Because of yesterday's incident, somehow, Sandy managed to get permission from Duke Rudolf to train Arthur. Even though Arthur was desperate to climb a tree, Duke Rudolf did not allow him to practice swords. However, thanks to Sandy, Arthur is now allowed to practice on the condition that Sandy teaches him.
In the outdoor training field, several knights had already warmed up and practiced sparring. Arthur, whose swordsmanship was still below all of them, could only practice wooden swords with training dummies made on the edge of the field. All this time, Arthur was just banging on the dummy in annoyance.
'What the fuck this useless body.'
He practiced while accompanied by the gaze of Sandy who was busy eating fruit on the sidelines. That man was wearing a white T-shirt that revealed his body again. It seemed that among the knights, only Sir Daniel could match that man's body shape.
Arthur was getting annoyed at his useless body. He hit the doll according to the vital points he knew.
Duagh!
In anger, Arthur kicked the dummy. "Come on, damn it, do I have to keep doing repetitive motions while the others can happily spar?"
Sandy took a leisurely bite of the apple, he said, "Hyung-nim's moves are correct, I just haven't gotten used to them yet. I must have done that move at least a million times to get used to it. As for sparring, you have to get used to it first, Hyung."
His younger brother looked very sweet on the outside. But Arthur felt that his brother was no different from a demon. Arthur wanted to fight, not just play with a wooden sword.
"Hyung-nim, you're looking more and more like grandfather."
"Grandpa Isaac? Thanks for the insult." Arthur replied to his brother in a scornful tone.
As was well known, the former duke, Isaac Rudolf was a notoriously impatient first duke with a foul mouth. Sandy had heard from Sir Daniel that after his memory loss, Arthur swore more often, just like him.
The difference was that Arthur swore every chance he got, while Sandy swore only where it was necessary, such as to tell the truth. For example, like right now.
"Even puppies or dog are trained faster than you, Hyung-nim." Sandy lightly commented clearly.
Arthur snorted. "I know that, you little asshole."
Sandy got up from his seat. He walked towards Arthur with lazy steps. "Hmm... do we need to fulfill your wish, Hyung?"
"It's not fair if I spar with you. Hmm... let me see from the knights, huh?" Sandy stole a glance at the knights who were busy practicing according to Captain Hone's instructions.
He saw someone resting around the knights. "Hey, you! Patrol guard!"
The person who was called was surprised to see Sandy waving at him. That person immediately gave permission to Captain Hone and hurriedly broke away from the line to meet Sandy.
Arthur remembered that man's face. He was one of the guards who helped Captain Hone when he transmigrated there. One of the people who was hit by the fruit thrown from the top of the tree. Remembering that made him embarrassed all over again.
Sandy saw that the guard was already standing in front of her. "Hmm... your body isn't that different from Hyung-nim's. You're from the castle patrol, right? Then your strength isn't as great as the knights who are assigned to go out. Try sparring with Hyung-nim."
The guard man looked surprised. "I'm sparring with Young Duke-nim? B-but, Young Master-nim, I'm afraid of hurting Young Duke-nim's body that still hasn't fully healed."
Sandy smiled and said kindly. "That's why I chose you who looks weaker than the others. Never mind, just consider it extra practice."
That man looked hesitant, then looked at Arthur, the Young Duke who would be competing with him. Arthur was now looking at Sandy with an annoying gaze.
Sandy knew that and immediately returned his gaze. "Isn't that what you want, Hyung-nim?"
'Yes, but you hurt my feelings by giving the weakest person, this little bastard.'
Arthur did his best to disguise his expression. "Yes, thank you dear brother."
Sandy immediately sent the two to the sparring section of the field. Several other knights were asked by Captain Hone to step aside and watch Arthur spar. In the distance, Sir Daniel and Milly waved to encourage Arthur.
"Young Duke-nim, cheer up!"
"I prepared milk and cookies for you, Young Duke-nim. Let's win the match!"
Arthur's two diehard fans continued to wave. Arthur was astonished that Sir Daniel, a knight, rarely seemed to train and preferred to just follow him. What exactly was in that man's brain.
When he reached the center of the field, the guard bowed to Arthur politely. "Please help, Young Duke-nim."
Arthur nodded. Then, both of them took their stances.
Sandy casually counted down. "Three... Two... One... Start!"
Brugh!
There was no time for Sandy to get off the field, the match was over. Even Captain Hone and the knights who were having fun betting stopped their jokes. Sir Daniel and Milly who were far away also stopped cheering.
Arthur who removed his wooden sword and attacked the guard by dodging his sword, managed to slam him down. He used one of the judo techniques he remembered from earth.
Although it was a bit difficult due to his lack of stamina, at least it was true that his opponent was very weak. Arthur felt that his skill display was going well.
"Next?"
***
A man with neat clothes and eccentric hair, walked around Britney Main Street. He was greeted by several knights on patrol and pedestrians who recognized him. That man looked very handsome.
He went to an inn. The name Green Forest Inn could be seen in front of the bar. With sure steps, he walked towards the second floor.
"You must be busy because of the court." Someone who was on the second floor, immediately commented upon seeing him.
Count Rubel who was visiting the inn for some reason was immediately excited when Dean greeted him. "Well, being a nobleman dragged into an incident is not good. Fortunately, I've been released from the status of a suspect and become a witness."
"The next court will be held at the center. This time I don't know if I should feel sad or what. Crown Prince Xavier... was dragged in because one of the Barons had a signature licensing a human trafficking organization from the empire to enter this kingdom. You are disguised as that organization, right? His position is getting more and more difficult."
Count Rubel showed a strange face. "My life was dedicated to the Crown Prince, and it's come to this. I don't know who is right out of all of them. Oh, the attacker's dagger was found by the royal knights at the scene. So that organization won't be able to evade anymore. You guys are disguised too well."
Dean didn't reply to Count Rubel's words, as per his cold habit. However, Count Rubel still respected him. Dean extended his hand towards Count Rubel.
Count Rubel handed him a rolled up paper. "It's a letter stating that the K-Night Guild can enter the Marithus Kingdom with a license for services and sales. However, assassin services are prohibited. The point is that you can open a branch here openly."
That man looked at the ceiling and at the wall of the inn's second floor hallway. "Instead of you hiding this inn all the time. You can open a place here."
Dean nodded. "Leon's not around, I should take care of it directly. So, how about that mage?"
Count Rubel immediately thought of Cindy Esperen. "She is now a star among the nobles. At her young age, she has already reached circle four. So, according to my previous plan, I did sponsor her but within the faction. I have to attract people to feel like sponsoring her in order to protect her from Baron Esperen or the Crown Prince's hand."
So, Cindy was now like a diamond being displayed in front of the nobleman. However, in the end Count Rubel would ask the kingdom to sponsor her directly into the Magic Tower.
Dean nodded, he checked the document that Count Rubel had brought. It was true that there were signatures of the king and also the foreign minister allowing him to open a branch in the Kingdom of Marithus.
"I actually feel sorry for Arthur. His goal this time may not be achieved because the neutral faction is supported by the queen's faction with a condition. I heard about it when Count Clark was talking to Crown Prince Xavier during a break in the preliminary hearing." Count Rubel recalled what happened there.
Dean asked, "What do you mean it's about Irene Gestrine who is actually the queen's sister not Arthur's biological mother?"
"Yes, Arthur is just a stepping stone for the stunning debut of his own brother, Sandy Rudolf for the fight against Crown Prince Xavier."
DEG!