CH 42

The members of the garrison clenched their fists and shouted quite provoking remarks.

“One-on-one, please!”

“Hoho, these rascals…”

Dad stepped in, and the boisterous mood subsided again. However, Ciel gave a small smile as if it was no big deal.

“It’s fine, Baron. I’ve also been meaning to see with my own eyes the great skill of the Closche garrison, which I only ever heard about before.”

He walked to the center of the weapons rack and took out one sword.

The silver blade seemed utterly white beneath the sun.

To be honest, I’m a little curious, too. I never got the chance to see him wield a sword in the past. He always used the powers he had as an Esper to subdue the opponents or monsters he fought against.

Recalling that he was originally a knight in this world, my eyes glistened. Observing his technique might be helpful with my own practice of the katar.

After the guards played rock-paper-scissors with each other, they soon lined up in order at the center of the drill hall, each one of them holding their weapon of choice.

They’re similar to the ones I saw at Benjamin’s smithy, and the large swords were apt for their heights.

As Dad mentioned before, it’s clear that our garrison had a height requirement. Brother and Dad were well over 180 centimeters (5’9’’) tall, but all the other guards were about as tall as them, too. Some were even taller.

Amidst this crowd, Ciel was not lacking. He looked to be about 190 centimeters (6’1’’) tall, or maybe even past that.

Watching them from afar, I noticed that Aiden remained alone, awkward. So, I approached him quietly.

“Ah, Lady…”

“Let’s watch together.”

“…Okay.”

It’s quite adorable to see his usually pale face get so flushed. If I had a younger brother, would it feel like this, too? I got curious.

Ciel overpowered the guards with simple and efficient movements.

Even though he didn’t use any of his Esper abilities at all, he trounced each and every guard who rushed at him without hesitation.

Dad was evidently surprised by this. Then, soon, it was time for Brother’s turn. He stepped up to the back of the line quietly.

The determination to win seemed to be burning within him. Brother was always so kind to me, but I heard that he’s actually a tenacious man.

Uncle Hans told me this, that even from when he was young, the innocent young master’s eyes would change the moment he had a sword in his hand.

As he defeated one guard at a time, Ciel’s eyes glinted the moment he saw his next opponent in line—David.

Until now, Ciel had been swinging the sword in his hand lightly, but the way he held it now changed.

Watching as Ciel’s sword grip brought his sword to a straight line, the members of the garrison all lamented.

“I should have faced that too…”

This seemed to be the swordsmanship technique of House Leopardt.

Curious as I was, I drew closer to the drill hall without realizing it. I want to properly capture what kind of technique it was.

Brother raised his sword, the length of which was as tall as he was, then tilted it sideways.

I was immediately enraptured. I didn’t even know my own family’s swordsmanship technique.

The two men stared down at each other and slowly narrowed the distance between them—until something stopped them.

The bugle to signal the approach of monsters.

“MOVE OUT!”

In an instant, the previously playful members of the garrison each picked up their weapons and armor and quickly left with their respective units.

“Rin! Don’t leave this place, understand?”

“Yes, don’t worry, Dad.”

“Right. Stay with the Young Duke.”

Dad and Brother quickly put on their armor and mounted their horses.

Along with the sound of the bugle, the garrison moved in perfect order. Ciel watched them leave, then turned to look at me and Aiden.

“You both should return to the mansion first.”

After that brief sentence, he both raised us mid-air.

“Duke?”

“Brother?”

After such a long time, it was that familiar feeling of being set adrift again. Even if this place was at the outskirts of the fief, the mansion could be seen in the distance because it’s not that far away.

Ciel lifted me and Aiden to the air, planning to bring us directly to the mansion.

“Duke?”

“Go back inside first.”

After saying so, Aiden and I were quickly carried by the wind. I was already used to it because I had been in the same situation quite a few times in the past, but Aiden was not.

He hurriedly brought a hand to cover his pale face. I reached forward to grab his other gloved hand, which was bigger than I expected it to be. Aiden looked at me in surprise.

But instead of making eye contact, I scoured the area while we were up high. Through the rising dust, I checked the place that looked crowded. That must be the place where the group of monsters was.

And the last thing I saw before we began to descend sharply was Ciel, flying to that very place—fast.