Testing the Leash
In Filgret's office, I was bringing up the subject of Rika.
"...Are you referring to that foreign woman from back then, Your Highness?"
"Yes. She will act as our reserve force for this visit. She'll move stealthily using the Earth Dragon's Gauntlet. Think of it as insurance in case of an emergency."
As guests responding to an invitation, we couldn't openly move a large force. Filgret would undoubtedly agree with keeping a reserve force hidden. Yet, his expression showed he couldn't readily welcome the idea. The reason, of course, was that the one leading this reserve force was Rika.
"Is that truly wise, Your Highness? Is she not the very woman who attempted to assassinate you? She did not seem like someone who would ever change her allegiance."
"But right now, Rika is definitely on my side."
"What method did you employ?"
"Confinement, torture, drugs... not exactly methods I can speak of publicly."
"...Oh..."
Filgret looked at me with eyes full of deep admiration. This guy is definitely not in his right mind either. Locking her up in a brothel, slowly breaking her mind, and making her dependent on me—if I dryly listed the facts of what happened to Rika, that was the sum of it. Of course, that was leaving out the emotional exchange that had passed between us.
"But can she fight properly in such a state? I highly doubt she is in a normal condition, either physically or mentally."
"She seemed perfectly fine to me. Mostly."
Rika had single-handedly repelled the bandits who raided the Orbin Monastery. However, it was hard to be certain if she still possessed her former skills based on just that. After all, they were merely wandering bandits, nothing more than a disorganized rabble.
Lost in thought for a moment, Filgret suddenly spoke up.
"Your Highness, if I may be so bold... might I request a spar with her?"
"...A spar?"
"Yes. Crossing blades will tell me almost everything I need to know. I can gauge whether her condition is sound, especially since she is an opponent I have fought before."
A spar... It might indeed be a good way to see if Rika still possessed her former prowess, though I doubted it would have the exact diagnostic effect Filgret claimed. Moreover, I had a lingering concern. I worried that Filgret might be trying to eliminate Rika as a threat under the guise of a friendly match.
I spoke in a clear, firm voice.
"You aren't planning to kill her under the pretext of a spar, are you? If you do, I will never forgive you."
"Absolutely not. To slay someone Your Highness has taken in with my own hands would be an act of mutiny. A blunt sword or even a wooden stick will suffice for the spar."
"Very well, then."
If Rika was to work for me, she would inevitably cross paths with Filgret sooner or later. In that case, it might be better to give them an early opportunity to feel each other out. For some reason, Filgret's quiet eyes seemed to burn with a hidden fire.
In a clearing deep within the forest outside the castle walls, Rika was waiting for us. She waved her hand happily upon seeing me, but her posture instantly grew guarded when she noticed the man beside me.
"Your Highness, that man is..."
"I am Filgret, Knight Commander of the Royal Guard, foreign woman."
"I am not a foreign woman. I am Rika."
"Very well... Rika."
Filgret was already entirely focused on fighting. It was rare for him to show such blatant hostility toward anyone. It was likely because of Rika's past attempt on my life, though he might also be stoking his competitive drive ahead of the spar.
Rika was equally hostile. Though she didn't show it openly in my presence, her eyes burned as if recalling her past humiliation.
"Rika, Filgret will be accompanying me and acting as my escort during this visit to Lorencia. You could say your mercenary force and he will need to cooperate closely. Filgret, the same goes for you."
Both of them gave a brief "Yes" in response, then returned to staring silently at each other. Filgret unbuckled one of the two swords he carried and tossed it at Rika's feet.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
"Pick it up. I shall test whether you are worthy of becoming Her Highness's sword."
Rika looked at me. I nodded. Picking up the sword from the ground, Rika spoke.
"Fine."
Riiip! Rika tore a long slit up her skirt. Her well-toned thighs were revealed through the shredded fabric. A long skirt would certainly hinder her movements.
Filgret also shed his heavy armor. Not stopping there, he removed his gauntlets, greaves, and other protective gear. I couldn't tell if he did it to lighten his load or to match Rika's casual attire for a fair fight. Perhaps it was both.
Though they were practice swords, they were still made of solid iron. They possessed more than enough force to inflict serious injury. Without any armor, the risk of getting hurt was high. I let out a sigh and spoke.
"Please avoid inflicting severe injuries on each other. I will not forgive either the one who gets hurt or the one who does the hurting."
