Proof (1)
Chapter 117
The nobility is a sort of privileged class.
The number of the privileged must be limited.
If all children of nobles were granted noble status, within a few generations, the number of nobles would swell uncontrollably.
Thus, only those who inherit titles from among the nobility can pass on their noble status to their children.
For instance, in Alesya’s case, as the sole heir of the Phillip’s County, any children she bears will all be granted noble status.
However, Florya, the youngest daughter of Count Osiris, has a high probability of not inheriting a title. Therefore, if she were to have children, they would be classified as gentry.
The gentry are not considered full nobles but are afforded certain legal conveniences as commoners.
Children born into the gentry are treated as commoners starting from their generation.
Within noble families, there exists a tradition where even the gentry are regarded as ‘members of the family.’
My biological father was part of the gentry.
Born with a silver spoon, he went around seducing women until one day, his registered father’s axe split his head open.
Upon hearing that a member of their gentry had been killed by an ordinary commoner, the Duke Matthias family sent someone to Phillip’s County.
Claiming that their authority had been tarnished, the Duke Matthias family insisted on holding me, the child of the registered father, accountable for the crime.
When Duke Matthias’ men arrived, Bella risked her own safety to protect me.
The compassionate Count Philip intervened upon hearing the news to mediate between the Duke family and Bella.
At this point, it would have been wise for the Duke family to save face and let the matter rest.
However, for reasons unknown, the Duke Matthias family demanded an exorbitant amount as compensation, something no commoner could possibly afford.
In the end, Bella was left penniless.
After that day, Bella was confined to her home and resigned herself to her fate.
“…”
My heart grew cold.
If asked whether the Duke Matthias family had committed a great injustice against Bella, well… it wasn’t exactly so.
By the standards of this world, the Duke Matthias family couldn’t be said to have cruelly persecuted Bella.
They simply made a fuss about losing face.
Knowing this, I had suppressed my past anger and chose to ignore it.
But when I saw someone from the Duke Matthias family openly coveting another man’s orphan right before my eyes, I felt a wave of nausea.
I tried to relax by rubbing my neck but struggled to mask my expression.
Though I was extremely upset, I couldn’t just lose control without reason.
After apologizing to Viktor and Hamus, I returned to my seat and observed the situation unfolding.
*
The dark-haired man, Harris Matthias, lectured Jenkins in a condescending manner.
His words, steeped in arrogance, essentially claimed that Phillip’s County lacked the capability to fully develop talents like Johanna.
Jenkins, visibly insulted but maintaining a stoic expression, stayed seated.
The knights of the Phillip’s family were well-versed in patience.
Jenkins’ sole complaint was that this role should have originally belonged to Didier.
Johanna’s master was supposed to be Didier, not Jenkins.
However, since Didier was protecting Alesya, Jenkins was filling in as Johanna’s master.
With a sigh, Jenkins attempted to steer the conversation away.
Rather than confronting Harris Matthias’ rudeness, Jenkins seemed eager to avoid conflict, creating an increasingly amusing atmosphere.
Johanna also noticed the tension in the training yard and her expression soured.
To Johanna, Jenkins was a revered teacher who had imparted much wisdom.
She found the disdainful gazes directed at Jenkins unbearable.
Though tempted to leave the training yard immediately, Johanna followed Jenkins’ earlier advice and feigned ignorance while conversing with others.
“Which house do you hail from?”
This was a common interest among the nobility.
Given that Johanna served the Phillip’s family, it was unlikely she came from a particularly powerful household.
Johanna hesitated before answering.
“I grew up in… an orphanage.”
Not even a member of the gentry, but an orphan raised in a small church-run orphanage.
It was a shocking revelation, and everyone gasped in disbelief.
As a brief silence fell over the group, a heavily armored man stepped forward, dramatically kneeling on one knee.
“El-Lam has guided you thus far.”
A Templar of the Church, a holy knight.
His cloak bore the emblem of the Church, and his broad shoulders carried inscriptions of oaths to the divine, making his identity unmistakable.
The Templar continued to preach that the orphan’s journey was solely due to the blessings of El-Lam.
Ray smirked at the sight.
“Religious fanatics always spout the same old crap whenever they open their mouths…”
Crack!
Hamus and Viktor quickly restrained Ray.
Hamus forcibly pinned Ray down and tore at his own hair in frustration.
“Do you really want to get arrested?!”
While this was no longer an era where blasphemy resulted in public execution, Ray’s loose tongue could still land him in serious trouble.
Ray pretended to apologize.
“Sorry, sorry.”
In his previous life, Ray didn’t hold any particular animosity toward religious figures.
However, being dragged into this world instead of his friend had left him quite cynical.
After all, the deity worshipped by the Church was likely the transcendent entity responsible for reincarnating Ray or something similar.
Recalling the past, Ray’s expression twisted like crumpled paper.
“These people worship such foolish morons…”
“Aah, shut up already!”
“Ugh!”
Hamus and Viktor took turns shaking Ray.
As the three men wrestled on the ground, the spectators in the training yard shook their heads disapprovingly.
The knights of the Osiris family watching Hamus began to emanate a chilling aura.
