Chapter: 871
While my husband was busy grappling with some crazy prince, his wife was systematically wrecking the pride of the Knight Kingdom.
Wait, using the word “wrecking” might make it sound like we’re negatively impacting the relationship between the Empire and Ainter. Let’s rephrase that: she stimulated their competitive spirit and made Ainter’s future shine even brighter. That sounds way more appropriate.
‘Well done, our Fine.’
In any case, I was showering her exploits with all the applause I could muster. I couldn’t suppress the thrill and satisfaction bubbling inside me despite it being my recurring thought.
Before dueling the Continent’s Greatest Sword, the King of Ainter had declared that the knights should first spar with its disciple. The knights, with shining eager eyes, seemed to agree that sparring with someone below the final boss was much better than facing the king himself.
And the result was Fine’s impressive winning streak. She managed to score a historic 17 consecutive victories, one for the record books in Empire-Ainter diplomacy.
“Well, how about that.”
This, in turn, meant Ainter’s knights suffered 17 consecutive defeats. No wonder Rutis scratched his head while letting out a bitter smile.
It must be a complicated feeling. It’s not pleasant for their knights to fall in defeat one after another against just one opponent, but expressing anger or disappointment is a risky business when I’m standing right beside him. I could just imagine Rutis worrying, “What if he says, ‘Is it weird that my wife won?’”
Thinking about that was somewhat touching. The usually disastrous Rutis was considering my feelings.
‘He’s grown.’
There’s nothing quite like seeing the most troublesome student mature. It’s moving as a past club advisor…
“I’m even grateful for the time constraint. If we continued sparring, it wouldn’t just stop at 17.”
“The knights of Ainter are indeed brave, and I’m well aware of it. But unlike Fine, who’s giving it her all, the knights are in a situation where they can’t fully exert themselves while considering a foreign guest. It’s not quite a fair outcome, so please don’t take it to heart.”
So, I offered some fleet-footed consolation to Rutis.
In all honesty, if time were infinite and we could continue the duels endlessly, Fine’s winning streak would accrue day by day. The Empire had faced many conflicts while Ainter had stayed free from them for about 30 years. Fine was a specialist who had been rolling around in the thick of it all. The gap in practical experience is significant.
However, throwing in some encouraging words for my grown student is well within my rights. I mean, Fine winning is true, but it wasn’t a proper match. Let’s just chalk it up to that.
“Haha, I truly appreciate your words!”
Fortunately, Rutis’s expression eased up a bit at my comment.
“But a victory is a victory! Whining about being disadvantaged here or there is not the way of a knight! A true knight, a true warrior, wins under any conditions! They don’t consider conditions even while in a war!”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Although losing 17 times is grievous, this pain is simply growing pains for a brighter tomorrow! We owe thanks to the continent’s Greatest Sword and his wife for the valuable lessons!”
Rutis gave a slight bow, and I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly at his earnestness.
Rutis had strong pride when it came to swords. It’s an unexpected demeanor from someone who seems brash and light-hearted, especially close to his wedding. I was glad to see a more normal Rutis emerging, not the reckless one I used to know.
How I wished he had been like this at the academy, but let’s just be thankful he’s become a proper prince, even if it’s a bit late.
“Enough! The guest has given us ample time, so we shall halt the duels!”
Rutis then turned toward the dueling ground and loudly proclaimed the end to the matches.
“Everyone, the one who has taken the time to be here is the Executive Manager of the Empire’s Information Department and the greatest swordsman of the continent’s disciple! He grew up under a superior teacher and has accumulated far more experience! So celebrate your growth rather than lament the defeats!”
“Aye, we will remember that!”
“We will strive to serve the royal family and the kingdom even more diligently!”
The knights who had been sitting on the ground groaning and those watching from their feet responded in unison to Rutis’s rallying cry.
“Lastly, a salute to the disciple of the Continent’s Greatest Sword!”
‘Oh.’
Then they proceeded to give Fine a salute she didn’t need to receive.
Those meanie knights. Fine flinched when she received a salute from me, and now they were doing it—it felt like a horrible act against her. Fine, who’s usually awkward with the spotlight, must be feeling way out of her depth.
‘…It doesn’t seem to matter.’
But my worries vanished almost instantly.
Fine stood proudly while receiving the salute, like a general returning triumphantly. The knights who were saluting were figures she’d merely crushed by force or would crush, so it seemed fine for her after all.
Truly, the saying that you get closer through fighting holds water. Without this duel, Fine would still be a stranger, hesitant around those knights.
During our stay in Ainter, the royal family provided us accommodations.
