"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: August 1086
Location: Nearl’s Mansion, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Margaret Nearl
“… Autumn is about to end… hopefully none of you will be too lonely of my absence…” Musing aloud, I can’t help but feel excited and anxious for the future. A person besides me seems to have not given up yet…
“Can’t you postpone it for a while longer? Pretty sure you can still join by of spring and honestly… I’ll miss you…” Zofia is clearly worried, and I’m beyond grateful for it. Yet there are things that can only be learned through practical application. Autumn will be the last season for me in this house of ours before my eventual departure towards the Northern Stronghold.
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible… There was a letter delivered to me personally as well…”
“What letter?”
“Uncle Liam had informed me through letter that the Silverlance will be more than glad of accepting me into their ranks, provided that I passed their test.” Zofia side-eyed me before pouting, it appears she still has some lingering jealousy on me. Nothing harmful and it does tickled my funny bones a little.
“Lucky you… but considering the one being offered is as stubborn as a burdenbeast…” Zofia muttered aloud while helping me in preparing my apparel. I still have my gaze firmly at the reflection of myself, clad in light steel breastplate, leather armor, and having the Nearl’s crest on said breastplate.
Despite my genuine protest, she stubbornly insist that I allowed her to do her duty as lady-in-waiting. I’m still confused why she insisted as such, time and time again I tried to dissuade her but to no avail. Remembering that I had gone silent, I reply her muttering.
“I declined, as you would had predicted. Not because of me feeling overwhelmed; no, but more like I had yet to even understand what truly it meant to walk by myself.” Turning my eyes away from the mirror, I stare at a pair of warhammer and shield… and the swordstaff father had gifted me years ago.
“The path to Knighthood that I always known was not exactly the one I seek.” Auntie said that it was laudable of me to be wanting a change. Which is way she spare no expense in training me when able; it was a very painful experience, but ultimately fulfilling.
“You’re crazy you know? Challenging her battered, tired, and bruised like that…” She then knock the back of my head a little. I can’t help but chuckle at the memory. Naturally my graceful caretaker is less than pleased with my mirthful countenance.
“You were unconscious for the entire day and Maria was crying you know! Hah… Can you stop being so stubborn?” Ah yes, that was a regrettable situation. Maria is such a sweet dear little sister of mine, she is probably the only one here that Uncle won’t deliberately scowl at every turn, until she’s older at least…
Sensing that I was lost in the sea of memory, her anger increased a notch.
“Listen to me young lady!”
“Does that mean I can call you Auntie now?”
“Don’t you dare…” She glowered from my little teasing. Zofia had become very sensitive with the word auntie, I was partly at fault with it… but it is necessary if I’m going to be a Knight Primus and understand how does the hierarchy functioned. Mostly for formality however, I would rather consider her my sister but duty calls…
‘As sensitive as ever huh? That’s nice… hopefully you can stay as you are… for Maria’s sake.’
“Fine, fine… I was only trying to lighten up the mood…” We fell silent while I start to move my body with the armor on. I can definitely fell how my movement had gotten stiffer, but it is not obstructive and all that’s left is to familiarize myself with it. Taking up the swordstaff by the wall, I starts off with simple thrust and slash, nothing too complicated.
It then escalated into series of strikes, feints, and even testing how it would affect my parrying motion. Clinking sounds of metal, creaking cacophony of my boots, and the symphony of air being cut reverberate crisply within the room. Thankfully I had made quite a bit of space ready for this brief testing.
‘I must say… Sir Kowal really know how to make me an armor… It would have been better if he accepted the payment… I ended up having a hard time on what to do with what little money I had made on the side…’ I start doing some minor jobs here and there, regardless of what others said. One thing for certain; I will never touch any offer of sponsorships. I always have a mixed feeling regarding it, Aunt Nyx’s teaching does help in lessening my bias; but it’s still there.
It goes without saying that the doting Pythian lady tried to force me on accepting a huge sum of money from her. I declined it too, I cannot be overly dependent on Auntie and that would just go against what ideal I have in mind about being a Knight that I had always hypothesized… between the corporations and doting auntie… their methods are similar… thus…
“…Nothing wrong with the method… That’s just how real world works, same method but different end goal… Just like a blade usage depends on its user…” a bitter smile formed on my face after that was uttered. Barely a whisper that might be, but not quite enough to avoid Zofia’s notice.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Simple sophistry, nothing too significant…”
“… Sure, keep your secrets… still though, are you really, I mean really positive to not accept Sir Liam’s offer? There is no fault with learning from the best…”
“Another factor was exactly due to the fact I even received such a letter is an indication of favoritism and that would not be in my best interest… I cannot accept something that was made possible due to Grandfather, Father, and Uncle… I’ll forge my own path, come what may…” Zofia sighed but I spotted her trying her best not to smile.
