A city surrounded by walls. Sturma.
The owner of the territory, Peter Bayezid, stroked his chin as he looked at the beautiful armor in front of him.
"According to Joseph's report, Lord Ramund has already arrived in Soara. They say he seems to be interested in the squire there."
"Good."
Peter thought, thinking about the moment when Knight Ramund returned to Sturma for the first time.
Ramund, the former head of the family, was a difficult person to deal with, as much as he was himself.
The fact that he returned after seeing the state of the vassals here made Peter feel a bitter taste.
"Should I say that at least I have compensated...? Or should I lament that this is all I can do?"
Ragmus remained silent as he watched Peter's eyes grow sharper and sharper.
Originally, Bayezid was a family that had a special ability to raise not only knights but also worthy squires.
Ramund, who returned with a sigh, had risen from squire to knight back then, so seeing the level of the squires now must have felt like the old self of Bayezid had collapsed.
The Bayezid he had seen wouldn't have been like this.
"Times have changed, haven't they?"
"Although times have changed, there are some things that shouldn't change."
It could have passed for a simple complaint from an old man, but Ramund's harsh advice clearly affected Peter too.
"It seems I have neglected the perspectives in the north too much."
Meanwhile, the quality of the knights was improving due to increased external recruitment, but the quality of the vassals was actually decreasing.
This also meant that the color of Bayezid was fading, so it was definitely something Peter had to worry about.
"..."
An armor shining in the sunlight.
Peter's gaze, which was reflecting, automatically turned to that place.
It was armor sent from San Rogino, a diocese in the north.
The brief letter that came with the armor included the circumstances for sending the armor and the name of a known boy.
"It seems you're impressed."
"It even received external recognition like San Rogino. Nothing offers more reliability than cross-verification."
Peter listened to Ragmus and nodded.
Even the selection of the Holy Knights of San Rogino and Lord Ramund, a knight from the old times.
"I guess we should send him to Soara."
"That's right."
Fortunately, Bayezid's ancient traditions still held.
Seeing this, Peter felt very relieved, although he didn't show it.
The strong walls of Sturma were built following these traditions.
***
"Stop..."
Vlad opened his eyes on the bed with a groan.
Vlad's eyebrows furrowed as he felt the lingering headache.
"How did I end up here?"
Judging by the damp towel covering his forehead, it seemed like someone had been taking care of him while he was unconscious.
"I had a fight with an old man I didn't like..."
Vlad frowned and sat up on the bed, pondering yesterday's events.
The memories were intermittent, as if he were drunk, but there were still strong recollections coming to Vlad's mind.
Bright forehead.
It was a bright forehead with ruthless power.
"That's it."
They say the world is vast and filled with many strange things, but when I actually experienced it, I almost laughed.
The old man's forehead, strengthened by Aura, was so hard it would have been better to hit a wall.
"Can it be used like that?"
[Because a person's talent is revealed in various ways.]
Judging by the fact that the voice didn't say it had seen it through to the end, it seemed like it had never seen such a thing before.
Or maybe it was in its memory but forgotten.
"Well, since I've done so much, I guess I'm still being treated well."
[Yes. He's definitely someone you can learn from.]
Vlad quietly approached at the voice's words.
He was an old man whose name and identity were not easily revealed, but Vlad could guess through his intuition.
A retired knight of Bayezid.
Yes, now he's retired and wandering here and there.
It seemed like he was performing some sort of ritual that only a knight could perform, but to Vlad, who was still just a squire, it was difficult to guess exactly what he was doing.
"Why are you mumbling to yourself like that?"
"Please knock before entering."
As soon as Vlad came to his senses and got up from the bed, someone entered and opened the door abruptly.
It was a short person who couldn't even be seen in the face because he was wearing a bunch of clothes.
"You should have a hand to touch before you hit."
Zemina seemed annoyed and threw the pile of clothes he was carrying onto the bed.
These were all the clothes Vlad used to wear.
