461

Episode 461: Are you exercising these days? (2)

Elena answered Giselle's question with confusion.

"Oh, I don't do any exercise or anything."

Elena is the daughter of a noble family. Unless she is a completely fallen noble, there is no reason for an ordinary noble daughter to exert power in life.

Even though Ferdium was a poor fiefdom, it was a count who received support from the kingdom. He could use servants.

So Elena didn't really need to do anything that required strength. She didn't even practice.

I only received lessons to cultivate my character as a young lady. No matter how hard I tried, it was only to the extent of something related to that.

This is the first time in my life that I've really given it my all.

"Uh, uh… … ."

Elena began to feel uncomfortable with the gaze of people.

She lived without even thinking about how strong her power was. She just lived without knowing her limits. It was natural, since she had never had a chance to use her power.

Jiselle stroked her chin with a serious expression.

'Yeah, now that I think about it, it definitely was back then... ... .'

- Oh, brother! Let's run away!

- It's okay, let go. You're secretly strong, aren't you?

- Let's run away quickly!

When three assassins came to Ferdium to kill Elena, she grabbed Giselle's arm and told her to run away.

At that time, Giselle could not easily pull her arm out.

- Why are you so strong? Do you exercise?

That's what I said, but I just thought she was a little stronger than the average girl.

At the time, I was so busy dealing with the assassins that I couldn't think deeply about it, and later on, I just assumed it was because my power was unstable right after my return.

'There was another case like that… … .'

When Elena won the fight against Kane and was supposed to receive the money, she tried to get something from Giselle by sneaking an arm around her and pretending to be friendly.

Even then, Jiselle tried to pull her arm out lightly, but failed.

- No, do you really exercise? How can you be so strong?

A series of strange things came to Jiselle's mind. Things she had thought were nothing special and passed over them.

Belinda was equally perplexed. She had raised Elena as just another ordinary girl, healthy enough to be suspicious.

'Yes, the young lady has certainly never been sick. She has never even caught a common cold. Compared to the young master who lived with a runny nose and cough every day... ... .'

At that time, I couldn't help but pay less attention to Elena, who was relatively healthy, because I was taking care of the weak(?) Giselle.

'No, but I wasn't this strong when I was young.'

Still, she was better than her peers, but not as strong as an adult. So, I quickly gave up on any hopes I had for Annette.

'Wait a minute, now that I think about it, back then too… … .'

When Alfoy and the wizards first came to the territory, they were scolded by Giselle for trying to manipulate Vanessa.

They told Alfoy and the wizards to carry the luggage themselves, but they couldn't even lift it properly. No wonder the coachman they brought along offered to help.

Elena, who appeared with the servants at that time, lightly carried their luggage with both hands.

Didn't Belinda clap her hands and cheer at that time?

- Oh, aren't you heavy? You must be exercising these days!

- Oh, don't do that. It's not that heavy.

I just thought it was because Alfoy and the wizards were so weak. They're healthy now, but back then they were really weak.

Giselle and Belinda placed their hands on their foreheads. The same thought ran through their heads.

'It's divine power. It's clear that he was born with divine power.'

'I never thought Annette's divine power would be passed on to the young lady.'

Why didn't I think to look into it more closely then? Why did I just think she was some strong girl?

To be honest, the biggest reason I never thought about it was because not everyone is born with divine powers.

'It takes time to check if you have divine powers.'

'I didn't know because I never saw him exert himself properly since he was little and I didn't pay attention to him.'

Those with divine powers can produce great strength because their muscle density and structure are different from that of ordinary people… … but they are not born with great strength.

Usually, as you age, your muscles grow and become stronger. That's why you need to pay attention consistently to see if you are born with divine power.

However, Ferdium had no time to pay attention to Elena. Everyone had become accustomed to Elena's power gradually growing stronger, so there were definitely parts that were overlooked.

Elena herself probably didn't notice it because she didn't have anything to do. It was highly likely that she woke up because she was first faced with a crisis situation that required all her strength.

Jiselle's eyes lit up.

'I never thought we'd have such a jewel in our family. I can't just let it rot away like this.'

To be honest, it was just luck that the assassin's arm was broken. The assassin was just caught off guard when suddenly attacked and couldn't react.

Even if she was born with divine power, if they were to fight in earnest, Elena wouldn't be able to handle even one beginner knight. This is because if she doesn't learn mana and techniques, no matter how strong she is, there is a limit.

'I didn't know because I was attacked by an assassin in my past life... ... .'

Perhaps even the assassins from her previous life would have had at least one wrist broken by Elena's rampage?

