SOWD Chapter 107

Chapter 107

“Ugh, it’s freezing. Summer’s better than this—winter training chills me to the bone!”

“Hey, it’s only November. Are you already whining?”

“November 30th is basically December!”

“Idiot. Weren’t you the one complaining you’d die of the heat in summer?”

“Well, you know, the feeling when you’re going to take a dump and the feeling when you’re done are two different things.”

“Hahaha!”

The knights, just finished with their training, bustled out of the practice grounds, chattering noisily.

One of the knights at the front spotted Laszlo, who had been standing there unnoticed, and hurriedly saluted him.

“Oh! Isn’t it the Captain of the Royal Guard?”

“Greetings, sir!”

Despite their loud and formal greetings, Laszlo’s stern expression did not soften in the slightest.

Moreover, his sharp gaze swept over each knight from head to toe, making them unconsciously tense up.

“Hey, did we screw up something?”

“Was our training sloppy or what?”

“Maybe it’s because of that idiot who said summer’s better?”

As the knights nervously passed by Laszlo, his mood sank even further.

‘Why did these guys ever seem better than the ones?’

A sigh escaped his lips.

He had only stopped by because he noticed the Imperial Knights’ training in passing, but there was no one pushing themselves hard or maintaining composure. Their idle chatter wasn’t much different from mercenaries’.

‘Is Rinia really expecting me to pick one of these guys and present him to Idel?’

Laszlo shook his head.

It was too embarrassing to introduce any of these knights as a potential remarriage candidate to a woman who was a noble by birth and a duchess.

Just then, Allen Rivan, the new vice-captain of the Imperial Knights, recognized him and approached.

“Sir Crissus! What brings you here?”

As the second son of a pro-emperor noble family, Allen had been appointed to the Imperial Knights’ leadership as a concession when Dimarcus made Edmund the vice-captain of the Royal Guard.

He had even participated in suppressing the Lancaster Ducal House, so he shared some familiarity with Laszlo.

“Ah, I was just passing by.”

“If you’re not too busy, why don’t you join me for some tea? I have something to discuss.”

“Sure.”

Laszlo followed Allen into his office within the knights’ quarters.

The office, like Laszlo’s, was sparsely furnished and felt rather bleak.

After offering Laszlo a seat, Allen lit a fire in the old stove at the center of the room.

“How is Sir Milton doing?”

“Well… I can’t say I know what’s going on in his head, but judging by how he’s still slinking around, I’d say he’s doing fine.”

“Haha. He’s probably desperately pretending to be okay.”

Allen chuckled as he plopped down onto a chair.

The stove, after releasing a puff of sooty smoke, soon began warming the room.

“His reputation took a hit after your spar with him. You know, the way he stormed off so rudely after losing didn’t sit well with people.”

It was Laszlo’s provocation that had led to that, but no one else knew the truth.

Laszlo simply nodded, feigning ignorance.

“If I’d known he’d take it so badly, I wouldn’t have suggested the duel.”

“Well, someone needed to humble him eventually. He acts all friendly, but it’s obvious he’s got the entire knights’ order—including the captain—wrapped around his finger. That says a lot, doesn’t it?”

Laszlo merely curled his lips into a faint smile without commenting.

Many believed that if not for Laszlo, Edmund would have been the next captain of the Royal Guard. However, Allen was the true victim—his promotion had been delayed because of Edmund. Based on merit alone, the position of vice-captain of the Imperial Knights should have been his, but pressure from influential houses like the Milton family had secured it for Edmund as the “youngest vice-captain.”

‘You can’t fool everyone forever, Edmund Milton. Sooner or later, more people will see through that polished facade of yours.’

As Laszlo sipped the tea Allen had poured, he quietly sharpened his resolve against Edmund.

Still, Allen had a different reason for inviting Laszlo.

“By the way, about that thing you mentioned before.”

“Yes. Did anyone suspicious stand out?”

“No. I carefully checked everyone who might be close to or aligned with Sir Milton, but none of them were unaccounted for during ‘that day, that time.’ No one showed any signs of having committed murder either.”

“I thought as much.”

Laszlo slowly nodded.

The circle of suspicion narrowed to one—Edmund Milton himself.

“What will you do now?”

Allen asked, but Laszlo merely shrugged.

“There’s no concrete evidence to accuse Sir Milton. But knowing the truth is what matters.”

“True. Even if you had proof, his backers wouldn’t sit still.”

It was an open secret that one of the three great houses was backing Edmund’s position as vice-captain.

Dimarcus was aware of this as well, which was precisely why he kept Edmund close.

A spy could pose a threat—but they could also be a conduit for feeding misinformation to the enemy.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but please continue monitoring any suspicious activity within the Imperial Knights.”

“Of course. The Imperial Knights must remain the Emperor’s sword. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the arrogance of the three great houses.”

Allen’s steadfast loyalty to Dimarcus was reassuring.

Satisfied with his attitude, Laszlo finished the tea in his cup. Just then, Allen suddenly asked:

“By the way, why were you watching our training earlier?”

Caught off guard, Laszlo choked on his tea and coughed violently—a rare sight that made Allen jump up in surprise and hand him a glass of cold water.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah… Yes, my apologies.”

Laszlo’s voice, hoarse from coughing, finally steadied after a sip of water. Thankfully, a plausible excuse had come to mind.

“Ahem! It’s nothing much—I was just asked if I knew any eligible bachelors. But since I don’t have a wide circle, I thought I’d check out the Royal Guard and the Imperial Knights.”

“Ah, I see! But shouldn’t you be worrying about your own marriage first before arranging others’?”

Allen laughed heartily, but Laszlo could only manage a lukewarm smile. To him, marriage was an abstract, almost foreign concept—one surrounded by all manner of dreadful rumors.

“Well, since I was asked, I figured I should at least make an effort. Do you know anyone suitable? Someone from a lower noble family, not struggling financially, with decent looks and a good personality… preferably in their late twenties to early thirties.”

“Those kinds of men? Matchmakers snatch them up immediately. There’s no way a man with those qualities would still be single.”

Allen waved his hand dismissively.

“The ones left are always lacking—either broke, ugly, bad-tempered, or drowning in debt.”

“I see…”

“Honestly, if you’re looking at lower nobles, the woman’s background probably isn’t much better. Isn’t it too much to be so picky?”

If it were that simple, Laszlo wouldn’t be struggling.

Since he couldn’t reveal the candidate was Idel, he merely sighed and clicked his tongue.

“She’s an exceptional woman.”

“How exceptional?”

“She’s in her mid-twenties due to some circumstances, but she’s beautiful, intelligent, and capable enough to manage an entire household on her own.”

“How beautiful?”

Although Laszlo disliked how Allen focused solely on her looks, he reluctantly answered.

“…She’d easily be in the top five if introduced to high society.”

“Really? That gorgeous?”

Allen’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“If she’s that amazing, shouldn’t you be marrying her yourself?”

Laszlo was speechless.

Before he could respond, Allen clapped his forehead as if realizing something.

“Oh, wait—you said she’s a lower noble. Of course, she’s not suitable for you.”

 

At that, a single thought crossed Laszlo’s mind—Why not?

 

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