“There goes another stubborn person… Honestly, what is with this family high concentration of hard-headed individuals? Is it genetic?”
“That might be so, but let me reiterate; I would rather claw my own path and trudge forward. Even when I have to eventually crawl through the dirt.”
“… The Nearls are making a lot of enemies since… they leave… and it only worsen with both Uncle’s and Młynar’s situations… You’re lining up yourself up for the firing line Mar…”
“Fret not, I’m not a fool to be so blind on our current predicament… The Nearl family had been seen unkindly by those with animosity with us or by proxy.” Then it was honestly exhausting to add another of such a thing, a part best left unsaid.
While we’re conversing along the line of Nearl’s state of affairs, an angry sounding voice can be heard from the hallway outside. It intrigues us and prompting Zofia to open the door, there we saw someone we had yet to see for months arguing with Uncle Młynar.
“Why are you so hard-headed!? Does it kills you to accept a meagre amount of help?!”
“I have no intention to deign with your blatant favoritism and obsession, please let us leave it here. I’m quite busy and tomorrow will be hectic for my work.” He said before leaving his conversation partner, seemingly uncaring but I saw how shame briefly flitted through his gaze. He passed us by, but only giving us a glance and head toward his study, most likely.
“… It was not nice to eavesdrop you know?” Our bodies jolted with surprise, looking on the side we see Auntie Nyx looking exasperated. She doesn’t appears to be angry, but sometimes her poker face actually worked and we had no idea what she was thinking.
“P-Pardon me…”
“Sorry Big Sis…”
“Whatever… so what are you guys doing?” Her frown vanish and changed into a smile. She rarely show this expression in public; maintaining persona was what she called it.
“Nothing much, Zofia had been helping me in fitting in the armor that just came this morning.”
“You purchased one, all using your own money?”
“Well… I worked part-time in bookstore and… maybe… as a waitress…” I cannot understate the fact that working as a waitress was… interesting. It teach me about patience while also understanding what others thought and did around me better.
“… I… hah… forget it. Saying anything else will be an insult to you, your resolve, and only serves to prove me being an insensitive asshole.” I wonder how many times she had sighed today, her expression shows that this day is just not her day.
“Big Sis, language please. Like, come on~… you’re older than me, can be more graceful than me, and oh so beautiful you can be mistaken as a princess if we do something about your apparel… yet you curse and cuss like a thuggish drunkard in a bar…”
“… Wow that hurt…”
“Regardless… I missed you…” I hugged her immediately, she only chucked before hugging me back. After I released her, Zofia is next and I watch this tender moment. A part of really missed the hugs and assurance father and mother always give… alas, reality is cruel. After their hug ends, Auntie Nyx then locked her eyes on us… I have a bad feeling about this.
“… Well, well, well… you guys weren’t slacking off right?”
“Of course not! We are not tardy like you.”
“Oh ho? Me? Tardy? …Actually yeah, I’m kinda tardy… but since you guys said so…” Her mouth curled into a devilish grin, and I can feel chill struck my spine. Zofia had gone rigid and pale; this is the day huh?
“How about a little spar?” Oh no…
POV: Narrator
A pair of Kuranta knightess-in-the-making distanced themselves, weapons in their respective grasp, and eyed a lone Pythian armed with a dull dagger and sheathed sword. The Kuranta pair are both clad in light armor and they’re eying the lone Pythian wearily. Stillness dominate the wide expanse of grassy field, not even a fowlbeast chirping can be heard.
Margaret has both her swordstaff gripped tightly while her warhammer is fastened on her hip. She is steadying and preparing herself for the upcoming mock-fight. Zofia has her swordwhip still sheathed in its scabbard, her posture is relaxed, unlike Margaret’s tense and rigid posture, yet her hand never leave her sword’ grip.
The golden eyed Kuranta inch in closer with her swordstaff in hand, while the blue eyed one had her swordwhip fastened, ready to be let loose on a moment notice. Their Pythian adversary grinned seeing their hesitance, half taunting and half disappointed with their reluctance to press the initiative.