"If you leave me alone, I'll take care of it, but it's okay."
"Customer. All these are services provided by our inn."
Zemina looked at Vlad with a cruel smile that tried to seem friendly.
Zemina's teeth, which looked sharp today, seemed sinister to the boy for no apparent reason.
"Because you're a precious guest staying on the expensive fourth floor. This is something we have to do."
"..."
Vlad knew that what Zemina was saying was not just a joke.
Rose's smile, which was no different from Marcella's alter ego, was transforming into an inn rather than a warehouse according to her will.
Marcella was doing her best to survive at a crossroads in her life that came about due to Jorge's absence.
"I don't have that much money yet."
"They say you're free. Just being here helps."
Marcella gives the boy a comfortable place to rest, and the boy lends Marcella the value of his name.
"Can I have one?"
"That's for Marcella to decide."
Vlad, who had been watching the struggle between organizations for a long time, was worried that only he could repress them, but from Marcella's perspective, it seemed quite plausible.
Since he's a talented person admired by the mayor of Soara and the second son of the Bayezid family, he may not be known anywhere else, but at least within this city, he'll be a worthy name.
"Come to the restaurant. I heard Marcella prepared lunch."
Zemina, who was busy leaving the room, returned with a regretful expression and reached out to Vlad.
"I forgot this. Take it, sir."
"I'm still not a knight. You don't need to do this for me."
Vlad was about to say something to Zemina, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw the handkerchief she handed him.
It was a handkerchief made of luxurious silk with someone's name engraved in golden embroidery.
"It seems clear that you're Lady Alicia's knight."
"This... It was something I couldn't avoid..."
Vlad wanted to explain in detail if possible, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw Zemina with a forced smile on her face.
There is a time for everything, and now was not the time to resolve misunderstandings.
"It was gratifying to have the opportunity to wield the sword while cutting even the hair. You've had great success."
"I appreciate it..."
Bang!
Before he could finish speaking, Vlad raised both hands and shrugged as he saw Jemina leave and close the door.
"It was happening. Always."
Vlad looked towards the door through which the girl had left and scratched his neck.
She wouldn't know that Lady Alicia was the Baroness of Deirmar, nor would she understand that the handkerchief she handed him was delivered through intricate political calculations.
Even if she knew, her reaction probably wouldn't have been any different from what it was now.
"She even ironed the clothes."
On a cold winter day, Vlad remembered the sacrifice Zemina had shown him as he looked at the clothes on the bed.
The feeling of the red-haired girl's hands on the clothes given to him by the lady was comforting.
"..."
Vlad took off the clothes Zemina had given him, having not been outside for a long time.
Although the feeling of the fabric was different, the warmth that the girl radiated hadn't changed since before.
It was good to be back.
Vlad thought so as he stretched his neck.
***
"I said I'm sorry."
"..."
"I'll buy you. Something reasonable."
"There are things money can't buy..."
Vlad sat at the same table where Jorge always had breakfast, taking up the spot.
However, even though he was eating Marcella's soup, which he missed, the boy couldn't easily calm down.
The torn leather armor he wore seemed to protest, giving the boy that impression.
"I liked this."
"Yeah. It's a great armor."
The old man, who perfectly understood the boy's feelings, simply removed the soup in front of him.
As the boy had said before, the leather armor gifted by the Bayezid family only to promising seeds was an item that couldn't be replaced with money.
The old man also vividly recalls the excitement he felt when he received the armor when he was young.
"So, come with me to the town hall later."
"Why?"
The old man wanted to throw away the soup plate the boy was eating upon the boy's blunt response, but he held back.
It was true that he had started the fight first, and he had not been able to control his strength properly, injuring the boy and even breaking the Bayezid armor, so it could be said that he had committed a great sin.
"Shouldn't you prove your worth to your lord again? Do you think your disastrous evaluations after a week of probation won't haunt you again?"
Upon hearing the old man's words, Vlad, who was nervous, began to sink into his thoughts.
