Chapter 20
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Chapter 20
When asked what became of the Giosa after Agenka was annihilated, the Information Merchant offered unhelpful details before adding his useless commentary.
"Yurien? The worst commander in history. Because he pitied that demon, the entire Knight Order vanished. Everyone fawned over him—youngest Master, youngest commander—so his arrogance soared and he acted however he pleased. They all died because of him. The bastard. That bastard. He should have been torn to shreds long ago."
It was true. Because of her, Yurien's name was etched in history as the worst knight commander, the one who destroyed the Changtian Knights.
Yet she couldn't help but rage at those words. She wanted to kill the old man standing before her who dared call Yurien a bastard. Her mind burned white-hot with that fury.
In the span of a single blink, the Demonic Sword had already burst from her hand and severed the old Information Merchant's head. Black mana writhed like a serpent from the blade, shredding his body to pieces. She froze, staring at the sea of blood, then fled from the merchant's guards who came rushing at the sound.
After that, she learned from Bardegiosa about the Demonic Sword's power. If she grew careless, lost her reason, or felt murderous intent, the killing intent mana dwelling within the blade could take control of her. Even after understanding this, she made mistakes countless times. Through that process, she forcibly cultivated self-restraint. No matter how angry she became, she kept one corner of her mind cold and clear.
She muttered bitterly.
"I never want to be stained like that again."
Her efforts bore fruit. By the time she had gathered all the Giosa, she hadn't made a single mistake. Now she could control it almost perfectly. Yet she still wanted to discard this cursed Demonic Sword.
[Well, if you could do that for a lifetime, you'd be a god. How do humans always maintain reason?]
"I should abandon you before that happens."
[Don't be like that. Use me like my previous master did, will you? Tasting blood now and then helps you vent, and I benefit too. If you're squeamish about killing just anyone, pick out the bad ones and kill them instead. There are plenty who deserve to die. What about Ian Peletro? He's a bad one!]
"Be quiet."
[Tch.]
Echinacea resumed her steps. The Demonic Sword whispered softly within her soul.
[Do you know how long it's been since you killed someone?]
"...."
[It keeps accumulating, all that unvented killing intent. I'm giving you serious advice. Find someone who deserves to die and kill them. There are plenty of suitable targets—Ian or Bred or whoever.]
"I told you to shut up. I make the decisions."
She spoke through gritted teeth, and the Demonic Sword finally fell silent. Echinacea washed away her troubled mood with a dry hand to her face and headed toward her room.
Inside, Alice sat at her desk writing something. When Echinacea entered, she nodded her head. She disliked Echinacea yet always greeted her properly.
"Miss Loaz, a telegram has arrived."
Alice spoke in a reluctant tone and handed over two envelopes.
"Thank you, Miss Winterbelle."
"...."
Alice turned her head away sharply. Echinacea paid it no mind, took the envelopes, and sat in a chair. She searched for a paper knife with one hand while examining the front of the envelopes.
'One is from home, as expected.'
She set down the thick first envelope. Sending messages via mana telegram became exponentially more expensive the longer the content, and seeing one this thick meant her parents were deeply worried. Of course, they were probably angry too, bewildered even. Echinacea let out a faint sigh.
The second envelope was thin. It was from Nicole. Echinacea opened it first.
―Tracking in progress. Cannot be certain, but white lion's tail visible.
It was a single short line. As Echinacea read it, the color drained from her face. The silver lion was the crest used by the Kirie Imperial Family. The imperial bloodline of the Empire to which the Loaz Count Family belonged, and to which Yurien belonged.
'The imperial family is connected to the Demonic Sword that was at Loaz?'
Echinacea stared blankly at the paper. Her already complicated thoughts began to ache further. She crumpled the paper.
Act 3. The Visible and the Invisible
Days passed in a blur, and the freshman ranking tournament drew two days closer.
The day after driving Bred away, Ian heard from Baraha and came to find Echinacea to apologize about Bred's actions.
"I'm sorry. I had no idea he was that kind of person. Bred happened to have free time, so I entrusted him with the task. I promise you won't face any disadvantages because of him. Don't worry about that. I'm truly sorry."
He spoke in a voice that sounded genuinely apologetic. After that, neither Bred nor his Club had been conspicuous. She'd thought they would surely swarm and cause trouble, but it seemed Ian had said something to them.
If Echinacea had no memories of the past, she might have thought Bred was simply a strange person and Ian Peletro was decent. She'd seen many humans whose exteriors didn't match their interiors, but he was particularly twisted among them. His intentions were deeply suspicious.
