Chapter 211: Erunt Ducal Family's Youngest Duke's Daughter (2)

“Attention.”

Before the exam, the instructor began his speech.

“Before the exam, I will explain to you all what kind of place this is.”

The students' reactions were varied.

A student looking at the sky.

A student biting their lip hard.

A student glaring at the instructor as if they could kill him.

Their reactions differed, but it was clear they did not welcome this speech.

But the instructor did not seem to consider the students' reactions worth taking into account.

“Before the Erunt Ducal Family managed this region, this fortress was the territory of the Almarzar Ducal Family.”

He pointed to the ruins around them.

“Now most of it has become forest, but hundreds of years ago, it was one of the most important strategic points defending the South.”

The students in the front row nodded lazily.

It was a sign they did not want to hear something they already knew.

They had heard this history plenty of times in class, so they likely did not want to hear it again here.

Watching students like that would be enough to crush anyone's motivation.

Yet the instructor stubbornly continued his speech.

“Look at that mountain range.”

The instructor pointed to the southern horizon.

Beyond the fortress wall, a massive mountain range rose towering.

Its ridgeline vanished beyond the clouds.

It had an overwhelming scale, like the Himalayas coming to mind.

That giant wall shaped by nature was taller than any wall humans had ever built.

Even without anyone explaining, it did not seem likely that demonic beasts capable of crossing that range were common.

Except for exactly one part.

“Do you see that low ridge? That is the only pass through this mountain range.”

I looked in the direction the instructor pointed.

I could see a mountain range that could at least be called lower than the rest.

It was so high it looked like it might touch the clouds at any moment, so I was not sure the term low ridge suited it.

But one thing was certain.

Rather than crossing over some other ridge that vanished beyond the clouds and could not even be seen,

crossing over that relatively lower ridge was the realistic option.

Even I, a complete layman in military matters, could think of that.

Naturally, the Empire had thought the same.

“Most demonic beasts in the South originate from beyond that mountain range. That is also why this fortress was built here.”

But the fortress had become ruins.

And the modern South's Ducal Family was not the Almarzar Ducal Family, but the Erunt Ducal Family.

What did that mean?

“But hundreds of years ago, demonic beasts burst out from beyond the mountain range.”

In the past, this fortress eventually fell.

It was the price of the complacent idea that they only needed to guard this pass.

The mountain range did not protect humans alone.

The same was true for demonic beasts.

The demonic beasts beyond the range had been able to accumulate strength and numbers over a long time.

Having grown enough power without human interference, they soon crossed the mountains and began their advance.

“The swarm that attacked this fortress back then have become Nest Mothers today.”

Nest Mothers are, in game terms, boss-like beings.

If such Nest Mothers came swarming to a fortress like ordinary mobs, could a Ducal Family stand against them?

“In the end, this fortress fell, and demonic beasts began to flood the South.”

After that incident, each territory in the South had to lock its gates and begin an endless siege defense.

Land routes were almost cut off, and travel between territories began to be conducted by airship.

For reference, this was not a story unique to the South.

The era differed.

Other regions, too, each had a history of strategic points collapsing for their own reasons and becoming dens of demonic beasts.

The South was simply the first among them to settle that history.

“Though the Almarzar Ducal Family failed to protect this land, they did not abandon their duty to defend it until their final moment. In honor of their courage and sacrifice, we will hold a moment of silence. Everyone, silence.”

Students and instructors bowed their heads in unison.

I bowed my head as well.

In the South, the Almarzar Ducal Family was still relatively well regarded.

Though they had failed, they had not fled to the end and had met their final moment.

Even in a dark fantasy world where incompetence was often judged harshly, it was not so heartless as to condemn even that.

'And the Almarzar Ducal Family hadn't known either.'

Someone might say this.

Was it not because the Ducal Family only guarded the ridge that this disaster happened?

Was it not because of their laziness that the South ended up like that?

But that is an evaluation that does not consider the circumstances of the time.

Humans are not omniscient beings capable of knowing everything, even things they have never experienced.

One cannot predict what one has not experienced through history.

Back then, they did not know that beyond the ridge, demonic beasts were fighting and killing one another, completing a Gu jar.

By the time the result of the Gu jar burst out, it was already too late.

That is why the public's evaluation of the Almarzar Ducal Family was not so bad.

Not knowing was unavoidable.

Even so, they had fought to the very last.

At the very least, it was enough reason to hold a moment of silence like this.

After a moment, the instructor on the podium raised his head again and pointed to the VIP seats where I was sitting.

In front of me, where the instructor pointed, Edmund was seated.

