Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Tour of the Imperial Knights
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The conversation I had with my brother was mostly about family matters.
How are Mother and Father doing? How's Hayes? What has my sister-in-law been up to lately? Things like that.
Actually, it was questionable to even call it a conversation, since I did almost all the talking.
My brother just nodded occasionally, throwing in a word here and there, but he seemed to enjoy it, so that was fine...
Anyway, after spending the day chatting with him, I boarded a carriage early the next morning and headed somewhere.
It turned out the day Father had mentioned to his acquaintance was today—and in the morning, no less. I hurriedly got ready, climbed into the carriage, and set off for the barracks of the Imperial Knights Order.
"Huuu..."
"Young Master has arrived..."
"Thanks, Charles!"
I arrived at the front of the Imperial Knights Order's barracks.
I thanked the coachman and hopped down from the carriage, pulling out my pocket watch to check the time.
It was just ten minutes before the appointed time—arriving a bit early as etiquette demanded, so essentially right on schedule.
"Phew..."
I let out a sigh of relief and gently rubbed my solar plexus with my hand.
"Young Master, your clothes are disheveled."
"Oh, thanks..."
As I caught my breath, inwardly cursing Father for not warning me sooner, Emily, who had stepped down after me, grabbed my coat tails.
"Are you the one sent by Count Hume?"
While Emily helped me straighten my clothes, a familiar mid-low voice spoke from beside me.
Judging by the mention of Father, this must be his acquaintance. I turned with a smile.
"Yes, I am...?"
What came into view was a white-haired middle-aged man wearing an annoyed expression.
If I wasn't mistaken, this was His Highness the Grand Marshal, sword of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor...
Why was the Grand Marshal here?
"Ha..."
Along with His Highness's sigh, a cold gaze swept over me and Emily.
"I came out thinking it was something important, but it turns out it was just to babysit... That damn fool."
"Eek..."
Emily, caught in the crossfire for the mere crime of being with me, trembled and gulped.
"It is an honor to meet the Empire's beautiful moon, Your Highness the Grand Marshal!"
I wasn't in any position to relax either. I bowed hastily and greeted him with a quivering voice.
"Hmph..."
"......"
His Highness's short grunt was followed by a heavy silence blanketing the area.
The pressure felt like it was choking me; I thought I might faint any second.
"From now on, leave out the 'beautiful moon' bit. It feels weird every time I hear it as a man."
"My apologies... I'll remember that."
"No need to apologize. It's that woman's eccentricity anyway, so don't worry about it and raise your head."
"Thank you for your magnanimity."
At his permission, I immediately straightened up.
"Unlike your eldest brother, you take after the Countess a great deal. That's truly fortunate."
"Pardon?"
Was there some problem if I resembled Father?
As I made a puzzled face, His Highness chuckled and patted my shoulder.
"It's not something for you to worry about, so ignore it."
"Yes..."
I wasn't sure if it was right to brush off gossip about Father, but I lacked the courage to object to His Highness, so I nodded awkwardly.
"Um... If I may ask an impertinent question, could I know why Your Highness the Grand Marshal is here?"
"What? That damn count didn't tell you?"
"He only said something like, 'I've spoken to a mage I know in the Knights Order...'"
"A mage I know?"
"Yes..."
"......"
His Highness seemed displeased, grinding his teeth as he glanced north.
That direction was toward Father's territory...
"To dare call the husband of Her Majesty the Empress just 'a mage I know'... What an insolent bastard."
The atmosphere grew heavy again.
I didn't know what Father had done, but I resented him deeply right now.
I shouldn't have come to the Knights Order.
No... If I hadn't, would I have lost my head for insulting the Grand Marshal?
Either way, it felt dreadful.
"Since your father didn't tell you, I'll explain it myself."
"Yes..."
"I am the mage your father 'knows well.'"
"I apologize on his behalf......"
"I'll speak to the count separately later, so don't worry about it."
"Understood..."
It felt like Father had provoked the Grand Marshal, but was I really supposed to ignore that?
My head hurt too much to think anymore.
Father would handle it somehow...
"So, what about His Imperial Majesty's great Knights Order piqued your interest enough to come here?"
