Chapter 76

"Ornament...?"

Cordelia repeated Bernaldo's words softly.

"That's right. The Third Squad has over a dozen members, but most of them are only on paper. It's an ornamental squad with no one actually working, and I am its captain."

"So, you mean you haven't been given any duties to perform...?"

Cordelia couldn't recall ever seeing Bernaldo working as a captain. Since he was a soldier from another country, she had refrained from asking too many questions about his duties, but it seemed that his duties barely existed at all.

"That's correct. I didn't hide it intentionally, but there was no need to announce it publicly. Prince Leonhardt might have had a hunch... Are you disappointed to learn that I'm the captain of an ornamental squad?"

"No, I'm not disappointed, but... why is someone with such a distinguished background like you assigned to such a leisurely post?"

Cordelia was curious and eventually found a possible answer.

"Is it because you are a 'hero,' Sir Bernaldo, that you were assigned to this leisurely post after leaving your homeland?"

"Yes, that's one of the reasons."

Bernaldo's nod deepened Cordelia's certainty.

"I've heard that you achieved military honors at a young age and were called a hero. I think that's a wonderful thing, but... politics doesn't run smoothly just on good and wonderful things."

The title of hero and its influence are significant, which is why things don't always go well.

"Your sister, Lady Letitia, is the prince's fiancée. The power of the two titles held by one ducal family was seen as too much, wasn't it?"

"I specialize in military affairs and don't get involved much in politics, but even within the military, there were many who found me bothersome."

"I see..."

Cordelia understood. Bernaldo's overwhelming talent and his overly decisive personality must have made it easy for him to make enemies.

"Many of the nobles in our country wanted to reduce the power of either me or Letitia by sending us abroad. However, Letitia is fulfilling her role as the prince's fiancée well, and it's not easy to find a replacement for her."

"The prince's fiancée..."

Cordelia murmured. She quickly organized the information about the prince's surroundings in her mind.

"I've heard that the engagement to the Ertorian royal family places great importance on lineage and magical power. Considering lineage, magical power, appearance, health, character, and knowledge, there is no lady in the current Ertorian nobility who is more suitable as the prince's fiancée than Lady Letitia, right?"

"That's right. Even if they tried to break the engagement with Letitia, the search for a replacement would be difficult. The nobles would engage in political maneuvering, and blood would likely be shed in the shadows. If the royal family wanted to break the engagement, it wouldn't be easy, and a unilateral breach of the engagement by the royal family is out of the question."

Because it's difficult to remove Letitia from her position as the prince's fiancée, the plan is to exile Bernaldo and seal his power by placing him in a leisurely post.

"Has Sir Bernaldo, who was called a hero, accepted this treatment, which is almost like exile?"

Cordelia wondered why someone who was called a hero at a young age would accept such treatment. If she were in the same position, she would probably voice her dissatisfaction.

Especially since many Ertorian nobles have high pride and do not approve of foreign postings, Bernaldo might be quietly harboring resentment.

"I do have some complaints... but fundamentally, the reason I'm called a hero is also political. To put it bluntly, the reason I have the title of hero is similar to why you, Lady Cordelia, are called the 'Holy Lioness' and are highly regarded by the royal family."

"That's true, but..."

There is a saying in history books: 'The times and countries where heroes and holy maidens appear are often not good.'

"The damage our Ertorian military suffered two years ago was significant. The existence of a hero was convenient to divert the attention of the nobles and the common people."

Bernaldo calmly explained the circumstances that led to him being called a hero. Despite his desire to fight and excel as a soldier, he seems to be a person whose heart is not swayed by others' evaluations.

"Just as I was elevated as a hero to divert attention from the war's damage, you, Lady Cordelia, are being widely promoted as the 'Holy Lioness' to divert the people's attention from the misdeeds of the former prince, Zayed, right?"

"That's right."

Cordelia nodded. The glorious title of 'Holy Lioness' was also given to cover up Zayed's darkness.

"I have my thoughts about the superiors who used me as a hero to divert attention and then assigned me to a leisurely post, but I'm somewhat satisfied with my current life."

"Are you satisfied with this life and this quarters?"

Cordelia couldn't help but ask. The quarters were far from beautiful, with gaps that seemed to let in drafts. For Bernaldo, who had led a brilliant life as the second son of a ducal family, it seemed like a shack.

"Yes, as long as there's a roof to keep out the rain and a sword by my side, I have no complaints. After all, at home, I've experienced being thrown into a swamp, doused with water, and even thrown off a cliff during mock battles with my siblings. My brothers and I are all strong-willed, so even if I'm exiled or assigned to a leisurely post, I can still have fun."

"I see..."

Cordelia nodded. She was curious about the "various experiences" Bernaldo mentioned, but each family has a different environment. Since Bernaldo himself, who was given a dilapidated quarters almost like exile, had no complaints, it wasn't her place to interfere.

"Besides, I don't intend to stay in this position forever. Searching for Zayed's accomplices is one strategy to achieve merit and return to the mainstream of the military. Meeting you and Prince Leonhardt in this process might not be so bad, even as the captain of an ornamental squad."

Bernaldo smiled faintly. The smile, like the gleam of a blade, was probably a sign of his anticipation for a rematch with Leonhardt.

"I'm glad to hear that Sir Bernaldo's days are fulfilling."

Cordelia smiled softly, and Bernaldo's purple eyes reflected her.

"...You don't fear or criticize me, Cordelia."

"Would I criticize Sir Bernaldo?"

Cordelia didn't understand why she would need to. She tilted her head, and Bernaldo closed his eyes for a moment.

"...As the second son of a ducal family, I had many young ladies approach me because of my looks. They praised me, but many were put off when I showed my true sword skills, and once I emitted a killing aura, they never came near me again."

"I think that's a normal reaction..."

Cordelia chuckled. No matter how good-looking and accomplished someone is, few people would want to be friends with someone who emits a killing aura.

"But you, Lady Cordelia, still talk to me without fear. You're the first young lady, other than my sister, who has done so, and I'm surprised."

Bernaldo's expression didn't change, but his words didn't seem to be a lie. He might be genuinely surprised, even if it didn't show on his face.

"Do you think Lady Cordelia has undergone some special training?"

"No, I haven't. I don't have any knowledge of magic, and I only started learning swordsmanship recently. I think I've just become a bit tougher from dealing with my family."

Cordelia had been running around to clean up after her sister, Priscilla, and had been toughened by it.

(I might be tougher than average, but most importantly, His Highness was there.)

When Bernaldo emitted a killing aura, Cordelia wasn't alone; Leonhardt was there, watching over her. That's why she didn't overreact to Bernaldo's killing aura.

Because Leonhardt was there, Cordelia could be strong. She felt embarrassed to say this and just smiled.

"Lady Cordelia, you are strong, yet you can smile so softly..."

"Did you say something?"

Cordelia asked, surprised by Bernaldo's unusually soft voice. However, Bernaldo didn't answer and walked to the center of the courtyard. Cordelia decided to let it go, thinking it was just a slip of the tongue.

"I'm going to practice magic. Would you like to watch?"

"Yes, I'd be happy to observe."

Bernaldo was an expert in the combat application of magic. Cordelia might not understand everything, but there might be something useful for using the holy sword.

To master the power of the holy sword and control fire at will, Cordelia began to observe Bernaldo's training intently.