49 – 49. Troublemaker at the Training Grounds (2)
First, I wait.
It’s not a good judgment to use the choices at this timing.
“You may think that we’re being presumptuous. According to the regulations set by Lady Arina, if the Duke visits here, we need to know the purpose of his visit. Have you forgotten?”
At that time, Isabella, who cherished Carsein so much due to his illness, resolved the situation by offering a reward. But Arina did not forget this and took special measures against Carsein.
It was practically a declaration of prohibiting access to the training grounds. It was a declaration that if the knights using the training grounds do not allow him in after hearing the purpose of his visit, they can kick him out. It was a declaration that deprived Carsein of his authority to use it.
That’s why this knight is openly saying it in front of me.
Get out of this training ground quickly.
‘It’s an impeccable argument.’
Because the fact that Carsein harmed someone in the training ground will not change.
However.
That’s just a superficial incident.
When the gazes of the knights directed at me exceeded twenty pairs.
I looked around and found a person’s name.
‘As expected, there he is.’
The name of a man with less faded ash stripes.
His level of familiarity is slightly higher compared to others.
[Mark Radeltein]
[Intimacy: -25%]
But still, -25%.
If I can’t even raise it to a white box, my activities in the training ground are impossible.
No, it goes beyond that, I’ll die.
It may be extremely difficult, but the means to overcome this situation is that man who is staring at me with his arms crossed.
“If you’ve come here without any business, please leave. We don’t want the young master to step foot in the training ground.”
At the man’s gesture, the other two colleagues nod their heads and approach.
I don’t even need to look, it’s a video. They’re instructing me to be dragged out.
“Don’t take it too personally. It’s all according to Lady Arina’s orders.”
-Ding!
▶The knights are trying to drag Carcine. How will you act?
[1. (Struggling) Let go! Who dares to drag me out so recklessly?]
[2. Isn’t it Lady Arina’s command? Did you not receive it properly?]
[3. (Taking out a permit) I clearly stated that I have the qualifications!]
…
…
Once again, a cruel choice is presented.
It’s time to calculate and differentiate between risk and return.
This choice will greatly affect the progress of Episode V.
You don’t have to choose Option 1, which leads to a bad ending.
However, from Option 2 onwards, I had to carefully consider the situation and come up with a strategy.
“I’ve tried all the options in the game. Among them, I chose Option 3, which had the least risk…”
But judging by the knights’ gaze, it seems like this is not the right answer.
Since I used the Duchess’s permit, technically I can use the training ground and bypass this, but is that really the right course of action?
…No. I don’t think so.
What I need right now is to establish dominance.
[6. Who is the master you serve?]
“Who is the master you serve?”
I chose the bottommost option, taking the riskiest path.
***
The training ground, which had been filled with the heat of training and the sweat of achievements, suddenly turned cold as an icy chill spread.
The Duke’s sons, who were thought to never set foot here again.
It was because he had appeared.
“Carsain Bagrand…”
Seeing Carsain appear again, Mark asked with curiosity.
Not long after, one knight stepped forward.
“What brings you to the training ground, Lord Bagrand?”
As soon as he set foot on the training ground, he found himself cornered.
It was because of the decision made by the eldest daughter, Arina Bagrand.
Thanks to that, Mark was lost in old memories.
“No, Mark.”
“What?”
“The Lord, the Lord is not that kind of person…!”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Why am I suddenly hearing Radiel’s voice?”
Mark shook his head, trying to deny Radiel’s voice.
Nevertheless, Radiel’s voice continued to play in his mind.
“He won’t harm me. He’s not someone who would take such measures!”
“Are you joking? Who made you like this, Commander?”
“Even you, even you, please help the Lord. I’m begging you, Mark. Please?”
“…”
He lifted his head again and looked at Carsein.
It was obvious that he would be driven away.
Thanks to Arina’s decision, the knights of the training ground had a reason for that.
He could have laughed along with them, leaning against the railing and making fun of him as he was being chased away.
But…
“Mark. Please.”