Giselle approached Elena with a bright smile for no reason and pretended to be friendly.

"Elena, were you scared? You worked hard."

"Huh? Hmm?"

"Oh, I feel a little sorry that this happened because of me. I'll buy you some clothes and some accessories as a reward."

Elena took a step back, looking at him suspiciously.

It is now a well-known fact to all the people of the kingdom that Giselle is extremely wealthy. However, Giselle is also famous for not being extravagant.

This is because he pours all the money he earns into developing his territory and preparing for battle. He even pours the money he receives into that area.

'Even though you're rich, you haven't bought me a single proper gift!'

Because of that, I had cursed at Rachel more than once. What would Yeong-ji do if she became rich? She was still poor Yeong-ae.

But then, all of a sudden, he acts so friendly and asks to buy me something. It was clear that he was after something.

"What, what is it? Why are you suddenly like that?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I feel like I haven't taken care of my little brother enough."

"Oh, you're funny. You wouldn't do that, would you? Huh? Huh? Don't come near me. You look very suspicious right now."

As he approached, Giselle stopped walking at Elena's warning. Still, he spoke with sincerity.

"I'm telling you, really? This time, I'll buy you anything you want. Just ask."

"Really?"

"Of course! Really! I'll buy you whatever you want! I'll write it with great determination."

"Really, really?"

"I told you so. But can you do me a favor?"

Then that's right. He's not the kind of person who would just give it to you. Elena asked with a pointed expression.

"What is it? What do you want?"

"Phew… … ."

Jiselle sighed deeply. This is where the game is decided. Now, she must persuade him.

He spoke with utmost sincerity, with a more serious expression on his face than he had ever seen before.

"You, join the Northern Army."

* * *

"Phew, it's over now."

"Yeah, everyone worked hard."

Giselle, sitting across from Belinda, also leaned back in her chair with a slightly tired expression.

It's been a very busy few days. The Duke seems determined to succeed this time, so he even released some pretty expensive bait.

After somehow solving the problem, I felt quite tired.

Belinda asked with a slightly complicated expression.

"Are you really going to take Miss Elena with you?"

"That's right. It's a sin to just let that talent go to waste, a sin."

"You really don't want to go?"

"Umm… … ."

There was a red palm print on one side of Giselle's cheek. She had been holding Elena back for hours, trying to persuade her, but she ended up getting slapped in the face.

Jiselle just gave in to the persuasion, but her neck twisted in an instant and she almost died.

He hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.

"No. If you're a noble, you should fulfill your noble duties. It's a sin for someone with such talent not to fight. I'll drag you on somehow."

"Whew… … ."

Belinda simply shrugged. She had repeatedly objected that it was dangerous, but Giselle was unwavering.

"It's not just because of my divine power. After experiencing this, I realized that Elena should be able to protect herself. The same goes for Rachel. Even if she doesn't participate in battle right away, I'll take her with me and train her."

Belinda couldn't object to it until the end because it wasn't a completely wrong statement. Maybe the safest place would be next to Giselle and herself.

He had no choice but to protect her from the side, teaching her both martial arts and mana training.

Giselle quickly changed the subject, fearing that Belinda would object again.

"Let's leave Elena alone. Let's hear more about our mother. What happened to her? If it was 20 years ago, it doesn't seem to match the time period I was born."

"It hasn't been over 30 years, so I said it's been about 20 years. It's been more than that."

"… … Then how old is Belinda really?"

"What did I always teach you?"

"… … I don't ask about a woman's 'real' age."

"is it so."

"… … ."

Giselle shook her head, speechless at the ridiculous answer.

"Oh my… … So what is my mother's true identity? How did she end up in Perdium? What was the story that made that guy Melkir come looking for my mother?"

"Phew… … ."

Belinda sighed and placed an old box she had kept nearby on the table.

I knew you would say something like this when Jiselle called me, so I brought it.

"What is this?"

"I've been hiding it in Ferdium all this time. I thought it would be better for you to know about the group Annette and I were in first."

Belinda hid most of her personal belongings in the Perdium and followed Giselle.

Since Giselle had been moving from Fenris to Cavaldi to Desmond, she kept important things here until things were sorted out.

"Here… … Mom's secret… … ."

Jiselle swallowed hard and opened the box.

Click.

There were three books in the box: two relatively clean ones and one that looked quite worn.

Jiselle looked at the two books with trembling eyes at the completely different appearances of the books.

Even the title written on the book cover was unusual.

"This is… my mother's secret?"

"yes."

Jiselle blinked several times and checked the title of the book again.

[The ex-husband who lost his memory turns out to be the crown prince of the empire?]

