Chapter 82

Seeing Cain appear at the training ground in slightly formal attire rather than in sports clothes, Arundilano ran over.

"Still haven't changed? There's the preparation for enrollment, but when will you participate in training again, Cain?"

"I won't be participating anymore. I came today to say goodbye."

Arundilano, who had approached with a light breath and a smile, looked shocked at Cain's words.

"There's still a month before enrollment. Is your training already over? Is the preparation for enrollment that difficult?"

"...Well, it is. Including the preparation, it seems I won't be able to meet you for a while after enrollment."

Cain knelt down on the spot. His head was slightly lower than Arundilano's, who was standing, so he had to look up. Cain took Arundilano's hand and held it as if to envelop it.

"Your Highness, it was a very enjoyable and meaningful time training with you and having lunch together. You couldn't even run a lap around the training ground at first, but now you can fight on equal terms with Kris and Gerant. Time flies, doesn't it?"

"I've never beaten you once. I won't let you win and run away."

Arundilano looked at Cain with a puzzled expression, wondering why he was saying things like he hadn't seen him in a long time, like a grandmother. Cain, smiling, playfully shook the hand he was holding up and down, then let go and stood up, looking as if he were seeing something dazzling.

"Next time we meet, let's have a serious match. I look forward to it."

"Cain."

As Arundilano was about to say something, Cain called out, "Roll call is about to start," and pushed him toward the training ground. Arundilano turned back and ran toward Kris, Gerant, and the other knights. Cain looked around and walked over to Fabian.

"Master Cain, I have heard your words. I will miss you."

"Please call me Cain. As always."

"Once the training is over, you are the Duke's son and a knight."

Despite saying this, Fabian smiled warmly at Cain. Cain, politely and formally, smiled at Fabian, placed his right hand over his chest, and bowed.

"Thank you for everything. I hope I have met your expectations."

"Don't slack off on your training even when you go to school. As you grow and gain muscle, you'll be able to wield heavier swords. Your strikes will become heavier as you gain weight. You're going to become a knight after you graduate, right?"

"I learned swordsmanship to protect myself and Dian. I won't become a knight. My dream is to become a civil servant in the Ministry of Justice."

"Such a promising future...," Fabian said with a wry smile, scratching his short hair. He looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh, then bent down, put his arm around Cain's shoulder, and leaned in.

"Hey, don't be so pessimistic about adults. When you're a kid, you should smile more often."

"What are you talking about?"

Fabian, still holding Cain's shoulder, turned his head to look around and then led Cain to a corner of the training ground.

"I have the title of a knight, but I'm just a bodyguard. My job is to stay by the Prince's side and beat up any enemies. I can't do anything else. I don't understand politics, and I'm not good at negotiations or backroom deals. But, I can protect children."

"Deputy Commander, you are a fine person. There's no need to belittle yourself."

"Ever since the incident with your sister, you've only been smiling like a model student."

"What are you talking about?" Cain smiled and tilted his head, looking into Fabian's eyes. Even though Cain stared, Fabian didn't look away, so Cain lowered his gaze and looked down.

"Every time I guard the Queen or noblewomen, I get frustrated by the many places where men can't enter. I think female knights would have many opportunities to shine."

"...So what are you saying?"

"If your sister still wants to become a knight..."

"Dian won't become a knight."

Cain's face, when he raised his gaze, looked angry. Seeing Cain's face, Fabian smiled slyly.

"I think creating a new profession for female knights is a good idea. Being able to guard in the same room during changing or bathing is very important for safety."

"Right?"

"But, the Duke's daughter can't take that position."

The position of the Duke's daughter is to be protected.

Cain's face was saying, "Don't give me false hope with such ideas." Fabian, still holding Cain's shoulder with one hand, poked Cain's cheek with the other hand, smiling.

"You look better when you're angry. A serious face isn't as good. It's good to conspire with other kids, but sometimes you should rely on adults. I know there are adults you can rely on and those you can't. But, don't think all adults are enemies."

Fabian's smiling face was gentle. Cain, lowering his eyebrows, looked pitiful and lowered his head again.

"I don't think all adults are enemies. ...Why are you saying that?"

"Because I'm lonely."

Fabian removed his arm from Cain's shoulder and stretched, his joints cracking from bending down to Cain's height.

"To a kid I care about... It's sad not to be trusted by my son's friend."

Standing straight, Fabian was tall. He looked down at Cain from above, smiled wryly, and slowly stroked Cain's head with his large hand.

"Come by the knight's guild when you return from your long break. Gerant and Kris will be happy. Of course, the Prince will be too."

"...Yes, I will definitely do that. When I come, please help me get back into shape."

"Assuming you'll be out of shape is already a problem. Train properly, Master Cain."

Cain took a step back from Fabian, put on a composed smile, and looked up at the Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard, who had been his teacher.

"Take good care of Arundilano. He is a child who needs a reliable adult."

With that, Cain turned and started to leave the training ground, but stopped, remembering something he had forgotten to say.

"Don't tease Irvaleño too much."

Turning back, he said this and then left the training ground.

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