Bonus Short Story

Bitterness

Wait, how did this come to this? We were only in the capital to celebrate His Brothership’s accession, and yet I wound up fighting the entirety of the Crown’s elite Royal Guard.

I think I somehow managed to put the situation to rest without killing anyone, but I can’t imagine that this incident won’t drive a wedge between House Sepaeda and the Crown. Worse, it’s clearly something that could have been avoided. Why did this have to happen between people in the same kingdom?

“Well done. As a celebration of accession to the title goes, it was the perfect outcome.”

“I am glad to have been of service, my lord.”

However, given that His Brothership, who has taken over for His Fathership, is being unstinting in his praise, I can’t very well give voice to my concerns. But is this really right? To clash with the Crown immediately after taking the title?

“House Sepaeda is a martial house, the sword of the kingdom.”

“Yes.”

“Then what use are we if we are weaker than the Crown?”

As though sensing my concerns, His Brothership tells me not to worry. But, really, I’m not so unflappable that I can just put aside my concerns. Honestly, it’s pretty ridiculous logic on his part. Isn’t this a bit like a bodyguard punching the VIP they’re supposed to guard?

I mean, in terms of the question of who exactly is stronger, isn’t it better to leave it ambiguous?

“Sansui... Good job winning. Don’t you think, Blois?”

“Yes... I find it reassuring as his colleague.”

Smiling brightly, Lady Douve is extremely pleased with my victory. I’m glad she’s happy, but I don’t know if this is something she should be celebrating. In fact, it’s one of those things that she shouldn’t really celebrate at all.

“Still... You really are powerful.”

“...”

At the same time, Blois is completely creeped out. Well, I suppose I can’t blame her. Not only did I take out the kingdom’s greatest knight, but that I then fought and beat the Crown’s entire Royal Guard, and came away without a scratch or even a hint of fatigue is, in fact, a bit creepy. To have someone see your strength and fear you... That’s never going to be pleasant, but in my case, I feel a bit reassured by her revulsion.

Both His Brothership and Lady Douve are taking far too much pleasure in this. Why aren’t they feeling more in the way of fear or uncertainty or doubt?

“Blois is right. Sansui, we hadn’t been able to measure the true depth of your ability, but I didn’t expect that even the Thunder Knight or the entire Royal Guard would be no match for you.”

His Brothership seems quite pleased. But, in the worst case, I could have actually ended up dead, so I have to wonder about that. That he trusts me, or rather that he was testing me, is a bit of a scary thought.

“You’re ordinarily pretty dull, but since your opponents were so flashy, it was quite fun to watch.”

Nor can I take much pleasure in Lady Douve’s praise. I mean, I’m pretty sure she’s not actually praising me. If anything, she’s just enjoying the frustration of the royals.

“In particular, everyone was just shocked when you cut that lightning.”

“I appreciate the praise, but that is an exaggeration. I cannot slash lightning, my lady.”

Even if it looked like I slashed the lightning, that wasn’t what happened. That’s just an illusion.

“I simply moved in front of the Grand Commander before the lightning spell fired, and began swinging my blade before the Grand Commander noticed, and hit his head right as the spell triggered.”

“If anything, that sounds even more impressive...”

Hearing my explanation, Blois says something off the mark. Surely, everyone can agree that actually slashing lightning is more impressive.

“It’s one thing to do that to an average soldier, but no doubt you are the only one capable of doing that to the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard.”

“As I keep saying, my Master is far beyond me in skill. Indeed, I’m quite sure my Master could slash lightning, if he so desired.”

“I always have to wonder when he comes up, but just what is your master? Is there truly a swordsman that much stronger than you?”

My colleague Blois doubts the existence of my Master, Suiboku. For that matter, both His Brothership and Lady Douve both seem to be skeptical of a superior swordsman’s existence.

However, since Master Suiboku is, in fact, much stronger than I am, I take time to correct this misconception each time it comes up. I don’t need them to believe me, but saying my Master is superior to me is something I need to do for my own sake.

“Putting aside your Master... So, what did you think about the Crown’s elite?”

“It may sound sarcastic, but they were powerful enemies.”

Coming away without so much as a ruffled hair after facing a hundred opponents... Whatever such a man says afterward may inevitably come off as sarcasm, but I give my sincere opinion anyway. Yes, they were strong. They were the greatest opponents I’ve faced so far.

“In particular, the Thunder Knight, the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard... He was an opponent I would have preferred not to face.”

I give my honest thoughts to Lady Douve and the others. Yes, it’s clear that I have, in fact rather than theory, trampled on the honor of the Royal Guard. Sepaeda’s reputation rose, while the Crown’s fell.

The fact I’m actually a five-hundred-year-old immortal means nothing. I don’t want to think about what sort of conclusions the Royal Guard and their commander are reaching.

“...Yes, it was an opponent I would have preferred not to face.”

Several days later, it was formally announced that the Grand Commander, upon awakening, had resigned his post. He cited his age as a reason, but none of the nobles who witnessed that fight could believe that.

It was a bitter fight. At least, for me.