[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 67
Wheeik!
Felix, who had been swinging his sword with a flurry of movements, finally stopped.
"Whew."
Zeke said to Felix,
"You said you completed the Swordsmanship Guild course, so how do you know the Paladin inherited swordsmanship?"
Felix's eyes widened slightly in surprise at Zeke's words, then he nodded.
"I somehow knew that Sir Zeke would recognize this swordsmanship."
Within the Holy Kingdom, a Paladin referred to a knight of the Holy Knights, who had extremely limited contact with the outside world.
Since it was a secret swordsmanship passed down only to them, there were few who could wield it, let alone recognize it.
But Zeke recognized the identity of the swordsmanship as the Paladin inherited swordsmanship just by looking at the sword forms.
Felix felt that Zeke was different from other Draker knights.
"I displayed this swordsmanship to show you everything about me without hiding anything, Sir Zeke."
Zeke looked at Felix with sharp eyes and said,
"Go on."
Felix held up the necklace he was wearing and showed it to Zeke.
Zeke recognized the necklace Felix had.
'An official Paladin insignia. Quite old.'
The insignia with the sun emblem, symbolizing the Holy Kingdom, was given only to Paladins who passed a strict test.
Felix put the insignia back inside his clothes and said,
"My grandfather was a Paladin."
"I understand that Paladins are forbidden to marry."
Felix nodded.
"You're right, Sir Zeke. My grandfather... was defrocked."
"Hmm."
Originally, a defrocked Paladin had to live within strict rules, spending his entire life in a monastery, praying to God for his sins.
Naturally, it was impossible for him to marry and live like an ordinary person outside the Holy Kingdom.
'Did he break the precepts and escape from the Holy Kingdom to live in hiding?'
Then Felix clenched his fists and said to Zeke,
"Sir Zeke, my grandfather was defrocked after being caught up in a conspiracy and falsely accused within the Holy Kingdom."
Zeke was slightly taken aback by Felix's sudden words.
'This is getting complicated.'
Felix continued,
"My grandfather, who risked his life fighting internal enemies to uncover corruption within the Holy Kingdom, was eventually framed and defrocked. After that, he was in danger of being dishonorably executed, but with the help of his colleagues, he barely escaped the Holy Kingdom and has been living in hiding in the Duchy of Troy."
Felix clenched his fists, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion.
He looked at Zeke and said,
"Before he died, my grandfather told me what he couldn't set right in the Holy Kingdom and passed this swordsmanship on to me."
Zeke had a question after hearing Felix's story.
"Felix."
"Yes, Sir Zeke."
"Did your grandfather try to pass on his Aura to you before he died?"
Felix tilted his head.
"Aura transfer? W-What's that?"
Zeke approached Felix.
"Give me your hand."
Just as Decker had checked Zeke's internal Aura state before, Zeke also wanted to check Felix's Aura.
Since it involved accepting Aura from an external source without resistance, it was an act that should never be allowed without complete trust.
However, Felix extended his wrist to Zeke without any hesitation.
'Seeing this, it doesn't seem like he's a spy.'
Zeke held Felix's wrist and slowly channeled his mana into him.
Zeke's mana circulated through Felix's body, examining his condition.
'As expected. His Aura conductivity is high compared to his skill level. His Aura circuit is also open.'
After examining Felix's condition, Zeke released his wrist.
Felix looked at Zeke and said,
"S-Sir Zeke, is something wrong?"
Zeke shook his head.
"On the contrary. Felix, thank your deceased grandfather."
"Yes? What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"It seems your grandfather was an Arc Paladin."
"Arc Paladin? Is there such a thing?"
"Yes. It's the equivalent of a Black Knight."
"Gasp! Is that true?"
Zeke continued his explanation.
"The Paladins of the Holy Kingdom have a unique technique passed down from the Imperial era called Aura transfer. It's a technique that allows for faster growth by transferring one's Aura to their disciple."
"So that's why you asked about Aura transfer earlier."
"Yes. But your grandfather didn't just transfer his Aura, he opened your Aura circuit and increased your body's Aura conductivity. This is a technique that only Arc Paladins can do."
"I-I didn't know that at all."
Zeke observed Felix's reaction.
He seemed genuinely unaware.
'I'm confused whether he's a spy who received special training or a true successor of an Arc Paladin. Maybe he's both.'
Zeke asked Felix,
"Felix."
"Yes! Sir Zeke."
"Is the reason you want to be my squire to clear your grandfather's name?"
Felix made a subtly complicated expression.
"W-Well, of course, there's that reason. But more than that, I want to serve you by your side, Sir Zeke."
"How can you make such a decision after seeing so little of me?"
"T-To be honest, I secretly watched you fight, Sir Zeke. I haven't seen many knights, but I've never seen anyone like you! If you'll allow me, I want to serve you as a squire, no, even as a servant."
Zeke looked at Felix and pondered.
'If he's a spy, I can keep him by my side and find out who my enemies are. And if he's not, I guess I'll have gained a promising squire.'
To be honest, Zeke had grown fond of the quick-witted Felix after spending a few days with him.
He was too talented to just let go.
After pondering, Zeke said to Felix,
"It won't be easy following me."
"I-It's alright! I'll even jump into the fires of hell!"
"Don't exaggerate. We're returning to Atlas tomorrow, so get ready."
At those words, Felix bowed deeply to Zeke.
"Th-Thank you, Sir Zeke! I will devote myself to you."
Zeke decided to take Felix as his squire and returned to his lodging.
'Felix Valencia. I'll have to dig into him properly.'
