Chapter 26

Chapter 26

[It is never my intention to disregard your words. However, please understand that I always need to be prepared due to the nature of my position.]

While reading the letter, his usual monotonous voice rang in her head.

Daisy heaved a low sigh and disposed of the letter. She then sat down and leaned against the chair.

‘It’s not that I’m not aware of the reason as to why you did this.’

Carlyx wasn’t someone who gave up on his life. She could tell that much after observing his behavior.

After reading the novel to some extent, she also knew how the royal family and the Knights of Zistanter were connected to each other.

‘The knights who joined the Knightly Order of Notics and Manefartal had all taken knighthood classes since they were young.’

Most aristocrats who dreamed of becoming knights were more prepared compared to commoners.

Time didn’t lie.

A body of a commoner could never be compared to that of a noble.

Getting wounded from a mistake during training, poor intake of nutrition, or lack of knowledge and technique because they never received proper training from a real knight in the past.

There was obviously an inevitable difference between them, whether it be a large or small one.

And in war, that small difference saves one life and takes another. And in war, that small difference saves a life and takes another. Perhaps, so as to conceal those small differences, Carlyx is prepared to die.

‘But why?’

Carlyx loved Luciana and River. He loved them more than anyone else in the world.

Then shouldn’t it be ‘I have to live no matter what’ rather than ‘I will live to save others’?

Daisy, who was agonizing, soon heaved a low sigh once again.

“Oh, responsibility.”

Her heart sank heavily.

Not everyone in the Knight of Zistanter appreciated Carlyx. Many acknowledged his ability, but they still refuse to acknowledge his status as a noble.

And their hostility toward Carlyx eventually accumulated, erasing every little bit of respect they had for him.

Still, they were special.

At least for Carlyx, they weren’t just ordinary people.

“Because they were the first people who followed him.”

Daisy bit her lower lip lightly.

For a moment, she thought it would’ve been better if she didn’t know about this. Because she wouldn’t be able to stay still now that she knew of that fact.

Her blue eyes were glued on the letter for a long time.

“Tyler.” Daisy called the butler.

Information about the knights crossed her mind.

Born in an aristocratic family. Their family served as Imperial Knights for generations. From a family that desires their children to become a knight.

‘Who are they again? It’s rare to have them in the Zistanter Knighty Order, though.’

“I’m going to write letters to Logan and Jeffrey.”

Two families at once. Logan was from the Rifai family, while Jeffrey was from the Ashleen family.

“Ah, to Zandarvan, too.”

Zandarvan was the commander of the Knights of Manefartal.

She had to write a letter to someone of his class as a stimulant was needed to shake Carlyx up. Even if it was dangerous.

The atmosphere surrounding the Knights of Zistanter was gloomy.

Many knights were accustomed to war, but some of them weren’t.

For them, an actual war was far from what was told to them.

The Knights of Notics and Manefartal had been taught directly by knights since they were young.

Unlike them, the Knights of Zistanter, who were commoners, only listened to storytellers.

“What the hell is this? Can I place my trust on him?”

The fog of war was putting the Avalrevan Empire in an unfavourable position.

(T/N: Fog of war is the uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations.)

The constant situational change was particularly unsettling for the Knights of Zistanter.

Their uneasiness flared up, especially since Carlyx wasn’t around.

“I believe he was called a War Demon, but how come we’ve never seen him act as one?”

“If he was called a War Demon, what did he do to earn such a title? Why do I not know anything about his excellence? Why do the other knights have more merits than him?”

“Right? If I was a noble, I would’ve joined the Knights of Manefartal.”

In case Carlyx was present, they glanced in various directions before they continued to gossip.

Then Frederick, who just woke up, overheard their conversation and frowned.

Huh, look at these punks.

“Jeffrey, Jeffrey. Get up.”

“Tsk, why?”

Jeffrey clicked his tongue and let out an annoyed voice.

I haven’t been getting enough sleep for days, so I thought of doing so now. But what is this brainless bastard doing? Why did he wake me up?

For that reason, he looked at Frederick with an annoyed expression.

“Do you want to get hit?”

“Does a noble often resort to violence?”

“Noblemen don’t use violence, but noble knights do.”

He threw out his words almost immediately. The same was true for Frederick.

“Because wielding a sword itself is a form of violence.”

Frederick paid no heed to Jeffrey’s agitation. Rather, he placed his hand by his ear to tell Jeffrey to listen.

Jeffrey was able to read the situation and remained silent.