"I was curious about the lady knights' training, so I made the trip."
"Haha! Lady knights! With them only in the Imperial Palace, he had no choice. Your father's stubbornness must have crumbled properly."
His Highness laughed heartily, pleased, and patted my back.
"If the second son of that annoying count takes an interest in His Imperial Majesty's Knights Order, even I must make an effort. You wanted to see the lady knights' training?"
"Yes."
"Then I shall show you everything there is to see."
"Pardon?"
Everything?
I hadn't wanted to see it that seriously...
"Follow me quickly."
"Yes..."
As my eyes trembled, His Highness smirked triumphantly and strode toward the barracks.
Feeling uneasy, I followed behind him with Emily.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ His Highness's promise to show me everything was no bluff; I truly got to see everything I could imagine.
How much? From swordsmanship to mounted archery, knightly mounted magic, and even mounted shooting—I observed most of the martial arts and skills a knight could demonstrate. In the end, I barely managed to dissuade him from showing a lance tournament as well.
"Are you sure you don't want to see the lance tournament?"
"Yes, it's fine. I'm satisfied just having time to talk with the knights."
"That's the most fun part..."
"Haha..."
His Highness kept asking if I was sure on the way to meet the knights, clearly regretting not showing the tournament. I could only smile awkwardly and repeat that it was fine.
As I endured his grumbling with a smile and descended to the training grounds, I saw the knights lined up in a row, their faces taut with tension.
Perfectly aligned postures, sharp gazes, and the heavy yet refined aura unique to knights.
Each one was handsome and exuded elegance, but there was one thing.
The uniforms caught my eye.
It wasn't that the sizes were off.
The lengths and girths were all properly fitted, but the line from the shoulders downward felt somehow off.
Not glaringly wrong, but noticeable upon closer inspection.
Like a woman dressed in men's clothing.
A uniform brings out its unique charm only when tailored perfectly to the body, but these felt forcibly shoved on.
"Attention! Salute to His Highness the Grand Marshal!"
"Loyalty!"
As I slowly examined the sense of incongruity in their uniforms and approached with His Highness, the knights' hands snapped up to their heads in unison, their thunderous salute echoing across the training grounds.
"......"
Even with only about twenty, the tremendous volume made my body vibrate; I flinched involuntarily.
"Mm, good work."
"At ease!"
His Highness nodded calmly in acknowledgment, and the knights' hands dropped as one, slapping against their thighs.
Their movements were so precise they were awe-inspiring, their drill near perfection—but the ill-fitting uniforms kept nagging at me.
"First, despite this sudden assembly for training, you have splendidly demonstrated your usual fortitude and valor. I wish to express my encouragement and praise for your efforts.
Normally, I would send you back to your barracks immediately after training, but Young Master William, who observed your session, has a few questions for you. Thus, I have arranged this time. Though it may be a bother, I hope you will answer with all sincerity."
"Yes! Understood!"
After His Highness's light encouragement to the post-training knights, he gave me a look and stepped back, signaling me to come forward.
I bowed slightly to him in thanks and stepped ahead, facing the knights.
"First, I want to say upfront that watching your training filled me with admiration. Even to someone ignorant of martial arts like me, your skill levels were evidently extraordinary and majestic."
After a light compliment to the knights, I paused briefly, scanned them slowly, and posed the question I'd most wanted to ask.
"However, are you satisfied with your current uniforms?"
"Pardon...?"
Confusion slowly crept onto the knights' previously expressionless faces.
Had I phrased it too awkwardly?
It didn't seem like a difficult question...
"The uniforms you're wearing now—they look to me like men forcibly dressed in women's clothes, and not particularly stylish. What do you think?"
"That's..."
The knights' eyes trembled.
Glancing between me and His Highness, they seemed to be watching his reaction.
I glanced at him and asked,
"Your Highness, would criticizing the uniforms be a crime?"
"There's no such law. Though my mood might sour depending on the answer."
"Have I offended you?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I'm curious why you think that, and if the knights agree with you."
Even His Highness the Grand Marshal was interested.
I smiled broadly at the knights.
"He says that's fine. What are your thoughts?"
"......"
A situation with no escape.
The knights began looking at me with resentful expressions.