Many people were merrily chatting in the beautifully decorated garden.
With the lively atmosphere filled with food and drink, it was not an exaggeration to call it a festival.
Luke did not dislike such an atmosphere.
Only those who are quite twisted would turn down a joyful atmosphere.
Of course, if it were this noisy every day, he would be strongly opposed, but he was certainly aware of the necessity of events like this from time to time.
However, just as there must be a justification for going to war, a pretext was also needed to hold a festival.
The person who was unexpectedly placed at the center of the event as an excuse for the festival was none other than Luke Irushi.
Today was the day he turned ten.
Ten years old could be seen as an important turning point in life.
It was the age at which he could enroll in the Academy and also the age when he could be treated as a quasi-adult.
Moreover, his birthday was also a day that was special in terms of magic.
Indeed, the tenth birthday, symbolizing completeness in magic, was a special day that would not magically come again.
Thus, on a day like today, Luke could fully enjoy the noisy atmosphere.
He could tolerate the many nobles he only knew by face sending him their “birthday greetings” that began with “Dear Luke Irushi,” crafted with their strained artistry and lengthy salutations.
However, one greeting in particular lodged itself firmly in Luke’s ears and would not leave.
“Congratulations on turning ten, Master Luke Irushi.”
This was the most unique greeting Luke had received countless times today.
Was it because the congratulatory message had no flowery language?
Was it because the manners were a mess? Well, there was that, but the most peculiar thing was the speaker who conveyed that greeting.
“Today really is a special day, Kail. I never thought you would show me such courtesy.”
Kail Propston rarely treated Luke with such respect.
To be specific, examples might include the times he broke expensive pottery during sword practice and begged for help with magic or while removing beehives in the garden, ending up swollen all over and asking for a decent remedy.
Well, Luke had never particularly emphasized the need for courtesy, so he didn’t want to bring it up.
However, it was hard to imagine Kail trying to show him courtesy without any reason.
The man who caused a stir on this special day, Kail Propston, simply shrugged and said, “There are many eyes on us.”
“Oh my, our Kail Propston has finally gained some awareness. It seems today really is special.”
“Ugh, stop it. Damn it. I shouldn’t have treated you with such respect.”
As Luke praised him with an exaggerated noble tone, Kail realized he was being teased and averted his gaze shyly.
“By the way, why are you stuck here? You are the guest of honor.”
“There’s not much interesting going on.”
After all, they just needed an excuse to hold the festival and socialize; they did not gather to genuinely celebrate Luke’s birthday.
In the first place, it was rare to have such a grand celebration for a noble’s birthday.
Perhaps everyone was just trying to forget, if only for a moment, the unsettling situation caused by the invasion of the Demon Realm.
Mysterious dungeons were appearing all over the continent, unheard-of monsters and artifacts were surfacing, plants were dying, and the denizens of fallen territories were turning into bandits…
The fortunate thing was that the invasion of the Demon Realm was still proceeding slowly.
In a situation where there was no knowledge of how to counter a world-class calamity and no prophecy had been received, ordinary people could do nothing.
At times like this, festivals were important for the denizens.
It was better to enjoy the festivities than to be swallowed by darkness.
“So then, what exactly interests you?”
“Well, I can’t think of anything specific… Ah, I would like to check out the arena battle this afternoon.”
After all, he had only seen the form of monsters in books so far.
———-
“What? What did you say?”
Kail raised his voice.
“I’m sorry, but… the fighter scheduled for this afternoon’s match is unable to compete due to an injury sustained the previous day and food poisoning. The duel with the large monster has been postponed! However, the naval mock battle will proceed as scheduled…”
The man bowing his head showed deep fatigue around his eyes.
It was clear that a lot of people had inquired about it today.
The battle that was supposed to take place today wasn’t against small monsters like goblins or gremlins, but rather a one-on-one duel with trolls classified as medium to large monsters.
It was surely something spectacular.
Kail shook his head while smacking his lips.
“Hmm. It can’t be helped. We’ll have to come again, my lord.”
Luke turned his gaze to Kail.
He had a mischievous expression.
That expression sent a chill down Kail’s spine.
‘When Luke makes that face, it usually means trouble.’
Once, he had tried to turn himself into a frog and ended up croaking all day long.
And once again, this premonition did not miss.
“Kail, you can go out in my place.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Ignoring Kail’s flustered voice, Luke pointed at Kail Propston, as if announcing to the owner of the arena.
“That guy is quite a talented swordsman and a promising young man with a formed aura circle. I believe he can handle a troll.”
“Hey, my lord! What about my opinion?”
“Is that necessary?”
With a grin, Luke’s expression suggested that Kail’s protest would not be effective this time.
“Sorry, but knights don’t participate in places like arenas.”
That’s right.
A ‘knight’ cannot freely participate in places like arenas.
Participation on a personal level is, of course, impossible, and even if it were a command from a lord, it must be refused.
Though it could be a command, partaking in games in the arena is dishonorable for a knight, thus it can be declined, and refusing without doing so is no different from ‘agreement’ and carries disgrace.
“Hmm.”
However, Luke simply smiled and countered succinctly.
“Kail, when did you become a knight? As far as I remember, you haven’t yet received your knighthood.”
“……”
That was true.
Though a promotion to knighthood was scheduled, for now, he was still merely “Luke Irushi’s subordinate”…
“Damn.”
——-
The troll was a stronger opponent than expected.
Was it perhaps a problem that he had no experience fighting monsters?
Contrary to the public’s prejudice that trolls would be slow due to their hefty bodies, they were quick and powerful.
