NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Lady Knight – 2
—–CROW—–
*Boom!*
Next to the lord’s castle was a reasonably sized flat area.
If the training grounds where knights practiced their magic were too close, the noise and aftershocks would make normal life impossible.
So, there was a small building near the castle that served as the knights’ office and dormitory, and a separate, main residence located a bit further away.
“This is my first time coming all the way out here.”
“Really?”
Leaving the maids behind, Hyung and I walked together.
Though no construction had been done, the path, widened by the frequent passage of knights, led to a flattened open area.
I had heard that this place used to be a small hill.
“You should have visited more often.”
“It’s a bother. I had no intention of taking a knight as a vassal.”
“Do you think it’s reasonable for a noble to wander around without an escort knight? I heard you went to the Adventurers’ Guild with just a civil official.”
“I was curious because I’d only read about it in books. And the official has some magic, doesn’t he?”
“Haa. You…”
Besides, I didn’t think anything dangerous would happen. I had taken basic defensive measures. I had assessed the level of adventurers and their equipment. Judging by the magic I detected nearby, most weren’t even knight-level, but the guild master, Isabelle, had knight-level magic and decent control. Her application of magic to assess my own was quite clever.
“Guild Master Isabelle was quite skilled. Around the same level as the knights near Father, I think.”
“Isabelle? Hmm. I think the guild master did have a name like that. Well, for her age, she’s quite talented as an adventurer.”
Judging by Hyung’s vague tone, he probably only remembered her magic power. A commoner… no, strictly speaking, he should remember Isabelle’s name. He probably just had trouble remembering names because she wasn’t from around here. Honestly, Hyung…
*Boom!*
While we were chatting, a strong tremor shook the ground. The distinct shockwave of numerous people clashing spread widely.
“They’re working hard.”
“Maybe because they know we’re here?”
Like soldiers frantically cleaning when the division commander was coming. Damn, just thinking about it pissed me off.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Hyung looked at me strangely. This was why people who were used to being in charge…
* * *
*Glance.*
I felt their gazes. There were more than I expected. I thought having too many knights would ruin a country? It must be another fantasy trope. I tried to ignore it.
“Welcome, Aidan-nim. Leoric-nim.”
Hans. The knight captain. The first escort knight my father had appointed. His white hair, thick beard, and numerous scars were a testament to his experience on the battlefield.
“It’s been a while, Hans Gramps. I should have visited more often.”
“Second Young Master. I trust you’ve been well. Hee hee. The rumors I hear in passing are enough. I’ve heard about your recent activities. That’s good. I’m sure you’ll do well, Second Young Master.”
“Haha. I’ll work hard so as not to disappoint you, Hans Gramps.”
As I straightened my posture and replied, Hans’s gaze softened, like that of a grandfather looking at his grandson. He was old enough to be my grandfather, considering the age difference with my father. Given the rapid pregnancies in this world, the age gap might be even bigger.
Considering his magic power, his training under my grandfather, and his service alongside my father on the battlefield, he had earned enough merit to establish a new noble family or marry into another through a morganatic marriage.
“Hahaha. I’ll be in your care.”
“This old man is on the verge of retirement. I’m hardly someone to be in anyone’s care.”
Despite his humble smile, he was still very much active as the captain. The knights behind him chuckled wryly.
“Hans, are the preparations complete?”
“Yes.”
At Hyung’s words, Hans’ gaze shifted to a group standing off to the side. They were the ones who had been sneaking glances at me. All young men.
“Tsk.”
I had noticed their glances, and Hans Gramps had too, judging by his sharp look. The young knights’ faces paled.
“They’re still fledglings, but will this be alright? Frankly, I would prefer to assign a vice-captain level knight.”
Hans Gramps seemed genuinely concerned. If they were here, they must have been quite skilled among the younger generation. Hyung chuckled.
“The vice-captains are all busy.”
“All they do is eat their fill every day. Back in my day…”
Here we go again. Hyung’s expression hardened. Once he got started like this, no one but Father could stop him. Hyung glanced at the knights behind Hans Gramps, but they all had their eyes closed and heads bowed. Heeh. Looks like I had to step in.
“Hey, Hans Gramps. Working under a greenhorn like me isn’t something the vice-captains of the prestigious Franz Knights should be doing.”
“Second Young Master, but still…”
“Well, putting aside the vice-captains, are these all the knights gathered here?”
As I expected. No twins.
“Ah, are you referring to the twins?”
“Yes. My milk brothers.”
I glanced at Hans Gramps’s expression. It wasn’t bad. Good for them. Even if I wanted them to become knights, I couldn’t make it happen if they lacked the talent. That was Father’s prerogative. If they had earned Hans Gramps’s approval, becoming knights shouldn’t be a problem.
“They have quite the tenacity and loyalty.”
“Really? That’s good to hear.”
Honestly, they were the most trustworthy people I knew. Even if they couldn’t become knights, I planned to keep them by my side. But it would be good for them to become knights.
“Their magic capacity is unnecessarily large, so their control is still lacking, but that will improve with time… Their technique needs work, so it’s difficult to assign them to you at the moment, Second Young Master.”
“Ah, that’s alright. Keep training them hard.”
“Haha. Yes, I understand.”
I couldn’t interfere with that. I just wished them good luck with their training.
Enough about the twins. Time for the main event. I looked at the young knights, their faces tense.
“Hmm.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
The military was still the military. Sharp and disciplined. Young… but most of them were probably older than me. I slowly looked them over. Most were men, but there were quite a few women as well. From those who looked like they could be mistaken for Hyung to those who were quite delicate. There was a good variety.
While physical differences due to training were evident, what mattered most was the amount of magic, control, and application. There wasn’t much difference in their magic power. I scanned the female knights scattered among the group. This kind of casual perusal was my specialty. Oh, she was pretty. Silver hair. I liked silver hair.
“Shall we begin the test?”
“A test? Have you prepared one, Second Young Master?”
“Yes. It’s quite simple, so it won’t take long.”
It was a simple test, indeed. I stepped forward, suppressing a grin. I wondered how this would go.
* * *
They didn’t underestimate the second son of the Franz family, the object of their sworn loyalty. On the contrary, they held great expectations for this enigmatic young master who rarely left his mansion.
The Second Young Master, Leoric Franz. All sorts of rumors surrounded him. His brilliant intellect, his consideration in remembering the names of the maids, and even the rumor that Aidan-nim, the renowned heir to the Franz family, trusted him implicitly. A variety of rumors.
Finally, the rumor that he was choosing his escort knight spread, and many knights of the Franz family hoped to be chosen. It was even rumored that vice-captain level knights wanted to participate.
To be chosen as a vassal of such a person, especially as his first escort knight and closest aide, was an honor for any knight and a great boon for their family’s future. Even if it meant dying in his place during an escort mission or in war, it was a position that could secure their family’s future. And the person at the center of it all was standing before them.
Brilliant golden hair, like the sun. Mystical, shining golden eyes. He appeared before them with a slight smile on his lips.
Indeed, the young master of the Franz family. A noble aura emanated from his entire being. He shone like the sun. No, was he actually shining? The golden magic surrounding him…
“Golden magic?”
Chloe Tristan stared at the Second Young Master, momentarily stunned. She wore an expression of disbelief, standing before the man she had dreamed of serving. But then, the golden magic, the color of the highest-ranking magic, said to be passed down only through the direct Franz bloodline, began to surge around Leoric Franz like a blazing sun. He raised his hand high.
A giant sword of sunlight descended from the sky.
“Gah!”
—–CROW—–
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