Justinian shook his head, combing his hair back to neatness as he looked back at the horse, which looked calmer and more tamed now.
Should he risk mounting it? Or is the risk of breaking his neck too large a hurdle?
He thought briefly, before the system did it for him.
[Memory and Body Sync]
[Horse Riding Lessons: 100%]
Justinian already knew that he was supposed to know how to ride a horse; he even had the muscle memory, but with two personalities at once within a single body, it was hard to utilize it effectively.
Until now.
Without even thinking, his body moved for him, mounting the horse with simple efficiency, like he was always trained to be.
HMPH.
Without realizing it, he was already on top of the horse, with the horse calm, not even minding the sudden mounting.
Justinian was already an expert.
"Holy... shi-"
'Shit!'
He immediately stopped, saying the last word within his head, remembering he was a duke.
Justinian hesitantly took the reins and, without another thought, controlled the horse with it.
NEIGH!
THUD!
The horse began to move, circling the courtyard with Justinian's skills. To the others, he looked like a prodigy, even the duke himself.
For Justinian, it felt like a long-lost memory returning to him, and truthfully, it kinda was.
"HAHAHA!"
Justinian began laughing out loud, his voice melodic and authoritative, two personalities merging.
"Yeah... that's the duke."
"No doubt about it..."
The other men began to whisper, but one had an ashen face.
"Does that... does that mean the duke saw as being incompetent!?"
"We're dead men…"
Justinian immediately heard the comment, smirking as he turned sharply, heading to the middle of the courtyard and looking directly at where the horses and the men gathered.
"Took you all long enough!"
[The Book of War Responds]
+15 Prestige
[Horse]
[Status: Trustful]
[Bond: 46%]
'Being born rich truly has its advantages.'
Justinian mused, not realizing how fun it would be to be naturally talented at things; it was something he had barely experienced.
But now that he was in the body of a novel character, he would have to get used to it.
"Justinian Alarys Thirell, your duke!"
Justinian yelled out in front of his men, his horse adding to his figure, making him look more like a legend and less like the negative rumours.
The men immediately began to bow, some kneeling in fear, realizing that they not only just insulted the duke right in front of him, but even not know his face.
That was a punishment worthy of death.
"W-we didn't know!"
"Forgive us!"
The men groveled, their earlier fun completely replaced by sheer and utter terror.
And Justinian smiled, Alexander the Great's conquest was already within his mind when he heard their pleas.
"Rise."
He ordered, one arm extended gracefully outward, palm up.
The men did as ordered, rising, their eyes were glazed with fear, while knights won't be afraid, the men were barely trained.
If there was anyone that Justinian could instill fear into, it was them.
"Today and onwards, we will be battle brothers. I will not waste precious men due to punishments."
Justinian proclaimed grandly.
"Rise and mount your horses, follow my example, today I will rid all the rumours, and show you all who your duke is!"
The men trembled, but beneath their exterior, they were moved by the speech; they were just granted mercy, one that most wouldn't have granted.
To them, Justinian was not only merciful, but he was pragmatic.
"Glory to the duke!"
The men cheered, standing up with their hands raised, indirectly irritating the horses behind them due to the loud noise.
"Keep it down, will you?"
Justinian tilted his head teasingly with a sly grin.
"You don't want your war mounts breaking your necks."
He joked, in a light tone, causing some of his men to smile and laugh at his retort, drawing their attention back to the horses and trying to calm them down.
The same tactics Justinian used when they observed him.
[The Book of War Responds]
[Trait Granted]
+Battle Noble
- Full sync with old swordsmanship training.
- Gains [Army Swordsmanship], a living style that merges the techniques of loyal subordinates.
'The system even has traits!?'
Justinian read the trait silently, and when he finished, he had to cover his mouth from screaming, the ability alone being powerful enough to turn the tide of any battle.
'The hell is that!? It's like an SSS-Rank skill...'
Justinian clenched his fists, looking at his palm, he had already felt the difference, the skill of the knights and the men whom he had recently gained trust.
All flowing directly through him.
And as he looked back towards his men, and back to his horses, his eyes subtly shone, the system's influence.
"You're in good hands, boy."
Justinian murmured, patting the horse he was still mounting.
[Name Your Mount]
"...?"