The duel between the family's hope, Cranz, and the incompetent Cyan.
Without needing to predict, the spectators in the arena unanimously supported Cranz's one-sided victory.
Seeing Cyan standing still, some thought he had given up on the duel …
But what was happening?
With quick movements, he dodged Cranz's sword and swiftly brought his knees to Cranz stomach.
Not stopping there, he knocked Cranz out with a kick to the face and ended the duel by beating him up. After exacting his retribution for being thrashed by Cranz in the past, Cyan pointed his blade toward Cranz's neck.
"...!?"
Servants with no experience in martial arts were dumbfounded, not understanding what had just happened.
However, the gazes of the higher-ranked knights and martial artists, who had honed their swordsmanship, were different.
Cyan's foot had landed precisely at the moment Cranz was about to strike with his sword, as if he had watched and responded to his opponent's movements to the very end.
Losing his target, Cranz lost his balance and fell, and Cyan quickly subdued him without missing the opportunity.
It was clearly no coincidence.
To reach such a level one needed to have a very fine perception and attention.
And it was the same for Duke Vert.
Cyan Vert, the youngest of his five sons, received no attention from birth, known for having neither talent nor enthusiasm for swordsmanship or martial arts.
But even to such a child, parental affection exists.
Even if he was an incompetent, through today's duel, there was a hope he might show even a small possibility, which was secretly anticipated.
But what was this?
With just one exchange, he had subdued the fourth son.
The Duke smiled.
The youngest had talent after all.
Perhaps he had been hiding his true abilities all this time.
If he completes the academy's education, he will surely grow into a proper member of the family.
It felt like finding a gem in an unexpected place.
However, the next action he witnessed turned his joy into doubt.
"...?"
An unnecessary brutal assault.
Even if it was excused as a means for complete subjugation, there was no need for such a merciless strike against his brother after the victory was already decided.
It was an act born out of a desire to completely dominate the opponent.
Was there a need to show such behavior in a mere duel, and that too by a ten-year-old child?
The Duke's face turned to ugly.
"Eulken?"
At the Duke's call, a knight approached.
"Did you call for me, my lord?"
"I will delay our return. Inform the knights at the front…"
The knight appeared surprised by the decision to delay their return but did not question it and simply bowed before leaving.
However, he did not question and simply bowed his head and left.
"..."
The Duke continued to gaze intently at Cyan.
Whether Cyan was aware of his gaze or not, he simply returned the sword to his maid with an indifferent expression.
* * *
In the afternoon, when the sun was high in the sky.
Though I sat down to eat lunch, something felt significantly different.
The table was laden with food as if it might break under the weight.
It was not as if I was expected to eat until I burst, but how could this possibly be considered a meal for one person?
But lets set the food aside for a moment…
"What's all this, Emily?"
"I, I don't know. I haven't heard anything about being supplied with this much…"
Normally invisible, the mansion's servants were now all lined up in front of me.
Among them, I could see a few who were assigned to Cranz.
The maids who prepared the meal were looking at me with sparkling eyes, as if urging me to try their food.
It feels like it's going to go in through my nose rather than my mouth…
Just because I won a duel does not mean my status has suddenly skyrocketed.
Originally, I only had Emily as my designated maid.
Meaning, all these people had gathered here voluntarily.
It's human nature not to forget the kindness of those who have nurtured them.
For one to succeed, it's common to have many supporters who help and back them up.
Nobles' children, when they rise in status, usually do not forget to take care of the nurses and maids who raised them, as it's almost a custom to do so.
But this is beyond that.
People who never even greeted me before are now swarming around, hoping to catch some crumbs of benefit…
Well, its not that I don't understand their intentions .
In some ways, it represents a rather awful concept of how the world works.
Sucking up for survival—how human is that?
"Could you all please leave?"
I still want to eat in peace, after all.
"It's a little too much. Although I appreciate your effort in preparing the food, I would prefer to dine alone. I will call if I need anything. Therefore, please leave if you could."
The servants, glancing at each other, started to exit one by one.
As Emily sneakily tried to follow them out, I stopped her.
"Why are you leaving, Emily?"
"Me?"
"Aren't you supposed to bring dessert?"
At the mention of dessert, she turned around with a beaming smile.
Just so you know, Emily is really bad at cooking.
Among the mansion's maids, she is known to be the worst.
Not just with cooking, but there is not anything she excels at.
Well, it is not particularly strange for an incompetent servant to be assigned to an incompetent master.
I did not ask her to stay because I wanted to drink her tea.
It was just a gesture of goodwill from a master.
Even so, one might wonder why someone who doesn't hesitate to speak rudely to a member of the ducal family would be kept around.
But I dare say, there is no one in this mansion who cares for me as much as this maid does.
Was it when I was about nine? There was a time when I was burning up with fever, barely conscious,
At that time, Cranz had decided to go on his first hunt, taking all the mansion's servants with him, leaving no one to care for me.
The person who carried my feverish body to the domain's healing center was Emily.
And then, she took care of me for two days and nights without sleep.
She may be a bit odd in character, but if it were not for her, I might have died unnoticed in the mansion in my previous life.
In other words, she is the only person I cannot afford to lose and must keep by my side.
After the meal, as if she had been waiting, she brought out the tea.
