Chapter 49

First, I wait.

To write options at this timing is not a good judgment.

“I might be thought presumptuous, but according to the rules set by Lady Princess Arina, when you visit here, we need to hear what business the young master has. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Even though Isabella spared Carsein due to his illness back then, Arina did not forget and took special measures against him.

This was practically a ban on entering the training hall. It meant that if Carsein had no valid reason for being there, the knights who trained in the hall could deny him entry and even throw him out, stripping Carsein of his right to use the hall.

So, this knight is blatantly telling me…

“Get out of this training hall quickly.”

‘This is a correct opinion.’

The fact that Carsein harmed someone in the training hall remains unchanged.

But.

This is only the surface event.

When the number of knights looking at me exceeded ten pairs of eyes,

I looked around and found one person.

‘As expected, he’s here.’

A man whose name didn’t have a gray slash over it.

He has slightly higher affinity compared to other people.

[Mark Redeltain]

[Affinity: -25%]

But still -25%.

If I can’t raise this to white box, I can’t participate in activities in the training hall.

No, if it doesn’t go beyond this, I’ll die.

Although it’s an extreme difficulty, the means to break through this situation lies in the hands of that man standing with his arms crossed, staring at me.

“If you don’t have any business, please leave. We don’t want the young master to enter the training hall.”

With a nod from one man, the other two companions approached.

It’s obvious they’re going to drag me away.

“Don’t feel too sad about it. This is all according to the command of Miss Arina.”

-Beep!

▶Knights are trying to pull Carsein out. How would you like to act?

[1. Struggling, “Let go! Who do you think you are, pulling someone like this?”]

[2. It was Lady Arina’s order, did you not receive it properly?]

[3. Taking out a permit, “I clearly said I have the qualifications!”]

…

…

Another cruel choice has appeared.

Now is the time to calculate risk and return and make a distinction.

Choosing this option will greatly alter the course of Episode V.

Option 1 leads directly to a bad ending, so you shouldn’t choose it.

However, starting from Option 2, you need to strategize carefully and observe the situation.

‘I’ve tried all the options in the game. I chose the one with the least risk, option 3, but…’

Looking at the knights’ eyes, it seems this isn’t the right answer.

Is evading the issue by using the duchess’s permit to use the training hall really the right approach?

…No, it won’t be.

What I need now is to suppress them with authority.

[6. Whose vassal are you?]

“Whose vassal are you?”

I chose the lowest option, taking the biggest risk.

***

The training hall, filled with the heat of training and the sweat of success, suddenly turned cold.

The son of the duke’s house, whom I never expected to see again, appeared right before my eyes.

‘Carstein Bargrand…’

Seeing Carstein reappear, Mark gritted his teeth.

Not long after, a knight stepped forward and asked,

“Why is Young Master Bargrand here in the training hall?”

He was immediately cornered by the measure taken by Arina Bargrand, the eldest daughter.

Thanks to this, Mark was lost in old memories.

“No, Mark.

-What?

-Young Master wouldn’t do such a thing…”

‘Why am I hearing Radiel’s voice all of a sudden?’

Shaking his head, Mark tried to deny Radiel’s voice, but it played in his mind anyway.

“You’re not the kind of person to harm others. There’s no reason for you to take such measures!”

“Joking? Captain, who made you like this?”

“You too, Mark. Help Young Master. Please, Mark. Okay?”

“…”

Lifting his head, Mark looked at Carstein again.

It’s obvious he’ll be chased out.

Thanks to Arina’s measures, the knights in the training hall have a reason to do so.

All I had to do was sneer as they kicked him out, leaning against the railing.

But.

“Please, Mark.”

Radiel’s desperate plea flashed before his eyes.

“…Using the training hall shouldn’t be a problem with my authority.”

Radiel probably wouldn’t say anything if it were just this much.

Mark unfolded his arms and started walking towards Carstein.

At that moment,

“Whose vassal are you?”

Carstein shouted without a hint of fear.

***

Caught off guard by the sudden response, the knights stumbled back. Carstein pressed on with another question.

“Answer me. Whose vassal are you?”

“Of course, it’s the Bargrand Duke’s House.”

A regular knight, who had been gesturing to pull Carstein out, answered without backing down.

Mark sensed unease at that moment.

‘No way. Is he really going to threaten the knights serving the Bargrand Duke’s House, forbidding their entry?’

Stupid.

Mark clicked his tongue quietly.

Using the family’s power to suppress the knights by status would only result in them refusing to let Carstein use the training hall.

Because knights follow the rules of the training hall.

Rule 1 of the training hall:

It is a place for knights to train to protect the Duke’s House.

This rule is explained by the following two points:

Article 1, Paragraph 1:

Status does not determine rank in the training hall. Knights move solely for the sake of protecting the Duke’s House and dedicating themselves to it.

Article 1, Paragraph 2:

Anyone who uses status to intimidate in a place meant for cultivation will be expelled immediately. This includes members of the Bargrand House coming to train.

In other words, Carstein is doing something that will get him kicked out.

‘Sigh. Why is Captain Radiel…’

Mark sighed deeply, feeling a dry wash of frustration.

After coming all this way just to get kicked out, is there any value in believing this foolish man until the end?

‘Radiel, this is just your misunderstanding.’

Nothing has changed since that day you beat me. You’re still the same person.

Mark, who had given up on helping, stopped and turned his back.

“Then, which order will you follow between Lady Arina’s prohibition and the proxy representative’s permit from the Duke’s House?”

“What?”

“What do you mean?”

“Read it out loud for me. If you read it, I won’t believe it.”

When confusion spread among the knights, Carstein presented a piece of paper.

