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Chapter 38: Those Who Belongs to the Knights Order Assents\n
\n\n\nSTATUS WN 46/1060 ONGOING\n
-EDITED- 05/02/21\n
\n\nTranslated by Eunie\n
Edited/Proofread by Para\n
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“Arthur! Y-you...your hair…”\n
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“...You're late! Shitty Dad.”\n
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It was still dawn, and the sun had yet to rise when Dad came back. I said late, but truthfully there was still enough time to spare before training was supposed to start. \n
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His eyes were round like saucers upon seeing me for the first time since he returned home, and he’s reacting like this because I tied my hair up in preparation for the training session we’ll start today. \n
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In the first place, the reason why I started growing out my hair was to hide my face that looks just like Dad’s, but I guess there’s no need for that anymore. \n
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When I told him it was because it would be easier for me to move around if I tie it up like this, Dad just smiled as he said, “I see.” Somehow he looks like Clark, and that annoys me a bit. “You...did you get enough sleep?”\n
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“Yeah, but since I woke up a bit earlier...I’ve already warmed up.” \n
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I did get some sleep, but it might be because I was feeling nervous that I woke up earlier than I meant to. I did some maintenance on my sword, which I had already done the night before. Since there was still some time to spare, I also did some warm-up exercises. </font>\n
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<font>Because I want to immediately start training with Dad.\n
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“Rather than that...can you really properly train me?”\n
I could smell the strong stench of alcohol coming from my dad, who’s currently leading his horse by the reins and hitching* it so that it won't wander.\n
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(*Para: hitching means to connect or attach, so Roderick is tying the horse to a post or something)\n
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“I’m sure you went drinking with Clark again.” \n
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I said as I glared at him. After that, I heard him say, ‘We only had one round.’ Though he said that, there’s just no way one round of drinking can cause him to reek so strongly of alcohol. \n
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(Para: Is it weird that, for me, the most memorable scene from them drinking was when Clark threw a piece of meat at Roderick? I like to imagine that it smacked him right in the face lol)\n
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“Well, if you’ve already warmed up, then that’s perfect. ...We’ll start now.”\n
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After years, my training with Dad has finally started once again. \n
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We started with the most basic of the basics, and near the end, I got the chance to spar with him. In between our training, I was able to hear stories about Pryde-sama.\n
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I heard about the situation inside the palace and some rumours... Some were good, and some were bad; Dad told me both. \n
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He also told me what happened during Tiara-sama’s birthday and about some things when Pryde-sama was still a child and other malicious rumours that were spreading. \n
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Those rumours were mostly similar to the things I heard around the castle town. One example is how the contract between her and Stayle-sama is an enslavement contract...but from the Pryde-sama that I know, it all just sounded like nonsense. \n
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But at the same time, I vowed inside my heart that I would make sure to cause the person spreading these lies to suffer. \n
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It’s been a long time since I last talked with Dad like this.\n
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During training, Dad never let me off easy, nor did he show any compassion. It’s just the same old strictness that he teaches with, but it’s because of that, that I’m extremely happy right now. \n
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And during our last spar, of course, I lost and was badly beaten, but for some reason, Dad, who won, seemed surprised about something as he looked at me and asked, “Arthur...you— did you really not do any sword practice until today?”\n
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Is he being sarcastic right now?\n
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Whether I’m lying or not isn’t really the matter. In fact, in the beginning, I even forgot how to wield or hold onto a sword.\n
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And since it's been years since I started holding any sword, even this sword that I got as a kid hasn't been used for years, and that’s why I had a difficult time polishing and doing maintenance on my sword.\n
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After saying that to my dad, I could somewhat hear him mutter under his breath, “Unbelievable… As expected, he... has more talent…than...” and some other incomprehensible mutterings. But, well, our conversation had to stop since Mom, who we left at home, asked us what we were doing as soon as we returned. \n
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And when I told her I was taking up some training to become a knight, her eyes widened. Afterwards, Mom started bombarding Dad about what happened to cause this, but Dad just said he’s late for work and ran away.\n
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….While leaving behind his precious sword at home.\n
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Stupid Dad.\n
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Well, for now, I decided that I’ll have to bring his sword to him after I eat breakfast and do my usual chores on the farm.</font>\n
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<font>Though even in the middle of breakfast, Mom started questioning what sort of circumstances happened for me to have a change of heart. When I tried to explain it to her, I remembered that doing so would lead to talking about the events that occurred under the cliff. So I immediately stopped talking and hurriedly ate my food, and for now, I ran away from her with the excuse that I have to go to the knights' training grounds to deliver Dad’s sword.\n
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…….\n
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“Don’t laugh!!”\n
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As soon as I entered the training grounds, I could hear Dad’s loud voice even from afar.\n
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While wondering what was going on, I tried peeking over and saw something unexpected. To think Pryde-sama, Style, and even Tiara-sama were here.\n
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To be honest, after what happened yesterday, I’m not sure how I should face Pryde-sama now.\n
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“Ah, that’s right. There was also that…”\n
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Hmm, Dad seems to have started talking about something.\n
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“Well, this is the same with the knights…”\n
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I guess, for now, I should try jogging around the palace grounds. I’m sure running around here is perfect for some training. So, it might be better for me to go back to the gate first….\n
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“This morning as well, my son has been talking about Pryde-sama’s…”\n
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Hnnng--Wha?!!\n
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“Shitty old man!!! What are you blabbering about!?”\n