I stepped back a short distance. Keeping about ten paces between them, Filgret and Rika leveled their swords at each other.
At almost the exact same instant, both of them lunged forward. Rika fluidly arched her body backward to evade Filgret's slash aimed at her upper torso. Using the momentum of her recoil, she thrust her blade toward Filgret's face. However, Filgret dodged it with a mere tilt of his head.
I had explicitly told them to avoid serious injuries, yet every single strike targeted a vital spot. Did they have absolute confidence that the other would dodge? It was a realm of combat far beyond my comprehension. A high-level exchange of offense and defense, hard to believe as a mere spar, continued to unfold. Both of them seemed to have honed their skills and bodies to their absolute limits.
Yet, even in such a fierce clash, a clear hierarchy emerged. As they traded blows, it was Rika who was gradually being pushed back. It was a natural, perhaps inevitable, outcome. Even at her peak, Rika had already suffered defeat at Filgret's hands. Furthermore, considering the physical disparity between a man and a woman, and the fact that Rika's body must have grown somewhat dull during her confinement while Filgret participated in daily knight training, the result of the duel was predetermined.
Clang! The sword was wrenched violently from Rika's grip. The flying blade embedded itself deeply into a tree standing behind them. Clutching her arm, which was likely numb from absorbing the impact, Rika gritted her teeth. Filgret pointed his sword at her throat and spoke.
"It seems the match is decided, Rika."
"Grrr..."
Rika bared her fangs and growled menacingly. It was likely a habit of the northern warriors. Her eyes showed no intention of accepting defeat. She grabbed the blade pointed at her throat with her bare hand. Though it was a sword, the edge was blunt. Pulling herself forward along the blade, she lunged into Filgret's guard, her mouth open as if to tear out his throat.
Unable to watch any longer, I waved my arms frantically and shouted.
"Stop! Cease! Both of you, stop this instant!"
Rika's teeth and Filgret's elbow froze a hair's breadth from making contact. As the two of them hurriedly pulled back, I unleashed a torrent of scolding.
"Did I not explicitly tell you at the very beginning? No injuries! What on earth were you both thinking? Aiming solely for vital spots, and now trying to bite each other's throats out! Do you think you can just ignore my words?"
"I-I am deeply sorry..."
"I have no excuse, Your Highness..."
Like children being scolded by their teacher, the two of them hung their heads low. I let out a heavy sigh and turned to Filgret.
"So, how was it? What is your assessment of Rika's condition?"
"Her skills are magnificent. I would go so far as to tell my own knights to learn from her. Furthermore, she seemed to possess an even greater, more desperate resolve than when we last fought. I must acknowledge her."
A desperate resolve to bite her opponent's throat even after losing her sword. That wasn't born out of mere spite to avenge her past defeat. It was likely Filgret's mention of a "test" that had driven Rika to such desperation. She feared that if she failed this test, she might no longer be allowed to remain by my side.
For the current Rika, there was nothing more terrifying than being abandoned by me. Of course, even so, ignoring my warning and trying to draw blood was unforgivable. I would have to punish her thoroughly.
Filgret extended his hand toward Rika. Unlike before, he spoke with a respectful tone.
"I look forward to working with you, Rika. I now understand why Her Highness has taken you in."
"...Ah. Likewise, Sir Filgret. Your skills are indeed formidable. I admit you are superior to me. Only by a fraction, though."
What a heartwarming sight. Two warriors who had been at each other's throats moments ago, now praising one another and shaking hands. But business was business, and rules were rules.
"I am glad to see it, both of you. However, it is too early to celebrate. You must still receive your punishment for disobeying my orders, yes?"
"Ah..."
"...Oh..."
The warm atmosphere that had briefly settled over the clearing instantly turned ice-cold. The two of them looked at me with matching expressions of anxiety.
"Filgret, for insubordination, your salary will be docked for three months."
"...A-A pay cut..."
Filgret's shoulders slumped. It seemed even the fearless Knight Commander dreaded a docked salary. Well, as a former salaryman myself, I could sympathize completely.
Next was Rika's turn. She was looking at me with a similarly fearful face. Unlike Filgret, however, there was a subtle, expectant flutter hidden beneath her fear.
"As for Rika... I will punish you personally in a little while."
"...Yes."
Rika seemed to fully understand what the word "punishment" meant coming from my lips. Her slumped shoulders trembled faintly.