“Not gonna move?” Her dagger twirled amongst her fingers and her sword pointed towards the earth. Still waiting for any sort of ripple on the metaphorically calm lake. A pair of trained but untested aspirants against a battle-tested ex-mercenary who knows combat and cruelty like the back of her own hand.
“Very well…” She thrown her dagger towards the blue eyed Kuranta, oh which the latter barely deflecting it. Her counterpart blitzed through with a thrust straight on her adversary who calmly parried the incoming strike before delivering her own counter blow. Zofia is still trying to recover when the dagger that were thrown at her is being pulled back to its owner using a thin steel wire.
With extreme reflexes, the golden eyed Kuranta barely avoided a cutting motion that will more than a scar on her face. Thrusts and slashes are being exchanged in an ever increasing velocity and savagery, a downward swing that was countered with a diagonal slash, upward cutting motion that was interrupted by redirecting the strike sideway, and so on so forth. Her expression morphed into one utmost focus, since her teacher decides, unilaterally, that pain is the best method of testing one’s resolve. Dance of sword and dagger that inches closer against the polearm’ range advantage grew even narrower.
Sensing opportunity, Zofia’s sword unraveled itself into a whip and like a gale of wind was smash against the duo locked in a duel. Margaret sensed the incoming strike and dodged by lowering herself before sending a thrust to keep up the pressure and preoccupying their more experienced and battle tested foe.
Nyx had seen their plan miles away and calmly kicked away the spear tip and deflecting the strike from afar. Her posture firm and uncontested, but fluid and adaptive all the same. Margaret clicked her tongue, but decided to not pursue. Instead letting Zofia to keep sending forth barrages of whip upon the Pythian, while she try to figure out her next move.
Zofia maximized all techniques and knowledge she was thought, thus changing her target from Nyx herself unto her weapon. Margaret starts running around in circle, forcing Nyx to keep an eye on her while her hands are busy defending against the encroaching storms of serpentine sword, ironic that a Pythian is being cornered by a tool mimicking a serpent.
Nyx once again used her wired dagger to counter Zofia’s serpentine-sword, but Margaret is ready to act as the shield. The golden eyed Kuranta dedicated herself to parry and deflect any possible dagger strike aimed toward Zofia, opportunity also allows her to momentarily suspend the wire with her own hand every once in a while.
Methods and style of combat change from and fro that goes on for minutes that turned into hours of non-stop clash. Such as when Zofia had tried to use herself as the frontline combatant while Margaret rotated into support role. They then tried to use the open field to their advantage, keeping up distance thanks to their choice of weapon. Feinting, dodging, and even acrobatics that raised an eyebrow of confusion from their mentor were used, but nothing conclusive.
Focused and pointed strikes replaced by shallow and desperate attempts to pry open Nyx’s defense. Measured and level headed moves replaced by panting and nauseating hesitance and faltering actions to keep up with combat pressure. Difference in tolls of combat between 2 exhausted and barely standing Knightess-in-the-making against an ex-mercenary that barely broke a sweat and grinning from ear to ear.
This is going nowhere and both parties realized this fact with a mix of admiration and irritation on one side and mild amusement on the other. Margaret and her sister-in-arms know that Nyx is a formidable fighter, but this is the first time they actually fought her with this much seriousness, prompting them to change their approach.
Margaret suddenly flared her arts and momentarily blind the Pythian. Zofia changed her approach once more and starts aiming her whip on Nyx’ limbs and if possible her neck. Margaret decides to throw her swordstaff disorienting Nyx even further yet her deflection goes on unperturbed. The blue eyed Kuranta offered no reprieve at the expense of her own reprieve as well.
The both of them charged forward and starts raining down a veritable rain of strikes, thrusts, and slashes, bashing, and even using bare-handed fists against the Pythian. Yet even with her vision compromised, Nyx doesn’t panic despite several hits did land on her body. If anything the Kuranta duo is getting even more exhausted.
One fatal disorientation is all it takes to rob their initiative. First, Nyx redirected Zofia’s swordwhip, causing it to entangle the exhausted Margaret who is too focused in close combat. The Nearl’s heiress stumbled on her steps, breaking her posture while pulling her Lady-in-Waiting down this mess made out of stamina and concentration deficiency. Nyx then kicked the both of them away, causing them to crash on the ground heaving and reeling from both pain and shame due to their blunder.
