Chapter 130 : Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Theodore (2)

“If I’d known the guest from Conwell was the Sword Fiend, I wouldn’t have committed such a discourtesy.”

Count Theodore kept repeating the same sentiment every time he swallowed a bite of food.

“It’s fine.”

I, too, repeated the same response each time.

“Though I didn’t see it myself, your exploits in the Conwell civil war are so vivid I could picture them with my eyes closed. I’ve heard about them until my ears bled. I desperately wanted to meet you in person, so I’m endlessly grateful you came to us.”

Count Theodore was an elderly noble.

They say he was renowned as a warrior in his youth, and indeed, his physique was impressively robust for his age.

His long, flowing white hair even gleamed with vitality.

“My lord, perhaps it’s best to discuss matters thoroughly after the meal.”

“Yes, Father. Sir Bihen might get indigestion.”

“Hahaha! I’ve been thoughtless. My apologies if I made you uncomfortable. Come, eat up.”

Compared to the lord’s age, his wife appeared relatively youthful.

Looking at it this way, Declan and Linda were practically like grandchildren.

They say Kingdom nobles who frequent battlefields tend to have children later in life.

The previous Duke of Conwell was a similar case. I could guess the reason.

“Still, Linda, try to understand your father. With the man you’ve praised so tirelessly sitting right here, how can I not get excited?”

“Father!”

“Hahaha!”

Even with his wife and daughter scolding him from both sides, the smile never left his face.

Amidst it all, he made time to speak to his eldest son, not forgetting to include him.

I realized for the first time.

This is what a family meal looks like.

I glanced at Count Theodore.

I briefly erased him from the scene and imagined myself in his place in the future.

…

Not bad.

* * *

The meal ended.

As the attendants bustled about, the empty dishes on the table were replaced with neatly arranged desserts.

In the meantime, I formally conveyed the purpose of our visit, and the light atmosphere gradually grew serious, centered around Count Theodore.

“Of course, I’m all for it. The strong alliance between Conwell and Theodore will remain unchanged.”

Count Theodore spoke while chewing on a piece of fruit.

“You said the same at the coronation. But to send an envoy so soon after to emphasize it suggests there’s something specific you want.”

Suddenly, a glint flashed in Count Theodore’s eyes.

The relaxed demeanor from moments ago faded, replaced by the sharp gaze of a lord who’d weathered countless battlefields.

“It seems you believe the current situation in the Imperial Capital is unusual, given the coronation.”

“…The Imperial Capital? What do you mean?”

The Theodore family’s eyes turned to me in an instant.

I shrugged casually, keeping my expression neutral.

“I don’t know the details myself.”

“Not knowing the full story… That’s a bit irresponsible for a messenger delivering such weighty news. I didn’t take Duchess of Conwell for someone so careless as to send such a person.”

“Being an imperial, it was likely awkward for her to share the Kingdom’s deeper affairs with me.

But to avoid any potential surveillance from the Imperial Capital, she must’ve judged an outsider like me, unbound to any faction, as the perfect messenger. Few would expect a Kingdom lord to entrust such a special mission to a mere imperial.”

It was a convenient explanation, but not inaccurate.

What’s known to the world is the exploits of Bihen Benkou, an imperial swordsman.

No one knows what “coalition” I’ve formed with Conwell’s new heir or what intentions drive my actions.

Both Adeline and I have always been cautious about this and we only recently realized our goals aligned to some extent.

“Father, Sir Bihen is a righteous man who fights solely for his beliefs, without ulterior motives. Even if there are things he can’t reveal, they wouldn’t tarnish Theodore’s honor, so please set aside any needless doubts.”

“Yes! Sir Bihen is different from the Kingdom’s typical knights!”

As the Theodore siblings chimed in, their mother quickly intervened.

“Be quiet. How dare you interrupt while your father discusses state affairs?”

“Sorry, Mother.”

Even her single sentence carried dignity.

This must be the grace of a noble wife supporting her household.

I could feel the presence of a matriarch upholding the family.

I looked again at the four members of the Theodore family sitting across from me.

A bold patriarch, a refined wife, an eldest son who’s a bit lacking but born with a just nature and a bright, cheerful youngest daughter.

They were distinctly different from the Benkou family I grew up in and the many nobles I’d encountered.

That made it hit home all the more.

This must be the atmosphere of a proper noble family.

Just being here made me feel like a stain.

…So I had this kind of inferiority complex.

“So.”

Count Theodore, who’d been deep in thought, spoke up.

My head snapped up.

“What should I do?”

“Nothing major. Just clearly affirm your alliance’s commitment in case of any disturbances in the Imperial Capital.”

“Hm, that could invite misunderstandings from outside.”

“I understand your concern, but don’t worry. For now, we won’t announce the ‘Elzerus Alliance’ publicly.”

“Elzerus Alliance?”

“It’s time for me to step in.”

Bolero, who’d been silent all this time, finally spoke.

All eyes turned to him.

This gave me a moment to step back and catch my breath…

Bolero’s introduction of the Solari Order, disguised as missionary work, went on for over an hour.

“Duchess of Conwell, with her foresight, has given us unwavering support from the start. Look at how that grace shone in the civil war. Most importantly, the Sword Fiend Bihen Benkou here deeply resonates with our order’s mission.”

The Theodore family listened to Bolero’s lengthy explanation to the end.

I was almost grateful.

Though Linda’s eyelids drooped a few times…

It wasn’t a bad start, all things considered.

“So that’s where the name comes from. Elzerus Alliance. Unless you know Solari’s doctrine well, it’s hard to guess, and it’s easy to avoid external misunderstandings.”

“Heh, exactly, my lord.”

“But a Martial Priest?”

Count Theodore leaned forward slightly, a spark of interest in his expression.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Interesting. A Martial Priest. As it happens, a combat festival is being held in a few days. Ever heard of it?”

