We spent three days, after leaving Sernathe Kingdom to go to our next destination.
"Anna, I am fine already. So, you can get off me" Reina stated. "No!" Anna who was hugging her arm tightly, insisted.
Reina looked at Anna with a bit pleading eyes. But, Anna kept on insisting "No!"
What a sight…
Russell looked outside the window of the wagon. "I think we're here, guys!" He spoke, as he looked back at us.
"Oh!" Gino looked at the window, as well. "I'm really excited to see my old man and little brother" Gino stated.
I mumbled, "Brother..?"
"Ah, I haven't told you guys, right? I have a little brother who is 3 years younger than me" He stated.
So, Gino has a little brother… I can't imagine him being a good brother.
"You have siblings too, right?" Gino stated. "Ah, yeah..! 4 of them" I nodded. "My little sister is the same age as your little brother" I added.
"Then, they might get along and be friends" Gino chuckled. "Maybe" I agreed.
Siblings, huh..?
It's been half a year, since I saw them.
If I am right, my three siblings are at the Main palace right now, while Elicia is at the Emerald Palace.
I hope they're doing great…
"Ugh..!" I groaned. "Not again!" The others shouted.
*
"Is this all?" I asked, as I checked my luggage. "Yes, your highness" My personal maid, Gina Diphda bowed.
I smiled, "Thanks for getting it ready for me, Gina"
"It's not a great deal, your highness. I merely did my job" Gina bowed, with a slight blush. "I am still thankful to you" I stated.
Gina looked at me, with her red face.
"Big bro, you should stop making someone's heart throb, like that" Heldrad patted my shoulder. "Throb..?" I mumbled.
Heldrad mumbled, "What are you… an airhead handsome?"
"What the heck are you saying to Big brother Alfred? Herd" Altheia stated, as she went down the stairs.
"I am also your brother, Theia" Heldrad stated. "I don't know of a brother that is so vulgar like you" Altheia stated.
Heldrad glared at her, and Altheia did the same to him.
I sighed. "Stop it, you two" I stated. They continue to glare at each other, while insulting each other. "Really…" I sighed, once again.
"Your highness" An old butler approached me, from behind. "What is it, Raphael?" I asked, as I looked at him.
He is my personal butler, Raphael Blitz. Gina is just a bit older than me, while Raphael will be over 60's this year. He's been with me, since I was young.
"I wanted to ask you about your stay at the Emerald Palace. Until when will you stay there?" He asked. "I guess, until Ed's vacation ends" I answered.
Heldrad spoke, "Right Ed will be coming home!"
"Did you just notice that right now?" Altheia asked. "Yeah, I was really excited to see him again that I forgot when it will be" Heldrad giggled.
Why is it that they get along, when it comes to Ed?
I smiled. "So, what about it, Raphael?" I asked. "Ah! It just got me a bit curious" Raphael answered.
"Are you gonna miss me?" I asked, with a teasing tone. "Of course" Raphael nodded. "If nothing bad happens, I will be there for a month" I smiled.
Raphael bowed, "I wish you a good vacation, your highness"
"Will you be taking Org with you?" Gina asked. "Of course" I nodded, as I looked at the black haired man with a large scar on his face, behind me.
Org Schenberg, he is my personal knight. The scar he has on his face seems to be something he got, when he was young.
"Well, we will be going" I stated, as Heldrad and Altheia followed me to the wagon.
*
We have arrived at the Orthorn Kingdom's Capital, City of Hamlet.
The scent of beer filled the city, and laughs are heard all around the city. "As expected for the so-called City of Knights" Forth tilted his glasses.
"Is that an insult or compliment?" Gino asked. "It can be either" Forth looked at Gino, as he tilted his glasses, once again. "Hahaha…"
Gino had guided us to his house, The Manor of Borther.
"Is this a guild?" I asked. "It's my house" Gino answered. "I am well aware that it would only look like a guild from the outside" He added.
Gino opened the big gate, in front of us. "My Dad is training apprentice knights of our house and of the Orthorn Kingdom. So, it might be a bit noisy inside" Gino stated.
As we entered from the gate, sounds of swords clashing and shouts of men were heard.
If we weren't told that there are some apprentice knights here, surely we had mistaken it for someone starting a war.
Suddenly, two small figures jumped on Gino, as he opened the door to the Manor. "Brother Gino, welcome back!" They greeted.
"Ah… I'm back Cyril, Cyrus" Gino stated, as he patted the head of the two, in front of him.
"I thought you only had a little brother? Didn't know that you had twin younger siblings" I stated. "They're not my siblings, they're my cousins" Gino stated, as the two got of him.
They went near us. "I am Cyrus!" The dandelion-haired boy stated, as he raised his right hand. "I am Cyril!" The dandelion-haired girl followed, as she raised her left hand.
They're cute..!
"Let me introduce them to you two, this is Ed" Gino stated, as he pointed at me. "Kirt, Russell and Forth" he continued.
He spoke, "Reina and Anna"
I looked at the two of them. Somehow, Anna looked very scared.
Don't tell me you're bad even if they're kids?
