Walking My Second Path in Life, Volume 2, page 5
“Ah, my seniors...” The maidservant reacted to those voices, turning her face in their direction.
It would seem like this particular maidservant did not seem to mind what her seniors had done. Although they fought and had arguments sometimes, they probably were still good friends. Upon seeing that, Fie’s heart was filled with relief, and she smiled once again.
“I guess they’ve come to apologize to you. So your name is Arsha... It’s a cute name.”
“Ah... Yes.”
Fie’s words caused Arsha to blush, her face a fresh shade of red.
“Everything seems all right, so I am going to go now.”
Standing up, Fie patted some mud and grass off her pants, and set off running to one place or another yet again. Turning back as she left, she smiled, waving at Arsha as she did so.
“See you, Arsha!”
“Ah... Thank you...”
Fie’s speedy movements saw her vacate the premise before Arsha even had a chance to thank her.
“Arsha! There you are!”
“Hmm? What happened?”
“Heath...”
When the senior maidservants found her, Arsha was still staring with a flustered expression in the direction that Heath had left in.
On this particular day, it was Crow’s turn to instruct junior knights on the ways of the sword.
Although Crow wasn’t exactly much of a veteran himself, his personable attitude and ability to get along with just about anyone meant that he was often tasked with such assignments.
“Well, let’s get started. Do your best today.”
“Yes sir!”
Although Crow addressed his charges with his usual casual attitude, his charges all respectfully lowered their heads.
“Although I was told to teach you about the sword, I’m not really good at teaching. So, instead... I will fight each of you one-on-one, and if I have any advice, I will give it to you. Well... as for the rest, that’s for you all to think about.”
Being an instructor apparently did little to reduce Crow’s casual outlook and manner of speech.
A line quickly formed amongst the junior knights, and soon the first in line was up for his instructional bout with Crow.
“Ready when you are.”
Crow seemed relaxed, his stance almost unguarded as he stood, facing the younger knight.
“HA!” The younger knight, having passed his squire training, ran at Crow with the stance that he had perfected.
However, the younger knight’s sword whiffed through empty air.
Having effortlessly avoided his junior’s attack, Crow seemed to move with an agility unseen in his previous relaxed stance. Soon he was next to his opponent, bringing his sword down on the younger knight’s neck.
The junior was unable to guard against Crow’s sudden movements. Crow’s sword lightly came to rest against his target’s neck, stopping precisely against his skin.
“I-I give...” the younger knight announced, his voice shaking.
Sheathing his sword, Crow looked at his charge with a worried expression, offering guidance in his carefree manner.
“Hmm... You shouldn’t rush your attacks. Your movements are too straightforward. If your opponent doesn’t show you an opening and you just charge forward without a plan, you’re exposing yourself. Should your opponent be more skilled than you are, you would surely be on the receiving end of a vicious counterattack. When you first see your opponent, you should be gauging his strength against yours, formulating plans on how to proceed with the battle... Oh, sorry. It seems like the others want me for something.”
“S... Sir?”
“Anyway, if you are unable to fight at least slightly defensively, you will do yourself no favors if you end up fighting a more skilled opponent. For now, go practice with the others.”
Crow pointed in the general direction that the junior knight should go, before turning his gaze in the general direction of a tree — specifically, the tree from which someone had been looking at him all this time.
“What are you even doing, Heath...?”
Shifting his gaze upwards as he approached the tree, Crow found Fie sprawled out like a cat on a particularly thick branch.
There were frown marks all over Fie’s face.
Although Fie had thought to return to the headquarters, she could not bring herself to do it; she instead decided to listen to what Crow had to say when training junior knights.
“I called Captain Yore an idiot...”
“...Why did you have to go and do that?” sighed Crow, shaking his head slowly at the sulking junior squire.
Having found someone to talk to, Fie explained the previous sequence of events to Crow.
“I see...”
“Is the Captain always like that with women? Did something happen?” Fie thought that she would get some answers if she had asked Crow, who was the closest to Captain Yore.
“I guess it’s time I told you about it, too.... It was when he was about 14 years old. It was between him and the oldest daughter of a duke from a neighboring kingdom...”
Crow continued his explanation of Yore’s history, his expression suddenly becoming serious
“...Actually wait, no, that’s not it. It actually started when he was a child... When he was about seven, there was some princess from a neighboring kingdom who fell for him at first sight. He made her cry. It was during a party — he ignored everything she had to say and she started bawling. The situation developed into a bit of a diplomatic crisis... If anything, I would say he was born with it...”
It sounded pathetic. Crow, who had described affairs for what they were, spoke seriously without a single hint of a joke. In fact, Crow looked somewhat depressed himself. Although Yore was a good friend and a person of good character, he was impossibly dense in certain regards, and this kind of situation was the result of his quirks.
“I see...”
Fie figured that if Yore was indeed born this way, nothing much could be done.
So she just nodded.
“I apologize, Heath.”
