Chapter 41 : Master and Disciple (3)

Chapter 41: Master and Disciple (3)

Becoming a knight as a designated successor under someone’s attestation.

That meant inheriting the will of his master, Joachim. He would not receive a fief, yet the symbolism was great. 

It bound them in ties of favor and grievance, and if Shatien earned infamy, he would stain his master Joachim’s honor. It was practically a declaration that he would vouch for the young man’s status in noble society and bear the responsibility that came with it. 

Joachim acknowledged Shatien that much, as both disciple and heir. 

‘I wasn’t expecting this much…’

A swell of feeling rose in Shatien’s chest. He was no fool. He knew his relationship with the old man, no, with Joachim, was quite unusual. 

Until today he did not even know the man’s name after all. 

In a way, they could have passed one another by, so Shatien had neither asked the name nor let himself be curious. 

He… only wanted to learn and know everything about this master. 

He feared that a careless question might make the master uncomfortable and send him away. 

The gap between a patently noble master and a mercenary who had nothing was vast. 

Yet now he was being acknowledged as heir. It was hard to believe, and at the same time a wave of being accepted washed over him. 

“M-Master…!” 

“Foolish brat. Do not well up with tears on such a fine day.” 

-Smack-!

“Agh!” 

He had wanted to keep a dignified air at least today, yet somehow they were as always. Joachim frowned. 

“Hahaha! The two of you get along splendidly. Splendid indeed. Sir Joachim, anyone can see you are a true master and disciple. I will gladly serve as witness.” 

Watching them, the bishop chuckled in delight. 

* * *

-Ssshhh. 

-Ssshh. 

Fragrant oil poured down upon Shatien’s head. 

At the same time, holy water, consecrated with care, was sprinkled over him as a blessing. 

Shatien received it in silence and knelt. 

The succession ceremony, recognized by the bishop of the Free City of Loren, proceeded with impressive solemnity. 

“We shall perform the rite of purification.” 

At the bishop’s gesture, a priest brought a silver tray piled high with pure white salt. 

Joachim stepped forward and placed a pinch of salt in Shatien’s mouth with his own hand. 

“Do not swallow. Spit it back. It is a rite to wash away the defilement within.” 

Shatien rolled the salt on his tongue, then spat it onto the tray. 

-Shing. 

Joachim, who had watched in silence, drew a sword. 

It was different from the blade he usually carried. Anyone would have called it a very precious weapon. 

He laid the sword calmly upon Shatien’s shoulder. 

“Do you swear not to fear when the enemy stands before you?” 

“Yes. I swear it, master.” 

“Do you swear to be ever devout and truthful before God?” 

“Yes. I swear it, master.” 

“Do you swear to protect the weak and not disgrace the name that has given you your charge?” 

“Yes. I swear it, master.” 

“Good.” 

At that instant. 

-Slap!

A hot sting raked Shatien’s cheek. It was so sharp that his vision dimmed for a heartbeat. 

“That pain you just felt. Do not forget it. It is the token of the oaths you swore before God. From this moment you are my heir… a knight of justice.” 

“T-Thank you, master.” 

“Yes, you may rise now. You are my heir, so you shall inherit my name. You will not at once shake the world with fief or fame, yet you have sworn before God, and the bishop will attest it.” 

“Congratulations, Sir Shatien.” 

The bishop nodded as Shatien stood. 

As witness and attestor of the succession, another bond had been formed. 

“Should hardship come, send word at any time. The doors of our Loren diocese are always open. Hahaha.” 

“Do not spout nonsense, Bishop. Shatien will soon leave this place.” 

“Oh... I have heard noisy tidings from the east as well. They say the Emperor is dealing harshly.” 

At the unexpected news, Shatien’s eyes brightened. 

That meant the war lay close at hand. 

From what he remembered of the past, it was about time for the Holy Empire’s Emperor to raise the forces he had stockpiled. 

“Endless desire destroys all. When young he was so keen minded…” 

“Greed blinds one’s sight, does it not. Hahaha.” 

“Hmph. Blinds his sight. Isn’t the Holy See the same? Are they still planting those heavy seats and supporting the Emperor?” 

“Ahem. How could a mere servant grasp His Holiness’s will.” 

At Joachim’s words, the bishop coughed in haste and changed the subject. 

“Then where will Sir Shatien take the field? Seeing you here, I gather you are anti imperial. Will you campaign as a knight under Count Bellua?” 

“Shatien will stand on his own feet, Bishop.” 

“Pardon?” 

When he understood the meaning, the bishop’s eyes went round. 

“Do you mean to move as a knight errant with nothing?” 

“No, Your Excellency.” 

Before things grew stranger, Shatien hurried to clarify. 

“I will enter the war as a mercenary. As a Centurion of the Black Raven Mercenary Company. Haha.” 

“Ehhh?” 

It might have made the situation more strange than before. For a moment Shatien regretted it. 

* * *

“Then we shall take our leave. May God’s grace be with you.” 

“May God’s grace be with you, Sir Joachim. And… Sir Shatien, make sure to return alive.” 

Leaving behind well wishes laced with many worries, Shatien followed after his master, Joachim. 

“Here, take this.” 

As soon as they left the church, Joachim handed him the longsword he carried, the antique blade used at the ceremony. 

“You are my heir now, yet I have nothing particular to give you. Still, giving you my seal would be a bit much. Heh heh.” 

