmanship, beating Lichtenauer. In that situation, Adele, you’re definitely going to get in the way. So, they are appeased or eliminated.”
After putting down the teacup, Lord Derry was silent as if he understood.
“… I understand what you mean. I did, but I still don’t understand.”
“I will. Honestly, me too. I don’t understand, and I don’t want to understand either. It seems that swordsmen like us can’t get along well with such a thing.”
After saying that, the old knight stared at the young man sitting in front of him.
“Anyway, what I mean is that it worries me.”
“Will I be harmed? Is that what you mean?”
“no.”
It’s as if that’s nonsense.
Lord Derry smiled lightly and said.
“Those who don’t know anything, will they provoke you?”
“… .”
“But that’s just what I’m worried about.”
* * *
After a long talk with an old comrade.
The old knight passed through the gates of Lichtenau.
‘If I had known it would be like this, I would have postponed my retirement.’
1 year. No, even if it was delayed by at least half a year.
I wouldn’t have gone through a series of amazing things like now.
‘The first wolf of Wolfheddin is here, in Lichtenau. They say they settled down in the famous swordsmanship.’
Feed-.
Lord Derry smiled involuntarily.
He himself is, after all, from here, from the north of the Empire.
I have no choice but to have more positive thoughts about Lichtenau than Fiore.
I can’t help it, this is a natural human mind.
‘One of the knights of Fiore said that his arm was cut off.’
For a knight, his hand is as much as his life. No, something more important than life.
It’s not the level of cutting it down, it’s just cutting it.
Only the head was not cut, but it was practically the same as being killed.
So most of those who heard the news.
While admiring Adele, he sympathized with Sir Geon of Fiore.
What a pity that everything is over as a knight.
‘You’re a lucky guy.’
But Lord Derry never thought so.
Rather, it was fortunate that it ended with one arm.
If you know anything about Adele, not your own thoughts.
Everyone understands how much patience it takes to be that great.
“Hmm.”
Pausing for a moment, the old knight looked back.
A great master of swordsmanship standing tall, Lichtenauer.
Even the knights of the imperial family clearly valued the name.
So when I heard the news of the death of the former family head and his successor.
Lord Derry was also very sorry.
It’s not just the head of household that supports the family, though.
There is definitely a difference in the presence or absence of the support in supporting it.
Even losing his heir, the sense of crisis must have been greater.
‘But, it seems that those worries were for nothing.’
I haven’t seen much of it yet.
Considering taking over the family suddenly, Shien was a good head of the family.
Even at the meeting, he didn’t seem to shake at all.
Of course, it’s not too much of a concern.
A person’s true ability, his true self.
It is only revealed in the worst of circumstances.
Only by looking at the bottom can you see the real person.
‘I hope it will be such a vessel that can hold a wolf. house owner.’
The old knight thought so and ran again.
I was thinking of going back and telling my friends the news.
If Fiore moves, be quiet.
Do not accept any requests or requests.
To be silent without giving any answer.
‘Well, I won’t be able to find out anything anyway.’
while laughing out loud.
Nogisa rode his horse back to his hometown.