29 - The Youngest is Hiding a Lot
Chapter 29
The task of creating a Barrier with Uncle to protect this place!
“I want to take swordsmanship lessons!”
Uncle’s eyes widened as if he’d heard something unexpected.
“What?”
“I’m going to learn the sword! I’m going to become super strong too! Isn’t that what a northern man is all about?”
Uncle frowned with a dubious look.
“I… guess so?”
A good idea had popped into my head, so I didn’t pay close attention to Uncle’s expression.
‘If I go to the Knights, it won’t be strange for me to go outside!’
Most swordsmanship lessons took place in the Training ground, but Void often accompanied the knights who patrolled outside.
Of course, I’d also visited the castle walls several times for sightseeing.
‘It’s the best excuse to inspect the castle walls!’
Uncle seemed reluctant for some reason. But he couldn’t seem to find any words to argue with.
Uncle took a sip of his tea, pondered for a moment, and then nodded.
“Alright. Do what you want to do. And if you need other studies, do them too.”
“Yeah. I love learning!”
I felt good. I swung my legs and finished off all the remaining cookies.
“Then Ruby, you’re going to stay here…”
Uncle, who had been quietly watching me, hesitated in a way that didn’t suit him.
“Yeah?”
“Here…”
“What is it, Uncle?”
“…Hah, never mind.”
Why is Uncle acting like this today?
His hesitant demeanor was somehow unfamiliar. It also seemed like he was carefully watching me…
“I should look for a tutor first.”
Uncle leaned back as if resigned.
“Can’t I take lessons with Void?”
“Well, you could, but it might be a bit too much for you to keep up.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Void was already studying advanced elementary academy material. He said that when the semester started again in the spring, he was going to get first place this time, or something like that.
Well, it was none of my business.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as I can get swordsmanship lessons from the knight Uncles. I’m going to get strong! Strength! Stamina!”
I clenched my insignificant fist.
Inspecting the castle walls was one thing, but I also wanted to train this weak body. Seeing people as strong as rocks made me admire them.
Uncle chuckled and ruffled my hair wildly.
“I don’t think those guys will leave you alone.”
“Huh?”
“Now that you’ve made up your mind, you’d better be prepared.”
What does that mean?
Is he saying the knights are going to bully me?
‘Nah, no way.’
The knight Uncles liked me quite a bit.
They always gave me such friendly smiles when we ran into each other.
Especially Lord Leon, who always gave me snacks…
Suddenly, the voice mentioning the youngest knight came to mind.
At that moment, the back of my neck suddenly felt cold. Wait, this doesn’t feel good?
“Uncle, I suddenly have a question…”
“Yeah.”
“Has anyone joined the Zeberth Knights recently?”
I asked cautiously. Uncle rested his arm on the armrest and counted the patterns on the ceiling.
“Hmm…”
Gulp.
“No one. Not in the last few years.”
Gasp.
“Void was the last one, several years ago.”
No way! A new recruit after several years!
Clear water coming into stagnant, rotten water!
I felt like I was heading down a difficult path.
The reason the knight Uncles were so kind to me was just because I wasn’t a member of the Knights yet, so they weren’t that interested!
“I, I think I’ll just settle for the status quo…”
“A man doesn’t go back on his word.”
Clatter. A plate of bouncy fruit jelly was placed on the table.
A familiar voice came from beside me.
“Lord Leon Uncle…?”
Creak, creak. When I raised my head, Lord Leon was there, I didn’t know when he had come in.
“Your Excellency, I’ve come with urgent documents.”
“Yeah, give them to me.”
Uncle reached out with a smiling face.
While he was looking over the documents, the blue-haired knight stared at me intently.
His eyes were shining greedily, like a beast that had found good prey.
“So, you’ve finally made your decision.”
“Ugh…”
“Welcome, youngest.”
\ \ \
Whoosh.
A dry wind blew. In the distance, a round dust ball rolled along.
A desolate Training ground.
Standing in front of me were strong knights with bulging muscles. I was just a pathetic herbivore standing before them.
