Ch#22
‘Damn it! Everywhere I go, it’s Count Criserus, Count Criserus! I wish I’d never hear that bastard’s name again!’
His eyes, resembling the cloudy winter sky, grew even colder with hatred.
The Mercenary King Laslo had appeared as unexpectedly as a summer downpour.
When he not only achieved tremendous military feats and received a countship but also snatched the position of the youngest Imperial Guard Captain, it all felt like a nightmare to Edmund. Everything he had coveted had been taken so easily.
*His Imperial Majesty is just checking the nobles. Otherwise, how could he give the Imperial Guard Captain position to a thug like that?*
Every action of Emperor Dimacus had its reasons. He had never seen anyone so meticulously calculating in his life.
Thus, employing Laslo was also a message to the nobles. A very dangerous and provocative one: *‘I can snatch your positions just like this if I feel like it.’*
*Even so, it’s too much. This will only provoke the nobles, so I can understand why the Lancaster Duke tried to secede...*
*Spoils of war*
Edmund yearned for the past when noble power surpassed the imperial authority as he headed to the knight order building. He planned to change out of his sweat-soaked clothes and head back to the palace.
But even there, Laslo was the topic of conversation.
*Duchess*
“The Imperial Guard Captain, that workaholic, seems to be leaving early these days, doesn’t he?”
“Why wouldn’t he? He’s got a honey jar hidden at home!”
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“Honey jar? What does that mean?”
A veteran knight wagged his pinky finger at the young knight while grinning lecherously.
“He was bestowed Edel Lancaster. Don’t you remember?”
At those words, the surrounding knights chimed in agreement and burst into laughter.
“Wow, back then I was wondering who among us would get that woman, but even she went to Count Criserus!”
“If it were me, I’d strip her naked and keep her from leaving the bed.”
- 2 -
.
“Ugh, just imagining it makes my lower half ache.”
Even amid that, Edmund didn’t forget to create an escape route for himself.
The knights’ conversation quickly devolved into vulgar talk.
“It’s just talk, really. Don’t think about going to gawk at women—go learn from Count Criserus instead. Then pass it on to your comrades.”
Edel’s beauty had shone even after being dragged harshly for half a month from the ducal territory.
The women at the victory banquet had all adorned themselves with lavish dresses and jewels, but none were as poignantly beautiful as Edel.
Only then did everyone make faces like, *‘Of course.’*
As he said, while the Imperial Guard and Imperial Knights were collaborative, their commanders had a bit of a competitive atmosphere.
“Honestly, she was too good for that old Lancaster Duke. It was a loss for humanity.”
Edmund’s demeanor, urging them to acknowledge such a rival and learn from him, showed a detachment beyond his young age.
“But I heard rumors that the Lancaster Duke couldn’t even get it up for her. Didn’t he have a mistress? That woman was so venomous, they say the two never even shared a bed?”
Of course, the knights were far more interested in the woman than in learning.
“Living under the wife’s thumb is the same for dukes or us, huh? Hahaha!”
“Wait a minute. Does that mean Edel Lancaster is still a virgin?”
“Should we really go take a peek?”
“Whoa! Count Criserus hit the jackpot! I’d be happy just to see her up close.”
“Yeah! Worst case, we break even, right? The mansion His Majesty bestowed must be amazing. Let’s go check it out.”
Edmund, who had been silently listening to the knights’ chatter while changing clothes, smiled faintly as a good idea occurred to him amid his disgust at the men’s heads filled with lustful fantasies.
As a few brainless knights actually started planning, Edmund subtly offered advice.
“If you’re so curious, why not ask Count Criserus to invite you over?”
“Don’t forget—the official purpose is sparring! I heard his training grounds are spacious and nice.”
“Ooh! Great, then we say it like this...”
The knights’ gazes turned to Edmund, who had suddenly joined the conversation.
They had deliberately excluded him, thinking he’d be uncomfortable with such topics, so their looks were surprised.
They huddled together whispering, then actually started running toward the Imperial Guard building.
“Ha, but how do we even say that? ‘I’m curious about the woman you were bestowed, so invite us over’?”
At someone’s retort, the surroundings erupted in raucous laughter again.
*Idiots. No wonder they’re stuck as low-ranking knights with brains like that.*
Laslo was also changing clothes in his office after finishing Imperial Guard training.
Even in winter, training for over three hours left him drenched in sweat, so his locker always had clean towels and spare clothes ready.
As he changed in the usually quiet office where no one visited, he sensed unusual presences outside.
Edmund held back the urge to click his tongue right in their faces and smiled again.
*‘Hm...? Someone’s outside?’*
“Do we really need to say something like that? The Imperial Guard and Imperial Knights collaborate, and we went to suppress the rebellion together, so Count Criserus knows who you are. Just earnestly request a private sparring lesson.”
At the sound of footsteps lingering outside instead of entering the office right away, Laslo tensed sharply but soon relaxed and finished changing.
“Ooh! As expected of Sir Milton!”
“They wouldn’t be that sloppy if they were assassins or attackers.”
“Smart people are different!”
As he indifferently adjusted his cuffs, the group outside finally knocked on the door.
The knights even clapped, praising Edmund’s idea.
.