Radiel’s pleading figure flashed before his eyes.
“…If it’s just using the training ground, I should have the authority to do so.”
Ladiel won’t say anything about this.
Mark loosened his arms and approached Karsain.
At that moment.
“Who is the master you serve?”
Karsain shouted.
Without flinching.
***
When the knights hesitated at the sudden response, Karsain asked another question in succession.
“Answer me, anyone will do. Who is the master you serve?”
“Of course, it’s the Duke of Bagrand.”
The knight who had gestured to bring out Karsain replied without hesitation.
Mark sensed unease in that moment.
“No way. Are they trying to impose a ban on the knights who serve the Duke of Bagrand from entering here?”
What a fool.
Mark quietly bit his tongue.
If he were to rely on his status and press the knights, they would surely prevent him from using his authority.
Because the knights adhere to the rules of authority.
Article 1 of the Rules of Authority.
A training ground for knights to protect the Duke.
Article 1, Paragraph 1:
The position in the Bureau of Operations does not involve social status. It is only to protect the Duke and devote oneself to the Duke.
Article 1, Paragraph 2:
If anyone in a place of cultivation threatens others with their social status, they will be immediately expelled. This clause also includes members of the Vanguard who have come for training.
In other words, Karsain is being kicked out on his own accord.
“Haa. Why on earth is Director Radiel…”
Mark sighed deeply and washed his face with a towel.
What’s the point of believing in this foolish person who came to be kicked out?
“Radiel. That’s just your misconception.”
Contrary to your words, nothing has changed.
You’re still the same person from the day I banned you.
Mark, who had lost his intention to help, stopped in his tracks and tried to turn his back.
“If that’s the case, between Ariana’s prohibition order and the Deputy Duke’s permission to use, which order will you follow?”
“What?”
“What is this…”
“You read it as the representative. If I read it, it would be obvious that you wouldn’t believe it.”
As confusion spread among the knights, Karsain handed them a piece of paper.
After a moment, the knight who checked the certificate swallowed nervously and alternated between looking at Karsain and the certificate, showing a bewildered expression.
“Everyone seems curious, so read it quickly.”
The knight, who was taken aback, put on a troubled expression and began to recite the contents written on the paper.
As news spread among the journalists that Lady Isabella Bagrand, the wife of Duke Bagrand, had personally given permission for the temporary use of the Bagrand Estate, they began to buzz with excitement.
“No way. Is this for real?”
“It must be a lie. There’s no way the Lady would allow this.”
“Check the seal. Quickly!”
But the certificate did not indicate falsehood.
The signature and seal, which only Lady Isabella Bagrand and the Bagrand family could use, undoubtedly granted permission for the use of the Bagrand Estate.
Thus, two orders clashed.
The ban on Karsein’s entrance to the estate issued by Lady Arena Bagrand.
The permission for the use of the estate issued by Lady Isabella Bagrand.
As people who served the Bagrands, they were facing a dilemma.
However, surprisingly, the answer was easily determined.
“…I’ve been hearing that the young master has become more obedient recently, so it seems like this might actually be true.”
“M-Mark.”
Mark interjected among the journalists.
The first question was not originally about status.
In the process of conflicting opinions within the Bagrand family, it meant whose order they would follow.
In response to this question, Mark shouted to the journalists as if answering.
“We are knights dedicated to the Bagrand family. Lady’s command is the same as the family’s order. How long will you keep suspecting only this document?”
The journalists would all hope for Karsein to be expelled.
But, wouldn’t there have to be a justifiable reason for that as well?
There was no reason for Carsein to expel me.
“I also couldn’t make the right judgment because of my emotions. I have something to reflect on.”
Mark, acknowledging his own mistake internally, immediately sought forgiveness from Carsein as well.
“I’m sorry. It seems that all the members of the 1st squad were unable to make the right judgment because of their lingering emotions from the past, and they blindly tried to expel you. If you are going to punish us, as the deputy commander, I will accept it.”
Mark kneeled down and assumed a position of reflection.
