Chapter 16

Episode 16. Single-Plank Bridge Duel (2)

“Observing Young Master Keter, I felt he was full of vigor.”

At Prosciutto’s words, Panir’s face immediately twisted.

“Are you suggesting we use Catherine to seduce Keter?”

“How could I use Catherine, whom I raised like a daughter, for such a lowly scheme? I merely mentioned that if Young Master Keter were to lose to Catherine, he would feel an even greater sense of humiliation.”

“Hmm. A man full of vigor being defeated by a woman is indeed a tremendous humiliation. However, to humiliate him, one must first win—and win decisively.”

“True words.”

“I heard Anis also lost to Keter. Do you think Catherine can definitely defeat him?”

Panir didn’t care that Anis wasn’t in good condition or that it was a surprise attack. The only thing that mattered was the result: Anis lost, and Keter became the victor.

Prosciutto thought the same.

Keter, who defeated Anis. To defeat such a person, Catherine would first need to defeat Anis.

“If Catherine is a 2-Star Knight, wouldn’t that be enough?”

Panir, who rarely showed surprise, widened his eyes.

“Catherine became a 2-Star Knight? Just three years after becoming a 1-Star Knight!”

The gap between a trainee knight and a 1-Star Knight isn’t large.

But the gap between 1-Star and 2-Star is immense.

While it’s almost a given for a trainee to rise to 1-Star, the story changes after that. Over 60% of knights grow old and die without ever advancing to 2-Star.

Becoming a 2-Star Knight is absolutely impossible through luck alone. The 2-Star Knight exam requires over a decade of preparation just to attempt.

For Catherine, a woman, to become a 2-Star Knight in just three years was an achievement worthy of the kingdom’s history.

“Amazing. I knew Catherine was talented, but I never expected her to reach 2-Star faster than Anis…”

“Isn’t that all thanks to your discernment, Lord Panir?”

“Hoho, that’s also true.”

It was Panir who recognized her talent early and brought her into House Sephira. Although she wasn’t adopted as a daughter, everyone in the house knew he cared for her like one.

Panir, who had been skeptical of Prosciutto’s choice, was convinced upon hearing that Catherine had become a 2-Star Knight.

“So, this mission will be Catherine’s first as a 2-Star Knight?”

“If the elders permit it, yes.”

“There’s no doubt about Catherine’s abilities. But whether she can execute the mission well is another matter. Prosciutto, if you vouch for her, I’ll send Catherine.”

“I vouch for her. You know Catherine is different from other women, right? She’s a role model for knights. I believe she can handle everything about this mission.”

“I trust you, Prosciutto. Send Catherine in my name.”

Panir set down the arrow and bow he was holding.

“I’ll trust and wait for Catherine. But she must produce results before tonight. There’s no benefit in delaying the matter.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Go ahead.”

Prosciutto immediately went to find Catherine.

* * *

There’s no need to search high and low for Catherine. She follows a strict daily routine.

At this time, she’s always in the knights’ dormitory training room.

Dozens of knights were training their strength, but one stood out with an overwhelming presence.

Tanned skin and firm muscles. Catherine, with her hair tied back, exuded an undeniable aura.

Prosciutto spotted her and called out.

“Catherine! Can you spare a moment?”

Catherine, who was pulling on a firmly fixed steel pillar to train her arms and shoulders, turned her head to look at Prosciutto.

Despite her robust physique, her face was bright and cheerful.

“Yes! Seniors, I’ll go ahead!”

The knights responded to her greeting.

“Take it easy. Your spot will always be open.”

“Room 4 should be empty. Head there.”

“If you need advice, feel free to come by anytime.”

She wasn’t just the lone flower of House Sephira. She was a refreshing presence, bringing hope and vitality to the otherwise dry and rigid House Sephira.

Even the knights training with her, though senior in experience, were lower in rank. Yet, Catherine treated them with the utmost respect.

It was no wonder that instead of envying her talent or dismissing her because she was a woman, many secretly admired her.

Shortly after, Catherine and Prosciutto were alone in the lounge next to the training room.

“Uncle Prosciutto. It’s been a while. How have you been? The bow you gave me when I became a 2-Star Knight, I’m using it very well.”

Catherine wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked warmly.

Prosciutto couldn’t help but smile whenever he saw Catherine, as if she were his own daughter. But this matter was important, so he kept a serious expression.

“Catherine. I have a mission for you.”

“Hehe, just give me the order.”

Her cheerful response might make it seem like she was taking the mission lightly. Even Prosciutto had initially misunderstood.