Contrary to Ian Peletro's warning, the competition among clubs to recruit new members proved far less intense than expected. Many cadets questioned the process by which she had been selected as a Squire. Echinacea Loaz continued to draw skeptical glances. Unfavorable rumors seemed to persist. There was nothing to be done about it until she demonstrated undeniable skill in the freshman ranking tournament.
It wasn't a pleasant situation, but neither was it particularly difficult. She had far more pressing concerns than mere Military Academy gossip.
Of course, there were cadets who didn't believe such rumors. Bardegiosa was a prime example. He had laughed like a madman upon hearing them.
"If you knew the Captain, you'd never think that a pretty face could get away with such deception. Now, keep your hand steady as you run it down. We need to check for any swelling or areas that feel warmer than the rest."
"Yes, senior."
I was learning how to care for horses from him. Since servants didn't follow knights into battle, tending to a knight's mount in the barracks fell to the Squire. I carefully ran my gloved hand down the horse's legs.
"Next, lift the hoof with one hand... that's right. Now use the hoof pick to remove any stones or debris lodged in the hoof. Work gently from the heel toward the toe."
"Yes."
As I cleaned the hooves, the horse merely shook its head once with a soft snort and stood calmly. Bardegiosa affectionately stroked the horse's muzzle. The marble-smooth, massive horse was predominantly white, with a subtle golden sheen to its coat. It was Yurien de Harden Kirie's beloved mount, named Sylphid.
"Since Squires mainly care for their Lord's horse anyway, it's better to practice with that one from the start. Horses have quite different temperaments. Sylphid is docile, which makes her easy to care for."
"Did you also care for Sylphid when you were a Squire, senior?"
"Before I became the Vice-Captain's Squire, I served as the Captain's temporary Squire. Ah, use a stiff brush for the coat. She likes firm brushing. Start from the neck and work downward."
I carefully brushed Sylphid's coat. Bardegiosa's gaze fell to the hem of my dress. The Changtian Stable was remarkably clean, but there were limits to keeping a place where animals lived pristine. Even though I had deliberately worn a day dress that came to my calves, the hem inevitably became soiled with straw and dust.
"Your dress is getting dirty."
I glanced down at the remark and continued brushing without concern.
"It's fine, this much doesn't bother me."
Bardegiosa rubbed his chin with an intrigued expression.
"You know, the more I see you, the more your personality seems to differ from your appearance."
"Me?"
"You look like you wouldn't set foot in a place like a stable, yet you don't seem to mind at all. Though I can't say your love of pretty dresses seems false. It's quite amusing."
Well, both sides were me. If necessary, I wouldn't hesitate to roll in filth, and I also genuinely loved beautiful things and adornment. My personality did differ somewhat from my appearance, it was true.
Bardegiosa had the build of a bear but surprisingly sharp perception. He spoke his mind openly and had a straightforward manner, which made being around him quite comfortable. Though he occasionally asked piercing questions that put me in difficult positions.
I smiled and changed the subject.
"Senior Bardegiosa, should I just brush the mane the same way?"
"No, you need to use your fingers to untangle the knots first. Otherwise, you'll break the hair. Let me show you."
Bardegiosa stepped closer behind me. He was well aware of the intimidating presence his size commanded, so he was careful with his movements around women weaker than himself and children. Even large men would flinch if he moved suddenly. Only knights with keen awareness didn't startle.
But I had never shown a moment of surprise from the beginning. That's why Bardegiosa moved freely in front of me. Even now, with his massive frame pressing close behind me, I felt no fear.
As he drew near, a pleasant fragrance emanated from me—the floral scent of perfume and cosmetics that noble ladies wore, mingled together. My neck, visible between strands of pale pink hair, looked delicate enough to fit in his palm. No matter how I looked at it, I was like a flower, yet I showed no tension despite having a beast like him at my back. I maintained the most ladylike appearance in the Military Academy, yet I seemed like I wouldn't blink even if a sea of blood opened before me.
'Truly fascinating,' he thought with amusement.
Bardegiosa smiled and reached over my shoulder, winding Sylphid's mane around his fingertips. He moved his fingers to show me clearly.
"This is how you untangle the knots roughly before brushing."
"I see. May I try?"
"Go ahead, hold it. Yes, like that. Oh, and originally you're supposed to brush the mane before the body..."
A clattering sound came from the entrance. Both I and Bardegiosa, who had been holding Sylphid's mane together, turned our heads simultaneously. A man who stood out at a glance appeared there. Yurien de Harden Kirie, dressed casually, stepped into the stable.
Bardegiosa, who had been standing almost protectively around me, felt my senses sharpen and my body tense. So she does feel fear? But there's no reason to fear him. He found it unexpected.
Meanwhile, Yurien de Harden Kirie approached them at an unhurried pace. His gaze fell on Bardegiosa. Bardegiosa executed a Changtian salute.
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