Undoubtedly, there would be no better way to improve his evaluation than to show results.
Furthermore, given Joseph's determined approach in dealing with the old man, even if he followed his words, he is unlikely to praise or criticize his decision.
"So, let's work together. I'll give you a generous raise after seeing it."
"What's it about?"
"If you ask Jager or Bordan for something, they'll at least give you one thing."
"...Do you want me to cut you some bread?"
The old man was speechless as he watched the boy instinctively knowing when to step back and when to step forward.
"But why did you act that way then?"
"When?"
"Then, cut the bread."
The old man could only click his tongue as he saw the boy open his eyes as if he didn't understand what it was about.
"It won't be easy to handle him."
Thinking about the boy's mischief, the old man felt sorry for Joseph, who would have to deal with him.
"Anyway, you'll have to compensate for the value of the armor you broke."
"..."
However, since he was the one who had that clever boy in his hands right now, the old man had to pay for it.
***
Due to the probation order, Vlad couldn't enter the town hall, so he found an establishment outside and settled in.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel better after resting for a bit."
"I was very worried until I got here."
There, Goethe, who was now in charge of Soara's stable, welcomed Vlad.
"Is it worth it?"
"What's wrong? They pay me a lot of money, plenty of food, and a good place to sleep. Plus, there will be a special allowance this time."
"...How much do you get?"
In response to Vlad's question, Goth wagged his finger and said:
"No matter how close we are, I don't ask about things like that."
"Sneaky."
When Goethe said they paid him a lot of money, Vlad felt jealous for no reason.
Vlad's formal status was that of a squire, and the position of squire in the Bayezid family was that of assistant and apprentice to the knights.
In other words, Vlad had never received any salary other than the pocket money given to him by Joseph.
"But the captain received a lot of this and that. Something like armor or clothes."
"…"
But, as Goethe said, Vlad also had nothing to say.
The tangible and intangible support that Oksana and Joseph provided to the boy was worth something that couldn't be measured in gold coins.
Just because he was Jager's squire, it was an opportunity for some family to come to him with hundreds of gold coins.
"What's been going on these days?"
"It's been a few days since I came in."
Goethe, who was sweeping his horse as if he didn't care about the question, confirmed that there was no one around and quickly turned his head to whisper to Vlad.
"There are rumors."
"...Rumors?"
The relationship between the two, like the crocodile and the crocodile bird, remained valid. Vlad's mouth began to lift at the corners when he heard Goethe's whisper.
"The guards on night duty saw something strange."
"Say it."
Although it was said to be an uncertain rumor, there was definitely something to say about what Goethe said.
"They say a black horse is constantly watching the gate from afar. But when you get closer to see what's going on, it suddenly disappears."
"Horse?"
Vlad seemed to know why Goethe was whispering.
A scene I saw in a foggy village started to come to mind.
"I heard that back then there was a headless knight riding something like a ghost horse."
"...He did."
A black horse watching Soara in the darkness of the night.
And even if they tried to check it, it would disappear.
Goethe's guess certainly made sense.
"Maybe that's it."
"Be careful. You're still on probation."
After hearing Goethe's words, Vlad quickly got up from his seat.
"I'm on probation, but I think I'll work anyway."
"Eh?"
"You too, get ready."
"If?"
Vlad put his hands on his hips and looked at the approaching old man in front of him.
The afternoon sun shone on the forehead of the old man, which was almost completely peeling off.
"You bastard, let's go!"
"Please call me by my name."
An old man smiling as he says he's found work.
On the paper, the old man held a picture of a black horse watching Soara.
"It would be nice to receive more special allowances."
"No..."
Looking mischievously at the boy, Goethe tossed the brush he was holding into the bucket.
"I couldn't even rest much!"
"Me neither."
Vlad broke Goethe's sweet rest and smiled cheerfully.
If you don't know how to ride a horse, you can ride someone who drives a horse.
That was the boy's decision.