Nyx then kicked the both of them away, causing them stumble on the ground while heaving badly.
“Congrats you guys lasted… uh…” Nyx looked to the side and realize that the sun is about to set before looking down on her wristwatch.
“6 hours of high-intensity combat! If you guys can pace yourself properly, 24 hours of fighting non-stop is possible!” The Kuranta ladies are too tired to reply, but they get back up once more. To say that Nyx is ecstatic on their tenacity is such a gross understatement. She smiled fondly on their determination. Without saying anything, they continues on for another hour.
-
-
-
-
“Still want some more?”
“No… I think I’m done…” Zofia slumped where she is, sweat, tears, and a bit of blood smeared her dirt-stained face and figure. The training swordwhip, that Nyx made by custom order, is shattered into pieces on the ground. A part of her is frustrated from the gulf of power differences between them, the other is delighted that her stamina had grown tremendously and how many hits had landed on her mentor and big sister figure.
“I-Indeed… ha… ha…” Margaret agreed, exhausted but ultimately exhilarated. Unlike Zofia however, she recovered much quicker and in fact already standing on her own two feet, her armor held pretty well and would only require some minor repair. Later on, a certain Pythian tried to swindle her way to get it repaired and upgraded according to her design and 20 million LMD budget, but Margaret sternly refused. No matter how badly said certain Pythian made herself looks miserable to manipulate her target’s sympathy.
“No fair~….”
“What is?”
“How come you’re already fine!? My legs hurts~…”
“That so? Hmm… do you want me to give you a massage?”
“Hiii! No I don’t want you to touch me! The last time you did so I can feel my bones cracking!”
“B-but that’s a misunderstanding! I only applied a little more force and besides, my arts can help in mending it too right?”
“Listen here you brute!”
“B-Brute!? Now that I shall not stand!”
“Try me you muscle for brain!”
Nyx only snicker on herself seeing them like this. Hard to imagine that they will finally trudge their own path by the next spring, her eyes unconsciously gaze back towards Kawalerielki. She can’t help but feeling a little down seeing a certain Pegasus so lost, the man she adore and the lights that she always look for comfort had dimmed considerably.
A part of her however… is beyond thrilled. She knows what it feels like to be down on the slump like that, which is why when he can rouse himself back, it will eclipse everything. He has yet to reach the lowest point in his life, but a man that has been kicked down and being receptive with his own predicament can only rise from there on.
She pulled out her personal terminal and starts chatting with a certain assistant of hers.
[Conrad?]
[Yes my lady?] The voice is much clearer now and much more emotive. There is nearly no flat tones and rhyme left that came from Conrad’s recent upgrade.
[Can you spare some time to draft a proposal to the Chairman of Cordelia Concord Inc. regarding employment?]
[Sure thing my lady. You are the de-facto sole stakeholder after all, which no one but me and you knows about. I must say that using your Victorian and Kazimierz connection to obfuscate the details are truly daring.]
[Yep, nothing better than keeping the local Columbian companies in Kazimierz off my back by using company based in Kazimierz but interests being a collaboration of sort. It also helps that I do have more than a few clout with said local Columbian.]
[Very well, what manner of directive do you wish to convey?]
[Nothing too complex, just tell them that… an extremely capable administrator is on his way but make it look like he can’t advance past middle management. I don’t want him to get suspicious but it is him after all, he will figure it out eventually and yet that’s fine. Lastly keep him inconspicuous while also subtly arrange a better and relaxed contract but! I want him to work as hard as possible otherwise.]
[Consider it done.]
[Thank you, you may return on keeping an eye on our prize and your new potential house. I’m still in the middle of ironing things out with both Der Kaiserin and our steadfast merchant friend.]
[Hehehe, I sure love your care my lady. Conrad out.]
With that done and dealt with, all she need to do now is to be a small fire to support him quietly. The Silver Siren smile, the future might be bleak but the fact that he is alive and well while electing to understand the world with his own words is truly the best thing ever. Thus she turn her head back on the bickering duo and told them that it is time to pack up.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is exhausted but also fulfilled.
My mental state is not great, but I manage to finish this chapter because of sunk cost fallacy and because you guys who enjoyed it. So thank you for all of you who had been sticking around.
See you later and update as usual.