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I couldn’t help but unconsciously dash towards Dad, and by the time I realized it, it wasn’t just Dad, but all the other knights and even Pryde-sama and her siblings, who looked surprised as they turned their heads towards me. \n
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That shitty dad, what unnecessary stuff is he saying...and to think he even went as far as telling it to Pryde-sama.\n
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“You...why are you here?”\n
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“Because you left so suddenly after our training ended. That’s why I came all the way here to deliver this…!! Apologize a hundred times, you shitty old man!” Still enraged about it, I tossed his sword towards him.\n
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“Ah...As expected. I seem to have left this at home...Sorry about that.”\n
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“You drank too much, shitty Dad!!”\n
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What’s even more maddening is that Dad doesn’t seem to be bothered at all. The next time we meet in private, I have to make sure he’ll keep his mouth shut.</font>\n
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<font>And then a sudden realization came to me; I’m currently in front of Pryde-sama, and when I turned my head, my eyes met with hers.\n
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“Pryde-sama...yesterday…”\n
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This is bad. I should probably say something. \n
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I knew this, but just remembering all the things that happened yesterday, I couldn’t help but be lost for words. \n
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Argh. It’s all because of that shitty dad of mine who keeps on saying unnecessary things. If only he didn't, then I—wait...my face... is definitely bright red right now, isn’t it? Damn, and even though I haven’t become a knight yet, I met her again, wait...no—just what should I do or say?\n
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“Hello, Arthur. I’m glad that you seem to be doing well.”\n
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Pryde-sama spoke first.\n
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It’s because I couldn’t speak properly right now, and since I saw Pryde-sama’s smiling face, that I could feel the heat rushing to my face.\n
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“...Yes.”\n
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And when I briefly glanced over to where the knights were, I could see the look on their faces. I could see how they appeared to be grinning and smiling like proud parents, and then I saw Clark and his stupid grinning face. Damn it! \n
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“Now then...If you’ll excuse me.” There was no way I could continue the conversation in this state, and besides, I could feel how my face was getting hotter and hotter by the minute. It just felt like too much, so I couldn’t help but look away from her, and then just like that, I lowered my head and turned around. \n
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“O-ya~, Arthur. Since you’ve finally seen Pryde-sama, is it okay for you to stop talking now?”\n
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“Shut up, Clark!! Say that again, and I’ll beat you up!!”\n
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That bastard! He’s definitely having fun with this!!\n
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Next time I see him, I’ll smack him hard. While telling myself that, I looked over at Pryde-sama once again. \n
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Of course, I really do want to talk to her. Since being able to converse with her makes me happy, but with the way I am right now, there’s no way I can protect anything.\n
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“...I’d like to talk...once I have officially enlisted in the Knight's….Order.”\n
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After only saying that much, I once again bowed my head and told myself that, this time, I’ll definitely leave, but then,...\n
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“A moment, please.”\n
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I was once again stopped. \n
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And furthermore, this time it wasn’t Clark but someone else...</font>\n
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<font>“If you have some time, would it be okay if you accompany me with my training?”\n
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When I looked back to where the voice was, I saw the First Prince, Stayle-sama, looking at me with a smile on his face.\n
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Huuuh? Stayle-sama wants what...with Me?? Just what is he planning?\n
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“Stayle-sama, just what do you...”\n
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It’s probably just what Dad was going to say. Just why would this country’s First Prince want someone like me to train with him….?\n
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“It’s not like that. It’s just that I am also having a problem looking for someone who will accompany me with my training. Karl-sensei seems to be occupied with other things, so he can only help me out during class, which I’m a little troubled by. That’s why, if it’s alright with you, can you spar with me after this? And afterwards, if you think it’s doable, then from here on as well. It might confuse you to learn a different kind of swordsmanship that differs from the knights, but for us to become strong, I think it would be beneficial for both of us to learn various styles.”\n
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Stayle-sama seemed to say that it was alright for me to accompany him all in one breath, and just like that, he extended his hand out for a handshake. \n
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To be honest, I had no idea why he was inviting me. But some of Stayle-sama’s words caught my attention.\n
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“...But for us to become strong, I think it would be beneficial for both of us to learn various styles.”\n
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To become strong….\n
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That’s right. I’ve always wanted to become stronger. \n
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Dad mostly stays at the Knight's Order, and during the times where he isn’t home, some simple training won’t cut it. That’s why if there’s another way for me to become stronger, then I'll do it since I don’t have time to spare.</font>\n
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<font>And before I even realized it, I had already grabbed Stayle-sama’s hand, and he smiled, seemingly satisfied with it as well.\n
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...But somehow, his smile seemed shady af* and a little creepy.\n
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(*Para: Lmao, is that actually in the novel??? I'm not going to change that because I find it absolutely hilarious.)\n
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But he’s Pryde-sama’s little brother, and he also helped Dad and the other knights. Besides, when we all thought Pryde-sama was swallowed up by the rubble, the flustered state he was in was definitely real at the time. That's why I decided that, for now, I’ll believe him.\n
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“Now then, after Elder Sister is done with her business here, Arthur-dono** will return together with us.”\n
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And that is how I ended up going to the palace.\n
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...Without even knowing about Stayle-sama’s intentions.</font>\n
\n\n\nEunie: I feel like I’m dying. Uwaaah. This is bad!! My eyes are…..!! Anyways I’ll be working on the next chapter, the one we’ve all been waiting for!! I’m really sorry. I really thought it was this chapter >o<. The next chapter is so long. Wish me well!! Aaaaah. I really hope I can finish it soon.\n
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<font>02/06: THIS IS ME TL-ING AND WHINING AT THE SAME TIME. C.39 HAS AROUND 18 PAGES. ENJOY READING^^ IT'S STILL UNEDITED THOUGH. </font>\n\n\n\n\n