“I heard you got a vacation? Lucky you, Billy. A little break might help you realize your place.”
Behind Billy, who was packing, someone spoke in a voice trying to suppress laughter. Turning around, it was Blotch leaning against the door. Catching Billy’s eye, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Got any business with me, Blotch?”
“I was informed yesterday. I’ve been appointed the training instructor while you’re away.”
“Congratulations.”
Billy continued to rummage through his bag, seeing if there was anything else he needed to pack. Having selected only the bare essentials for the journey, his bag was so light that he felt like he might as well be traveling empty-handed. Yet, he felt uneasy and lingered in front of his bed, wondering if he was forgetting anything.
Fortunately, seeing the detestable Blotch distracted him from his worries, and Billy hoisted his bag.
Standing in front of the obstructing Blotch, he asked, “Is there something you need to hand over to me?”
“Why would there be? It’s just a simple matter.”
Blotch politely stepped aside. But as Billy walked down the corridor, Blotch kept following and annoying him.
“You might not have noticed, but I came to give you a piece of advice. You’d be better off not coming back, Billy. There’s no place for you in Excelon anymore.”
Billy walked on, focusing only on the path ahead. The echo of Blotch’s laughter in the corridor was grating, but Billy held his tongue.
‘Just a few more steps, and I won’t see his face for half a year.’
Blotch questioned, “Why did you do it, Billy?”
“If you’re talking about Shawn, he paid for his crimes. He tainted the honor of the Excelon Knights. They should be thankful he wasn’t beheaded for it…”
“I wasn’t talking about Shawn. But since you brought it up, after being punished by you, Shawn has joined the Royal Knights. Did you know?”
“So, a guy who had kids strip for a penny gets to parade around in the Royal Knights? If you’re so jealous, why don’t you toss aside your position as Excelon’s training instructor and follow him?”
Billy responded curtly, continuing his walk.
‘Ignore him. Just ten steps left.’
“Why’d you tell such a lie? About joining the Wolf Knights?”
“It’s not a lie. I’m on my way to Aranthia now.”
“Look, there’s no need to lie to me. Why would you willingly walk a path to your own demise?”
Billy finally paused, just a step away from the exit.
“How is that a path to my death?”
“Challenging the Wolf Knights? That’s suicide. Against the strongest knights on the continent…”
Billy grabbed him by the collar.
“How does an upcoming instructor of Excelon dare to call another group of knights the strongest?”
“Let, let me go! We were just talking…”
Billy hoisted him up with one hand, and Blotch’s feet dangled in the air.
“Listen closely, Blotch. I’m going to the Wolf Knights. And I’ll see why there aren’t any losers like you, who drag down their own group’s reputation, there. By the time I return, I hope you’ll have scuttled off to the Royal Knights. Because when I come back, there won’t be room for someone like you in Excelon.”
Billy thrust Blotch against the wall and left. Normally, he’d regret such a scene, but right now, he felt relieved.
☆ ☆ ☆
Suvel returned in less than half an hour. The excitement on his face was evident as he dismounted. He grinned at Billy and then shouted up to Black, who was standing on a rock.
“You were right! No matter how busy the journey gets, there are sights worth paying attention to.”
“What was it?”
Both Black and Billy asked almost simultaneously.
“It’s the procession of the High Lord who oversees the Blue Gate.”
Suvel replied with an expectant look of surprise on his face. However, Black responded with silence, and Billy showed indifference. Suvel, looking slightly disappointed, asked,
“Don’t you know what a High Lord is?”
“What is it?”
Billy inquired.
“You haven’t studied about Aranthia? I’ll give you a brief explanation since we’re short on time. Aranthia has five gates, and each gate is managed by a High Lord. So, essentially, all of Aranthia’s power is concentrated in these five nobles. The High Lord overseeing the White Gate is Sanadiel, often referred to as the Queen of Aranthia. Do you get it now?”
“I understand they’re significant nobles. But how does that relate to us?”
