Chapter 20

It's a turning point.

I head back to my room from the courtyard, entering the castle.

The corner where my room is located is deep within the castle, in a private wing of Uncle's.

This is the only area that hasn't changed since the old days.

The castle's landscape has changed significantly from when I was ten.

The outer areas have been rebuilt as a fortress, with additional buildings constructed for barracks and military equipment.

When the "Fimbulvetr" began, the front lines of the battle were not here.

There was a fortress in the forest that is now the "Terra Mortis" (Land of Death).

It has been abandoned.

At that time, this castle served as a supply point. People and supplies were gathered and sent out, but none ever returned.

Bodies were burned on-site for hygiene reasons, and the injured were transported, but Uncle told Chris and me to stay in the inner part of the castle, so we never saw the grim reality firsthand.

I was scared.

However, the fear of being hidden away from the reality, like watching it on TV, felt somewhat detached.

I took advantage of Uncle's kindness.

After about half a year, it became clear that the fall of the fortress was imminent.

Chris and I were to be moved to another location.

Chris opposed it. She said she would fight and stay here.

She was born here, lived here, and wanted to spend her entire life on this land.

In the end, we were forcibly loaded onto a carriage by Uncle's subordinates and taken to a different residence in a town away from the front lines, where we stayed until the "Fimbulvetr" ended.

Uncle entrusted me with Chris.

What could he possibly entrust me with, when I couldn't even fight alongside her?

But I couldn't say anything and just nodded.

Mid-afternoon.

Looking up at the sky, I noticed a group of dragon knights descending. Perhaps they were an inspection team?

I was just wandering around the castle, which I hadn't seen in a long time, doing nothing.

Nigel was out on training, so I was alone today.

Someone was running towards me from ahead.

It was a messenger from Uncle, telling me that the Earl wanted to see me.

Following the guide, I made my way to the castle's observation room.

Two knights were standing by the door. The messenger said he would go no further, so I knocked and called out.

"Lord Essex, it's Noah. I have arrived."

"Come in."

With permission granted, I said, "Excuse me," and opened the door.

Inside the observation room, Uncle and another tall, middle-aged man were present.

"Come over here."

Following Uncle's gesture, I approached.

The man had long hair, either silver or white, flowing back, and a well-groomed beard.

"I have someone I want you to meet. Yuse, this is Noah."

Pushed from behind, I greeted the man.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Noah Ignis. I have been under Lord Essex's protection."

"I am a friend of Randolph, and my name is Yuse. No need to be so formal."

The man said with a gentle smile.

From this observation room, the training ground can be seen clearly. The three of us watched the training for a while.

"The knights of the country have no real battlefield."

Lord Yuse said.

With his thoughtful gaze, he quietly observed the knights on the training ground.

In this world, the Dark Age brings a threatening enemy to humanity, so the relationships between countries are relatively relaxed.

Territory is not just about expansion. The more you expand, the more land you need to protect during the Dark Age.

To prepare for the Dark Age, all possible strength must be stored.

It would also be problematic if a neighboring country were easily swallowed by the "Terra Mortis."

The five major countries each have territories that border the "Terra Mortis" in some way.

Though they are not close, they must support each other.

In other words, there are no large-scale wars among the five major countries that form an alliance.

Other knight orders are usually dispersed across their territories to protect the land from the threat of monsters.

There is no reason to concentrate military forces in the capital.

However, there are knight orders like the Wyverns and dragon knights that can be attacked from the air.

Therefore, several knight orders are stationed in the capital.

The Mensis Knight Order is one of them.

Since they are composed of noble children, their opportunities to shine are limited.

To be honest, they are difficult to handle.

This is the background behind Tristan's comment that they are a decorative knight order.

"Commander Stern has excellent leadership. That's obvious to anyone."

If Uncle says so, the commander's abilities are undoubtedly real.

In the training ground, a mock battle is taking place.

The Mensis Knight Order surrounds the Essex Knight Order with perfect coordination, but the encirclement is quickly broken, and they are counterattacked.

The Mensis Knight Order struggles to reestablish the broken formation, and the Essex Knight Order wins.

They seem weak against sudden accidents.

No matter how well the commander leads and the knights follow, the enemy won't move as expected.

"They must protect the king when the time comes."

Lord Yuse's words carried weight.

The time to come.

When the Dark Age returns to this world.

Being composed of noble children means they are also potential commanders.

Cultivating as many young and excellent commanders as possible to prepare for the time to come.

I understood that.

And the reason I was called here must be the same.

"Noah, I understand that you have talked to the guild branch manager about your skills."

"Yes. Uncle knew and let me do as I pleased."

When I said this, Uncle's eyes looked a bit sad.

I couldn't lie to Uncle.

He must have noticed the abnormality of my skills since I was in the castle.

Still, he let me choose my own path.

But now that I've told the branch manager, it can't be undone.

"I thought you didn't want to be like your father. At the same time, I know you respect him. That's why you chose to work for the guild and help others, rather than becoming a merchant."

Uncle understood me better than anyone.

"However, if you were going to hide it, you should have hidden it completely. We can no longer turn a blind eye."

I felt that the time had come to pay for the half-hearted sense of justice I had been living with.

"Noah, I want you to use your skills to strengthen the country."

I listened silently as Lord Yuse spoke.

"However, I know from Randolph that you don't want to be in the spotlight. The country also doesn't want your abilities to be known by other countries."

"Regardless of your wishes, we cannot hand you over to other countries."

What do they plan to do with me? Are they going to imprison me?

To be honest, I can barely stand.

"I want you to continue working as a guild employee, but in the capital's guild."

Lord Yuse's voice echoed in the quiet observation room.

2015/01/10 Revised