Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

Christian was startled by Aira’s sudden vocal outburst next to him, but he didn’t think it was necessarily wrong.

Christian had also entertained similar thoughts, and there was an unresolved question lingering in his mind.

“Why on earth does he want to run together?”

It seemed nauseating just to watch from the side, so why would anyone want to join in that hell?

Moreover, Liber’s face betrayed a firm determination and sincerity. This only deepened the mystery.

Seeing the serious expression on Liber’s face, it didn’t seem like a lie, but it felt necessary to ask.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Please.”

“…”

To Christian’s question, Liber answered without a moment’s hesitation. Seeing Liber bowing his head and requesting so earnestly, Christian momentarily lost his words.

“Are you…crazy?”

Eventually, even Caedwin could no longer hold back and let his thoughts slip out.

“No, but really, why? Do you simply hate seeing his face?”

No matter how much he pondered, no suitable reason came to mind. After a long period of deliberation, Christian finally asked Liber.

In response, Liber offered a bitter smile and shared his thoughts.

“Caedwin called it inefficient, but I think your secret to training lies in physical discipline. If the aim was merely to harass Caedwin, you wouldn’t have to wear that magical item, would you?”

Liber’s perceptiveness was not lacking. He possessed both an unbiased view of things and the initiative to act.

As he guessed, the core of the siblings’ training was physical discipline.

However…

“Doesn’t it seem strange to relentlessly exhaust your body?”

“Well, the world is vast, and there are training methods far stranger and harder to understand than yours. From what I can see, though…”

Liber quietly glanced at Christian, Aira, and Caedwin once before nodding his head and continuing.

“It seems like what you guys are doing might be one of the answers I haven’t found yet.”

“An answer…”

“Yes. There isn’t only one answer, but you wouldn’t want to miss the correct one if it’s right before your eyes, would you?”

What a broad thinker. It could be because he’s young, so he wasn’t closed-minded or trapped in conventional thinking.

Christian’s gaze at Liber was therefore full of complex emotions. It was unavoidable.

“In reality, it’s hard to see the Liber standing in front of me as the same person as the traitor Liber…”

The fact that the Cotra family, led by Liber, revolted against the Worden family was something that happened fifteen years in the future.

In truth, evaluating the man standing before him in one word, Christian might say he was a well-mannered young man.

Even among nobles of similar rank, there are many who alter their demeanor when dealing with people, influenced by the name and prestige of their family.

Liber displayed the dignity expected of a noble and did not disparage others or bow meekly.

_!This was evident from how he treated those around him. Such a personality could be seen as either an advantage or a disadvantage, but at least, his equitable manner painted Liber as a good man.

“How will I handle this…”

But what weighed on his mind was ultimately the fact that this man was a “traitor”.

He was the one who marked the end of the Worden County. Knowing the background made him hesitate.

It was a situation that completely opposed rewarding Caedwin’s unwavering loyalty with his life.

“If only I could…”

Lost in thought, Christian looked intently at Liber and murmured softly.

“Make sure he never even considers such a thought from the start?”

Although there was a teaching from his master to cut off troubling buds before they grow, the man called Liber felt too pitiful to just snip away.

Being trampled for something one didn’t do was quite an unfair thing, and judging from the manner he had shown so far, Christian thought he deserved a chance at redemption.

“What’s troubling you so much?”

Aira, noticing Christian deeply mulling over something, tilted her head curiously and asked.

From her perspective, who did not know what was bothering Christian, she failed to understand why this required such grave contemplation.

“If he wants it that badly, just let him have it.”

Aira gave a gentle and compassionate smile as she looked at Liber and Caedwin. Christian took a step back from her, feeling a chilling sensation.

“Having someone by your side will make it less painful, right? And competing with each other will give you strength. It’s better doing it together than suffering alone, don’t you think?”

“… Is that from experience?”

“Yes. It felt like dying doing it alone.”

“I did it with you too though.”

“You were only sincere about making it torturous, weren’t you?!”

Aira shouted at Christian, feeling unjustly accused.

However, Aira’s words weren’t wrong, and Christian fully shared her views.

“True, there’s hardly anything more grueling and torturous than training alone.”

Christian felt the same way as Aira did. He was the only disciple of their master, and being the sole recipient of the master’s affection, every day felt like hell.

He sometimes wondered how nice it would have been to have someone to share that love—or rather, that pain.

“It seems like a truly good idea.”

“Right? Alone you might want to run away every day, but together…”

“You’d run away together.”

“If there was confidence in the escape, perhaps they would. But if not? If one tries to run away, wouldn’t the other tattle on them immediately? The thought of suffering alone would make them indignant, and they’d hope they might receive some reward instead.”

“… You’re more specific than I thought?”

“Yes. It’s something I think about every time.”

She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. Though taken aback, Christian, understanding her feelings, nodded in agreement.