But no. Her brightness was to put others at ease. When it came to missions, she handled them more meticulously and reliably than anyone.

“Do you know Keter?”

“The lord’s illegitimate son, right? I heard he arrived today.”

“Do you also know he’s been causing trouble since he arrived?”

“Huh? I’m sorry. This is the first I’ve heard.”

Catherine focuses intensely during training, to the point of being unaware of her surroundings. Thus, she hadn’t heard the rumors about Keter from the soldiers or knights.

Prosciutto briefly explained Keter’s actions. Hearing about Keter’s behavior, Catherine looked puzzled.

“Did Young Master Keter really do something so wrong? I can understand.”

How can a person have only strengths? Catherine had a fatal flaw: her excessive tolerance.

Yet, the reason she enjoyed Panir’s favor was that she always followed orders, even if she didn’t fully understand them.

“Elder Panir believes Keter is a harmful presence to House Sephira. We can’t let him run wild. Catherine, you must stop him.”

“Yes, I will.”

Truly a model knight. Even if she doesn’t understand with her head, she unconditionally follows her superiors’ orders.

“What should I do?”

Catherine thought Prosciutto had a plan. But Prosciutto shook his head.

“This mission is your solo mission. Think and judge for yourself.”

“Solo… mission?”

Catherine’s eyes widened.

Prosciutto nodded and emphasized.

“As a 2-Star Knight and squad leader responsible for soldiers, you can’t always just follow others’ orders. Moreover, you’re the rising star of our Sephira.”

“Ah…!”

“This isn’t just my decision. Elder Panir thinks so too.”

Mentioning Panir made Catherine’s eyes moist.

Prosciutto, feeling parental concern, wondered if the emotionally rich Catherine could handle it.

“Be brave. Even if you fail, we’ll step in. No matter what, the elder and I will support you.”

“I won’t disappoint you. As always.”

“The elder said to finish before tonight. Keter is currently at the second shooting range, so use that opportunity.”

Originally, Catherine should have found this information herself, but Prosciutto couldn’t help but give her an extra hint.

“Think deeply, act quickly.”

Prosciutto left in a hurry before his resolve weakened.

Left alone, Catherine blinked, lost in thought.

This wasn’t her first mission, but it was the first time she was entrusted with everything from start to finish. This meant Panir fully acknowledged her.

‘Elder Panir…’

She grew up in an orphanage supported by House Sephira. While other children were busy with their own lives as they grew older, she was different.

She wanted to repay the orphanage that took her in and cared for her with love, even though her parents had abandoned her. She made this her life’s goal.

When the orphanage director learned of her intentions, he said the orphanage’s operation was entirely thanks to House Sephira’s support. Therefore, she should repay House Sephira, not the orphanage.

Catherine immediately went to House Sephira and boldly said,

“Please let me work for House Sephira.”

At the time, the head butler gave her a chance to work as a maid. Catherine thought that even if she spent her life as a maid, it would be fine as long as she contributed to House Sephira.

She faithfully served as a maid for about a year, but then she overheard that House Sephira was short on knights.

It was a time when House Sephira was beginning to face external pressure, causing the number of knight trainees from outside to drop significantly.

Unable to ignore Sephira’s crisis, Catherine went to the head butler and said she wanted to become a knight.

Though Catherine had always shown diligence as a maid, that alone wasn’t enough to become a knight.

The head butler coldly refused her request. It wasn’t because she was a woman. Women could become knights. But the standards for female knights were four times higher than for male knights.

In the Lilian Kingdom, there are over 5,000 knights, but only 220 are women.

Even women from prestigious families often give up on knight training. How could Catherine, from an orphanage, succeed?

The manpower and funds required for knight training were substantial, so the head butler firmly stated he couldn’t provide Catherine with knight training.

Then, Panir, who happened to be passing by, stepped in.

“Catherine, was it? Though your status is humble, we must not ignore your desire to contribute to our house. I will sponsor you. I’ll give you the chance to become a knight of Sephira.”

When everyone else said no, only Panir believed in Catherine and supported her.

To Catherine, Panir wasn’t just a sponsor. He was like the father she had always dreamed of since her orphanage days.

Though she couldn’t call him father, she thought of him as one and followed him. That’s why she couldn’t fail this mission.

After deep thought, Catherine stood up. Following Prosciutto’s advice, she thought deeply and acted quickly.

She gathered the soldiers under her command and headed to the second shooting range.

The second shooting range was usually deserted. Judging that Keter’s presence there now was the perfect opportunity, she decided to settle things swiftly.