A city surrounded by walls. Sturma.
The owner of the territory, Peter Bayezid, stroked his chin as he looked at the beautiful armor in front of him.
"According to Joseph's report, Lord Ramund has already arrived in Soara. They say he seems to be interested in the squire there."
"Good."
Peter thought, thinking about the moment when Knight Ramund returned to Sturma for the first time.
Ramund, the former head of the family, was a difficult person to deal with, as much as he was himself.
The fact that he returned after seeing the state of the vassals here made Peter feel a bitter taste.
"Should I say that at least I have compensated...? Or should I lament that this is all I can do?"
Ragmus remained silent as he watched Peter's eyes grow sharper and sharper.
Originally, Bayezid was a family that had a special ability to raise not only knights but also worthy squires.
Ramund, who returned with a sigh, had risen from squire to knight back then, so seeing the level of the squires now must have felt like the old self of Bayezid had collapsed.
The Bayezid he had seen wouldn't have been like this.
"Times have changed, haven't they?"
"Although times have changed, there are some things that shouldn't change."
It could have passed for a simple complaint from an old man, but Ramund's harsh advice clearly affected Peter too.
"It seems I have neglected the perspectives in the north too much."
Meanwhile, the quality of the knights was improving due to increased external recruitment, but the quality of the vassals was actually decreasing.
This also meant that the color of Bayezid was fading, so it was definitely something Peter had to worry about.
"..."
An armor shining in the sunlight.
Peter's gaze, which was reflecting, automatically turned to that place.
It was armor sent from San Rogino, a diocese in the north.
The brief letter that came with the armor included the circumstances for sending the armor and the name of a known boy.
"It seems you're impressed."
"It even received external recognition like San Rogino. Nothing offers more reliability than cross-verification."
Peter listened to Ragmus and nodded.
Even the selection of the Holy Knights of San Rogino and Lord Ramund, a knight from the old times.
"I guess we should send him to Soara."
"That's right."
Fortunately, Bayezid's ancient traditions still held.
Seeing this, Peter felt very relieved, although he didn't show it.
The strong walls of Sturma were built following these traditions.
***
"Stop..."
Vlad opened his eyes on the bed with a groan.
Vlad's eyebrows furrowed as he felt the lingering headache.
"How did I end up here?"
Judging by the damp towel covering his forehead, it seemed like someone had been taking care of him while he was unconscious.
"I had a fight with an old man I didn't like..."
Vlad frowned and sat up on the bed, pondering yesterday's events.
The memories were intermittent, as if he were drunk, but there were still strong recollections coming to Vlad's mind.
Bright forehead.
It was a bright forehead with ruthless power.
"That's it."
They say the world is vast and filled with many strange things, but when I actually experienced it, I almost laughed.
The old man's forehead, strengthened by Aura, was so hard it would have been better to hit a wall.
"Can it be used like that?"
[Because a person's talent is revealed in various ways.]
Judging by the fact that the voice didn't say it had seen it through to the end, it seemed like it had never seen such a thing before.
Or maybe it was in its memory but forgotten.
"Well, since I've done so much, I guess I'm still being treated well."
[Yes. He's definitely someone you can learn from.]
Vlad quietly approached at the voice's words.
He was an old man whose name and identity were not easily revealed, but Vlad could guess through his intuition.
A retired knight of Bayezid.
Yes, now he's retired and wandering here and there.
It seemed like he was performing some sort of ritual that only a knight could perform, but to Vlad, who was still just a squire, it was difficult to guess exactly what he was doing.
"Why are you mumbling to yourself like that?"
"Please knock before entering."
As soon as Vlad came to his senses and got up from the bed, someone entered and opened the door abruptly.
It was a short person who couldn't even be seen in the face because he was wearing a bunch of clothes.
"You should have a hand to touch before you hit."
Zemina seemed annoyed and threw the pile of clothes he was carrying onto the bed.
These were all the clothes Vlad used to wear.
