The Elder Son's Rite of Passage
Finally, the time had come.
"Lord, although there are many eyes watching, you needn't worry too much. You will manage it well."
"But what if you make a mistake...?"
"It's fine, I said."
Kyle's face showed not a trace of concern.
He looked far too relaxed for someone who was supposed to be undergoing his coming-of-age ceremony and succession at the same time.
Anyone else would have thought he was simply living his daily life.
"Yes..."
"Speaking of which, do I really have to button my coat all the way up?"
"You do."
Normally I would have let Kyle decide for himself whether to leave the top button undone or not.
But today was different.
How many people had gathered just to watch Kyle's coming-of-age ceremony?
There was no reason to expose a weakness for the sake of a few dozen minutes of comfort.
Not even one button undone could become a weakness in noble society.
People would gossip about lacking dignity and belittle Kyle.
It was better to feel a little uncomfortable than to hear those words.
"If you must leave it open, wait until after the ceremony, during the banquet. No one will scold you then."
"Understood."
I said while fastening the tie around Kyle's neck.
Normally Kyle would never have worn this kind of clothing, but on a day like today he needed to look nearly perfect.
For a northerner like Kyle, it was a bit warm.
Shirt, tie, and coat on top.
Normally he only wore a shirt, so this would be especially uncomfortable.
"Haa... Lord, if you see anyone you dislike, don't do anything strange. Just tell me or the head housekeeper."
"At my coming-of-age ceremony? Who would do something like that?"
"That's what I mean... but..."
Predicting the behavior of nobles was surprisingly difficult.
Someone might act rudely on the day the heir of a ducal house becomes an adult.
If they had a brain they wouldn't, but there were far too many people without one.
"Please be careful."
"Yes."
I left the room with Kyle.
We exited the castle and boarded a carriage for the next leg of the journey.
While riding, one thought occupied my mind.
"The weather seems a bit harsh today."
"Indeed."
The wind was stronger than usual and snow fell heavily.
It was the first day of the new year, right in the middle of winter.
Of course the weather would be cold.
"Haa..."
"Are you all right?"
"Of course."
Actually, I wasn't all right at all.
It wasn't my own discomfort, but Kyle seemed extremely worried.
Having to endure two weeks in this cold weather, how could I not worry?
Was something dangerous about to happen?
"Miss Sophia."
"...Yes?"
Kyle suddenly took my hand.
I didn't understand the situation, but one thing was clear.
Kyle's hand was burning hot.
How did he endure such cold weather?
Human body temperature was said to be 36.5 degrees, so this must be around 38.
"Are you that worried about me?"
"...Yes."
"I told you not to worry so many times."
"I know."
How could I not worry?
Someone I had raised since he was twelve was suddenly being thrown into the wilderness to survive two weeks in this cold.
I couldn't be that cold.
"Well... then please cheer me on so I can do well."
"Cheer...?"
"Yes, cheer. I think I can do well if you cheer for me."
"..."
I didn't know what to say to that.
It had come out of nowhere.
What was I supposed to do if someone suddenly asked me to cheer?
"If I do well and return... let's go somewhere nice together. As you said before, somewhere good."
Suddenly I remembered a promise Kyle had made long ago.
He had said he would take me to a place better than the mountain where I got injured.
That memory resurfaced.
"Really? That doesn't sound bad."
Kyle answered with a smile.
The person undergoing the succession wasn't me, yet I felt like I was the only one worrying.
But thanks to Kyle, I could calm down.
"..."
It was surprising to see that young boy had grown up so well.
I would never have children of my own, but if I did, I would feel exactly like this.
Anyway, we rode the carriage toward the Great Cathedral where the coming-of-age ceremony was to be held.
The Grand Cathedral, which had started as a replacement for the one I had seen before, was truly magnificent.
It was grand enough that the name "Great Cathedral" didn't feel cheap.
We stopped the carriage in front of it and got out, following Kyle.
Surrounding the Great Cathedral were an enormous number of people.
Basic residents of the north, nobles from various regions, and even people who had come from the imperial capital.
It was shockingly crowded.
"Lord, you may enter directly."
Kyle nodded in response to my words and walked inside.
The reason for holding the coming-of-age ceremony at the Great Cathedral was simple.
The castle couldn't manage so many people.
And if so many had come to the castle, who knew what might happen.
Anyway, as Kyle entered, rows of people who looked unmistakably like nobles filled the seats.
