Chapter 10: Escort leaders (2)

The guards of the escort unit strictly adhere to the military discipline, especially when it comes to time management.

During guard duty, the focus must solely be on the task at hand, and the same goes for training sessions.

Likewise, during rest periods, one must only focus on resting (in the North, which loves strength, personal training is often considered part of rest).

Each group has its own schedule, so even though we belong to the same escort unit, there are times when it’s hard to run into someone from a different group.

‘There’s no such thing as a natural encounter in this world. If I really want to meet someone, I just have to make myself noticeable first.’

As I was diligently “resting” as instructed during my break, someone called out to me with a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha! You’re working hard again today, Luke!”

Just from the tone and volume of the voice, I knew who it was. I lowered the wooden training sword I was swinging and turned around to salute.

“Good afternoon, Captain Gi.”

“Ah, yes, it’s a fine afternoon indeed. And with the cold weather, you must be sweating plenty. Kekeke!”

Even though the wind was blowing harshly, he had his shirt off, proudly displaying his muscular build. He was Captain Gi of the 3rd Unit of the escort.

“Your muscles are as firm and defined as rocks today as well.”

“Kekekekeke! If you want muscles like these, just join our group. I’ll personally coach you!”

“Haha, thank you for the offer.”

Though I had been using my break time for personal training for a while now, today I was particularly lingering nearby to catch Captain Gi’s attention.

Sure enough, after I praised the muscles he loved, he eagerly invited me to join his group.

I had no intention of joining, but if I said I wanted to join the 3rd Unit, our captain would surely give me a disapproving look, so I just let it slide.

“Hm, your training method seems different today. You’re not using the winter sword you usually practice with, huh?”

Like Elaine and Anduril, Captain Gi was also a knight.

But there was one unique thing about him.

Unlike other knights, he only used the winter sword, which was the basic swordsmanship of the Northern Army.

He wasn’t too dumb or slow-witted to learn other sword styles. Though his thinking was rather simple, the fact that

he passed the rigorous knight exam, one that even elite bloodlines and geniuses struggled with, proved that he was

an elite in his own right.

His insistence on using only the winter sword stemmed from his personal philosophy.

His belief was that swords were ultimately about cutting, thrusting, and blocking.

Because of this, Gi did not seek to learn complicated sword techniques or develop skills like magic or stealth techniques. Instead, he chose to focus on developing his muscles and increasing the size of his sword.

‘The reason Gi shows me such strong favoritism is probably because he’s disappointed that the ace newcomer I am got snatched away by Elaine, but also because I use the winter sword.’

Furthermore, like the fantasy-obsessed Gi, I too spent my days training hard. Because of this, Gi regarded me almost like his successor or younger brother.

“Actually, I’m preparing for the knight exam. So I was thinking of learning a new sword technique.”

“The knight exam! Hahaha! That’s a great choice! Hooo… How nostalgic. The thrill of the blood boiling, the bliss of the battle…”

This crazy bodybuilder, who once loved the feeling of his muscles tearing while wrestling with trolls, now reminisced

about the excitement of the battle like it was the first kiss. This gave me chills in a completely different way than

when I was around Anduril.

“Hm? But what does preparing for the knight exam have to do with learning a new sword technique?”

“Considering the difficulty, I thought I’d need a secret weapon or two.”

“Hoo….”

Gi, who had been so boisterous until just now, looked at me with a disappointed expression.

He then placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke to me with an unusually serious look.

“What do you think being a knight is?”

“A knight? Well, they protect the North…”

“A knight is someone who crushes their enemies with overwhelming strength, establishing their dignity! They show

everyone a solid back that they can rely on! And they make young people dream, showing them that if they work hard

and train, they can become like that!”

“…”

He wanted to say something profound, but he had started too early in his excitement, so I just listened in silence.

“The most important thing in preparing for the knight exam is, without a doubt, the basics! And by basics, I mean a body that’s been trained to the extreme and an unshakable posture that can crush any enemy!”

That’s all fine and good, but I wish he’d lower his voice a bit.

With his nearly 2-meter frame, his loud voice was ringing in my ears, and it was starting to hurt.

