Ch#60
***
Amarion was embarrassed. She placed her hand on the captain’s shoulder to calm him.
He sprang up at tremendous speed and stood rigid like a statue. He resembled a fresh recruit who had just been conscripted.
She was at a loss for words. However, the captain seemed immersed in emotion.
“It is an honor to meet the master’s family.”
“Your lord…?”
“Malick was an apprentice of the Knights of Morte in his youth, but he lacked the skill to become a senior knight. He returned home and became captain of the guard. I thought I would never see a Lady of the Morte family again, but this is glorious…”
[*TN: Malick is the name of Victor and Mortheon’s father.]
She gazed at the captain’s face with a strange feeling.
Perhaps the master he served was not Victor, nor was the Lady herself. He was simply overjoyed to meet a member of his old master’s family.
It seemed unreasonable at first glance, but his loyalty was unshakable. Admiring the captain’s heart, she extended her hand.
“You are a true knight. The Grand Duke will be delighted to hear your story.”
“I…! It is an honor, Your Highness!”
The captain bowed and kissed the back of her hand. He looked on the verge of fainting. Amarion wanted to give him more time to compose himself, but now was not the moment.
She cleared her throat briefly.
“I have some news for you.”
“Tell me, my Lady.”
The captain immediately stood at attention.
Amarion asked gravely.
“Did you know a hydra lived in the swamp outside the outer walls?”
“What?!”
The captain’s mouth fell open. The training soldiers reacted the same way. Unbeknownst to Amarion, they had stopped practicing long ago to eavesdrop.
It was understandable. Hydras were terrifying monsters that could only be eradicated after wiping out entire villages.
She calmly reassured the captain, who teetered on the brink of fainting for an entirely different reason.
“Don’t worry, we took care of it en route. But cleanup is needed. It was burned, but the body remains, drawing small monsters.”
“Then what should we do…”
“I’d oversee it myself, but… as you know, we’re in a rush.”
She sighed.
If time permitted, she would have assisted with disposal, but the eastern situation was dire. Lingering until morning departure was impossible.
With such a large hydra, no other major monsters lurked nearby…
After pondering, she suggested.
“May I observe your training?”
The captain looked surprised. He glanced at her stiff shoulders and dry, calloused hands.
He bowed his head.
“Please, Your Highness.”
She smiled and nodded.
***
“Your arms are too high. Lower them.”
At her command, the soldier dropped his elbow. The spear aligned vertically, stabilizing his stance. He swung left and right, astonished.
“Much more comfortable.”
“It should be. Your arm muscles are underdeveloped, so this position eases strain. Train your upper body occasionally.”
With that, she moved on.
The guards were essentially novices. They trained diligently, but most had sloppy form and poor posture.
She demonstrated techniques, focusing on the least experienced. She taught captains and squad leaders effective drills and nearby monsters’ weaknesses. They knew basics, but inaccuracies abounded.
The captain was deeply impressed.
“Amazing, Madame. I’d been targeting sandworms’ necks until now.”
“Common mistake. Their stomachs are far weaker. But I’m sorry… Do you lack monster combat experience?”
As a Morte guard captain, shouldn’t he be seasoned?
Tilting her head, the captain scratched his nose sheepishly.
“Monster subjugation was the Knights of Morte’s duty. Annually, we drank or aided brawling knights. As an apprentice, I trailed the Knights, cleaning up remnants.”
“I see.”
“But months ago, monster numbers surged, so we patrolled out of necessity. It barely worked…”
Amarion smiled.
“No, you must have been terrified. It’s impressive you fought bravely.”
“I was at a loss, Your Highness. A noble shouldn’t oversee the likes of us…”
She blinked.
‘Why such modesty? Isn’t their resolve against fearsome monsters admirable? Besides, aiding the diligent is my pleasure.’
Instead of voicing it, she patted his shoulder.
“We are knights. It’s only natural.”
“Your Highness…”
“Shall we end training?”
She handed him a wooden sword, correcting his footwork. The sun dipped below the horizon.
***
Training concluded late. Exhausted but satisfied, the guards bowed repeatedly before retiring. It had been more grueling yet rewarding than usual.
Shoulders slumped, she headed to the dining hall, hoping for leftover bread.
To her surprise, food awaited: crisp roast pork belly, pickled onions, black bread, and soup.
‘Morte fare! They eat it here too.’
Smiling happily, she sat. Hesitating briefly—perhaps someone else’s—she decided otherwise. Wiping her hands hastily, she devoured the bread.
Mid-feast, someone entered.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Baron Yulwald.
Amarion nearly choked in shock.
She did choke, pounding her chest. A concerned servant refilled her water. Gulping while eyeing the Baron warily.
‘Why here? What did I do wrong? Come to think of it, this dress isn’t ladylike…’
Ignoring her soiled sleeves, the elderly Baron approached and asked abruptly.
“Why train my soldiers?”
“Yes?”
“I saw you aiding the guards all day. No, the whole castle did.”
Perplexed further.
‘Is that it? They needed help, so I assisted.’
Shaking off pessimism, it remained her duty regardless.
Composed, she replied.
“The soldiers’ calluses were in the wrong places—proof of hard but misguided training.”
“…”
“It pains me they lack proper instruction, stalling progress. I’m no master teacher, but… With the dire situation outside, your estate needs defense in our absence.”
She sipped water.
One day’s training was scant, but perhaps it would fell fire wolf packs. Soon, they might hunt larger beasts independently—no longer awaiting annual knights. Safer village.
She took pride in these earnest folk striving to excel. Mutually beneficial…
The Baron fell silent, his weathered, expressionless face fixed on her.
Suddenly, he bowed deeply.
“Thank you, my Lady.”
Amarion’s eyes widened in surprise.
But the Baron was courteous now, a stark shift from their rude first meeting. Head still lowered, he continued.
“My soldiers wounded daily. Inevitable. They hunted monsters beyond their skill.”
“…”
“Charging blindly, fighting poorly… you can’t imagine my frustration.”
He twitched, clicking his tongue. Disgruntled tone masked affection.
Rising, he coughed awkwardly.
“Anyway… thank you. And for slaying the hydra.”
“Just my duty, Baron Yulwald.”
“Many wouldn’t. Fortunately, the Grand Duke and his wife do something right.”
The gruff man coughed again, seemingly embarrassed. He gestured.
“Eat well, Madame. My chef prepared this for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Good night, Grand Duchess.”
The Baron bowed and exited.
Amarion stared at his retreating figure, then her half-empty plate.
Her mood was profoundly strange.
***
