“How dare you not kneel in front of me and look me in the eye so audaciously? I can’t decide whether to kill you or spare you.”
Her voice was devoid of emotion, yet a smile gradually spread across her face.
“What should I do?”
A bright laugh.
She seemed like a child expecting praise.
It seemed her true nature was hard to hide.
Eliya patiently awaited my answer.
I quickly pondered.
‘What kind of answer does she want?’
It’s not about whether I want to live or die.
She clearly expects a particular reaction from me.
‘What am I to Eliya right now?’
An intriguing figure who has dared to confront her for the first time.
Interesting, yet I could kill her at any moment.
In other words, as long as I maintain her interest, I won’t die for now.
But is this the right thing in the long run?
Would satisfying Eliya’s interest be the right choice?
I don’t know.
But when it comes to the short term, it seems right.
‘Then how do I satisfy her interest?’
Begging for my life.
Passively obeying, saying that if she wants, she can kill me.
Neither option seems interesting.
I need to break the obvious expectations.
“Miss Eliya.”
I calmly addressed her.
“I apologize for being presumptuous, but may I ask you one thing?”
To question a noble, the master, without answering back—what a rudeness that is.
“This insolent…!”
As expected, the knight standing behind was taken aback.
However.
“Stay still.”
Eliya raised her hand slightly.
The knight quickly straightened up.
“Go ahead.”
Eliya smiled brightly, granting permission.
Though it’s rude, it’s the perfect way to pique her interest.
“What is the reason you let me through, Miss?”
“Because it’s fun and interesting.”
“In that case, dare I say, it would be better for you to keep me alive.”
“Why?”
“If I live, you’ll get to see more fun and interesting sides of me.”
“Hmm.”
Eliya chuckled softly and nodded.
Her little finger tapped on the table repeatedly.
Without realizing, I broke out in a cold sweat.
‘That’s a habit I have when I’m deep in thought…’
I had said all I needed to say.
How to be fun and interesting—that’s something I don’t know myself.
For now, I just threw it out there to survive.
‘I’ll have to think carefully from now on.’
That interest likely won’t last long.
She’s the type to easily get bored of anything.
Eventually, she’ll probably forget that I ever existed.
“You’re halfway successful already.”
“…Huh?”
“I heard you were sold as a slave.”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“But your eloquence is exceptional. The vocabulary you use. Even knowing it goes against etiquette, you try not to forget consideration. The way you construct and order your persuasion.”
“…”
“It’s like I’m looking at a trained noble.”
I almost forgot.
This isn’t a world where everyone has equal educational opportunities like in Korea.
“But judging by your complete lack of knowledge about the etiquette of holding a teacup, you can’t be a noble. So it seems you haven’t received proper education.”
“…”
“Interesting.”
Tap. Eliya smiled brightly as she tapped her teacup.
The steam was still rising from the untouched tea.
“Alright. I’ll spare you.”
“…Thank you.”
“Your name?”
“Judas Defecit, Miss Eliya.”
“Judas. I’ll remember that.”
“It’s an honor.”
“You can go now. Oh, you can take the leftovers with you.”
Without hesitation, I grabbed some cookies with my hands.
It was a bit too much to just take with my hands.
Should I put some in my pocket?
“…Ria. Pack that up.”
Eliya pointed to one of the maids.
The red-haired maid came over with a paper bag and started putting the leftover cookies in it.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Judas.”
Eliya giggled as she waved her hand.
That swaying gesture felt strangely creepy.
She was so young, yet it overlapped with the image of the bad woman I know.
I hid my complex feelings and bowed.
“I will treasure it for a lifetime.”
*
As soon as I returned to the dormitory, chaos erupted.
“Hey—! We have a newcomer!”
“Where! Oh! Hey! You! Hey!”
“Who the heck are you? What happened?”
“What did you talk about with the lady?”
“I’ve been here for over a year, and this is the first time the lady has personally come!”
Eleven voices shouted all at once.
My ears were ringing.
I quickly pulled out the paper bag from my arms.