Further inside sat the major figures of the Eristirol family, including the Grand Duke, along with the knights.
Thanks to the solemn atmosphere unique to the Great Cathedral, the mood was grave.
Except for the Grand Duke and Adela, everyone spoke very quietly.
And when I glanced at Elin, she seemed to be trembling slightly.
"The Eristirol family’s Kyle Eristirol will now advance."
Kyle walked forward between the seated nobles, following the Grand Duke’s words.
I stood near the entrance of the Great Cathedral and watched Kyle begin his coming-of-age ceremony.
It wasn’t appropriate for a servant like me to be present.
The ceremony began with the Grand Duke’s fluent welcoming speech, quite different from his appearance.
I prayed lightly with both hands, believing Kyle would do well.
I had no religion, but I had prayed a few times.
In my previous life I had gone to church to receive cultural gift cards, and my parents had sent me to temple stay in the summer once.
Anyway, I prayed that Kyle would do well.
"From today onward, the small wolf of the Eristirol family, Kyle, will have the opportunity to become a wolf. Kyle, with what heart will you accept this opportunity?"
"I believe I will have no trouble with this succession ceremony."
"?"
Kyle suddenly began speaking in a strange way.
In front of all the nobles who were staring.
After all the worrying I had done and the warnings I had given...
"Thanks to the people who raised me, the ones who cared for me, and the ones who taught me, I feel no worry at all. And I believe I am fully prepared."
"Ho..."
It wasn't a mistake, it was confident declaration.
The Grand Duke's lips curved upward, as if finding the words even more interesting than he had expected.
Normally he would have laughed heartily, but he restrained himself in the solemn setting.
"Before the succession, I have prepared a test to determine whether the small wolf of Eristirol deserves this opportunity."
The Grand Duke spoke while glancing lightly toward the knights lined up.
That was exactly what Elin had been talking about.
The sparring match between Kyle and Elin.
I already knew they had discussed it several times.
But I felt no worry.
After all, it was a show match.
Kyle picked up the longsword handed to him by another knight and took his stance.
"Oh..."
I let out a breath.
I knew Kyle had learned to wield a sword, but I had never seen him actually swing one.
So that was why.
Kyle's stance was excellent.
It was too good for someone who had supposedly started learning at fifteen.
"Position yourselves."
Following the Grand Duke’s command, they took their places and faced each other.
Elin was acting as a normal knight while still wearing her armor.
She had removed her helmet, otherwise Kyle’s attention might have shifted to her.
"Ready!"
Differently from Elin, Kyle wore only the helmet and gauntlets.
I worried he might get hurt dressed like that, but I quickly dismissed the thought.
His opponent was Elin.
She would surely handle it well on her own.
"Begin!"
Following the Grand Duke’s signal, the match began.
At first they faced each other warily.
The place of the sparring was the perfect center of the Great Cathedral, right in the middle of the audience and Eristirol family members.
"Hup...!"
Kyle swung his sword, closing the distance to Elin.
The blade was lightly blocked by Elin’s.
-Ching!!
Kyle’s sword was blocked, but he didn’t retreat.
Instead he applied more force, trying to drain Elin’s stamina.
Elin saw through his intention and tilted her blade, deflecting Kyle’s.
-Kwang!!
Kyle’s sword struck the floor of the Great Cathedral.
"!!"
As soon as the sword hit the ground, Elin swung at Kyle, who dropped his weapon and twisted his waist to evade.
I briefly worried he would be hit, but fortunately he dodged.
But now Kyle had no weapon.
It was not an easy way to face a knight who fought with a sword.
Knights were extremely skilled with that weapon.
-Swoosh!
After Kyle dropped his sword, Elin continued swinging.
And Kyle skillfully dodged every strike.
"Hup...!"
Elin thrust her sword toward Kyle’s side with great force.
-Swaaak!
If it had struck his side, it would have been a fatal wound.
But Kyle evaded.
And he caught the blade with one hand!
"Haa... I finally got it."
Of course Kyle’s hand was protected by armor, but I still closed my eyes for a moment.
Just in case blood came from his hand...
"Is it my turn now? Lady Elin."
Kyle said that and pulled the sword from Elin’s hand, then threw it behind him.
He must have thought he couldn’t win a sword fight easily.
I thought it was a good judgment.
-Kang!
-Thud!
They instantly switched to fist fighting.
After all, the real purpose was entertainment for the audience, so it didn’t matter, but I worried intensely.
Kyle’s face must not be injured....