Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 308: What did you expect?

That evening, the Crown Prince’s private training ground was a little more crowded than usual.It was because Arendt, Salem who came to learn swordsmanship from him, Zakar who followed him out of concern, and Laius were all gathered in one place.

“I didn’t really try to stop him since that’s what Salem wanted.”

Zakar, who had been watching Salem and Arendt training, started speaking.

“…Is that really okay?”

And Laius, who had a similar expression on his face, nodded his head sheepishly.

“It’ll be okay… because Arendt isn’t a fundamentally bad person.”

“I know that Sir Arendt is not a bad person.”

Zakar trailed off.

If you were to ask if he was someone who only had a positive influence on those around him, that wasn’t the case.

At that moment, Salem, unable to bear the persistent teasing any longer, finally shouted.

“Oh, my! Did you do well from the beginning?”

“Of course.”

Arendt answered shamelessly, crossing his arms.

Zakar groaned briefly.

“I see…”

Of course, it was inevitable that someone learning for the first time was clumsy, but with that kind of argument, the other person was clearly at fault.

Arendt was a monster who was the youngest member of the Imperial Knights, and who achieved brilliant feats before even shedding the label of apprentice knight.

If you rushed in without thinking, you would be the one ending up being hurt.

Arendt, standing with his arms crossed and his head tilted, spoke in a disapproving manner.

“If it doesn’t work out, you should at least try once more. Try again. Your posture is messed up.”

“…”

Even though he was drenched in sweat and his face was bright red from the teasing, Salem did as he was told and straightened his posture.

It was because he had nothing to say.

“Still, he teaches surprisingly well. People who learn quickly tend to have a hard time teaching others.”

Zakar muttered as he watched Arendt straighten Salem’s posture by tapping him with the scabbard.

Even for him, who had quite a bit of experience teaching warriors as an instructor, it was not a bad lesson.

“It seems that Arendt understands his own movements very well, even in his head. At first glance, it seemed like he mostly relied on intuition, but that wasn’t the case.”

“It’s like that when he first learned it. Then, I think he had to repeat it over and over again until he understood it. And even that was done very quickly.”

Laius gave the answer.

Arendt’s tendency could be called perfectionism at best, or a bit obsessive at worst.

Laius, pausing for a moment, added:

“…There’s nothing I can do about that temper.”

“…”

Zakar said nothing.

Instead, he looked away from Salem and Arendt.

The spirits, sensing an ominous aura, abandoned their contractor and approached Zakar, landing gently on his head.

The next moment, a loud noise erupted.

It was the sound of Salem, who had been staggering, finally rolling on the floor.

“I told you to focus.”

“Why are you crossing your legs like that?”

“Who told you to tremble like a newborn deer? Get up now.”

“Who is a newborn deer?!”

Salem cried out in frustration at Arendt’s cold voice.

Zakar asked, trying to ignore them.

“Aren’t you going to stop him?”

Laius, who had been silent for a moment, answered.

“…Won’t it be okay? Arendt won’t be too harsh on him.”

He said he didn’t want to interfere.

Zakar remained silent for a moment, then added briefly:

“I must apologize to the Shadow Race Grand Elder next time.”

“Then please do my part as well.”

Zakar nodded silently at Laius’ words.

He didn’t know about anything else, but if Salem’s personality turned bad, it was definitely their fault.

A few days before the banquet, Diana, Kendrick, Shekhinah, and Ragnald returned to the Caerleon Empire.

After finishing their report to the Crown Prince, they immediately arranged a time to exchange news with those who remained in the palace.

Arendt, who was in the training ground with Salem, was also called out by Laius and sat down with Zakar.

And for some reason, Llewellyn was also with Diana.

Arendt’s expression turned pale as soon as he saw Llewellyn among the group.

“…”

“Hey, you little brat!”

Regardless, Llewellyn immediately ran towards Arendt, shouting.

Llewellyn grabbed Arendt’s shoulder and began to examine him carefully, turning his body this way and that.

“Where does it hurt? Is there anywhere that feels off? Are there any aftereffects?”

Arendt, who had pulled Llewellyn’s hand away, asked irritably.

“Where are you touching? And why are you here?”

Then Llewellyn shouted as if he had been waiting for that question.

“Why? Are you asking because you really don’t know? Do you think everyone in the world is as cold-hearted as you? I was so worried!”

“You’re so noisy I could die.”

Arendt backed away in disgust, but Llewellyn was not easily persuaded.

“Who told you to do something dangerous? It’s a good thing Lord Lexion was here, otherwise what would have happened?”

“Why is this kid so obsessed with the past? Wasn’t it enough that he was just talking nonsense through the communication port?”

Diana smiled weakly as she watched the two people bicker.

“It’s fortunate that you both look so healthy, Sir Arendt and Captain Laius.”

“I was actually a bit more worried about Captain Laius, but I feel relieved to see that he seems okay.”

Kendrick also nodded and burst into laughter.

Laius looked a little embarrassed and lowered his head slightly.

“I might have acted a bit disgracefully. Thank you for your concern. I’m glad that you both have returned safely.”

“It must have been a bigger problem for the palace than for us.”

Kendrick gave a bitter smile and patted Laius’ shoulder.

“Thank you for your hard work, Laius. You did a great job.”

“…”

Laius’ eyes widened slightly.

After a while, a faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face.

“Thank you.”

“The future will be a problem, but I’m worried that we’re putting too much of a burden on you, young man.”

Kendrick muttered anxiously.

