Discovering (2)

The clashing sounds — "Chaeang! Chang!" —

These were enough to make the heart flutter just from watching.

The knights of Fiore lined up in the training ground, wondering if they could hear any breathing.

They focused on the duel unfolding before their eyes, suppressing their voices as much as possible.

Chuang! Chuang!! —

It wasn't a simple sparring that divided the neck.

If you merely grazed, the flesh could be sliced away cleanly.

It was a duel divided by a razor-sharp blade, no, a real duel.

Both of them were even utilizing chakra, albeit weakly.

This was a fight to decide life and death itself.

This is a duel, not sparring.

The one who was already sharp has become even sharper.

Is it okay? Should I intervene?

The knights showed some worried expressions.

If their own kind was doing this, it was fine.

Even if injured, it was an honorable wound, so call it that.

But the opponent the current knights were dueling with was...

Chaeaeang!!- Chang!

"Kuk."

The sword floated into the air and fell to the ground.

The woman who had dropped the sword rose with rough breathing.

"As expected, I still can't reach you, Commander Karad."

"I've almost reached you several times. I truly blocked it, and since Soga-jusin didn't hold back, it's fortunate. If not, I would have been covered in blood."

"Well, a single fatal wound is bigger than a hundred minor ones. In any case, defeat is defeat. I learned one move today too."

"Hard work, Lady Etria."

The identity of the one dueling with Karad, the commander of Fiore's knights.

It was none other than Etria, the next head of Fiore.

A place called Lichtenauer, one of the empire's renowned swordsmanship families.

Of course, the head of that place must possess outstanding sword skills.

In that regard, Etria could be said to have passed with flying colors.

Not bad. This is enough.

As Commander Karad had said, she hadn't held back.

Nevertheless, she had been able to show such powerful form today.

Her skills were growing, and she was right before breaking through another wall.

This was evidence that she had reached right up to that point.

Of course, it wasn't just focusing on swordsmanship.

The position of head wasn't just about being good with the sword.

The most important thing was the ability to lead the family to the path of glory.

"Soga-jusin. The settlement documents that came in this time."

"Put them there. Hard work."

She was already taking charge of about half of the family's matters.

Among them, some financial authority was included.

Just this alone showed that her position was uniquely stable.

However, a while ago, that position had been slightly shaken.

Due to an incident at the imperial palace, she had received a reprimand.

The reason was, of course, that she had shamed Lichtenauer.

Live quietly for a while. After shaming Lichtenauer.

Etria bowed her head at the strict words of the Fiore head.

She didn't feel unjust or resentful.

Ultimately, it was her own misjudgment that caused the shame to the Fiore family.

So, it was the result she had to bear.

Etria's reprimand was lifted two weeks later by the head's order.

As soon as the reprimand ended, the first thing Etria did was...

Naturally, to investigate that man named Adel.

Adel, I definitely said Adel.

He was not even a formal knight, just a squire, a servant.

A person like that had defeated Geon, the senior knight of Fiore.

This is a part that can't just be overlooked. I have to dig deep.

She had already received permission from her father, the head of Fiore.

No matter what, investigate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that man Adel.

And confirm if he could be recruited or not.

To investigate a person's background, money was needed.

To make anyone's annual income insignificant.

It had the power to make even family members let go.

Since permission had already been received from the head, using funds was not a problem.

The remaining was just waiting for information after paying for people.

Even if they secretly raised him from Lichtenauer, traces remain. Especially if brought in from outside, it's easy to find. Since they said to send news by today, I'll know.

At first, they had tried to eliminate him no matter what.

But thinking about it, it was difficult to realize.

If done well, it could even yield huge results in reverse.

It wouldn't be hard, as drawing in people was familiar.

If Adel got a huge reward, add more.

If he's taken by Sien's beauty, bring other beauties.

Honestly, isn't a pure blood better than half-blood.

Or, if he has some intention towards Lichtenauer and came to surrender.

Then, gradually dismantle the impressive Lichtenauer.

Showing the superiority of this side at the same time.