Seeing Mark like that, the knights’ expressions turned bitter.
They were going to scold Mark loudly again this time.
The deputy commander wouldn’t let it go easily this time.
Those worries filled their minds.
However, the true intention behind Mark’s actions was a test for Carsein.
If it was just empty words, it was obvious that he would be angry, so Mark intended to point out the contradiction and personally expel him.
But Carsein looked around and ordered Mark to stand up.
And then…
“I hope this kind of thing doesn’t happen again. Deputy Commander.”
He continued, poking Mark’s shoulder.
With Carsein’s unexpected behavior, Mark lost the grounds to expel him directly.
No. Beyond losing the grounds, he realized that he shouldn’t expel him.
“There must be a purpose behind this.”
As if piercing through that thought, Carsein asked.
“But I’m curious about my business. Aren’t you?”
“…Yes. It seems like a report might be needed.”
“I came to this training ground for the sake of health management.”
“Health management?”
“Yeah. I’ve been staying inside the mansion for too long, and I feel like my body is deteriorating. That’s why I came here. It’s also for the same reason that I got permission from my mother.”
Not for revenge, but for health?
Mark’s expression became dumbfounded at the unexpected answer.
Karsain continued with what he wanted to say, regardless.
“Of course, I have no intention of breaking the rules of the training ground in the process.”
“You don’t mean to say that…”
“The teachings I receive from the knights who work for the Bagrand House will be the best lessons for me. I will train just like them.”
Karsain said that he would stay here for a while.
“…Are you serious?”
“Why would I lie?”
Doubt still lingered among the knights.
But for Mark, it held a different meaning.
-Can I also learn that?
Even the young lord used to ask that.
When receiving teachings, he never emphasized his status.
He merely asked, “Can you do it yourself?”
It’s still the same.
You shouldn’t start with suspicion when asked who you’re serving.
Ask why they came, what their goal is, and then it’s not too late to grasp the truth of the matter.
Perhaps that’s why Radiel didn’t reproach Karsein for this reason.
“I guess I can give them a chance.”
Mark calms his complicated heart and accepts Karsein into the training ground.
“Understood. Since you said so, you should be mentally prepared.”
Of course, it’s not forgiveness.
***
Assigned a lodging by Mark, I got a small room.
“Since you asked to be treated as a knight, the young master will also use the trainee’s room. Is that okay?”
Of course, there are no objections.
However, it’s just that the room hasn’t been used in quite a while, so there’s a bit of dust.
At best, it’s a room for trainees, so I can only tidy up and unpack to a certain extent. It’s not up to the level of the main building. But I didn’t need such a big room in the first place.
“If the room is big, there’s just more area to clean unnecessarily.”
After finishing cleaning to a reasonable extent, I had some free time.
I immediately turned on the status window.
▶Access to the training ground with restricted danger level is allowed!◀
▶The power of choices makes the time limit disappear!◀
▶Intimacy with a specific person increases!◀
[Mark Radeltein: -10%]
“Have we overcome the crisis?”
Fortunately, by choosing the option to persuade Deputy Director Mark, we were able to successfully overcome the dangerous crisis.
Although there are still many gray boxes, as the Deputy Director of the 1st Knight Division, he should be able to maintain an appropriate boundary.
“And this news will also reach Emma.”
She will be quite nervous.
For Emma, the words “approval documents,” “embezzlement,” and “ledger” were mentioned directly by me, which led to me being transferred to the training ground.
Once the contact reaches her, that impatience will soon come directly to me.
“Phew.”
I let out a heavy sigh and unpacked my luggage.
Then, I shifted my gaze to the items I had prepared in advance.
From tomorrow, my official life at the training ground will begin.
Undoubtedly, there will be movements within the division to drive me out.
If I notice this, I need to prepare in advance.
But.
“Not yet.”
Muttering to myself, I put the item back into the bag, not the trainee’s pouch.
I should use this when I have a definite opportunity.
Not just to create a mood reversal.
Afterwards, I unpacked my luggage to a reasonable extent and fell asleep early.