The dim dawn settled over the streets.
Just before daybreak, Ferda Inosid left the inn.
There was quite a distance between the inn where he'd been staying and Count Arcdute's estate. If he didn't want to be late, now was the right time to head out.
'In the original story, he arrived late in the afternoon.'
It was partly the distance, but also because he'd gotten hammered the night before out of nerves and overslept. Plus, he'd blown all the silver coins he got from the Count's knight on booze, so his appearance was a mess too. No wonder he made a bad first impression from day one.
But things are different now.
After pulling himself together, he strode forward with purpose.
Some time later.
The Count's castle came into view.
"Wow."
He couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
Count Arcdute's castle, as described in the novel, was also called the 'Castle of Snow.' That's because all the castle walls were as white as snow.
When he'd read the novel, he thought it was an exaggerated description, but seeing it in person, it wasn't exaggerated at all.
As he stood there staring blankly at the castle.
He sensed someone approaching. Someone was coming toward him.
"This is Count Arcdute's castle."
"If you have business here, please state it."
Two soldiers and one young knight.
At their polite tone, Ferda bowed his head slightly.
Then he mentioned the Count's knight who had come looking for him three days ago.
"I have an appointment with Sir Logwood."
"With the captain?"
The young knight looked surprised.
Well, that made sense. Logwood wasn't exactly the sociable type.
Even if he did make appointments, he'd meet people outside the castle. He was the kind of upright knight who never mixed personal business in places where his master was present.
That's the kind of guy 'Burke Logwood,' the Count's knight described in The Savior, was.
"May I ask your name?"
The knight's tone became more respectful.
But as soon as he gave his name, the knight's expression changed subtly. He seemed to know who he was and why he was here.
But that only lasted a moment.
The knight quickly returned to his original expression.
"Make way. This is a guest summoned by the Count."
"Yes!"
The soldiers stepped aside.
Then the knight continued in his characteristically stiff tone.
"Follow me. I'll show you where to wait."
With clear condescension, the knight turned around.
***
"You're earlier than expected."
That was the first thing Burke said when they met again.
He looked like he hadn't expected Ferda to arrive this quickly. As he narrowed his eyes and looked Ferda up and down, he suddenly let out a snicker.
"And you're much better looking than I thought too."
"You're too kind."
Ferda bowed his head politely.
It was good to make a positive impression on this guy.
Burke Logwood was one of the hidden power players in the Count's household.
"Ferda."
Then Burke called his name.
When he looked up and met his eyes, Burke immediately threw out a question.
"Aren't you curious why the Count sent for you?"
Yeah, he remembered this question.
In the novel, Ferda had immediately dropped to his knees at that question.
And said this:
'I will dedicate my life to become the Count's sword.'
It was sudden, but not completely out of left field.
Count Arcdute's family was a pretty famous knightly house. At a place like that, especially when the Count himself had summoned you, you might reasonably harbor some expectations.
But that was the wrong answer.
No, it was something he absolutely shouldn't have said.
'A wretch who doesn't know his place. How dare a back alley vagrant speak of knighthood!'
Burke was someone completely consumed with pride in being a knight.
So when some beggar said he wanted to become a knight, of course he'd be flabbergasted.
Anyway, Ferda had given the wrong answer and earned himself a serious grudge.
But now it's different.
"That's beyond my station. I'm not curious."
He answered politely while bowing his head, but without looking servile.
Then Burke's eyes showed a glimmer of interest.
"You've got more sense than when I first saw you."
A different answer from the original novel.
Burke wiped the smile from his lips. Soon his characteristically dry voice flowed out.
"From now on, you're the third young master's tutor."
Tutor.
People who taught the children of royal or noble families. Usually it was nobles who graduated from prestigious academies, or intellectuals who took on these roles.
But they're giving this job to a vagrant from a fallen noble family?
It didn't make sense. Especially since the Count was a high-ranking noble. How could a mere vagrant teach someone of such bloodline? Anyone hearing this would jump in shock.
But Ferda's expression didn't change. The reason was simple.
'Well, I know the situation.'
He'd heard it over and over through eight cycles.
So it was burned into his brain.
Meanwhile, when Ferda didn't panic as much as expected, Burke narrowed his eyes.
"Aren't you going to ask why?"
"How could a mere tool dare question its master's thoughts?"
A servant who spoke little, showed no curiosity, and did his job well.
That's exactly what Count Arcdute and Burke wanted. So he just needed to show them exactly that.
Ferda's prediction hit the mark perfectly.
"Good."
A deep smile spread across Burke's lips.
He patted Ferda's back encouragingly.
"Just keep acting like this from now on. Then there won't be any problems."
It seemed like making a good impression was successful.
After that, they left the reception room together and climbed the stairs to the third floor. He could hear the characteristic creaking of old wood.
What appeared next was a dark corridor with not a single light on. Walking through the corridor shrouded in darkness, Burke opened his mouth again.
"Kingdom history, liberal arts, swordsmanship. It doesn't matter what you teach."
His face was surprisingly expressionless.
"You can even teach the rough skills mercenaries use. If you really have nothing to teach, you can show him cooking or survival skills."
His voice held not even a hint of expectation.
Then Burke suddenly raised his fist. A rough fist covered in calluses.
"But don't swing your fists. It'll be troublesome if his face gets scarred."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Well, by now anyone could tell.
The Count and Burke had no expectations for the third young master.
No, saying they had no interest would be more accurate.
"Let's go in then."
It was the room at the very end of the corridor.
A room where sunlight never reached because thorn vines wrapped around the windows, casting gloomy shadows all day long.
Burke lightly knocked on that room's door.
Knock knock—
"This is Burke Logwood."
As soon as those words ended, a crashing sound came from inside the room.
The sound of someone frantically moving around, kicking the floor. The sound of something shattering.
When all the noise stopped, Burke let out an inaudible sigh.
"I'm coming in."
With those words, he flung the door wide open.
The light from the corridor swept away the darkness inside the room.
What appeared next was a boy crouched under a blanket.