The Devil In The Cage (2)
A few days later, she headed for the Estarrot estate early in the morning.
To create an observation class for the princess to learn swordsmanship, the Duke of Chernobog had to send an official letter with the Chernobog seal. Before long, a reply came quickly which mentioned how Estarrot was willing to accept her.
Since both families were aware of the importance of this matter, they arranged for all their communications to be through a magic telegram.
As Altair got off the wagon, a few knights, dressed in a knight’s uniform with an embroidery of a golden hawk, approached her.
Standing in front was a tall man who had the impression of being a rather blunt-looking man who greeted her.
“You’re here, the young child of Duke Chernobog. I’m Emrace, the one in charge of the training hall in which my master, the Crown Prince, is currently training at. I will be in charge of guiding you through the basics and preliminary training.”
“Thank you, Sir Emrace. Where is the Count at?”
“He’s waiting at the foyer. I’ll lead you there right away.”
The drill hall, which had been ruined by her battle with the Count, had been returned to its former glory with no doubt the help of a group of wizards.
The number of knights wielding swords was higher than the previous day, perhaps due to overlapping regular training sessions.
“Princess Chernobog. Nice to see you again.”
As she was walking inside, Altair suddenly heard a low-pitched voice, which made the hairs on her body stand.
Count Estarrot was coming in her direction with his signature restrained stride.
‘Arsene Estarrot. Mother’s murderer.’
Previously, when Altair purely envied and admired him as the legendary master swordsman, with every move of his seemingly effortless yet smoothly carried out.
But after realising that he was the enemy of the family, her attitude towards him completely changed.
The moment Altair met his beastly golden eyes, she shuddered with vengeance.
‘Be patient, Altair Chernobog. He’s Ahin’s father after all, and I’m not sure if I am strong enough to kill him yet.’
Her hand was slightly trembling as she looked back at the man standing next to Arsene.
There stood a large wall with neatly combed silver hair who was looking at her with intense curiosity.
Although he looked a lot younger than she remembered, his appearance, inherited from the blood of the Imperial family, was something beyond recognition.
Teran la Cresche. The cruel lord, who she had sworn allegiance to in the past.
She quickly bowed her head to the ground so as not to show her face.
“Ah Kertba, light up our Empire for the promised glory.”
“Thank you. I never thought I’d get a knights’ greetings from my cousin. Are you already finally treating me like a lord? Your father would be angry if he knew.”
He laughed mischievously, he did not feel bad for me at all.
At the same time, her expression turned stiff.
‘I can’t believe I made such a mistake…’
‘Ah Kertba’ an ancient phrase used to greet lords and those of higher status. It is used to praise ‘The one and only lord’.
Having to face Arsene, Altair was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. The courtesy and respect she showed to the Crown Prince in her previous life came out unconsciously.
“It’s not easy for a 12-year-old to be able to speak a few words in an ancient tongue. It’s a rather peculiar and commendable attempt.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“You can get up. The atmosphere around you had changed a lot, hasn’t it? You’ve become more… precocious.”
“…Yes.”
The memory of herself as a child was faint.
She was unable to act the way she used to with the Crown Prince, so she replied simply.
The prince glanced around and said,
“I’d prefer if we were able to partake in more conversations, but alas we’ll have to get started right away.”
“Yes.”
The Count nodded to the Crown Prince, who was about to sit down and then stepped towards Altair.
Soon, he stood facing her with his long sword. Following his example, she took out her new sword as well.
At the same time, a bell was heard to signal the beginning of the spar. As if she had been waiting, Altair charged with a sword and aura surrounding it.
There was a loud explosion, and before they knew it, the two of them were meeting each other head-on with the swords between them.
Clank-
Two silver swords, each wrapped in a blue and golden aura, crossed together between both the fighters, making a sharp sizzling sound.
“Hoo. Is this how a princess should be acting?”
Arsene smirked, curving up one side of his mouth as if it were funny.
A sword that only pursues the right path of justice, competing against one of pure strength and speed.
His sword, hitting all my weak points efficiently, accurately and quickly would normally not be possible but then again, Arsene was not normal. Especially with his high-level skills in terms of swordsmanship.