Upon returning to headquarters, Fie was greeted by the sight of Yore, who lowered his head as he apologized.
The unexpected turn of events sent Fie into a panic.
“I-I should be the one who’s sorry! I even called you an idiot...”
Yore’s serious expression held fast in the face of the panicking Fie, who was now rapidly shaking her head.
“Well then, will you forgive me?”
“Yes! Of course!”
Fie had dreaded seeing Yore again, and she certainly did not expect him to be the one apologizing to her. However, Fie then realized that Yore seemed to have a relatively tolerant personality after all, and relaxed.
Having unexpectedly made up with Yore within such a short time, Fie found her mood lifting.
“Well then, you will be more gentle with girls now, right?”
“What? Why?”
Fie could only shake her head at Yore’s reaction, as he seemed genuinely confused at her words. Beads of sweat started rolling down her cheek.
“D-Didn’t you just apologize a few seconds ago...?”
“Yes, I did. However, that apology was for causing you discomfort. One’s attitude toward another offends a spectator — this is indeed a common phenomenon. As I would like to maintain a positive relationship with you, do allow me to apologize for my actions once more.”
Upon hearing those words, a deep sense of despair rose up from within Fie.
(This person... he’s hopeless! He isn’t sorry for what he did at all!)
Fie had finally come to a realization — that Yore was only apologizing to her, and no one else.
In other words, he wasn’t exactly repentant about his behavior toward the maidservant, and was only concerned about having negatively impacted Fie’s mood.
Fie did not find this acceptable, so she decided to speak to Yore about it at length.
“Look, I am angry about how you treated the maidservant and the mean things you said to her!”
“Mean things?”
“You made that maidservant cry!”
“I did not need her gift.”
“Even if you didn’t need it, isn’t there a better way to say it?”
“No, this is the best way of expressing oneself. Empirical evidence has proven that if I phrase my words in such a manner, the woman involved would never return.”
Fie’s mouth openly gaped at Yore’s words.
“Did it even occur to you in the slightest to be nicer to that girl?!”
“Why? Even if I acted in such a way, it would not have any progressive impact on the tasks at hand. In fact, such unnecessary measures would only serve to lower my efficiency.”
“If you keep being this terrible to girls, one day it’s going to come back and bite you where it hurts!”
“Are you perhaps suggesting a scenario whereby the womenfolk in question cause a revolt? Very well. If that is the case, I shall accept their challenge with all my strength, and subjugate said revolt to the best of my ability!”
Fie could not understand how their discussion of treating women in a more gentlemanly way had progressed to one of a woman-led revolt. In addition, a strange aura started to emanate from Yore, radiating an almost menacing pressure.
(Why... did it become like this?)
Fie held her head, unable to comprehend this nonsensical turn of events.
However, she understood Yore’s general argument. In other words, Yore felt that being more empathetic towards women would only slow down his work, and therefore was an unneeded measure. In addition, he also felt that them approaching him was a bother, and as such, he had wished to avoid them at all costs.
“Tell me, Captain...” Mustering a sad expression in her eyes, Fie looked straight at Yore. “If I were useless to you and did not fulfill any purpose, would you treat me terribly, too?”
Fie did not want Yore to nod — this was all she could think of as she stood before Yore, waiting for an answer.
She could hear her own heart beating, pounding in her chest. Although she was the one who asked the question in the first place, Fie was filled with uneasiness.
“Hmm... Well...” Yore stood, a single hand on his chin, considering Fie’s words.
After about 30 seconds, Yore turned to Fie, his answer ready.
“Regardless of any hypothetical situation, you possess a rare talent amongst the Royal Knights. You work hard and sincerely attempt to overcome your weaknesses. Also, I know that you do all this to assist myself and your fellow knights. That is how you are. In addition, your presence harmonizes the atmosphere of the platoon. Even I feel at ease when I spend time with you. To me, you are an irreplaceable existence. I would be hard-pressed to think of you as anything else but what you currently are. As such, I am unable to answer your question meaningfully. I have no answer.”
Upon hearing Yore’s words, Fie’s face turned an intense shade of red, and it took every fiber of her being to prevent her mouth from uncontrollably gaping.
“Y-You won’t escape the question by praising me!” Fie attempted to hide her embarrassment with annoyance, delivering her line with aplomb.
“I-I see. I apologize.”
Yore’s expression suggested that he did not have the faintest idea as to why Fie was angry in the first place. He was, essentially, a prime living specimen of a rigid mind.
After some thought, Yore seemed to come to a certain conclusion, an enlightened “Ah” escaping his lips.
“However, if you were to become injured and as a result be unable to continue your duties as a knight, the Kingdom will dutifully offer its support to you. After all, knights give their all for their kingdom. We have no intent of being negligent with our veterans. As I have no intention of seeing you injured, I have also taken extra measures to prevent that from happening. Do not worry about such a scenario.”
“That’s not what I am talking about at all... Ugh... Never mind...” With her face still red, Fie’s shoulders slumped as she sighed, giving in at last.
