5
With Princess Valtrune’s approval, Epika and I headed to a courtyard within the castle grounds. Epika was a seasoned warrior. She didn’t just hold the title of Mage Division Commander; she possessed the skill to match it. We stood several meters apart. It was close enough to favor melee combat, yet she hadn’t lost her smug smile.
“The terms of victory are just as we discussed. I win when I incapacitate you. You win if you can so much as graze me with your sword. Sound fair?”
She was offering me a handicap. Of course she was. To her, I was just some naive greenhorn fresh out of the academy. She couldn’t possibly imagine I was superior.
“Are you sure about those terms?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing… just confirming. Because if these are the terms… there’s no way you can win, Lady Epika.”
“——! You’ve got a sharp tongue. For a fresh-faced graduate, I wouldn’t get too cocky.”
I wasn’t being cocky. I was just provoking her to gain an advantage. Epika’s magic was powerful; defeat was a real possibility. I needed to rattle her, even slightly, to reduce that chance. If she fought calmly and read the flow of battle, I’d be in for a tough fight. Making her lose that composure was a necessary first step toward victory.
“Shall we begin?”
“…Yes. I’d be delighted.”
I drew my sword in a fluid motion. It wasn’t a training sword, but the black blade I always use—a killer’s blade that had cut down countless people and drunk its fill of their blood on past battlefields.
“You think you can fight me with a sword like that?”
She was mocking me, but I just closed my eyes and calmed my mind.
“You’ll understand once we clash.”
“Hmph. Is that so…”
—Still, it’s been a while since I fought someone this skilled. She was one of the opponents I’d had a desperate back-and-forth with in the past. I couldn’t help but feel a little tense, having a serious match with someone like that again. I felt my heart pounding, but I desperately maintained an expressionless face and gripped my sword tightly.
“Alright! The match between Personal Knight Aldia Graetz and Mage Division Commander Epika von Darius begins now! Both combatants, ready!”
Rudolf was acting as the referee. The moment his raised arm dropped, the fight began. Epika and I moved at almost the same time. She launched a simple spell, a greeting of sorts. A glowing purple orb. It looked like a simple ball of condensed magic, but I knew its true nature. I avoided it completely, tracing its path without making contact. Cutting it down with my sword would have been the easy way to deal with it, but that was exactly what she wanted.
“…Oh? You held back. Good for you.”
I couldn’t let it touch me. It was laced with a paralysis toxin. She was likely hoping I’d make a careless move, get poisoned, and be immobilized.
“I’m prepared for a few cheap tricks.”
“I see… I called you a ‘graduate’ and insulted you, but I take it back.”
“I’m honored.”
She probably wasn’t holding back before, but seeing me dodge that, her focus definitely sharpened.
“But it’s strange. Almost no one sees through that attack on their first try. A simple-minded idiot like Rudolf falls for it every time… You’re one of the smart ones, I see.”
Even as she chattered, she was preparing her next spell.
“But how long can you keep dodging?”
Vicious spells assaulted me, one after another. I dodged left and right, but the barrage was relentless. Every spell I dodged put more distance between us. —This is bad if she widens the gap. I tried to get closer, but a fierce wave of attacks continued, as if to absolutely keep me away. And the magic came with troublesome special effects; paralysis, slow, tear gas, blinding flashes. It was a struggle just to evade.
“——Kuh!”
“Oh my, you look like you’re struggling.”
Just before a cloud of dust completely obscured my vision, the last thing I saw was Epika’s gloating smile. The furious exchange of magic had kicked up a massive cloud of dust, blanketing the area in white.
“Hah… hah… Surely that’s a win.”
“Hey, Epika! You went too far! If you hit a kid with an attack like that, you’ll kill him!”
Rudolf’s angry shout echoed across the courtyard.
“W-Well…”
“You know how strong you are, so why didn’t you hold back!?”
“I-It couldn’t be helped! He provoked me!”
“Even so, an adult is supposed to stay calm! What do you think a young man’s future is…!”
The dust cloud was thick. Kicked up by her powerful magic, it seemed to signal my defeat. —Well, not that I’ve lost. I burst through the dust and shot straight toward Epika.
“Wh-How…!”
“It’s over. Please surrender.”
The blade of my sword was resting perfectly still, millimeters from Epika’s throat.
