Sigrid

He must have wanted to escape from all of this.

Sigrid pondered deeply. She said to Morris,

“Why don’t you join the Imperial Knight?”

“The Imperial Knight?”

“Yes, the 1st Knight Order. You’re diligent, so you could quickly become a Vice-Captain. And when you become a Vice-Captain, you get a small fief even as a ‘Lord’, right?”

“…That’s one way to go about it.”

“Right? Of course, they say it’s a tiny fief compared to a viscount’s territory. But you’re not really interested in such things anyway.”

“What about you, Sigrid?”

“I declined. The salary is enough, and a fief would be cumbersome.”

Sigrid shrugged.

“What about a title?”

“There hasn’t been much talk about it yet.”

Sigrid tilted her head as she spoke. While Morris was lost in thought after hearing this, a maid entered with refreshments. She set down warm tea and snacks, then quietly withdrew. As she left, she didn’t forget to sneak glances at Sigrid.

Morris filled Sigrid’s cup and said,

“His Majesty the Emperor must be contemplating.”

“His Majesty?”

“Yes, it’s complicated on that end too. It’s Lord Lunatil’s recommendation, after all.”

“Ah, so that’s the issue. Actually, I don’t really need a title.”

She had refused a title even before coming back.

“I think you do need one.”

Surprised by Morris’s words, Sigrid looked at him with a “Huh?” Morris handed her the cup and saucer, saying,

“I think it’s necessary for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“But I’m not sure about the fief issue.” As she tilted her head, Morris sighed.

“At least ask why. Don’t just accept what I say.”

“What’s the reason?”

Seeing Sigrid finally asking for the reason, Morris sighed again and said,

“You’re capable, a commoner, and straightforward to a fault, so it’s better if you have some power in your hands.”

“I see.”

Sigrid nodded.

Morris inwardly muttered, ‘No, don’t accept it so easily,’ but he didn’t really dislike her doing so.

“But it comes with complications, so it’s not bad to think it over.”

Morris added, and Sigrid nodded.

“Morris.”

“Yes?”

“What about running away?”

Morris barely managed to stop himself from spitting out his tea. Seeing Morris coughing, a startled Sigrid jumped up from her seat and patted his back.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine—”

Morris said, stopping Sigrid from patting his back.

“Sorry.”

“No, but what’s this about running away?”

What kind of rebellious teenager talk was that?

“You don’t want to inherit the Deforest title, right? Isn’t that the clearest way to express your intention?”

“Well, that’s true, but Father is unwell and…”

“Do you like your father?”

At Sigrid’s words, Morris stared blankly at her face, then nodded.

“He might be the worst father to my brother, but he was good to me. Even if it was favoritism, I received affection.”

“I see. Then we can’t use this method.”

Sigrid flopped back into her chair. Morris chuckled and said,

“Sigrid, you sometimes say things that go beyond common sense.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

After saying that, Morris became curious. What were Sigrid’s parents like?

“Sig.”

“Hmm?”

“Your parents……”

“I don’t know either. They say I was abandoned on the orphanage steps when I was young. I guess they couldn’t raise a child?”

“I’m sorry.”

As Morris hastily apologized, Sigrid shook her head.

“No, it’s nothing special, just a common story. So I grew up in the orphanage, and when I was about three? I moved to the poorhouse. Actually, I’m not sure about the age. I just say that because that’s what they told me. And when I was eight, I was sold.”

“……Sold?”

Morris’s voice trembled involuntarily, and he quickly cleared his throat. Sigrid looked at her feet for a moment, then smiled and said,

“It wasn’t a strange place. Girls from the poorhouse are usually sold to brothels. I was luckier than that. A circus bought me. That’s where I learned swordsmanship.”

Sigrid paused in thought for a moment, then said,

“I wanted to become a knight, so I practiced swordsmanship really hard. Though what they taught there was mostly sword dancing. The person who taught me saw my talent and listened to my story. And when I turned thirteen, they got me a position as a squire.”

“Did they have connections?”

A circus performer and a knight— As Morris tilted his head in confusion, Sigrid said, “Ah.”

“It was someone who liked young girls.”

At those words, Morris’s face instantly turned pale. Sigrid crossed her legs and said,

“Otherwise, who would take a common girl as a squire?”

