"Ppodong!"
With that, Ppodong landed on his plump belly. Something that was between his belly and the ground cracked and crunched terribly.
Crunch! The walnut shell cracked. Ppodong smiled brightly as he removed the nuts from the crushed shell. "Ppodong? Ppo-do-dong. Ppodong."
"Taste good?" Lloyd asked.
"Ppodong!" Then the hamster stuck the walnuts into his mouth at lightning speed.
Lloyd chuckled as he saw him do so. "Want another one?"
"Ppodong!"
"Want me to break the shells for you?"
"Ppodong? Ppo-do-dong!"
"Okay, hold on for a second."
Lloyd grabbed the walnut with his right hand. Then he raised his left hand and used the Asrahan Core Technique. Whew… His heart was beating in time with his breathing. The beating pumped a flow of energy into his left hand. Lloyd absorbed the energy, which was natural mana floating in the air.
Oh, it works. Of course, the power wasn't much. He could merely draw from a tiny portion of the mana floating in the air. He was just getting the hang of the Asrahan Core Technique and could only create a single circle. But that was enough for him.
Swish! Lloyd transferred the power of the mana absorbed by his left hand to the outer part of his heart and rotated it. The mana was amplified as it rotated. Once it was done, Lloyd transferred the mana to his other hand. He clenched his right fist to crush the walnut.
"Argh… Ackk!!" Crack! The hard walnut shell was crushed in his hand. Whoa. It worked. I cracked the walnut with my bare hand. Basking in his success, Lloyd gave the walnut to Ppodong. "Here, take them."
"Ppodong!"
"Are you happy?"
"Ppo-do-dong!"
"Yes, me too." Lloyd felt that he was above the average man in physical ability now. He felt relieved by the realization. This world is one of swords and knives. Lloyd understood that he wasn't in South Korea anymore. Dangers lingered everywhere. Just outside the fiefdom, bandits as big as pro wrestlers were happy to stab anyone in sight.
And so, he knew what his life would be like if he didn't at least have basic self-defense skills. I could die anytime. No, thank you. Lloyd was relieved that he'd learned the Asrahan Core Technique from Javier.
Just then, there was someone at his bedroom door.
"Master Lloyd. Are you inside?" The voice was distinctively cynical in tone.
Javier. Lloyd chuckled. He rose from the bed and opened the door. Just as he expected, Javier was standing there.
"Speak of the devil. Come on in."
"Were you talking about me?" Javier asked.
"Don't worry about it. So, did you do what I asked?"
"I'm coming from making the report to the lord."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"What did the baron say?"
"Are you asking if he mentioned anything special?"
"Yeah."
"He did."
"What did he say?" asked Lloyd.
"He wished Sir Neumann good luck."
"Ha, he's going to need it, especially right now," stated Lloyd nonchalantly. Sir Neumann. Lloyd smirked as he thought about him. The events that had taken place in the past few days replayed in his head. The day of the duel when he exposed Sir Neumann to everybody. He has luck on his side or maybe not this time. Sir Neumann didn't die. He was a tough, tenacious man who'd survived the crushing weight of the gigantic hamster Ppodong.
But the price of his survival was monumental. Dozens of broken bones throughout his entire body. The sight of him was a gory one. Everyone gasped as they found Sir Neumann looking much like a squid that had been sitting in a seafood market for a week. A doctor just shook his head in pity when confronted with Sir Neumann. "The man is better off dead. Even if he receives the favor of the heavens and fully recovers, he won't ever have a normal life. He will spend his entire life in bed, having someone feed him porridge that he can barely swallow."
The doctor's diagnosis was hopeless for Sir Neumann. He had barely survived with the treatment he received in the past few days. And today, he was to be kicked out of the baron's lands for good.
"Oh, well, he won't die right away given that his family got banished along with him," Lloyd said.
"I think so, too."
Others were banished as well. Sir Ulrich and Conte, who mentored under Sir Neumann, were exiled. On top of that, they both had tendons slashed in a hand and leg. They won't ever be able to pick up a sword again. I kind of feel bad for them. However, order has been established in the land. I have succeeded.
The two were going to betray the fiefdom… according to the novel anyway. They would only continue to harm the barony. It was obvious they would never change no matter how many chances they received. So, Lloyd wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible. Today, he got what he wanted. Lloyd felt good.
"So, you've become the vice commander of the knights now, Sir Asrahan? How are you feeling?" Lloyd asked with a smile.
"I do not feel anything in particular," Javier replied.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How so?"
"Because I'm just one of two knights left, including Sir Bayern," Javier stated coolly.
"Hmm… You must be lonely then, I suppose? Tsk. I see. You are bored and lonely because you don't have any friends. That's what's happening," Lloyd concluded.
