Chapter 12: Eredin (2)

Glenn first met Eredin in his previous life, right after the fall of House Lepent.

As the city was surrounded by Orcs, most of the house was massacred, and he barely managed to escape—losing his younger sibling in the process.

Clinging to life, he reached Saron Fortress, and it was there that he met her for the first time.

Their first meeting was anything but pleasant.

No, honestly, it was the worst.

“Y-you’re the eldest son of House Lepent?”

“That’s right.”

“How do you even have the face to still be alive?”

“…What?”

At the time, she had just lost both her older brothers and her father in the defense battle.

That’s why, in the glare she shot Glenn, there was regret, rage, grief, and more, all mixed together.

But it was the same for Glenn, too.

“Your house is the reason the entire duchy is burning. And yet, you still want to live? You must not have even a scrap of shame left.”

“You low-born wretch! How dare you say such things in front of me!”

Like a pair of hedgehogs bristling their quills.

With only a little provocation, the two of them looked ready to explode, and they continued to clash even after that.

Ironically, with the clear enemy of the Orcs looming over them, they even ended up dueling inside the fortress.

Eredin won twice, and Glenn won once.

Thankfully, things quieted down a bit after that.

Not long after, the Orcs stormed in, and battles at death’s door continued.

By some stroke of luck, the two survived—and before they knew it, they became comrades.

After all, the anger each held was just looking for an outlet.

The sorrow of losing family, the frustration at their own powerlessness, the fury—they could only take it out on each other.

But as the situation grew ever more desperate, Glenn resolved to escape, and tried to persuade Eredin to come with him.

Even after several attempts, she stubbornly refused.

“You really intend to die here?”

“Of course. This is my home, my house—where else would I go?”

“Then why did you fight so desperately to survive?”

“Because I want to give my life my all.”

What a stubborn fool she was.

Was this how his father felt whenever he looked at Glenn himself?

“…Hoo.”

“Anyway, who’s worrying about whom right now? You should think about getting out of here alive yourself. You’re weaker than I am.”

“Why are you bringing that up now?”

“Why are you so intent on persuading me? …Don’t tell me you like me?”

“…Have you been drinking in the afternoon?”

At her sudden, nonsensical remark, Glenn scowled.

But Eredin just smirked, as if she found it funny.

“You think I wouldn’t notice? Staring at me so blatantly, all the time?”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Let me make it clear, young master—you’re not my type. Maybe your looks, but I don’t care for men who just run their mouths.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight? Tch, worrying about you was a waste of time.”

“Don’t harbor any useless regrets, then.”

“Hmph, I have no such thoughts.”

Glenn clicked his tongue in irritation and turned to leave.

Just then, a quiet voice followed him.

“Farewell, Glenn.”

“…I hope we meet again, Eredin Knight.”

That was their last exchange.

After that, word of Eredin was lost, and Glenn went over to the Empire, falling into ruin.

***

Glenn briefly recalled the memories of his past life.

Come to think of it, Eredin’s eyes now looked very similar to how they had been when they first met.

“Are you ready?”

After all that time, to be facing her again in this place—it made him laugh without realizing it.

“Of course. I’m always ready.”

“You seem awfully relaxed. I hope you won’t regret it.”

Sir Nedian would serve as the judge.

He was the most skilled knight among them.

With a brief explanation of the rules, the match finally began.

“…Hmm!”

Without even a preliminary exchange, Eredin charged straight at Glenn.

Her speed was impressive, but not beyond his ability to handle.

Clang—! Cling!

Their dull blades clashed and rebounded several times as they exchanged blows.

When all her calculated attacks were blocked, Eredin was internally startled.

Her opponent wasn’t at the level she had expected.

And Glenn, too, was silently impressed.

‘I knew she was outstanding, but to think she’d be this skilled at her age.’

He had been considering recruiting her all along.

He already knew, even in his previous life, that she was an exceptional talent.

And seeing her now, she wasn’t just skilled—she was a true genius.

Given enough time, she could become another Swordmaster of the North.

Of course, that didn’t mean she could match Glenn, who had sparred against Imperial Swordmasters in his past life.

As their blades met again, Glenn hooked his blade under her cross guard and lifted, while at the same time sweeping her stance with his foot, breaking her posture.

“Kuh!”

As Eredin quickly righted herself, Glenn’s sword was already at her neck.

“Want to continue?”

“…I concede.”

She bit her lip. She didn’t want to admit it.

Just as Glenn sheathed his sword and was about to turn his gaze to Nedian—

“Let’s go again.”

“Hmm?”

Glenn’s attention returned to her.

“Shall we make it best of three?”

“Well…fine.”

She looked as if she’d draw her sword and attack him immediately if he refused.

Seeing the stubborn glint in her eyes, Glenn smiled slightly, then resumed the duel.

And, naturally, Glenn won again.

This time, he overpowered her from the very start with brute force, subduing her in a wrestling match.

He intended to completely break her spirit.

“Again?”

“…Haha.”

Eredin got up from the ground, expression unchanged, and requested another match—and Glenn obliged once more.

After a few more rounds, Eredin continued to lose.

In the final bout, intending to end things, Glenn disarmed her completely.

“Hmm, Eredin Knight? How about we stop here?”

“…No, not yet… More.”

She tried to mumble something in her dazed state, but a stern-faced knight approached. He was from the Northern Shine Knights.

“Eredin Knight. The Count says that’s enough. There are matters to discuss with Glenn.”

Eredin bit her lip again.

Trying to stem the tears, she tilted her head back and then lowered her gaze.

“I admit defeat.”

“It was a fine match.”

Barely listening, Eredin walked away with a hollow expression.

Watching her, Glenn remembered a certain fact.

