Black Badger - Chapter 427



Only Noblemtl

427. Old Tales, Horse Race (1)

“Isn’t this what the Eastern knights usually do?”

It was Ray who asked the question.

Instead of answering, Kishis raised one eyebrow. Most of the knights of the western corps would tremble in fear upon seeing this reaction.

But Ray didn’t tremble.

Even though he may not be aware of it, his solid identity shines through even in times like these.

The appearance of not worrying about being arrested for insulting the royal family even in front of the royal bloodline.

Ray still idolized Kissis, but he never worried about his life in front of him.

Such differences are subtly visible.

Kissis took a bite of the apple.

“They say we are short-handed.”

The juice burst into the air.

“He asked me to draft the most useful guys from the Western Unit. Isn’t that an honor?”

The last name is infinite.

I muttered to myself.

I didn’t say it out loud. I heard that he was more swollen than other knights, but I wasn’t stupid.

But it seems like the other person saw it all.

Kissis extended two fingers from the hand holding the apple and pointed at Kyle.

“I guess you have a complaint.”

“No, Sir Kissis.”

Kyle smiled broadly.

No one could fail to notice that there were veins bulging on his temples.

“I am honored that you are so kind to me.”

“Thank you, Sir Kissis.”

I couldn’t just sit still, so I spoke calmly.

“I will continue to work hard in the future.”

Kissis munched on a crunchy apple.

Crunch, crunch. Juice flowed between his fingers. It was hard to believe that he had royal blood flowing from his body.

The Imperial Swordmaster sat on his chair in an extremely lazy posture and stared at us.

Then he pointed at Ray.

“He doesn’t seem to have any big ideas.”

The finger moved sideways and pointed at Kyle.

“Let’s say he has good reason to hate the entire royal family.”

The fingers moved again.

Why do you come to me?

I’m managing my facial expressions well… .

“Why is he doing that?”

“Why do you say that to me?”

I couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked again.

From Kyle and Ray’s side came a strange, huffing sound, as if they were holding back something.

I ignored the sound.

Kissis asked, pretending not to hear.

“I guess your side still hurts?”

Is this a provocation…?

I felt a little annoyed for a moment, but tried not to show it.

It probably wouldn’t show on your face.

maybe.

“I’m fine.”

He smiled broadly.

“I know you must be very busy, but I’m honored that you were able to train with me yesterday.”

“I kept in mind that I didn’t cut a single strand of my hair yesterday.”

I said no.

“It’s longer than I thought, you little sunflower.”

I shot a look of protest, but was ignored.

Kissis threw the core of the apple he had eaten out of the barracks.

An apple core that fell on the grass. There was a reason why the nobles were shocked whenever they saw Kissis. This blond knight usually behaved like this unless something special happened. He was bored with everything and acted in a way that was not typical of nobles.

Strangely enough, this attitude seemed to be an attractive factor to some noble women.

I don’t want to know about him.

Kissis rose from his chair.

“I heard that a huge newcomer is participating in the service horse race this time.”

We flinched at the words that were thrown out thoughtlessly.

But no one answered.

I felt Ja-an’s gaze passing over us one by one.

Kisis picks up his sword, which he had leaned against the wooden table.

“I heard that the servant horses that registered to take part in the competition are also quite good. I’m also thinking of going to the servant horse stadium for the first time in a while. I think it’ll be fun this time.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Kyle’s voice was cold.

Before he knew it, he was looking straight up at Kisis’s eyes.

“Sir Kissis.”

Kissis doesn’t change his expression.

He looked into the glaring yellow eyes and simply put the sword he had let go back on his waist.

Light but unhesitating hand movements.

The moment he tucked his sword tightly into his waistband, a gust of wind blew and Cecil appeared.

Woof!

The wizard stood a few steps behind Kissis without thinking.

So the conversation is over.

Kisis absentmindedly let the words slip away before walking towards the spacewalk that Cecil had created.

“I’m telling you to be alert, because there will be more disgusting nobles than usual.”

He usually doesn’t pay any attention to the nobles, but he speaks like that.

I held back a sigh.

It was a consideration for Kyle.

But neither Kyle nor Kissy knew that they could admit that fact openly.

So we pretended not to know.

I tried hard to answer.

“yes.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“…I will do so.”

The moment Kyle’s belated reply ended, Kissis and Cecil disappeared from sight.

As if they have no more interest in giving us.

***

“Kyle.”

That night, Ray and I entered Kyle’s barracks.

I’m in the same barracks as Kyle.

It’s been a while since we’ve shared the same barracks. Since when have we been sharing the barracks in pairs? The western unit always paired Kyle and I together. We had no complaints about this situation. In fact, we were grateful that they paired us together.

Even though I was assigned to the most trashy barracks every time, I happily went in and unpacked my few belongings.

On the other hand, Ray was using a one-man barracks as the Count’s holy fire, but even with this, there were many things that happened.

It wasn’t a riot.

But I didn’t bother to recall the story that had already passed.

That’s not important right now.

The important thing was the upcoming horse racing competition.

“what.”

Kyle, who had tied his waist-length jet-black hair into a bun and was wiping his neck with a wet cloth, arched his eyebrows.

“why?”

“If something unfair happens during this missionary game.”

It was Ray who brought up the subject.

It was something Ray and I decided together. Ray explained and I just nodded.

