Chapter 76
As Henderson burst out of his newly assigned room immediately after unpacking, his heart was pounding so fiercely that he couldnt stand still.
He wondered if his temperament was too fiery, but he settled that thought quickly with a slam of the door.
Ugh. What now, team leader?
You too?
Whats up? Were all the same, arent we?
Members of Team 18 who had similarly kicked their door open, looked at each other and shared a sheepish laugh.
Theres no way to hold back once youve seen themthe knights with the eagle emblem.
Those words came from Digrom, the deputy team leader, which Henderson hadnt expected but welcomed.
Not just them, any knight would feel the same way.
I want to test myself against the Esperanza Knight Order.
Whenever the best knights of Grandia were mentioned, the Esperanza Knight Order always came to mind first.
Another of the three great orders, the Royal Knights, served only within the palace, while the Valtermayn Knight Order was known more for its size than skill.
But what truly spurred their competitive spirit was,
The knights personally trained by that Sword Master.
The countrys finest swordsman, idolized by any knight who bore a sword.
The Esperanza Knight Order, taught by the Sword Master himself.
How could anyone not be curious about their abilities?
Lets go. Show them the strength of the Maclain knights.
Leading the way, Hendersons eyes blazed with passion, even more so than when he first saw the refined ladies upon entering the capital.
Sorry, but were only average knights at the middle ranks. It would be somewhat unfair for us to spar with the others unless you want to try sparring with the apprentice knights?
However, a knight clad in armor bearing the eagle emblem deflated Henderson and his teams eagerness with just a single comment.
The lower-ranked Force users are just about learning swordsmanship for the first time. By our standards.
Within the Maclain, or most knight orders for that matter, a team leader level middle-ranked knight was but an average knight in the Esperanza Knight Order.
Two hundred middle-ranked knights, forty high-ranked knights, and two top-ranked knights.
The true might of the renowned but mysterious Esperanza Knight Order was astounding.
Our lord used to be a high-ranked knight until a couple of years ago, and he was unmatched in our region. But whats this mess, damn.
But having come all this way, he couldnt just back down.
Alright. The team leader of the Maclain Knight Orders 18th team, Henderson, requests a spar.
Accepted.
Though their pride was wounded, Henderson managed a better-than-expected result against an Esperanza knight in the ensuing spar.
It was a decent outcome, but Henderson couldnt help but feel something was off.
Damn. Maybe I should try sparring with the apprentice knights?
Theyre still just kids. They wont even accept you as an apprentice if you havent awakened your Force by your twenties, they say.
Really? Even so, that would be a blow to my pride
Does pride feed us?
Ignoring the comments of his peers, Henderson walked on, a perplexed expression on his face.
The spar with the Esperanza knight, who practiced a style of swordsmanship far different from his own, was enlightening, just at the mere thought of reviewing it.
However
Team leader. Are you sure that knight did his best? The swordplay was lacking.
That must be the case. Which is why its odd.
Digroms keen insight, being at the cusp of ascending from the lower-ranked knights to the mid-ranks, was accurate.
The average-level Esperanza knight he faced, seemingly around his age, had demonstrated a noticeably lower level of proficiency with the Iron Blood Sword compared to what he knew of the Maclains teachings from the Sword Master.
Why dont we all try sparring with the apprentice knights from tomorrow?
Ugh. I guess putting on airs here doesnt really suit us, does it?
Yeah. Lets do that. Even if we face disgrace.
Henderson and Digrom exchanged puzzled looks, lost in thought.
They didnt discuss it, but their thoughts were the same.
Perhaps the Iron Blood Sword that Lord Logan has obtained didnt come from the Sword Master after all.
It couldnt have been invented by the Grand Duke Where did he get it from?
Although their thoughts diverged, the conclusion was clear.
Their future lord had provided the Maclain lineage with a sword technique superior to that of the Esperanza ducal household.
The two knights expectations of their future leader grew ever so slightly.
* * *
Logans official reason for coming to the capital was to meet his mentor, the Sword Master, and remain until a successor was named.
However, there was also a genuine motive for his presence, and that required building trust with his mentor first.
Embracing the training that began on his first day with open arms, Logan threw himself into the sessions, which made him revisit his own shortcomings, causing him to forget all his plans.
Concerned the knights might cause trouble, Logan went to check on them after a week had passed.
His Highness the Grand Duke!
Your Highness, weve been loyal!
Respect!
Uhh, right.
Huh, these guys why are they suddenly doing this?
He was surprised at the excessive reactions, even when considering his position within the household.
Digrom. Anything happen?
No issues!
How have things been?
Weve been continually sparring with the Esperanza Knight Order for practice.
Really? Thats diligent.
Impressed, Logan smiled at their practice despite the early morning chill.
Shall we continue then?
We will continue to train rigorously!
Your Highnesss consideration, I will never forget!
Although Logan was puzzled by their intense reactions, nothing was seriously wrong.
He even found himself reflecting again.
The ordinary knights are this diligent. I should definitely
With a sigh, Logan retrieved his sword and joined the knights in training.
Why, the Grand Duke?
Today, Ill join you in training.
Smiling bright, the knights nodded, and Logans sigh turned into a smile.
