Episode 48
The Grandfather, who had recovered as quickly as if this were a daily occurrence, continued.
“We will randomly select one person each from the Red Knights and the Blue Knights. Adding one more knight of your choosing, Aiden will engage in three sparring matches.”
“……And?”
“If he wins two out of the three, he is admitted into the Order.”
The Duke rolled her eyes, perhaps finding this a reasonable proposal. The Grandfather did not miss this opening and pressed his advantage.
“Since these are individuals whose skills are guaranteed, if Aiden defeats them, they at least cannot openly raise objections.”
“Hmm…….”
“If they have complaints, they can simply prove with their own skill that this fellow is not qualified to join.”
“Huuuum…….”
“I, too, wish for Aiden to join, and you wanted to repay him. Wouldn’t this be just right?”
“That is the most sensible thing you have said thus far.”
The Duke extended a hand of reconciliation to the Grandfather, agreeing to proceed in that manner. It was a dramatic compromise.
✦ ✦ ✦
Following the compromise, the Duke issued an emergency summons to the Papiope Knights. While the knights gathered, we exchanged a few brief words before heading to the training grounds.
The knights of the Blue and Red Orders, summoned by the Duke’s urgent order, were already lined up in formation. As we arrived, they saluted in unison according to their code.
“We greet Dillum, the eternal glory of Papiope.”
It was a spectacular sight: dozens of grown men placing their hands over their hearts and bowing in perfect unison. The ‘Dillum’ mentioned here was a title reserved for the current head of the house. The Duke’s original name was Viviana Papiope; to this was added the title ‘Dillum,’ signifying she was the undisputed master of the estate. Thus, her formal name was Viviana Papiope Dillum.
As if briefed on the situation, the knights’ gazes shifted toward the man at my side. Wiping away the gentle expression she had worn for me, the Duke stood before them with the crushing dignity of a high noble.
“I apologize for this emergency summons, disrupting your routine, and for holding an informal test rather than the official knighthood examination.”
Judging by the knights’ expressions, there was little dissatisfaction. They knew that defeating established, veteran knights was far more daunting than a tournament against trainees.
“I chose an open sparring match because I was looking for a method of entry that you all could acknowledge.”
The Duke nodded, and a man in a blue cape stepped forward. It was the captain of the Blue Knights.
“The Red Knights’ captain is on a mission today, so I will explain on behalf of both,” he said, scanning the ranks. “Fifth row, first of the Blue Knights. Second row, fourth of the Red Knights. Step forward.”
The two randomly selected knights marched forward, looking visibly nervous.
“You have likely heard a summary: you will be sparring with this man standing beside me,” the Duke announced. As all eyes turned to him, Aiden stepped forward, his face as blank as a stone. “There will be three matches in total. If he wins, you will be granted a week of paid leave.”
“……!”
“Since this replaces the knighthood exam, there is no need to hold back. Do your best, placing the honor of Papiope on the line.”
The two selected knights grinned. It was natural; the Papiope Knights were a gathering of elite talent. They saw no reason to fear an unnamed mercenary.
“Any questions?”
The Red Knight raised his hand. “You said there would be three matches in total; who is the remaining one?”
“That will be decided after the first two. End this quickly yourselves so I don’t have to make an additional selection. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
✦ ✦ ✦
A heavy tension settled over the training grounds. Even the knights who had been relaxed felt instinctively that things would not be simple once they faced Aiden up close.
The first spar pitted Aiden against a Blue Knight—an Abilitator. Unlike the knight, who took a balanced, classic defensive stance, Aiden drew his sword with complete indifference.
“The first spar begins!”
The Blue Knight lunged immediately, intent on ending the bout before it truly began.
Clang—!
The thrust was blocked with effortless ease. There wasn’t a hint of strain on Aiden’s face.
“Kugh……!”
Incensed, the Blue Knight withdrew and swung again with heavier force. Aiden simply twisted his body, executing the minimal movement required to dodge the blade.
The Blue Knight was stunned by the fluidity of the motion, but his shock was short-lived. As his sword cut through empty air, Aiden moved with lightning speed, striking at the opening created by the missed swing.
Gulp.
The Blue Knight froze, the tip of a blade resting perfectly against his throat. He hadn’t even had the chance to launch a proper attack. Aiden held his sword steady, not a tremor in his arm.
“I…… lost.”
Aiden lowered his sword, his expression unchanging. The first spar had ended in the blink of an eye. Those watching from the sidelines let out gasps of disbelief; a veteran Papiope knight had been neutralized without a single exchange. The defeated knight wiped away cold sweat, looking at Aiden with a mix of shock and budding respect.
“Honestly, I thought I could beat you easily,” the knight admitted. “I even intended to teach you that not just anyone enters this Order.”
“…….”
“That was an astonishing display of skill. It is my total defeat.”
“……You are too kind.”
The Blue Knight laughed heartily, patting his armor. “Haha! Since it’s come to this, please take care of the Red Knights as well. We are rivals—I fear the criticism I’ll face if I’m the only one who lost.”
He walked away dejectedly. Watching him, Aiden briefly thought it might be amusing to lose the next one on purpose, given he only needed to win two of three. But it was a fleeting, playful thought.
The next match followed immediately. The Red Knight stepping into the circle was lithe, his movements feline. In his hand, he held a rapier that caught the sunlight—a weapon specialized for rapid, lethal thrusts.
“Seeing the last match, you seem quick, but it won’t be so easy to avoid this,” the Red Knight said. “My ability is ‘Speed.’”
Aiden tilted his head, genuinely perplexed. “Why are you revealing your ability to me without a second thought?”
“A bit of chivalry. In any case, I am sparring with you under more favorable conditions.”
“……Are you going to tell your enemies your abilities on the battlefield as well?”
“Hahaha! Let’s see if you can say the same once the spar begins!”
The air grew sharp. As the second spar began, the Red Knight’s form vanished, closing the distance to Aiden in an instant.