Chapter 19

Leord learned that the knight squad formed to defeat the Fang of the Starving Wolf had been defeated two weeks after Barbarot had set out on his mission.

"Knight squad annihilated? Is Barbarot safe!?"

"Please calm down, young master."

"How can I stay calm! Where is Barbarot now!?"

"Lord Barbarot is currently recuperating. It seems he broke his arm during the battle."

"Ridiculous! Wasn't Barbarot the finest knight in Zeat!? To think that someone could defeat him..."

(No, wait. If I think about it, the Fang of the Starving Wolf is an important enemy in a major event, so maybe there's some kind of adjustment... If I think about it that way, it makes sense.)

"Young master?"

"Gil. I want to see Barbarot. Is it possible to visit him?"

"It is possible. Even though he is recuperating, he is currently at Zeat's barracks."

"Then, please make the arrangements."

"As you wish."

Leord, who was practicing hand-to-hand combat as usual, asked Gilbert to arrange a meeting with Barbarot. Gilbert bowed with his hand on his chest and disappeared in an instant.

(Sigh... Is it the same as in the game, where Sieg is the one who defeats them...?)

Anxiety flashed through his mind. Leord, who knew the future, felt a dark mood, wondering if he could not resist fate.

(Don't lose heart. Why am I training with Gil and Barbarot? To survive, definitely. By any means necessary!)

Even so, rather than just giving up and dying, Leord vowed to survive, even if it meant wallowing in the mud and bearing a bad reputation.

"Young master, the carriage is ready."

"Thank you. Let's go now."

Leord went to visit Barbarot. He got into the carriage prepared by Gilbert and headed to the barracks where Barbarot was recuperating.

(Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've left this mansion. I've been dieting and studying magic in the mansion, so I'm a bit excited.)

Leord had been in Zeat for over a month. During that time, he had never visited the town. He had no desire to go out because he was being beaten up by Gilbert every day for his diet and was exhausted. Additionally, training in swordsmanship with Barbarot made him even less inclined to go to town.

Because of this, Leord was happily looking at the scenery, as this visit to Barbarot gave him a chance to see the town.

(Wow! I didn't know the town was so lively. In the game, only the fort was described in detail.)

Zeat, though a border town, played an important role as a fort on the border. It was famous as a defensive stronghold during past wars. As it was the entry and exit point to the neighboring country, many merchants came and went, making it as bustling as the capital.

However, in Fate 48, the town, which had been lively due to Leord's arrival, quickly declined. Although Leord had no power, as a member of a ducal family, no one dared to oppose him.

(Ugh! I really am a waste, aren't I!)

However, now that Leord had the memories of a real person, the history might be different from Fate 48.

The carriage moved on to the barracks where Zeat's knights were staying. Leord got out of the carriage and walked into the barracks. The knight guarding the gate of Zeat's barracks saluted Leord and let him through. The gatekeeper, seeing Leord and Gilbert enter the barracks, muttered to himself.

"That's the golden pig. I hope he doesn't do anything and just goes back."

His voice disappeared like the wind, unheard by anyone.

Leord walked through the barracks, but he didn't know where Barbarot was. Since this information wasn't in the game, he was just wandering around.

Eventually, he stopped and turned to Gilbert, who was behind him.

"Gil, can you guide me to Barbarot?"

"I thought you knew the way since you were leading the way."

(Damn! I used a detection spell, but I can't find Barbarot! Damn! If only there was a mini-map!)

There was no such thing. In the game, it would have been different, but this was reality. Even if he found Barbarot with a detection spell, he wouldn't know where in the barracks he was.

It would have been faster to ask Gilbert, who knew from the beginning. Leord realized this and was met with Gilbert's exasperation.

Guided by Gilbert, Leord arrived at the room where Barbarot was resting. Barbarot, who was reading a book on the bed, closed it and turned to the two visitors.

"It's been a while, Barbarot."

"Did you come all the way here, Lord Leord?"

"Indeed. How is your injury?"

"As you can see. My arm is the only thing that hasn't healed, so we can resume training anytime."

"That's reassuring, but focus on your recovery for now."

"You sound like a doctor."

"Hmm... More importantly, was the Fang of the Starving Wolf strong?"

"…Why do you ask such a thing?"

"I'm just curious. Is that not enough?"

"No, it's fine. It's not a secret.

The Fang of the Starving Wolf is not strong overall. However, the leader, a man named Jex, is strong. Definitely stronger than me."

"Stronger than you? I want to say it's a joke, but the results speak for themselves..."

"Yes. I lost in a one-on-one battle. I didn't let my guard down, but the opponent was better."

"Hmm... Did Jex have anything special?"

"Special? What do you mean?"

"Ah, like, a magic sword."

"How do you know about that!? Only the knights who fought knew about it. I reported it to the country, but it shouldn't have reached you yet."

(Damn! It's because of the game knowledge. How do I cover this... Ah, screw it!)

"I investigated it independently. I didn't have concrete evidence about the magic sword, but I heard that the Fang of the Starving Wolf had some unusual items among the loot they stole.

So, it wouldn't be strange if they had a magic sword or two, right?"

It was a hasty excuse, but Leord internally praised himself for it.

"That's impressive. We gathered information to defeat the Fang of the Starving Wolf, but we didn't get that kind of information."

"Well, with the power of a ducal family..."

Leord decided that he would be exposed if he continued and forcibly ended the conversation, fleeing back to the mansion from the barracks.

"By the way, when did you investigate the Fang of the Starving Wolf?"

After returning, he was bombarded with questions from Gilbert but managed to cover it up and avoid trouble.