EP.150 When Are You Going to Do It?
“May those who have departed before us rest in peace.”
As the Saintess prays with her hands clasped, a glow of light emanates from the end of her prayer.
Those lights move like smoke, slowly disappearing into the dark night sky.
Like a river carrying the wishes of all gathered here.
No one in the world would understand how such a thing is possible.
A phenomenon that can’t be explained by magic, science, or anything else.
The people of this world call it divine power, believing it to be a force bestowed by the gods.
‘It’s truly amazing every time I see it.’
Standing at a distance, I watch the Saintess offering prayers for the fallen.
Others are preoccupied with watching the light slowly vanishing into the air.
But Kyle had no interest in that light at all.
“In that case, I’ll just have to work harder than I am now.”
How did I come up with such a thing to say?
Why do I feel both dumbfounded and expectant at the same time?
I thought that maybe if I said this, the Saintess might keep a bit of distance.
Instead, it only served to ignite the Saintess’s will to participate even more strongly.
I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, honestly.
While I think it’s good that I expressed my true feelings,
I worry that I might have unnecessarily rushed the Saintess, which doesn’t seem good.
‘Why bother worrying? What’s done is done.’
After letting out an internal sigh, I look at the Saintess again.
The Saintess finally rises from her seat after finishing the last scheduled prayer meeting.
Others were still bowing their heads to continue their prayers.
Thanks to this, despite the considerable distance, Kyle’s eyes met directly with the Saintess’s.
‘How is it that our eyes meet like this?’
The thought naturally occurs that this is indeed typical of a romance fantasy.
What should I do? After a moment’s hesitation, I raise my hand first and wave it slightly.
In response, the Saintess also smiles softly and bows her head.
“Farewell!”
“Farewell, you bastards!!”
As the prayer ends, the soldiers each shout to bid farewell to those who have departed.
May they rest in peace. May they be happy there. If they are reborn, may they live even better than now.
They convey what might be their own wishes to those who have gone, on their behalf.
Watching this scene, Kyle, like the soldiers, prayed for their souls.
Though they were people whose faces he didn’t know, there was ample reason to honor anyone who had fallen in battle.
Those who fought with everything they had and perished in that intensity.
No matter who they were, from noble knights to lowly soldiers, all of them deserved it.
*
The cold dawn air, inhaled deeply, fills the lungs.
It’s refreshing. Though not as cool as the north, it’s invigorating enough to be called crisp.
After doing some light stretching, Kyle began a gentle jog.
Thud thud thud!-
Of course, it’s only called jogging; to others, it looks like a full-out sprint.
And that too, covering the insane distance of circling the entire military camp!
“Young master.”
Hearing a voice from behind, Kyle glances back to see Old man Neil.
Despite being well over seventy, he had no trouble keeping up with Kyle.
Moreover, he doesn’t show any signs of his breathing being disturbed at all.
“It’s a good dawn, Old man Neil.”
“Indeed. Ah. We’re planning to leave today.”
“Today?”
“Yes. We originally planned to leave yesterday, but the Baron enjoyed himself a bit too long.”
Tormenting newbies isn’t something to enjoy, Old man Neil. It would be better to teach someone who actually likes exercising.
“We’re thinking of departing right after finishing the morning exercise.”
“Is that what Father decided?”
“That’s part of it, but the children have been pestering us so much.”
“Oh my.”
“They’re complaining about being bored. I’m worried they might end up fighting with the knights at this rate.”
At Old man Neil’s words, Kyle burst out laughing with a “Kheup.”
It seemed half like a joke, but the other half could very well be true.
“What will you do, Old man Neil?”
“You mean about that old warrior I fought with?”
“Yes. It was Commander Priscilla’s request, and honestly, it seemed like you wanted to see that knight again too. Did I misread that?”
“You read it correctly. Actually, I spoke to the Baron about it yesterday.”
“And the result?”
At that question, Old man Neil slowly reduces his speed.
As Kyle matches his pace and slows down as well, Old man Neil smiles.
“He said I could go, as long as it doesn’t take too long.”
“That’s great. This is a chance for you to take a little trip to the Empire, Old man Neil.”
After finishing the dawn jog(?), Kyle headed straight for Baron Jonathan’s tent.
He had already quietly left the camp at dawn to do boulder shoulder presses.
As if that wasn’t enough, when Kyle entered the tent, he found the Baron doing handstand push-ups.
It’s an exercise among exercises that others wouldn’t even dare to imagine.
The Baron was supporting himself with just one index finger from each hand.
It’s truly amazing every time I see it.
“I heard from Old man Neil. You’re leaving today?”
“Yes. Once the kids wake up, we’ll do some exercise and then move out right away.”
“Do you not need to say your farewells?”
“Leaving quietly is the best farewell. No need to hold up busy people unnecessarily.”
Didn’t he corner the Legion Commander yesterday and lecture him for over three hours?
It seems Baron Jonathan had some conscience after all, deciding to leave quietly today.
He probably doesn’t expect nor want a grand send-off.
“Still, you should at least show your face to the Saintess before you go.”