Ciao
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: August 1086
Location: Nearl’s Mansion, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Margaret Nearl
“… Autumn is about to end… hopefully none of you will be too lonely of my absence…” Musing aloud, I can’t help but feel excited and anxious for the future. A person besides me seems to have not given up yet…
“Can’t you postpone it for a while longer? Pretty sure you can still join by of spring and honestly… I’ll miss you…” Zofia is clearly worried, and I’m beyond grateful for it. Yet there are things that can only be learned through practical application. Autumn will be the last season for me in this house of ours before my eventual departure towards the Northern Stronghold.
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible… There was a letter delivered to me personally as well…”
“What letter?”
“Uncle Liam had informed me through letter that the Silverlance will be more than glad of accepting me into their ranks, provided that I passed their test.” Zofia side-eyed me before pouting, it appears she still has some lingering jealousy on me. Nothing harmful and it does tickled my funny bones a little.
“Lucky you… but considering the one being offered is as stubborn as a burdenbeast…” Zofia muttered aloud while helping me in preparing my apparel. I still have my gaze firmly at the reflection of myself, clad in light steel breastplate, leather armor, and having the Nearl’s crest on said breastplate.
Despite my genuine protest, she stubbornly insist that I allowed her to do her duty as lady-in-waiting. I’m still confused why she insisted as such, time and time again I tried to dissuade her but to no avail. Remembering that I had gone silent, I reply her muttering.
“I declined, as you would had predicted. Not because of me feeling overwhelmed; no, but more like I had yet to even understand what truly it meant to walk by myself.” Turning my eyes away from the mirror, I stare at a pair of warhammer and shield… and the swordstaff father had gifted me years ago.
“The path to Knighthood that I always known was not exactly the one I seek.” Auntie said that it was laudable of me to be wanting a change. Which is way she spare no expense in training me when able; it was a very painful experience, but ultimately fulfilling.
“You’re crazy you know? Challenging her battered, tired, and bruised like that…” She then knock the back of my head a little. I can’t help but chuckle at the memory. Naturally my graceful caretaker is less than pleased with my mirthful countenance.
“You were unconscious for the entire day and Maria was crying you know! Hah… Can you stop being so stubborn?” Ah yes, that was a regrettable situation. Maria is such a sweet dear little sister of mine, she is probably the only one here that Uncle won’t deliberately scowl at every turn, until she’s older at least…
Sensing that I was lost in the sea of memory, her anger increased a notch.
“Listen to me young lady!”
“Does that mean I can call you Auntie now?”
“Don’t you dare…” She glowered from my little teasing. Zofia had become very sensitive with the word auntie, I was partly at fault with it… but it is necessary if I’m going to be a Knight Primus and understand how does the hierarchy functioned. Mostly for formality however, I would rather consider her my sister but duty calls…
‘As sensitive as ever huh? That’s nice… hopefully you can stay as you are… for Maria’s sake.’
“Fine, fine… I was only trying to lighten up the mood…” We fell silent while I start to move my body with the armor on. I can definitely fell how my movement had gotten stiffer, but it is not obstructive and all that’s left is to familiarize myself with it. Taking up the swordstaff by the wall, I starts off with simple thrust and slash, nothing too complicated.
It then escalated into series of strikes, feints, and even testing how it would affect my parrying motion. Clinking sounds of metal, creaking cacophony of my boots, and the symphony of air being cut reverberate crisply within the room. Thankfully I had made quite a bit of space ready for this brief testing.
‘I must say… Sir Kowal really know how to make me an armor… It would have been better if he accepted the payment… I ended up having a hard time on what to do with what little money I had made on the side…’ I start doing some minor jobs here and there, regardless of what others said. One thing for certain; I will never touch any offer of sponsorships. I always have a mixed feeling regarding it, Aunt Nyx’s teaching does help in lessening my bias; but it’s still there.
It goes without saying that the doting Pythian lady tried to force me on accepting a huge sum of money from her. I declined it too, I cannot be overly dependent on Auntie and that would just go against what ideal I have in mind about being a Knight that I had always hypothesized… between the corporations and doting auntie… their methods are similar… thus…
“…Nothing wrong with the method… That’s just how real world works, same method but different end goal… Just like a blade usage depends on its user…” a bitter smile formed on my face after that was uttered. Barely a whisper that might be, but not quite enough to avoid Zofia’s notice.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Simple sophistry, nothing too significant…”
“… Sure, keep your secrets… still though, are you really, I mean really positive to not accept Sir Liam’s offer? There is no fault with learning from the best…”
“Another factor was exactly due to the fact I even received such a letter is an indication of favoritism and that would not be in my best interest… I cannot accept something that was made possible due to Grandfather, Father, and Uncle… I’ll forge my own path, come what may…” Zofia sighed but I spotted her trying her best not to smile.
