“The knights of the Yuridina Clan are famous for their fierce temperament.”
It was a warning that Ceria threw at me while requesting my company.
The sound of hooves rhythmically struck my ears. It was proof that horses were running.
The soldiers of the Yuridina Clan were stationed near the boundary of Perkus Manor. It was a bit far to go there on foot.
So Ceria and I decided to ride horses for the first time in a while.
From the beginning, I had a few specialties, including agility and horseback riding. I was confident in my riding skills, and Ceria had grown up in the northern region, known as the home of cavalry.
I was more confident in riding than most cavalrymen.
Thanks to that, our conversation flowed smoothly even while riding.
“The people of the north have a very strong sense of pride. They never bow their heads unless they acknowledge someone themselves. It doesn’t matter if you are nobility or a commoner… Perhaps they might try to test Senior Ian over there.”
“Even though he is a guest of yours?”
“Yes, in fact, I haven’t been properly acknowledged by my retainers yet.”
Ceria’s lips wore a bitter smile as she spoke.
No matter how I looked at it, she didn’t seem to be trying to exaggerate the reality to scare me.
That meant there was only one answer.
Every word Ceria threw out casually was indeed true.
Even though she was a secondary daughter, Ceria was blood of the Yuridina Clan. To not be recognized even as one of the two cherished children of the family was worrisome.
Moreover, Ceria’s skills weren’t lacking.
Ultimately, I could only swallow a heavy silence.
The trials of the Yuridina Clan seemed to be more challenging than I had imagined.
“It might be a bit difficult to get proper cooperation.”
“Yes, perhaps… But when I first heard that my sister wanted me to command soldiers, I was very happy.”
I glanced fleetingly at Ceria’s face.
Her eyes seemed dreamy as if she was lost in a dream when she said that. It was a gaze that appeared when one felt very proud and happy.
I asked while wearing a faint smile.
“…Is it because it’s an opportunity to gain recognition from the retainers?”
“That too, but it also means that my sister trusts me that much.”
Ceria’s voice overflowed with affection and trust.
It was understandable.
Most nobles do not share power with their siblings after ascending to the headship.
Because having the same bloodline is not much different from the two sides of a coin.
A family that is more trustworthy than anyone or a traitor trying to usurp the headship.
If one were to toss a coin, there was no reason to risk it if it would inevitably land on one of the two faces.
Trustworthy retainers could be obtained at any time, and losing the headship meant the end.
Among lower-ranked nobles, there were sometimes families with strong bonds between siblings, like the Percus Family.
However, that wasn’t the case with high-ranking nobles.
They grew up in a competitive relationship with their siblings from birth. Senior Elsi’s family was a prime example.
Yet, for the most vital authority of all—military power—to be given up.
High-ranking nobles would only pass their military commands to their siblings when they had absolute certainty that the other would never betray them.
For instance, Sir Raymond of the Rainelle Clan.
He was the younger brother of the Count of Rainelle, yet he led the magic troops.
Although Sir Raymond himself was an Archmage who had reached the 6th circle, it would have been impossible to lead the magic troops without the Count of Rainelle’s trust.
Ceria was no different.
Leading over a thousand soldiers was no small matter. Transferring command meant that ordinary trust relationships could not suffice.
Ceria, who once felt inferior to her sister, had a love that surpassed that feeling.
It wasn’t strange for her to be so moved.
“…I will surely live up to my sister’s expectations and gain the recognition of the clan’s knights.”
There was a strong determination in the voice of Ceria, who murmured this.
Even I couldn’t help but feel pleased by her overflowing sisterly affection. However, at the same time, a sense of ominous foreboding began to creep in.
Ceria loved her sister so much.
What would happen if she were to find out about my relationship with Senior Delphine?
The revered older sister begging a ‘master’ to spank her.
Just the thought was dreadful.
It was already a big deal that Senior Delphine called me ‘Master,’ but if she were to find out about the more secret sightings, I wouldn’t feel safe at all.
However, I had one curious question.
Who would Ceria choose to stab between me and Senior Delphine?
Ceria was particularly fond of and followed both me and Senior Delphine.
I felt she might stab one of us, but which one was ambiguous.
At the same time, the possibility of her stabbing neither was grim.
Ultimately, one of us—the one, either me or Senior Delphine—would have to shed blood.
Lost in gloomy thoughts, I decided to ask Ceria.
“…By the way, Ceria.”
“Yes?”
Ceria tilted her adorable head, oblivious to my inner thoughts.
The gentle demeanor reminiscent of a rabbit made my heart melt for a moment.
It was that moment that caused my true feelings to slip out inadvertently.
“Last time, there were several incidents involving the Lady Virgin Saint and Senior Elsi… Are you okay? You’ve never liked having someone cling to you next to me.”
It was a question I had been harboring.
At my sincere inquiry, Ceria immediately looked shocked and waved her hands.
