Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

Uprightness.

This was the evaluation Christian had after a brief period of observing Liber.

He wasn’t merely a young man easily swayed by emotions. Rather, he was someone with a determined heart, advancing with a firm goal and trust in himself.

‘… Why would such a human…?’

Why would he have betrayed?

It was hard to believe that a person like Liber, who held the Worden County in such high regard, would turn into a traitor, brandishing his sword and bringing the Worden County to ruins.

If Liber had been like Caedwin, openly expressing dissatisfaction, Christian might have understood, even if just slightly. But Liber had shown no such signs.

“Why did it have to be like that…”

“I have to become stronger for the family, for my family.”

“Because of your family and family?”

“Yes.”

Liber gave a bitter smile.

“Our Cotra Viscounty has always been wanting. We’re short on resources from the land, so support from other families is essential.”

This was something Christian was well aware of.

If Deren Viscountcy was a land where crop and food supply were plentiful, humbleton Barony was a mountainous region abundant with mines.

The Worden County possessed the advantages of both these lands and had additional income sources from monster subjugation.

But this was not the case for Cotra Viscountcy.

It was not a land where crops thrived, nor was it rich in veins, being mostly rough terrain.

Thus, without support from other territories in the Rangar region, survival was exceedingly difficult.

“The biggest shortage is people.”

“People…”

“To be precise, we’re short on people who can wield a sword or spear. We constantly have to fight.”

“Oh…”

The Cotra Viscounty, unlike other families, served as the spearhead of the Rangar region.

While the Worden County also bordered monster territories, it was relatively stable compared to Cotra Viscountcy.

At the fortress built on the frontline, battles were waged continuously due to the appearance of monsters, and frequent damages occurred in the viscountcy due to monsters sneaking into unsecured areas.

Moreover, mountains and forests within Cotra Viscountcy held packs of undisturbed monsters, making those who could wield a sword or spear perpetually lacking.

“My father is recently injured and has difficulty moving, so I must carry a man’s weight soon.”

“…”

Being the heir of Cotra Viscountcy, it was his duty to lead the family, replacing his father who had difficulty moving.

Given this understanding, Christian’s feelings inevitably grew complicated.

“Oh, you don’t have to look at me with such eyes. My father is only having trouble moving, he’s otherwise still healthy.”

“Cough, that’s a relief then.”

“So shouldn’t I do my best to become a son who doesn’t cause worry for my father and mother?”

“Right. There’s no greater unfilial act than causing parents worry.”

“Yes. I knew you’d understand, Christian.”

In truth, Christian couldn’t help but sympathize with Liber’s words to some extent.

‘I, too, worked hard to keep worry away from my master.’

Though enforced, rigorous training, it was something Christian wished for himself.

His master, who took him in.

His master, who saved him.

She was like a parent to him, and for her sake, Christian wanted to be recognized not as a worrisome disciple, but as a grown individual.

Liber’s reasons were likely similar.

As an heir of a family in distress, witnessing a father leading such a family, he wished to grow quickly to lessen the burden alongside him.

Such motives were commendable and, in a way, noble.

“Whew…”

Thus, Christian felt a bit uneasy.

‘… Did he betray for survival?’

He wondered if the reason behind Liber’s betrayal wasn’t mere greed but a move for survival.

Cotra Viscounty couldn’t thrive without support from other families.

Amidst the Rangar Frontier’s battles, and if even that support ceased, both the family and the people of Viscountcy would struggle to survive.

‘With the Worden County shaking, the ties among the four families in the Rangar region are severed…’

With Christian Worden reportedly dead and Aira Worden, the sole heir, disappeared, and with even the Count bedridden, the management of Worden County, let alone the Rangar region, was in disarray.

As each had to fend for themselves amidst survival-threatening times, the most vulnerable, Cotra Viscounty, had no choice but to struggle for survival…

‘Tsk…’

Knowing the real story made Christian feel guilty about his previous hostile attitude towards Liber.

Had Liber known the reasons for Christian’s rejection, he would have felt massively unjust. Aware of this, Christian couldn’t meet Liber’s eyes straightforwardly.

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Nothing… just…”

After hesitating a moment, Christian met Liber’s gaze and made a decision.

“If you genuinely wish to learn, I’ll teach you properly.”

“Uh, really?”

Liber, a bit surprised, widened his eyes as Christian made this unexpected offer, not Aira.

