Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Skull-Cap Discipline
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***
"How long does the magic last?"
"About an hour."
"Can it be recast?"
"Yes."
"Impressive."
Arthur nodded in satisfaction as he left the training grounds, then climbed the castle wall stairs again.
He trained without a moment's rest.
Millerph had thought he would stop once he reached a certain level of strength.
But after observing Arthur closely, he realized his judgment had been wrong.
And hearing him answer Skevin's questions today filled him with pride.
At first, the Tyrant's Temperament had unsettled him, but now, thinking of him as the lord he would serve, his chest swelled.
Skevin, a knight brimming with pride, had declared he would serve the once-despised prodigal as his lord, and Arthur shone with majestic light.
If Arthur continued to grow and fully unleashed that temperament, the count's family would usher in a second golden age—Millerph believed it without doubt.
In truth, he hadn't shown it outwardly, but when Arthur defeated Skevin, a thrill had surged through his entire body.
Skevin hadn't gone all out, but he was still a top-tier Sword Expert.
Defeating such a man was achievement enough.
And it had happened in such a short time...
Seeing him take control of the training grounds suggested he planned to personally guide the knights and trainees.
Millerph's heart pounded like never before.
He gazed at Arthur's retreating figure ascending the stairs and broke into a deep smile.
"I hope this anticipation lasts."
As the crimson sunset spread wide.
Arthur finished training and entered the castle. Andrew, waiting at the entrance, hurried over.
"You've worked hard. I'll prepare your bath first."
As he turned to go, Arthur said,
"Before that, let's go see Rusanna."
"Yes."
Andrew led the way.
Rusanna, sorting laundry in the washroom, startled when Andrew appeared with Arthur.
She bowed quickly.
"Y-Young Master, what brings you here...?"
"Give me some paper and a pen."
"Please wait a moment."
Rusanna fetched paper and a pen and handed them to Arthur.
Arthur began sketching on the paper.
Rusanna and Andrew peered at what he drew.
It was hexagonal with a long spike protruding—like something bizarre.
"This is the hat I want. Can you make it like this?"
Rusanna tilted her head as she took the paper.
"I've never seen a hat like this."
"Make it red. The spike is the front—put a skull emblem in the center."
"Pardon?"
Rusanna's eyes widened.
Andrew, flustered, asked cautiously,
"But you're going to wear it, right Young Master?"
"Correct."
"Then a skull? Absolutely not."
"Have it ready by dinner and bring it to my room."
Arthur drew a firm line and left.
Rusanna looked at Andrew with worried eyes.
"What do we do?"
"He'd been quiet for a while..."
"We have to make it?"
"Make it for now. I'll talk to the Young Master meanwhile."
Andrew dashed after Arthur.
Arthur walked the long corridor, looking around.
The sorrow from Wesley's death still lingered—everyone's faces showed clear grief.
He could feel what Wesley had meant to them.
He had no words to offer, but he hoped they overcame it soon.
For the survivors.
And for the war ahead.
It was a lesson earned from countless battlefields.
Arthur entered his room, and Andrew followed shortly.
"Young Master."
"What?"
"You know a skull is a symbol of the devil, right?"
Arthur stripped off his sweat-soaked clothes and asked,
"So?"
"Why put something like that on a hat...?"
"No need to overthink it. Just prepare the bath."
"Young Master...!"
Andrew's eyes widened as the sunset light through the window illuminated Arthur's body.
His body was transforming into a muscular build day by day, and in the sunset glow, his tanned skin looked like it was clad in muscle-wrapped leather armor.
He had seen countless knights' bodies, but never one so perfect.
"Amazing."
"What?"
"It's the first time a human body has felt beautiful."
"You see it every day—why now?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"The water?"
"Ah, yes."
Andrew headed to the bathtub but kept staring at Arthur.
One hour later.
After bathing, Arthur donned a white robe and gazed out the window.
Countless stars and a massive moon lit the sky.
The moon, three times larger than Earth's, had once amazed him, but now it felt normal.
Gazing at the great moon, he pondered how to lead the training grounds starting tomorrow.
To maximize the knights' and trainees' abilities in short order, he had to push them beyond their limits.
How many would endure?
The knights had basic stamina, but the trainees struggled even with current drills.
"Hmm..."
As worry gathered on Arthur's face.
Knock knock.
A knock sounded, and the door opened.
Rusanna jumped at the sight of Arthur in just his robe.
"Oh! I'll come back later."
As she turned quickly, Arthur said,
"It's fine."
"But..."
"I'm not naked."
Arthur noticed the red hexagonal hat in her hands.