“Is it necessary?”
“There’s Old man Neil and Commander Priscilla, and then there’s me and the Saintess. I think that’s reason enough.”
“…Alright then.”
Baron Jonathan accepts Kyle’s suggestion more coolly than expected.
Rather than it being Kyle’s request, it felt strongly like a decision made out of consideration for Old man Neil and Priscilla.
“I’ll go and bring her right away.”
“Come back quickly. It’s almost time for the kids to wake up, and we’ll finish the exercise soon.”
Leaving Baron Jonathan’s words behind, Kyle heads towards where the Saintess is staying.
It seemed they had already woken up earlier for dawn prayers.
“Saintess. Ah, Commander, you’re here too.”
Guided by the holy knights, Kyle enters the tent to find the Saintess and Priscilla.
After exchanging light greetings, he explains the reason for his early morning visit.
“I see. You say they’re leaving shortly?”
“Yes, Commander. It seems that way.”
“Well, they’ve finished their business and have stayed quite long. But, um…”
Commander Priscilla glances at Kyle, looking hesitant.
She seems to be visibly struggling with whether to say something or not.
“Don’t worry. Old man Neil said he’d be going with me to the Empire for a short while.”
“Ah!”
“He won’t be able to stay long.”
“That’s enough. Thank you so much, Brother Kyle.”
“You can thank my father a little later. More importantly, where did the Saintess go? She was right here just a moment ago…”
“I’m here, Brother Kyle.”
The Saintess peeks her head out from behind.
Judging by her usual attire with the added cape, it seemed she had immediately begun preparing to see off Jonathan as soon as she heard Kyle’s words.
“Let’s hurry! We can’t be late to see off Brother Kyle’s father and his people! Quickly now!”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Yes! But, Saintess? There’s no need to rush. The children will start with exercise first, so we have some time…”
“Considering the speed at which you exercise, Brother Kyle, don’t you think it’s cutting it close?!”
…Well, I can’t think of anything to refute that.
As Kyle remains silent, the Saintess exclaims, “See!” and hurries to finish her preparations for going out.
Watching this scene, Priscilla was wearing a meaningful smile.
“I’m ready! Let’s go quickly!”
Kyle is practically dragged along by the Saintess’s urging.
He thought they might be going too fast, but that wasn’t the case.
Arriving at the legion camp’s entrance, they found Jonathan’s children already gathered and prepared to depart.
Seeing this, Kyle couldn’t help but marvel once again, thinking, ‘As expected of the Saintess.’
“You’re late!! The young master is late!!”
“If you’re late, it’s 100 push-ups and 100 burpees!”
Right. How could the kids possibly go astray with this kind of discipline?
Just being late means having to do exercises that would be hellish for ordinary people.
“Alright, kids. Is everyone ready to depart?”
“Yes! We ate a big breakfast!”
“We can run like this right away!!”
A strong sense of bewilderment can be felt from somewhere.
Glancing around, Kyle sees knights and soldiers with stunned expressions.
It’s not like Jonathan is going somewhere just around the corner.
Even riding horses non-stop from here would easily take four days.
And they’re going there on foot, running, and it’s the children who are going.
“They’re not human.”
Kyle even had the illusion of hearing their inner thoughts quite clearly.
“So, young master! Are you not going to do it?!”
“…I guess I have to. Alright. I’ll do it, you rascals!”
After telling the Saintess and Priscilla to go ahead and greet them first,
Kyle immediately drops to the ground and starts doing push-ups quickly.
Honestly, push-ups are way too easy. Burpees are… a bit annoying, I suppose?
Leaving Kyle to carry out his self-imposed punishment, the Saintess stood before Baron Jonathan.
A man whose intimidating presence could crush someone like the Saintess with one hand.
She feels a tiny bit of fear, but easily shakes off that emotion.
“Baron Jonathan. I heard you’re leaving today.”
“That’s right.”
“I pray that your journey will be peaceful. And…”
“Ah. Not that.”
“Pardon?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could pray for us to encounter some strong monsters on our way.”
“…??”
Who in the world would wish to encounter monsters while traveling on foot?
And to even ask someone else to pray for such a thing.
“Would you do that for me?”
But Baron Jonathan was serious. And sincere.
Because of this, the Saintess could only reply, “Yes, yes. I’ll do that.”
“Have you finished exchanging greetings?”
Having completed 100 push-ups and burpees as punishment for being late,
Baron Jonathan, who had been staring at Kyle, says one thing.
“You’re slow.”
“Was I slow? That’s strange. I did it as I usually do.”
“That’s why your mother worries about you.”
“Oh, please, Father. I hope you won’t say anything to Mother when you get back.”
The naturally intimidating father and son bicker quite adorably.
Just watching them seems to bring a smile to one’s face.
Thinking this, the Saintess was about to greet them once more…
“Ah, Kyle.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Is there any progress with the marriage talks with the 5th Princess?”
“…Pardon?”
“The 5th Princess came by the other day and expressed her ambition. Said she would definitely marry you.”
It took only 5 seconds for the smile to disappear from the Saintess’s face.