“Combat festival? No, first I’m hearing of it…”

“No matter. It’s natural you wouldn’t know. Only residents of Theodore and our brother domains are eligible to participate. It’s a longstanding tradition, one of Theodore’s biggest annual events.”

Brother domains—likely how they referred to the vassal domains.

Count Theodore continued.

“The Theodore family has strong warrior blood. We’ve upheld a martial spirit through generations. Wanting to meet the Sword Fiend Bihen Benkou wasn’t just because my youngest daughter admires you. I wanted to see with my own eyes what kind of warrior inspired such respect.”

I understood that her “admiration” wasn’t romantic but the reverence of a fellow warrior.

Linda was a woman of exceptional talent.

I was even impressed by her multiple times and sometimes felt a kind of wall.

“Father!”

I didn’t know why she suddenly blushed like that.

“Well, anyway, how about it, Bolero? Care to join the combat festival? Since Bihen Benkou is a swordsman, barehanded fighting might not suit him, so I hesitate to ask.”

“…Hm. My apologies, my lord, but my martial arts are geared toward killing, so they’re ill-suited for a harmonious event.”

Bolero crossed his arms and stroked his mustache, making a tch sound.

To me, he just looked like he was showing off.

“Is that so? That’s a shame. The winner of the combat festival receives a significant privilege.”

“Privilege… you say? What kind?”

“Since only those from Theodore and its brother domains can participate, the winner is practically a representative of each region’s warriors. It’s customary for the winner to sit one-on-one with Theodore’s lord after the tournament for a private talk.”

Count Theodore paused to wet his throat.

I glanced at Bolero, who was blinking like he was frozen.

“During these talks, most winners voice grievances or petitions on behalf of their regions, and Theodore’s lord selects those feasible to fulfill. Our family has always been a bit politically naive but listens closely to warriors. If you participate as Solari’s representative to commemorate the

Elzerus Alliance and win…”

The corners of Count Theodore’s mouth twitched, like a hunter checking his trap.

“I’d seriously consider establishing a Solari branch.”

Scrape!

Before the words were fully out, Bolero shot to his feet.

The sound of his chair scraping the floor rang like a thunderclap, making me flinch.

“My martial arts can be adapted flexibly depending on the situation. They’re versatile.”

Bolero flashed and rose a toothy grin.

* * *

It wasn’t as good as Godin’s cooking, but the meal was decent enough, and the lodging was comfortable.

The next morning.

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on my bedroom door woke me.

“Young Master Declan is waiting for you.”

What, so early in the morning…?

But I couldn’t throw a fit here.

Annoying Theodore’s young master could complicate things, especially after such generous hospitality.

I got ready quickly and stepped out.

Declan was waiting at the end of the corridor.

“Hey, Sir Bihen. Did you rest well last night?”

“Thanks to your care, I slept comfortably.”

“Good to hear. You’ll likely stay here a few more days, so let me know if you need anything.”

It was because of Bolero’s participation in the combat festival. With the branch establishment at stake, I couldn’t push my schedule.

He was burning with enthusiasm.

The combat festival was only five days away—not too long to wait, so I decided to take it easy.

“Let’s go. A walk sounds good. The view from our manor’s promenade is excellent.”

Theodore’s manor was quite large, even compared to Conwell’s.

As we walked, we talked about the civil war, picking up where we’d left off.

“Your sudden disappearance surprised me. Both Linda and I stayed in Conwell hoping to talk more with you.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize. By the way, what happened back then? During the rank evaluation, with that intrusion. I heard it was Deganelo. First time I saw him in person.”

I couldn’t share the full story, so I brushed it off.

It was sparked by that deranged old monster’s madness, so there wasn’t much to lie about.

“…To drag a recluse into the open like that, and at another domain’s rank evaluation, no less. Unbelievable. That’s how the Langster Faction is—a bunch of lunatics and their leader must be even worse.”

Declan spun his finger by his temple, looking exasperated.

He went on to say how I’d given him valuable experiences, throwing in some embarrassing compliments.

That’s when I saw Bolero jogging in the distance for a warm-up, with Krnock and Deli running alongside him.

“Haha, Bolero’s full of energy. By the way, Sir Bihen, no interest in the combat festival?”

“Not really. I’ve never trained in martial arts.”

“Is that so? Kingdom knights learn basic martial arts before handling swords. Must be different in the Empire.”

It’s a difference rooted in the two nations’ weaponry.

Imperial weapons are sharp-edged, designed for one-strike kills, not barehanded combat.

Everything goes into a single blow.

Kingdom knights, on the other hand, start with plate armor, assuming their weapons might break.

Thus, barehanded combat developed first, leading to various derived sword techniques, like Kampringen.

Come to think of it, Count Theodore knew this and didn’t even suggest I participate.

I didn’t feel like lecturing Declan on this, so I stayed quiet, but he didn’t.

“I’ve heard that’s why Kingdom knights’ ranks are inaccurate. Judging solely by swordsmanship ignores many factors. Take Linda, for example. She may not seem like it, but…”

Thud!

Declan’s body suddenly flew forward with a dull sound, as if struck from behind.

Looking again,Linda had taken his place.

“Did you sleep well, Sir Bihen?”

She said, tucking her hair behind her ear, her body twisting playfully.

As I stared blankly between the still-fallen Declan and Linda, a shout came from beyond the manor’s wall.

“My lord! Please, just hear us out!”

“Please, my lord!”

Multiple voices called out together, and my ears pricked up instinctively.

Why?

The voices felt familiar.

Amid the shouts, like a sense of déjà vu, the torches from that day flickered in my mind.

The blacksmiths who risked their lives against Roxley’s injustice.

Small but fiercely burning flames.

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