“N-No! W-What are you talking about?”
Of course, she bit her tongue.
It was a sight I felt like I hadn’t seen in a long time. I had to force myself to stifle a laugh that was about to burst out.
The illusions of steam seemed to rise from Ceria’s bright red face.
“I-I would never covet Senior Ian’s side! It’s all a misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!”
“…I see.”
Though I found her words hard to believe, I decided to act as if I was convinced for the moment.
It was because I was scared that Ceria might lose her composure and fall from the horse if I didn’t.
After a while of passionately debating with me, Ceria finally calmed her heavy breaths.
She seemed to have gotten breathless from her sudden excitement.
A moment later, Ceria managed to settle her breathing.
It was only then that her true feelings began to spill out.
“…I-I’m okay now.”
Ceria, who lowered her head with a flushed face, looked very beautiful.
She reminded me of a flower petal falling from a bloom.
At least until the chilling voice was heard.
“Those in heat can be dealt with later…”
As I stared blankly at her aquamarine eyes, which had lost their luster, I turned my gaze away in silence.
And I once again made a vow.
I would never let Ceria find out about my secret meetings with Senior Delphine.
A drop of sweat dripped down my forehead as I rode.
As Ceria said, the people of the north were known for their bold temperaments.
Of course, there were fierce and rough aspects as well.
But they were, even more so, refreshing and emphasized loyalty. Their temperament was quite similar to that of the Southern Kingdoms.
They revered martial strength and always welcomed the strong.
I was no exception to that.
As soon as I arrived, there was a commotion in the camp.
Every time I passed by, soldiers glanced at me as if I were a spectacle, and even the knights waved their hands in recognition.
The elderly knight, who was temporarily commanding the soldiers, bore a noble bearing.
“Greetings, young lord. I am Alex, and although I may be lacking, I serve the Yuridina Clan.”
The elderly man, clad in heavy armor, appeared very strong and stern.
At first glance, he looked like someone who had never once resorted to underhanded tactics in his life.
Having previously offered politeness to Ceria, I shook Sir Alex’s hand without hesitation.
“It’s an honor to meet you…”
And then, a firm pressure gripped my hand.
Since he was wearing gauntlets, I thought for a moment that my hand bones would crush. Just before it happened, I had used mana to barely endure, but still…
Even with such terrifying strength, Sir Alex’s expression remained solemn.
I wanted to draw my axe immediately, but I suppressed that urge for now.
Instead, I countered with my own strength, resisting Sir Alex.
The metal plates of his gauntlet made a clanking sound as they clashed.
“Hmm…”
With a sound that was somewhere between a groan and a sigh, Sir Alex finally released my hand.
He glanced down at his own hand for a moment and then turned his gaze away carelessly.
It was as if the power struggle we had just shared was a trivial greeting.
“…I will guide you to where you will stay. Please follow me.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at how absurd it was.
My gaze naturally turned to Ceria. She wore a bitter smile, as if she had expected such a response.
“They’re quite peculiar, aren’t they?”
“Very much so.”
All I could do was grumble as I followed behind Sir Alex.
Of course, the events did not stop there.
While I was touring the camp with Ceria, a heavily armed young knight suddenly appeared in front of me.
He thumped his chest and shouted.
“It’s an honor to meet the hero of the rumors, young lord! May I see your skill in action?”
As he said this, cheers erupted from around us.
I couldn’t tell if they were mocking me or if their intentions were pure.
Ceria wore a perplexed smile.
From that alone, it appeared that she was maintaining her composure, but I knew better.
If I waited just a little longer, Ceria would explode.
It seemed she was quite displeased by the situation of her respected senior becoming a public spectacle.
For a brief moment, a chilling smile floated on Ceria’s lips.
Seeing the shadow vanish from her eyes and her hand move towards her waist, I had to take action immediately.
With a thud, the young knight’s body lifted into the air.
It was a moment where not only he but the spectators watching widened their eyes in surprise.
The white rays of light pierced through the distance.
It was a speed that left no room for retaliation. The thrown hand axe immediately converted its momentum into an impact.
Had it not been for the armor, the knight would have been killed instantly instead of being thrown aloft.
As the hand axe rebounded, I raised my hand.
Soon, the axe that had changed its trajectory settled in my hand.
The young knight fell to the ground simultaneously.
With a thud, the sound of rolling metal echoed.
“…cough.”
The young knight could only cough as he bore witness to the shock he had received.
All the spectators turned their gaze towards me.
Feeling their unblinking stares, I wanted to protest.
If Ceria had stepped in, it wouldn’t have ended anything like this.
Surely, there would have been a bloodbath.
But not knowing my sentiments, Ceria simply sent me a sparkling gaze.
“S-So cool! Senior Ian!”
Ultimately, rumors spread through the camp that a madman had arrived.
It was just unfortunate that the madman was me and not Ceria.
