Out of curiosity, I decided to walk around the town of the dukedom. I conceal my myself using magic in which is common in this era. Suddenly, two men sleeping in by the gate caught my attention. I went ahead to check it out and I saw two soldiers sleeping on a chair. I don't know what to feel. Do I have to talk with them or should I just kill them and help them sleep forever?
Before I grabbed their swords lying next to them, three guards came. They look tired but no one will notice it if you don't look at them properly. They ask me whether I have a business to do there. I told them that I want to use the gate and go outside to gather some woods. It is a typical scenario. But the guards refuse to do so. He said that I should just pick up some twigs around since the me, current ruler of the north, forbid anyone to leave.
If I do remember it, I really warned the soldiers to guard the gates properly. I really don't want any news to leave the town at the moment. Well, I don't want to ruin my brother's wedding preparation if ever he is force to come back here. But recalling what the guard said, I clearly said that it is until the problem is been solve. That was five days ago, the death of the corrupt and evil marquis and his friends, and also the banishment of their family and dethronement. Technically, everything is over, and basically, they can let people leave the town.
"I noticed that two soldiers are sleeping. May I know why they are sleeping?" I asked to change the topic.
"I think that is not of your concern to know such information."
"Why? The question is just simple, you can just tell me why."
"As a normal citizen of this town, you must have known any reason why and you can just deduct from what you see. I think such information as well is not a requirement for us to give you."
"Well, you are right. But aren't you afraid that the witch will find this out?"
"If she finds it out that is our concern. We are more afraid to tell you any information than being caught sleeping."
"That's odd. You are afraid of giving out information rather than being caught sleeping in action?" I instigate.
"The way you present your words sounds like you are trying to gather information. You are more suspicious than we are. Are you really going out to gather some woods or should I think differ?"
The guard suddenly raise his awareness. However, instead of being irritated I find it amusing on how he really protects the information even a single detail to escape.
Upon meeting such upright soldier, I decided to unleash my concealment and revealed who are really am. After seeing the real me, this braze soldier started to tremble in fear. Not only him but as well the soldiers that are behind him. They suddenly kneel and bowed their head to the ground. Why are they doing it? I haven't done something yet. I haven't killed anyone yet for them to be trembling like that.
I walk a little closer to those sleeping soldiers and check their pulse. I grabbed the sword lying near to them and gave the sword to the soldier who I found upright. I commanded him to kill his sleeping colleagues and that causes him to tremble more. He stood up and begged me not to kill them. He told me that they are actually off duty and was too tired to go home to sleep. He elaborated that they are not drunk and really did their duty last night.
Despite of all his pleads, I stared him blankly and emphasize that he should kill them. His hand began trembling as if he is holding a hot iron in which he is struggling to hold it properly. The soldiers behind him closed their eyes neglecting the death of their fellow soldiers. The man pulls the sword to his back elbow and about to stab his sleeping friend. But before the blade even pierce the skin of that defenseless soldier, I use my magic stop him.
The sleeping soldier suddenly woke up and trembles upon seeing my face and a sword penetrated his armor. The upright man trembles and still holding the swords refusing to let go of it. Is he perhaps wanted his friend to die, or was he scared that he didn't kill him? I told him to let go of the sword.
"You are one brave and obedient pawn. I must admit that you impress me."
"..."
"I knew all along that they are not drunk and they are suffering from fatigue. However, I want to know whether you are going to obey me or are you going to do what you think is right. I just want to know where your loyalty is."
"My loyalty is to you milady."
"Simple words are hard to determine and that is why I always wanted to see the act. At first, I doubted that you will eventually pierce his heart and will throw the sword away. But I saw that the blade actually pierces his armor which mean you are really going kill him because I commanded you to do so."
"..."
"You remind me of someone, he is courageous and brave and also upright man but foolish. I told him to retreat three times and yet didn't listen and did what he think is right. In the end, his thought and foolishness killed him."
"We remember that you once said that you hate the cowards but yet you understand them however you loathe the fools."
"You are absolutely right."
"I am coward, but I am no fool to disobey a commander."
"Well said soldier, continue your doings and it will reach you to somewhere. I can fix that cowardice of yours but foolishness, no, in fact I might end your foolishness quickly."
"I am living in your mercy, milady."
I like this soldier. He knows how to sweet talk a commanding officer but I have to stop him there or else he might become something else. I commanded them to buy a bed and place it on a shed for soldiers to have a quick nap on. Also, I told them that they can operate normally in the gate since the problem with the marquis is already solved, they don't have to be strict among themselves.
That same day, as I kept walking around the town, I notice that there are many children who are playing around with a wooden sword. In that cobbled street where carriages are passing by there are many young children playing to be at war. I watch them for a long time and suddenly a man joined them. They played together and I find it irritating, why would a man pretend to be dying while he is still alive? If he wants to die then he just has to give a real sword to that kid to stab him.
The next day, after gathering my new appointed vassals I went out of the mansion to watch the kids from yesterday. I notice that the man is also with them and they keep on playing.
Day after day, I didn't realize that it became my daily routine to watch the kids play. I also get the idea why they were playing such cruel game. I bet they wanted to be soldiers when they grew up. I am so proud since they love this dukedom and already training themselves to become aspiring soldiers. It just concerns me that this man is teaching them wrong. Every time he was being hit in the thighs he pretends to die. That is just wrong. No one is dying instantly just because having a wound in the thighs. These kids will grow so weak if ever they enter a battle field someday.
In able to kill a person you have to stab them in the head or in the heart. Those are options if you want a quick death, having a wound in the thighs will give you eighty percent chance to live. The twenty percent is all about bleeding to death or just stupidity. This man is not a good influence to these young aspiring soldiers. I should be the one teaching them.
That night, I couldn't stop thinking about that fake teacher. I should be the one teaching them.