When it comes to silencing a crowd, food is the best option.
“Everyone, let’s eat this first.”
“What’s this?”
Dillon took the bag.
As he opened the bag, a nutty and sweet aroma wafted out.
“Th-this…!”
“It’s cookies! Wow, how many of these are there? This expensive stuff…”
“A newcomer brought luxury cookies!”
“From now on, the newcomer is a god!”
While feeling pleased, an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu washed over me.
This is exactly what happens when soldiers receive chocolate pies.
“From this day on, attacking Judas will be considered an act of hostility towards Room 13!”
Richard exclaimed loudly.
It was a declaration aimed at the candidates flocking from another room.
It seemed they too were curious about my one-on-one meeting with Eliya.
“Everyone, back off! I’ll share them one by one!”
Dillon began handing out the cookies to the candidates.
I also received one since I had brought them.
“So, newcomer. Why did the lady call for you? What did she say?”
Someone asked as he munched on a cookie.
What should I say?
Is it okay to speak honestly?
‘She asked whether she should kill me or spare me.’
Do they know Eliya’s true nature?
She would eventually become the bad woman who would be the talk of the whole world.
But for now, she probably isn’t like that.
From what I’ve heard, it seems they don’t have many opportunities to see Eliya often.
Additionally, the Bevel Family manages their outside reputation surprisingly well.
‘If I say something careless, they might think I’m insulting my master.’
A slave insulting a noble deserves to die, after all.
So I can’t speak the truth.
‘What should I say…’
“I was called because of something that happened during the candidate selection.”
I figured I could embellish that adequate fact.
“By the way, what happened that you were the only one accepted? And that the lady chose you directly.”
“I looked the lady in the eye.”
“Gah—!”
Someone choked on their cookie and pounded their chest in distress.
The others, who had been eavesdropping, had similar reactions.
“I couldn’t help it back then.”
That was the truth.
At that time, I thought I would be eliminated if I didn’t.
While preserving my life.
“I desperately wanted to get accepted here.”
I can’t admit that part openly, so I wrapped it up like that.
“What a madman has entered…”
“I knew from the start that you wouldn’t back down, but you’re no ordinary madman.”
“Thank you.”
I responded nonchalantly.
The favor bought with cookies wouldn’t last for long.
This is a place that has a strict hierarchical society, and it’s also a competitive system.
If I tick off anyone even a little, I’ll be ignored immediately.
I need to show them I’m not an easy target.
“First, Judas. Your spot is here.”
Dillon guided me.
It was underneath the upper bunk bed closest to the door.
“Basic clothes and hygiene supplies are already in your locker, so take them out if you need them.”
I was taken aback.
Even just becoming a guard knight guarantees the bare essentials of living.
Now I fully understand why the slaves support this.
Even if it’s known to be the villainous family, why wouldn’t they be loyal when they provide for their basic needs?
‘Unless they don’t realize they’re going to die at Eliya’s hands later.’
Then Dillon took me out.
He showed me around the dormitory building, explaining the basic layout.
Each room is grouped into sections of five.
Each section has a dedicated knight.
Room 13 is in Section 3.
The knight in charge is Thomas.
Besides the designated training times and meal times, remaining time is free.
However, leaving the specified area is forbidden.
Instead, there are outdoor times allowed on weekends.
This place strictly observes senior-junior distinctions according to class.
It’s said that one must always show loyalty to the upperclassmen.
That loyalty has nothing to do with skill or performance.
Even upperclassmen from other rooms must be treated with utmost respect.
This is because one must obey the hierarchy as a guard knight.
As a member of the 13th class, I’m the youngest amongst all candidates.
‘This is getting troublesome.’
The only 13th-year member.
To boot, personally approved by Eliya.
I’m in a perfect position to be hated.
‘By the way, how many are there in the knight candidate class? Around 240? How much money is being spent here?’
The Bevel Principality is indeed a place where funds are ample.
Moreover, this is where they nurture and select the knights to protect the Bevel family’s direct lineage.
It seems like they must spend that much.