"You made it?"
"I did as you asked, but..."
Rusanna trailed off, head bowed, and handed him the hat.
Arthur examined it closely, then curled his lip.
"You made it just as I wanted."
The skull emblem was even more striking than imagined—perfect.
"You're really going to wear this around? Madam is already distressed..."
Arthur stood before the mirror and donned the hat.
Memories of his UDT and Navy SEAL instructor days surfaced, bringing a smile.
'Never thought I'd wear one again.'
He sank into nostalgia.
Rusanna, seeing that smile, suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
'Y-Young Master...'
***
"Hoo—."
Arthur, swinging a dagger on the wall walk since dawn, exhaled deeply and descended.
He sheathed the dagger at his back and said to Millerph,
"Things are about to get busy from today."
"I'm ready anytime."
As Millerph smiled, Andrew came panting up.
"Preparations are complete."
"Shall we go?"
Arthur extended a hand to Millerph.
Millerph handed over the red hat and asked,
"Is there symbolic meaning you're putting into this hat?"
"Yes."
"If you tell me what you want, I can enchant it with magic."
"No need. You'll sense it instinctively when the time comes."
"What do you mean...?"
"You'll see."
Arthur flashed a meaningful smile and put on the hat.
The embroidered skull in the center gleamed in the sunlight.
Training grounds.
Knights and trainees gathered, awaiting Arthur.
A bearish, hulking man approached Skevin.
Vice Captain Hellot.
"Captain, you're really handing command to the youngest Young Master?"
"What are you saying? You want me to take back my word?"
Skevin glared sharply, and Hellot quickly averted his eyes.
"Honestly, until recently he was a prodigal..."
"Say 'prodigal' about the Young Master one more time, and I'll sever your head without mercy."
Hellot bowed deeply at the chilling words.
"S-Sorry."
Then, murmurs rose from the back.
'What?'
Skevin turned.
Arthur and Millerph entered. A glaring red hat crowned Arthur—with a skull in the center.
'A skull...'
Skevin stared with a stiff expression.
Arthur ascended the platform under all eyes.
He slowly surveyed the grounds.
Crowds stared back, most frowning.
The knights especially looked dissatisfied—the big guy by Skevin glared openly.
Skevin stepped forward and saluted crisply.
"At your service!"
"How many?"
"100 knights, 150 trainees."
"From now on, knights and trainees alike—all are unified as recruits."
"Knights too?"
"All of them."
His voice was ice-cold.
His eyes hidden under the brim, unreadable.
The aura he exuded was chilling—utterly different from before.
He seemed prepared.
Command handed over—they would obey.
"Understood."
Arthur, facing forward, asked Millerph,
"Can you number everyone on their chests with magic?"
"Of course."
Millerph raised his staff, chanting runes. The tip glowed.
Numbers etched onto every chest in the grounds.
"Huh?"
"Numbers on our chests."
"What does it mean?"
As confusion spread, Arthur bellowed,
"Attention!"
"......!"
All eyes snapped to him.
"From now on, you'll be called by the numbers on your chests—not names."
"What?"
"Names aren't enough—we get numbers?"
"Is this training a joke?"
Grumbles erupted.
Arthur continued calmly, ignoring them.
"Disobey an order from now on, and you'll be expelled without mercy."
"......!"
Skevin's eyes flashed.
"One minute to form ranks. Execute."
Skevin barked instantly,
"Form rows and columns!"
The ragged lines straightened, tension rippling.
A moment later.
"Stop."
Arthur's voice rang.
"Over there."
"That's my spot."
"Ah, seriously!"
The rear still tangled in chaos.
"Total mess."
Arthur eyed them coldly and told Millerph,
"Mark the ones still moving."
"Yes."
Millerph smirked faintly and cast petrification on the movers.
Their legs hardened like stone.
"Gasp!"
"What's this?"
"M-My legs..."
Panicked cries rose.
Arthur directed Millerph amid the scene.
"Even those baring teeth or twitching fingers—mark them all."
"Got it."
Millerph's eyes sharpened, staff whirling.
Minutes passed, and silence fell like death.
"Better."
Arthur surveyed, pleased.
About 30 petrified—all trainees.
"This is your warning. Next caught—expelled from the grounds. Knights, dishonorably discharged."
"......!"
Knights' eyes bulged, led by Skevin.
'What?'
'That prodigal...'
'Knew it.'
Hellot's face twisted.
Skevin eyed Arthur worriedly.
'What now?'
Arthur saw their dissatisfied faces and smirked faintly.
'Time to break them proper.'