4. Imperial Capital Lumentium - 15
4. Imperial Capital Lumentium - 15
...A knight? He wants to become a knight of House Estel? The sole heir of the Turnizen Ducal House, a warrior who's reached the Master Realm—one of only a handful in the Empire—just begged me to let him become a knight of House Estel? Was this bastard even in his right mind? I was so dumbfounded I asked, in the most polite, cultured tone I could manage.
"...Are you saying this with a sound mind right now?"
I silently looked Lucian up and down. This was the man who'd appeared out of nowhere to spout incomprehensible nonsense right in front of me.
I stared at him without a word, patiently waiting for the real point of this to finally come out of his mouth, but unfortunately, Lucian's eyes were dead serious.
"I am perfectly sound of mind, Kain von Estel. This is no joke, and no nonsense. I am speaking to you in total earnest."
When Lucian shook his head and insisted he meant it, even though I'd just handed him an easy exit, I couldn't stop myself from letting out a hollow laugh.
"...Well, damn. You've completely lost your mind."
What in the world made him this desperate? A man who could walk straight into the Imperial Household's own knight order if he felt like it—why was he begging to become a knight for the grubby, impoverished House Estel?
I had no idea about anything else, but one thing I could say for sure was that this man was out of his mind, so I let out a quiet sigh and beckoned to Aria, who was standing off at a distance. Aria understood my gesture instantly and came trotting over.
"Yes. What is it, Lord Kain?"
She looked at me with bright, sparkling eyes, ready to be given something to do, and I pointed to Lucian, who was still standing there blankly in front of me.
"I'll give you one person. Escort this gentleman here all the way back to the Turnizen Ducal House. He's not in his right mind right now, so don't take your eyes off him for a second—no telling where he might wander off to."
"...What discourteous notion are you entertaining, Kain von Estel. I am sound of mind."
"Right. I know you're sound of mind. That's exactly what every unsound-of-mind person always says."
"...Haah. Please, just listen to me to the end. I haven't even gotten to the main point yet."
Lucian's expression made it look like he had a genuine headache coming on.
"...Fine. You've got three minutes. Convince me. Make me understand that insane drivel you just came out with."
The moment I gave my permission, Lucian's mouth opened as if he'd been waiting for exactly that.
"My reason for wanting to become a knight of House Estel is one thing alone. It is because I succeeded, during my duel with you, in grasping a clue that might let me overcome the wall I now face."
"...A clue?"
"Yes. A year ago, I attained the Master Realm. Yet, at the same time, that was my limit. No matter what training I undertook, no matter what means I used to drive myself, I could not surmount the 'wall.' My swordsmanship stagnated. I never once felt I was making real progress in any area. I was sinking into despair, wondering if this was the limit of who I am."
After saying that, Lucian's shoulders gave a faint shudder.
"But in my duel with you, I felt a certain inspiration. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a sensation. I felt that if I focus on and pursue that sensation, I can break past the wall that now blocks me. That is my reason."
"....."
So, to sum up Lucian's words simply: he was hoping to become a knight of House Estel because of me?
Needless to say, that wasn't exactly pleasant to hear. Being the object of attention from a man isn't a particularly enjoyable thing.
...Still, that didn't mean I could just ignore what he said. Because just a moment ago, I had also partly experienced the feeling he'd just murmured about.
'Did he also feel something during the duel?'
What I felt was nothing other than a sense of incongruity.
'...Lucian. His aura's compatibility with mine was too good. Suspiciously good.'
According to what the Imperial Princess had taught me, siphoning another person's aura through 'Flowing Star' was an extremely difficult thing, and even if you succeeded in taking it, controlling that aura was a completely separate matter. Because aura is not simply energy—it's an existence linked directly to the wielder's spirit, almost like a part of that person's body.
Then why was it that, not only had I stolen Lucian's aura, I could also control its flow at will?
"....."
I fell into thought for a moment, then posed a question to Lucian.
"Lucian, I'd like to ask one thing."
"What is it?"
"That swordsmanship you've mastered—what's its name?"