I think it would be more convincing then.

“Let’s make it so that it’s not you or me but Hilde who’s running out onto the field.”

Kyle’s movements suddenly stopped.

A man sitting on a worn-out bed narrows his golden eyes.

Ray met his sharp gaze intently.

“That’s the best.”

“In some ways.”

The short answer comes back.

I asked again even though I knew it.

Of course, Ray noticed that too and kindly explained it to me.

“In the eyes of others. If you run away, there will surely be nobles who will complain that their fellow conquerors are acting too presumptuously, and if I run away, there will be people who say that the Reneur family is harming the fairness of the game.”

“Before all else, we are royal knights. We have been given an official escort mission, and we are there to deal with an absurd situation. So what does our status have to do with you?”

“In principle, yes.”

Ray responded after hearing Kyle’s rebuttal, trying not to get angry at the man.

There was no trace of his usual innocence in the man sitting on the edge of my bed.

Ray looked at Kyle with the calmness of one born and educated in noble family.

The moment when you forget that he is the youngest among us.

“But you know very well that it won’t actually work out that way.”

After speaking firmly, he lowered his eyebrows.

“If it’s Hilde, then it’ll be okay. It’s not like Hilde is close to that red-handed minister… People who hear that she’s from the temple will definitely react favorably.”

Kyle wasn’t angry.

I didn’t even deny it. I just furrowed my brow and scratched my head with five fingers.

A friend who keeps silent for a while.

It was only after some time had passed that he let out a heavy sigh.

“okay.”

Kyle straightened his bent back and looked at us.

“Let’s do that. Thank you.”

thank god.

As soon as I heard the answer, a smile of pride came to my face.

Ray, sitting next to her, let out a sigh of relief.

Kyle looked at us like that and snorted.

“The two of us worked hard.”

“I’m glad you found out. I was worried you wouldn’t know about our hard work.”

“Hilde, take care of your side.”

“what.”

I was puzzled as I listened to Kyle and Ray’s conversation.

“Why did the topic suddenly change to me?”

“Could it be because you were stabbed in the side by Lord Kissis this time too?”

Ray replied with a grin.

As I was covering my mouth in surprise, Kyle threw the wet rag into the laundry basket.

Boom! Kyle turned to me as the cloth settled perfectly into the basket.

“Are you being so stubborn again and neglecting your wounds?”

“… I said it would be better if you leave it alone.”

“Why on earth are you so stubborn when you can inhale?”

Kyle’s eyebrows furrowed.

It’s a question my classmates have asked me dozens of times.

But every time, I avoided answering. Whether they were angry, gently coaxing, or annoyed, I didn’t give them an honest answer.

I don’t know why.

I just couldn’t answer honestly.

I don’t think you’ll understand why I’m so obsessed with things that have already happened…

Just thinking about the answer made me feel a little uneasy. Anyway, I had no intention of answering this time either.

As I kept my mouth shut and looked down diagonally, sighs erupted from the person opposite me and next to me.

Ray made a resigned sound.

“I’ll transfer it for you, so take that.”

“It’s really okay. The wound isn’t that deep. Kissis also maintains his own line.”

“If you said you would run out onto the field in my place if something unexpected happened, then just quietly receive treatment.”

Kyle shot back firmly.

“Now that you’ve brought it up, you have to take responsibility, Hildebert.”

The sharp comment left me speechless.

I chewed my lips and looked around, but eventually I had no choice but to accept what my friends said.

I wish I could get used to inhaling quickly… .

***

I got the transfer from Ray, and game day was fast approaching.

Horse racing.

The Emperor always participates in the finals. The previous games also had many nobles present. They were swarmed with their own personal guards and attendants.

Commoners are rushing to other entrances to avoid them.

The sun was beating down warmly.

Those who sold water were making a lot of money. The smell of boiled eggs, chicken and mushroom skewers, and various kinds of liquor tickled my nose.

The air is heaving with anticipation and excitement.

A traditional entertainment of the empire.

In principle, it is a place where superiority is determined solely by one’s service skills, regardless of social status.

Each year, the ultimate winner takes home enormous wealth and fame.

I looked around the stadium with my senses prickled.

“Archduke Jacques is here too.”

Ray let out a surprised voice.

“I thought you didn’t normally watch games like this.”

Kyle snorted.

Ray and I turned our heads, but we just linked arms and looked down at the stadium, saying nothing more.

The black-haired knight has a special dislike for the Empire’s finance minister.

He didn’t give me a clear reason. I thought it was a bit odd, so I didn’t ask too much.

None of us had any particular acquaintance with the Archduke Jacques, so we just let it be.

I was so surprised to see celebrities showing up one after another.

“What the hell. It’s Myhrvold, isn’t it?”

Ray was startled when he saw the strange figure with his eyes covered with cloth.

“Does the author come out of the magic tower?”

There were many more. The High Priest. The Sword Master who would request a duel with Kissis whenever he encountered her. A famous saint. A family of barons. A minister directly under the imperial family…

As they took their seats, a transparent defensive spell enveloped the VIP seats.

At the same time, the bell announcing the start of the game rang loudly.

Deeng- Deeng-

We had already dispersed to our respective seats and watched the opening of the game with our senses sharpened.

The stadium doors opened, and monsters and people entered side by side.