38

Shion, at a loss for words, put down the teacup.

It was not a request he could grant.

Help in any form was impossible, and the truth could not be revealed.

“Uh… That seems like a bit of a difficult request to me.”

“Of course it will be difficult. I also know that it is easier for me to teach you swordsmanship. That is why I am asking you a favor.”

Hafnon showed a serious look, and Caltz nodded as if he had expected it to some extent.

Shion was troubled, but tried to find a way to explain.

“That… um… I don’t really know how to use sword skills. So I think it would be a little difficult to help.”

“I know what you mean. Sword skill is not something you learn, it is something you realize.”

“That means I can’t make you realize. I don’t even know exactly how to write it.”

“Every swordsman who uses swordsmanship said that. They say there is no way, but to follow the senses, but I don’t understand.”

Even Shion knew little about the detailed settings of the sword.

It was described in such a way that as you practice your swordsmanship, you will reach a critical point at some point, and if you overcome it somehow, your swordsmanship will be realized.

To sum it up, I don’t know when that time will come, but it meant that I had to make an effort unconditionally.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to learn from those swordsmen? You must have more experience than me.”

“… I’ve tried several times, but they don’t give me the time. They made excuses that they had a lot of guild work or that they were busy training.”

“If you become a marquis, you will have a wide network of people, isn’t that bad?”

“Probably, even if the duchy goes, they won’t accept it. He could teach you swordsmanship, but he refused unconditionally, saying that you have to learn swordsmanship yourself.”

It was true to some extent, but the true intention was hidden there.

I will not teach you the realm that you have reached with difficulty.

This was an action to enhance the value of swordplay while highlighting its rarity.

Maybe the swordsmen who use swordsmanship were secretly colluding.

“So that’s why you’re asking me.”

“Don’t you have a lot of contact with me? He is my friend’s younger brother, and Miss Harnette’s fiancée.”

“… but that’s not something I can help you with. There is nothing I can tell you.”

“I don’t ask for much. Can you tell us about your feelings and habits when using sword skills?”

“It’s not that difficult, but…”

“thank you. We will treat you with great hospitality while you are here.”

“…”

Shion cautiously looked away and glanced at Kalz.

Carlz only smiled while giving a look that seemed to be enough.

“Are we done talking now?”

“Thanks to you, I was able to finish it quickly.”

“I didn’t say much. My drinking buddy just told me that he uses a sword.”

“Thank you very much. When will I be able to meet a swordsman again?”

“That’s why I can get expensive drinks.”

Carlz patted Shion on the shoulder and laughed out loud.

If Varhen had helped him, he wouldn’t have done this.

However, Barhen gave up joining the Royal Knights and was concentrating on training his swordsmanship alone.

With that action alone, he realized that Shion was in trouble, so he went ahead and found someone to teach him swordsmanship.

“I’m glad your brother is busy. Didn’t I get another chance like this?”

“Ah… well… that’s right.”

Calz, conscious of Shion, replied coolly.

Only he and Fried knew the news that Barchen had given up on joining the club.

Of course, other nobles would find out soon after, but the fact that Shion was included in it was just unfortunate.

“Ah, don’t get me wrong. Being busy doesn’t mean you have that much ability.”

“I did not misunderstand. I was just a little surprised that you were so happy.”

“I can’t help but be happy. He only stiffens his neck while using sword skills, but how much trouble it hurts… Compared to that, isn’t your younger brother truly merciful?”

“Shion is kind of nice. I hope to treat you better in the future. I don’t want to be hated for introducing you wrongly.”

“Is it possible? Let me serve you dearly.”

Hafnon answered politely with anticipation.

Did he know that he would be able to face a swordsman so easily?

Even when they met, there were many times when they acted arrogantly or showed suspicious eyes.

Fortunately, this time the opponent was my friend’s younger brother, so I was able to treat him more comfortably.

‘Even if you don’t understand, it will be helpful…’

Any swordsman longs to be able to use swordsmanship.

From noblemtl.com

Knights who use other weapons also tried to reach the realm by creating a similar form.

It was a skill that only the strong could use, and it was also the process of becoming a Setinos Quasar.

‘I’m 19 years old… I have no choice but to become a Setinos Quasar. I have to show it well in advance.’

* * *

The garden of the residence of the Duke of Adelaira.

The size and appearance of the garden also vary considerably depending on the assets of each family.

The land on which the garden will be built, the flowers and trees to be cultivated inside, the cost and the skill of the gardener, and the ornaments placed everywhere.

In fact, the garden was close to a part of the mansion, so if you were a formal aristocrat, you had no choice but to spend a lot of money.

The garden of the Duke of Adelaira had to look elegant at any time, so a skilled gardener was hired to maintain it periodically.

‘…I haven’t been here since then.’

Hannette was sitting at a table in the garden.