In the last battle, Altair fought in a way that was aimed towards targeting the gaps in his posture or positioning that exposed his weak spots, and she would aim at those spots countless times.
Above all, the difference in terms of height and muscle strength could not be ignored
But this fight, no matter how long it took, had to be won in her way.
Additionally, she was not used to the sword she was using yet, there is not even the faintest chance of victory worth to be recorded into history books.
She frowned, biting her lips hard,
“Would this be useful for hunting hawks…?”
The golden hawk, the symbol of the Estarrot family.
Arsene answered the question with a single stroke of his sword.
“You’ve still got a long way to go.”
Clang!! He, who struck her sword with merciless force, aimed to stab her in the neck one after another. It seemed like a one-sided victory.
Altair quickly pivoted on one foot and avoided the attack. It was a slight difference.
She shuddered as she straightened her posture and strengthened her muscles on her legs.
‘He’s fooling around.’
This whole time, he has been perfectly imitating her swordsmanship throughout the whole duration of their spar.
No, it is a reenactment of the swordsmanship she had perfected in her last life.
Will I be able to win him in half a year…?
She clenched her teeth. Feeling resentful due to her now weak and frail body.
If only I were able to wrap myself with my previous life’s body, then I would no longer need to be so reckless during battles-!
Her sword was filled with her strong emotions as she followed up with a ruthless assault of attacks.
Those who were once again watching the battle unfold could not help but stare in awe at the young girl who was fighting and emitting aura in all directions.
The crown prince muttered, clutching his armrest with a look of astonishment.
“That’s Altair? I can’t believe it. It’s not as if she signed a contract with the devil, unless…”
The devil. Normally, the use of such an expression would be a problem but, at this moment no one there seemed to disagree with him.
“You’ve lost your composure. This isn’t fun anymore.”
The tongue-tied Arsene lunged at her with a powerful counterattack.
As Altheir, who was pushed to the wall, tried to adjust his posture, the dark blade flashed before her eyes.
Lang-!!
With great wind pressure, the sword brushed against her ear as it hit against the wall behind.
With a loud “thump!”, fragments of stone fell.
“…It’s done.”
Altaire spoke quietly, breaking away from his fiery gaze.
It was a perfect defeat without any way to dispute. Her face turned red with shame and anger.
Arsene, who was observing her without a word, opened his mouth.
“You’re showing emotion on your face. Straight and honest. A Chernobog is doing such a thing?”
“Don’t insult my family! You’re not allowed to say something like that!”
Then he clicked his tongue and muttered, as if dumbfounded.
“…Hah. Is Rowan about to make his daughter a puppet now?”
“…?!”
At the moment she was speechless.
You’re calling me a puppet? What do you mean about my father?
…What is that supposed to mean? Is it a ploy to drive a wedge between a lord and his successor?
While she was dazed with a blank look on her face, the sword swung across her ear again.
In one smooth motion, he reclaimed his sword and said as he turned and walked.
“Let’s get to work on improving your stamina first. Caron, you take lead.”
“I’ll accept your request.”
“-Wait!”
As she called out loud, Arsene slowed down and turned.
Altair shouted, storing the where he stood.
“Explain your earlier remarks. What was the point of saying that?”
Turning his head and staring at her in silence, he replied bluntly.
“What I teach a princess is swordsmanship, not politics.”
At that moment, the blue aura emerged from her and wrapped around her whole body.
With angry blue eyes, Altair spoke, reaching out to her sword.
“…Then I’ll have to get the answer by beating you.”
The atmosphere in the drill hall completely shifted as she uttered those words.
At the same time, the golden aura from Arsene Estarrot seemed to increase in response to Altair’s.
“Pause…”
It was Teran La Cresche, who was wearing a look of disgust, that mediated the brewing of war in the drill hall.
“Why don’t you both stop here? It’ll be hard for him to hold out.”
“I’m sorry.”
When the count, looking gratefully at the Crown Prince, fell back, Teran looked towards Altair.
After looking over her for a while, he opened his mouth.
