Chapter 68
More than forty years ago.
During a time when the struggle for succession to the throne intensified and the country was in turmoil, the youngest prince, still not yet of age, lamented the fate of the nation and sought help from the Rotish and Tseli families, both renowned for their martial prowess. The eldest sons of these two families, who had taken different paths as a soldier and a knight, extended a helping hand at the prince's plea, navigating through turbulent times and elevating the prince, who had little claim to the throne, to become king.
This is a very famous story in the Kingdom of Russell, often told to young children as a bedtime tale.
As Grandfather referred to it as a coup, it was a rather harsh and cruel affair, eliminating the former king and the nobles of the king's faction entirely to install a new king, yet among the common people, it is celebrated as a beautiful tale.
There are three main figures in this story.
The current His Majesty the King, who was still young at the time, and Grandfather, who was just a soldier.
And then, a young knight who swore loyalty to the nation.
This knight, a few years later, became the Knight Commander, leading all knights, and for decades, stood by His Majesty the King, protecting and supporting him.
"Perhaps I should introduce myself first. Nice to meet you, I am Ivan Tseli, the instructor who will be teaching you swordsmanship. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
The former head of the Tseli family, who jointly manages Taurus, where the military school and Ransheen Fortress are located, alongside the Rotish family. Upon retiring as Knight Commander, he passed his peerage to his son and declared he would spend the rest of his life as an instructor at the military school—and he followed through with it.
Grandfather and Lord Tseli, whose territories are close and who have a family friendship, were childhood friends. Grandfather would make a bitter face and call him just a bad friend, but in reality, they were so close that Grandmother reportedly felt jealous at times.
"It hasn't been long since you enrolled, and yet three of you are already moving on to practical training... You must be very talented."
"......"
"Don't be so nervous."
His glossy golden long hair, tied loosely with a string down to his back, and the biceps peeking out from the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt, were impossible to look away from.
He was tall, with a seemingly slender waist and legs, but I couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration, thinking he must be incredibly well-trained.
Moreover, Lord Tseli, with a sweet voice and a gentle smile as if troubled, spoke slowly and elegantly, even his responses filled with kindness.
Rumor has it that in his youth, suitors lined up for him, and even now, his undiminished beauty captivates women of all ages, which I found quite convincing. The rumors that portraits of him from triumphal ceremonies or banquets are drawn without his permission and sold at high prices are likely not false.
"What a predicament."
Stepping into the Training Ground, the first thing I saw was Lord Tseli swinging a sword.
Entranced by the sword being wielded with no wasted movement, as if dancing, we stood there in silence until Lord Tseli noticed us and spoke first, but... all three of us were so tense and moved that we could only nod, which must have troubled him.
"......Celes, you're making him uncomfortable, so say something."
"I can't."
Thump... Sil's shoulder bumped into mine, and with minimal mouth movement, a quiet argument over who should respond began.
I wanted to talk about various things with Lord Tseli, the person I admire. I had so many questions, but my brain and mouth weren't functioning, so there was nothing I could do...
"Even though you see Lord Fielde all the time...?"
"Even if you call him Lord Fielde, to me, he's just Grandfather."
"Then, just treat him the way you treat Grandfather, right?"
"If Grandfather is a respected mentor, then Lord Tseli is a god."
"......"
I nodded slightly to Sil, who was left speechless.
Grandfather is also a very famous person, and I believe he doesn't fall behind Lord Tseli in appearance or achievements.
But since he's family, I don't get nervous or become mesmerized by him.
"Then, how about you all introduce yourselves?"
My heart pounded painfully as Lord Tseli's eyes sparkled with what seemed like a brilliant idea, and I slapped Sil's back hard enough to make a sound, urging him to go first.
"Ugh, cough... I am Silvio Adote. It's an honor to meet you."
"Adote... If I recall, from one of the Baron families, right?"
"You know of us...?"
"I was the Knight Commander, after all. I remember the names and traits of nobles, at least to some extent. I'm not too familiar, but I recall it being a very prosperous and good territory."
"......We're often looked down upon as mere nouveau riche, so I'm glad to hear that."
For a moment, it seemed Sil was on guard, perhaps bracing himself for disdain as nouveau riche.
"Next is..."
"I am Severino Adote. I look forward to your guidance."
"You two are"
"Cousins."
Even Severi, who usually isn't easily shaken, seemed unable to maintain his composure in front of Lord Tseli, his facial muscles working less than usual.
"Then, it must be your turn last."
Urged by his voice to take my turn, I lifted my lowered eyes, but...
"Celestia Rotisch, isn't it?"
The moment our eyes met, Lord Tseli gave me a soft smile, calling my name with such delight as if to stop me in my tracks.
"Celes, Celes... breathe, come on, exhale, inhale!"
