I was able to start proper training, thanks to Karl’s kindness.
Without knowing anything, I moved my body recklessly like I did in the game, and Karl extended his hand first.
If it weren’t for him, I would have practiced alone until I entered the Academy.
And it would only be on the day of the Academy entrance exam that I would realize the gap between the game and reality.
Swinging a weapon with mouse clicks is completely different from actually engaging in battle.
If it weren’t for Karl, and if he hadn’t reached out first, no one would have thought to help Lucy Allen. They wouldn’t have believed that Lucy wanted to change.
Now, I lift an empty shield and mace and scan the surroundings.
The knights looking at Karl and me were filled with fascination, expectation, and envy.
When I was first bestowed with the memories of another world, there was no kindness in their gazes.
At that time, I poured out my sadness onto those around me indiscriminately.
Who would like someone like that? It must have taken a great decision for my master, who hurled verbal abuse just because our eyes met, to extend his hand first.
With that single decision, Karl truly deserved to be called my benefactor.
“Ready?”
As I asked, Karl nodded and wrapped his aura around his sword.
The colored aura made it clear he had no intention of going easy on me. It was only natural.
Our positions had completely reversed.
“In the past, it was you who challenged me, but now I am in the position to challenge you.”
“Hmm, should I ignore you a bit?”
“No, please give it your all. That’s how I’ll know my place.”
As I summoned the Divine and asked the fairies for help, they rose to the sky with bright smiles.
As the surroundings changed, I could clearly see the tension on Karl’s face.
“Come at me.”
As soon as I nodded, Karl lowered his stance and charged at me.
It was a sword strike trying to swing upwards from below.
Having evaded the first attack with just a light step, I ducked below the second strike, which twisted around like a snake, and bash Karl with my shield to push him back.
“You’ve died once already. Got it?”
“…I’ll go again.”
“Don’t pull any childish tricks. There’s no way a fool like you could wield this sword properly.”
The sword Karl wielded was endlessly close to the classical form.
It didn’t mix in countless variations like Arthur, wasn’t overwhelmingly strong like Frey, and wasn’t powerful like Benedict.
His sword was, quite literally, a knight’s sword that would come out of a story.
I learned that from my grandfather.
When a knight wields such a sword and hits a wall, they begin to doubt their own sword.
They feel their ordinary sword is useless, causing them to constantly look elsewhere.
That was exactly how Karl felt now.
He fell behind someone who was standing farther away and now struggled to even stand on the same battlefield, unable to affirm whether he was suited to his master or not.
“However, your sword as a knight cannot reach me.”
“You should speak properly. It’s not the knight’s sword that’s wrong; it’s you who’s sloppy.”
The people around Karl weren’t fools. They must have sincerely advised him when they saw him going down the wrong path.
Yet Karl was swallowed by his own anxiety and couldn’t hear their words.
“With your current state, whatever you do, you’ll just get wrecked by me.”
“That’s…”
“Why not come at me until you feel better? I’d love to laugh at your pitiful face.”
If sweet words don’t work, then extreme measures are needed.
I have to thoroughly break him to make him understand that he’s doing something foolish, and only then can Karl return to the right path.
I absolutely don’t want to torment him for the fun of it.
I’m just playing the villain for Karl’s sake!
“Why aren’t you coming? Scared?”
As I laughed and deliberately made loud footsteps, Karl rushed at me silently.
With his arm muscles bulging from the strength he was putting in, he swung his sword with everything he had.
If one had to compare, it was a blow closer to Benedict’s sword, but there was an enormous difference between Karl’s force and Benedict’s sword.
How can a strike that devastates the surroundings just by swinging compare to a regular strike?
With a _crisp_ sound, Karl’s sword bounced off, and I seized the opportunity to dive in and poke his stomach with my palm.
“Again.”
Karl charged and then retreated. Like a dog showing its fangs only to whimper.
“Again.”
Now defeat seemed to be ingrained in him, as fear was evident in his eyes before he even charged.
“Again.”
When he swung his sword, hesitation clouded his certainty.
“Again!”
Even standing up took him longer and longer each time.
“Alright. One more time. Come at me.”
“Yes. Understood.”
What makes Karl impressive is that he doesn’t give up.
It might be because he can’t part with his pride.
