Chapter 29
Knight Fermil was in such a state that he could hardly pull himself together from the treatment he had received for the first time in his life.
“Do the knights of Taton conduct duels in such a lowly manner? Even the methods of back-alley vagrants would be better than this!”
His entire body trembled.
He couldn't even properly remember how much he had been beaten.
The only thing that was certain was that he had been rolling on the floor in a miserable state for quite some time.
And by a knight from this countryside periphery, no less.
“The pathetic excuse of a loser. So there are different kinds of knights in Paganoa. Dame Evangeline would not have acted this way.”
“Dame Evangeline? Why is Evangeline ‘Dame’, and I’m just a ‘knight of Paganoa’?”
“That’s obvious, because Dame Evangeline is someone worthy of being called that.”
Fermil flared up again.
What was the difference between himself and Evangeline? When they dueled as knights, they surely fought on an equal level.
“Evangeline saw the wrong person! She told me there was a very knightly knight here, but in my eyes, you don’t seem like such a great man!”
“And you lost to such a man. Fermil, knight of Paganoa.”
Fermil felt his breath catch in his throat.
It was because it was an undeniable fact.
However, his pride remained. Having fallen this far, he had to at least maintain his pride.
“If this had been a fair duel, this situation would not have occurred. A duel with a club and a wooden spear. It’s not even funny.”
“If we had drawn real swords, you would already be dead.”
“If I had held a spear, I would have made a skewer out of you.”
“Is that so? If you wish, I’ll fight you again as many times as you want. Under your desired conditions.”
Tap, tap.
Reinhardt lightly swung the club with a relaxed expression.
Every time it hit his palm, Fermil’s body flinched and trembled reflexively.
‘That son of a bitch…….’
If they fought again, he would definitely lose.
Fermil knew this fact. He just wanted to save some face; he wasn't an idiot.
“If you’re scared, it can’t be helped. You don’t seem to have any particular desire to become stronger either. Shall we wrap things up then?”
“Who’s scared!”
“Then will you do it?”
“Of course, I will! Take your weapon!”
“With real swords?”
Gulp. Dry saliva went down his throat.
“No, let’s do it with clubs. I don’t want to kill you, after all!”
***
When it came to learning something, nothing was as certain in its results as repetitive learning.
Reinhardt, under the [Justice] buff, did not get tired.
For him now, casually swinging a club was something he could do all day.
The duel always flowed in the same pattern.
Fermil would focus his mind. Reinhardt would disrupt his rhythm.
After that, Fermil would be soundly beaten by the club.
“You’re not in good shape.”
Fermil was a mess right now.
His eyelids were bruised blue, and his lips were chapped.
The fact that he hadn’t lost any teeth was a small comfort, if any.
Pain was felt throughout his entire body.
There were no fatal injuries, but he had literally become a sight of someone who had been thoroughly beaten up somewhere.
“Want to go again?”
“……”
This time, there was no answer.
It was the first time this had happened in the twelve duels they had.
The venom that had filled his eyes had also subsided significantly. His self-assurance had turned into doubt.
“I told you. This method doesn’t seem very suitable for you.”
“What do you know to say that?”
“It’s a method that demonstrates absolute power when facing an inferior opponent. But against a stronger opponent, it poses no threat at all. You must have started to feel this by now.”
“I’ve never thought you were stronger than me.”
“In any case, you must have felt it. If you’re not an idiot.”
Reinhardt casually ignored the prideful Fermil and continued speaking.
“Your strength is your speed. And your innate senses. I realized it as we repeated the duels. You were born with a talent for combat.”
“……Senses?”
“The expression ‘genius’ is not enough to describe it. It’s just that your current method is a path that makes it difficult to properly utilize your innate talent.”
Reinhardt recalled the Fermil from his memory.
Back when Soul Calibur was still a game.
In a flash, Fermil’s spear would have already pierced the enemy dozens of times.
It was the same even if the opponent was stronger than him.
Faced with a series of unorthodox attacks that linked together in an instant, anyone was bound to make a mistake.
“For example, like this.”
Clatter.
Reinhardt picked up another wooden spear from the rack.
It felt awkward because it wasn't a sword, but it was sufficient for a demonstration.
Fwip. Pat.
Three thrusts in one breath.
It was an attack aimed at the side, thigh, and head.
“If you adopt a method of overwhelming the enemy, your talent might be able to shine. At the very least, you would be much better than what I just showed……”
Reinhardt stopped talking mid-sentence.
Fermil’s gaze had become extremely serious. The sense of defeat that had covered his face just before was gone without a trace.
‘This should be enough.’
Fermil had talent.
In fact, the things he said about strengths and weaknesses were all just made up on the spot.
Reinhardt didn't have the eye to discern people’s talents.
He just knew the results.
The fact that in the near future, Knight Fermil of Paganoa would surely be in a state where he had clearly capitalized on his strengths.
Click.
Reinhardt left Fermil alone and exited the training ground.
The two knights guarding the entrance flinched and snapped to a salute.
