Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Advancing Calmly, One Step at a Time (4)
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For now, pretending to obey Abel's orders while biding their time depending on the situation was the best choice.
His judgment was exceedingly wise. The members didn't know it, but Conrad's decision had just saved him and everyone else.
"......"
The knights looked at each other in silence. One might expect some discontent from such an authoritative declaration.
Thud, thud.
The members knelt to the ground one after another.
"......We obey your command."
They hadn't forgotten who they were, nor the driving force that had sustained them until now.
Absolute obedience to superiors.
In a harsh frontier like Ovest Territory, even the slightest rift could lead to fatal consequences.
"Young Master Abel, the Ovest Knight Order greets you once more."
Conrad turned and knelt toward Abel.
"Please forgive our rudeness."
Conrad and all the Ovest Knight Order members knelt before Abel. It was thorough and swift obedience, without even the smallest murmur.
"......"
Abel's cold gaze swept over Conrad's head and across the members.
"......Hmm."
Abel let out a low chuckle,
and with a click,
sheathed his sword. He approached and placed a hand on Conrad's shoulder.
"Rise."
Conrad slowly straightened and stood. Abel whispered into his ear.
"Now I see you're not entirely short-sighted."
"......"
"We'll see how you do from here on."
His low, sunken voice was chilling, like that of a snake.
'......In this way, he truly resembles the Captain.'
The stubbornness to crush without mercy those who disobeyed.
The Abel before him was a miniature Diego. No, in some ways, even harsher than Diego.
"You have much to do."
Abel took a step back and raised his voice for all to hear.
"What should we start with?"
Conrad mustered every ounce of willingness, real or feigned, as he spoke. He was prepared to block Abel with reasonable arguments if needed.
"Shall we begin with supplies? The schedule is long, so we should prepare generously."
"No. That's already taken care of."
Abel gave an unexpected answer and grinned.
"Have all members assemble in the rear garden."
"Did I hear that wrong?"
Abel's hand gripped the hilt at his waist again.
"Starting today, each of you will spar with me one-on-one."
It was the beginning of the special training that Ovest Knight Order members called three days of hell.
❖ ❖ ❖
"Oh man...... Oh man......"
"I'm dying......"
"My back's breaking......"
"Mine's my thighs......"
The groans of the Ovest Knight Order members filled the front garden. Just before opening the door, I paused to listen to their voices.
"Beating people so mercilessly like this......"
"I'd rather fight monsters......"
"We didn't come all this way for this......"
I smirked as I eavesdropped on their grumbling.
'They're slacking off.'
The change in the knights' behavior was remarkable.
At first, they waved it off, saying they could never raise a sword against the young master.
Thwack! Thud! Boom!
But after a few hits, they snapped to attention. Their eyes rolled back as they charged at me.
Of course, no miracle occurred where they landed even a single blow on me.
Crack! Thud! Snap!
I thoroughly targeted elbows, waists, thighs, ankles, and more for each one.
I'd hit different spots on each member, but they didn't yet understand why.
'They'll figure it out soon enough during the subjugation battle.'
Then, they'd be deeply grateful for my teachings. For now, they just grumbled with sullen faces.
"I did warn you in advance."
Conrad's tongue clicked in disapproval.
"To prepare your minds."
The members raised their voices in protest at his reproach, laced with pity.
"No, can you really prepare for something like that?"
"You're talking too lightly because you haven't been hit recently."
Conrad didn't budge an inch.
"If you're aggrieved, train harder. Do you truly not understand why the young master personally oversaw the spars?"
The members gave sullen replies.
"Maybe he just didn't like us."
"Seems like he hit us because we were an eyesore."
"Probably just bored."
Conrad just let out a deep sigh.
"I'm the one who's not long for this world......"
Giggling, I grasped the door handle.
'Time to head out.'
Bang!
As I opened the door and stepped into the front garden, the noise ceased abruptly.
Snap!
Without Conrad's command, the members straightened their postures instantly.
From the moment I entered their sight, their brains, conditioned by repeated violence, allowed no room for laxity.
Gulp.
Someone's swallow echoed in the now-silent front garden. Suppressing a laugh, I approached them slowly.
"You've arrived."
Conrad bowed once, then shouted toward the members.
"Salute to Young Master Abel!"
Snap!
The sight of all members aligning perfectly in unison was spectacular. Not a single one out of place.
"Ovest Knight Order, all present and ready."
Their strict discipline and Conrad's respectful report pleased me greatly.
"Good."
