Chapter 76

Since my mother was in the palace, I have been targeted many times, and it was the twins and Fairvalter who protected me.

After my mother left the palace and returned to Fullfuthal, I, who was left behind, learned from the twins how to avoid and finish off assassins who got close to me in close combat.

The twins told me not to hesitate to kill those who attacked me.

"You don't need to have any feelings for those who target you."

"Those who come to assassinate the lord are prepared to lose their lives."

"Some of them may speak words that evoke pity, but remember, they make a living by killing others."

"If you want to show mercy, then end their lives quickly and cleanly."

The murderous intent is so high it's scary.

But in this world, taking someone's life is so easy that it makes you want to shout, "Where did the aversion go?!"

Fighting with someone wielding a knife in a room is something that can't be done easily unless you have skills on par with the twins.

But what if you have a sword or an axe? I don't know about ordinary houses, but in general, the houses here are not small like in Japan; they have spacious layouts where you can swing long weapons easily.

...It's a brutal world.

"Albert!!"

Theodor, who seemed still excited, called out to me after I took off my protector.

"Let's do it again!"

"No way!!"

"Why not? It was fun, right?!"

"It wasn't fun!"

"Ugh, don't lie! You were laughing!"

Huh?

I froze at Theodor's words.

Laughing? Me? During the sparring? I pulled my own cheeks.

"Albert?"

"Ugh... It's a lie!!"

"It's not a lie."

"That makes you sound like a serial killer!!"

"Huh? Why would it? It was just a sparring session."

"Just a sparring session? Theodor, do you know what weapons are for? They're not for exercise or competing in skills! They're for taking lives! Sparring is the same! I don't think it's about comparing skills or strength! It feels like training to kill each other! That's why I won't do sparring anymore!"

Theodor looked stunned at my argument.

Damn, why do you look like you don't understand? Think harder!

I don't know if Fairvalter sensed my inner voice, but he spoke up.

"Lord Theodor, in Fullfuthal, pointing a weapon at a living being means taking a life."

"Ah, yeah."

You just said 'yeah,' but you don't understand, do you? Fairvalter, who understood this, smiled wryly.

"In the sparring session just now, Lord Albert could have killed you."

Theodor looked at me with surprise.

"Using weapons in combat means life or death. Sparring is not about competing in strength but training to kill or be killed."

Theodor fell silent and looked down at Fairvalter's explanation.

"Well, this is a perspective unique to the people of Fullfuthal. People from other lands see it as a competition of skill and strength. The swordsmanship tournament held in the capital every five years is also conducted with this mindset."

It's understandable that Theodor can't grasp this concept due to the difference in regional culture.

"Lord Theodor, if you want to become strong with a sword, decide why you want to become strong. What do you want to achieve with that strength? What do you want to do? Without a goal, just wanting to become strong blindly has no meaning."

Theodor looked up at Fairvalter's words.

"Fairvalter, will you come to Merckel with me?!"

"Huh?! What are you saying?! He's my Fairvalter!!"

Why are you trying to recruit my excellent master so casually!

"Because he's strong!"

"Of course he's strong; he's one of Fullfuthal's elite! There are plenty of skilled knights in your place too!"

"Fairvalter is stronger! And he knows a lot!"

"Of course! He's my master!"

"I want to learn too!"

"Then ask your own knights! Don't try to steal my master!"

I know I'm being childish, but I can't help it!

Because Theodor is the son of the Northern Border Baron of Merckel! There are also monsters there, and it's along the border, so they're in a standoff with the neighboring country to the north.

The Northern Border Army is strong, right? There are plenty of elite knights, right? Don't try to take our excellent talent!

"Cheapskate!"

"Cheapskate? Greedy bastard!"

"Lord Albert, Lord Theodor, that's enough."

Fairvalter stepped between Theodor and me, who were bickering.

"Lord Theodor, I am very honored by your invitation, but as a citizen of Fullfuthal, I must decline."

"R-really can't?"

"Yes, this is where I will lay my bones."

After politely declining Theodor's invitation, Fairvalter turned to me and said,

"Fairvalter still has a lot to teach you, young master. I won't go anywhere."

Don't look at me like you're scolding a spoiled child!! But I felt relieved that Fairvalter said it clearly.

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