“Sir Reinhardt! As for Sir Fermil……”
“It seems he still has work to do. Could you trouble yourselves a little longer?”
“Yes, of course! We will remain on standby here!”
The two knights stood at attention and answered vigorously.
Reinhardt nodded and left the place.
Hoping that by the time he came out of here, Fermil’s attitude would be very different from now.
And so.
That evening.
“Sir Reinhardt!”
Fermil, who came looking for Reinhardt, certainly had a much different atmosphere than in the morning.
‘He must have realized something.’
He had already expected it.
In the first place, the future Fermil was a sufficiently knightly figure.
But there wouldn't be such a dramatic change.
The point at which Fermil became knightly was quite some time from now.
“I was so rude to you, Sir. Will you accept my apology? Even if you don’t, I have nothing to say!”
However, Fermil abruptly bowed his head.
With a sincere voice, he conveyed a clear apology.
‘He’s apologizing right here and now? That Fermil?’
He had only thought Fermil would reluctantly accept his advice. Thinking so, Reinhardt nodded his head for the time being.
“……I shall accept your apology.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
As soon as his apology was accepted, Fermil grabbed Reinhardt’s hand.
“Then, is it okay to think that we have become companions who can share our hearts? Although we had a minor discord! What do you think?”
At his overly enthusiastic demeanor, Reinhardt let out a light sigh instead of an answer.
‘Right, this is the Fermil I know.’
***
Fermil is the protagonist’s companion.
It meant he had a predetermined future.
Just as Reinhardt was running towards death, he had to become a hero who would save the world.
Just, step by step.
He would reach that destination only after experiencing all sorts of hardships and adversities.
‘He should mature a little later. And of course, his skill growth should be the slowest among the Paganoa trio.’
Then, at a certain moment.
By facing a shocking catalyst, he would achieve explosive growth—that was the character of Fermil.
“Sir Reinhardt. I believe the two of us can become good friends. We have more in common than you think. Don’t you agree?”
Fermil was chattering away at Reinhardt’s side in an enthusiastic voice.
However, Reinhardt ignored him, and instead, Fermil’s attendant subtly joined the conversation.
“That is correct. Sir Fermil and Sir Reinhardt will surely become companions who can entrust their backs to each other, and more. I already see them as such companions.”
“Is that so? Do we look that close in your eyes too?”
“Of course, Sir Fermil. Aren't both of you gentlemen who can be called paragons of knighthood?”
“Hahaha! I see! Reinhardt, did you hear that? This friend thinks so! Unfortunately, I haven’t heard your answer yet!”
It was a conversation with a similar atmosphere to when he first met Fermil.
Only its content had subtly changed.
‘Yes, this is just about right.’
Fermil shouldn't come to his senses yet.
It was enough for him to maintain his pride moderately while subtly accepting Reinhardt’s advice.
Only then would it not disturb the flow of the true history.
“I’m glad it was helpful.”
“It’s all thanks to you, isn’t it! I was reborn today. It’s not an exaggeration; I really feel that way. I’ve finally realized what’s important to me!”
“……Your enlightenment is not thanks to me.”
“So humble. Truly, the expression ‘paragon of knighthood’ is not lacking! Isn’t that so?”
“That is correct. Truly, it is Sir Reinhardt.”
Reinhardt gave up and ignored Fermil and his attendant.
Instead, he turned his gaze to the side.
Bitdori, perched on his shoulder, was dozing off peacefully.
‘Sleeping so well.’
It felt like Bitdori had become particularly sleepy in the last few days.
When Fermil came, it had only opened its eyes briefly to check before falling back asleep, and it was the same now.
It seemed that without a stimulus on the level of a warlock, it wouldn't be easy to wake it up.
‘Well, it’s better to let it sleep. That way, it’ll be full of energy and fly around when needed.’
Just then, Fermil spoke in a suggestive tone.
“So, when are we planning to move?”
“Move? Where do you mean?”
“The warlock of the Miller Caravan. Shouldn’t we move quickly now? A considerable amount of time has passed since you gave me your advice……”
Reinhardt forced himself to meet that burdensome gaze.
Seeing how his hand kept twitching towards the spear on his back, he seemed eager to fight.
“If we move rashly, we might lose him. Until he reveals himself in earnest……”
He stopped mid-sentence.
Only then did Reinhardt feel that something was strange.
‘Why am I able to endure this so well?’
His anger was being controlled with far too much ease.
Normally, from the moment [Justice] reached a triple stack, he should have been unable to control his emotions.
He should have been tearing Serigel apart even before Fermil brought it up, and he should have had no qualms about leaving the city.
But now.
‘……I’m so rational it’s unsettling. What on earth has changed?’
He pondered, then paused.
Reinhardt looked at his shoulder again.
He saw the figure of Bitdori, dozing off.
‘Exactly when did I get into this state.’
He retraced his memories. Then, Reinhardt realized.
‘From the moment I handed the Sealing Stone to Evangeline.’
The timing was clear.
The day Evangeline took the Sealing Stone and left Serigel.
It was definitely from that point that Bitdori had started dozing off like a person suffering from a severe case of food coma.