It was often dirty because it was outside the mansion, but when you said you wanted to drink tea here, the employees moved first and prepared a table for you.

Usually when I’m not out, I just stay inside the mansion, but today, for some reason, I wanted to look around the garden.

‘Why am I doing this?’

Hannette looks down at her teacup, lost in thought.

Back then, we strolled through the garden and had a trivial conversation.

Who’s better, it’s your fault, it’s not even funny, etc.

It was as if an empty feeling was rising from somewhere in my heart.

‘Did I really expect to go out alone?’

Of course, I had to decide where to go.

As always, I would have to go alone, and it would be over if I pretended to spend money.

But every time I thought about leaving, I remembered what someone had said.

‘It’s not even funny. Why should I obey him?’

Contrary to my thoughts, my body did not move.

Don’t go out until you return.

It was as if that word was restraining his body.

‘Since when did I become such a compliant personality?’

Harnette laughed at herself and reached for the teacup.

I wondered if it would be a little convincing if he was afraid of facing the thieves.

It could have been that they were not mere thieves, but rather those with a grudge against the Duke of Adelaira.

But if it was for any other reason, I couldn’t help but be a little suspicious.

‘I decided to believe a little bit.’

But at some point, I completely believed it.

If you stay by my side, I will protect you until the end, and if you leave, I will inevitably let you go.

It felt as if he had said it knowing that he would run away.

‘…At that time, shouldn’t I say that I will follow you until the end and protect you?’

Hannette was about to drink the teacup, but then put it down.

It was a very selfish and complacent way of thinking.

If you run away first, how can you expect the other person to follow you?

If he had really decided to believe in Zion, he would never have run away.

‘I’m really… I don’t know what I’m thinking.’

Harnett lifts the cup again and sips softly.

Love should be directed toward each other, not one side.

It was a one-sided feeling and an insult to the other person.

‘Do you want to be loved by a kid? Oh, no way…’

Hannette tilts her head and frowns.

There was no way I could have such feelings for someone I was forcibly tied to.

No matter how well the other person treats you, it will also be considered a lie.

‘You have to keep your mind straight. You can’t always depend on a kid…’

A carriage was coming in from the far side of the front door.

Harnette unknowingly looks at the carriage and remembers its shape.

It was definitely the carriage that Zion rode on.

‘You came quickly. Where should I ask you to go? This time in a slightly different place…’

“You’re stuck in your room, what are you doing here?”

A voice I didn’t want to hear stuck in my ear.

Hannette sighed and turned her head sideways.

I didn’t really want to fight, and I was most comfortable ignoring it as I always did.

“go away. If you have nothing to do, just run away.”

“It is my heart that goes out.”

“So, turn it off. Do I need to know your heart?”

“I came here to get some fresh air before I left, what is it? Is there a person in front of you that you don’t want to see? So I have no choice but to speak.”

Sedrin Adelaira, the youngest son of the Adelaira family, approached slowly and condescendingly.

He was the younger sister of Tena Adelaira, the son of a concubine, and the half-brother of Hanette.

Of course, like Tena Adelaira, he was not on good terms with Hanette, and he often quarreled first.

“I don’t know how it’s so similar to kneading. Why don’t you go and whine at your sister?”

“Are you good at talking? I don’t know how I’ve endured it all this time.”

“It’s not worth talking to you. I hate to see your face, so why don’t you turn it off?”

“There’s nothing I can’t say on the subject of madness. You know I’m better than you on the outside, right?”

“…”

Harnette did not open her mouth any longer.

As I said before, there was no reason to continue the conversation.

Even if they were related by blood, they were only half, and they didn’t feel like they were family.

“Are you ignoring me again? This is really… Once the words come out, shouldn’t we see the end?”

“…”

“Kyaa… I mean, it really annoys people with crazy things.”

Sedrin shrugged and stopped in front of Hanette.

Harnette lifts the teacup without even looking at Sedrin.

At the same time, the table vibrates and spreads a strong impact sound.

“Isn’t there anything you can see just because you came out to Jeong-sil?”

“… I don’t think you’re going to say anything after you came out of your concubine.”

“Did you just insult my mother?”

“So you insulted my mother?”

“Am I like you? On the subject of madness…”

“If you don’t have the confidence to beat me, go with your eyes open. Would you be satisfied if I crushed the ugly face with my own hands?”

“A bitch who only does stupid things…”

“Don’t be rude. On the bastard subject.”

A cold voice swept through the garden.

Harnette quickly recognizes the voice and looks away.

Sedrin tried to raise his voice in anger, but was only momentarily taken aback.

“Just one warning. Don’t call your sister a fool. If you swear or try to use violence, I will not stand still.”

Shion was approaching the two with cold eyes.

Hannett can’t bear to go out and just watches it quietly.

“Who are you to give me orders…”

“Just once… I said I was warning you. The second time, I will beat you to death.”