The training for the Kingdom’s knights is reaching its climax.
My final opponent is Eisen-san, the Knight-Commander.
He has slightly long hair, with streaks of white.
He’s of average build.
He’s holding a thin wooden sword.
Judging from its shape, he usually uses a rapier, I wonder?
“Ah, this? Age, you know. Normal swords are starting to feel heavy. But, this is quite good in its own way.”
He says this, perhaps noticing my gaze.
So, he switched weapons after getting older?
Considering the decline in physical strength, it might be a logical choice.
However, considering the familiarity and mastery of each weapon, it’s not easy to abandon the weapon you’ve used until now.
This person, he’s surprisingly flexible for his age.
“Well then, let’s begin. Is that alright, Midir?”
“Yes. Please begin.”
“I look forward to it.”
After my greeting, Eisen-san takes a stance with his thin sword.
Bending his elbow, with the back of his hand facing upwards, it’s the same stance as fencing.
This is going to be difficult…
Like the spear-user from earlier, the Kingdom’s knights, as a whole, are strong defensively.
They often use weapons that allow them to maintain a wide distance and don’t carelessly rush in.
The rapier, being primarily focused on one-handed thrusts, has the longest reach among swords.
“Here I come!”
Even so, it’s pointless if I just focus on defense as well.
I step forward.
“Oh?”
However, as if to deflect my attacking intent, Eisen-san takes a step back.
It was the instant I gave up on the follow-up attack and slightly raised my upper body.
“Ha!”
A strike like lightning was unleashed.
Unconsciously, my left hand raised, and the impact ran through my left arm, across the short sword.
It wasn’t heavy, but it was a sharp strike.
I myself was completely off guard, but my body reacted.
“Mmm, to not be caught by that, you have wonderful reflexes. You must train considerably on a regular basis.”
“I was surprised… I thought it had hit me completely.”
It had a longer reach than I expected.
The thrust, with his body deeply lowered, easily made me misjudge the distance.
Moreover, he accurately aimed for a gap that I couldn’t even call a gap.
…Now, what should I do?
“Phew. Attacking on my own is physically taxing. It would be helpful if you came to me.”
Eisen-san muttered with a sigh.
Is that a provocation?
Alright, I’ll take the bait.
“You won’t regret those words, will you?”
“I’d like you to make me regret them. The power of Tim-san’s disciple… show it to me in full.”
Tim-san… If he calls him that, they must be acquaintances.
The way he maintains distance, his sharp eyes that don’t miss an opening.
I thought he was somewhat similar to Gramps.
This person looks to be around fifty years old.
In terms of age, it’s possible that Gramps was instructing him during his active years.
If that’s the case, I’ll use the strategy I used against Gramps.
First, I’ll fire a Fire Bullet.
“Oh, magic? But this much…”
It’s deflected by his aura, and sparks fly.
Well, since Akane is staying behind this time, the power is as expected.
But this is within my expectations.
I fire two or three more in rapid succession, aiming for his face.
Simultaneous with the impact, I charge!
“Mmm…”
Due to the visual obstruction caused by the Fire Bullets, I successfully close the distance.
I continue with a rush attack.
“Fufu, this is tough.”
Right, left, right, left, left, right foot, Fire Bullet.
I launch attacks one after another.
The thing I kept in mind when fighting Gramps was to never fight on his terms.
The reading, distance, and breathing control that come from experience.
Those are not things you can acquire overnight.
Therefore, I fight with what I think I can win with.
My advantages are stamina, speed, and the variety of my attacks.
I need to be careful to not leave openings while attacking.
Or, I need to completely force the opponent into a defensive position.
To chip away at the opponent’s aura, I imbue the wooden sword with fire magic.
“Ooh!”
Cheers erupt at the sight of the magic sword.
But, since it’s a wooden sword, it can’t be used for long.
I continue to increase the pressure of my attacks.
“Nuu, it’s getting even faster… Kuh!”
Even so, he’s skillfully parrying all my attacks.
He’s tough.
The sword won’t last much longer.
“I give up. I surrender.”
Suddenly, Eisen-san dropped his sword.
I hastily stopped my sword and stumbled.
“Why? Surely you still had a chance to win?”
“A full-bodied counter? Or endure until your sword burns out? Fufu, both are impossible. I’m already out of aura…”
Saying that, Eisen-san knelt down and sat.
…This is no ordinary mental strength.
He didn’t let it show until the very end.
His aura didn’t weaken until the very last moment, and his expression remained a calm poker face.
Not letting the opponent realize they have a chance to win induces impatience.
I don’t know what would have happened if I had been able to endure a little longer.
“Thank you for your hard work. Katia-dono.”
Midir-san, who had been watching from a slight distance, approaches.
“Midir-san. …Was this really okay?”
I don’t really feel like my doubts have been cleared.
“Of course. Eisen-dono, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Ah, settling things is important. Katia-san, could you help me stand?”
“Ah, yes.”
I support Eisen-san and help him stand.
His body is surprisingly rugged.
It’s proof of his training, or something like that.
He’s muscular and a little heavy.
“Knights, fall in!”
Eisen-san shouts.
What, what’s starting?
The knights, who had been scattered and resting, quickly formed ranks.
This is what you’d expect from an army, I suppose.
“Knights! Not one of us could defeat her. That’s fine. But did anyone get injured? Was anyone subjected to foul play?”
“““No! No!”””
“Then I ask you. I could feel strength and integrity in her… Katia Myers’ sword. Does anyone object to this!”
“““…”””
“Then I declare! We, the Knights, welcome Katia-dono! Those who agree, raise your weapons, raise your fists!”
“““Ooh!!”””
I saw Eisen-san’s leadership as the commander.
At his command, the consciousness of the knights is unified.
Indeed, I could feel that this was going to be alright.
However, it’s a bit embarrassing…
But it’s much better than having them give me those probing looks every time I meet them in the castle.
It should be a positive influence on whatever I do in the future.
Probably.
“How is it, Katia-dono? It went well, didn’t it?”
“Midir-san. …How much of this was part of the Intelligence Division’s plan?”
“That’s a secret. But, if Katia-san continues to solidify her position, it will make it easier for us to operate.”
“I, I see.”
I’m a little scared that the rumors are gradually drifting away from my actual self.
“You’re talking about something shady. Don’t ever do what you did with Tim-san, Midir.”
“What is it, Eisen-san? What do you mean, ‘with Gramps’?”
“There was an incident where Tim-san became the target of the nobles. It’s not well known, but it was a blunder by the Intelligence Division. I heard that he went into hiding because of that.”
“…That incident is the Intelligence Division’s greatest stain. My father will never make such a mistake again. Of course, neither will I.”
I was curious about what kind of incident it was, but…
It wasn’t an atmosphere where I could casually ask.
Midir-san’s usual relaxed expression was gone, and his mouth was tightly shut, refusing to say anything more.