“Whoa, are you serious…!”
Rudolf was staring, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open, as if he couldn’t believe I was still standing. Princess Valtrune, on the other hand, watched with a calm expression, as if this was the only possible outcome.
“…It should have been a direct hit. My magic… So why are you still on your feet?”
My clothes certainly bore the marks of her magic. It had been impossible to dodge every single spell. Just as she said, I had taken the hit.
“…You’re right. I couldn’t dodge them all.”
“Then, you just… endured my magic?”
It was powerful, to be sure. But I know magic that is far more powerful. Compared to what Princess Valtrune can do, this level of pain is almost trivial.
“I told you, didn’t I? You had no chance of victory.”
A young man fresh from Philnotes Military Academy. It was only natural for her to see me that way. And it was true; I had begun serving the princess right after graduating. But the real me had piled up vast combat experience on battlefields where blood and guts flew. —I’m not like some raw recruit.
“Are we finished?”
I turned on my heel and sheathed my sword. No more words were necessary.
“Yes, of course… Aldia Graetz… No, Personal Knight Aldia. I apologize for underestimating you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad we’ve cleared up the misunderstanding.”
Epika bowed deeply. I inclined my head in return.
“With that much skill, I can see why you were appointed Personal Knight.”
“Thank you.”
“…That’s all.”
Epika’s face had become a complete mask, impossible to read. She finished speaking, gave a nod to Princess Valtrune, and grabbed Rudolf’s arm.
“Hey, what’s going on!?”
“Something urgent has come up. We’ll be taking our leave.”
“I haven’t heard anything about it!”
“Shut up and come with me!”
I had no idea what this urgent business was, but I figured I could consider the matter settled. I hurried over to Princess Valtrune.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
She smiled gently.
“That was splendid, Aldia.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure she recognizes your strength now. And the same can be said for Rudolf, who was watching.”
“It wasn’t that flashy of a fight.”
“Flashiness isn’t what’s important. You took Epika’s magic and remained standing. That alone proves your toughness.”
Toughness… I’d never really thought of myself as being durable.
“To be honest, I wanted to dodge every one of them. I just couldn’t avoid that one last hit.”
A win was a win, but I wasn’t entirely satisfied. The ideal victory would have been to dodge everything and then counterattack. A powerful counter after being on the defensive would have been more impressive. —Epika’s fundamental skill was higher than I’d anticipated. I was the one who had underestimated her.
“I will devote myself to becoming even stronger.”
I knelt before Princess Valtrune.
“You’re going to get even stronger?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
There was only one reason to become stronger.
“To protect you, Your Highness.”
You only pursue victory so greedily because you have a reason to win. Strength is the same. You must have a reason, something you want to accomplish, or you can’t hone your skills. And I can keep pursuing strength. To protect her, I will do anything.
6
…I lost. Plain and simple. Personal Knight Aldia Graetz. He was someone I must not make an enemy of. I reflected on the match as I half-ran, dragging Rudolf by the arm away from the courtyard.
“Hey, Epika, seriously, what’s wrong!?”
So noisy. Can’t he just read the room and let me drag him away in silence? This dense man was just making me more irritated. I’d ended things politely in front of Lady Valtrune, but my pride was in tatters. To lose to someone so young… What a humiliation!
“Just shut up and follow me.”
“Look, I get that you’re pissed you lost, but…”
I cut him off with the most ferocious glare I could muster. He flinched and grimaced.
“Gah, don’t get so angry. You’ll scare away your good fortune.”
…We were finally a good distance away. I let go of his arm and stopped. He just thinks I’m being a sore loser. But that’s not all it is.
“Hah, I get it, but you should act more like an adult…”
“…You’re the one who doesn’t get it, Rudolf.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
This man… he really hasn’t noticed? Unbelievable. I was starting to worry if the man leading the Imperial Cavalry was really this dense. I began to explain it in terms even this idiot could understand.
“Personal Knight Aldia. He’s far more dangerous than he looks.”
He just tilted his head.
“What? How? The guy’s tough enough to tank your magic, and then he was on you, aiming for your neck with perfect precision. He seemed like a genuine powerhouse, didn’t he?”
“Honestly… are your eyes just for show? What were you even watching during that fight? You make a terrible referee.”
“Gah!”
