Beast Noblewoman, Knight Forging (2)
Shoving her foot right in my face out of nowhere? I was dying to give her a solid flick on the forehead.
In the stunned silence where everyone had lost their words, Lady Ellen smiled brazenly. An expression of pure innocence, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The most terrifying part was that there was no malice behind the act at all.
Tia—my master's—usually serene brow furrowed. Thanks to her previous antics, we were somewhat accustomed to it now, but still. Just as she was about to let loose a sharp rebuke...
"My apologies...! Sir Dodo. Allow me to apologize on her behalf."
Sebastian bowed at nearly a right angle and carefully began to remove the lady's foot. Ellen, meanwhile, looked utterly baffled.
"Huh? Isn't this right? That's what I learned..."
"Where on earth did you learn that, miss? That was an outrageous breach of etiquette!"
"From the cheeky knight novel! You know, the trendy one!! They loved it there?"
Good lord. Was this what they called airheaded charm? Nah, it was closer to straight-up idiot charm. Thinking this was my future boss already made me want to leap out of the carriage.
My master's retort rose to the tip of her tongue before sinking back down. Possessing superhuman patience, yet I could see her hands trembling faintly. It was clear: my master, who had never once struck me, was itching to discipline someone.
So I gripped her hand tightly. The shaking subsided almost immediately.
Sebastian wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and continued.
"As you can see, our miss is... somewhat sheltered from the ways of the world."
"Oh... I see."
...Somewhat?
"Please understand with magnanimous hearts."
"I must ask. Is this a policy of parental neglect?"
My master asked with a stern expression, desperately trying to bridge the cultural gap.
"Regrettably, the lady's mother passed away at her birth."
"My apologies."
The suspicion was confirmed. Well, without a mom, that tracks. Having no mother in my past or present life, I got it.
As my master bowed her head, Lady Ellen waved it off with a giggle.
"It's fine, it's fine! You can't know everything. Honestly, I've never even seen her, so no big feelings there?"
"Even so, it was a grave discourtesy."
"Oh come on! Everyone messes up sometimes! My little sister here has such good manners... So cute!"
A hand reached out to pat my master. But she dodged it effortlessly.
"Ah!"
I couldn't just stand by and watch my master endure that. To draw attention, I clapped once sharply and asked,
"Alright! Even though we haven't signed the formal contract yet, the generous terms mean there must be corresponding risks, right?"
"Hmm... Dangerous? Not sure."
Suddenly, Sebastian pulled out some cookies. Ellen's scattered attention snapped to them.
"Ah!"
A dog trainer's technique flashed in my mind.
"I'll handle the explanation."
He'd successfully pulled the lady's aggro. Impressive—not a skill honed overnight.
"The main duties are patrolling the outskirts and guarding the territory. There may be occasional side tasks, but... free time will be ample."
"What about night watches or guard shifts?"
"Those will be handled by the guards, not the knights."
Not bad conditions. But... there had to be a reason for the overly generous pay.
"The political conflicts you mentioned—will you share details after the contract?"
"That's confidential. I ask for your understanding."
Whatever. My goal was the Elixir anyway. I'd factored in some danger, and I wasn't one to stick to easy paths. Plus, this gave me a safe place for my master. If it felt off after hearing more, I could always refuse then.
And one of the biggest reasons...
"Um... any maids, by chance?"
"Ah...! Come to think of it, there's something I haven't mentioned."
"Yes?"
"Nominally, there will be an enlistment exam. Of course, I trust it won't be an issue... but rumors can be distorted."
I got it. Money was involved, after all. Not that my only benchmark was my master—elsewhere, I had confidence I wouldn't embarrass myself. How tough could the exam be?
"Sounds good. I'm confident."
"Splendid. Ah, we're almost there."
Climbing the hill of the upscale district revealed vast wheat fields. Probably the farmlands granted based on years of service she'd mentioned. My master couldn't tear her eyes from the golden expanse.
"Beautiful."
"We can stroll around later."
"Huhu... I look forward to it, my child."
The mansion we'd shared was surrounded by greenery. No idea how long she'd been there, but this scenery was clearly unfamiliar. Her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling, she unconsciously gripped my fingers tight. Lost in the golden scent, oblivious.
I'd sometimes worried about dragging her out forcibly, but seeing this made it all worthwhile.
The castle gates swung open wide. Recognizing the carriage, no inspection. Stepping out, the aroma of an ornate yet ancient fortress wafted over. The late summer sun bathed the vast estate's wheat fields in prosperity. Wrinkle-free, sunlit Solaris Territory. Only now, at her residence, did I start to grasp the life Lady Ellen had led.