Fie could feel that Yore’s words were indeed earnest. In the end, she came to the conclusion that it was a hopeless situation.
If Yore himself does not possess the capacity to understand a need to be more empathetic toward others — women in particular, then it was basically a problem that could not be resolved.
However, Fie felt that she had a moral obligation as his subordinate to at least offer him some words of advice.
“Then... Captain, take this as a request from your subordinate. Please be more gentle with girls, in any way you can.”
Upon hearing those words, Yore folded his arms, apparently in deep thought. After a while, his arms started shaking, accompanied by an equally shaky frown on his face. Finally, in a barely stable voice, Yore offered his response.
“A-As the situation calls for it...”
It occurred to Fie yet again that this wasn’t quite the result she was hoping for.
(Does he hate dealing with girls that much...?)
Yore seemed to be in severe pain, his entire body shivering at the thought of Fie’s request.
Realistically speaking, Yore was indeed a busy person, and Fie realized that imposing unreasonable demands of him was somewhat cruel. However, leaving him as-is wasn’t exactly a good option either.
Even if one were to excuse the potential problems that Yore would run into as a knight, there was his love life to consider.
(If Captain Yore had someone he liked, perhaps his habits would change... For example, if he met someone as radiant as Fielle, he should surely be changed...)
It was perhaps worth noting that Fielle was regrettably already someone’s wife. To be precise, she was the wife of King Roy, and it would be absurd to suggest that Captain Yore interacted with such a person in anything more than a professional capacity.
Finally coming to the conclusion that she had no plausible means to alter Yore’s behavior at this point in time, Fie finally decided to shelve the matter.
All she had to do was wait for Captain Yore to meet the woman of his dreams — she would have plenty of time to offer her support and assistance afterward. And with that, Fie decided to let the matter rest for now.
Chapter 15 — Sir Cain’s Worries
Sir Cain was worried.
To be more accurate, he had been burdened with a fair amount of worries from the start of this entire chain of events. Recent developments, however, had added on to his already heavy load.
Raising his gaze, Cain continued to worry, fixating on the silhouette of Princess Fie, who was currently stepping out from the headquarters of the 18th Knights.
As if on cue, Cain began to move. Hiding his presence, he made his way to his usual spot.
“Sir Cain, I’ve come to play!”
Standing in front of the tree, Princess Fie raised a hand, intent on climbing it.
Before she could begin her ascent, however, Cain leapt off his perch, landing on the ground with nary a sound.
Upon seeing Cain, the princess’ face broke into a smile.
“Sir Cain, I’ve come to play!”
Cain could not bring himself to tell her that she had repeated her statement. After all, there was something more important that he should be saying.
“Heath, have I not informed you that climbing trees is dangerous, and that you should stop doing so?”
“Ehh? I mean, I can climb walls too, so why tell me that now?”
Cain felt those words stab at his very being.
She was right. There was little point in telling her not to climb trees — not after everything they had done. He was the one who had taught Princess Fie the climbing techniques of the Grass.
It goes without saying that climbing trees was dangerous. Yet he had also taught her other techniques, like the correct way to fall and land from high places. They had long since passed the level of danger involved in climbing a mere tree.
“Although it is as you say, there is no harm in caution.”
“Yes, I will climb trees carefully,” said Fie, despite what Cain had said moments ago.
Cain placed a hand on his forehead.
“More importantly, Sir Cain, I’m here to play! Teach me some new techniques!”
Cain started sweating at an accelerated pace upon hearing Fie’s words, his back now soaked.
This was precisely why Cain was worried. After making his acquaintance, Princess Fie had visited him again and again, claiming to be “here to play” each time.
That in and of itself was not a huge issue, although it wasn’t a good thing to begin with.
The main problem here was the princess’ definition of “play.” The princess would demand that Cain teach her techniques on each of her visits.
“Heath, the techniques of the Grass are not toys! You cannot hope to master them with such a mindset...”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry! I intend to seriously work hard!”
(No... It isn’t that. If possible, I don’t want you to learn any of these techniques to begin with...)
Cain’s words of caution seemed to have an opposite effect on Fie, who was now fully motivated in her pursuits.
Cain held his head in his hands once more.
To begin with, she was one of noble birth and high social standing. As such, she should not be exposed to danger at all, much less voluntarily.
If one possessed dangerous abilities, danger would inevitably find its way to oneself — at least, that was how the saying went.
Although said saying may be nothing more than a superstition, learning dangerous techniques naturally meant that the user takes on dangerous jobs or assignments, and would naturally be more exposed to risk in their lives.
In addition, Princess Fie was originally supposed to live her life surrounded by maidservants while attending tea parties and dinners. To think that he was teaching one who was supposed to have an elegant and peaceful life such techniques was a prospect that filled him with dread.
This was why Cain had, if possible, not wanted to teach Fie any techniques of the Grass at all.
However, the princess continued approaching him, like it was something as mundane and trivial as going to the downtown shopping districts on a Sunday.
