Chapter 80

80.

***

On a bright morning bathed in sunlight, Novice Knight Russell headed to the Training Grounds with his comrades from the Three Sword Division.

Ever since the Knight Captain Cain, also the Imperial Secretary, first gathered the knights at the Training Grounds, the knights began their days there by swinging their swords and wrapped them up by tidying up the area.

Training at the Training Grounds had become an everyday routine. The once quiet place, bustling only during special events, was now always crowded with people. Even members of the Imperial Army and the Guard Command who had been inspired by the knights’ zeal started to appear at the Training Grounds.

The Training Grounds of the Imperial Palace, echoing with loud shouts of motivation, were especially bursting with the explosive enthusiasm of the novice knights. Regardless of rain or snow, novices like Russell continued to show up for training.

Russell, who was responsible for physical conditioning, various errands, and guard duties, spent his days in relentless toil. Still, the reason he trained with such vigor even in adverse weather was simple: he wanted to become a full-fledged knight quickly and stand shoulder to shoulder with his seniors.

“Awesome!”

Thinking about the previous exploits of the knight division, Russell’s heart pounded. The first official mission of the Royal Knights, once treated as no more than palace guards, had been when they set out proudly from the Imperial Palace under the farewell of Her Majesty the Empress. They proved their strength by eliminating the dreadful monster that they had only heard of in tales.

Since then, the Royal Knights dazzled. They traveled extensively across the nation, wiping out the wicked rebels who tormented the empire’s citizens and drained the country. Ultimately, they even hunted down and punished those who dared trade humans.

The knights’ displays of valor became so renowned that even the often haughty nobles who crossed paths with them in the palace corridors would stealthily avoid them.

Though Russell, being a novice knight, couldn’t participate in the official missions and only heard tales of heroics from drinking sessions with senior knights, it was enough to ignite a fire in his heart.

“To grow oneself.”

Strength is the ultimate value of a knight. Gaining that strength comes through endless practice and growth.

This was something Cain often emphasized during training sessions at the Training Grounds. And the words, screamed out while being struck with wooden swords, were deeply ingrained in Russell’s mind.

“It’s taken so long to reach this level…”

Looking at the Training Grounds approaching slowly, Russell reminisced about the past.

The first time he ran around the training field, unlike the senior knights, he had barely managed to drag himself through by suppressing his breath until his chin. He was, in a word, pitifully weak. His physical condition was so poor that he felt ashamed to even call himself a royal knight.

But that feeble version of himself no longer existed.

Under the guidance of Deputy Captain Milene and the knights’ captain, the novice knights underwent constant physical conditioning. Even if Cain ordered another round of track practice, Russell now handled it effortlessly without even breaking a sweat. Carrying a comrade on his back, he could easily run a lap.

Even though there was the astonishing revelation that the head of the Three Sword Division had been a spy for the enemy nation, keeping his mind steady and dedicating himself to training like a madman had unexpectedly made him stronger.

“To think I’ve grown so quickly. It’s truly terrifying! Could… could I actually have talent?”

“Kek.”

Hearing a peculiar laugh, Russell turned his head.

There was another Novice Knight, Bennen, who lived in the same barracks of the Three Sword Division. The face of the boy, emitting a strange sound, was beaming with happiness. He himself likely wore a similar expression.

“Hmph.”

“Kek.”

Russell and Bennen nodded to each other simultaneously and continued moving.

“Hey, Russell. What could be the reason we were called today?”

“Hmm… probably…”

At Bennen’s question, Russell thought of Milene who was posting a notice on the bulletin board.

After the festival and wedding, a peaceful period had arrived.

Milene gathered the entire Royal Knights division. Notices were posted on the bulletin boards of each dormitory, but everyone already knew—this was a call from Cain.

“Will he teach us swordplay?”

“Most likely.”

Months had passed since the physical conditioning sessions that began last autumn.

The average physical ability of the novice knights had significantly increased compared to that time. Now that their physical conditioning was sufficient, it was naturally expected that they’d move on to learning swordplay.

The other novice knights heading to the Training Grounds now would have made similar assumptions. Bennen wasn’t the only one; many of their comrades had their faces lit up expectantly.

Bennen opened his mouth with a sparkle in his eyes.

“Swords, finally, I can truly call myself a knight.”

“Isn’t it likely to be Imperial Swordplay? The basics taught by the seniors were also the Imperial Sword skills.”

At times when the novice knights devoted themselves to training day and night, senior knights would occasionally drop by to give simple sword tutorials.

Imperial Swordplay was the most common fencing technique learned naturally by those who joined the Imperial Army or the guard force. Nevertheless, even this made Russell and the novices happy.

On a larger scale, it was finally time to formally learn the sword. On a smaller scale, it meant the seniors had started to view them as family.

“Whatever it is, I’ll absorb it thoroughly!”

“Hmph… It’s frightening. What if my talent awakens me as a mana user?”

With confident expressions, Russell and Bennen entered the Training Grounds.

Immediately, they sensed that something was wrong.

“What is this?”

The Training Grounds were already filled with people.

Most were familiar faces to Russell—senior knights of the Royal Knights division. Looking around, there were no juniors besides the senior knights. But the problem was…

“Why… are they lying down like that?”

