MTMT 37

← Previous Next →

Chapter 37 Taillach

“Could you keep it a secret from your father that you met me?”

At those words, Diana nodded. With everything regarding Emil, the relationship between her grandfather and father was clearly strained. She had no idea how her father would react if he found out she had met her grandfather.

To avoid raising suspicion, Diana spent the day visiting various shops in the marketplace as a way to clear her mind.

“Then, how is Barrot going to teach Giskar swordsmanship?”

At Diana’s question, Barrot smiled as if there were no concerns. True to his words, he appeared in an unexpected way.

“Greetings, milady! I’m Barret, newly assigned as the weapons master and training ground supervisor!”

“……”

They had been looking for a professional to manage weapons and oversee the training hall, but Diana hadn’t expected Barret to come in so quickly.

A mercenary king.

The legendary mercenary king said to always secure victory in any war—though he wasn’t quite a mercenary king yet. Diana looked at Barret.

“Milady, you are truly gracious! I will serve you with all my heart!”

Diana sighed as she endured the overly enthusiastic loyalty, all the while Barret’s eyes fell on Giskar, standing behind her. His eyes narrowed.

Diana watched Barret in her room, his eyes literally sparkling.

“Milady, where did you get such a weapon?”

“What weapon? What are you talking about?”

“No, I meant it as a figure of speech.”

Diana looked at the excited Barret, who stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming.

“He has solid fundamentals in swordsmanship and perfect physical strength. Soon, he might even be able to take down dragons.”

Indeed, that was true. Giskar could actually fight dragons.

“Is it true that he’s stronger than most knights?”

“Yes. He has no real combat experience, so he might not even realize it himself, but he’s excellent. Having such a genius by your side proves your excellent judgment, milady!”

Diana forced a smile.

“As I said, he’s a slave… my father brought him.”

“……”

Barret’s expression darkened as he looked at Diana.

“It’s a waste for him to rot as a slave.”

“I agree. He’s too valuable to just waste next to me.”

“No, I don’t mean it’s a waste for him to be your bodyguard!”

Barret shook his head. Diana seemed unbothered, so he lowered his voice.

“Shall I help him escape?”

“He has a restraint collar.”

“I can get that off. We also take care of runaway slaves.”

“……”

“I could even help him escape from your father—or rather, the Duke—anytime.”

Diana fell into thought. If she left it to her grandfather, the collar could be removed. He could be allowed to escape.

She could let Giskar escape just as she had long wished. Could it be that easy? Surely her grandfather would properly ensure Giskar’s escape. His suffering would end.

But…

Diana shook her head.

“He’s useful.”

“Milady, still…”

“I can’t let him go. He should remain a slave for now.”

Diana realized that simply removing the collar and setting him free was not the right approach. Yet, she didn’t know the ‘slave’ was listening to her words.

The boy standing by the door glared coldly. He stared at the room for a long time before moving away from the room where the deceiver was.

Unaware of this, Diana told Barrot:

“For this monster incident, we must impress my father. It’s important to show that Giskar has enough genius-level combat ability to officially take down monsters.”

“Do you have a plan in mind?”

“Yes. We can’t trouble my grandfather. This is something I must do alone.”

Even if she had managed the household before, overseeing the estate was difficult. Diana spent a hectic day balancing her maid duties while managing the estate.

Especially during the winter festival, Taillach, which the Duchy of Brien hosted, her workload was immense. The festival began with a monster hunt.

The western lands, the most useless region of the Brien duchy, bordered the Abyssal Forest.

This enormous forest, separating the kingdoms of Rodbrock and Panborough, was so vast it connected southern Brien to the capital, Talin, and held many hidden secrets. Monsters frequently emerged there, attacking the people.

‘Could even the poison dragon count as a monster?’

Diana thought of the dragon Giskar would later hunt. Whether it appeared because of this dragon or the supposed connection to the demon realm, the noble lands adjacent to this area suffered far more from monsters than elsewhere.

Spring was particularly bad. Thus, the winter festival, Taillach, became a time when nobles gathered to hunt monsters. While it was a luxurious pastime for them, it benefited everyone by clearing dangerous creatures.

This Taillach was Diana’s responsibility.

For about a month, the center of social activity shifted to the Brien duchy. Between the festival and the Talin Ball—a noble dance competition—sleep was a rare luxury.

Diana’s head ached from managing everything, and she let her 13th birthday pass without celebration.

During these three winter months, much occurred.

First, Emil returned home for vacation. He and Diana still barely tolerated each other. He occasionally tried to provoke her, but Diana deftly managed it.

Alexa also fell ill in winter, with fevers or coughs, yet for some reason did not take her frustration out on her sister. Though immature, her gaze had grown deeper. She often observed Emil and Diana with an unreadable expression.

Finally, her father trusted Diana enough to leave most household matters in her hands. Diana could manage not only the room Giskar stayed in but the entire estate—even the steward could be dismissed at her discretion.

“I’ll appoint Giskar as my bodyguard.”

Thus, there was nothing preventing Diana from assigning Giskar as a slave bodyguard. Though some knights protested:

“If you cannot accept it, we’ll see his skill, Giskar.”

It was the moment where Diana’s year-long training bore fruit. When one knight swung a sword, Giskar immediately dodged. As the knight turned back, Giskar raised his sword to strike, brushing across the armor. Without it, the knight would have been cut in the side.

The overwhelming difference in skill made the knights’ faces freeze. Though not from a martial lineage, they were still knights.

Yet, a mere slave dodged them effortlessly. Diana smiled brightly at Giskar. He, however, furrowed his brow and turned away, as if disgusted.

What’s going on?

One knight spoke:

“This is unacceptable! He’s an untested slave!”

Before Diana could respond, Emil appeared. Diana’s eyes widened. Why Emil? The knights quieted at his arrival.

“Didn’t I just prove that this knight couldn’t even beat a single slave?”

“My lord, I mean, his origins as a slave…”

“No matter the origin, a slave is still a slave. Should I remind you he has a restraint collar?”

Emil looked down at the knight commander coldly.

“And what kind of knight intimidates a lady like a thug?”

“……”