Content after a satisfying training session, Logan was greeted by an unexpected turn of events.
A matchmaking meeting what?
Yes. A successor of a noble family without a betrothed at twenty-onethats intolerable! And youre my student, to boot! So Im considering finding you a match.
Werent we supposed to focus on training while here? Why this sudden?
A calm heart is essential for good training. I realized that after I got married.
Right.
He knew a domestic conflict that would sweep across the kingdom was imminent.
And his student was planning to be right in the thick of it.
but of course, I cant say that. Damn.
This was a bolt from the blue.
Struggling to compose himself, Logan questioned the abruptness.
Is someone asking you for a favor?
One would naturally worry about a grown successor still unwed.
The Sword Masters words provoked an obvious suspicion in Logan.
From my family?
Any parent would be concerned, wouldnt they?
Despite his words, Logan had to stifle a scowl.
Damn it all.
He understood the machinations at play.
Its pointless. Soon enough
His mind understood, but he couldnt outright dismiss his masters suggestion.
Ill meet them.
He consoled himself, thinking that wasting just one day wouldnt be too bad.
Good. You wont be disappointed. Youd suit well with her, a well-known lady of the capital.
The mischievous smile on his mentors lips gave Logan pause, but
* * *
A match? Havent you given up on that?
In response to his daughters retort, Count Roberts Floyde struggled to control his rising ire, maintaining a calm demeanor.
Ill somehow enable you to comprehend the joy of a womans happiness.
Sweat-soaked black training clothes and a sword in hand.
An unfitting sight for an earls daughter, though in the fathers eyes, she was still beautiful.
Objectively, too, she was surely a beauty.
Yes. Youre still quite the catch, my dear daughter. The recommendation came from none other than His Excellency Duke Felix Esperanza himself.
Esperanza? You mean the Sword Masters family?
Her face showed a hint of color, but knowing it wasnt for the prospect of marriage, the count felt a deeper bitterness.
Still, he was glad she showed any interest at all.
Yes. Hes the Sword Masters student, in fact.
A student of the Sword Master? He took a student?
Yes. Its not widely known yet, but hes soon to be celebrated talent.
But I wonder if he can match you
Roberts swallowed his genuine emotions as he sensed his daughters growing anticipation.
Shed always been bold; hed thought an interest in swordsmanship would pass as it was a difficult endeavor even for adult men.
When she found it enjoyable, he laughed it off as her unique charm until the day she awoke her Force at twelve and proclaimed her desire to become a knight.
How can a girl become a knight? Ruin our 300-year-old family history, will you?
He still vividly recalled how his own father, the robust Earl Floyd of the time, had bellowed as his health faded.
And when at fifteen, shed beaten up an older fianc to the point of calling off the engagement, her father had collapsed, followed by the familys severe consequence of having assaulted the grandson of the mighty Force-user Duke Valtermayn.
From then on, Eileens sword practice was strictly forbidden.
Yet two years later, she managed to prove her worth against a fully qualified knight suitor with a one-sided thrashing.
I have no interest in marriage!
As she publicly declared her stance, Earl Roberts gave up.
A maiden who could best knights was now branded with a nickname that stopped any further suitors.
Why wouldnt she just live like other women?
Roberts fumed at the rigidity, yet she wouldnt budge an inch.
So this opportunity was one he could not miss.
The duke assures hes an exceptional talent.
Perhaps he could manage Eileen.
Maybe even break her.
He didnt wish unhappiness upon her; he wanted her to experience normal joys.
And in that, the earl held a conviction.
No man can resist my daughter.
Her healthy and slim figure from sword practice.
Her beauty reminiscent of the capitals once-famed woman, her clear facial features, and her red hair shimmering like silk surely any average young man would find irresistible.
Being the Sword Masters student piques my curiosity.
Good. Keep interested. Hopefully in more than just swordplay.
Just dont! Use violence this time! Understand?!
Still, her response was lukewarm.
If he behaves.
Only the fathers despair grew blacker.
* * *
Eileen Floyd?
The sight of the young woman with matching red hair and eyes left a unique impression on the well-put-together young man.
Eileen had seen countless men flustered at their first meeting.
Most were worthless.
With your awakened Force, youll bear strong children.
She regretted not hitting the foolish Valtermayn heir harder for those words.
How strong can a woman with Force be? Ill handle you with one hand. Oh, you may use a weapon.
Beating such a fool single-handedly was justified, though others thought otherwise, such as those proposing to magically seal her Force and force her to live quietly.
Idiotic men, intent on looks alone.
This one would be no different, she presumed, as her slight expectancy for the Sword Masters disciple waned.
But she had to follow basic courtesy.
Pleased to meet you. Logan Maclain.
With flowing red hair complemented by a light cream evening gown adorned with a sparkling necklace, the green-eyed beauty was stunning.
However, Logan wasnt shaken by her looks but by her Power, which was so potent for an eighteen-year-old.
And he realized there had been rumors about the Floydes during the three-year interior conflict.
The downfall of the Floyde estate and the rise of the Steel Rose, Eileen Floyde one of the promising talents lost during that tumultuous time.
Now she stood before him, an unexpected encounter.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l