“I’m worried about our future knowing that he has no accomplishments. In my opinion, this Knighty Order is still living in a bubble. It wouldn’t surprise me if it were to burst soon.”

“That’s right. What’s more, no matter how hard we train, he’s still as harsh to us as ever.”

“Isn’t it obvious just by seeing that we are training here instead of the Imperial Training Center?”

How could you say that?! If not for him, you’d end up dead in the war!

Jeffrey sprang up from his seat. But Frederick quickly grabbed Jeffrey’s ankle to stop him.

“Are you out of your mind? Do you want to get hit?”

“No. But I don’t care. Why would I wake you up even when I know you’re going to wreak havoc?”

It made sense.

At Frederick’s words, Jeffrey shook his feet, causing Frederick to stumble.

Frederick’s eyes widened as he stumbled, but he didn’t release his grip on Jeffrey’s feet.

“I know you’re a rare noble in this order.”

“You have to be clear. I’m the only one besides Sir Logan.”

Frederick didn’t even bat an eyelid at his prideful remark. On the contrary, he continued to speak as if he didn’t hear Jeffrey’s remark just now.

“You know what? I won’t stop you from using violence on that kid sitting on the far left and that kid sitting on the far right.”

“Then why are you still holding onto my ankle? Release your grip before I hit you on the face.”

Jeffrey spoke alarmingly, but Frederick, who was used to his attitude, was not scared at all.

“You can even hit the kid sitting next to you on the far left. But there is one person who is an exception. You can’t hit that kid sitting next to the kid on the far right.”

“…Why not?”

Jeffrey glanced at the knight he pointed to.

A commoner with a face full of freckles. Even the clothes he wore were nothing like that of a noble. That being the case, there shouldn’t be any problem with beating him up.

Frederick, who could read Jeffrey’s thoughts, answered quickly.

“He’s affiliated with a noble knight. I think his acquaintance is a pretty high ranking noble knight in the Knights of Notics, so this could spark a fire between the orders.”

Jeffrey, who was ready to jump on them, stopped.

If it becomes a matter that concerns the Knights of Notics, Carlyx would be the one to suffer the repercussions.

In the end, Jeffrey only glared at Frederick.

“How do you know that? Are you close with that kid?”

Jeffrey looked at him as if he uncovered something terrible. On the other hand, Frederick only smiled at him.

“I’m pretty sociable, so I get along with everyone.”

“Sociable, my ass. Let me go already, I’m tired.”

Jeffrey rolled his eyes and shook his feet. Fortunately, Frederick let go this time.

“Follow me.”

“Why should I? Even though I don’t have the body of a precious nobleman, I still have to cherish my body. What’s more, I’m not brave enough to fight them so brazenly.”

Jeffrey, with his arms crossed, raised his head and asked arrogantly.

“Why do you need to fight when I’m right here?”

Frederick burst into laughter at his imposing tone.

In any case, such behavior wasn’t normal, so those knights need to be taught a lesson.

Frederick sprang up from his seat as Jeffrey watched him silently.

“Who are you going to hit first?”

“I don’t throw my fist recklessly in this situation.”

“Of course you don’t.”

“I’m going to ask for a spar. Two versus five.”

The spar was just an excuse, in reality, they just wanted to beat up people randomly.

Jeffrey always tried to maintain the virtue of nobility, but there was a time where he contradicted his principles.

Frederick, who was used to this type of situation, began to stretch his body.

When Jeffrey and Frederick were about to approach the knights, someone called them.

“Sir Frederick, Sir Jeffrey. Do you have time to talk?”

The person’s voice was hoarse, as if they deliberately suppressed it.

Frederick and Jeffrey looked at each other. Their eyes were mixed with confusion. Then their gazes shifted back to the fair-skinned man.

This man was wearing a hat as if trying to hide his face. It was also difficult for them to distinguish his hair color because it was neatly hidden in the hat.

He was suspicious.

“Who is he? Do you know him?”

“No. It’s my first time seeing him, too. What’s your name?”

When Frederick asked the man, Jeffrey frowned.

You can just ignore him, why did you ask for his name?

“I heard you come to the mansion often, but how come you don’t recognize my face? Is it because my disguise works well?”

Mumbling quietly, the man took off his round hat. At that moment, the blonde hair hidden in the hat flowed down.

Daisy Jean was the main topic in their conversations not long ago. Because of that, Frederick and Jeffrey’s eyes widened at the reveal of her identity.

“I’m sorry I came without making an appointment first.”

Daisy smiled as she fixed her hair.

“Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”

“Ah, yes. Let’s go and talk, madam.”

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────