“In addition, let us give a warm round of applause to His Highness Edmund, who recaptured this fortress through outstanding command and once again raised the Empire's flag over this land.”

Clap, clap, clap!

Cheers poured toward Edmund.

This was why Edmund's meritorious deed was highly evaluated.

This fortress blocked that pass.

His army had finally recaptured what had been unable to advance even to this fortress.

By his deed alone, the Nest Mothers endlessly supplied from beyond the mountain range were cut off,

and with that, the South could breathe again.

That hero of the South rose from his seat and lightly waved a hand toward the students.

“Also, please give generous applause to Lord Yulian, who resolved various medical difficulties, including the endemic disease that had blocked the recapture of the fortress, and laid the cornerstone of victory.”

Applause poured toward me as well.

Since it was true that I had done it to receive this kind of praise, I gladly accepted the cheers.

At this point, wouldn't one get tired of this kind of hero treatment?

Not at all!

Praise is different from medicine.

No matter how much you receive, it is never too much.

Rather, those who say they are tired of praise are the ones with full bellies.

Do you know the sorrow of having worked hard but having no one acknowledge it?

If you knew that, you would also know that the answer is to enjoy this as much as possible while you can.

After filling my dopamine once again like that.

The instructor pointed to the mountain range again.

“Do not think that because this fortress is peaceful, the other side is peaceful as well. The demonic beasts have not disappeared. Even now, beyond that mountain range, they are cultivating their strength.”

After the fall of Duke Almarzar.

Humanity learned one lesson.

It was that simply locking the gates was not the answer.

Just as humanity accumulates strength through research and training.

Demonic beasts also accumulate strength through struggle for survival.

So humanity added one duty to the nobles.

The duty to periodically leave the fortress and thin out the demonic beasts.

And the Erunt Duchy had a slightly heavier thinning duty than other territories.

“His Grace the Duke of Erunt periodically crosses that mountain range and keeps the demonic beasts in check.”

For others, they simply open the gates and set out on an expedition.

But the Ducal Family was different.

They had to cross something like that Himalayan mountain range,

and stir up the homeland of demonic beasts where Nest Mothers roamed like ordinary mobs.

The level of danger was different.

“And when you graduate, some of you will likely end up helping him.”

Gulp.

A graduating student in the front row swallowed dryly.

It seemed the story was not unrelated to him, so he was tense.

The other students were the same.

The eyes of students who had been dying of boredom now regained focus.

“That is also why this place became your end-of-term practical exam site. For the graduating class, it will be your graduation exam site.”

You will have to serve here anyway.

So prove your abilities here.

That was roughly the meaning.

“Now then, before we begin the exam. You may freely ask questions.”

In a normal army, no one would raise a hand.

They would want to finish the speech quickly and go rest quickly.

But the Hero Department was different.

In a world where not knowing meant getting hit as a matter of course.

Those who did not ask questions found it hard to survive.

Therefore, in the Hero Department, questions were nothing short of a virtue.

“Instructor. I have a question.”

“Speak.”

“I am concerned that a place like this might be a little early for our level, but I would be grateful if you could provide a clear standard for how far we may go in.”

“Good question. I was just about to explain.”

The instructor lifted a map.

The students also checked their own maps with quick understanding.

“The biggest reason demonic beasts cross the mountain range is that they were pushed out in competition for food. Do you understand what this implies?”

“It means the closer one gets from the foothills to the ridge, the greater the danger of the demonic beasts.”

“That is correct. The maps distributed to you classify the depths according to that danger.”

It was intuitive and easy to understand.

In other words, the higher you climb, the stronger the demonic beasts,

which also meant that as long as you did not go too deep, you were relatively safe.

“Each party's permitted entry depth is marked. Do not go beyond it. As long as you stay within the range the instructor permits, no dangerous incidents will occur.”

He paused for a moment.

His gaze fixed briefly on one student.

A second-year in the Hero Department, and my scholarship student.

It was Kal.

“Having been chasing a demonic beast is not an excuse for crossing the control line. Neither is saying you found a shortcut. Also...”

The instructor trailed off and looked at me for a moment.

Then he glared at Kal again,

“As long as you do not do anything reckless just because the Lord Saint is here, no unexpected situation beyond what students can handle will occur.”

Just then, Kal shot up his hand.

“I have a question.”

“......”

“I have a question!!”

The instructor pretended not to hear.

But when Kal raised his voice, the instructor had no choice but to point at him.

“You may... ask.”

“Then what is the standard for reckless behavior?”

“Take a fatal wound directly threatening life as the standard.”

“Then is the neck permitted?”

“......?”

Wrinkles formed between the instructor's brows.

“That... Do you not know what a fatal wound is?”