"Shall I introduce you on your behalf?"
"......"
"It's okay, Lord Tseli will wait for you. Severi, read the room..."
"But..."
Though Sil and Severi were arguing with me in the middle, I couldn't focus on that right now.
Determined not to let the right to introduce myself slip away, I breathed slowly and straightened my posture.
Is my hair messy? Is there anything wrong with my clothes...? I opened my mouth while feeling anxious and overthinking.
"I am Celestia Rotisch... ugh!?"
I had put on the practiced smile of a noble daughter, intending to bow gracefully and perform perfectly.
"You really do resemble Fielde. I'm glad to meet you."
Startled by Lord Tseli leaning toward me, I let out a strange sound.
"The honor is mine to meet you."
"No need to be so formal. I was told 'someday, someday,' but never introduced. I don't understand why it's fine for sons but not for a granddaughter."
I couldn't say that all the women in our family are on Lord Tseli's side, so I just smiled vaguely to brush it off.
"Now, let's go over the schedule. Three days a week, in the afternoon, I'll conduct basic swordsmanship training here at the third Training Ground. For the remaining four days, two will be spent as before on maintenance, horse care, and observing upperclassmen's training, and one day will be for martial arts or horseback riding. Any questions?"
"What does the training content entail?"
"For swordsmanship alone, it focuses on precision with forms and swings. I'll have you learn to handle a sword with both hands, not just your dominant one. Starting from the second year, there will be drills and expeditions, so hunting is also planned, though that depends on you."
"What weapons will we use for training?"
"We'll use dummy weapons. You'll choose a main weapon later that fits your hand, and for sub-weapons, you'll use the ones provided on the first day of enrollment."
"Sub-weapons?"
"In close combat, you might have to abandon your longsword and switch to a sub-weapon."
"Abandon the sword...?"
"In knight training, letting go of the sword, which is a knight's pride, isn't encouraged... but this is a school that trains soldiers who will be at the forefront if war breaks out, fighting on the front lines. Pride is important, but isn't life more so?"
For noble children, from a young age, they hire retired knights to teach swordsmanship.
That's why it's no surprise that Severi, who must have been taught not to handle a sword carelessly, was shocked. The battlefield and fighting style differ between knights and soldiers.
That's why Lord Tseli, who can think flexibly because of these differences, is so admirable.
And Severi, who has been calmly asking questions one after another, is impressive.
"We were provided with them, but I didn't bring mine today."
"That's fine since we won't use them yet. I'll let you know when they're needed."
"Understood."
"Any other questions? You two haven't asked anything, is that alright?"
With a smile from Lord Tseli, Sil opened his mouth with a serious look, saying, "Then..."
"What was your military rank when you were the former Knight Commander, Lord Tseli?"
Shifting my gaze from Lord Tseli, who momentarily turned serious, to Sil, I saw him directing a smug look at me as if to say he asked a great question.
"That's an interesting question... I've never been asked about my rank here."
Probably only Sil would think to question that, and even if there were another eccentric person, they wouldn't dare ask Lord Tseli directly out of respect.
"I assume you haven't learned about ranks yet, but does anyone know?"
"......I do."
Instead of Sil, who shook his head, I quietly raised a hand to answer.
"From the top, it's Marshal, General, Lieutenant General, Major General, and these are the executive class. Below that are Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, who can command a unit. Further down are Captain, First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, and regular soldiers, as I've heard."
"Your source is Fielde, isn't it?"
"Yes. Before entering military school, I spent three years at Ransheen Fortress, where I was taught."
"......You, at the Fortress?"
I nodded with a wry smile at Lord Tseli's surprise.
Sil and Severi were also surprised, but they easily accepted it since I'm from the Rotish family.
"The education of the Rotish family is remarkable."
And since Lord Tseli, who has known Grandfather for a long time, also accepted it without question, the Rotish family must truly be a clan of soldiers, regardless of gender.
However, it wasn't Grandfather's or Father's education; in reality, it was just me running away from home...
"We've gone off track. As for my rank..."
Grandfather is a Marshal... or to be precise, a retired former Marshal, but for Lord Tseli, it could be General, or possibly the second Marshal.
"I am currently an instructor at the military school."
The words I expected to hear from Lord Tseli, either Marshal or General, were something entirely different, and the three of us tilted our heads simultaneously with a "Huh?"
"No, I mean my rank as a soldier..."
As we struggled to comprehend Lord Tseli's response while he watched us with a cheerful smile, Sil, with determination, asked again.
"I have no rank."
Ivan Tseli, a man renowned as one of the top one or two in the country, overseeing the protection of the royal family, the defense of the Royal Capital, and commanding all knights, unbelievably has no rank.
Stunned, the three of us ended up rushing to Instructor Harrison's side together after training.