Chapter 54: How do you feel about chicken?

"As long as you understand. Be at ease, both of you."

Permission granted, the two of them looked back up. The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, his gray hair worn slightly long and fixed in place with product. He was clean and neat, but dark circles haunted his eyes. Despite his scolding, he had a gentle air about him, and he carried himself like a high-ranking noble. He was tall, his musculature obvious even through his clothes.

"No matter what form it takes, admiration for the royal family is a wonderful thing."

"Yes, thank you, sir! Umm, by the way… Pardon me for asking, but are you Lord Lawvine? Ruler of our town?"

"Indeed," The man said. "I am the count and heir to House Lawvine."

Rishe's eyes widened.

Wait, this is His Lordship Ludger Lars Lawvine?

She looked back at the man before her, swallowing nervously.

He's the brave general of Galkhein destined to be slaughtered by Prince Arnold as an "enemy of the state."

Ludger Lars Lawvine was the count who governed Galkhein's northernmost territory. His sin was attempting to prevent Emperor Arnold Hein's spread of tyranny. Though his holding was remote, he was a man of distinguished military service, adored by a great many people. Yet this loyal retainer would be killed by the very man he served. Three years from now, he would object to Emperor Arnold's war of conquest, and, enraged, the emperor would take his life in retaliation.

I heard all sorts of rumors: He was slowly tortured to death, he was beheaded in one strike… Emperor Arnold Hein put his entire family to death to atone for Lord Lawvine's treason..

Lawvine's execution was a source of Arnold's universal infamy. And here he was, standing before Rishe in real time.

Rishe shrank under the scrutiny of his gray eyes. Though his bearing was relaxed, he had a demeanor that screamed "military man."

The count of the north… An officer talented enough to be trusted with the border.

She wouldn't be surprised if he easily figured out that she was a woman.

Rishe shuddered at the thought.

As her anxiety peaked, he said, "How do you feel about chicken?"

"Huh?" Her jaw dropped.

Lord Lawvine continued to look at her like he'd said something exceedingly normal. Ignoring Rishe and Fritz's confusion, he went on dispassionately, "If you don't like chicken, any other meat will do. And there's legumes, eggs, and milk…Or are you not a fan of those either?"

"N-no, I like them! I like all food!"

"I see. That's good."

What the heck is this conversation?!

Much as she yearned to ask, the count's manner shut out all possibility of questioning. Just as she expected, he solemnly added, "If your circumstances allow such indulgence, you should eat more. You appear to have less muscle mass than the average man."

Oh, is that all?

"Yes, sir! Thank you for your advice!" Rishe said, relaxing.

She had learned plenty about the sort of food needed to cultivate a strong body in her life as an apothecary. Such wisdom wasn't yet widespread, but that was likely what Lawvine was referring to.

Still, I already proved during my life as a knight that I'll never have the muscle mass as a man, no matter how much I eat.

Lawvine nodded in satisfaction. "Youths like you should always aim to improve yourselves. I'll be assisting with your instruction starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing how you perform."

"Wow, you'll be teaching us, Lord Lawvine?! Awesome! Oops… I mean, uh, I am most honored!"

Upon seeing how excited Fritz was, Lawvine's expression relaxed a little. "I am overjoyed to have a hand in training promising young people. I was detained later than I meant to be, so I couldn't attend today's practice. What are your thoughts?"

Fritz and Rishe exchanged a glance, and Fritz was first to answer. "To be honest, I found it very accommodating! I was prepared to run until I puked or train until I couldn't stand up anymore!"

"I was surprised too," Rishe said. "We were allowed breaks to drink water and rest between exercises. I've heard some stories of knight training in other countries—they're far harsher on new recruits."

"True."

The count offered an understanding nod. "It was the same here until just a few years ago. During the war, we needed battle-ready forces as fast as we could get them. By training new recruits harshly, you weed out those who can't hack it and send the rest to the front lines as quickly as possible. But…ah, someone did away with those harsh practices. You two can rest easy."

Come to think of it… Arnold's attendant, Oliver, had mentioned that he'd suffered an injury and thus couldn't become a knight. If Oliver's injury had occurred during training, Rishe could easily guess who might have changed those practices.

"What we—your seniors, that is—are charged with is not to pick out exceptional youths but to encourage everyone's growth. I'll see you two at training. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Lawvine turned to speak with an approaching knight. "Lord Lawvine, His Majesty awaits your arrival. Please report to the audience chamber."

"Right, I'll be there presently. Tomorrow then, you two."

Fritz and Rishe bowed as Lawvine left the training grounds. "Thank you for speaking to us!"

Rishe felt the cogs of her mind turning as she held the pose.

His Majesty, huh? I've never met him myself, but he lives here in the palace, doesn't he?

She had been in Galkhein for over a month. The palace was expansive, true enough, but for Rishe to have failed to run into him even once implied someone was deliberately preventing an encounter.

Not that I'm His Majesty's highest concern right now…

By and by, she looked up to find Fritz taking deep breaths, a hand splayed on his chest. "Whew, that was nerve-racking, wasn't it, Lucius? I never expected to speak with Lord Lawvine!"

"Really? You looked like you kept your cool, Fritz."

"No way! Although it's nice to hear you say that. Anyway, are you free? Let's eat together!"

As much as Rishe would have loved to join him, she had places to be. "Sorry, I'm afraid I have to go. I have work in the afternoon."

"Got it. Bit of a shame, but there's no way around it. Good luck at work!"

"Thanks. See you tomorrow!"