"But, young master! How did you manage to defeat Master Cranz?"
"How? You saw it yourself."
"No! You never showed the slightest interest in swordsmanship before, young master! Unless you trained while I wasn't looking…"
"I did it when you weren't around."
"Really…?"
It's not a lie.
My swordsmanship training began at the academy.
Clearly, I had practiced in her absence.
Emily's dumbfounded face was quite a sight.
-Clomp clomp
While enjoying the tea, I heard footsteps.
Not the light steps of servants, but the heavy steps of a knight.
The mansion's dining area was an open space without doors, and soon a knight in shining white armor appeared from around the corner.
"Guard Knight Eulken greets you, Young Master Cyan."
It was Eulken Darius, a senior knight of the Order of Light.
Startled by the appearance of a high-ranking knight, Emily quickly stepped back and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your meal."
"It's okay. what brings you here?"
"The Duke is looking for Young Master Cyan. I will escort you to his office, if you would accompany me?"
A summons from my father.
I had heard that he delayed his return to the front, but I did not expect him to summon me so soon.
"Understood. Shall we go now?"
There was no need to delay now that my meal was over.
I rose from my seat and followed Eulken to my father's office.
Being escorted by a high-ranking knight.
This was no trivial matter.
The delivery of messages and escorting could be done by even low-ranking soldiers.
However, the one guiding me now is a senior knight, a warrior who has reached the pinnacle of martial prowess.
This alone signifies how much my status has risen.
The servants bowing their heads as soon as they see me.
Even though I was merely walking to the office, I was under the kind of formidable protection that others could not even dare to approach.
"Yo-young master! Over here!"
Emily, glancing around, pointed across the corridor.
A dignified group was approaching.
Margaret Erzeth.
The Duke's legitimate wife and the mother of Cranz, whom I had just knocked down a short while ago.
Judging by their direction, they seemed to have come from the infirmary.
Probably checking on Cranz's condition.
"...!"
Upon spotting me, she frowned as if it was the most natural reaction.
I, undeterred, approached her and initiated a conversation.
"How is Brother Cranz doing?"
She was clearly displeased.
"How dare you speak. After brutally beating your brother, you have the audacity to show your face?"
Brutal beating…
When she says that, I wonder whether she realizes how cruel Cranz has been to me.
I mean, I completely understand her resentment. Even if she gave me a slap for what happened to her child, it wouldn't be unjust.
I hadn't completely written off this kind of response.
It isn't as though she was ever fond of me.
I can let it go without a fuss as long as she doesn't step over a boundary.
"After all, what do you really expect from someone with your low origins? How could the child be any different from his mother, who was filthy?
She went too far.
My remaining piece of civility shattered.
Spewing those words in front of me now felt like a death wish, had it been me in a previous life.
"It was always meant for you to beg on the streets for food. And nevertheless, you went too far once the Duke took you in? But then again, even after numerous guidance, a person like you would still not comprehend!
My mind was no longer registering the Duchess's remarks.
Oh, how do I proceed?
I really want to kill her.
Before Eulken reaches her, I could just cut her throat.
I gave it some thought and shook my head.
It wouldn't be worthwhile to murder her that quickly.
Why are you standing there, particularly? Give way!
I just turned my head away and looked her in the eyes.
How dare you are looking at me ? With eyes like that, how dare you gawk at me!
"What do you wish to accomplish?"
"I find it very offensive when a lady like Duchess speaks in such a harsh manner."
The surroundings froze at what I said.
The Duchess snorted as though she was surprised.
"Why should I care about your feelings?"
"You should care, though."
How come?
What could I do to Cranz?
For one instant, her eyes quivered furiously.
"Should he go at least?"
Her eyes twitched wildly for a moment.
"At least, shouldn't he go to the academy in one piece?"
She shivered at my genuine, not bravado-filled, smile.
After all, breaking an arm or leg does not result in death, nor does it reflect a capital offense, right?
And it's not like my father would punish me severely for such an action.
"How dare such a low-born, vulgar person!"
"Are you not aware of your current situation? Could you please move aside so I can go see the Duke? Du~chess~!"
Not only was she astonished, but so were her servants.
I had the audacity to ask the mistress of the house to step aside.
The Duchess, angry, lifted her hand.
-Clack
But that hand was stopped, not by my face, but by someone else's.
"...!"
"Let's stop here, Madam."
Let me say it again: I am currently being escorted.
Escorted by a high-ranking knight under direct orders from the Duke.
The guard knight, who would not even stand beside the Duchess, has suddenly joined my side.
What exactly does this imply?
This means that my stance is identical to the Duke's.
Even if the Emperor was the one seeking to cause harm, this guard knight would shoot for his throat.
Let alone the Duchess, who couldn't get in my way.
"Can't you let go?"
When he gently released her, she took a step back.
"I will not tolerate any further delays. "Please make way, Duchess."
Shaking with embarrassment, she eventually stepped aside.
As she went away, the servants behind her pressed against the wall, clearing a route.
"Please send my regards to Big Brother Cranz!"
I walked by her with a cheerful smile, as if nothing had happened.
The Duchess, unable to speak, only looked at me with an irritated expression.
Unconcerned, I moved effortlessly down the corridor.
***