88. The Shame of Shatran (2)
“Wow… My Lord, have you fully adapted now?”
As soon as I finished my morning exercise, Mark came up to me with an exclamation of admiration and handed me a water bottle.
I took the water bottle and responded indifferently.
“Adaptation? What adaptation? I’m still slow as hell.”
“If you say that… Won’t those guys feel too pitiful?”
Mark said so, glancing at the training ground.
“Huff, huff!”
“Ugh, it’s so hard…!”
“Run faster, faster! If you slack off, you’ll run two more laps!”
I could see the guys who were still running on the training ground and the regular knight urging them to run faster while scolding them.
As you can tell by their uniforms, they are trainees.
The muddy water has been completely cleaned up, and except for me, there are almost no squires or apprentices left. So, those guys are my successors as riders, the new guys.
“My Lord may not know this, but those guys were pretty good as candidates. They had been training their bodies since before they entered here. But how frustrating it must be for them if their immediate superior, my Lord, says something like that.”
Because the immediate superior rider is too good, the inferior riders may seem relatively poor.
Mark said that if I had been his superior rider, it would have been hell.
‘I have my reasons for being like this.’
Otherwise, I’d die.
I have no choice but to do this because my life is at stake.
I can’t say it out loud, so I convey my answer to Mark in my heart.
‘Hmm… Come to think of it, even though it’s because of my stats, I’ve been doing it pretty consistently?’
Seeing that my body, which hadn’t even done light training, had gotten out of last place in the morning exercise time, I thought that my body might have gotten pretty good.
No. Actually, it has gotten better, hasn’t it?
Lv. 17
▶ Available SP is automatically used for ??? stats! ◀
▶ Strength 4.50
▶ Agility 5.81
▶ Stamina 5.99
▶ Stamina 4.35
▶ Immunity 1.28
▶ ??? 0.85
My stats have definitely increased compared to before.
Every time I run a lap, I get out of breath slower, and my actions are less dull. I don’t know about the HP side, but I didn’t feel as bony as before.
Looking at that, it seems like I’ve really gotten better.
I’m still wondering about the ??? stat, but I think I know one thing. It’s far from my physical side.
“…My Lord. I received something like this today as well.”
Mark handed me the box with an embarrassed look on his face.
Now, I get goosebumps just looking at that box.
‘Why do they keep sending that without fail every day?’
Even though I told them there was nothing to do with it, Flora kept sending it.
I told her not to come because I was going to be training at the martial arts dojo, but she’s still doing this. Really…
“Ahem. I will have that returned. However, I think this letter will be difficult to pass on.”
Mark, who noticed that I was feeling unpleasant, coughed in vain and said so.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been cooped up here. It’s been ten whole days, hasn’t it?
I had expected contact from the castle after I was last scolded by Arina and had been living only at the martial arts dojo.
‘It’s just as I expected.’
One was Claire’s nagging for me to come back.
Another was Isabella’s message saying that it was okay for me to come back, and that Arina would try to persuade me.
And the other one was.
『 Mother seems to be trying to persuade me, but I will never give you the authority to participate in the Eastern Aristocratic Assembly until you break that stubbornness of yours. – Arina Bagran. 』
It was still Arina’s letter, which sought to deprive me of my authority to participate in the Eastern Aristocratic Assembly.
“Ugh. I’ll pass on the sparring today. I have something to do. Besides, I don’t think I’ll be able to come for a few days.”
“I understand.”
However, there was something that made it difficult to move right away.
Since Mark was right next to me, it would be good to ask him.
“Mark. If I were to encounter a group of bandits or demons, what do you think would happen?”
Why did I try to build up my stats before going to Rusmayer?
Because I was going to meet those guys. That’s why I built them up.
But I can’t judge my condition right now.
This isn’t a game where I can just check my stats. I have to fight by moving my body.
That’s why I didn’t know if I could win against bandits, thieves, or even demons.
However, Mark answered surprisingly quickly.
“Well, if they’re just a bunch of clumsy fools, they wouldn’t even be a match for you, My Lord.”
“…What?”
“It seems that you do not know much about yourself, My Lord… The reason why the official knights in our Order have recently become so motivated is because of you.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Me? Why?”
“Well, it’s because you are constantly working hard without rest, so the master we must serve is closely following us.”
Mark pointed his thumb behind him. Then he smiled broadly.
“hahahaha. It’s a holiday, yet you’re still doing this. Seeing everyone like this, it seems like you’ve become quite passionate after seeing the Lord.”
…I’m just doing this for my own purpose.
No. That’s not the problem here.
“I think that’s a bit too much praise. Can’t you say it a little more calmly?”
“Even if we look at it calmly, that’s just how skilled the Lord is.”
“What?”
“It’s not just bandits or thieves. Having sparred with the Lord, I can confidently say that even the Eastern Knights would be pushed back if they made a single mistake. Especially those who prefer large, heavy swords.”