Or maybe he desperately wants to be by my side.
Perhaps there’s a likelihood that his anger has swelled to the point where he can no longer control himself.
But regardless of the reason, Karl stood up, gripped his sword again, and charged at me.
At one moment, for the first time, a heavy sensation came through my shield. The knight’s sword, not any other sword, dealt me damage.
“Now you’re starting to look like a person.”
But that was all. The gap between us was far too large for Karl to claim victory over me.
“Huff. Huff. Ha. Just one more time. Please.”
After countless defeats, Karl reached his limit, trembling, but still pleaded for one more duel.
It was as if he wished to collapse and be unable to move.
So, to grant his wish, I effortlessly tossed Karl with one hand.
“Truly… you’ve gotten strong.”
“Karl, you too. With this level, you’d be among the stronger knights, right?”
“What does that matter? I’m just a worthless piece who can’t even stand beside you.”
“What nonsense are you saying? When did I say I would abandon you?”
“…I’m way too weak to compare to you.”
“Ha ha! Why are you saying something so obvious? It’s common sense that a master is stronger than their pet.”
“Still, aside from swinging a sword, I have no other talents.”
“There’s no one as sociable as you around me.”
“And I…”
“Ah ah ah. Enough. Since when did I need the continent’s strongest strength in my escort? You fool. A moderate level of strength is sufficient.”
If my escort had to be stronger than me, then who would protect Benedict? The absurdity that only Papa could protect him would arise.
“For a guard, what’s needed is a personality like a foolish large dog. And you’re the only one who can put up with my annoying personality.”
Karl was the one who smiled and accepted everything when the Mesugaki skill did its best.
There couldn’t be anyone more suited to my escort than him.
“If you really don’t want to, then I’ll find another fool.”
“No! Ugh. I’ll do it! Please let me! I won’t betray Lady’s expectations!”
As Karl, unable to hold back his tears, bowed his head, tears flowed among the knights watching us.
Seeing Possell’s shoulders quiver, it seemed he wasn’t an exception either.
<Our Lucy is saying such wonderful things now!>
‘…Could you please not do that, Grandpa?’
<How can I not be moved? What you said is something every knight would want to hear at least once! I can’t stand it! Right now, I must tell Erginius about this!>
‘Stop! STOP! It feels like there’s going to be an enormous rumor starting, so let’s halt it there! Otherwise, you’ll experience something terrible!’
Barely stopping Grandpa, I tilted my head at the knights, who were exchanging glances.
Even though Papa and Mama weren’t here, why were they all sneaking peeks?
Turning my head along with their gazes, I saw Erin bending down with a towel and cool water towards me.
“Thank you for your hard work, Lady. You looked magnificent, befitting the future master of the Allen family.”
“Thanks for the compliment, Erin.”
“I merely said what was natural.”
“By the way, why are the knights watching you?”
“They are a group absorbed in managing their own emotions while witnessing their master’s predicament. Perhaps they’ve finally realized, even belatedly, that they were in the wrong.”
Every time Erin’s icy voice echoed, the knights swallowed hard.
What might have happened in the Allen family while I was away? I should ask later.
“By the way, Lady, dinner preparations are complete. It would be fitting to wash the sweat off before heading to the dining room.”
“What about Mama and Papa?”
“They mentioned they had a lot to discuss and would eat separately.”
“They aren’t fighting again, are they?”
“It didn’t appear so. Their conversation seemed quiet and serious.”
“That’s a relief. If they fought, I was thinking of leaving the Allen Mansion for a while.”
“If that happens, please take me with you. I’m your maid, not Allen’s maid.”
With a gentle smile, I nodded at Erin, then called out to Karl, whose face was swollen.
“Karl. I’m sorry to the chef, but tell him we’ll be eating out today.”
“Understood, Lady. Then I’ll be your escort.”
“Not needed today. We’re going out to have fun. Just me and Erin.”
“…Yes?”
As I held Erin’s hand and spoke, Erin blinked in surprise, letting out a foolish sound.
“What is it? Don’t you want to play with me?”
“Th-that’s not it! But how can a mere servant…”
“Doesn’t matter if you don’t follow the master’s orders?”
“Lady, I…”
“Be quiet and do as you’re told. I have a lot to say to you.”