“The training content differs based on class and current skill levels, but generally, it’s carried out together. Occasionally, you’ll be assigned missions to gain real experience and earn fees.”
“I see.”
“That’s the basic explanation for now. Since there’s no training today, you can freely explore from here on out.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as I returned to the room, a few of my peers welcomed me.
The favor bought with cookies was still valid at this point.
Some were playing card games or chatting.
I pretended to browse through my locker while pondering.
‘What should I do from here on out?’
I need a long-term plan.
I need to escape from here and from the Bevel Principality as well.
‘Guard knights go through several exams.’
I don’t know exactly what exams will be taken and how many.
The only thing I know is that even if you fail, they give you a chance to retake the exam.
‘Moreover, I just threatened Eliya that I would show her something. If I fail here, she would probably kill me for deceiving myself.’
So for the time being, I will live normally in this place.
I need to think about how to escape gradually.
‘When her interest wanes, I’ll fail the exam and get out of here.’
But just in case that doesn’t happen?
I must always prepare for the worst-case scenario.
‘To set up an escape route, I’ll need money.’
To keep my position and power without arousing suspicion from others.
And right now, I’m in a time before the point I know.
Who knows how valid my information is.
‘The conclusion that emerges is quite simple.’
First, I live here.
I’ll train, adapt, and refine my escape plan.
By the time I organized my thoughts, someone spoke to me.
“Ah, hello.”
It was a somewhat dejected voice.
A boy around my age.
“My name is Richard. You’re Judas, right? You’re using the upper bunk above me.”
“Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you.”
“N-no! I’m from the 12th class. We’re not that far apart. You can speak casually to me.”
“It’s not appropriate. I can’t do that.”
“B-but it’ll be uncomfortable…”
Richard persistently requested for a long time to drop the formality.
He was so insistent that it made anyone listening uncomfortable.
But I was no slouch either.
I held my formal tone until the end.
“Ha…”
Richard sighed.
“Ha, ha ha!”
He soon broke into a hearty laugh.
“Hey. You noticed, didn’t you?”
His tone had completely changed.
I calmly acknowledged it.
“Yeah.”
“Wow. This is something!”
Someone from the side chimed in.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen Senior Richard fail.”
“My point! His instincts are simply ghost-like.”
Earlier, Dillon had taken cookies from me and distributed them.
In accordance with their status, Richard was the first to receive one.
I clearly saw and remembered that.
Not just that.
Richard.
He is a man who will in the distant future be known as the ‘Lion Knight.’
I was uncertain given his young appearance, but seeing him again solidified my belief.
This is the Richard.
‘His defining features are his curly blonde hair like a lion’s mane and a bit of a rough mouth.’
Richard extended his hand for a handshake.
Unlike the bashful earlier, he now wore a bright smile.
“Richard. 5th class.”
“…Judas from the 13th class.”
“Yeah, the youngest. Nice to meet you. By the way, how old are you?”
“I’m 13 years old.”
“Oh. You can tell your age accurately? That’s interesting. I think I was around 15 or so… something like that.”
Being in the 5th class…
I carefully observed my surroundings while shaking his hand.
He seems to be the highest candidate in Room 13.
“Kid, you’re smart and quick-witted, so I like you.”
A 15-year-old who talks like an old man who has seen everything in life.
“I look forward to working with you from now on.”
“Yes, Senior, I look forward to working with you.”
“Sure, if possible, bring cookies occasionally too.”
After all, he’s just a kid.
“I’m going to work out, so come with me.”
For the first time since coming here, I encountered an exhilarating word.
‘Work out, huh…’
I was so moved, I found myself speechless.
It seems Richard thought I was hesitating.
“Don’t be scared! Besides, if you’re going, it’s better to go with me.”
What on earth does that mean?
Anyway, having no reason to refuse, I followed Richard to the training room filled with workout equipment.
I quickly understood why he said that.
As soon as I entered, several people recognized me and shot me sharp glares.
But soon after, they averted their eyes upon seeing Richard beside me.
‘Is this the power of hierarchy?’