Though it was excessive consideration, it’s a rule to politely accept a high-ranking person’s hospitality. Plus, since we came as guests to grace the wedding, the royal family’s treatment seemed just right, leaving me unable to refute.
‘To grace the occasion.’
Sighing internally, I pondered the king’s words. When did the act of slashing the sky in the swordsmith’s hall turn into a way of gracing a wedding? Wouldn’t it be more like a disaster to utterly ruin it?
Honestly, even now that I’m in Ainter, it’s hard to comprehend. Why on earth did they request to do something as drastic as slashing the sky? Especially in such a sacred place like the swordsmith’s hall, and on such a monumental occasion as a wedding.
There must be some reason so unfathomable that I could never guess, and perhaps it’s a reason I would forever choose to remain clueless about. Understanding it would only spell disaster.
“Darling?”
‘Oh.’
My internal sigh escaped through my mouth.
“Is something troubling you? Perhaps there was an issue during the duel…?”
Fine, who had been slightly puffed up with pride since the duel, shrank back at my sigh.
Her endearing yet pitiful appearance made me smirk. After achieving an incredible record of 17 consecutive victories in the heart of the Knight Kingdom, how could anything go wrong worthy of concern?
Sure, the duels took place in the capital of a foreign nation and at the king’s behest, so perhaps it painted a pretty picture of fairness. However, namely for those sword-obsessed maniacs, being lenient would be considered a slight. A fight done with full conviction, a beautiful defeat—this must be a satisfactory result for those sword enthusiasts out there.
“I do feel a bit guilty for having you struggle all on your own. I’m sorry for just spectating, being the husband and all.”
With that, I wrapped Fine in a hug and spoke softly.
Of course, uttering something like ‘I have no clue why those crazy Ainter folks requested the sky slash in the swordsmith’s hall,’ was off-limits. Speaking such thoughts would only transfer my troubles onto her.
“Oh, no! It was something I wanted to do! To face the continent’s greatest sword, I naturally had to first overcome his disciple; it was simply my duty!”
I repeatedly patted Fine’s back as she vigorously shook her head.
I get it. I fully understand Fine’s heart. She held that sword and fought the knights for me. If I didn’t acknowledge that, I wouldn’t be a decent human being.
But, there’s just one thing I wish was different—
‘You’re a bit stiff.’
It’s been so long since she held a sword; her tone got rigid.
With our marriage, the birth of Mary, and so on, Fine’s usually serious demeanor had lightened up a bit through various incidents. There were times she even sweetened her words towards me, creating a subtle softness. But this 17-duel experience brought back her serious military bearing.
I understand it’s a situation beyond her control, but it’s still a shame. For now, I just have to wait for time to return her to her former self.
…Wait, in Fine’s case, restored means a fully serious version, right?
‘No way.’
I unconsciously swallowed.
I can’t revert my squishy wife back to her soldier-like demeanor. I’ve worked too hard to ease her remarkable loyalty, after all.
“Fine.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Would you like to take an outing? Since we’re in Ainter, we should explore a bit.”
So that’s why I urged Fine to go out. To quickly erase the heat and memories of the duel. To send Fine back to her squishy self.
*
Prince Rutis has come calling.
Since the engagement between Prince Rutis and Penelia was confirmed, he’s been visiting almost every single day. It’s quite a royal and awkward visit, but as a humble subject, I can’t block his steps.
So whenever he visits, I set aside the duties of my position as vice captain of the royal guards and welcome him solely as my future son-in-law. It’s what he wishes.
“Advisor has come along with his wife!”
‘Oh.’
However, this time, he brought somewhat pleasant yet unique news along.
The advisor referred to by Prince Rutis is a one-of-a-kind figure in this continent. Former inspector of the academy and advisor of the pastry club. Currently, he’s the Minister of the Empire’s Information Department and the continent’s Greatest Sword.
Since we rolled around in the academy together for three years, even I, who lack extensive social circles, can confidently call him “a friend across the borders.”
‘Carl Krasius.’
What a name I have not heard in ages, and now I’m set to meet him again. It brought a smile to my face.
“Haha! Sir Villar seems happy to see the advisor!”
“Yes, Your Highness. After three years of working together, we’ve built a bond that transcends nationality.”
“I understand completely. I’ve made quite a few friends across borders, too!”
Prince Rutis, bursting into laughter, fiddled with his teacup and continued with a grin.
“But you might want to avoid visiting today. The advisor’s wife has just completed 17 consecutive sparring matches, so it might be difficult to welcome guests!”
“…Huh?”
His words automatically sparked a question from me.
17 consecutive matches? What on earth happened as soon as the minister arrived in Ainter?
Although it doesn’t relate to me, I feel somewhat apologetic for the troubles my far-away friend has faced.
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