Chapter 46

"......Ah. Why do we have to come out here too?"

Lyle, who was standing next to me, frowned at my complaint.

"It can't be helped, Dida. It's a request from Master."

"But still, today's training has nothing to do with us, right?"

Today's training is a mock battle between the military and the knights. The representatives of each side compete to win. We have nothing to do with it, yet Master Gazel forced us to come. I wanted to go with the young lady to Baron Messy's evening party today. But then again, the security at the Messy family is nothing to worry about, and the young lady has the security team that has been trained by us and Master. Tanya is also with her, so there's no need to worry. ...I'm not the only one who has doubts about where Tanya is heading these days.

Anyway, if I have to choose between staying in a sweaty, all-male environment or going to the party, I'd rather go to the party.

"Even if it's not related, it's good to experience the strength of the knights and the military firsthand. Don't waste this rare opportunity."

"That's all well and good, but did we really have to be called this time? It's bound to be uncomfortable."

This mock battle is essentially a way to release tension. The military and the knights don't get along, you see. The military looks down on the knights as 'pampered boys who don't know real combat,' and the knights look down on the military as 'brainless brutes who only know how to move their bodies.' I don't really care for either side, though. That's why they occasionally hold these mock battles to foster some interaction.

All of this is possible because Master is respected by both the knights and the military. Master, who would have wanted to attend Baron Messy's evening party as a close subordinate, reluctantly decided to participate in this event due to the delicate relationship between the military and the knights. Baron Messy, on the other hand, has some important mission and can't stay in the capital any longer, so today was the only day he could hold the evening party.

I feel sorry for Master, who has been caught in this unfortunate situation, but I really don't want to be dragged into it.

And just watch the mock battle between the military and the knights? That sounds boring.

At the training ground next to the royal castle, the knights and the military were already gathered. And Master hasn't arrived yet.

The military and the knights are looking at us suspiciously because we have nothing to do with this. ...Ah, I want to go home.

"Hey, you guys are here too."

Master came from behind. The moment Master arrived, everyone turned to look at him. Master is impressive.

"General Gazel, if I may ask, who are they...?"

"They're my disciples. They happened to be staying in the capital, so I called them."

"Disciples of General Gazel..."

At Master's words, the looks we received changed. They were challenging... no, more like assessing looks? Master is quite popular. Apparently, there are many who want to train under Master, but because of that, there are few opportunities for personal lessons. That's why they're giving us these looks.

"Alright, let's begin. Sir Knight Commander."

"Yes, I'll do my best, General Gazel."

The Knight Commander... wasn't it Drouna Katavaria? Hmm, his son attends the same school as the young lady.

From there, the 1-on-1 matches began. The selected participants were quite skilled, making the matches quite exciting.

The military and the knights were evenly matched. I was quite surprised that the military, despite being outnumbered by the elite knights, were holding their ground.

Four people from each side, and the next match is the last. The Knight Commander's son stepped forward from the knights' side, and one person from the military also stepped forward.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the atmosphere was about to start the match, Master cut in.

"Can we make this a 2-on-2 match?"

"2-on-2...?"

Everyone was puzzled by what Master said.

"Yes! The final match participants will team up and fight my disciples here."

Caught off guard by the sudden suggestion, I was taken aback. Lyle, standing next to me, either expected it or was just unimpressed, as he remained expressionless.

"Disciples of General Gazel... That sounds interesting."

Surprisingly, the military guy quickly agreed. No, no, this match is supposed to resolve the tension between the military and the knights, right? The score is 2-2, so the match isn't over yet. The audience is also getting excited and cheering.

The Knight Commander and his son, who were our last hope, also agreed. ...Ah, our retreat is cut off.

"......Let's go, Dida."

"Alright."

Lyle quietly stood up and walked onto the arena. I reluctantly followed him.