"That big sis looks coward" Cyrus said, as he pointed at Anna. "Right!" Cyril agreed, as she smiled at her twin brother.
Anna jolted. "Hey! That's bad, apologize to this big sis" Reina scolded them. "Sorry…" They apologized.
We went inside Gino's Manor. The sounds were heard louder in the inside.
"Ah, there you are! Cyrus! Cyril! I was looking for you two" A boy who look a lot like Gino appeared.
Forth shouted, "Doppelganger!!"
"Forth, calm down!" Gino stated. "Brother..?" The boy who looked a lot like Gino mumbled, as he saw us.
The boy then put his right hand over his chest, while his left hand over his back, and he bowed. "I am Cety Borther. It's a pleasure to meet you all" The boy introduced.
It's kinda weird looking at a boy that resembles Gino a lot introduce politely to us, like this.
"He's the polar opposite of Gino…" Reina mumbled. You are very right!
"My father is unable to welcome you, due to his work so I apologize on his behalf" Cety stated, as he bowed his head to us.
"Ah, you don't need to bow. We are plenty aware of his position of work to cause his busy" I said.
"Yup, plus it's uncomfortable to have a person with the same face as Gino apologizing to us" Kirt chuckled. "Are you mocking me?" Gino pissed off. "As if I would…" Kirt laughed.
"I see that you are pretty close to each other, everyone" Cety said. "Are we?" Reina asked.
"Well, I guess that's how it will look from the outside" Anna stated. "Then, are you not close in truth?" Cety asked. "Nope, it's like this even in truth, Cety" Gino stated.
After that, we talked with Cety about a lot of things and heard more unexpected sides of Gino from him.
I'm kinda bit disappointed since Christophe Borther, the legendary knight isn't here. I wanted to see him once.
The next day came and Gino's father still haven't arrived. "Since, Dad doesn't seem like he's coming back anytime, let's go and leave for the next place" Gino stated.
"W-Wait!" I mumbled. "Hmm, what's wrong Ed?" Russell asked. "Gino, how many days would it take for your Dad to come back?" I asked. "Well, about 2 or 3, why?" Gino stated.
"Can we wait until then?" I stated. "We're not rushing that much so it'll be fine, but why?" Gino asked. "Ed, don't tell me you want to meet Lord Christophe?" Kirt stated.
"Truthfully, yes" I nodded. "You'll just be disappointed if you meet my old man, you know" Gino stated. "Still, I want to know what kind of person the legendary knight is!" I stated.
"It's fine, let's wait until then" Gino agreed. "Thanks Gino!"
After 2 days, the legendary knight had come back.
And for some reasons I am here being asked a battle by this legendary knight who even has a statue of him built in the middle of this kingdom of Knights.
Just why am I doing this?
It will be about an hour or two from now.
"I'm back!" Christophe Borther shouted, as he did all the apprentices, servants and even we stopped everything we were doing and went to greet the lord of the manor.
Of course, it was given that this person is loved by everyone in this manor, to the point that even his sons can't take his time for a second just to greet him.
After an hour, the crowd of people that greeted him earlier disappeared and it was our turn.
Before Gino could even greet him, the legendary knight looked at me and asked, "You are Edward von Collins, aren't you?" With his face close to mine. "Y-yes sir" I answered.
"I was right! I wondered why you looked a lot like Heldrad, that would only be normal if you were Edward, wouldn't it." He stated.
Can't you notice that just by looking at my eyes? Since, only us the Imperial family has this jewel blue eyes.
Wait, now that I remember it this person was my brother's master. How could I forget such thing? Well, it is my first time seeing him even so,
He then told me that my brother would often brag about my strength, that his interest in me has built up, leading us to this condition.
With his whim of wanting to test my strength my brother has been bragging about, I was forced to fight the legendary knight.
If not for my brother, I wouldn't be here right now. Really, you should stop saying things you think as it is, Heldrad!!
"It's a knight's pride to never run any challenge, young master" He said, as he wields his sheathed great sword firmly.
"Old man! Are you gonna fight him using your sword?" Gino exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'll keep it sheathed. Plus, I don't want my position to disappear for a crime of killing a royal" He smirked.
He charged through me, with a god speed despite, wielding a heavy sword. Unable to dodge, I was thrown off the corner, as I choked. "Is that all?" He glared at me.
This guy…
Is too strong..! I'll get killed if I don't give my all.
I stood, looking all determined. "That's the spirit" He chuckled, as he charged at me again.
This time, I took a deep breath and managed to stop his sword. The wooden sheath of my sword broke, due to the impact.
After, analyzing that he will be fine with his heavy armor even if I stabbed him, it was my turn to take the attack.
I charged at him, we clashed sword many times. Due to fatigue, I got thrown off by his attack. I couldn't stand.
I clearly forgot that I was told to not use my muscles recklessly. He aimed his sword at me, as I panted. "This is the end, kid" He said.
I stopped breathing, and rushed to his chest. "Check…mate…" I said, as I fell down. "Ed!" They shouted.
Mister Christophe stood there, all surprised, he grinned creepily.
T-this monster…!