Its brute force was certainly on par with an average knight’s level.
Although it lacked sophisticated manipulation of magic or special techniques in movement, it had fully displayed the might of a large monster capable of overpowering knights with sheer physical strength.
Moreover, the regeneration ability was particularly noteworthy.
Of course, while trolls’ regeneration was notable, it was not as strong as the common folk believed, where limbs could regrow if severed.
However, it was powerful enough to quickly stop bleeding and maintain combat endurance, which was part of what troubled Kail Propston.
Even though Kail had been slated for knighthood at a young age, he did not possess the overwhelming skill to dominate the troll in a one-on-one.
Above all, the difference in physique and strength was too great.
Although Kail wasn’t the type to just take hits from the troll, if the battle continued like this, it would only be a matter of time before his stamina ran out and he would begin to permit attacks…
-Bang!-
The troll’s club made a heavy thudding sound.
Struck by it, Kail flew like a ball, bouncing several times on the ground, his body covered in dirt.
Blood flowed as his head got cut, and the clothes he was wearing became filthy, losing their originally vibrant hues.
Did he die?
Yet Kail moved his body.
It was nothing short of a miracle that he managed to rise without dropping his sword.
He likely wouldn’t be able to endure the next attack.
‘… What would our audience think?’
Luke smirked.
Of course, Kail was being stubborn right now.
Luke lightly circulated the circle and sent his voice on the wind.
“Isn’t this enough? Give up on winning with just ‘techniques.’ You don’t have the skill to win against a monster with just techniques. It showed slightly earlier.”
“Graah! Shut up, Luke!”
Kail roared.
——-
“So, our ‘foolish’ Kail Propston has to make a tribute to me in the end? The performance fee is all going to be spent on your medical expenses.”
“Shut up….”
“Don’t worry, the insights you gained from your duel with the troll today will be left in records that will surely be passed down to future generations.”
“Don’t do that!”
As Luke finally began to carve something onto a slab, Kail blushed with embarrassment and shouted.
It was clear what he was about to write.
He would probably be recording about the shameful guard knight who stumbled during a swordsmanship test and took a hit from an attack he shouldn’t have and rolled on the ground.
What could a lord who was just a daydreamer scribbling about magic or alchemy know about swordsmanship!
While Kail simmered with anger, perhaps ready, a small girl dressed in a priestess outfit slightly larger than her body approached, greeting them.
“I’ll start the healing now! Please show me your injuries!”
With her bright voice, Kail knelt on one knee to make it easier to be healed.
The little female priest then sprinkled holy power over his bleeding head and spoke in an excited voice.
“You are the one who fought the troll in the arena today, right?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct. Did you happen to see it?”
“Of course! I saw you struggle against a massive monster and finally slice the enemy with one clean cut! It was really nerve-wracking.”
“…….”
“Hahaha! So that’s how others saw it, Kail.”
“Shut up!”
This was extremely embarrassing!
‘The reality is that I just messed up the timing and got hit.’
After having a good laugh, Luke turned his gaze towards the girl healing Kail.
To think a holy magic could be seen with the eyes like this, Luke thought he was gaining lots of experiences from his outing and his eyes sparkled.
Suddenly, he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
“Hooh.”
Despite her young age, the holy power emanating from her was anything but ordinary.
Wasn’t it almost on par with the Pope?
It piqued his interest.
As he scrutinized the girl’s face, perhaps feeling his gaze on her, she flushed and averted her eyes.
“Umm, why are you looking at me like that…?”
“Don’t mind me, I’m just curious.”
“Y-yes?”
“What is your name? And what is your position at the church?”
“Um… My name is Renie, but that is….”
The girl, seemingly flustered, averted her eyes, and after a moment, a shout from somewhere startled her, causing her to pale.
“Head nun…!”
“Saintess! Have you gone out without permission again?”
“N-no! I received permission! The nun allowed it, didn’t she!”
“When did I say that!”
“It was last night…?”
“Sleep-talking is not permission! And why are you wearing a healer’s outfit again?”
“That’s… because I wanted to talk to this person….”
She kept making excuses, but they did not hold up to the stern head nun.
As she was finally tugged away by the other nuns, both Luke and Kail were left in a bit of a panic, staring at each other.
“Was that the Saintess just now? Right, Luke?”
“I heard that too. Her holy power certainly looked that way but….”
“I’m very sorry. Our Saintess has always acted alone… If she requires more healing, I can assist her.”
The head nun bowed her head to Luke and Kail, saying.
“… That’s fine. But a Saintess, huh?”
“She arrived yesterday to celebrate the birthday of the lord’s son, but since she is quite a handful, that’s just how it is….”
It seemed she didn’t realize that the nobleman standing before her was the very lord’s son.
Well, there must be quite a few nobles here today.
It would be hard to figure it out just from the outfit.
Luke knew this and decided not to change out of his outing attire.
Not wanting to create a ruckus by revealing his identity, Luke kept his mouth shut.
Having calmed down somewhat after the head nun’s explanation, Kail Propston stood up and looked down at Luke.
“Then we will meet again, right?”
“Seems so.”
Luke murmured as he gazed in the direction she had disappeared.
“Renie, was it?”
A Saintess at such a young age, she seemed quite an interesting character.
“… By the way, since I didn’t get charged for the healing at the church, shouldn’t you pay me back for the entry fee?”
“Well, since the treatment is done, I’ll be heading back now. Hm, where should I stop on the way back? Let’s hear some opinions.”
“Don’t change the subject!”