“I know.”

“Then what is your reason for asking that question?”

To the instructor's question, Kal answered without hesitation.

“On another battlefield, I too would have considered the neck a fatal wound. But did the Lord Saint not reattach even a severed neck? So I asked while considering the special nature of this battlefield.”

“......Please. Act as if this were an ordinary battlefield.”

“Understood.”

Kal lowered his hand in acceptance.

The instructor pressed his temples firmly and continued speaking.

“You will not receive extra points for going deeper than the permitted depth. Understanding and following orders is also an evaluation item for this exam.”

His gaze swept over the students again.

After confirming the students understood, he politely pointed to the knights lined up beside the podium.

“Finally, His Grace the Duke has assigned one additional knight to each party.”

The instructor turned to the knights waiting beside the inner courtyard.

At his signal, the knights began to move.

“These people will accompany you to protect you. They will intervene in emergencies, but they will not help you complete your assignment. During the exam, act as if they are not there.”

One knight took position beside each party.

The students examined their respective escort knights with interest.

An elite knight of a Ducal Family could be considered equivalent to an active-duty hero.

In fact, not a few retired heroes became knights of such great nobles.

It was only natural for the students to react this way.

Then I spotted a man approaching the Valkyries.

'Hm?'

The moment I saw him, I noticed something strange.

Unlike the knights wearing armor, he was dressed in formal ceremonial attire.

Just from that, one could tell he was someone important.

As if my guess was right, when he passed, the other knights straightened their posture.

'He doesn't seem to be a knight?'

It seemed I was not the only one thinking that.

The instructor, who had been comparing the roster with the students, looked up and stopped.

“Knight Commander?”

Apparently he was a Knight Commander.

I could tell because he alone wore formal attire while others wore armor.

But the more I learned, the deeper my doubts became.

He was not someone who should be assigned to watch students wander the forest for exam points.

I voiced that doubt to Edmund, who was in the seat in front of me.

Edmund answered in a tone that suggested he did not understand either.

“So it's the second son of the Erunt family. I've crossed paths with him a few times on the battlefield.”

Huh?

He was the second son?

“I am puzzled as well. I understood that he is currently busy managing the railway.”

“He is not a member of the Demonic Realm Knight Order?”

“No. That makes it even more puzzling. There should be no reason for him to come all the way here and oversee students' exams.”

Hearing the explanation only deepened my doubts.

“Could it be that he, like me, has awakened to the joy of nurturing successors...? There's no way.”

While Edmund muttered.

The second son stopped beside Eri.

Eri looked up at him.

Meeting her eyes, the second son nodded with the kindest expression in the world.

Beside Eri, Freya and Jenny fidgeted and watched the second son's mood.

Eri, the one actually being greeted, wore an expression that said, 'Who are you?'

“Um... Knight Commander.”

At that moment, the instructor in charge of exam supervision cautiously approached the Knight Commander.

“Have you come to inspect the exam, Knight Commander? If so, I will...”

“No. I will accompany this party.”

The instructor looked at the Valkyries.

Then he looked back at the Knight Commander.

“Um... I did not receive any contact...”

“Ah, my apologies. I did send word this morning that I would urgently change the assignment. It seems the revised roster has not arrived yet.”

The instructor looked at the adjutant.

The adjutant drew a circle above his head and nodded vigorously.

It was a gesture that the Knight Commander's words were correct.

At this, the instructor wiped cold sweat with a handkerchief and responded to the Knight Commander.

“I understand, but... may I ask for what reason you changed the assignment like this?”

To that, the Knight Commander answered with a calm face.

“I heard while preparing for duty at dawn today. This child became my sworn younger sister? Even if she is my sworn sister, she is my sister. So I came.”

The Knight Commander's gaze turned briefly toward Eri.

A satisfied smile formed on his seemingly blunt face.

“I came to see my sister's performance with my own eyes and to check that she is not injured. Is there a problem with an older brother coming to protect his sister himself?”

The instructor froze.

“Pardon?”

He looked at Eri with eyes demanding an explanation.

Regardless.

The Knight Commander calmly continued.

“If you are worried that it might harm the fairness of the exam, there is no need. What I want to see is my sister's performance. There is no reason for me to steal that opportunity.”

The reactions of the others were the same as the instructor's.

The gazes of students and instructors gathered on her.

The Valkyries, except for Charlotte, also looked at Eri.

“Unnie.”

Freya cautiously tugged at Eri's collar.

“What?”

“When you spoke with the Duke yesterday, what exactly happened?”

There was urgency in her voice.

Eri answered with an openly annoyed look.

“I told you, he said let's eat together often from now on.”