“Damn, here’s the problem. Normally, people would badmouth the king, but the moment the king passes by, they’d be like, ‘Wow! I saw the king today!’ and get all excited. You don’t feel that excitement, do you?”
Suvel huffed, exasperated. Billy just nodded. Even if the Emperor of Lontamon visited Excelon, Billy wouldn’t care if there was training scheduled.
Suvel continued, “Anyway, it’s not ordinary for such a noble to be traveling like this. Can you guess the High Lord’s intention, heading towards the Red Gate?”
“What would it be?”
“Use your head before answering. This route leads directly to Nadium. Meaning, High Lord Talrund is now on his way to meet the Queen.”
“We’re heading in the same direction then. Meeting them now won’t be favorable. After all, we’re not traveling to Nadium out of good will.”
Billy glanced at his subordinates, who were wrapping up their meal and getting ready to move.
“We should avoid them.”
Billy prepared to order his subordinates to move off the road.
“Wait, I’m not done yet.”
Suvel looked determined, as if he’d be fine with getting punched if Billy wasn’t surprised this time.
“The Captain of the Wolf Knights was riding with the High Lord in his carriage. At first, I thought I misheard, so I approached closer to eavesdrop on their conversation. It was challenging because of the noise from the hooves, but the guards remained silent, so I could differentiate the voices. They clearly called him Captain Wolf!”
“Captain Wolf?”
For the first time, Billy displayed the surprised expression Suvel had been anticipating. Suvel eagerly continued,
“The Captain of the Wolf Knights was there with the High Lord. At first, I found it difficult to identify faces from afar, but then I heard a name briefly — Kassel.”
“It’s not Quain then.”
“Quain is now the Queen’s guardian knight. Strictly speaking, he’s kind of retired from the Wolf Knights, right?”
“That makes sense. But why is the Captain of the Wolf Knights here?”
Billy couldn’t easily digest that fact.
“He must be escorting the High Lord. What does it matter?”
Suvel placed his hands on his hips and asked,
“So, what will you do, Billy? Wasn’t your goal in coming to Aranthia the Captain of the Wolf Knights, not just the Wolf Knights?”
“Possibly.”
Billy nodded.
“Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go meet him!”
Suvel urged not just Billy but also Black.
“Black, isn’t this the power you spoke of? Isn’t it? Then you should come with us. Maybe your forgotten purpose is Captain Wolf.”
Black neither affirmed nor denied. Billy pondered for a while, with Suvel pressing him for a decision.
“They’ll pass through this road in less than half an hour. What will you do?”
“If, by any chance…”
Billy spoke carefully, choosing each word with caution.
“If an unidentified man were to suddenly and rudely challenge the Captain of the Wolf Knights to a duel, do you think he’d accept?”
Suvel seemed to ponder for a moment, then spoke with a mischievous glint in his eye, as if recalling a wicked prank.
“Loyal was one who never refused a duel, whether he was interrupted during a meal or jolted awake from sleep. Considering the Wolf Knights prioritize skill above all, it’s evident that the current captain is like Loyal or someone even more skilled. So, he won’t avoid the duel.”
“Would he be one to use this sword?”
Billy tapped the precious blade that Captain Loren had entrusted to him. It was also a challenge that Blutch smugly presented. It could serve as a lesson from a training instructor to the knights of Excelon who had forgotten their glory from a decade ago.
Suvel added to Billy’s words, “Of course. He’s also the knight who will endure my wrath.”
Billy immediately turned around and called out to everyone.
“I, your captain, will issue my first command.”
At his deep voice, all his subordinates promptly lined up in front of him. Even without formal training, their stance was pretty well-formed.
‘Come to think of it, these guys might appear weak only to Suvel and me, but to ordinary people, they were once the subjects of terror, being renowned fugitives. If the foundation is these individuals, a bit of brief training should make them sufficiently capable soldiers.’
Without a lengthy explanation, Billy issued his command.
“Everyone, prepare for battle.”
–TL Notes–
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