It felt like my eardrums were being hammered.

“So, Luke! If you’re truly aiming to become a knight, you should grow your muscles to be as strong as a lion’s and train them to the point where you can crush rocks with just a swing!”

Ah, is it over?

I couldn’t hear too well because of the ringing in my ears, but from the way his mouth stopped moving, it seemed like it was finally over.

I didn’t think for a moment that what Gi had said was wrong.

The plot where a genius, distracted by flashy techniques and grappling moves, loses to a dullard who stays true to the basics is something I often see in comics.

Well, even without going as far as comics, there have been cases where buildings, poorly constructed with flashy exteriors without solid foundational work, end up collapsing.

However, I can’t afford to do something like that. With the time constraints, I’m unable to follow the five-move pattern like Ki does.

‘Anyway, it seems the plan was successful.’

The swordsmanship I practiced in front of Ki was the newly learned Seolhan Sword, just beginning its training.

Fortunately, Ki, who only knows the Winter Sword, wouldn’t recognize the basic moves of Seolhan Sword. But with his experience as a knight, he will certainly spot the clumsiness in my swordsmanship.

Being the top guard member, Ki wouldn’t be able to avoid offering advice upon seeing a rookie member handling the metal awkwardly.

He’d probably worry that the newbie, who until yesterday was sticking to the basics, was now trying to look flashy for no good reason.

Since I was using my precious few minutes carefully, I made sure to swing the Seolhan Sword a little awkwardly and scatter breadcrumbs. Thankfully, Ki came running over.

“I understand the meaning behind the team leader’s words.”

“Really?”

“But, I’m still inexperienced and young, so I honestly doubt whether I can do well in actual combat with just basic skills.”

His expression looked good.

“So, if possible, would you allow me to learn from watching your battle during the Silver Saber-Tooth Beast subjugation mission?”

There was no need for fake tears.

If I had built a good image beforehand, adjusting my voice and facial expressions would be enough.

I stared at him with the earnest look of a fresh graduate struggling to find their career path.

“Of course! Didn’t I tell you? A knight should make others dream of becoming one! As a senior, it’s only right that I show you the true battle of a knight! Isn’t that right, you guys?”

“Right, Team Leader!!”

The other three squad members, who had been training shirtless under the influence of Ki, clapped and cheered in unison.

3rd Squad Leader Ki, target successfully recruited.

I had passed the easiest and the most exhausting walls.

The most normal wall had been passed as well.

‘The 4th Squad Leader, Weasel. He’s still a rookie squad leader, so he doesn’t yet have the habit of observing the older squad leaders.’

Since 1st Squad Vice Leader Anduril, a veteran, had agreed, Weasel, by extension, had no objections either.

Weasel didn’t argue and just accepted since it wasn’t his responsibility to obstruct others’ plans.

The last wall remained.

The most annoying wall.

2nd Squad Leader, Loron Tebar.

As can be inferred from his surname, he is an elite from a noble family.

The Guard Corps follows Grace’s policy of recruitment based purely on ability.

That’s why all the squad leaders, including Ilain, Ki, and Weasel, are commoners.

Loron is the only aristocrat among the squad leaders.

I wasn’t sure of the details, but his noble family probably has a mansion, territory, and wealth—typical of northern noble families.

After completing my guard duty, I went to find Loron.

Each squad leader has their own way of spending their time.

Ki, the top muscle, trains with his shirt off or guides the others.

Weasel socializes with the members, building relationships.

Ilain…

She trains, does paperwork, assists Grace, checks on the members, and sometimes takes a rest.

She does everything except taking her shirt off.

Oh, I’m not disappointed by that. I’ve seen it.

So, how does Loron spend his time?

A young noble with great lineage, wealth, and ability, yet he lives and works with commoner colleagues.

He was probably doing something typical of a young aristocrat who had everything handed to him.

“What do you need? I’m busy. I can spare ten minutes at most for a regular member of another squad.”

It feels like déjà vu.

Someone said something similar this morning, buried in paperwork, asking me for just a little time.

He didn’t even look at me as he spoke.