Don’t “Gah!” me. If you couldn’t sense the danger from that man, you’re just hopelessly dense.
“Aldia Graetz. On the surface, he’s calm, skilled enough to be a Personal Knight, and has outstanding combat sense. His loyalty to Lady Valtrune is also high. She has a very good eye, choosing him.”
“That’s high praise coming from you. That’s rare.”
He has many admirable qualities. He’s so strong, he’ll probably be remembered as one of the most exceptional Personal Knights in history. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s dangerous.
“On the surface, he’s a perfect child, without a single flaw.”
“On the surface? What’s your problem with him?”
“…He’s… abnormally strong.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
Being strong isn’t bad in itself. But that kind of strength… it’s not something you get without vast experience. He’s far too seasoned for his age. I caught a glimpse of a terrible viciousness in that sword, as if it had claimed thousands of lives.
“Don’t you find it unnatural? To be so young, yet more battle-hardened than even me? And on top of that, he’s frighteningly obedient to Lady Valtrune.”
“So what…?”
He just doesn’t get it. A Personal Knight who is strong, obedient, and competent. Lady Valtrune, who commands such a man, will one day rule this country. It’s all fine and good as long as she has that monster on a leash. …But what happens if that leash breaks? He’s too devoted to her… to put it badly, he’s practically blind with his faith in her. If anything were to happen to her, he’s capable of turning on anything and everything. I saw it in his eyes. He has no fear of self-sacrifice. He’s the type who will use any means necessary to protect what he cares about.
“He probably… has no aversion to ‘dying’.”
He has a quiet face, but he’s hiding a selfish, ruthless side that’s even worse than mine.
“So, what you’re saying is… Personal Knight Aldia is unstable and dangerous?”
I shook my head at his words.
“…In times of peace, he’s fine. But if that power ever runs rampant, it could unleash a catastrophe beyond our imagination. …That’s what I wanted to say.”
“A catastrophe? What do you mean…?”
“Oh, just stop! Stop asking so many annoying questions! We’re done talking. Now go away!”
“You’re the one who dragged me here!”
I shoved the complaining Rudolf’s back and made him leave. He grumbled but finally walked away. I said too much at the end. It’s been a long time since I lost my composure like this.
“Cornelia. You’re there, aren’t you?”
As I called her name, Cornelia emerged from a blind spot. Rudolf hadn’t even sensed she was nearby. Feeling a little annoyed by that, I turned to her.
“You were right… It wasn’t just nonsense.”
“Are you willing to cooperate now?”
“More than before, at least…”
Cornelia said with a prim expression,
“Aldia Graetz. He is the princess’s greatest trump card. At the same time, he is a massive bomb. If we don’t handle him with extreme care, he could one day bring about the world’s ruin.”
There was still so much I didn’t understand. What kind of ‘bomb’ could Aldia Graetz become? And, for that matter… just who was this light-blue-haired woman in front of me?
“In any case, I’m still just observing. I don’t have enough reason to cooperate with you yet.”
“That’s fine. I will make you cooperate… in the end.”
I was definitely getting dragged into something troublesome. I knew it, but at the same time, another feeling was welling up from deep inside me. A feeling like curiosity… ‘What’s going to happen next?’ I sensed the danger, but I couldn’t pull away. I was captivated by the existence of the man who had defeated me. What kind of influence would this Personal Knight have on the Empire? I desperately wanted to find out.
Cornelia turned her back to me, a satisfied look on her face.
“Where are you going?”
My voice made her pause for just a second.
“To report. I’m just going to tell that person that I’m close to securing your cooperation.”
“That person… I see.”
I’d asked her once before who that person was. But I felt the air around her instantly freeze, and I hesitated to press further. I’d sensed then that it was a topic I must never, ever touch. So, I couldn’t bring myself to ask again.
“…Excuse me, Lady Epika.”
“Yes.”
She left. The area was enveloped in silence, and I felt a slight chill.
“…Maybe I’ll go out for a drink. It’s been a while.”
Being led around by the nose wasn’t my style. I decided to chase some simple pleasure to get my rhythm back… It’s fine. There’s still time.
“How to deal with Cornelia. How to handle Personal Knight Aldia. What will happen if I make a move? That’s not my problem…”
So, whether or not I’ll do as she wishes… I’ll be the one to decide that when the time comes.
Join the Discussion