The enlistment exam is scheduled for around evening.
After Sebastian's heads-up, we were shown to the guest quarters. The territory's wealth shone even here—spacious, with every fixture top-quality. My master naturally surveyed the room before perching on the bed.
"My child, come here."
"Yep!"
"Lie down."
She offered her lap as if it were the most natural thing, and I lay down without hesitation. As her fingers rustled through my hair, lulling my body into relaxation, she posed a question.
"Dodo, my child. What think you of martial arts?"
"Hmm... Protecting oneself?"
"Clever child. Indeed. As I always emphasize, ways that harm the self are not true martial arts."
"Hehe... Offense and defense as one, right?"
"You remember. Well done, my child."
My master beamed and continued.
"Dodo, my child. Sometimes your state feels precarious."
"Eh...? Me?"
"Any martial artist will at times be swept by destructive impulses. 'Tis a rite one must pass... yet also a crisis."
Ah... Though I'd never told her directly, it felt like she was referring to those incidents. The cannibal mansion, and the human butcher shop. I hadn't detailed it, but she saw through to the depths from a glimpse.
Stroking my stomach, she said,
"You worry your blade will dull, don't you?"
"...Yes."
"If you cling to battle-born emotions... you may fall captive to a viscous sensation you must not reach."
Tia—my master—offered gentle advice with a kind smile.
"'Tis not wrong. Don't rot it inside—lean on me when it's hard, my child."
Every word brimmed with sincerity. Emotion welled up like a tide, warming my chest. Her indulgent strokes felt truly soothing. I wished time would freeze like this.
"Master..."
"This lady believes in you, Dodo."
"Thank you. Truly."
"So good and upright, yet suffering alone... poor thing..."
I sat up and hugged her softly.
"My child, rely on me anytime. This lady considers you family."
My heart swelled. A nostalgia I'd never known. Was this a mother's memory? The voids in my heart, my master always filled. My way to repay: live rightly. And heal her.
If I sank into this warmth... I'd stop from sheer comfort. Steel-willed, I opened my eyes wide.
"Just trust this disciple."
"Yes, I shall."
Thus, I had to solidify the filled voids, grow stronger, and press on.
At the appointed time, I headed to the training grounds and spotted Sebastian.
"You've arrived. This way."
"Hm... No family head?"
"They can't observe the exam right now."
Hm... We'd arrived in Solaris Territory, yet hadn't seen the lord. Just the butler, the lady, and maybe some maids? As rumored, the knight order was in shambles—few gathered here.
A bit past the time, Lady Ellen bounded in excitedly.
"Ta-da! Waited long? I'm so pumped!"
"Miss, you mustn't be late. Was there an issue?"
"Yeah! Picking a hair pin... time flew by!"
"Please be more mindful next time."
Ellen... She didn't seem bad at heart, but the more I learned, the more my head hurt.
Everyone needed seemed present. I asked the butler,
"No knight captain either?"
"Correct. I'm handling overall command for now."
"Didn't you say supplies and chores too?"
"Indeed."
Sebastian was admirable in a way. Overworked, yet his eyes sparkled with vigor. From his impeccably trimmed mustache radiated unyielding will. Separate from the lady, he was undoubtedly exceptional.
"So, how will the exam proceed?"
As Sebastian opened his mouth, the lady cut in.
"Huhu... You'll spar our territory's strongest! Simple, right?"
"Oh? Who's that?"
The provisional knights wore mismatched personal armor—zero uniformity, all rugged individualists. Like mercenaries in the best light; ragtag mob in truth.
Lady Ellen glanced around, tilting her head.
"Huh? Bell's not here yet?"
"Yes, miss. Patrol should be ending soon..."
Tell Ellen to come here.
Oh no. As feared... the exam was the lady's whim. Schedule changed on a dime, and no one batted an eye! My king-god-company dream turning to shit? Imagining my post-enlistment future, I wondered if this was right.
About five minutes passed. Two fully armored knights entered as comrades. One strikingly handsome slung a spear over his shoulder, approaching the lady.
"I heard... I just need to spar?"
"Kyaa~ Yes yes! Bell, you're my opponent! Pretty please? Okay?"
Her voice pitched an octave higher, cheeks blatantly flushed. Smitten, clearly.
The handsome knight bowed, then approached me and removed his helmet. Revealing red hair.
"Yo, nice to spar ya."
"...?"
The familiar tone, the oh-so-familiar face.
"Roni?"
"...?"
As I said it, the knight blinked, then grinned delightedly.
"You... Dodo?"