"Now then... that's enough of the heavy talk. Why don't we all head out for some light exercise?"
The war council had concluded. At the exercise ground within the fortress walls, Bareia Catreia—no longer just the Leader of the Advance Force, but now the Supreme Commander against the foreign tribes—gathered his soldiers to make an announcement.
Aside from those on sentry duty, the resting, or the wounded, nearly every key member of the force was present.
"For those of us who live by the sword, 'the unknown' is our greatest enemy," Bareia declared, his voice carrying across the yard. "Whether it is the strength of our allies, the equipment of our foes, the terrain, or the capabilities of the generals leading the charge—ignorance is a gap that can swallow us whole. Therefore, we must never grow lazy in our pursuit of information. You must strive to understand the current state of the war at all times."
Bareia scanned the crowd, his gaze sharp enough to draw blood. Some of the soldiers flinched under that piercing stare, their breath hitching in their throats.
"Gathering intelligence on the enemy is difficult. However, obtaining information on our allies is simple. All we must do is see their skill for ourselves and confirm it with our own eyes."
"In short," Karyus Catreia added, picking up where his brother left off, "this is a test of mettle."
He stood beside Bareia with a calm, composed expression. "There's no need to be tense. Think of it as a rite of passage, much like the one new recruits undergo. Let's work up a sweat and build some camaraderie."
"Exactly," Bareia agreed. "It would be pointless to sustain a serious injury in a training exercise. Keep your strikes to a level that can be mended with healing magic."
So, it's a mock battle... I'm really not in the mood for this, Rest thought, letting out a heavy sigh.
The event itself wasn't unusual. It was like a sports club hosting a friendly match to welcome new members. However, the problem was that Rest could see exactly what was coming next. That was the source of his exhaustion.
"Alright then, how about you and I have a go, Rest Clover-kun?"
A young man suddenly threw a heavy arm around Rest’s shoulders. It was Toya Catreia, the third son of the Marquis Catreia House.
Toya’s expression was friendly and his tone casual, but Rest didn't miss the simmering intensity beneath the surface. His intuition told him that Toya was barely holding back a surge of raw passion.
"What's the matter? Surely you aren't scared? It’s just a bit of training."
"I'm not scared," Rest replied, prying the man's arm off his shoulder. "But you're gripping me a bit too hard."
Rest straightened his collar and looked Toya in the eye. "And while I don't intend to throw my weight around, I am technically a Count. Could you refrain from calling me 'kun'?"
"Oh, my apologies. How rude of a mere third son to speak so familiarly," Toya said, offering a deep, exaggerated bow. "Will this suffice, Count Clover-dono?"
The gesture was entirely performative. There wasn't a shred of respect in the bow; if anything, it felt like a blatant provocation.
He really must resent me... Yuri, you certainly are loved.
Ordinarily, Rest should have been angry. Instead, he felt only a sense of weary exasperation. He could tell that this hostility stemmed from their deep affection for Yuri.
Yuri was a precious friend to Rest as well. And somehow—though Rest still wasn't entirely sure when or how it had been finalized—she was now his fiancée. He couldn't find it in himself to harbor ill will toward her brothers for wanting to protect her, even if their sister-complex was clearly over the top.
Thinking back, I suppose I haven't even offered them a formal greeting yet, despite taking their precious sister under my roof. Even if it was for her protection, I should have contacted the family properly. I really have been lacking in courtesy.
He was being targeted by his future brothers-in-law because he’d failed to show proper respect. In that sense, he was partially to blame. He figured he should probably just grit his teeth and endure it.
"That said... I have no intention of losing."
His own lack of courtesy might have been the spark, but Toya’s current attitude was still undeniably rude. Rest saw no reason to apologize right this second. Since the man had picked a fight, Rest decided he might as well settle the score decisively.
"I shall accept your challenge, Knight of the Marquis Catreia House."
"Hmph. Step over there, 'Count,'" Toya spat, his face twisting with a mix of hatred and a savage grin. "I'm going to make you pay for defiling my beloved sister—My Puppy."
"I look forward to it."
Rest met Toya’s gaze with a fearless smile. He took his position about three meters away, preparing to face a member of the Marquis Catreia House—the Shield of the Kingdom and its strongest knights.