Chapter 11: Eredin (1)

Eredin was in a foul mood since this morning.

“I am a knight. Why do I have to go out to greet someone?”

“Haha, and you’re my daughter, too. What’s wrong with the master of the house going out to welcome a guest?”

Her father smiled warmly, oblivious to her feelings.

“It’s not something that only I can do, is it? Just send me out with the subjugation squad instead.”

“I’ve already sent your brothers. It would be excessive for you to go, too, just to take care of those bandits.”

Eredin bit her lip.

She could feel the heat boiling up inside her.

“That’s why I should have gone in the first place! I’m stronger than my brothers—why do I have to stay here?”

“Eredin. That’s already been decided.”

“…Tsk.”

Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a deal.

As a daughter of the Northshine Family, welcoming guests was simply her duty.

Still, she couldn’t help but be frustrated that she hadn’t been allowed to join the bandit subjugation.

So, if she really thought about it, this was nothing more than a childish complaint.

Eredin reminded herself of that, coldly.

“So, you’d have your father go out to greet them instead?”

“Frankly, is this person even that important? You’ve heard the name Glenn, right?”

Still, she couldn’t accept it.

Both she and her father were well aware of Glenn’s infamous reputation.

An arrogant and conceited Baron’s heir with nothing but mediocre skills.

It was quite well known that he’d been humiliated in a duel by the eldest son of another Sage Hall.

On top of that, there were even rumors that he’d been expelled from the Lion Knights for neglecting his training.

The Lion Knights, the most coveted order in the North, where most knights dreamed of entering but couldn’t.

To Eredin, he was the worst kind of person—and exactly the type she despised most.

And now, of all people, she had to go greet him.

“Haha, I’ve heard those rumors too, but neither of us have actually met him, have we? According to the Baron’s letter, he’s improved a lot lately.”

“Hmph, do people really change that easily?”

“So, do I really have to go?”

“……Sigh. No, I’ll go.”

At eighteen, she was too old to be throwing tantrums.

Fine, she would do what was needed.

Even if she didn’t like it at all.

***

“Young Lady, how did it go?”

As soon as Eredin stepped out of her father’s study, a familiar face called out to her.

A female knight with a few freckles and short, dark brown hair cut like a blade.

She was also a Sword User from the same order, someone like an older sister to her.

“…Tillen.”

Eredin glared at Tillen with a sharp look.

She hated being called Young Lady, after all.

“Ah, my mistake. Eredin Knight, how did it go? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“I have to go, as you guessed. Not that I want to.”

“Why do you hate it so much, anyway? I heard the young lord is quite handsome.”

“Tillen! Can’t you speak more like a knight?”

Tillen just shrugged her shoulders.

“What’s wrong with that? Anyway, why are you so upset?”

“…….You heard the rumors, didn’t you? He’s exactly the type I hate.”

“But you’ve never even met him, so how do you know?”

Hearing the same thing her father said, Eredin pouted her lips.

It was a habit of hers when something rubbed her the wrong way.

“That’s just… If someone has rumors like that going around, isn’t it obvious?”

“Young Lady… I mean, that doesn’t sound like the Eredin Knight I know.”

Don’t judge people by appearances or rumors. Judge them yourself after meeting them.

That was something Eredin often said herself.

“…Tsk.”

“Hmm? Where are you going?”

She ignored Tillen’s question.

She was just a little annoyed with her.

***

For the first time in a while, thick snow was falling outside Sharn Castle.

Maybe that’s why, but the weather felt warmer than usual.

Not that it made Eredin feel any better.

“Isn’t that them over there?”

Tillen, staring into the distance, asked Eredin.

She had bundled her cloak tightly—hardly befitting a knightly appearance.

“……Seems like it. But why are you shivering so much?”

“I’m bad with the cold, okay? What about you, Eredin Knight? Aren’t you cold?”

Eredin was only wearing a simple leather armor, no cloak at all.

Of course, she was layered underneath, but in the North, that was normal.

“If you train diligently, this kind of cold is nothing.”

“Yeah, yeah, you always say that. So boring.”

Fortunately for Tillen, they didn’t have to wait long.

Good timing, perhaps.

In the distance, a group appeared.

One of them broke away and rode ahead, drawing Eredin’s narrowed gaze.

Red hair… and green eyes? Who is that? Judging by the build, it’s probably a man.

“Is he getting off his horse?”

“What’s he doing?”

When the man got close enough, he dismounted and began walking slowly toward them.

Eredin tilted her head.

What’s with him?

She matched his gesture by dismounting herself.

“…Hm?”

His face was getting closer.

Aside from his build, his features made it a bit hard to tell if he was a man at a glance.

The closer he got, the more confused Eredin became.

Who is this man?

And why is he looking at me like that, as if enchanted?

“Greetings.”

A deep, low male voice.

For some reason, she could sense a faint tremor in it.

“……Do you know me?”

She found herself responding without thinking.

The man in front of her broke into a wide smile.

“Are you not Eredin Knight, eldest daughter of the Northshine Family?”

“That’s right… And you are?”

Could this be him?

But he didn’t seem anything like the rumors…

She’d expected arrogance to be written all over his manner and expression, but there was none of that.

Eredin found herself scrutinizing the man without meaning to.

His smile only deepened.

…What is this?

“Raella Shadin Runepsharian.”

“…Pardon?”

She had no idea what he’d just said, but she sensed some emotion behind it.

