Volume 5 Chapter 53 Because I'm the Deputy. I'm Strong.
As the training with Randy began, Liz and the others, who had turned back to the castle, were being guided by Airen to the large bath for their soak.
"Sorry. Our bath doesn't care about status. Everyone has to endure the same bath."
Since it's a cold region, it's more efficient to heat the water in one place.
They do separate men and women... but that's Airen's explanation, and no one reacts negatively to it.
Miranda is used to communal living in special forces, and both Liz and Rita have been trained through their lives in Victor.
Plus, Catherine is originally Japanese.
Sharing a bath with a large number of people, like in public baths or hot springs, is not particularly rare.
If there's anything to hesitate about, it would be becoming defenseless in this place without any guards.
After all, for Catherine, this place is almost like enemy territory right now.
But whether Airen knows Catherine's feelings or not, she quickly gives instructions to the maids.
"It'll be nice to warm up slowly. I'll show my face for a bit."
With a sly smile, Airen left Liz and the others and hurried back down the hallway.
"...What should we do?"
Catherine looked at Miranda and Liz, and Miranda let out a small sigh in response.
"Why not take advantage of the offer? It seems Miss Evans isn't worried about anything."
As Miranda said, even if Catherine has her thoughts, there's no way they would harm her in a sneak attack.
Moreover, Catherine is a Saint, after all.
If something happens here, it could lead to problems with the Church.
Catherine nodded at Miranda's persuasive words.
"Well, then... I suppose I'll accept your kindness."
Catherine murmured hesitantly, and everyone except Rita began preparing for the soak.
"I'm a maid, after all. I'll help you with your bath, my lady."
Rita flexed her muscles, but the maids of Waldner approached with smiles.
"Since it's just one person, we've been instructed to treat you as a guest."
"Do not make the guest work, it would disgrace the name of Waldner."
Surrounded by smiling maids, Rita stammered, "N-no. I mean..." as she backed away, but the wall was already behind her.
"Please surrender."
"It's easier if you all come in together."
The final honest words struck the finishing blow, and Rita ended up taking a bath with Liz and the others....
* * *
By the time Liz and the others were taken to the bath, what were Randy and the others doing...
"Cedric, and Lord Harrison, right? You all are over here."
...Due to Rolf's suggestion, they had entered a free sparring training format with an instructor.
In this training, they stood skilled fighters at equal intervals, each asking their desired opponent for practice, a common type of training even for Victor.
In the position of those receiving the practice, Cedric was, of course, selected along with Harrison... rather, there were only the two of them standing.
"This is..."
"Are we being told to handle it ourselves?"
With a sigh, Cedric and Harrison received wooden swords, facing the line of Waldner's skilled fighters.
Leon also joined that line, but Randy was assigned to watch from outside the training area with Rolf.
"Um, um... I should join the training too."
Randy scratched his cheek, and Rolf laughed, saying, "You can join later."
Just as if it were a signal, each of the first fighters lunged at Harrison and Cedric.
Once the training began, it inevitably became lively.
From where they heard the news, even Knights who weren't training started peeking into the training area from various places.
"Father... it's quite lively, isn't it?"
Airen, who had returned, was following Harrison and Cedric's movements with flushed cheeks.
"Impressive, Cedric... you're getting stronger again."
As Airen happily laughed, Cedric was showing a one-sided match against the strong Waldner's Knights.
(I knew he was strong, but... he might be better than that S-rank──)
Randy remember that S-rank adventurer he fought during Winter vacation.
Cain Bloodrage.
Randy thought that the opponent, who had the power and mental strength to wield a magic sword, was stronger than Cedric at that time.
But now, Cedric, who skillfully toys with his opponent, is far stronger than Randy expected.
No, he is getting stronger.
It's hard to say definitively because of the magic sword's power, but in terms of swordsmanship, he is undoubtedly above S-rank Cain.
And he is also flashy.
Not just his high facial score, but his sword skills have a certain flair.
He understands now why he is called the [Prince of the Silver Peaks].
However, next to such Cedric, it is Harrison who is drawing more attention from the Knights.
Every time Harrison moves, the Knights murmur in awe.
After all, his movements appear slow, yet none of the Knights can even catch him, let alone escape from his sword.
He seems like an easy opponent to defeat, but when you actually face him, you lose for reasons you cannot understand.
"...He truly is a monster."
Airen, seeing Harrison, shows a strained smile.
Harrison is not playing around, though.
Of course, he is holding back to avoid killing, but that is part of Harrison's terror and strength.
"Is he completely mislead them?"
Randy nodded in response to Airen's words, "Yes."
A slight gap between consciousness and awareness.
By exploiting that gap, even a sword of ordinary speed cannot be dodged by the Knights.
"Is such a thing possible...?"
"Well, he seems to have interesting eyes."
Airen, deep in thought, and Rolf, with a smile.
Randy sent a surprised compliment, "As expected of you," to Rolf, who quickly noticed Harrison's power.
It's not just that he noticed while facing him; even from this distance, just watching the training, his name [North Wall] is not just for show.
"Eyes?"
Randy suggested to Airen, who tilted her head, to have a match with Harrison.
If he watches the match, Airen should understand since she's a user of her class.
In fact, the Knights entering their second round are starting to adapt to Harrison's movements, albeit clumsily.
After watching such an intense training for a while,
"Stop!"
Rolf's voice echoed.
"Airen, what will you do?"
Asked by Rolf, Airen looked straight at Harrison and said, "Well..."
"Lord Harrison Walker, I would like to have a match with you."
Receiving the challenge, Harrison glanced at Randy.
This was not just training; it was a full match.
He had come here bearing the insignia of the Victor Knight Brigade, after all.
It was only natural to obtain Victor's permission.
In response to Harrison's gaze, Randy grinned and spoke.
"Show her. Show her why you are Victor and the Deputy of the knights."
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