Kedra stormed off, making her way to the main hall and taking the long flight of stairs down to the first floor. Along the way, she saw that the maids that met her path all bowed their heads in greeting.
'That's odd; they weren't like this before. Ugh, whatever, I've got bigger fish to fry right now.'
Putting aside her concerns and continuing on her path, she eventually reached a door leading to the garden.
Despite her impatient stride, the beauty of the garden was not lost on her. Various flowers and exotic plants were arranged in a symmetrical fashion; it felt as if each detail was meticulously planned, from the bright colors of the plants to the shapes of the flowerbeds.
She continued down the garden's brick path, eventually reaching a large field of packed sand with racks of various wooden weapons lining its edges.
'So they do have wooden polearms, and yet they still don't let him use any; at this point, it's just discrimination, isn't it?'
Dozens of soldiers strewn around the field were practicing their drills, each of them replicating the same movements with differing degrees of proficiency.
The soldiers began noticing Kedra's arrival, and as more and more became aware of her presence, she saw a mix of bowed heads, confused expressions, and displeased glares.
Ignoring the reactions of the guards, she began looking around the field in search of the hornfolk. Eventually her eyes landed on a pair of horns that moved rhythmically to the swing of a sword.
Kedra made her way through the crowd, with Lionel dispersing any soldiers that blocked her way.
Hushed murmurs spread throughout the field as people began thinking of reasons as to why the young lady was visiting the training grounds.
"She might be here to recruit a soldier."
"There's no way, you fool; she's clearly here to reprimand someone."
"Ah, you might be right; look; she's approaching that useless hornfolk."
"Heh, it's obvious that the patriarch's testing her by making her dismiss that useless bastard herself."
"Good, I was wondering when we'd finally be rid of him."
Kedra ended her stride mere meters away from the hornfolk, looking up at him. Despite the commotion, he never stopped swinging his sword; his concentration was unbroken, and his eyes were perfectly fixed forward.
As the girl stared up at the hornfolk, the air around the field grew tense, and an anticipative silence fell upon the soldiers.
"You." Kedra said, finally breaking the tension.
As if snapped out of a trance, the boy shuddered in surprise and looked at the source of the sound, only to be met with the youngest daughter of the duke.
"Lady Kedra! F-forgive my impudence!" He blurted, quickly dropping his weapon and falling to his knees in an awkward bow.
The girl felt strange seeing such an honest display of fearful reverence; the last person to bow so passionately in front of her had been Maria.
'Yikes, he's really nervous; since when did I have so much presence? Or is it because all of the other soldiers are around?'
"Enough of that; I've come to talk to you about your technique with the blade."
A nervous shiver crawled up Naoya's spine; hearing those words made him immediately conclude that he was finally being fired after years of underperforming.
"I'm very sorry for my pitiful performance, my lady. Please give me more time. I swear I'll show better results in the future!" He exclaimed, a quiver in his voice betraying his panic.
"What? I think you've misunderstood; I'm not here to discipline you; I've come to advise you on something."
"Huh?" Naoya looked up, tears already streaming down his face.
'God, he looks pathetic, poor guy.'
"Tell me, you're used to using longer weapons, aren't you?"
Naoya took a moment to get up and clear his eyes before giving a quick answer.
"That is correct, my lady; did you know?"
"Ah, um, Lionel here told me; he said that your current training didn't seem to fit you."
'Sorry for making you my scapegoat, Lionel, but I don't need these people knowing that I'm good at fighting.'
"My lady, I'm afraid I've already asked the captain of the guard time and time again to allow me to at least train with a staff, but he has resolutely denied all of my requests so far."
"How foolish." Kedra muttered.
"E-excuse me, my lady? I believe I didn't hear what you just said."
"Don't worry about it; come with me."
"I—um, yes, my lady!" Naoya clumsily replied.
Accompanied by Lionel, the pair began moving to the edges of the large field of sand, stopping at the large racks of wooden weapons.
"Pick out the weapon you are most proficient in."
"But, my lady, the captain told me that—"
"And I am telling you to pick up a weapon." Kedra interjected. "If the captain has any complaints, he shall direct them to me."
"Very well." Naoya replied hastily, moving towards the weapons rack.
Suddenly, a soldier from the crowd yelled out a complaint.
"Hey! He's not allowed anything other than a sword! Captain's orders."
Kedra turned around, an expression of boredom on her face.
"Who just said that?" She asked in a monotone voice.
"I did!" Exclaimed a tall, bearded soldier as he stepped in front of the crowd.
"You might be the duke's daughter, but around here, the captain's word is absolute. And the captain says that that bastard is only allowed swords."
"I see. Lionel, if you would. And please don't draw your sword this time."
"Understood."
Lionel approached the soldier, stopping right in front of him and quietly facing off with him.
'I feel like I've seen this scene before.'
"And what's the cripple supposed to do, scare me?" The soldier jeered, peering at Kedra over Lionel's shoulder.
Suddenly, Lionel delivered a quick kick to the man's legs, making him abruptly fall onto the sand.
Before the soldier could properly process the situation, he was met with a foot straight to his neck, along with two more kicks to his face and stomach.
"When you speak to her, you address her as 'lady', got that you worm?!" Lionel shouted, continuing his one-sided beatdown.
'That's what's got him so emotional? Not being called a cripple? I should pay him more.'
"That's enough, Lionel; I think he's learned his lesson." Kedra said, marching towards the soldier.
"Haven't you?"
The man could not even reply; his face was red and bloody, and sporadic coughing fits from his crushed throat were the only indicators of his remaining consciousness.
"Does anyone else have any complaints?" Kedra asked, looking around the crowd.
The field fell silent with an air of dread, and while the soldiers were agitated by the scene they had just witnessed, none of them wanted to end up like the broken mess of a man that lay before them.
"Alright, then take this idiot to a healer."
Following Kedra's order, two soldiers hesitantly stepped up and began dragging the man away.
Meanwhile, Naoya stood prepared behind Kedra; in his hands was a crude wooden replica of a bardiche.
"Ah, I see you've equipped yourself; is that the weapon you prefer?"
"Yes, my lady." Naoya replied resolutely.
"Good, Lionel, pick up a wooden sword and get into position."
"Wait what? Will I be fighting Sir Lionel, my lady?" Naoya questioned.
"How perceptive of you. Indeed, I want you to prove to me that Lionel's judgment was correct; show me that the trouble I've gone through to put that weapon in your hands was worthy of my time."
"But, no matter what weapon is in my hands, I doubt I could match Sir Lionel's skill."
"Have you actually seen him fight in a duel?"
"No, but—"
"Then why are you complaining?" Kedra interjected. "Get in position and prepare yourself."
"Very well." Naoya replied in a defeated tone.
As both of the fighters stood on opposing sides of the field, a crowd began to form around them, with Kedra in the middle.
"On my mark! Begin!" Kedra shouted, moving her arm in a downward motion to mark the beginning of the match.