And the way he looked at her up close, too.

What’s going on?

She was used to being stared at by others.

She knew her own appearance, after all.

But his gaze didn’t feel crude, like that of other men.

That only made her more curious. She was sure she’d never seen this face before.

“Pay it no mind. I was simply glad to meet you. I am Ron Glenn Lepent. Please take care of me.”

…Ah, so this is the visiting young lord. Pleased to meet you.

Is this really the so-called troublemaker?

He was nothing like she’d imagined.

Of course, she’d have to see more, but at least, that was her first impression.

Maybe rumors really can’t be trusted.

Then, as if offering a handshake, he extended his hand.

Normally, people just exchanged greetings.

A handshake was considered quite a gesture of intimacy.

Eredin tilted her head again but took his hand anyway.

His hand was trembling slightly.

…Why?

“…….It’s a pleasure to meet you, truly.”

The warm, thick snow kept falling endlessly.

***

Following Eredin, Glenn was able to enter Sharn Castle with ease.

The children playing in the snow, the people tending to livestock, and the women doing laundry all stared at the newcomers with curiosity.

Nedian seemed about to scold them for their rudeness, but Glenn held up his hand to stop him.

He simply smiled quietly and rode on.

It was a familiar place, one he’d seen in his previous life. Today of all days, he didn’t want those feelings to be interrupted.

Suddenly, he felt as if he was once again walking through the mansion’s garden with his mother in this life.

Before long, they arrived at the inner castle.

The servants led them in, unpacked their luggage, and showed them their quarters.

Nedian handled most matters, and soon enough, Glenn was summoned by the Northshine Count to his office.

“Pleased to meet you, Young Lord Glenn.”

“The honor is mine, Count of the renowned knightly Northshine Family.”

The Northshine Count had a friendly face, not what one might expect from a knight.

Then again, he was more famous for his virtue than his swordsmanship.

“Haha, thank you for your kind words. The Baron has already told me. You came because of the bandit subjugation, yes?”

“It’s the Red Hood group. They’re notorious in the Empire, and I heard their name here in the North as well. I came to confirm it for myself—I hope I haven’t been a bother.”

“A bother? Haha. The day when our people sing your praises for taking the security of the realm into your own hands is not far off, Young Lord.”

“Surely the first to be praised should be you, Count, for ruling your lands so justly.”

With those formal pleasantries exchanged, they finally got down to business.

“Actually, we’ve already organized our own bandit subjugation squad and dispatched them. There’ve been too many rumors lately about thieves prowling the area.”

“Then, have you perhaps heard of the Red Hood group?”

“No, this is my first time hearing of those scoundrels operating in the North.”

“In that case, I’m glad my work won’t overlap with yours. By any chance, have both your sons…?”

“Yes, both of them joined the subjugation squad, alongside the captain and vice-captain of the knight order.”

So that was it. No wonder Eredin had been in such a bad mood.

She’d always hated being compared to her brothers, even in her previous life.

Of course, back then, both her brothers had already passed away, so it was more longing than jealousy.

“I see. But if I may, I heard the eldest daughter of the Northshine Family is quite an accomplished knight herself?”

Eredin, waiting quietly to the side of the office, flinched.

“Haha, that’s true. But someone needs to stay behind to guard this place, don’t you think? I’m sure she’ll have another chance.”

“Hmm, would it be possible for me to see a glimpse of her skills?”

His eyes grew bright at the unexpected suggestion.

“Do you mean…?”

“Would it be all right if I requested a light spar?”

At this, the Count smiled and turned to Eredin.

“Haha, I suppose we should ask the person herself. Eredin, what do you think?”

Eredin quietly approached Glenn, met his eyes, then looked away.

…She really doesn’t seem keen.

“…….Forgive me, but aren’t you still a trainee knight, Young Lord?”

“I was, but fortunately, I became a full knight not long ago.”

“Not to brag, but I’ve been a full knight for three years now. So…”

Eredin trailed off, and the Count stepped in.

“Haha, don’t misunderstand, Young Lord. She’s so skilled that she’s beaten not only her peers, but also older male knights.”

– Ha, so this is what it feels like to be looked out for.

Are they worried I’ll lose and be embarrassed?

Glenn felt a wry amusement inside.

“All the better. That way, I can learn even more. Please, I would be honored to spar.”

“…….Um, that…”

She looked troubled.

If they sparred, she wouldn’t want to lose on purpose, but if she won, who knows what kind of fuss he’d make.

Such needless worrying.

– Honestly, I hate this kind of thing.

Glenn lifted one corner of his mouth in a mocking smile.

“Or are you… afraid you might lose?”

“…Excuse me?”

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

“Don’t worry. No matter what, I won’t go around beating up a beautiful young lady. Haha.”

He heard her grinding her teeth.

Still as easy to provoke as ever.

“I am a knight before I am a woman.”

“So, are you afraid of losing?”

A little forced, but it couldn’t be helped.

A proud female knight like her wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“Why does the conversation always go this way?”

“Well, it’s only natural to be nervous about sparring with a strange man. I understand.”

“…….Fine, let’s spar. But if I win, you’ll apologize for everything you just said!”

Seeing her snap back, Glenn almost laughed out loud.

After a short pause,

The eldest daughter of Northshine and the eldest son of Lepent,

The two young geniuses of the most distinguished knightly families in the realm,

Made their way to the dueling grounds.