“This Obron senior can be an angel or a devil, depending on what you do.”
I’ve heard that line somewhere before.
I swallowed hard.
Hehehehe. I thought I could hear sinister laughter all around, but I must be mistaken.
“Heh heh… It’s been a while since we had a new recruit.”
“You’re so cute and adorable that I really want to give you proper training.”
“We’ll make you into a stalwart northern man.”
“My blood is boiling…”
Please let me be mistaken.
‘But isn’t it a bit too cold to be wearing short sleeves…’
I blankly watched as heat haze rose from their bronze skin.
“This is the Zeberth Knights. This is a place where a thorough merit-based, vertical culture prevails. Therefore, you will not use honorifics here. Any complaints?”
You didn’t use honorifics anyway…
The knight at the very front stepped forward. Nearby, Void was watching with an interesting expression, holding a Wooden sword.
“No sir!”
I answered with as much of an angle as possible.
It felt like I had to.
Clink.
The Knights cloak ornament made a sound as I moved. The Zeberth Knights uniform, which was dark blue, was heavier than I thought.
Of course, there wasn’t one that fit my size, so I had to have everything made from scratch…
The gazes of the knight Uncles who had gathered like clouds were stinging. Lord Leon was somehow covering his mouth and staring at the air.
“I am Obron, the vice-commander of the Zeberth.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I remembered what Void had been chattering about.
The vice-commander, with his short curly hair, had a long scar on his left eye. He didn’t look easygoing in the slightest.
“Then, let’s begin the initiation training.”
“Yes sir!”
I put strength into my voice at the resounding, solemn voice.
The senior knights moved quickly.
Seeing their precise movements, my body tensed up without me realizing it.
“First, two laps around the Training ground!”
Gasp, two laps?
“For children!”
“Yes, sir!”
I answered mindlessly.
I ran two laps around the tiny Training ground next to the large Training ground.
Huff, huff, this is hard! The path to becoming a physical knight is long and arduous!
“Next, swinging the Wooden sword!”
“Yes sir!”
I answered, catching my breath.
“But it’s still dangerous, so just observe for now!”
“Yes sir!”
Lord Obron pointed to the armory in the distance with his thick finger. I was about to move my feet when the back of my neck was grabbed.
“Why, why are you doing this?”
“Hmm, horsemanship is essential for a knight. We’ll ride a horse to get there.”
Ah, I was confident in riding horses!
“You, the one passing by!”
“Yes, Vice-Commander.”
“Become the youngest’s horse! Commence!”
“Commence!”
“……”
I blinked slowly. My vision suddenly became higher, and the wind hit my cheeks. Only then did my mind, which had been gone, return.
‘Huh?’
Isn’t this just riding Uncle’s piggyback and looking at Wooden swords?
\ \ \
In any case, as the Knights life became a part of my daily life, a strange vitality began to circulate.
“Huff, huff. Two laps around the Training ground, holding the Wooden sword, dodging balls, talking to the horse! All done!”
Senior Obron raised his lips in satisfaction.
“Good. Excellent. Tomorrow is a tour of the castle walls.”
I raised my head sharply. That was welcome news.
Perhaps seeing the change in my eyes, Obron’s lips loosened for a moment.
“You wanted to see the castle walls that much?”
“Yes! I wanted to, senior!”
“Hmm, good attitude. The commander will be pleased.”
“You mean the commander is…?”
“Of course, it’s Duke Leviathan.”
“Ah.”
I nodded.
I see. If you’re talking about the head of this Knights, it would naturally be Uncle Leviathan.
Senior Obron stared at the distant sky with distant eyes. The emblem of the Blue Lion, the symbol of the Knights, was engraved on his chest.
“We must always build our strength and train so that we do not bring shame to His Excellency. Only then can we be truly…”
“Um, what happens if that commander causes trouble?”
“Huh?”
The knight, who had been soaked in loyalty, returned to reality.
I raised my arm and pointed to one corner of the Training ground.
“He’s been sleeping there since earlier…”
“……”
Silence fell heavily.