The man, with a sharp face and thin build, kept fiddling with his pen as he asked.

To his right were the completed documents, and to his left were the ones still in progress, neatly arranged.

‘He’s the one managing the finances of the Guard Corps.’

Once again, the Guard Corps consists entirely of personnel handpicked by Grace.

No noble connections or parachute placements.

That means Loron is a young, elite nobleman with talent and a prestigious family, but…

It’s not like he has no concept of looking down on his subordinates or abusing his position by flaunting his status.

If he had used his status to bully his subordinates, his bones and flesh would have been torn apart by Elaine.

“The guard unit is not exactly an environment where a noble’s young master would thrive.”

The salary is generous, and the reputation is high, but the work is grueling, and there are no special privileges due to status.

If someone entered for the sake of the prestige and ended up shirking or slacking off because the work was tough, Grace would make sure their neck and body were torn apart.

For that reason, it’s a desirable job for commoners or regular soldiers, but for nobility, it’s a 3D job.

To even become a leader in such a place…

“That’s not the usual case.”

That doesn’t mean Loron is a modernized noble who transcends the concept of a class system with love and mercy.

As I just noticed from his grumpy remarks about time.

He’s capable, his status is good, and there’s no abuse of power, but he’s strict, irritable, and not very approachable.

“Yes, I’ll get straight to the point. I want to accompany the Silver Sabertooth mission and have already received

approval from the leaders and vice-leaders of teams one, three, and four. I’m here to get your approval, after which

I’ll report it to the captain.”

Loron, still keeping his eyes on the paperwork, listened to the flood of explanations.

“Why do you want to participate?”

“I’m preparing for the knight’s exam. I want to gain more experience and broaden my perspective. I hope to build

new experiences during the Silver Sabertooth mission, observe actual knights in battle, and expand my

understanding. The real reason I want to join this battle is because I made a promise with the Duke about my knight

exam, and there are only two months left.”

Even though I was confused about what I had just said, wondering if he actually heard me over all the paperwork…

“Two months, that’s tight. If you want real combat experience, you’ll need to be in the main force, not the reserve.

Keep in mind, the main force for this mission hasn’t been decided yet. Even if you do join, your temporary affiliation

won’t be determined right away.”

“Thank you.”

Though he didn’t give a formal approval, from his tone, it’s practically a yes.

After completing all the challenges, I was about to head to the champion’s room when…

“Stop, you still have eight minutes.”

I hesitated.

That’s right.

The reason I came last to Loron is that this guy is the “most annoying wall.”

“If my team becomes the main force and you join it, what help can you provide? You said you want to gain real

combat experience and broaden your perspective, but how exactly do you plan to do that in my team? I’m not like Sir

Kyeong or Sir Weasel. I need a logical explanation in the next seven minutes.”

Ah, that prickly personality.

I’m already tired.

Loron, that guy, could have lived comfortably as a noble’s young master, but he chose to step into this tough place.

Why?

The guard unit is grueling, but it’s the group that stays closest to Duke Grace of the Northern Territory.

What does that mean?

It means there are many chances to get noticed by Grace, and if you prove your skills in front of the highest authority, a successful career is practically guaranteed.

The North is a place where the strong are respected.

In a way, Loron came to the guard unit for the same reason I did.

That means…

“I don’t need to take an additional five minutes,” the leader said.

“Hmm?”

“I’ll fight right beside Duke Grace. The greatest knight on this battlefield is Duke Grace himself.”

Loron didn’t spare me a glance, but his pen stopped for a moment.

“How can you be sure the Duke will keep a low-ranking member close?”

“As I said, this knight exam is a promise with the Duke. He wishes for my success and has high expectations. He’s someone who listens to his subordinates, so if I beg, he’ll allow it.”

“You lack convincing grounds. Possibilities can always be dismissed.”

“Do you, as the leader, believe that the Duke would reject such a request?”

“…”

Loron fell silent for a moment, then resumed his pen.

“Alright. Five minutes saved. Understood.”

The key to convincing someone with words is establishing empathy.

Second squad leader Loron, successfully recruited.