Ch#107
Chapter 107"Ugh, it's cold. Summer's better after all—winter training chills you to the bone!"
"Hey, it's still November. Complaining already?"
"November 30th is basically December!"
"You lunatic. In summer you were bitching about the heat killing you."
"That's how it is—your mood going to take a shit is different from coming back."
"Ahahahaha!"
The knights, just finishing training, chattered noisily as they left the training grounds.
One of them at the front spotted Laslo, who knew not when he'd arrived, and hurriedly greeted him.
"Oh! Isn't that the Imperial Guard Captain!"
"Greetings, sir!"
Despite their resounding greetings, Laslo's stern expression showed no sign of softening.
Moreover, his sharp gaze scanning each knight from head to toe made them shrink back unwittingly.
"Hey, did we do something wrong?"
"Was our training that bad?"
"Isn't it because of that guy who said summer's better earlier?"
As they passed Laslo slowly with trepidation, his mood was plummeting to rock bottom.
*Why did these guys used to look better than the bunch before?*
He sighed involuntarily.
He'd just stopped by to glance at the Imperial Knights Order's training on his way, but there were no fiercely training knights, nor any dignified ones. And their chattering mouths were no different from the mercenaries.
"Linia wants me to pick one of these guys to present to Edel?"
.
Laslo shook his head.
It was too embarrassing to thrust any of them before a noble-born lady who had been a duchess as a remarriage candidate.
Just then, Allen Riban, the new vice commander of the Imperial Knights Order, approached with a familiar wave.
"Sir Criserus! What brings you here?"
He was the second son of a pro-emperor family, and Dimarcus had succeeded in placing one of his own in an executive position in the Imperial Knights Order instead of appointing Edmund as Imperial Guard deputy commander.
He had even been deployed during the Lancaster Duke family suppression, so he was acquainted with Laslo.
"Ah, I was just passing by."
"If you're not busy, have some tea before you go. I have something to tell you."
"Sure."
Laslo followed Allen to his office inside the knights' order building.
His room, like Laslo's, was sparsely furnished with only basics, giving it a somewhat bleak feel.
Allen offered Laslo a seat, then lit the old stove in the middle of the room and said,
"How's Sir Milton doing?"
"Who knows. I can't read his mind, but he still slinks around slyly, so he seems fine."
"Kukuku. He's probably desperately pretending to be okay."
Allen plopped down in his chair chuckling.
The stove scattered a bit of sooty smoke before starting to warm the air.
"Ever since you crushed Sir Milton in that duel, his reputation has changed quite a bit. Why, after the duel, he left in quite a rude manner."
It was because Laslo had provoked Edmund, but no one knew that.
Laslo maintained his ignorance and nodded.
"If I'd known he'd take it so hard, I wouldn't have suggested the duel."
"He needed his nose put in place at some point. He acts all nice on the outside, but he's wrapped the knights and even the captain around his finger—his true nature is obvious, isn't it?"
- 3 -
Laslo didn't reply, merely lifting the corner of his mouth slightly.
Others had lamented that Edmund would have been the next Imperial Guard captain if not for Laslo, but Allen was a victim whose promotion had been delayed because of Edmund. By skill alone, the vice commander position should have been Allen's, but pressure from families led by House Milton had given Edmund the 'youngest deputy knight commander' title.
You can't fool everyone with a mask forever—soon, more people will see through your black heart, Edmund Milton.
Laslo quietly sharpened his blade against Edmund while sipping the tea Allen had poured.
Anyway, Allen had brought Laslo here for another reason.
"By the way, about 'that thing' you mentioned before."
"Yes. Any suspects?"
"No. I thoroughly checked those close to or sympathetic with Sir Milton based on the data you gave, but no one had an unaccounted location on 'that day, that time.' No one showed signs of killing either."
"As expected."
Laslo nodded slowly.
This narrowed Marsha's killer down to Edmund Milton himself.
"What now?"
Allen asked, but Laslo merely shrugged lightly.
"There's no clear evidence to accuse Sir Milton. But it's important that I know the true culprit."
"True. Even if there was evidence, his backers wouldn't stay quiet."
It was now an open secret that one of the three great families had pushed Edmund into the Imperial Guard deputy commander position.
Dimarcus knew it too, which was why he'd willingly kept Edmund by his side.
Spies threaten this side, but conversely, they can be used to feed false info to that side.
"It'll be tough, but please keep watching for disloyal movements within the Imperial Knights Order."
"I understand. The Imperial Knights Order must remain His Majesty's sword above all. It cannot be swayed by the arrogant three great families."
Allen was steadfast, as befitting Dimarcus's loyalist.
.
Satisfied with his attitude, as Laslo finished the last of his tea, Allen suddenly asked,
"By the way, why were you watching our training earlier?"
Laslo choked on the words, coughing violently. Unused to flustering, Allen was startled and hurriedly poured cold water for him.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
Laslo, voice hoarse, gulped the water and calmed down. It was fortunate a plausible excuse came to mind in the meantime.
"Ahem! Well, someone asked me if there were any good marriage prospects around. But since I don't have wide connections, I was checking the Imperial Guard and Imperial Knights Order."
"Ah, I see! But isn't the order wrong? You should secure your own marriage before others', Sir Criserus!"
Allen laughed heartily, but Laslo could only muster a lukewarm smile. Marriage was a vague, indefinable realm for him, even tainted by all sorts of horror stories.
"Well, since I was asked, I have to at least pretend to look. In your view, Sir Riban, any good ones? Low nobles from unproblematic families, no gossip about looks or personality, mid-20s to early 30s..."
"Those types have all been snatched up by matchmakers. Guys with those qualifications wouldn't let their marriage window pass."
Allen waved it off.
"The leftovers all have some flaw— no money, unfortunate looks, bad temper, drinking issues, debts..."
"I see..."
"But if it's low nobles, the partner would be similar rank, so no need to be too picky, right?"
If only it were that simple, why would Laslo be racking his brains.
Unable to reveal the partner was Edel, Laslo sighed deeply and smacked his lips.
"The woman's too good."
"How good?"
"She's mid-20s due to circumstances, but a great beauty with a good personality. Smart, composed yet resolute—more than capable of raising a household in her husband's stead."
"How pretty?"
Laslo disliked Allen focusing only on looks, but grudgingly answered.
"...If put in society now, she'd rank in the top five."
"That pretty?"
Allen's eyes widened.
"For such a great woman, instead of giving her to someone else, shouldn't you snag her, Sir Criserus?"
Laslo was speechless.
Nothing came to mind to say.
Somehow interpreting his look, Allen slapped his forehead.
"Oh! Low noble, you said? Can't pair a low noble woman with you, Sir Criserus."
At that moment, 'Why?' first flashed in Laslo's mind.
Low noble or commoner, Edel was a woman too precious for him. Precious enough that from the start, he'd drawn a line thinking she belonged to another world.
But unaware of his thoughts, Allen finished his tea and boasted confidently.
"Anyway, since you're in a bind, I'll shake the knights order upside down and find a good one! Don't worry."
.