"If you leave me alone, I'll take care of it, but it's okay."
"Customer. All these are services provided by our inn."
Zemina looked at Vlad with a cruel smile that tried to seem friendly.
Zemina's teeth, which looked sharp today, seemed sinister to the boy for no apparent reason.
"Because you're a precious guest staying on the expensive fourth floor. This is something we have to do."
"..."
Vlad knew that what Zemina was saying was not just a joke.
Rose's smile, which was no different from Marcella's alter ego, was transforming into an inn rather than a warehouse according to her will.
Marcella was doing her best to survive at a crossroads in her life that came about due to Jorge's absence.
"I don't have that much money yet."
"They say you're free. Just being here helps."
Marcella gives the boy a comfortable place to rest, and the boy lends Marcella the value of his name.
"Can I have one?"
"That's for Marcella to decide."
Vlad, who had been watching the struggle between organizations for a long time, was worried that only he could repress them, but from Marcella's perspective, it seemed quite plausible.
Since he's a talented person admired by the mayor of Soara and the second son of the Bayezid family, he may not be known anywhere else, but at least within this city, he'll be a worthy name.
"Come to the restaurant. I heard Marcella prepared lunch."
Zemina, who was busy leaving the room, returned with a regretful expression and reached out to Vlad.
"I forgot this. Take it, sir."
"I'm still not a knight. You don't need to do this for me."
Vlad was about to say something to Zemina, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw the handkerchief she handed him.
It was a handkerchief made of luxurious silk with someone's name engraved in golden embroidery.
"It seems clear that you're Lady Alicia's knight."
"This... It was something I couldn't avoid..."
Vlad wanted to explain in detail if possible, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw Zemina with a forced smile on her face.
There is a time for everything, and now was not the time to resolve misunderstandings.
"It was gratifying to have the opportunity to wield the sword while cutting even the hair. You've had great success."
"I appreciate it..."
Bang!
Before he could finish speaking, Vlad raised both hands and shrugged as he saw Jemina leave and close the door.
"It was happening. Always."
Vlad looked towards the door through which the girl had left and scratched his neck.
She wouldn't know that Lady Alicia was the Baroness of Deirmar, nor would she understand that the handkerchief she handed him was delivered through intricate political calculations.
Even if she knew, her reaction probably wouldn't have been any different from what it was now.
"She even ironed the clothes."
On a cold winter day, Vlad remembered the sacrifice Zemina had shown him as he looked at the clothes on the bed.
The feeling of the red-haired girl's hands on the clothes given to him by the lady was comforting.
"..."
Vlad took off the clothes Zemina had given him, having not been outside for a long time.
Although the feeling of the fabric was different, the warmth that the girl radiated hadn't changed since before.
It was good to be back.
Vlad thought so as he stretched his neck.
***
"I said I'm sorry."
"..."
"I'll buy you. Something reasonable."
"There are things money can't buy..."
Vlad sat at the same table where Jorge always had breakfast, taking up the spot.
However, even though he was eating Marcella's soup, which he missed, the boy couldn't easily calm down.
The torn leather armor he wore seemed to protest, giving the boy that impression.
"I liked this."
"Yeah. It's a great armor."
The old man, who perfectly understood the boy's feelings, simply removed the soup in front of him.
As the boy had said before, the leather armor gifted by the Bayezid family only to promising seeds was an item that couldn't be replaced with money.
The old man also vividly recalls the excitement he felt when he received the armor when he was young.
"So, come with me to the town hall later."
"Why?"
The old man wanted to throw away the soup plate the boy was eating upon the boy's blunt response, but he held back.
It was true that he had started the fight first, and he had not been able to control his strength properly, injuring the boy and even breaking the Bayezid armor, so it could be said that he had committed a great sin.
"Shouldn't you prove your worth to your lord again? Do you think your disastrous evaluations after a week of probation won't haunt you again?"
Upon hearing the old man's words, Vlad, who was nervous, began to sink into his thoughts.