"That's obviously…"
"What's happening," Lloyd interrupted. "I know. Oh, well. What can you do? That's life."
"Master Lloyd."
"What?! Are you going to just glare at me? You have something to tell me?" Lloyd asked.
Unsurprisingly, Javier nodded. "Yes. I have a question to ask."
"What is it?"
"It's about the hamster." Javier pointed at Ppodong, who was eating the pieces of walnut on top of the desk. Javier's expression turned graver, and his focus sharpened.
Lloyd became slightly nervous at the sight. He wondered what Javier wanted to ask with such a dark expression on his face. What is it? Is he suspicious of my summoning magic? Lloyd suspected that it might be. It was fully plausible. Right, although I purposefully carried the basic summoning book with me for a whole month, that wouldn't be enough to clear me of all suspicion. The thing was, summoning magic was still magic. So, unless he was born a genius, it made no sense that he could summon something with just a month of self-instruction.
Still, what else can I do? He's not going to believe me, even if I tell him honestly about the RP system and the random summoning game. So, I might as well just insist on it. Lloyd decided that he should tell him that he had studied magic all by himself. Lloyd waited for Javier to ask.
Javier, who was waffling along with a serious expression, finally spoke. "What should I call him?"
"What…?" Lloyd asked in a daze.
"I'm curious what his name is."
"Wait, are you asking for his name?"
"Yes."
"That's all you wanted to know?"
"Yes. It is your summon."
"Oh, you mean you wanted to call him by his name because you'll be seeing him a lot?" Lloyd asked again.
"Yes."
"Then why did you act all serious about it?"
"Excuse me?" Javier looked innocently at Lloyd.
"Whew… Never mind. His name is Ppodong. That's his name."
"Ppodong?"
"Uh-huh."
"Hmm… That is a bit of a shabby name with his gigantic size."
"I named it myself."
"Come to think of it, everyone knows a rubbish name is perfect for making your opponents put their guards down. You chose the best name for him."
"Are you sure? You don't have to lie when you don't mean it. Anyway, I didn't name it. It was his name from the beginning."
"So, what should I call him…?"
"Anything you like."
"I understand. Sir Ppodong?" Javier stooped down to greet Ppodong eye to eye.
Ppodong, who was chewing the walnut, lifted his head. "Ppodong?"
"My name is Javier Asrahan. I am the knight who protects Master Lloyd. Nice to meet you."
"Ppodong!"
Javier's long fingers interlocked with Ppodong's short front legs to shake hands.
Lloyd yawned. "Done introducing each other?"
"Yes."
"Shall we head out? I was actually waiting for you. I have some business to take care of," Lloyd stated.
"Me?"
"Uh-huh. You're my guard and way stronger than me."
"That's…"
"Forget it. Everyone tries to hide their true ability to some degree. Right?"
Javier flinched.
Lloyd chuckled. Javier was already an advanced swordsman. At first, Lloyd thought he simply failed to notice his true powers because that was how it was described in The Knight of Blood and Iron. But after spending many days with this knight, Lloyd noticed something different from the novel.
The more time Lloyd spent with Javier — bickering with him and learning the ways of the sword — the more it became evident to Lloyd. Javier knew his skill level very well. He was simply hiding it. Lloyd hadn't figured out the reason yet, but he could guess.
Everyone will go mental if they find out that the youngest knight is already close to becoming a sword master.
Sir Neumann and other high-ranked knights would be green with envy, not to mention the countless offers that would come from nearby feudal lords to bring him into their employ. Such aggravating efforts would surely leave the Frontera barony in tatters.
It's his way of preventing that chaos from happening and staying loyal to the baron. Lloyd thought highly of his knight, who had both skill and character.
"Anyway, let's head out. The sun will be setting soon." Lloyd sprang to his feet.
As expected, Javier looked relieved by that.
Lloyd figured that Javier didn't wish to continue talking about this subject. It was the same for him as well. Your secret is safe with me. So don't bring up anything about my bayonet technique. Just keep any questions you might have to yourself.
If there was a genius sword fighter, it was Javier. It only made sense that he would recognize the bayonet exercise, which held a long history. I'm sure he noticed that I didn't invent the moves, since I'm just a novice. The thing with martial arts and sports is that one sees only as far as one's knowledge goes, Lloyd thought to himself. Boxing and MMA were his best examples.
Boxing matches were an absolute bore to watch when he had no knowledge of the sport. MMA fights were even worse. The competitors did nothing but wrestle each other to the ground. When he started learning boxing and hapkido in high school and college, things started to change.
Boxing no longer put him to sleep.
MMA fighting used to just look like two people rolling around on the floor. Now it was an exciting battle that pumped his adrenaline. Because people only look for what they know.