He found it unexpected that Christian, who subtly distanced himself, suddenly showed goodwill.

But realizing it was out of sympathy, Liber coughed softly before speaking.

“Indeed, our family, or I, am in a rather pitiable situation. So, even if it’s shameless, I won’t refuse your kindness.”

“… What exactly have you been told before?”

“Just a bit…”

Though it was described as a bit, his expression told otherwise.

One could almost suspect that within Rangar’s society, the Cotra Viscounty was pitied as ‘unfortunate folk’.

“If it’s charity or sympathy you’re worried about, how about a deal instead?”

“A deal? Uh, I have no money…”

“I know that, not money but something else.”

“What is it?”

Liber did not find exposing his insecurities shameful. Rather, it reflected his strong desire to overcome his weaknesses.

To this inquiry, Christian diverted his eyes and pointed a finger towards a certain spot. There, Sonya and Caedwin lay exhausted together.

“Elder brother Liber, take responsibility to bring him out and have him train with you.”

“Do you dislike Caedwin? Or are you fond of him?”

“Well, it’s half and half?”

Christian shrugged. Liber found it hard to comprehend why these siblings had such an interest in Caedwin.

Caedwin claimed it was harassment, but to the outsider, Liber, it hardly seemed that way.

Nonetheless, Liber broke into a brighter smile, happy that Christian opened his heart to him.

“Come on, then let’s start with a test first?”

In response to his cheerful demeanor, Christian mirrored his smile.

“A test? What do you mean?”

“Well, to see elder brother Liber’s level, so to speak.”

“To see my level?”

The words slightly pricked his pride.

However, Christian’s offer to teach according to his skill level was rational and sound, so he nodded.

“Yes, I started wielding a sword at five. I first awakened mana in the fall of my thirteenth year…”

“Rather than lengthy talks, let’s keep it straightforward.”

“Straightforward?”

“To know one’s level, shouldn’t we cross swords? Then I can make an accurate judgment.”

“…”

“What? Surely, elder brother isn’t thinking it’s arrogant for a boy five years younger to talk like this? Or maybe… you’re scared?”

“That’s a bit blatant as a provocation, isn’t it?”

Hmm, doesn’t work?

If it were Aira, she’d flare up, drawing her sword in a fit of temper.

Maybe it’s the age difference.

Yet Liber, unfazed, brushed his arm down leisurely as he replied.

“I don’t mind crossing swords since I desire that, and my arm’s fine thanks to a potion. I’m curious too.”

Liber, too, had some curiosity towards exchanging swords with Christian at least once.

Hearing from Caedwin and sizing up with his eyes was not enough. To assess an opponent’s strength accurately, one needed firsthand experience.

This straightforward attitude of Liber’s pleased Christian.

“Please go all out; that way I can assess elder brother Liber’s state precisely.”

“All out, hmm…”

At Christian’s words, Liber’s expression changed slightly.

“Christian. Have you heard about our Cotra family’s swordsmanship?”

“No, I had no connections nor interest in other families.”

“When evaluating our family’s swordsmanship, the common remark goes.”

Nodding as if he expected this, Liber showed a self-deprecating smile.

“Dirty. Cowardly. Dishonorable.”

“That’s quite a unique assessment, isn’t it?”

It was unusual that Cotra Viscount, a knightly family’s swordsmanship was viewed in such a way.

“Well, it’s developed for efficiently and swiftly subjugating monsters, so both the swordsmanship and mana… truthfully, it’s not against humans.”

Rangar region’s families evolved to combat monsters. Not only swordsmanship and mana, but also the training and equipment soldiers received were assessed similarly.

Thus, facing humans, the approach focused on exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses and employing any means to win, which naturally affected the reputation.

Nonetheless, Christian seemed unperturbed, shrugging as he smiled back.

“Don’t worry. In terms of dirtiness, cowardice, and dishonorable, I don’t lose to anyone.”

“… That’s not a boast, is it?”

“For us, it’s a boast. Honestly, it feels just right.”

Rough swordsmanship far from upright and honorable.

“… That’s what I wish to teach you, elder brother.”

It was the swordsmanship Christian learned from his master and the conclusion he reached through countless battles.

“An honorable sword is useless if you die. A sword to fight, win, and survive.”

Christian said as he cast a chilling smile towards Liber.

“The sword for conflict is exactly what Aira and I are learning.”

TL’s Corner:
Christian had a change of heart. I hope things go well.