Undoubtedly, there would be no better way to improve his evaluation than to show results.
Furthermore, given Joseph's determined approach in dealing with the old man, even if he followed his words, he is unlikely to praise or criticize his decision.
"So, let's work together. I'll give you a generous raise after seeing it."
"What's it about?"
"If you ask Jager or Bordan for something, they'll at least give you one thing."
"...Do you want me to cut you some bread?"
The old man was speechless as he watched the boy instinctively knowing when to step back and when to step forward.
"But why did you act that way then?"
"When?"
"Then, cut the bread."
The old man could only click his tongue as he saw the boy open his eyes as if he didn't understand what it was about.
"It won't be easy to handle him."
Thinking about the boy's mischief, the old man felt sorry for Joseph, who would have to deal with him.
"Anyway, you'll have to compensate for the value of the armor you broke."
"..."
However, since he was the one who had that clever boy in his hands right now, the old man had to pay for it.
***
Due to the probation order, Vlad couldn't enter the town hall, so he found an establishment outside and settled in.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel better after resting for a bit."
"I was very worried until I got here."
There, Goethe, who was now in charge of Soara's stable, welcomed Vlad.
"Is it worth it?"
"What's wrong? They pay me a lot of money, plenty of food, and a good place to sleep. Plus, there will be a special allowance this time."
"...How much do you get?"
In response to Vlad's question, Goth wagged his finger and said:
"No matter how close we are, I don't ask about things like that."
"Sneaky."
When Goethe said they paid him a lot of money, Vlad felt jealous for no reason.
Vlad's formal status was that of a squire, and the position of squire in the Bayezid family was that of assistant and apprentice to the knights.
In other words, Vlad had never received any salary other than the pocket money given to him by Joseph.
"But the captain received a lot of this and that. Something like armor or clothes."
"…"
But, as Goethe said, Vlad also had nothing to say.
The tangible and intangible support that Oksana and Joseph provided to the boy was worth something that couldn't be measured in gold coins.
Just because he was Jager's squire, it was an opportunity for some family to come to him with hundreds of gold coins.
"What's been going on these days?"
"It's been a few days since I came in."
Goethe, who was sweeping his horse as if he didn't care about the question, confirmed that there was no one around and quickly turned his head to whisper to Vlad.
"There are rumors."
"...Rumors?"
The relationship between the two, like the crocodile and the crocodile bird, remained valid. Vlad's mouth began to lift at the corners when he heard Goethe's whisper.
"The guards on night duty saw something strange."
"Say it."
Although it was said to be an uncertain rumor, there was definitely something to say about what Goethe said.
"They say a black horse is constantly watching the gate from afar. But when you get closer to see what's going on, it suddenly disappears."
"Horse?"
Vlad seemed to know why Goethe was whispering.
A scene I saw in a foggy village started to come to mind.
"I heard that back then there was a headless knight riding something like a ghost horse."
"...He did."
A black horse watching Soara in the darkness of the night.
And even if they tried to check it, it would disappear.
Goethe's guess certainly made sense.
"Maybe that's it."
"Be careful. You're still on probation."
After hearing Goethe's words, Vlad quickly got up from his seat.
"I'm on probation, but I think I'll work anyway."
"Eh?"
"You too, get ready."
"If?"
Vlad put his hands on his hips and looked at the approaching old man in front of him.
The afternoon sun shone on the forehead of the old man, which was almost completely peeling off.
"You bastard, let's go!"
"Please call me by my name."
An old man smiling as he says he's found work.
On the paper, the old man held a picture of a black horse watching Soara.
"It would be nice to receive more special allowances."
"No..."
Looking mischievously at the boy, Goethe tossed the brush he was holding into the bucket.
"I couldn't even rest much!"
"Me neither."
Vlad broke Goethe's sweet rest and smiled cheerfully.
If you don't know how to ride a horse, you can ride someone who drives a horse.
That was the boy's decision.