And showing the opponent's powerlessness in reverse, eventually everyone will come over.

"Soga-jusin. A letter has arrived."

Finally, the awaited news had arrived.

Etria smiled and said to come in.

Then a maid came in with the letter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and handed it to her.

"Thank you. Go ahead."

"Yes, Soga-jusin."

After the maid left, Etria unfolded the letter in her hand with a relaxed expression.

Who this person was, why in Lichtenauer.

Thinking various things, just as she finished unfolding the letter.

"...Eh?"

A sigh escaped Etria's lips.

Staring blankly at the letter, she blinked her eyes.

Is she seeing something wrong? No? Impossible?

Clink clink-.

She shook the bell on the table.

Immediately, the new guard waiting outside came in.

"You called?"

"The maid who just left, bring her back immediately."

"Understood."

I don't know the reason, but since it's an order, follow it.

Soon, the guard brought the maid from before.

"One question. This letter, did the person I mentioned give it to you?"

"Eh? Yes. That's right. As Soga-jusin said, the one with a scar on the cheek and height about this much..."

Continuing the maid's explanation, Etria bit her lip.

What? What happened? If I just listen to the explanation, it seems he is.

Like noble families, Fiore also has its own group.

Among them, besides the knight squad for combat, there is a place for information collection.

The man she assigned the mission to was the best in that group.

When the man assigned the mission, he would ask for anything.

Whether the information was long or short, detailed or approximate.

It was certain that it would yield results.

- Unconfirmed. -

So, even more, she couldn't believe the content of the letter he sent.

This can't be. This is impossible. Unconfirmed? What? Unconfirmed? Just a servant? Name one, origin, age all unconfirmed?

This can't be, right? It can't be.

Lichtenauer must have done something.

They must have expected us to come out like this and set up a smokescreen!

Even though she's half-blood, she has a head on her shoulders. Haha, this is getting interesting.

Yes, it's definitely a prank by Lichtenauer.

Etria thought this and chewed her lips.

This can't be, right? It can't be.

* * *

This can't be. What happened?

The man with a long scar on his cheek is impressive.

Without a name, just called 17-ho, a person of Fiore.

Currently, he is in a very difficult situation.

The future head of Fiore, the woman who will be his master.

Etria ordered an investigation on one man.

Name: Adel, current guard and servant of Lichtenauer.

Apart from that, nothing is known.

Etria's order is to find out everything about that man.

It can be said to be a quite difficult mission for someone.

But for 17-ho, it wasn't that hard.

Even if nothing is known, traces remain.

And by investigating the people around the traces.

Eventually, you reach exactly where you want to touch, or nearby.

So far, all tasks have proceeded smoothly in this way.

Yes, so far.

"Sorry, but I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't think I have anything to say."

"Go back. Consider today's events unheard."

The people who seemed to give everything if paid well.

They all turned away from her with serious faces.

It wasn't that they knew something and were avoiding her.

Rather, they seemed to have heard something from above.

With the eyes that had grown over time, 17-ho put forward such a prediction.

Probably Lichtenauer set up a smokescreen.

It was an order, but I am someone who has never failed a mission so far.

But I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠can't get even one piece of information about a single servant.

The 17-ho who was agitated decided to go himself.

Before the report deadline, he walked around diligently.

And he reached the part where he was in the civilian convoy going north from the capital.

For now, report this. After that, investigate again...

Thinking this, 17-ho walking the road.

Then, he collided with someone passing by.

"Ah, sorry..."

He couldn't finish the words and fell forward.

At almost the same time, several people from all sides blocked the scene.

Some were neighbors greeting after a long time.

Others were those asking directions and answering.

While creating a human screen, other people took 17-ho away.

"Face shape."

"Confirmed. Written. Delivered to 1st Division, Special 3rd Division."

"After receipt, deploy camouflage."

The one who received the letter written "Unconfirmed" nodded.

And instantly disappeared into the crowd.

"Mission complete. Return to Crow's Nest."

In just a few seconds, everything was over.