After a light acknowledgment, I stopped before the members.
I scanned each one carefully with my eyes. They averted their gazes whenever our eyes met.
"You all look rather pale."
At my words, the blood drained from Conrad's face. He bowed hastily.
"My apologies. I'll tighten discipline."
Finishing, he turned to the members.
"Can't you manage your expressions?! Is this the sloppy sight you want to show before the young master?!"
Under his sharp reprimand, the members straightened up.
But some still winced from their sore spots, or couldn't hide their swollen faces.
"These guys really......!"
Conrad bit his lip in frustration.
"Enough, enough."
I stepped in to stop him just as he seemed ready to explode.
"Stop it. Scolding won't make the bruises vanish."
A flicker of puzzlement crossed Conrad's face.
'Why the sudden generosity?'
As my eyes narrowed, he quickly masked his emotions and bowed deeply.
"My apologies, Young Master. It's my failing."
"Knowing is enough."
"......"
Passing the stunned Conrad, I drew closer to the members.
"You all seem to have quite a few complaints."
I tilted my head arrogantly as I looked around them.
"If you're aggrieved, just don't get hit. Why show openings and take the beatings?"
The members gritted their teeth in unison. They desperately wanted to strike me but clenched their fists instead, unable to act.
"And......"
I pointed to one of the knights.
"Me? Me?"
"Are you addressing me, sir?"
The members there flustered about. Pitiful reactions, as if they dreaded being singled out.
"Anyone, it doesn't matter. Speak up."
I'd chosen them deliberately—the youngest, simplest, and least experienced on the border among the members.
"Excluding the spars with me, how has life here been?"
"......"
"Compare it to your time stationed at the Ovest border. Be honest."
The older members' expressions hardened, and Conrad looked at me and them gravely.
In the military or a knight order, few words are as terrifying as "be honest." Security must be ironclad above all.
"Come on, speak. Won't it help me plan ahead?"
The young members' eyes darted. Soon, they began to speak one by one.
"The food was really delicious!"
"Being able to eat as much as we want was great!"
"So many varieties to choose from!"
Once they started, they forgot their tension and chattered excitedly like chatty birds.
"The hot water came out perfectly!"
" Washing with bubbly soap was nice!"
"The beds were so fluffy!"
"The rooms were warm, so no aching bones after waking!"
For those who'd endured harsh border life, the mansion was nothing short of paradise.
Glancing at their exuberance, I turned to the older members.
"Huh......"
"Such......"
They stared at the speakers like traitors.
Shocked expressions, as if asking how they could so easily succumb to material comforts.
"Enough, enough."
I raised a hand to cut off the members.
"Good to hear various stories. Now, who prepared all this?"
The members fell silent instantly.
Their eyes rolled toward me. Suddenly, loyalty sparked above them.
"Young Master Abel Ovest Kindriel!"
"Right."
I grinned and nodded. Then, I flashed a meaningful smile at the older members.
"We're doing this to eat and live well. Is it right to demand blind devotion?"
Realizing who I meant, their faces flushed red.
'Always such Diego loyalists.'
Of course, not everyone opposed absolutely.
"......"
Some bit their lips, deeply resonating with my words.
"I'll make this clear now."
I spoke slowly, looking at all the members.
"Not everyone came here willingly. Some may see this as demotion."
The members listened with varied expressions.
"I like turning crises into opportunities."
"......"
"And I believe capable people deserve proper treatment."
I declared it with a firm voice.
"Those who earn merits in this subjugation battle will receive fitting rewards upon returning to Ovest Territory. Pay raises, weapon and armor repairs, improved lodging."
Conrad's eyes widened, and the members couldn't hide their shock.
"This is promised not by my father, but by me, Abel Ovest Kindriel."
The weight of my declaration silenced the knights for a long while.
"......May I ask a question?"
Amid the motionless group, one hand shot up high. The loudest speaker from earlier.
"Speak."
With a nod, he mustered courage.
"Does merit mean killing the most monsters?"
"That's one way."
I nodded, then added,
"But most importantly, do not tarnish the pride of our Ovest Knight Order."
"......"
"Elevate the Ovest Knight Order's name and give your all without shame."
In truth, it was a warning not to besmirch my name. No tripping me up or embarrassing acts.
"......"
Conrad, grasping the meaning precisely, wore a troubled expression.
"That is the 'merit' I envision."
But with a lowered, solemn tone, my words were framed as cherishing the knight order.
"......"
The atmosphere grew reverent on its own. Some members even sniffled, moved.