An Unexpected Encounter with the Deputy Knight Commander
After three days since Catherine arrived at Eristyrol Castle, she had not engaged in any special activities. She only talked with Kyle. Thanks to that, I was in a very good mood. I thought that if we continued talking like this, eventually their relationship would grow closer. And getting closer would make them friends... and from friends...
"Huh..."
Just imagining it made me happy.
It was like raising a younger brother? A son?
I didn't know how to express it, but thinking about Kyle dating and getting married made me very happy.
Even though it was still too early, it was a happy imagination.
I didn't know exactly what they were talking about inside, but they were probably having a pleasant conversation.
Even if they were nobles, they were teenagers, so they were probably just having ordinary daily conversations.
"Miss Sophia."
"Yes."
While I was imagining happily, Sebastian, Catherine's servant, spoke to me.
Normally I wouldn't have remembered his name, but since it felt so much like a butler's name, I remembered it.
Why did he suddenly talk to me?
I didn't like it.
It just didn't feel right.
His appearance and how he spoke.
I could think it's too much to dislike without reason, but it wasn't.
"Do you have a map of the castle? The young lady said she was bored and wanted to tour the inside of the castle."
"..."
"Castle map?"
Of course there was one.
Since the castle was so large, there naturally existed a map of Eristyrol Castle.
But it wouldn't be right to share this with outsiders.
Even though he was a guest and noble, he might become a weakness for the Eristyrol Duchy.
And it was strange for me, a mere servant, to be responsible for this.
Even if not Kyle, at least I should ask the butler or head maid.
"That is... It's not something I can decide. Sorry."
So I refused Sebastian's request.
First, it was important to ask Kyle.
It was strange for him to ask me such a thing normally.
Why ask me, a simple direct servant and tutor?
I should ask the butler or Kyle.
"I see. Then I'll ask Prince separately later."
And Sebastian didn't talk to me anymore.
If I spoke directly, I might get a little hurt, but it was better not to talk to him.
Since it was someone I didn't even like much, it was bothersome to keep talking.
By the way, I sent a letter to the Magic Tower, when would the reply come?
Last time, the reply came within a week, but since I sent it as the Eristyrol Duchy, not an adventurer, wouldn't it come faster?
Of course, if that woman finds it bothersome and doesn't do it, I'd have to wait longer.
I chose her because I didn't know about other magic instructors.
She has outstanding skill, so she would definitely teach Kyle well.
If she doesn't accept, I'd have to call another mage in a hurry.
But I don't know any other mages besides her....
But she's good at fun things or things related to alcohol, so it should be fine.
"Prince, did you finish the conversation?"
"Yes. We just talked about ordinary things today."
"I see. What are you going to do today?"
"The day is still bright, so let's proceed slowly."
"Yes."
As Kyle said, lunch hadn't passed yet.
There was no need to rush the schedule.
After the conversation with Catherine ended, Kyle started exercising as usual.
Watching Kyle's body that was becoming more complete every day, even as it was already complete, I thought about what knight I should get for him.
Since I hadn't talked much with the knights of the knight order, I had to think about it.
"Hmm...."
Kyle hadn't properly learned swordsmanship yet, so I had to start from basics.
It's better to learn gradually step by step rather than starting with too difficult a sword.
I don't know if there's anyone among the knights who can do it.
"Prince, I'll go to the knights' headquarters for a moment. Please wait a moment."
"Hah... Yes...!"
Leaving Kyle exercising in the training ground, I moved to the building where the knights stay.
It wasn't just to take someone out, but to formally recruit as Kyle's swordsmanship instructor, so I had to talk directly with the knights' people.
"Is anyone here...?"
I entered the building, but it was quiet inside.
The knights were training outside, but I didn't know the inside would be this quiet.
"Is anyone here...?"
- Clang!!
- Ahh!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I asked again, suddenly something fell and a sound of being supported and pain came from one of the rooms inside.
Fortunately, there was someone inside.
"Wait a moment!!"
A woman's voice came from inside.
It was a somewhat young woman's voice.
"Sorry!!!! I fell asleep inside for a moment..!"
"Ah... yes."
I opened the door and came out, the woman was more beautiful than I thought.
No, rather cute appearance?
"Is there a person in charge of the knights in the building now? I came to talk about Prince's swordsmanship."
"Prince's swordsmanship?! Wait... wait a moment..!"
The woman suddenly went back into the room.
And inside, noisy sounds again.
Sounds of swords clashing, light swords falling to the floor.
I don't know what they were doing.
"You waited a long time!?"
"Ah.. No."
She came out again, making a fuss.
With armor on.
"I am Elin Laine, the Deputy Knight Commander of the Eristyrol Knights! It's an honor to meet the tutor of the young master I've only heard rumors about!"
"Yes..?"
"Deputy Knight Commander! I am Elin Laine! It's an honor to meet the tutor of the young master I've only heard rumors about!"
"...."
The woman who was being silly until now is the deputy commander of the territory's knight order?
This woman?
I was surprised.
The north is cold and overall... a cold region.
People, atmosphere, weather.
That's why I couldn't imagine a woman of this personality being the deputy commander.
"Are you really the deputy commander?"
"Yes!"
The woman who seems about the same age or a bit older than me is the deputy commander.
Is her skill amazing?
Or was she placed because there was no talent to take charge of practical matters.
I couldn't know exactly, but I had to talk about Kyle's swordsmanship.
"Then let's get to the main point. I am looking for one knight to teach Prince swordsmanship. Is there anyone you recommend? By the way, it's not just learning the sword. Magic besides the sword..."
When I said that, the eyes of the woman in front, Elin, changed.
Those eyes were not the eyes from before, but the eyes of a knight, the eyes of a warrior.
I probably underestimated her too much.
First, she's the deputy commander.
It wasn't easy to assign just because a position was vacant, lacking talent.
"How about it?"
"Hmm... A knight who has skill and is good at teaching... It's not the case. After all, there are few knights..."
"Is that so?"
If there are no people, I have to call knights from outside.
They might not be lacking in ability... but calling a knight separately even though the knight order is nearby is bothersome.
"But! There is one person who has skill and is good at teaching people!"
"Who is it?"
If such a person is in the territory right now, it would be really good.
It would definitely help Kyle's learning.
"Me!"
"...."
"Even though I'm like this, I handle the education of low-ranking knights?"
"Really...?"
Eyes are eyes.
I couldn't believe it honestly because of the appearance I saw just before.
"Do you know when the knight commander will return? I have to consult with that person too."
"Hmm... Sir Alec... Training will end in about 2 hours from now."
"Is that so?"
The knight commander comes in 2 hours.
Then, there was nothing to do here immediately.
"Then I'll come back in 2 hours. Please leave a message for the knight commander."
"Yes!"
I said that and greeted Elin and left the knights' building.
What I felt when I came out was the cold air.
*
"Prince."
"Did you finish the conversation?"
"Yes. We decided to have a conversation with the knight commander in 2 hours."
"I see."
"I saw the knight commander once while passing by, he was a strong man. In terms of muscles and skills, in many ways."
"I see..."
"I think he will introduce a good person."
His appearance and somewhere he looked reliable.
A character often depicted in media as a burly man.
If he were younger, I wouldn't have to worry about the knight order of Eristyrol for decades.
"Hmm... Will you come with me, Prince? It's a place to decide Prince's swordsmanship instructor. It would be good to come together..."
"I'll go."
"Indeed."
While I was speaking, Kyle interrupted me.
Maybe because he expected the sword instructor to be decided?
Not a bad flow.