[I was hit by a carriage and reincarnated as a princess of the kingdom.]

No matter how you looked at it, they were just novels sold on the market. Just novels like 'The Transparent Sword Master' that Gordon had written before.

But I couldn't help but confirm that my mother's secret was here.

Jiselle asked cautiously.

"Oh, are you remarried?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You were actually the hidden princess of the kingdom?"

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Jiselle picked up two books with cold eyes.

"Then what is this?"

"Oh my, oh my. Why is that there?"

Belinda, who had just seen the book, was startled and quickly snatched it away.

It was a novel I used to read in my spare time when I was tired from raising Giselle and Elena a long time ago. I said I would keep it safe, but it seems I forgot to put it in there.

Belinda said, smiling bashfully as if embarrassed.

"Oh, the book I was reading as a hobby was there. Don't worry about it. Just read something else."

"...okay."

Jiselle, who had come to her senses, picked up the remaining book. It was a very old and worn book.

What was written in the book was information about a group and the techniques Belinda had learned.

"The Shadow Knights… … ."

I had never heard of them in my previous life. The booklet simply stated that their mission was to protect the royal family of Lutania in secret.

A secret organization that eliminates enemies who pose a threat to the royal family. The leader of this organization was none other than his own mother.

The Shadow Knights were a powerful group that had control of all information in the kingdom and created a death list for the nobles.

But there was no mention of their origins, or when or how they were created. It felt like there was a break in the record.

But what's unique is... ... .

"One family monopolized the position of the head of the family and passed it down through generations? In this kingdom?"

"Yes, it is a position passed down through generations. Only Annette's family can learn the vision and assume the position of Commander of the Shadow Knights."

"Huh? That was passed down to Belinda, right?"

"Annette wanted to cut it off in her generation, so she passed it on to me. I don't know why she thought that."

"Mom, you didn't have any other family?"

"Yes, as far as I know. He was a very secretive person… … and he said that was what made him attractive."

Giselle realized who Belinda had taught her. Her mother's teachings were being passed on to her.

"… … Yes. But it doesn't say when or why this group was created."

There is no way that such a powerful organization could have come into existence without a reason. Furthermore, there were traces of a long-time secret battle against the Salvation Church. This was not something that could be passed over lightly.

When Giselle seemed to have read the rest, Belinda gave further explanation.

"I think it's probably a group that's been around since the founding king's time. So maybe it protected the royal family of Rutania? Of course, I can't be sure because there are no records."

"Then does the Shadow Knights still exist in the royal family?"

"No, as far as I know, the Knights Templar were destroyed because of Melkir. There were no survivors. I don't know if they were recreated after that."

"Was he a traitor?"

"Yes, Melkir was the vice-captain."

Belinda calmly told the story of the past. Melkir, who was the vice-captain, had surprised Annette and seriously injured her.

At that time, most of the members died and the Shadow Knights were said to have fallen apart.

At that time, Belinda was young and simply thought that Melkir and the traitors had conspired.

"But now that I look back, I don't think that was the case. I think they joined hands with outside forces to attack Annette. I mean, the Duke and the Salvation Church."

"Did you hear anything else about your opponent during the fight?"

"I was a trainee at the time. Annette didn't tell me anything about it, so I didn't know the details."

"I see… … . Still, I think I have a rough idea."

It has only been about 10 years since the Duke began to show his ambitions, but it has been over 20 years since he contacted the Salvation Church and began preparing to overturn the country.

The Salvation Church had not shown any movement until then. There must have been a reason why they moved after the Shadow Knights fell.

Jiselle narrowed her eyes and became lost in thought.

"I can't figure it out because they hide so much. They don't seem like a new religion."

The black energy they use is a power that is completely different from the mana or divine power that has been used until now. Such a power suddenly appeared in the world.

You might think that the Salvation Church had discovered a new power, but Erenes's reaction suggested that it had been around for a very long time.

And yet, there are no records or even oral traditions about them. No matter how I thought about it, it was strange.

'It seems like there was some kind of large-scale manipulation... ... .'

Otherwise, it's something that can't be explained.

'I guess I'll have to ask Erenes when I get the chance.'

Since Erenes didn't seem like he would talk easily, I had to dig into it little by little.

And… … there was one more person I wanted to meet. It was more of a gut feeling than a logical reason.

'I'm sure you know something.'

It seemed that the Salvation Church's assistance to Melkir was only intended to overthrow the Shadow Knights and strike at the royal family.

So they thought they should meet the King of Rutania, their goal.

His mother's family, the Salvation Church, and the royal family. These three were definitely connected by something he didn't know about.