“There goes another stubborn person… Honestly, what is with this family high concentration of hard-headed individuals? Is it genetic?”
“That might be so, but let me reiterate; I would rather claw my own path and trudge forward. Even when I have to eventually crawl through the dirt.”
“… The Nearls are making a lot of enemies since… they leave… and it only worsen with both Uncle’s and Młynar’s situations… You’re lining up yourself up for the firing line Mar…”
“Fret not, I’m not a fool to be so blind on our current predicament… The Nearl family had been seen unkindly by those with animosity with us or by proxy.” Then it was honestly exhausting to add another of such a thing, a part best left unsaid.
While we’re conversing along the line of Nearl’s state of affairs, an angry sounding voice can be heard from the hallway outside. It intrigues us and prompting Zofia to open the door, there we saw someone we had yet to see for months arguing with Uncle Młynar.
“Why are you so hard-headed!? Does it kills you to accept a meagre amount of help?!”
“I have no intention to deign with your blatant favoritism and obsession, please let us leave it here. I’m quite busy and tomorrow will be hectic for my work.” He said before leaving his conversation partner, seemingly uncaring but I saw how shame briefly flitted through his gaze. He passed us by, but only giving us a glance and head toward his study, most likely.
“… It was not nice to eavesdrop you know?” Our bodies jolted with surprise, looking on the side we see Auntie Nyx looking exasperated. She doesn’t appears to be angry, but sometimes her poker face actually worked and we had no idea what she was thinking.
“P-Pardon me…”
“Sorry Big Sis…”
“Whatever… so what are you guys doing?” Her frown vanish and changed into a smile. She rarely show this expression in public; maintaining persona was what she called it.
“Nothing much, Zofia had been helping me in fitting in the armor that just came this morning.”
“You purchased one, all using your own money?”
“Well… I worked part-time in bookstore and… maybe… as a waitress…” I cannot understate the fact that working as a waitress was… interesting. It teach me about patience while also understanding what others thought and did around me better.
“… I… hah… forget it. Saying anything else will be an insult to you, your resolve, and only serves to prove me being an insensitive asshole.” I wonder how many times she had sighed today, her expression shows that this day is just not her day.
“Big Sis, language please. Like, come on~… you’re older than me, can be more graceful than me, and oh so beautiful you can be mistaken as a princess if we do something about your apparel… yet you curse and cuss like a thuggish drunkard in a bar…”
“… Wow that hurt…”
“Regardless… I missed you…” I hugged her immediately, she only chucked before hugging me back. After I released her, Zofia is next and I watch this tender moment. A part of really missed the hugs and assurance father and mother always give… alas, reality is cruel. After their hug ends, Auntie Nyx then locked her eyes on us… I have a bad feeling about this.
“… Well, well, well… you guys weren’t slacking off right?”
“Of course not! We are not tardy like you.”
“Oh ho? Me? Tardy? …Actually yeah, I’m kinda tardy… but since you guys said so…” Her mouth curled into a devilish grin, and I can feel chill struck my spine. Zofia had gone rigid and pale; this is the day huh?
“How about a little spar?” Oh no…
POV: Narrator
A pair of Kuranta knightess-in-the-making distanced themselves, weapons in their respective grasp, and eyed a lone Pythian armed with a dull dagger and sheathed sword. The Kuranta pair are both clad in light armor and they’re eying the lone Pythian wearily. Stillness dominate the wide expanse of grassy field, not even a fowlbeast chirping can be heard.
Margaret has both her swordstaff gripped tightly while her warhammer is fastened on her hip. She is steadying and preparing herself for the upcoming mock-fight. Zofia has her swordwhip still sheathed in its scabbard, her posture is relaxed, unlike Margaret’s tense and rigid posture, yet her hand never leave her sword’ grip.