After checking the certificate, a knight swallowed hard, and seeing the certificate and Carstein alternately, he showed a flustered expression.

“Everyone seems curious. Read it quickly.”

The confused knight, with a nervous look, began reading the contents written on the paper aloud.

The news that Carstein Bargrand’s use of the training hall was temporarily permitted and that Isabella Bargrand, the Duchess herself, had personally approved it spread among the knights, causing a rapid stir.

“It can’t be. Really?”

“That must be a lie. The Duchess wouldn’t allow this.”

“Check the seal. Quickly!”

But the certificate was no lie.

The handwriting of the Duchess and the seal used only by the head of the Bargrand House confirmed that Carstein’s use of the training hall was indeed permitted.

Thus, two orders collided.

Arina Bargrand’s ban on Carstein’s use of the training hall.

Isabella Bargrand’s permit for training hall use.

As servants of the Bargrand House, they faced a dilemma.

However, surprisingly, the answer was easily decided.

“…I heard recently that Young Master has been well-behaved lately, so it seems to be true.”

“Ma, Mark.”

Mark pushed his way through the knights and spoke.

The first question wasn’t about status at all.

It was about which order you would obey in the clash of two opinions within the Bargrand House.

In response to this question, Mark shouted to the knights,

“We are knights devoted to the Duke’s House. The Duchess’s order is the same as the Duke’s order. But how long will you doubt this document?”

The knights would surely want to kick Carstein out.

But, wouldn’t they need a proper reason for that?

Currently, Carstein had no reason to be kicked out.

‘I also let emotions cloud my judgment and made a mistake. I need to reflect on this.’

Admitting his own mistake, Mark immediately asked for forgiveness from Carstein.

“I’m sorry. Because the entire First Knight Order still harbors past feelings toward Young Master, we couldn’t make a proper judgment and just wanted to kick him out recklessly. If you decide to punish us, I, as the deputy commander, will accept it willingly.”

Kneeling on one knee, Mark took a posture of repentance.

Seeing this, the knights frowned.

They were probably thinking that Mark would be severely scolded again.

The deputy commander wouldn’t get away easily this time.

But the real intention behind Mark’s actions was to test Carstein.

If it were just empty words, he would surely get angry, so he planned to point out the contradiction and kick him out directly.

However, Carstein looked around and ordered Mark to stand up.

And then,

“I hope such incidents don’t happen again. Deputy Commander.”

Saying this while patting Mark’s shoulder, Carstein’s unexpected action left Mark with no reason to kick him out.

No, he realized that he shouldn’t kick him out.

‘There must be a purpose behind this.’

Seeing through Carstein’s intentions as if he could read his mind, Carstein asked,

“But I’m curious about your business. Right?”

“Y-Yes. It seems a report is necessary.”

“I came here for health management.”

“Health management?”

“Yes. I felt my body deteriorating from staying inside the Duke’s House too much, so I came here. My mother also gave her permission for the same reason.”

Revenge? For health?

Surprised by this unexpected answer, Mark wore a bewildered expression.

But Carstein continued his speech regardless.

“Of course, I don’t plan to break the rules of the training hall during this process.”

“Are you saying…”

“My lessons from the knights who serve the Bargrand House are the best teachers for me. I will also train here.”

Carstein said he would stay here for a while.

“…Are you serious?”

“Why would I lie?”

The murmurs grew thicker among the knights.

Doubt hadn’t been dispelled yet.

But for Mark, it carried a different meaning.

-Can I also teach him?

When he was young, the young master also did the same.

When receiving lessons, he didn’t show his status.

He only asked, “Can you do it too?”

Just like now.

Don’t start with suspicion about who he serves.

Ask what he wants to do and what his goals are, then ask about the truth later.

Maybe Radiel didn’t criticize Carstein because of this reason.

‘Give him a chance.’

Mark, gathering his complicated feelings, accepted Carstein into the training hall.

“I understand. Given what you’ve said, you should be prepared.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean I forgive him.

***

After receiving a small room from Mark, I obtained a modest accommodation.

“The young master requested to be treated as a single knight, so he will use the training student’s room. Do you have any objections?”

Of course, there were no objections.

Only, the room seemed a bit dusty since it hadn’t been used in a while.

It’s just a training student’s room, so it’s enough for sleeping and storing luggage, but I didn’t need such a big room anyway.

“A large room just increases unnecessary cleaning space.”

After tidying up appropriately, I checked my status window.

▶Access to the training hall with restricted danger level is allowed!◀

▶The power of choices eliminates the time limit!◀

▶Affinity with specific individuals rises!◀

[Mark Redeltain: -10%]

“I’ve passed the critical point.”

By choosing to persuade Deputy Commander Mark, I managed to pass the dangerous point safely.

Though there are still many gray boxes, as the deputy commander of the First Knight Order, he can maintain appropriate boundaries.

“And this news will reach Emma.”

She’ll be quite scared.

Given that the words ‘approval documents,’ ’embezzlement,’ and ‘account books’ came out of my mouth and I moved to the training hall directly, she must be very anxious.

When the message reaches her, her urgency will soon come directly to me.

“Huff.”

I exhaled heavily and started unpacking.

Then, my gaze fell on the items I had prepared beforehand.

Tomorrow, I’ll begin my life in the training hall.

Surely, there will be attempts to kick me out within the knight order.

Since I’ve noticed this, I need to prepare a countermeasure in advance.

But.

“Not yet.”

Muttering to myself, I put the item back in a bag instead of a training student’s pouch.

This is something to use when I have a surefire opportunity.

Not just to change the atmosphere.

After packing my luggage appropriately, I went to bed early.