Chapter 23
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 23: Apprentice Knight Irion (3)
Renoa’s bombshell announcement that she would appoint Irion, a slave, as an apprentice knight dropped.
At that one word, the peaceful mansion in the forest literally went into chaos.
Knights, apprentice knights, servants, regardless of who it was, everyone chattered about the same topic.
“Did you hear? Irion is becoming an apprentice knight.”
“Of course I heard. It’s chaos right now because of that.”
“Will it be okay?”
“Wouldn't it be not okay? I’ve never heard of a slave becoming a knight.”
Slave knight.
The lowly and the honorable are attached as one. That sense of heterogeneity exceeded imagination.
A knight is a symbol of honor.
Having high pride in the fact of being a knight, and dedicating one’s life to protect that pride.
But a slave without a genealogy dares to step into that sanctuary.
Backlash was a predicted sequence.
“My Lady! You must reconsider this decision!”
As expected, knights swarmed into Renoa’s study.
“Making a slave a knight. It is an unprecedented event in Imperial history!”
“It is certainly true that the boy’s skills are outstanding, but becoming a knight is a separate story.”
“That is correct. What would other nobles mock Edelheid as? They will point fingers saying we make any dog or cow a knight.”
They raised their voices mentioning family honor and knighthood.
But Renoa’s attitude remained the same.
“So?”
“So... what do you mean?”
“Family status? Honor? Others’ gaze? Is that more important than my decision?”
“That is....”
Renoa taking her eyes off the book and looking at the knights.
Although still young, the unique oppressive atmosphere she exuded was enough to overwhelm the knights.
“It is a shame for someone without skill to run wild relying only on bloodline; why is employing a skilled person a shame? Since when did Edelheid become a charity organization covering for incompetence?”
“However.......”
“I’m saying I’ll raise him in my mansion with my money, who dares to object.”
“.......”
“Leave. I’m tired.”
The order to leave fell. The knights looked at each other and retreated unable to retort further.
Knights who came out of the study walked down the hallway pouring out complaints.
“Just what is the Lady thinking.... Is a slave knight even feasible?”
“Tell me about it. With this embarrassment, can we even lift our faces outside?”
“Who on earth does she resemble to be so stubborn.”
Knights also clicked their tongues at the spirit emanating from that small body.
“What did Sir Zain say?”
“He said the Lady’s will is the top priority.”
“That person sends loyalty to a truly strange place too.”
Whether master or knight, it’s impossible to know what they are thinking.
“What will you do? Are you just going to watch like this?”
“First, I will send word to the ducal residence.”
“Is that the only way in the end....”
“The mansion will become noisy again.”
As if sick of the storm that would come soon, the knights disappeared exchanging this and that.
The study left by the knights.
Only Renoa and Bibi remained. Renoa started reading again.
“My Lady.”
“Why. Are you opposed too?”
“I only follow the Lady’s will. However.......”
Bibi continued cautiously.
“The knights’ words aren't wrong either. If this fact reaches the main family, they won’t stay still.”
“I know.”
“I do not think that slave has that much value.”
“Maybe.”
“Then why.......”
—Flip.
Renoa turned the book page calmly.
‘I can trust no one.’
The knights here are excellent. Their loyalty is deep too. The problem is the direction of that loyalty.
They are not Renoa’s knights. They are knights of the Edelheid Ducal family.
What if in the family, someone from the main family gives an order to eliminate Renoa?
What if Renoa Edelheid has to be made a scapegoat for the family’s benefit?
They will follow the order without a moment’s hesitation. They will simply drive a knife into Renoa’s neck with expressionless faces.
Because that is the knighthood and loyalty they pursue.
“Bibi.”
“Yes.”
“A well-trained noble dog wags its tail to the new owner if the owner changes, but.”
—Flip.
Renoa turned the page once more.
“A starving stray dog only licks the hand of the person who gives food.”
A person with no family, no honor, no family to protect. A person who has nothing, so has to look only at her.
A person who risks his life on a single word of her command rather than the Emperor’s edict.
Even if the whole world turns its back, a person who will stand in front of me until the end, swinging a sword and dying instead of me.
Renoa needed such a person.
In that sense, Irion, a slave, was perfect. Because he can never betray her as long as the contract continues.
“Do you believe that boy will become like that?”
Renoa shrugged her shoulders primly.
“Well, I wouldn't know. It’s also questionable if he can grow to that extent.”
Everything depends on Irion. Because a hunting dog that can’t hunt is unneeded.
Although it’s displeasing for Irion to spread his wings in that process.
‘It doesn't really matter.’
Because ultimately, the one holding his leash is Renoa herself.
***
“All cut, Irion. Check it.”
My appearance reflected in the mirror. Hair that reached my shoulders became neat.
I asked a maid noona to cut my hair. Certainly, since it’s short, it doesn't block vision, and being neat looks good.
“I like it. Thank you.”