***
The next day, Zeke immediately returned to Atlas. Before returning to Valhalla, he said to Felix,
"Felix. I'll let the Atlas Guard know, so prepare to move your residence."
"Yes! Understood."
After sending Felix off, Zeke went up to the president's office to see Flaubert.
But then, he ran into Diego and Aster, who were coming out of the president's office.
Both of them looked terrible.
"What kind of mission did you two receive to end up like this?"
Diego said with a dying voice,
"Ugh, don't even ask! I was with the Northern Border Defense Force, and all we did was shovel snow!"
Aster also trembled as he said,
"I realized that snow is scarier than monsters, Master."
In war, there are things that are actually harder to endure than enemies or monsters.
Namely, the environment.
The humid climate and insects of the jungle, the cold of the north, the intense heat and sunlight of the desert.
These were things that knights often overlooked.
Zeke realized that Flaubert's test had given the two of them valuable experience.
'I understand why the lord made old man Flaubert the president of Valhalla.'
The two grumbled that they had to go on a dispatch mission to the desert this time.
"Let's see each other alive, bro!"
"I'll be back, Master."
After parting with Diego and Aster, Zeke went straight to the president's office.
Flaubert greeted Zeke with a big smile.
"Welcome!"
From Flaubert's perspective, he couldn't help but be fond of Zeke, who brought back incredible results every time he was given a mission.
He personally prepared tea.
'The grade of tea is higher than last time.'
As expected, success was the key.
Zeke placed the pouch containing Gaguk's finger in front of Flaubert.
Flaubert smiled with satisfaction at the sight of the beast's finger.
"I saw the report you submitted, it was amazing. You treated the injured barbarian and joined forces to catch the beast."
"I was lucky."
Flaubert laughed heartily and said,
"Keeping a talent like you at Valhalla feels like a loss for the continent."
He took something out of his pocket and handed it to Zeke.
"This is a temporary graduation certificate. It's difficult to graduate immediately because the semester isn't over yet, but this will allow you to do what you want without inconvenience. It's proof that you've already acquired the qualifications to graduate."
Zeke received the graduation certificate that Flaubert handed him with a respectful posture.
"Thank you for your consideration, President."
"I'm proud to have an excellent student like you as a graduate of Valhalla."
Flaubert looked at Zeke and asked,
"So, have you decided on your career path after graduation? Will you be going to Draker, as expected?"
Zeke nodded.
"First, I want to gain experience as a knight of the clan and grow into a true knight."
Flaubert looked satisfied with his exemplary answer.
"Good. I look forward to seeing your further growth, Zeke."
"Thank you, President."
It was then.
Knock knock!
Someone came to the president's office.
It was none other than Andrei.
Flaubert asked Andrei,
"What is it, Professor Andrei?"
Andrei politely greeted the president and said,
"I received a message from the Four Seasons Castle to bring Zeke in."
Flaubert nodded as if he understood.
"It seems the lord already knows about your graduation. He's always quick on the uptake."
Zeke nodded and rose from his seat.
"I'll excuse myself, President."
"Yes. Come visit often."
Zeke followed Andrei out of Valhalla and got into the Draker carriage heading for the Four Seasons Castle.
He asked Andrei,
"Do you know why I was called in?"
Andrei shook his head at Zeke's question.
"I don't know the exact reason. Maybe it's a graduation celebration or something."
"It's hard to imagine the lord congratulating me on my graduation."
"You achieved the feat of graduating from Valhalla in two years, so it's possible."
"Whatever it is, I hope it's nothing serious."
The carriage carrying Zeke and Andrei crossed through downtown Atlas and soon entered the Four Seasons Castle.
Andrei waited outside, and only Zeke entered the Summer Castle, where the lord's office was located.
The Summer Castle was where all matters related to the Draker clan throughout the continent were comprehensively managed.
Perhaps because of this, knights, administrative staff, and mages belonging to the clan were all busy moving around, focusing on their respective tasks.
"What's happening with the Northern issue!"
"J-Just a moment. There's been an incident in the South Sea!"
"Ugh! Damn it, who's in charge of this budget report!"
The entire office was like a battlefield.
'I'd rather be on field duty.'
Zeke quickly passed by the hectic office work and headed towards the lord's office.
When he arrived in front of the office, the secretary checked Zeke's identity.
Only then was he allowed inside.
Arthur Draker's office was more modest than he expected.
Bookshelves lining the office walls were packed with books, and in front of a large window with good sunlight, there was only a desk for work, and a sofa and table for guests.
Just then, the door to the room next to the office opened, and Arthur Draker appeared with a teapot.
"Oh, you've arrived. Come, sit down."
Arthur Draker sat down and personally poured a cup of tea for Zeke.
"Zeke, I specially obtained this tea from the Eastern Continent to give to you when you came. Try it."
Zeke drank the tea Arthur gave him.
Indeed, the aroma and taste were different from ordinary tea.
"I've heard that Eastern tea is of high quality, and this is very good."
"I'm glad you like it. I'll pack some for you to take when you leave."
Tea from the Eastern Empire was more expensive than the same weight in gold.
Zeke thanked the lord.
Arthur looked at Zeke and said,
"You must be curious why I called you."
Zeke nodded.
"Yes, Lord."
"I called you to see your face after a long time and to congratulate you on your graduation."
"Thank you, Lord. It's all thanks to the family's teachings."
Arthur grinned and said,
"You don't have to pretend to be a model student in front of me like you do with old man Flaubert. Draker doesn't want exemplary knights that old fogies would like."
As expected, Arthur Draker was sharp.
He looked at Zeke and said,
"Zeke, I intend to enter you in this Draker Martial Arts Tournament."
He continued,
"And I want you to win it."
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]