Richard, albeit young, is a 5th class member.
The higher the class number, the fewer candidates remain as time passes.
So, there are few who would dare to treat Richard casually.
Naturally, I along with him couldn’t be treated casually either.
“Now you know why I asked you to come with me.”
Richard chuckled lightly.
“Now that they’re somewhat familiar, nobody will bother you today. It’d probably be uncomfortable since I’m here beside you. Just work out a bit and come back.”
I almost said that I would regard him as a senior from now on.
Richard left to warm up.
I took a moment to look around the gym.
Suddenly a question struck me.
‘This is such an ambiguous setting somewhere between the middle ages and modern times.’
But why is the workout facility as clean as one in a modern gym?
‘It must be a mass-produced thing.’
Mass-produced top-notch stuff.
This is what fantasy is.
I recalled my past life and quickly assessed my current physical state.
‘Nutritional deficiency. Poor posture. Weak core muscles. Coordination muscle balance is off.’
I’ll start with some light bodyweight exercises.
I can take my time to build my body.
Since exercising too much wouldn’t let me grow taller, and my current body can’t handle excessive workouts either.
I laid low in a corner and began doing push-ups.
Even doing one felt strenuous.
My bent wrists hurt and my thin chest muscles felt like they were about to tear.
But it was thrilling.
Once I sufficiently stimulated my muscles, it’s commonly said that I’ve “had a good meal.”
That day, my chest muscles were well fed.
*
The next morning after entering the dormitory.
All candidates from sections 1 and 3 gathered at the training ground for morning exercises.
While the training times are similar, they mentioned that it would be conducted separately by section.
Sometimes, we train together, and morning running is one of those times.
A buzz.
The surrounding area is noisy.
Even though order must be maintained, about 100 candidates couldn’t help it.
And it’s understandable.
Standing before them, was the girl who would become their future master.
Eliya sat on a lavish chair, looking down at us.
Beside her, a maid held an umbrella for her.
The knight of Section 3, Thomas, spoke up nervously.
“Today is the glorious day the lady is personally observing your training! Do your best not to disappoint her!”
Officially, it was to observe the training of the candidates.
But I know.
When Eliya’s eyes met mine.
She came to see me.
Expecting me to showcase something interesting.
‘I didn’t expect her to be this proactive…’
Back then, I just blurted out whatever to live.
I have no idea what to show.
The morning run began.
Eliya quietly watched while tearing into her toast.
“Hey, I think the lady is looking over here?”
“I don’t think so. Oh, what should I do? Should I take off my shirt?”
“If you do that, it’ll be execution, you idiot.”
Several candidates chattered as they ran.
Eliya slowly swept her gaze across the candidates.
Yet her gaze lingered on me often.
As though she wanted me to show her something.
Just then, someone suddenly bumped my shoulder as they ran by.
“…?”
It was a boy who looked about 14 years old.
He ran ahead while mocking me from behind.
‘…Who the hell is that kid?’
I don’t recognize him.
After a few more laps, a couple more approached me.
“Judas. Are you struggling a lot?”
Richard.
“You can take it easy, you know.”
Dillon.
“I’m… fine…”
I barely managed to respond.
My frail body gasped painfully after just a little running.
Richard and Dillon had already lapped me several times.
“You’re going to feel like that right from the start.”
Richard clicked his tongue.
Indeed, the excessive push-ups from yesterday had taken their toll.
“It’s good to be hardworking, but match your level.”
Dillon offered rational advice.
I know.
Yesterday, I got a bit too excited…
I didn’t have the energy left to answer as I continued running until someone bumped into me again.
It was that kid from earlier.
He rudely crossed between Richard and me and bumped Richard’s shoulder too.
“Damn brat…”
Richard muttered with gritted teeth.
He was in the 5th class.
In other words, the fact that he could pass by casually after bumping into him means he’s a senior above Richard.
Just then, I locked eyes with Eliya.
She smiled at me as if to ask whether I would show her something interesting.
“Ugh…”
Unknowingly, a sigh escaped me.
‘What to do…’
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