The Third Knights’ dormitory had a restaurant exclusively for knights.

It was a place where chefs and servants resided and could be used freely except during the early morning hours, and it was always full of knights looking for a meal during lunch and dinner times.

Today, knights who had finished training or returned from missions gathered one by one and filled the seats in the restaurant.

Normally, everyone gathered like that would be engrossed in their meal and would be chatting while taking a break, but that wasn’t the case now.

The knights were all staring at one place, unable to place their eyes on the delicious food placed before them.

“…What are they doing?”

“Does anyone know what’s happening?”

The mutterings about the absurd situation flowed through the whole restaurant.

There, sitting side by side and eating together, were the two youngest members of the knights who were bickering while cutting meat.

“There are so many things you wish for even though you know I’m always like this.”

“I gave up reciting chivalry in the early evening. At least you have to do your duty as a human, right, you punk!”

“Aha, so you want to see me give up on being human? As your junior, I’ll try my best.”

“You’re killing me.”

“Is that possible? Would you like to give it a try?”

Finally, Arthur grabbed his sword and jumped up from his seat, but Arendt just responded calmly, stuffing the meat he had just sliced ​​into his mouth.

“Don’t you know that you shouldn’t even touch a dog when it’s eating?”

“You really…!”

Arthur, who was about to shout again, suddenly realized that the other knights’ eyes were focused on them.

He gritted his teeth and sat back down.

“You really won’t leave me alone.”

“Why don’t you eat?”

The knights didn’t know where to start.

Arthur and Arendt together?

The fact that Arendt, who had never gone near the restaurant that all the knights used because it was dirty, was now naturally sitting down and eating his share of the meal?

Actually, it wasn’t the first time they saw a scene like that. In the past few days, those two people have often been seen together.

Even though his insides were scratched and he was growing at every word Arendt said, Arthur did not pull away from him.

Arendt also persistently went in and out of the training hall with him, even while hearing the same harsh threats that Arthur would kill him every time.

“What the hell is this…”

Someone muttered with a hint of lament.

As if it were a signal, the knights turned around and returned to their meal.

To be honest, they were skeptical about the situation from start to finish.

But they didn’t really feel like meddling. If they did that, there was a high chance that they would end up holding their head and foaming at the mouth, just like Arthur was doing.

In the first place, it was not normal for a guy who had been imprisoned in a dungeon to be walking around like that only a few days after being released.

The knights quietly quietly ignored Arthur’s outbursts; that would be beneficial to everyone’s mental health.

Even though he had the misfortune of being stuck with the body of a traitor, Arendt still had one thing he liked about the situation.

That point was that his living conditions had improved tremendously.

The room Arendt originally lived in was luxurious, and the restaurant served excellent meals with fish or meat at every meal.

It was a diet that was incomparable to the time when he had to live on instant food in a one-room apartment and work part-time jobs until he died.

‘I’m slowly getting used to the sword.’

Arendt swung his sword lightly.

After spending a few days, it seemed like almost all of his sense of handling a sword had been regained. He felt like he would be able to achieve the level that Arendt originally did in just a little bit more time.

Arendt, who twirled the sword in his hand, looked straight at Arthur. Arthur was staring at him without hiding his disapproval.

“Are you feeling a little more relaxed?”

“Sure, whatever.”

Arthur believed that Arendt’s muscles had stiffened because he had been imprisoned for several days. It wasn’t that strange, since he was in a cold prison. Thanks to this, there was no need to come up with an excuse for his sloppy swordsmanship.

Arendt and Arthur kept their distance from each other as usual. Since meal time had not yet ended, the gymnasium was deserted..

Arendt cracked his neck.

“You were looking at me like you were watching someone else.”

“Wouldn’t you? I don’t know why I’m doing this right now. I thought you were being sarcastic, you lie with spit in your mouth. Who would have thought you needed help?”

“I’m a more delicate person than you think.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Immediately, harsh insults flew in.

Arendt ignored him and grabbed the sword that was spinning in his hand.

“Just keep doing what you were doing before. I think I’m starting to get the hang of it now.”

“It doesn’t matter… but why are you so passionate about training? You’re the one who hates sweating the most in the world.”

“You never know when your seniors might come rushing at you to cut off your neck. You have to prepare in advance.”

Arthur made a face of blatant bewilderment. Arendt simply looked at him with a blank expression as if to say, “What do you want me to do?” It was impossible to tell whether he was serious or joking.

Arthur gave up trying to read his mind.

It was considered meaningless from the beginning.

“You shameless brat…”

Instead, Arthur just grabbed the sword again, chewing down the swear words that were now stuck in his mouth.

As he took his stance, Arendt also took his usual stance. Unlike when they first crossed swords, it looked quite flawless.

He was originally very talented with the sword. Thanks to his talent, he was a guy who could somehow do his part even if he ran away during every training session.

With some effort added, over the past few days, he could feel that the tip of the sword was getting sharper every time it was swung.

Arthur lowered his body.

His dark-colored eyes gave off a subtle glow. After a few seconds, the two people rushed towards each other, kicking the ground as if they had made a promise.

Arthur’s sword swung straight at him, but was blocked by Arendt’s sword.

Kaaaaang!

A ripping sound erupted.

Arthur, who had bounced off without much resistance, twisted his body and stabbed straight into Arendt’s side.