“I dare not ask for such a thing, master. This alone is more than enough.” 

“Heh. It better be.” 

Shatien received the longsword with both hands, respectfully. 

‘The balance is exquisite.’ 

“Draw it once.” 

“Yes.” 

-Srring. 

The blade was about one hundred and twenty centimeters long. 

Even among longswords, it was on the lengthy side. 

“Long ago, an ancestor of mine from the north passed this down the generations. I have heard it was forged with the finest craft of the elves.” 

“Woah…” 

Perhaps because of that, the blade was truly special. A pattern like rippling water ran beautifully along the steel. Shatien had never seen such a thing. 

Not in this life, nor the last. 

“Some nobles, fooled by the odd pattern, use such blades for show, yet their true worth lies elsewhere.” 

Joachim drew his own sword and brought it down at the one Shatien held. 

-Clang! 

-Screech! 

Shatien’s longsword bit into Joachim’s blade halfway through. 

“It is very hard. Its edge holds for a long time as well, so it is superb for battle.” 

“Are you certain it is alright to give me such a treasure, master?” 

This was not the level of a merely good longsword. It was practically a family relic, a famed sword worthy of renown throughout the land. 

Stunned, Shatien looked at the old man, no, at his master, with a foolish face. It felt too burdensome to accept as a simple gift. 

“I hope this is the last time I’m seeing that foolish face of yours.” 

“B-But.” 

“Enough. That is the sign that you are my heir. Do not think about returning it.” 

Joachim waved his hand as if annoyed. He truly seemed to have cast aside any attachment to the sword. 

“The path of the sword is not easy. I am past my fiftieth year, yet I still cannot even guess what lies at the end. Someday I hope you will cross a wall and see as I do. When that day comes, let us cross blades once.” 

“I will make sure that happens, master.” 

In Joachim’s words, Shatien felt the warmth of a true teacher. Unconsciously, the master’s way of preparing for parting brought tears to his eyes. 

“You rascal.” 

Joachim chuckled and clapped Shatien on the back. 

“Every meeting has its parting. Now you must stand alone.” 

“I know, yet… I am reluctant to let go.” 

“Do you think I am not reluctant? I wish to hold you longer and teach, but I know that is attachment. It is useless and foolish. Better for me to wander again and train alone.” 

Joachim gave a small laugh. 

“That is enough. Off with you. The dress uniform is a gift. If you are invited to a noble’s ball or a courtly affair, wear it.” 

“Thank you. I will surely repay your kindness…” 

“Repay? Hah! You can repay by glory. Pile up renown that rings so loud that it reaches me far away. Stop with the empty talk and be off now.” 

At his master’s crisp words, Shatien nodded and rose. It was truly time to part. 

The crotchety swordsman would return to the road of training, and the young mercenary to the field of war. 

“Ah, and go see the branch manager! I have made a request.” 

“Understood, master! Live long in health. I will come back with a blade in hand.” 

“Hahaha. Good. Then let us have some fun when you return.” 

They walked in different directions now, yet the roads would converge into one. 

The day would come when they met again. 

* * *

The sword from Joachim was not one he could use immediately. Such a fine weapon only drew eyes. He might stumble into troublesome quarrels. 

‘I suppose I should buy a proper weapon this time.’ 

Since he was at it, he would buy sturdy armor as well. Among the knightly techniques he had learned were many that used armor for defense. 

To apply them all, he needed quality gear. 

The problem was that the prices were not modest... 

“Welcome, Shatien. The elder told me. You have been named a knight, yes?” 

“Oh... Yes, that’s right.” 

“Heh heh. Then I prepared a gift. Here. Take it.” 

The issue solved itself in an unexpected way. The moment he entered the trading house, the branch manager, Marhen, pressed various weapons and armor into his hands. 

“What’s all this?” 

Even if free things were pleasant, this was excessive. Shatien tilted his head. Marhen pricked up her ears and smiled. 

“Shatien. No, should I say Sir Shatien?” 

“Just call me Shatien. People outside will only know me as a Centurion anyway, Branch Manager.” 

“Heh heh. Very well. Shatien, you invested in our trading house last time, did you not?” 

“Oh, that is true now that I think about it. But why do you bring it up?” 

“Together with the yeti hide you procured, the prepared gifts suited Count Bellua’s taste perfectly. We pushed out that thorn in our eye, Orlando, and began supplying even the Count. Thanks to that, the dividend was ample.” 

“Oh…” 

He had not expected to hear that name here. 

Thinking back on his past troubles did not make Orlando seem pitiful. 

“So all this gear is the dividend?” 

“Hardly. Though… Some of it is my good will. I am a merchant. I have a keen nose for money.” 

As she spoke, the branch manager’s eyes glinted. 

“So… it is a kind of investment, Branch Manager.” 

“Heh heh. I like that you understand quickly. Yes. I am investing in a young, ambitious, brave warrior. How about it? Do you dislike it?” 

“Of course not.” 

When people came out with their intent plainly like this, it was easier for Shatien. The other party’s aim was clear. 

He did not find the branch manager’s purpose distasteful. 

Merchant and mercenary. 

A neat union of money and force. It was even better. 

Some people would be desperate to receive patronage. 

“Let us work well together, partner.” 

“And I look forward to it as well, partner.” 

-Wink.