The golden eyed Kuranta inch in closer with her swordstaff in hand, while the blue eyed one had her swordwhip fastened, ready to be let loose on a moment notice. Their Pythian adversary grinned seeing their hesitance, half taunting and half disappointed with their reluctance to press the initiative.
“Not gonna move?” Her dagger twirled amongst her fingers and her sword pointed towards the earth. Still waiting for any sort of ripple on the metaphorically calm lake. A pair of trained but untested aspirants against a battle-tested ex-mercenary who knows combat and cruelty like the back of her own hand.
“Very well…” She thrown her dagger towards the blue eyed Kuranta, oh which the latter barely deflecting it. Her counterpart blitzed through with a thrust straight on her adversary who calmly parried the incoming strike before delivering her own counter blow. Zofia is still trying to recover when the dagger that were thrown at her is being pulled back to its owner using a thin steel wire.
With extreme reflexes, the golden eyed Kuranta barely avoided a cutting motion that will more than a scar on her face. Thrusts and slashes are being exchanged in an ever increasing velocity and savagery, a downward swing that was countered with a diagonal slash, upward cutting motion that was interrupted by redirecting the strike sideway, and so on so forth. Her expression morphed into one utmost focus, since her teacher decides, unilaterally, that pain is the best method of testing one’s resolve. Dance of sword and dagger that inches closer against the polearm’ range advantage grew even narrower.
Sensing opportunity, Zofia’s sword unraveled itself into a whip and like a gale of wind was smash against the duo locked in a duel. Margaret sensed the incoming strike and dodged by lowering herself before sending a thrust to keep up the pressure and preoccupying their more experienced and battle tested foe.
Nyx had seen their plan miles away and calmly kicked away the spear tip and deflecting the strike from afar. Her posture firm and uncontested, but fluid and adaptive all the same. Margaret clicked her tongue, but decided to not pursue. Instead letting Zofia to keep sending forth barrages of whip upon the Pythian, while she try to figure out her next move.
Zofia maximized all techniques and knowledge she was thought, thus changing her target from Nyx herself unto her weapon. Margaret starts running around in circle, forcing Nyx to keep an eye on her while her hands are busy defending against the encroaching storms of serpentine sword, ironic that a Pythian is being cornered by a tool mimicking a serpent.
Nyx once again used her wired dagger to counter Zofia’s serpentine-sword, but Margaret is ready to act as the shield. The golden eyed Kuranta dedicated herself to parry and deflect any possible dagger strike aimed toward Zofia, opportunity also allows her to momentarily suspend the wire with her own hand every once in a while.
Methods and style of combat change from and fro that goes on for minutes that turned into hours of non-stop clash. Such as when Zofia had tried to use herself as the frontline combatant while Margaret rotated into support role. They then tried to use the open field to their advantage, keeping up distance thanks to their choice of weapon. Feinting, dodging, and even acrobatics that raised an eyebrow of confusion from their mentor were used, but nothing conclusive.
Focused and pointed strikes replaced by shallow and desperate attempts to pry open Nyx’s defense. Measured and level headed moves replaced by panting and nauseating hesitance and faltering actions to keep up with combat pressure. Difference in tolls of combat between 2 exhausted and barely standing Knightess-in-the-making against an ex-mercenary that barely broke a sweat and grinning from ear to ear.
This is going nowhere and both parties realized this fact with a mix of admiration and irritation on one side and mild amusement on the other. Margaret and her sister-in-arms know that Nyx is a formidable fighter, but this is the first time they actually fought her with this much seriousness, prompting them to change their approach.
Margaret suddenly flared her arts and momentarily blind the Pythian. Zofia changed her approach once more and starts aiming her whip on Nyx’ limbs and if possible her neck. Margaret decides to throw her swordstaff disorienting Nyx even further yet her deflection goes on unperturbed. The blue eyed Kuranta offered no reprieve at the expense of her own reprieve as well.
The both of them charged forward and starts raining down a veritable rain of strikes, thrusts, and slashes, bashing, and even using bare-handed fists against the Pythian. Yet even with her vision compromised, Nyx doesn’t panic despite several hits did land on her body. If anything the Kuranta duo is getting even more exhausted.
One fatal disorientation is all it takes to rob their initiative. First, Nyx redirected Zofia’s swordwhip, causing it to entangle the exhausted Margaret who is too focused in close combat. The Nearl’s heiress stumbled on her steps, breaking her posture while pulling her Lady-in-Waiting down this mess made out of stamina and concentration deficiency. Nyx then kicked the both of them away, causing them to crash on the ground heaving and reeling from both pain and shame due to their blunder.