“That can't have been all.”

“Ah. He did give me this too.”

Eri reached inside her outer clothing and drew out a dagger.

The black blade caught the sunlight and shone like obsidian.

Magic engravings ran along it.

It was clear at a glance that it was a treasured sword.

But that was not the important part.

Near the handle, the crest of the Erunt Ducal Family was engraved.

What that meant was clear.

“......Good heavens.”

Freya's body staggered.

Jenny, who understood the meaning belatedly, was also flabbergasted.

“No, I don't care about the rest, but you should have told us about this, Junior!”

Lady Keres, who had been near the observation gallery, laughed heartily.

“This is quite a sight. As expected, the outside is fun.”

Charlotte was calm.

She only glanced once at the dagger and showed no particular interest.

Edmund, who had been in the seat in front of me, pressed his forehead and let out a hearty laugh.

“Good heavens... Do you see it, Lord Yulian?”

“I see it.”

“Congratulations. The student you raised has become a member of the Ducal Family.”

“I see. That is truly a good thing.”

Yes.

That treasured sword Eri was holding.

That was an item permitted only to members of the Ducal Family.

'Did the Duke notice Eri's talent as well...'

It was probably not simply because she was a benefactor.

Nobles are beings who covet talent as much as gold.

A single talent can create a new noble, or decide the fate of a family.

And once one becomes a great noble, one cannot help but know that importance better than anyone.

That was probably also why the Duke accepted Eri as a member.

Even in the Duke's eyes, she was talent worth accepting as a member of the family.

Of course, the biggest factor was probably that he liked Eri as a person.

“Unnie. Why on earth didn't you tell us about this? How could you not know?”

Eri wrinkled her nose.

“I really didn't know. The Duke only said let's eat together. I never heard about this.”

“There's no way it turned out like this without you agreeing! Did you sign something somewhere?”

“Ah, I did sign something like a signature. But it's no big deal.”

“Tell me what kind of signature it was.”

“I agreed to become sisters with Lady Isolde.”

Aha.

So that was it.

“You formed a sworn sisterhood pact!”

“I suppose so? But are sworn sisters really that amazing? Our party's original name was Sisters, after all.”

“No... Ugh...!”

Eri answered as if she had just made a new friend.

Eri's reaction was not that strange.

In truth, sworn sisterhood was not such a heavy vow.

You can think of it as roughly the weight of hero party comrades.

It was completely different in weight from adoption, which puts your name in the family register.

The problem was what came attached with the sworn sisterhood.

She was to receive the Duke's patronage.

She was also to dine periodically with the Duke.

On top of that, she had formed sworn sisterhood with the youngest daughter.

Even if not 'the Duke's daughter', it was enough to be treated as 'a sister to the Duke's children'.

'Honestly. Why does noble society love word games like this so much?'

Perhaps because formally adopting her outright would have meant watching the Nihilrit Family, who had been supporting Eri first.

If not, it would look like the Ducal Family had snatched away someone we discovered.

So they used this elegant loophole.

“I'm a soldier, so I'm not good at this sort of thing... but it might be good to ask the Duke for his secret method once. My children happen to need a godfather.”

“You still haven't given up?”

“You will understand when you become a parent. How desperately you want someone you can trust and entrust your child to even after you disappear.”

Edmund seemed to quite like the Duke's method.

It seemed he was thinking of using it on me.

But that did not mean I would become those children's godfather.

......Probably.

“Then should we call that child a Duke's Daughter now?”

“I do not think so, Your Highness.”

“I suppose not. I was just saying it.”

Officially, Eri was still a dependent retainer of the Nihilrit Family and a child receiving the patronage of the Erunt Ducal Family.

Calling her a Duke's Daughter was not appropriate.

However, unofficially, she was a member of the Ducal Family.

Her practical treatment should be considered equivalent to a Duke's Daughter.

So then, what if there were some tactless noble who did not understand this profound and poetic political nuance?

Well, then there's nothing to be done.

That person's family would have to shut down its service.

And.

Honestly... even I, who am tactless about politics, can notice it,

so if such an incident happened, wouldn't it be the fault of the person who failed to notice iiiit...

At that moment, Freya, having accepted the situation, staggered a step beside Eri and clutched the back of her neck.

“No...”

She closed her eyes for a moment.

Then she opened them again and looked straight at Eri.

“Unnie. Please, I beg you. Don't put things like this off for later; tell us when they happen.”

Eri snorted.

“How was I supposed to know it was such an important matter?”

“It is an important matter...”

Watching Eri maintain her indifferent attitude, I felt relieved.

I was glad the person concerned was a noble who was that tactless, and who was allowed to be tactless.