“So what happened to that bastard?”

Morris’s voice lowered.

“He’s dead.”

At Sigrid’s answer, Morris bit his lip. He hoped the man had died in the most miserable way possible.

Silence filled the room.

Morris didn’t know what to say. Suddenly, he felt ashamed, thinking that all of his situations and stories might seem like mere whining to her.

Sigrid emptied her cup and said,

“Then you’ll just have to endure.”

“Huh? What?”

As Morris raised his head in confusion, Sigrid looked around and said,

“If you can’t run away, I mean. In this situation, you need to endure and push through with your opinion.”

“I’m sorry.”

An apology came out involuntarily, and Sigrid asked, “For what?” Morris was at a loss for words. He cleared his throat and said,

“No, it’s just that my problem isn’t that big……”

“How is it not a big deal? It’s worth worrying about.”

After answering, Sigrid said, “Ah.”

“If it’s because of my story earlier, that has nothing to do with this. I don’t particularly want to compare misfortunes. Just because I have problems doesn’t mean yours disappear. And I’m glad that Morris grew up loved.”

“Huh?”

Morris unconsciously made a dumbfounded sound.

“I’m not good at explaining this, but I was reading a book I borrowed from Lowengrin. It said that only those who have been loved can love. I’ve benefited from Morris’s kindness, so I’m grateful for the environment that raised you like that. Ah, but I don’t like that it’s troubling you now.”

‘Come to think of it, there’s also a theory that it’s innate rather than environmental,’ Sigrid thought, crossing her arms and groaning, while Morris looked at her and laughed.

“You’re plenty kind too.”

“Me?”

Sigrid pointed at herself in surprise. Morris nodded. Sigrid responded seriously to that,

“No, I don’t think that’s true.”

“Then at least you’re soft on me.”

At those words, even Sigrid was at a loss for words.

“That… might be true.”

“It is. You said you’d forgive me even if I killed you.”

“That’s right. But that’s because Morris is a good person.”

Sigrid quickly said. Morris said, “In any case,” and rested his elbow on the armrest, smiling. Sigrid twirled the end of her braid with her finger and said,

“I’m not like that with anyone else but Morris.”

At those words, Morris suddenly thought of someone. So he cautiously asked,

“How’s the Imperial Guard?”

“Hm? It’s manageable.”

“And with Lord Lunatil? Are you getting along?”

Sigrid nodded. Morris wanted to probe further, but stopped, thinking it might be strange to keep asking. Instead, Sigrid asked,

“How about with your brother? Is there any progress?”

Morris groaned and said,

“Even earlier, when I was late to greet you, it was because he didn’t tell me. That’s the extent of our progress.”

At those words, Sigrid chuckled and said,

“That’s quite some progress.”

“It is.”

Sighing, Morris poured out everything to Sigrid.

The guilt his dying father was stirring up. The seemingly stagnant relationship with his brother, the relatives’ words that felt like they were poking at ashes, the servants’ glances that seemed to be trying to gauge his intentions.

Morris spoke as if vomiting about all the pressures surrounding him, and Sigrid listened to every word seriously.

Using the excuse of a friend’s visit, Morris even ordered dinner to be served in his room. When Amis sent word asking if Sigrid would join them for a formal dinner, she declined. Morris said,

“He’ll dislike you for that.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Sigrid didn’t care the slightest bit about others’ opinions. If Amis had been good at swordsmanship, she might have been interested, but she could tell from his stance alone that he had no affinity with the sword.

Morris enjoyed a meal that didn’t feel like chewing sand for once, and by the time Sigrid was leaving, he had somewhat regained his spirits.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Sigrid said, “I’ll come again,” and left the mansion. As soon as she stepped out, Amis appeared and said,

“I don’t know what you’re plotting with that Aura user, but it won’t go your way. No matter what, what can a woman without even a title do?”

“She could at least duel with you, Brother.”

Morris involuntarily retorted at the words belittling Sigrid, causing Amis’s face to turn pale.

“Ha, so that was the plan! To challenge me to a duel and kill me!”

Morris was about to say ‘That’s not it’ but closed his mouth. There was no point in this kind of bickering. It would only tire him out more. He returned to his room.

