I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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Before the envoy of the Atara Kingdom arrived, I dedicated myself entirely to swordsmanship training. For nearly ten hours each day, I practiced mana manipulation and swung my sword in the training hall.

Since there were aspects that could not be fulfilled by practicing alone, I had duels with Caesar every three days.

After my first match, where I was blinded by competitiveness and injured my shoulder, I opted for practice with a wooden sword without aura. It felt a bit lame, but just clashing swords with another Sword Master significantly helped improve my skills.

“You are strong.”

After finishing our duel, I lay on the floor, pouring water down my throat like a waterfall, as Caesar gazed down at me intently. His sudden statement made me turn my eyes toward him.

“However, there are three major problems.”

“……If there are three problems, shouldn’t you avoid using the word ‘major’?”

“Because all three are very serious issues.”

Caesar had a knack for delivering harsh truths with such an indifferent expression; it could probably be patented. Moaning at the pain, I sighed.

“What are they?”

“First. You have no technique. Second. Your stamina is weak. Third.”

Caesar’s blood-red eyes glinted ominously.

“I’ve told you dozens of times, yet you still don’t even pretend to defend yourself.”

I flinched.

His cold voice made my shoulders tremble. His expression seemed to be filled with dissatisfaction.

“You excel in short battles and offense. You can overpower an opponent in no time. It would be safe to say that almost no swordsman in this continent can defeat you in a real battle.”

I perked up at the compliment. Indeed, praise was always nice to hear.

“But you are the worst in prolonged battles and defense. For whatever reason, if a fight exceeds one hour, you won’t be able to defeat even someone much weaker than you and will surely collapse from exhaustion. Moreover, you have no technique in swinging your sword, making your stamina inefficient. As for defense… I have no words. I’ve never seen a foolish swordsman who has never once defended while fighting in my life.”

Before I could enjoy the praise, sharp criticism came flying in. There was nothing I could say; it was all too accurate. I averted my gaze slightly to avoid Caesar’s piercing stare, and he sighed.

“I wish I could train you intensively, but… I’m not really good at teaching. These days, I’m too busy to even find time.”

Indeed, Caesar was not a good teacher. It was true he was busy, as he could barely find time to duel with me while performing tasks on the Emperor’s orders.

“So, I’m thinking of assigning you a teacher. Is that alright?”

“A teacher?”

“Yes. I don’t have any connections with other Sword Masters on the continent, so I can’t give you one of a higher level than you… but I do know a sword expert who excels in stamina training and defense techniques. They are weaker than you but teaching skill is different from ability, so it will be quite helpful.”

I held my breath for a moment. The word ‘teacher’ had a power to squeeze my heart all on its own.

Noticing my dazed state, Caesar’s eyes narrowed, and I hurriedly composed my expression.

Of course, I would be grateful if he sent someone; my stamina was terrible, and I had no idea about defense techniques.

“I would appreciate it… but I’m not hiding the fact that I’m a Sword Master. As I learn, that teacher will surely catch on to my identity.”

“Just meet as Mir.”

“……How will you explain that to them? If you suddenly asked them to teach a mercenary named Mir, would they understand?”

It made sense; if the Duke of Crisis suddenly asked someone to teach the mercenary Mir, it would be utterly ridiculous. The names of Duke of Crisis and Mercenary Mir had way too little in common.

“That teacher is one of my subordinates.”

Caesar nonchalantly continued, leaving me uncertain of how this would work out.

“And when giving orders to subordinates, no explanation is needed.”

The corners of his mouth twisted into a wicked grin.

“A subordinate must immediately obey any command, even if it’s to put a dragon in a jewelry box. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure they obediently bring you along.”

I genuinely began to feel pity for those who had Caesar as their boss.

And on the day I was to meet this ‘teacher,’ I arrived at the training ground owned by the Duke in the center of the capital, completely oblivious to their identity. I didn’t bother asking who it was, thinking Caesar would surely introduce me properly.

I awkwardly adjusted the mask I hadn’t worn in ages and looked around the training hall. It was well-equipped with everything and appeared clean and convenient to use. While waiting for the teacher Caesar mentioned, I picked up a heavy weight.

“Shush.”

Two presences drew nearer to me. I swiftly turned my head at the sound of Caesar calling my nickname.

And I was met with the astonished golden eyes staring back at me.

“….Mir?”

I nearly dropped the heavy weight onto my foot.

‘Ra, Reiner?’

My mouth hung open in shock. It appeared Reiner didn’t realize he was supposed to teach me, as his usually indifferent expression was now stamped with surprise.

‘Why are you here?!’

Caesar stood between us, and both Reiner and I exchanged bewildered looks, frozen in disbelief. It wouldn’t have been strange if I suddenly collapsed before Reiner, who seemed just as dumbstruck at the situation.

“Do you two know each other?”

Caesar’s questioning gaze put both Reiner and me in an awkward position, and we fell silent.

We had only met when rescuing Lewellin, and he’d learned my real name, even threatening to keep it a secret. Now, meeting again as the Young Lady of Crisis at the ball—there were no words to explain between us.

‘Damn it… And Reiner is one of Caesar’s subordinates too…’

Caesar currently held a high position akin to the Minister of Defense, wielding ultimate military command. Reiner, the Captain of the Knights Order of the Imperial Palace, was one of Caesar’s subordinates who had to follow his orders.