“My cousin…Thanks to you, I’ve been able to witness such an amazing sight today. There are so many things I want to ask you.
What do you say, will you stop by my palace? No, it would be better to invite my sister-in-law to the Imperial palace too.
I’d prefer if this meeting doesn’t attract the attention of the rich.”
“…If that’s what you desire…”
“Alright, there’s no reason to delay, so let’s set the date for our meeting to be tomorrow. I will deliver my own words to the Duke of Chernobog… Then I’ll be waiting. And follow me for a second, Count.”
“Yes.”
After finishing his words, Teran led his servants and hastily stepped out of the arena, with Arsene following close behind.
The knights of Estarrot then left the ruins of the drill hall, but not before glancing at Altheir with countenance.
“You look very angry…”
A knight standing nearby muttered, more to himself than her, in a voice as soft as an ant.
Altaire, who heard the words clearly, turned her head and shouted.
“Assistant General Caron!”
“Yes!”
As Caron responded with a nervous tone as if he were treating me as his master, she moved to the unbroken section of the floor and said,
“Aren’t you supposed to teach me basic physical training?”
For a moment he looked stunned before snorting, saying, “I… My lady?’ but quickly followed before she lost patience.
“Well, I look forward to working with you!”
“Let’s get started. You don’t have to look at me and pretend that I have the skillsets of an average child.”
Who is the teacher now…?
It was a smokescreen with a tight silence, but everyone was in unison with the vice-chief of the giant.
The training hall was then replaced with a heavy silence. Everyone was feeling sympathetic towards the General.
***
The Crown Prince and Count Estarrot did not appear in the arena after the battle.
“Well… Princess. You’ve trained more than this, your body will be overwhelmed. Why don’t you take a short break?”
Upon hearing the careful Caron’s suggestions, Altair wiped the sweat dripping down her nose with the back of her hand as she rose and said,
“I am aware. I believe I have reached my limit as well. I’d appreciate it if you could show me to a place where I can rest for a while and if possible take a shower as well. I feel extremely sweaty and dirty right now.”
“Ah, I see. I’ll get someone to come soon to serve you.”
“Please do.”
Altair waited nervously for Caron, who nodded and stood up with a grunt before he moved away.
‘Did it last for too long? I don’t want to have raised any suspicions.’
With a stiff expression, she tried to cool her head after all that training. To recall why she had initially wanted to step foot into such a dangerous mansion in the first place.
‘To make contact with a young Ahin who is confined and forced to stay in an outbuilding of the Estarrot’s mansion.’
By the time she had drawn up disturbing plans in her head, Caron had returned with a maid with the impression of being as blunt as her mistress.
“The maid will guide you to a place where my Lady can rest.”
“My name is Lenore.”
She bowed politely and immediately led Altair to the guest room.
After turning a few corners and passing through several doors, the wallpapers had changed from grey to dark blue as they finally reached their destination.
Before going inside, she made sure that Caron and the other knights were waiting outside.
‘They’re making sure the area is well-surveillanced.’
Lenore, who had volunteered to help with her bath, also seemed to stay by her side for a moment.
Once she had taken off her knight’s uniform with the help of her maid, she walked into the bathroom.
The interior was covered with white marble, with a huge bathtub installed right in the middle of the room.
There stood pillars engraved with laurel patterns at regular intervals around it, and a hot bath filled with rose petals with hot steam still billowing out.
Even in her eyes, which was accustomed to the luxurious bathroom of the duke’s residence, the scale of this large bath amazed her.
‘Let’s not be distracted. From now on, I still have to accomplish something big.’
Altair swallowed loudly as she approached the bathtub.
“Wow, I can’t wait to soak myself in it, that’s what you’re thinking right?”
said Lenore, who snorted as if reading a textbook reply.
“I’ll wipe your body first and then massage you. After that, feel free to go into the bathtub.”
“Really? Then let’s go right over there right now.”
Altaire spoke awkwardly, as if an actor from a third-rate theatre company, before approaching the maid.
Then suddenly, slip! Her arms quickly flailed around, hoping to soften the blow.
Thump!