“Now your true intentions are coming out, you think I’ll just let this slide!”

He ignored Amis shouting behind him.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Plans to visit the Deforest mansion a few more times fizzled out as they left for their estate. As Sigrid was considering taking leave to visit once, a heavy snowfall came along with the cold. People whispered that just as the summer had been unbearably hot, the winter was proving to be equally formidable. Even in the capital, people were freezing to death, prompting noble ladies to distribute relief supplies.

With communication almost cut off from distant estates, Sigrid sighed.

‘Ah, right. The weather was like this.’

She looked out the window.

‘That’s why the news was delayed.’

The news that a Grade 1 magical beast had appeared in the western territories. At that time, such news was irrelevant to Sigrid, who was in the 2nd Knight Order.

Even if the Emperor dispatched forces, he never sent members of the 2nd Imperial Guard. For a Grade 1 magical beast, it was common for only Aura users to take up arms.

Wasn’t it the same with the magical beast Sigrid had recently exterminated? Though that wasn’t quite Grade 1. Sigrid thought this as she turned away from the window.

But now, as an Imperial Guard member and an Aura user, she could be dispatched.

Thinking this, Sigrid gripped and released the handle of the sword she always carried, even in peacetime. The leather-wrapped sword handle was gradually becoming accustomed to her, feeling like it fit perfectly in her hand each time she grasped it.

‘I should practice more with the sword.’

Sigrid thought as she lowered the curtain of the window.

The messenger from the Western Nobles Alliance requesting central support arrived during the New Year’s meeting. The messenger, who must have killed several horses crossing the snowy fields to reach them, desperately pleaded for support. But the Emperor’s response was lukewarm.

The gist of it was how could they send support in this weather?

Naturally, the messenger was dumbfounded. The Emperor leaned back on his throne and said nonchalantly,

“Doesn’t the Western Nobles Alliance have its own valiant knights?”

“The Alliance has only two Masters!”

“Can’t those two defeat a single magical beast? Isn’t even Lord Mihas there? He’s known for his valor, living up to his nickname ‘Berserker’.”

“Even so, it’s a Grade 1 magical beast. Moreover, it’s a giant with regenerative abilities.”

The messenger said through gritted teeth.

“Viscount Curtis should take a rest. In the meantime, we’ll hold a meeting.”

A meeting.

Every minute counted. Viscount Curtis, who had come as the messenger, felt like grabbing the back of his neck in frustration. It was because of the gravity of the situation that he, a titled nobleman, had come as the messenger himself.

‘I can’t return like this with nothing to show.’

It goes without saying that after paying his respects to His Majesty, he immediately sought out the Crown Prince.

After all, it was the Crown Prince who had been advocating for a conciliatory policy towards the western nobles.

The audience was conducted quietly.

After explaining the details about the magical beast, Viscount Curtis emphatically spoke about the need for central support and trust, then cautiously added,

“Duke Fienscha also wishes to have a conversation.”

Serios responded without much reaction, saying he understood, and Viscount Curtis withdrew, trying not to show his anxiety. As he left, Serios sighed, sinking into the large backrest, and said,

“What do you think?”

Beramund, who had been listening in as a guard, asked,

“Is there any other choice?”

“A giant Grade 1 magical beast with regeneration… I’ve only read about such things in books.”

“Same here.”

“It would be disastrous if the city walls were destroyed.”

“They say they’re trying to lure it to the outskirts as much as possible, but there must be limits. It’s hard to mobilize soldiers in winter too.”

“If two Masters aren’t enough, do we need to deploy the entire 1st Imperial Guard?”

“With regenerative abilities, we’d need to kill it in one strike, but it’s difficult to do that to a giant. So we’d have to keep inflicting wounds to drive it to death, but there’s a limit to the amount of Aura. Even if the entire 1st Imperial Guard goes, we’d barely have a chance of winning.”

“But the Imperial Guard is directly under His Majesty. I can’t issue orders. The moment I do, Father would throw me in prison for treason.”

“But at this rate, the damage will only accelerate. What are the chances of the meeting deciding to support the west?”

“It will happen.”

Serios said, lifting his legs onto the chair and resting his chin on his hand.