However, this wasn’t the case for the involved parties.

The notion of mutual surveillance as informants made Caedwin—and even Liber—unable to hide their confusion.

Even the young Sonya seemed to shiver, sensing that the siblings’ conversation was far from normal.

“Alright. Since there are extra… tools of torment, I mean, magical devices, there’s no reason elder brother Liber, can’t use them.”

“…”

Having reached a conclusion, Christian proclaimed with a smile befitting the kindest person, just as Aira had.

“Oh, surely the brave heir of the Cotra Viscounty won’t give up, will he? I mean, it’s a matter affecting the family’s honor and the family head—there’s no way you’d consider doing that, right?”

“…”

Why does the name of my father and the honor of our family come out of your mouth so freely?

Though Liber felt his anger rise, he sensed arguing with Christian, who had already made up his mind, would be fruitless. Resigned, he nodded weakly.

Seeing this, Aira, who had been watching, quickly retrieved a ring from her backpack and handed it to Liber.

“Hmm…”

Something felt off.

But the siblings looked like they had no intention of backing down. Watching Liber hesitate with the ring in his hand, Aira approached him.

Then Christian employed his mana to weave a dense mesh, restricting Liber’s limbs. Helplessly, Liber watched the ring slip onto his hand.

Once Christian erased the mana net binding his body, Liber could only exchange resentful glances between the brother and sister.

“Hah, thanks a lot. I’ll use it well.”

“We’ll start tomorrow morning, so make sure you rest well today. Oh, I’ll handle preparing dinner today, so make sure to fully rest.”

“Yeah, thanks for the consideration.”

You mean like how convicts on death row get a good meal before their end, right?

Although anxiety began to creep in due to Christian’s actions, the decision had already been made.

Caedwin, observing the scene, carefully exhaled, not wishing to attract the siblings’ attention unwarrantedly.

“I promise to reform elder brother Liber’s spirit so battling any aspiration for treason shall be out of question.”

“… Treason? What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Oh, does that sound weird? Then let’s call it rebellion.”

“No, why would I dream of such a thing?”

“Anyway, starting tomorrow, let’s work hard together. I’ll teach you everything I can.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks.”

I should be grateful for this, right?

While the Worden siblings were preparing dinner, Liber approached Caedwin and Sonya, who stood a little apart.

As Liber approached, both of them spoke nearly simultaneously, neither one prompting the other.

“Why on earth did you do that?”

“Elder brother Liber, are you sure you’re okay?”

Faced with their worried questions, Liber could only muster a wry smile.

“Honestly, I have no idea what elder brother is thinking. After seeing the state I’m in, do you really want to run with me?”

While Caedwin felt pity, he seemed unable to comprehend why Liber would willingly jump into hell.

“I’m aware you were tormented enough. But I decided to run together after seeing those kids.”

“Why them?”

“Looking at Christian and Aira’s physiques made me question whether physical conditioning, which we underrated, might actually be a talent.”

“As if that were talent…”

Well-disciplined bodies and innate physical abilities are separate realms.

For those like Christian and Aira, who develop muscles through training, someone somewhere might get them as naturally as breathing.

Although the physical movement and utilization shown by the siblings suggested that Liber’s claim might hold some truth.

And if that assumption were correct, discovering why such discipline could be beneficial in the aspects previously overlooked would be crucial.

“I guess I’ll have enough time to realize why those kids put so much effort into physical conditioning on the way to the capital.”

“No matter how you see it, it seems like a waste of time…”

Caedwin grumbled, but his eyes sparkled, seemingly hopeful of finding an answer.

On the other hand, Sonya’s gaze toward Liber was filled with anxiety.

“Really, are you okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry. Unlike Caedwin, your brother’s physical sturdiness is quite on the contrary.”

In an effort to ease Sonya’s concerns, Liber exaggeratedly flexed his arm muscles with a smile.

Thanks to numerous battles, Caedwin’s body was better conditioned than most knights.

Appreciative of Liber’s attempt to reassure her, Sonya also gave a gentle smile and giggled softly.

“Yes. Just don’t embarrass yourself like older brother Caedwin. Okay?”

“Hey, why are you picking on me?!”

Caedwin shouted in protest, but Sonya didn’t hear a word he said.

“Oh, by the way, brother Liber. I have a question…”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Who’s going to drive the carriage now?”

“Huh?”

That’s right.

It had been Liber who drove the carriage all day today. Caedwin spent the day running, while the Worden siblings used him for their exercise.

But from the next day, Liber was to join in the running as well.

Which means…

“….”

“….”

There would be no one left to drive the carriage.

Finally realizing, Liber thought deeply before avoiding Sonya’s gaze and saying,

“Actually, driving a carriage isn’t that hard.”

Sonya, within moments, looked as if she were about to cry.