It went without saying that for Javier, a truly unique sword-fighting genius, it would be the same. He had, of course, already figured out most of the characteristics of the bayonet exercise. Yeah, I can't avoid everything. Stay quiet, and I'll do the same for you. But don't do anything more than that. Lloyd looked at him meaningfully. It seemed like Javier understood him.
Javier quietly stood up. "Let us go. I will escort you." Thus, he and Javier left the bedroom. They left the mansion grounds, meeting several people as they walked. And Lloyd noticed a change in their reactions. They used to turn back and scurry away as soon as they met him on the street. They hung their heads low because they were scared to look him in the eyes.
But that wasn't the case anymore. A woman smiled and greeted him. She was the one who trembled in front of him on the first day he possessed Lloyd's body. She wasn't alone. Later, another farmer walked over to him and asked him with a smile, "Young master, excuse me. When can you start putting floor heating in my house?"
"Hmm?" Lloyd recognized him. The farmer's eyes were glimmering right now, but when he first met him, he was pale as snow. Lloyd rubbed his chin and said, "I can't remember very well. Where was your house?"
"It's left at the rock that stands at the entrance of the oak tree woods," the farmer replied.
"Oh, there. Let's see. Hmmm. Looks like you have two more houses ahead of yours."
"So, when can I expect you to start…?"
"At this rate, probably around two more weeks, so wait a little longer. It's springtime anyway."
"But the wind is still cold," the farmer explained.
"Okay, do you want me to hug you? Maybe that will warm you up."
"N-no, that's not it."
"Don't like that, do you? Good. I hate it too. I'm getting goosebumps," Lloyd replied.
"Anyway, I'll be in your care, young master."
"All right, and don't forget to pay," Lloyd reminded him.
"Of course."
"Okay. Now, can you let go of my hands?" Lloyd resumed walking after tearing the farmer away from him. Whew… I feel so popular these days. The villagers started to see him in a different light. Look at them. Just look at their beady little eyes. It's like I've become a player who carries the whole game till victory, and my teammates are rooting for me.
Suddenly, a bitter smile escaped him. Lloyd knew why they were looking at him like that. But still, he wanted to hear it from someone else. "Hey." He casually called to Javier beside him. "What's the deal with them? They used to hate me so visibly before."
"Well, that was true in the past," Javier explained.
"Was…? In the past?"
"Yes."
"Then what about now?"
Javier replied as though he was reading a text. "It's the birth of a capable man."
"A capable man?"
"You defeated the senior knight with just a month of training. It would obviously appear impressive since they don't know about the Asrahan Core Technique. Plus, you exposed his schemes to the public and did the summoning magic that shocked everyone in the audience."
"Hmm… It does sound kind of cool when you say it like that. In short, I'm a truly amazing person who's well-versed in sword fighting and magic, right?"
"Yes." Javier nodded.
"If you think in their shoes, you will easily see why they welcome your change with open arms. You became a completely different person. From a good-for-nothing drunkard, who caused trouble daily, to an unbelievably accomplished man."
Lloyd was speechless.
"Their future leader has become a talented, skillful individual; no longer a hopeless scumbag. Surely you understand why they cheer over your change," Javier concluded.
"Hey, that's a compliment, right?" Lloyd asked suspiciously.
"Yes, it is."
"You know, it's quite weighty for a compliment."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your words came at me with a speed of at least 105 mph," Lloyd added.
"105 mph?"
"Oh, come on. It means that my heart exploded from your compliment. You killer."
Javier simply stared at him. His expression showed confusion over the nonsense he'd just heard.
But Lloyd noticed how even his dazed countenance resembled a beautiful painting that required untold hours to finish: elegant and perfect. Must be nice to be good-looking. This bastard is a good fighter. Well-mannered and on top of everything. Handsome too. Lloyd suddenly spoke like he was talking to his mother's friend's son, who he had never met but was constantly compared to. "What are you looking at? Move. Let me work."
"Work?"
"From here to there." Lloyd pointed at the ground with his fingers. He was pointing from the estate entrance to the foot of the eastern mountain. Lloyd was using his surveying and design skills as he looked at the area. He observed the geography and gathered data points. He visualized a blueprint of the building he wished to make.
The imaginary representation of the building allowed him a glimpse of the future of this area.
"All roads lead to Rome. This is the first time you heard about it, right?" Lloyd grinned, looking back at Javier. Of course, Javier didn't know the meaning behind that smile.
He also didn't know that this area would be used to build a paved road on that would become key to the territory's development and that, in the future, it would lead the barony to become the primary travel hub for the kingdom.
That was until Lloyd spoke. When he listened to his young master, Javier caught a brief glimpse of their bright future.
Translator: https://bettertranslation9.wordpress.com