Mark explained how he felt during our spar and what he found sharp and tricky.
Of course, there was no way I, a complete beginner, could understand it.
-Gulp, gulp.
I took a sip of cold water from my canteen and recalled the game’s settings.
‘Come to think of it, since I can see things that I couldn’t before, Mark’s words don’t seem wrong.’
There were a few times when I had cornered both Radiel and Mark during our spars. I had definitely felt myself growing, unlike before.
The strange thing was that after repeated training and sparring, the trajectory of my sword began to appear a little clearer. My vision might have changed slightly because of that.
▶Passive: Swordsmanship Lv. 2 has risen to Lv. 3!◀
▶Passive: Physical Arts Lv. 2 has risen to Lv. 3!◀
▶Passive: Insight Lv. 1 has risen to Lv. 2!◀
Of course, it would be right to assume that I had become a system addict.
‘Yeah. Anyway, I’ll only know once I face them directly.’
Enough time had passed.
Camilla had also hinted that other things had been taken care of during the time I was securing my stats, and it was time for me to make a move myself.
***
“Ugh!”
“Kian!”
Kian fell after being kicked by a knight.
How could I not feel upset seeing my friend, whom I had known for decades in the village, being beaten up? They glared at the knight who had tripped Kian and kicked him.
“This is off-limits to you Rusmire scum.”
“If you want to go, take another road. It’s the Count’s orders.”
The two boys who were helping Kian up immediately shouted.
“We told you it’s urgent. We have to go this way!”
“Someone’s dying right now, can’t you let us pass?!”
They had to cross this road to save a girl who was on the verge of death.
Since there was no doctor in the isolated area of Rusmire, they had no choice but to go to another village.
However, the knights refused to let them pass.
“Don’t talk nonsense. We’re knights who protect this territory. You’re Rusmire scum. Do you know what would happen if we just let you pass?”
“That’s right. If you guys suddenly cause trouble, it’ll be our fault for letting you pass.”
“I told you it’s an emergency! How can you…!”
“How can we believe that? It wouldn’t be strange if you filthy, smelly bastards came into our territory to loot.”
“I’ve heard that there’s been an increase in the number of thieves in your village. Doesn’t that make you even more suspicious?”
We’re the ones who are busy here.
Human lives are at stake and yet these guys are making a fuss.
Those knights are refusing to give us a single path from the neighboring territory.
“How can we possibly plunder when we have nothing to take…!”
“Those bastards. They know everything but they’re pretending not to. They just don’t want to give us a path.”
“Count Modric uses our territory as he pleases without any issues…!”
The young men of Rusmayer grumbled with indignation.
Indeed, they were part of the problem.
Count Modric had caused the accident, and that’s why Diana was in this state.
“It’s not like our claims are completely baseless. And this is something I heard from another place, but recently there was actually a riot in a territory?”
“Ah. Of course, it wasn’t the fault of the people in that territory… but still, it caused quite a stir. It’s made us feel uneasy. Do you understand now?
“Do you think we can understand just because you say so? Ahahahahaha!”
They had to listen to such sarcastic remarks from the knights.
“…”
“Hmm? What’s with your expressions? What do they mean?”
“Oh dear? You’re not going to back down?”
“What have you done to make you glare at us like that?”
“You still don’t get it even after we’ve explained this much?”
“We tried to resolve this peacefully, but it looks like that won’t be possible.”
The knights who were chattering away expressed their displeasure at the three young men’s glares.
No, in fact, it was probably more than just displeasure.
“…Let’s go back.”
“Melik!”
“Kiyan, there’s no other way. Right now…”
“But if we go back now, Diana will be in danger!”
“But there really is no other way. Kiyan.”
Melik, who was right next to him, clenched his fists and revealed his anger.
Tony, who was carrying Diana, also squeezed his eyes shut with the same feelings.
“Dammit… If only we could have gotten the protection of another family…!”
“…!”
Kiyan’s head flashed at those words.
“We can.”
“What?”
“We can get the protection of a family.”
“What are you talking about?”
The two young men asked with puzzled expressions.
“The party! We already met someone there who said they would back us up!”
That’s right. The three of them had met him.
The young master of a family that was said to rival the royal family and stood at the peak of the nobility.
Not just any family, but Carsein Vagabund of the Vagabund dukedom.
“No, but… He’s not here right now.”
“To be honest, we did receive support, but to say that Rosemire territory is a Bargrand fiefdom with just that alone is rather ambiguous and…”
“We’ll know once we lose. Hey there!”
“Huh?”
Kiyan stands up again.
Melik and Tony try to hurriedly stop Kiyan, but he had already gone to the knights.
“Rosemire will soon become a Bargrand fiefdom. Even so, do you dare to speak so recklessly?”
“…What?”
“The Bargrand dukedom wants to buy our territory! And the heir of that family came in person!”