“Since the hair is short, it gives off a boyish feel. My younger brother is handsome!”
“Looks like a noble young master?”
Noonas patting my head and poking my cheeks.
In my heart, I want to stay here continuously, but I can’t do that. I can’t be late from the first day.
“Thank you. I’ll go train now.”
“Do your best. If it gets hard, come act like a baby anytime.”
Receiving noonas’ cheers, I moved to the training ground.
The clothes I’m wearing right now are the uniform worn by apprentice knights belonging to Edelheid.
It’s not just the outfit that changed.
The status window also changed.
Name: Irion
Physical ability increases in proportion to loyalty to the owner. (Current Loyalty: 7%)
Concentration increases significantly during one-on-one duels.
Growth efficiency increases drastically when in slave status.
‘The skill window is long.’
Thanks to the [Slave Skill +1] reward obtained from the battle with Garner, I got one more skill suitable for my status.
In my miner days, the description was ‘Mines ore well’ and that was it, but now they are hanging in bunches.
To summarize, be knight-like to become strong. Must be loyal to the owner.
‘Loyalty to Renoa...’
Even if it’s not easy, I have to try somehow.
Still, she is pretty.
Just looking at the face, she is worth being loyal to.
I arrived at the training ground. The training ground which should be bustling with apprentice knights was empty.
“...What?”
Is this not the place?
Did I come too early?
Even so, it’s strange that there isn't a single person. Perhaps a surprise hidden camera for the newbie?
“Others won’t come.”
At that moment, a girl walked towards me with her hands behind her back.
It was a girl with an orange ponytail wearing a female apprentice knight uniform.
“Who are you?”
“I am Helena Weiss. From the Weiss Baron family, and an apprentice knight like you.”
“I am Irion. Others won’t come means...?”
“They boycotted saying they can’t train together with a slave.”
Wow, these petty bastards.
Boycott?
I didn't expect this either.
“What about the knights?”
“Those people too.”
“No, cadets are still immature so let’s say that, but fully grown adults are doing that too?”
“Those people will probably do more?”
It’s absurd.
Humans called knights aren't even embarrassed. And they discuss knighthood?
“But Miss Helena?”
“Helena is fine.”
“Okay. Why did Helena come out?”
“Because I’m not leisurely enough to boycott just because someone I don't like came. I have a long way to go.”
This is right.
If a knight, they should be like this.
Anyway, bastards with dicks are worse.
“Helena, you will become an excellent knight.”
“Thanks.”
“But if even the instructing knight doesn't come, isn't it meaningless for just the two of us to be here?”
“Hmm.......”
“I will take charge of that so don't worry.”
I turned my head at the profound male voice. Renoa’s current escort knight Zain was walking towards us.
Helena opened her eyes wide.
“Sir Zain? What brings Sir Zain to the training ground?”
“By the Lady’s order, I came to educate you. For the time being, I will be in charge so know that.”
“Really? It’s an honor if Sir Zain guides us!”
Helena smiled as if touched, clasping her hands tightly.
I asked her stealthily.
“Is he that amazing of a person?”
“Of course! Sir Zain is a skilled person within the top three in the Edelheid family! How do you aim for a knight in Edelheid and not know that?”
Well, it hasn't been a month since I came to Edelheid, and it was yesterday that I aimed for a knight.
Anyway, I was happy that such a skilled person would teach. If he’s a knight of a Ducal family, he would be stronger than Doban.
‘Come to think of it, I said I would repay him if I succeed.’
I was dragged away as soon as the match ended so I couldn't repay him. Isn't he cursing me right now?
“Before starting training.......”
Zain staring at me.
“Pick up a sword. I have to see directly how your skill is.”
He intends to see my level once before teaching, is that it.
Just what I hoped for.
Just how outstanding the great knight’s skill is. Since I was curious whether I was a frog in a well or not.
“By any chance, if I win, can I become an escort knight directly?”
“You! What kind of... to Sir Zain...!”
“It doesn't matter. If aiming for a knight, you should have at least this much spirit.”
Zain curling up the corners of his mouth looking at me.
“You may use mana. Come with full power.”
“Mana...? You, you know how to use mana too?”
Startled Helena thrusts her face forward with eyes wide open.
‘Did he notice watching the match with Garner?’
I hid it as much as possible, but to think he pierced through just by watching from afar.
‘This is why Renoa bought me.’
No wonder. Otherwise, there is no way she would buy me at that price.
Still, it can’t be helped. If I didn't use mana then, I would have died there. I would make the same choice even if I go back to the past.
“Are you ready?”
“Let’s finish quickly. I have a long way to go.”
I didn't decline, and rushed in with mana pulled up to the max.
—Thwack!
“Ack! Foul! Hit the bone.”
—Thud!
“W-Wait time out!”
—Whack!
“Surrender. I surrender.”
I got beaten like a dog on Boknal (dog days).
Knights are fucking strong.
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