"Its name, you mean? The name of the swordsmanship I've learned is 'Gloaming Moon.' It's a secret art passed down through generations of the Turnizen Ducal House."
"Gloaming Moon...?"
The name felt like it was on the tip of my tongue. I had the feeling that the Imperial Princess might be able to explain this sense of incongruity. No—it was obvious that if I rushed to her and asked this question right now, she could produce an answer in no time. But if a man wants to kill himself, there are painless methods lying everywhere; no need to pick that particular one.
"Hmm..."
As I sank into thought in silence, Lucian, watching me, spoke again in a slightly agitated tone.
"...I would like an answer. Kain von Estel. Will you accept me as a knight of House Estel?"
Seeing Lucian like that, I clicked my tongue before I knew it.
"But why do you want to become a knight of a ducal house? Is staying as a guest out of the question?"
"Wouldn't that just be a nuisance to you? I don't know how long it will take to break past the wall I face. I only wished to do something I am able to do during that time. In the end, the only thing I can do is exactly that."
"...Do you have Duke Turnizen's permission?"
"My father has already approved the matter. When I told him it was a chance to break down the wall I face, he gave his consent without hesitation."
I couldn't say I understood much, but one thing was clear: Duke Turnizen was one remarkably bold man. Letting his son become a knight for the man who'd just publicly beaten him in the middle of a banquet hall, with everyone watching.
"Doesn't it bother you at all? That you'd be serving under someone who defeated and humiliated you in a duel—no feelings about that?"
"What does defeat matter? And what of it, this humiliation?"
"...What?"
"From the moment I took up the sword, defeat was something I was already prepared for. Humiliation is the same. I'm not saying they mean nothing. But to me, there are things far more important than such trifles. Compared to that, defeat or humiliation are truly insignificant things."
"...Good heavens, a warrior to the marrow, aren't you."
I muttered those words, meaning them from the bottom of my heart. Lucian was the same breed of human as the Imperial Princess. A madman who'd devoted everything he was to the pursuit of truth through the sword. Hearing his answer, I was able to make my decision on what choice I should make.
"I'll give you my answer. I'm refusing your proposal, Lucian."
At my answer, Lucian's expression didn't change a bit. With an impassive face, he asked me a question.
"May I know the reason?"
"That's not hard."
It's not as if I didn't want to welcome a warrior who'd reached the Master Realm as a knight. But this was a simple matter of calculation. The losses from accepting him far outweighed the gains.
"First off, the environment at House Estel is so grubby and wretched it doesn't even compare to the Turnizen Ducal House. I can say this with certainty: it's worse than anything you can imagine."
I continued speaking, a self-deprecating smile directed at Lucian. This was the truth. One thing was certain: this pampered young lord in front of me would not find it an environment where he could just focus on training.
"We're extremely busy. At the very least, we're not idle or well-off enough to clean up after a young master who's obviously going to complain about the side dishes the moment he fails to adjust to our circumstances."
"....."
"One more thing. Your status is too much of a hindrance. The position of 'young lord of the Turnizen Ducal House' is bound to be a burden on everyone wherever you go, isn't it? I don't want House Estel to end up with one more master to serve."
I waved my hand at Lucian dismissively.
"So I'll have to refuse. I understand your situation well enough, but we aren't in an environment where we can afford to accommodate someone else's needs."
Lucian's expression, however, didn't change at all. Without showing the slightest sign of accepting my words, he pulled something from within his coat.
"Kain von Estel. How about this?"
Thump—
He tossed me a small pouch as he spoke.
"What's this? A bribe?"
I let out a scoff. Was this bastard just some naive young lord who thought money could solve everything? If he thought I'd roll over that easily for a pittance of coin, he was gravely mistaken.
"...Hm."
And yet, I found myself starting to wonder what was inside this pouch. If I just took a peek at the contents and then handed it back to him, no harm done. Thinking that, I opened the leather pouch to check what was inside.
"....."
"That is an advance payment. If you accept me, I'll pay the same amount once every three months—"
Snatch—
"...You're welcome here, Lucian. From this hour on, you are family to House Estel."
"....."
It was simply too much money to turn his proposal down.