-Gulp.
The knights shut their mouths in an instant.
Isn’t this a situation to be nervous about? It wasn’t just any place, it was the Bargrand dukedom saying they would buy the territory in advance, so it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
However, they soon laughed at Kiyan.
“hahahahaha!! Boy, are you serious right now?”
“Why would the Bargrand dukedom buy your territory? Huh? You seem to think buying a territory is like buying an item?”
“There’s no lie as obvious as that blatant lie. Kekeke. There’s no way such an obvious lie would work?”
“W-What are you saying?”
One of the knights approached, smiling wickedly as he flicked Kiyan’s head with his finger.
“Kid. A territory isn’t something you just buy and sell. It also means that since you bought the land, you’re agreeing to the obligation of paying taxes, and that you intend to govern the people there.”
“Well, a territory symbolizes a family’s wealth and power. But since you’re receiving taxes there and it benefits your family, you manage it.”
“If you buy a barren wasteland for a lot of money, what happens if there’s no potential for development? It just means you’ll lose money. There needs to be crops or a mine or something.”
And then, all of the knights laughed wickedly.
“So what comes from your land?”
“The land isn’t fertile. There aren’t any mines. There aren’t any tourist attractions, and there’s nothing special compared to other territories. What is there?”
The reason they didn’t back down to Kiyan’s words.
It was because the land called Rosemire had no value.
“But the Bargrand dukedom would buy your useless land and manage it?”
-hahahahaha!
Once again, the knights burst into laughter.
“Wake up. Kid. Your land is just trash. It’s blocked off by a barren mountain range, there’s no major river flowing through it, and the only flat land is difficult to use as a transportation route.”
“…”
Kiyan bit his lip as he listened to the knights’ laughter.
It was true. That was what the land called Rosemire was like.
It had nothing.
However, he didn’t want to admit that fact.
“Prince Karceine came in person. He came in person and said that our Rosemire would become a Bargrand fiefdom!”
“hahahahaha!! That makes even less sense!”
“What do you mean…?”
“Do you believe that fake noble with the blood of commoners? Even a dog passing by would laugh!”
“You’re going on and on about Bargrand this and Bargrand that. You’re not one of the three princesses, and you’re not Prince Karceine? Oh, my stomach hurts. I can’t believe you said something so easily refuted.”
“Hey, hey, now that I think about it, it might not be a lie.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
The knights nodded their heads, their faces pale.
“Indeed. It would be more convenient for you if I were lying, wouldn’t it?”
“W-what do you mean…?”
“I told you before. There was a riot in the territory. Do you remember?”
“…What does that have to do with anything?”
“Hmm. The mastermind behind that riot was Karsein Vagrant.”
Kiyan’s expression hardened at those words.
“The cause of the riot… was Lord Karsein?”
“Shatren territory. It was once a prosperous territory in Vagrant. Two of its specialties, grown only in a special environment, sold briskly throughout the empire.”
“Shatren strawberries and Shatren grapes. Two fruits that grow only there and are incredibly delicious. They are used in a variety of ways, and they grow quickly as well. But, well, only the people of the territory can grow them. It does have that shortcoming.”
“But then, that lord took charge of the Shatren territory at the Eastern Nobles’ Conference. And suddenly, the two crops stopped growing altogether. Are you starting to understand?”
“…!”
“Their livelihood was cut off. Because of one lord’s blunder. Do you think a riot wouldn’t break out?”
“You fools. You thought you were being helped by such a man.”
Kiyan stared blankly into the void.
His mind had gone blank.
A copper coin flew and struck Kiyan’s cheek.
Clang-!
“But you made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. Here, take this. hahahaha.”
More coins flew at him, as if the girl were spending her allowance, but Kiyan remained frozen in place, unmoving like a statue.
‘I finally thought I could escape this sh*tty situation…’
He realized that it had all been in vain.
An uncontrollable rage surged within him.
As expected, every last one of these nobles deserves to be hunted down and killed.
Thinking this, Kiyan unconsciously reached for the sharp stake hidden behind his back.
But at that moment.
Clang-!
“Ugh?!”
A metallic sound, like the one that had struck his head earlier, rang out, and something flew into the knight’s head.
“Who dares?! How dare you, a mere whelp, attack a knight of the Modric County like me…!”
The man shouted, threatening the three boys from Rusmayer.
However, the attack had come from the side.
Kiyan realized this and turned his head, his gaze falling upon a single man.
“Kuhak?!”
The man closed the distance in an instant and kicked the knight.
The knight was sent flying and knocked over his comrades like dominoes.
And the man who approached them…
-Clink.
“Consider this a gift. May it serve as your allowance on your journey to the afterlife.”
Without hesitation, I drew my sword and pointed it at their necks.
The moment I saw that blue-black hair.
Cyan’s eyes, clouded with anger, were returning.