“She really was fiercely competitive, wasn’t she?”

Eredin’s talent in swordsmanship was matched by her competitive spirit.

That, too, was truly intense.

***

After a brief rest, Glenn made his way back to the Count’s office.

“Heh heh, my apologies. My daughter’s competitiveness is… something else.”

“It’s fine. It was a good match for me as well.”

“For a good match, it seemed rather one-sided.”

“I was simply lucky, that’s all.”

The Count, as head of a knightly house, was also well-versed in swordsmanship. Though not as uniquely gifted as his daughter, his eye was keen.

To him, the outcome of the match had nothing to do with luck. From start to finish, one side controlled the flow and remained dominant.

“Still, I didn’t know you had such skill, young master. You’re even a year younger than Eredin—I’m honestly surprised.”

“You’re too kind. And not to belittle her, but Eredin Knight is truly gifted. I can vouch for that.”

The Count felt conflicted.

Was this just an indirect way of boasting about himself? Or was he truly praising Eredin?

Saying it with such a serious face only made it harder to tell.

“Thank you for saying so.”

“Is Eredin Knight all right? I didn’t see her on my way here.”

“As I said, her competitive spirit is quite strong. It’s best to leave her alone for a while. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her like this.”

Watching Glenn speak so seriously about his daughter, the Count couldn’t help but wonder.

But he quickly smiled wryly and let the thought go.

“Well then, shall we discuss the Red Hood subjugation operation you mentioned earlier?”

“Ah, could you call for Sir Nedian as well? I think he should be present.”

“Of course.”

Though they were mere bandits, Red Hood were infamous enough not to be taken lightly.

A short while later, Sir Nedian arrived at the office.

And the discussion about the operation continued on well after the sun had set.

***

Humiliating.

So humiliating.

Huff—! Huff—!

“Haa… haa…”

Eredin swung her sword with all her might.

In her mind, she replayed the duels from earlier in the day.

Grit.

Her teeth clenched of their own accord.

Defeat—a crushing, indisputable defeat.

At first, she didn’t want to admit it. She told herself she’d just had bad luck.

But after losing seven times in a row, even she had to accept it.

Her opponent was simply better.

“Why?”

They were both official knights.

And yet, her opponent was younger and less experienced.

On top of that, he was a man hounded by all sorts of scandals, called a delinquent by everyone.

Someone she had secretly scorned and paid no attention to.

And yet, she lost.

Utterly and completely.

Until now, she’d never met a peer more skilled than herself.

That’s why, honestly, this feeling was a first.

A difference so vast she couldn’t even imagine overcoming it.

‘Damn it.’

Why did I lose? Why? Was that bastard truly better than me?

That damned delinquent?

…Or was it because I’m a woman, after all?

She didn’t know.

Questions she couldn’t answer began to swirl in her head.

Her body continued swinging her sword.

She felt something wet running down her cheeks, but she didn’t care.

At this hour, early at dawn, no one would see her anyway.

“Good morning.”

“Who…!”

At the sudden voice, Eredin jumped in surprise.

She quickly wiped her eyes and looked around—there he was.

Ron Glenn Lepent.

Eredin’s expression hardened instantly.

“Training so earnestly, this early in the morning.”

The man put on a thoughtful look and started talking nonsense.

Eredin bit her lip and opened her mouth.

“…Did you come to mock me?”

“No, I have no such hobby. I just… wanted to talk.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Hmm, then how about listening to me?”

“I refuse.”

Why was he so persistent? That slight, sly smile was irritating, too.

…Was he here to make a pass at her? Just as she was starting to suspect—

“No, just listen. Since I’m the winner and you’re the loser.”

“Kuh…”

Anger surged up again.

More than at him, she was furious at herself.

Truthfully, she still felt that way.

She’d dismissed and looked down on him, just because of rumors.

And then suffered a devastating defeat at his hands.

She couldn’t accept this reality.

She was embarrassed, resentful, confused… a flood of emotions overwhelmed her.

Whether he noticed or not, the man in front of her just kept smiling.

…He was so infuriating, she could die.

“Seems like you’re really upset, aren’t you? That’s not the look of someone who’s accepted defeat.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Her irritation flared.

She didn’t know exactly why, and that made her even angrier.

“I’m not here to torment you, you know. As someone who crossed blades with you, I want to give you advice. But with your attitude, anything I say would just sound like mocking. Am I wrong?”

He hit the nail on the head.

Why did she hate this man so much? Or did she really hate him?

Was it just because he beat her?

Am I really that petty?

With a long sigh, Eredin steadied her face and finally spoke calmly.

“Go ahead.”

“All right. Eredin Knight.”

…He spent all day taunting me for being a woman, and now he’s calling me Knight?

“…Are you mocking me?”

“No. Hmm… I should apologize first. The things I said to you during the day—I take them back. I didn’t mean them. I just wanted to provoke you, nothing more.”

“You look like you still don’t believe me. But I’ve seen firsthand how serious you are about the sword. For those who walk the path of the sword, what does gender matter?”

He was still slippery.

But it didn’t feel like a lie.

Truly, this man was impossible to read. What was his aim?

“Will you accept my apology?”

“All right.”

She reluctantly nodded.

“Good. Then, in exchange—though it’s not much…”

He slowly walked to the center of the training ground.

Then he drew the sword at his waist.

It was a real, razor-sharp blade—not the dull ones used for sparring.

“Let’s duel one more time. This time, with our lives on the line.”

The man smiled quietly as he looked at her.

His red hair and blade gleamed in the light of the dawn moon.

Eredin, feeling as if she was being tempted by a devil, found herself, as if entranced, drawing her own real sword and stepping forward.