‘Who would have thought he would bring the real Reiner here?!’

Even though he was one of Caesar’s subordinates, he was the Captain of the Imperial Knights! A captain! Too prestigious to just be used as my training assistant.

‘And he knows my real name too! Honestly, he probably figured out that I’m Mir!’

I had planned to meet him someday to settle things like I did with Lewellin, but I hadn’t expected to run into him like this. Looking at the still-frozen Reiner, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Um… You’re the Captain of the Imperial Knights, aren’t you?”

First, since I wasn’t sure if Reiner had realized it, I addressed him as I had when I was introduced in an alley. Reiner’s previously aimless gaze locked onto me, and his ears burned bright red.

“Mir… Why are you here?”

Reiner seemed confused, not grasping the situation. I was equally lost and couldn’t add any explanations, just blinking in bewilderment. Seeing both of us being examined by Caesar, who looked like he was ready to intervene, he stepped in to mediate.

“Though it seems you both already know each other, it’s still polite to introduce you. Mir, this is Reiner Einhardt, the Captain of the Royal Second Knights Order and a Baron.”

‘So, you mean to consume the precious holiday of such a distinguished individual as my training aide?’

I couldn’t help but find it absurd. It wasn’t as if Caesar couldn’t see the blank expression on my face while he introduced me to Reiner.

“Baron Einhardt, this is Mir, the renowned Golden Shield Mercenary. Let’s greet each other.”

“……Hello.”

“……Greetings.”

An awkward greeting ensued. It felt oddly reminiscent of a first meeting arranged by one’s parents. Noticing the peculiar atmosphere between Reiner and me, Caesar slightly wrinkled his brow and sent a signal my way.

‘Shush. Don’t tell me Baron Einhardt bullied you before…’

‘That’s absolutely not the case!’

I quickly denied it; seeing Caesar’s ominous glare, I figured a moment’s hesitation could turn Reiner into the main character of workplace bullying.

‘Then why are you making that awkward expression? If it’s uncomfortable, just say it.’

‘It’s not… uh…’

It wasn’t discomforting in a bad way. Given that he was the male lead of the original story, I felt an internal familiarity. However, the situation was too complicated; I was uncertain how much Reiner knew, making it hard to decide how to act.

‘And I don’t want to force Reiner into helping me train.’

I stole a glance at Reiner. His still panic-stricken face made it evident he had come without a clue he would be teaching me.

“Baron Einhardt, aren’t you busy? It seems inappropriate for you to trouble yourself just to help with my training.”

I cautiously inquired, gauging his reaction. I knew well how capable he was at teaching proper techniques and stamina training.

While I yearned to face off against him, aware of his abilities as a fellow swordsman, I didn’t want to compel him into a role he might not wish to fill.

“Besides, I am a mercenary… I imagine you would feel uncomfortable treating me as your disciple.”

I muttered softly. Knights often looked down on mercenaries. Reiner, as a knight, might feel uneasy associating with the mercenary Mir.

‘This scrawny guy is the famous Mir? Ha! Mercenaries are nothing but cowards! You go around claiming others’ merits as your own? A mercenary being a hero is just nonsense!’

‘No, with this fragile appearance, he might have gotten a job through other means. It’s common for mercenaries to put their bodies on the line!’

Having been belittled by knights countless times as a mercenary, I felt my self-esteem plummet whenever facing them.

“……Baron Einhardt.”

As I kept my mouth shut, avoiding Reiner’s wavering gaze, Caesar suddenly called out to him in a cold voice, his tone boiling with a silent intensity. Just hearing him made it seem like he would soon plunge Reiner into boiling oil. An ashen-faced Reiner shook his head in a panic.

“That’s absolutely not the case! How could I ever feel uncomfortable with Mir?!”

His voice was filled with desperate denial. I wondered if Reiner was scared of Caesar, but his pitiable golden eyes were locked solely on me.

“I merely came here surprised, having heard that there was someone I was supposed to teach, yet seeing Mir here was unexpected. I wouldn’t consider Mir someone deserving of my instruction.”

Reiner appeared to be quite bewildered yet remained humble and polite. The straightforward Reiner would have run away screaming if I were truly uncomfortable, even if Caesar was present.

“Of course. Mir can defeat you with just his pinky finger.”

“Lord Duke…”

I grasped my forehead in embarrassment as Caesar humorously sprinkled shame upon Reiner’s humility. Even when I looked at him with disbelief, he merely shot back a cheeky look as if he were making a valid point.

“There’s no need for you to teach Mir swordsmanship. Just instruct him in stamina training and defense techniques according to the training course led by the Imperial Knights.”

Still, Reiner appeared hesitant. The emotions swirling in his golden eyes looked rather complicated.

“But, how could I teach Mir…”

“So.”

Caesar’s blood-red gaze bore down upon Reiner. Slightly curling his lips, he tilted his head.

“Are you saying you can’t do it, Captain?”

‘That’s an abuse of power.’

Calling him by rank implied a command. While I momentarily marveled at Caesar’s reckless authority, Reiner sighed heavily and replied.

“……I will follow your orders.”

It was impossible for a captain to refuse when a minister commanded.

I genuinely felt pity for Reiner, having Caesar as a superior.