After rolling around some more, Ray sprawled out in a star shape and mumbled.
“Sorry, sorry. But why are the Templars staying at the manor?”
“Hmm…”
Hamus thought for a moment before responding straightforwardly.
“They came with the Duke Matthias family. I don’t know the exact reason.”
“Why did the Duke Matthias family visit here?”
“I heard they have items to trade with the Rubia Kingdom’s merchant guild.”
“Hmm.”
Templars, one of the core military forces of the Church, rarely reveal themselves publicly.
They were supposedly here to observe the head of the Tarannis family’s merchant guild from the Rubia Kingdom, yet encountering Templars here felt oddly coincidental.
‘There’s something fishy going on here. I need to find out what brought the Templars here.’
With Floria around, gathering information wouldn’t be too difficult.
Having organized his thoughts, Ray abruptly stood up.
Regardless of the Tarannis family issue, the chaotic atmosphere of the training yard needed to be addressed.
Walking steadily to the center of the training yard, Ray placed a hand on Johanna’s head.
“…!”
Startled by this unprecedented situation, Johanna froze until Ray’s touch finally relaxed her tense expression.
For once, Ray stroked Johanna’s hair without resistance and glanced at Jenkins.
“How long do you plan to endure such nonsense, Master?”
At Ray’s comment, Harris’ eyes immediately narrowed.
“Nonsense?”
“It is nonsense.”
Ray chuckled in response.
“The Phillip’s County inherited the legacy of the war hero Clavius Phillip and has long supported the Empire. Though its influence may have diminished compared to the past, it’s not a place to be dismissed so easily. Furthermore…”
Ray turned his gaze to the Templar who had approached Johanna.
“The support for the orphanage and the instruction to protect starving children both come from Count Phillip. It is also thanks to Count Phillip’s compassion that children of low birth have the opportunity to learn swordsmanship.”
Pulling Johanna closer, Ray grinned.
“Isn’t it clear that El-Lam, admiring Count Phillip’s virtue, sent this child to his side?”
The atmosphere in the training yard grew heavy.
After silently staring at Ray, Harris slowly spoke.
“You’re arrogant.”
A squire had no business challenging them like this.
One needed proper knighthood to speak out, and even then, given the declining power of the Phillip’s family, it would be wiser to remain silent.
As their gazes clashed—
“Knights.”
Jenkins gripped his sword hilt and continued.
“Prove themselves only through their swords.”
A clear provocation: stop talking and fight instead.
Ray laughed.
Since Jenkins, a knight officially appointed by Count Phillip, had stepped forward, a duel under the guise of practice was inevitable.
Backing down now would result in being branded a coward for life, unable to hold one’s head high.
Ray looked at Jenkins with an unsteady expression.
“Why the sudden change of heart?”
“Did you think the knights of Phillip’s County had no pride and lived in submission?”
Anyway, as they planned to gradually restore the honor of the Phillip’s family, such confrontations were unavoidable.
Jenkins asked with a grin.
“Who shall we face?”
“Hmm… I’ll take on the Church side.”
Facing someone from the Duke Matthias family would likely end in disaster.
Jenkins and Ray each took a step forward towards Harris and the Templar.
Both Harris and the Templar twitched at the direct provocation.
Neither could tolerate such humiliation and prepared to face their respective opponents.
Ultimately, Jenkins faced off against a knight from the Duke Matthias family, while Ray, still in training, took on the novice Templar.
With tensions rising, Jenkins’ duel commenced first.
“I humbly request your best effort.”
The knight facing Jenkins maintained proper etiquette.
Despite his respectful demeanor, his sharp eyes revealed an intent to decisively defeat Jenkins and demonstrate the disparity between their houses.
If Jenkins failed to mount a proper defense, Johanna would undoubtedly realize the extent of her confinement.
“Hmm…”
Recognizing his opponent’s intentions, Jenkins steadied his breathing and manifested his sword aura.
Jenkins, a knight of Phillip’s County, was a seasoned expert.
His only flaw was his lack of exposure to diverse sword techniques, a weakness arising from his inability to freely engage in duels and the necessity to conceal his strength.
However, there was something Jenkins himself overlooked.
The sword techniques Ray practiced with him during spare moments were created by none other than the peak of imperial history—a legendary hero whose feats bordered on myth.
Through these techniques, the knights of Phillip’s County had already surpassed their former limits, though they hadn’t fully realized it due to the scarcity of opportunities to duel outside their domain.
Ziiing!!!
The knight from the Duke Matthias family was hurled back as his armor split apart.
Stunned, the knight stumbled back to his feet after rolling across the training yard.
Jenkins was solid.
Too solid, in fact, forcing the knight of the Duke Matthias family to wildly swing his sword in an attempt to create an opening.
No matter how elaborate the techniques deployed, Jenkins’ keen eyes saw through every move.
To a knight who had experienced the pinnacle of swordsmanship created by Harshia,
such flashy swordplay was nothing more than an elaborate dance.
The knight Jenkins of Phillip’s County effortlessly dominated the knight of the Duke Matthias family.
Chuckling, Ray grabbed Johanna’s wrist and used it to clap instead.