All of them, fully armed in armor, were breathing heavily and sprawled out on the ground.

Glug.

As the scene brought back a sense of déjà vu, Russell swallowed dryly, just as a familiar voice reverberated across the Training Ground.

“Are they here? Novice knights, gather over here.”

“Yes! Understood!”

At Captain Cain’s command, Russell and the other novice knights rushed over.

Russell tried to ignore the strange tension rising within him and focused his gaze on Cain.

Taller than the tallest senior knights by more than a head, Cain’s stature was imposing. His physique was robust, packed with tight muscles, giving him a colossal presence.

His features were intimidating, with a perpetually annoyed expression complemented by short black hair. Just looking at him evoked a peculiar sense of pressure.

“Scary.”

According to rumors, even the haughty nobles of the Imperial Palace dared not make eye contact with him, quietly stepping out of his way.

Given that several stiff necks had been lost to the captain, it wasn’t hard to see why people feared him.

“But, he’s a dependable captain for us.”

Turning his gaze away from Cain, Russell scanned his surroundings.

Behind Cain were the deputy captain Milene and the captains of each sword division, engaged in a serious-looking conversation. Though their words were too low to be heard, their tense expressions suggested they were discussing an important mission.

“Amazing…”

The scene exuded the dignity of the Royal Knights. Russell was inspired; this was the vision he aspired to achieve as he reaffirmed his determination to be promoted to a senior knight.

Had Russell’s perception been sharp enough to eavesdrop on their conversation, he might have had a different impression.

Milene summarized the situation with a solemn expression.

“The dinner selection tonight should be chosen appropriately, neither too expensive nor too cheap.”

To this, Luniya, captain of the First Sword Division, responded with a disinterested tone.

“Captain just said anything would be fine. So why not choose something more costly?”

“Isn’t this about maintaining our dignity?”

“Considering we’re not poor, and that he’s the Empress’s husband, choosing something moderately priced might be seen as showing disrespect?”

“That, that’s….”

Seeing Milene stammer, Luniya shook her head and turned to Cruel.

“Cruel, what’s your opinion?”

“…I’ll go with the majority.”

“As, as am I.”

The gray-haired man staring blankly at the sky and the visibly tense acting captain of the First Sword Division, Hexon, both offered unhelpful responses.

“Palmer, that shameless man, would have been useful in situations like this.”

The former captain of the Three Sword Division, Palmer Panlei, had a knack for easily distilling opinions during such discussions.

Though he wouldn’t have made a perfect comrade given his personality, had he not been a spy for Sylvester, he might have been considered a decent one.

“At least he was interesting. Thinking about it, it’s maddening, honestly.”

With a sigh, Luniya continued the enthusiastic evening dinner debate on the side.

Meanwhile, Cain swept his gaze over the lined-up novice knights and spoke.

“Novices knights, I’ve assembled you here for a reason.”

His heavy voice drew rapt attention from the knights.

“Today, we’re conducting a mid-term evaluation.”

At that, murmurs spread among them.

After the mid-term evaluation, they would learn swordplay under the captain if their growth was recognized. A sense of anticipation rippled through the novices.

Cain, puzzled by their overly enthusiastic reactions, continued.

“Upon signal, run around the Training Grounds. The rules are the same as before. Begin!”

With a powerful call, the novice knights sprinted off as one.

Compared to their movements from before, most of these knights now circled the Training Grounds effortlessly, without releasing heavy breaths.

The run continued until the last person completed the course.

Being the first to finish, Russell smiled as he watched the last of his comrades cross the finish line.

Running until only the last person remained, those who finished earlier got longer breaks based on speed and stamina. Initially, Russell had often been the last one to finish.

“Not anymore.”

Among the novice knights, he now had the highest stamina and was also fast on his feet, finding the runs as trivial as drinking lukewarm soup—or even gulping down the pot.

Feeling full of confidence, he was stretching when Cain’s calm voice reverberated through the grounds.

“Your endurance has greatly improved, very good.”

The understated compliment straightened the postures of the novice knights as Cain continued.

“Good job overall. Your running is much better compared to before, almost unrecognizable.”

Nodding approvingly, Cain smiled slightly and said,

“Now return to your quarters, get your equipment, and come back. Fully armored.”

“Fully armored….?”

“Including full-body armor.”

Baffled, the knights looked on as Cain spoke with authority.

“What are you waiting for! Move now!”

Milene, having finished her discussion, barked an order, urging the novice knights to hasten back to their dormitories.

After some time, Russell and the other knights returned to the Training Grounds clad in full armor, looking rather weary. Cain moved aside and spoke.

“Unlike before, only those who touch this individual will leave the line.”

The individual he referred to was none other than the senior maid, Rani.

The small brown-haired maid, who had been hiding behind Cain’s massive frame, stepped forward, performing light footwork and throwing punches in the air.

Sssh. Sssh.

Despite her short stature, her movements produced a strikingly sharp whistling sound.

The knights watched Rani with bewildered expressions when Cain’s voice rang out again.

“Surely, you knights can’t fail to catch one little girl, can you?”

At the light provocation, the knights immediately sprang into action, and thus the Training Grounds transformed into a chaotic game of tag between the novices and Rani.