Chapter 294: Interlude Pt. 2 [Another Perspective] Talga's Shock 1

[Talga]

Lord Van is an excellent lord. I thought I was fully aware of that. However, the fact that he is a ten-year-old boy probably still lingered somewhere in my mind.

I must have been unable to discard the perception that he simply possessed knowledge and dynamism that were phenomenal for a ten-year-old.

However, that thought was destroyed in the blink of an eye.

I, too, wasn’t just guarding a fort. Fortunately, thanks to my military achievements in the Royal Capital’s Chivalric Order and His Majesty’s favor, I was able to advance at a speed normally unthinkable. Being entrusted with the defense of an important base is a significant role. If I accomplish this, there is a possibility of being appointed as a magistrate of a small town.

Thinking so, I intended to learn many things while maintaining the base. Since I had a civil official dispatched from the Royal Capital in addition to the Chivalric Order, I thought I was gaining fulfilling learning every day.

But Lord Van’s knowledge and way of thinking were on a different level.

I could realize this even from a single phrase Lord Van uttered as if it were nothing.

“There’s a saying like ‘without people, there is no country,’ right? So, I think the most important thing is to make the territory a place where everyone living there can live happily. Prepare food, clothing, and shelter, and provide places to work. After that, aim for a peaceful territory and prepare perfect defense facilities. If you do that, don’t you think the people living in the territory will naturally have trust in the lord?”

Lord Van said that as if it were obvious. How many nobles could honestly agree with those words? Perhaps it was just chance, but among the nobles I have met so far, I feel there were few who thought like Lord Van.

Also, Lord Van responds accurately to the residents’ requests as if he has lived a life as a commoner, and furthermore, he builds facilities that exceed their expectations. His innovative way of thinking and knowledge are certainly not something a ten-year-old boy would possess.

The town Lord Van built is not only neatly arranged but also has a very efficient structure. Furthermore, he repeated “hygiene is important” many times, and the sewage system, public baths, and water intake and boiling devices developed as part of that were things I had never seen before.

Seatoh Village and the Adventurer Town equipped with these were certainly comfortable and maintained a clean state. Thanks to the consideration for hygiene, few residents fell ill, and the atmosphere of the entire territory was bright.

As if proving that Lord Van’s way of thinking is not wrong, by creating an efficient territory structure and raising the residents’ standard of living, he seems to be maintaining a high state of productivity overall.

“Lord Van! Delicious vegetables are ready!”

“Lord Van, the apkallu caught fish!”

“Lord Van, shall we have a barbecue party soon?”

Walking through the territory, residents call out to Lord Van one after another. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but apparently, this is the usual scenery. Lord Van’s method of governance enriches the lives of the residents and contributes to building trust.

It is wonderful, and I certainly want to use it as a reference, but there were still more surprising things about Lord Van’s life.

“Mumu! You cannot cut with your hips pulled back like that!”

“But our physiques are different! It’s impossible head-on!”

“If you can do that, you’ll be full-fledged!”

“I said it’s impossible!”

Lord Van was whining while being trained by Dee during morning practice. Just as I felt somewhat relieved to finally see a childlike figure, Dee turned to me happily.

“Hmm. Sir Talga, could you also offer a bout of instruction? It would be good practice for Lord Van.”

“A sparring partner?”

I asked back, widening my eyes at Dee’s statement. Then, Dee shook his head and deepened his smile.

“No, a mock battle.”

“W-With me? Of course, I do not mind, but unfortunately, the difference in physique is large…”

At Dee’s proposal, I inadvertently looked down at Lord Van’s head. His height is about half of mine? The height difference is such that it won’t even be practice. Since our muscle strength is also completely different, he probably won’t even be able to receive my sword. Setting aside the fact that it won’t be practice for me, for Lord Van, it is content close to bullying.

“Ehh, with Talga-san? Well, he might go easier on me than Dee, so maybe it’s fine…”

Looking sideways at my bewilderment, Lord Van said that, picked up a wooden sword, stretched his body lightly, and started warm-up exercises. Does he really intend to have a mock battle? I thought it was Dee’s unique joke, but looking at the people around us, they were just watching with interest, and no one stopped it.

“Lord Van, a match with Lord Talga?”

When Lord Van’s first servant, Khamsin, asked that, Lord Van nodded while twisting his body to do waist flexibility exercises.

“That’s right. Dee says unreasonable things too. Khamsin might be able to manage somewhat, but it’s impossible for me.”

When Lord Van said that, exuding resignation, Khamsin smiled wryly and shook his head.

“I still have times where I charge in too honestly, so I think you can put up a better fight, Lord Van.”

“Ehh? Liar. Recently, Khamsin has been winning more often.”

“My intuition just started hitting a little.”

“Wild intuition!?”

The two were laughing, having a conversation typical of boys close in age. Considering it’s a Viscount and a servant boy, it’s an unbelievable conversation, but in this territory, it’s an everyday scene.

Come to think of it, this boy named Khamsin is also a considerable talent. He is taller than average and about a head taller than Lord Van, so they don’t look like the same generation, but even discounting that, his swordsmanship is eye-opening. He seems to already be one of the top-ranking in ability within the Chivalric Order commanded by Dee, and he crossed swords with Dee one-on-one every day without fail. Besides him, Arb and Law are also quite skilled.

And Lord Van, who can fight evenly against such knights, what kind of fighting style does he have? Since his duties as a lord were extremely busy, I never got the chance to see Lord Van play a match during morning practice, but to think I would end up fighting him myself.

Holding a standard-length wooden sword, I lightly checked my movements and reconfirmed my surroundings.

It is a training ground located on the outer perimeter of Seatoh Village. The size is enough for dozens of people to practice at once, but even so, if doing mock battles close to actual combat, it’s a size where it’s better to do one pair at a time. Due to such an environment, the knights in training stood lined up with their backs against the wall surrounding the area, which was about as tall as a person. In the center were only Lord Van, myself, and Dee acting as referee.

“…Shall I wrap a cloth around this wooden sword?”

“Eh? In that case, should we exchange everything for swords made of cloth?”

Lord Van happily jumped on my proposal, but Dee pursed his lips and snorted.

“That is not allowed.”

“Stingy.”

After a short exchange, Lord Van looked up at me with a wry smile.

“For now, let’s do it as is.”

“…Understood. Then, at least let me yield the first move.”

“Ooh, yay!”

Lord Van rejoiced like a child, took a stance with his sword, and hopped a few times on the spot. He looked small and light, but his movements were also extremely agile. As I watched with admiration, Dee sighed lightly, shook his head, and gave the signal to start.

“Well then, we shall begin. No problems for either of you?”

“I do not mind.”

“I’m good.”

When we both replied, Dee raised one hand, inhaled, and shouted simultaneously as he swung it down.

“Begin!”

The moment Dee announced that, Lord Van’s figure vanished from before my eyes.