Nyx then kicked the both of them away, causing them stumble on the ground while heaving badly.
“Congrats you guys lasted… uh…” Nyx looked to the side and realize that the sun is about to set before looking down on her wristwatch.
“6 hours of high-intensity combat! If you guys can pace yourself properly, 24 hours of fighting non-stop is possible!” The Kuranta ladies are too tired to reply, but they get back up once more. To say that Nyx is ecstatic on their tenacity is such a gross understatement. She smiled fondly on their determination. Without saying anything, they continues on for another hour.
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“Still want some more?”
“No… I think I’m done…” Zofia slumped where she is, sweat, tears, and a bit of blood smeared her dirt-stained face and figure. The training swordwhip, that Nyx made by custom order, is shattered into pieces on the ground. A part of her is frustrated from the gulf of power differences between them, the other is delighted that her stamina had grown tremendously and how many hits had landed on her mentor and big sister figure.
“I-Indeed… ha… ha…” Margaret agreed, exhausted but ultimately exhilarated. Unlike Zofia however, she recovered much quicker and in fact already standing on her own two feet, her armor held pretty well and would only require some minor repair. Later on, a certain Pythian tried to swindle her way to get it repaired and upgraded according to her design and 20 million LMD budget, but Margaret sternly refused. No matter how badly said certain Pythian made herself looks miserable to manipulate her target’s sympathy.
“No fair~….”
“What is?”
“How come you’re already fine!? My legs hurts~…”
“That so? Hmm… do you want me to give you a massage?”
“Hiii! No I don’t want you to touch me! The last time you did so I can feel my bones cracking!”
“B-but that’s a misunderstanding! I only applied a little more force and besides, my arts can help in mending it too right?”
“Listen here you brute!”
“B-Brute!? Now that I shall not stand!”
“Try me you muscle for brain!”
Nyx only snicker on herself seeing them like this. Hard to imagine that they will finally trudge their own path by the next spring, her eyes unconsciously gaze back towards Kawalerielki. She can’t help but feeling a little down seeing a certain Pegasus so lost, the man she adore and the lights that she always look for comfort had dimmed considerably.
A part of her however… is beyond thrilled. She knows what it feels like to be down on the slump like that, which is why when he can rouse himself back, it will eclipse everything. He has yet to reach the lowest point in his life, but a man that has been kicked down and being receptive with his own predicament can only rise from there on.
She pulled out her personal terminal and starts chatting with a certain assistant of hers.
[Conrad?]
[Yes my lady?] The voice is much clearer now and much more emotive. There is nearly no flat tones and rhyme left that came from Conrad’s recent upgrade.
[Can you spare some time to draft a proposal to the Chairman of Cordelia Concord Inc. regarding employment?]
[Sure thing my lady. You are the de-facto sole stakeholder after all, which no one but me and you knows about. I must say that using your Victorian and Kazimierz connection to obfuscate the details are truly daring.]
[Yep, nothing better than keeping the local Columbian companies in Kazimierz off my back by using company based in Kazimierz but interests being a collaboration of sort. It also helps that I do have more than a few clout with said local Columbian.]
[Very well, what manner of directive do you wish to convey?]
[Nothing too complex, just tell them that… an extremely capable administrator is on his way but make it look like he can’t advance past middle management. I don’t want him to get suspicious but it is him after all, he will figure it out eventually and yet that’s fine. Lastly keep him inconspicuous while also subtly arrange a better and relaxed contract but! I want him to work as hard as possible otherwise.]
[Consider it done.]
[Thank you, you may return on keeping an eye on our prize and your new potential house. I’m still in the middle of ironing things out with both Der Kaiserin and our steadfast merchant friend.]
[Hehehe, I sure love your care my lady. Conrad out.]
With that done and dealt with, all she need to do now is to be a small fire to support him quietly. The Silver Siren smile, the future might be bleak but the fact that he is alive and well while electing to understand the world with his own words is truly the best thing ever. Thus she turn her head back on the bickering duo and told them that it is time to pack up.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is exhausted but also fulfilled.
My mental state is not great, but I manage to finish this chapter because of sunk cost fallacy and because you guys who enjoyed it. So thank you for all of you who had been sticking around.
See you later and update as usual.
Ciao