Kaaaaang!

This attack was also blocked as if it were natural.

Arendt used his momentary strength to push Arthur away.

A little distance developed between the two, and Arendt rushed towards Arthur.

Arendt swung his sword downwards.

Arthur frowned slightly and blocked the counterattack, which was faster than expected.

Cooung.

A dull shock struck his arm, and as Arthur’s sword made contact with Arendt’s sword, Arendt stepped back slightly, put his sword away, and delivered a kick.

“Huh?”

A surprised Arthur reflexively twisted his arm and blocked Arendt with his sword.

Coooooo!

A loud noise shook the training ground, and the two people froze in that position for a while.

Arthur forgot to lower his sword and just stared at his opponent in bewilderment.

When Arendt saw his leg blocked by the sword, he clicked his tongue and corrected his posture.

“It didn’t work.”

“…You thought it would?”

Arthur, who had been dumbfounded for a while, finally managed to shoot a rebuttal, and Arendt grunted but widened the distance.

Arthur looked blankly at Arendt adjusting his clothes.

‘Was it a coincidence?’

If he had done it unconsciously, he would have admired Arendt’s fleeting insight, and if he had done it on purpose, he would have admired his dirty temper.

That’s because the move Arendt made just now was a slight twist on what Arthur had done just before that.

Arthur, with his sword hanging down, took a step closer to Arendt.

He felt like he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he didn’t ask Arendt how he made that move.

At that time, a figure appeared in the training hall where there were originally only two people.

They turned their heads at the same time.

A well-dressed servant was standing at a distance and bowing his head towards them.

“Sir Arthur Norbert. Captain Laius de Winfried is looking for you.”

“…”

The attendant kept glancing sideways at Arendt, even though he was polite. It seemed strange that Arthur, who was trusted by the captain, was with an openly known traitor.

Arendt, noticing the attendant’s gaze, shrugged his shoulders and sheathed his sword first.

It meant to do what he must.

Arthur glanced at him and sheathed his sword as well.

“See you later.”

“Or so you say.”

Leaving behind a curt greeting, Arthur followed the attendant.

Arendt, who was left alone in the training hall, quietly watched the two people moving further and further away.

After a moment, his brow furrowed slightly.

“…It’s earlier than I thought?”

“Sir, I heard you found it.”

As soon as he entered Laius’ office, Arthur bowed his upper body neatly.

Laius greeted him with a slight nod.

“Welcome.”

Only then did Arthur raise his head.

Laius could read the trust that was filled in Arthur’s gaze as he looked at him. A faint smile appeared on Laius’ usually straight lips.

“I heard you hang out with Arendt.”

“It’s not about hanging out. I just happened to watch his training.”

Immediately, a voice of discontent burst out.

Laius chuckled and then asked a question in a light tone.

“So, is there any progress?”

“Well, where can his skills go? Even though his personality is half-baked, his skills are good. He still looked bad for a few days, but now he’s flying around very well.”

Arthur said that, though his expression showed that he was not at all pleased.

Although his skills were still a little lower than that of formal knights, it was clear that if he continued to grow at this rate, Arendt would become a knight that no one in his age group could match.

“Yes, you have suffered a lot.”

“Don’t you find that guy annoying, Captain?” Arthur asked.

Laius quietly frowned.

“The situation is over. Sir Kendrick and Lady Diana have finished judging, and His Majesty the Emperor has already been briefed.”

“That’s true, but… but the person feels a little different.”

Arthur continued speaking with a dissatisfied look on his face.

“I understand why they decided to keep Arendt alive. He’s done a great job, and maybe there’s more information he hasn’t told us yet, but that doesn’t mean we can trust him.”

He said that he had infiltrated the enemy on purpose… but he may have betrayed the Emperor because he was afraid of being captured, and then also betrayed the Rebels because he was afraid of dying.

The fact that Arendt’s arm was still wearing that silver bracelet meant that the leaders were also keeping that fact in mind.

A person who betrayed once can also do it twice.

It was easier for one person to betray you three times than it was for one person to betray you twice.

And now, Arthur was worried about Laius, who was betrayed by his subordinate… Laius silenced him by shaking his head.

“If you watch more, you will find out.”

“… If the leader says so.”

“Saying that, you seem to be preparing to make your own decision.”

Arthur didn’t bother to respond.

It was because Laius, whose expression rarely changed, seemed strangely happy, and because he couldn’t bring himself to deny what he said.

Laius added the words clearly, as if engraving it in the conversation.

“I trust you, like always.”

“I know,” Arthur answered and straightened his posture again.

“Give me the order. I am ready.”

“There is something I want you to confirm.”

Laius’ eyes also became serious again.

Arthur nodded.

Both the person giving the order and the person receiving the order seemed very familiar with each other.

“A group of people who raided the East Safe have been discovered. Track them down and gather clues.”

“Yes.”

“… It’s dangerous.”

Laius paused for a moment and lowered his voice.

“This is something that needs to be done secretly, so I can’t assign anyone else to do it. Can you do it?”

“…”

There was still no expression on Laius’ face, but Arthur was fully aware of the worry and concern that was melting into his eyes.

Because he was such a person, Arthur could risk his life for Laius without any hesitation.

Arthur nodded vigorously, smiling for no reason.

“Please leave it to me.”