News of the Holy Sword had already spread far and wide to the allied nations. Most were in a celebratory mood at the news that the gods were helping in the war, but Diana and Kendrick were not entirely happy.

But Laius answered calmly.

“It’s okay. I can handle it.”

“If you act like this, your subordinates will see and follow suit. Captain Laius, take care of yourself.”

Diana let out a worried sigh.

He could sense genuine concern in the light tone of voice that seemed to be used before she became the captain.

Laius nodded obediently.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“By the way…”

Diana’s gaze turned towards Ragnald and Shekhinah.

The gazes of the two elves, who were clearly expressing their annoyance, were still on Arendt, who was struggling with Llewellyn.

“If you have something to say, it would be best to speak now, Lady Shekhinah and Lord Ragnald. He’s a very busy guy, so it’s hard to see his face.”

Shekhinah let out a short sigh at Diana’s joking remark.

“…No. What can we say about something that has already been decided?”

Upon returning to the Caerleon Empire, they heard from Cantares that Salem had become a spirit mage.

They naturally came to know that it was mostly from Arendt’s influence, but they also realized now that no matter what they said, it wouldn’t work.

“It’s already happened, so there’s no point in adding anything. In any case, Lord Salem has already made the decision, so it’s not something we can interfere with.”

Ragnald also gave a similar answer to Shekhinah with a displeased expression on his face.

The fact that Salem, who would normally never miss an occasion like this, was absent already told them all they needed to know.

“And more than anything, I know that no matter what I say now, no one will listen.”

As he said this, Ragnald looked towards Arendt.

Arendt noticed the gaze, stopped arguing with Llewellyn, and asked awkwardly.

“Why are you staring like that? If you have any complaints, speak up.”

Ragnald responded stiffly.

“I have no particular complaints, Sir Arendt. You have been through a lot, but you remain the same.”

“People don’t change that easily. Lord Ragnald, you seem quite displeased.”

Ragnald’s brow furrowed slightly as he saw the apprentice knight shrugging his shoulders.

Zakar, noticing that his mood had soured, intervened.

“It was inevitable. And Dragon Lexion himself recommended it.”

“As I just said, I don’t blame you for it, Instructor Zakar.”

Ragnald answered firmly.

“I just worry that Arendt’s influence is too strong.”

“…”

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became cold at his direct words.

Even though he was bewildered by the sudden silence, Ragnald simply stared at Arendt quietly.

Arendt also looked at him with indifferent eyes.

He had a rough idea of ​​what kind of misunderstanding Ragnald and Shekhinah had.

‘I guess they thought I convinced Salem using the names of a Dragon and Luce.’

It was an unamusing deduction, but it was a reasonably convincing one.

Arendt responded indifferently, his expression blank.

“What can I do if I’m just so amazing? I guess you arrogant elves are very sorry that your kind fell for the persuasion of a mere human?”

“…”

Shekhinah and Ragnald’s faces hardened.

Feeling the ominous air, Llewellyn hastily grabbed Arendt’s collar.

“Hey, hey! Do it in moderation!”

“What do you mean moderation? I just told it as it was.”

Shekhinah, who had been looking at Llewellyn and Arendt with mixed feelings, started speaking.

“I heard that you are preparing a victory banquet. His Highness Cantares has said that it will be a place to celebrate the friendship with the Elven Kingdom and to announce to the world who the owner of the Holy Sword is.”

Arendt just stared at Shekhinah as if telling her to speak more. Shekhinah stared at the apprentice knight quietly and continued speaking.

“Was that also perhaps a result of Arendt’s influence?”

“Hmm?”

Arendt admitted plainly, tilting his head and making an ambiguous sound.

“You understood it correctly. I made the proposal to His Highness. His Highness accepted it, and His Majesty also gave permission.”

It was only natural that Ragnald and Shekhinah’s expressions froze even more.

Shekhinah took a big step towards him.

“Don’t you think that’s presumptuous?”

“Well, aren’t you the one who is being presumptuous right now?”

Arendt responded to her urging with a sly grin.

“I don’t think Lady Shekhinah has the right to express dissatisfaction with what His Highness the Crown Prince is planning.”

“Sir Arendt! You are too arrogant.”

Shekhinah, unable to bear it any longer, raised her voice.

Ragnald also began to glare at Arendt fiercely, as if he wanted to rush at him at any moment.

A smile appeared on Arendt’s lips, as if he was quite pleased with the reactions of those two people.

“…”

Llewellyn, who noticed this, slowly let go of the hand he was holding onto Arendt and moved away.

It was as if he had seen something that should not be seen.

“That’s right. As expected, Lady Shekhinah, you have an outstanding ability to see through people.”

Arendt responded with a hint of laughter and a hint of cheerfulness.

Then Shekhinah’s beautiful brow furrowed.

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“No, I’m serious.”

Despite her prickly question, Arendt only shrugged.

The knight captains and Zakar were already quietly avoiding eye contact.

It was an expression of intent that they did not want to get caught up in this situation.

“Since you’ve come all this way, you should see some interesting things at least once.”

Arendt added, putting his hands in his pockets.

“Remember this. Arendt von Eckhart was a snobby, arrogant, and very shameless brat.”

“What the heck does that mean…”

Shekhinah forgot her displeasure at the meaning of the words she could not understand and muttered in confusion.

But Arendt said nothing more.

Thanks to the active support of Neumann and Cantares, the stage was prepared smoothly.

‘So now all that’s left is to present it to the audience we’ve worked so hard to gather.’

The main character of this play, which will be the prologue to a great heroic epic, is naturally Laius de Winfried, the owner of the Holy Sword and the hero who will save the world.