Volume 16 Chapter 3: Watch Your Back

Finishing their breakfast, Selk returned to tutoring Scarlet. Scarlet tried to flee, only to be captured by the demon maid. Lilith and Elyndra stayed in the pergola to watch Eri and the little ones. Keith headed for the barracks; a meal and then a workout were the usual routine. Entering, an unusual scene greeted him: a numerous group of soldiers lay on the ground. What made this scene horrifying was their soul-sucking gaze, as if the world had ended were etched on their expressions.

Keith watched them. Am I in hell? At least they are alive…barely. With all the soldiers sprawled on the ground, was someone sparring with them. Well…

“Pathetic! Is that how you hold your blade?! Like a child holding onto a toy?!” A thunderous voice of scorn erupted as he slashed upward at his opponent, sending his opponent’s sword across the field. No mercy; what happened next was a slash right on his head! “Gnh!” The soldier went down! But the demon was not done as he ordered,

“Get down and give me 20 laps!”

“Y-yes!”

“You are training them to the fullest.” Flashbacks came to Keith’s mind of what transpired in the Rustchil Mansion: spartan training at its finest.

“Naturally, with how weak these trainees are, I have to mold them back from the start!” Valgros grumbled as he stared at them with scorn. His abilities alone could easily allow him to join the royal knights. However, he chose not to, despite the commander of the knights requesting him. Instead, he joined the tier below: the trainee section. He had discussed this with the commander.

A solid and unbreakable foundation was needed. With the revolt in the demon kingdom caused by the duke, a large piece of military power was missing from their kingdom. To fill the void, Valgros became an instructor. The younger generation must be brought up.

“These brats will become the future backbone of the kingdom; they need to be stronger than this.”

“Get up now, brats! Give me 100 swings!” Valgros roared! The trainees cried as they got up like zombies; they knew if they didn’t, the punishment would only be worse.

Keith watched. These guys have moxy: if they continue like this, they will certainly be stronger. His eyes glanced down at a pile of meat, “You’ve been put through the wringer.” Tharaziel was that piece of meat. Out of the people here, this prince suffered the most.

“...You do not know.” Tharaziel weakly tilted his head slightly, “...I d-did not have my meal.” Valgros came to his room and yanked him out to the barracks to train. He fought on an empty stomach.

Keith shook his head. Poor fellow. Despite his weakened state, the prince got back up. An unyielding fire was still lit in his eyes, refusing to back down.

“Are you here to train?” Valgros questioned.

“Mmhmm.” Keith stretched his arms, “I ate my breakfast, and I need to move my body.”

“Alright, then let’s spar.”

“Sure,” Keith picked up a wooden sword. The battle between the two was an eye-opener for the trainee. As the two clashed, they saw blurs. Despite this speed, the two’s attacks were controlled and precise. Neither side was getting pushed back.

“You’ve gotten better so quickly. Are you a monster?” Valgros chuckled.

“Really? I don’t think I’ve grown that much.”

“No, you’ve definitely gotten stronger.” Valgros’s eyes narrowed before mumbling, “It might be because you have yet to hit your peak.”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing.”

“Sir Keith,” Rhaegon came out. The knights and trainees quickly bowed. Seeing the prime minister was rare, since he stayed inside the castle most of the time.

Rhaegon waved his hand, “Carry on.”

“Sir Keith, can you come with me?”

“Yes.” Keith nodded as he followed Rheagon. While they left,

“Stop staring at him. Are you jealous?” Valgros slapped Tharaziel on the back of the head.

“N-no, I am not!”

“You cannot lie to save your life,” Tharaziel’s thoughts were plastered on his face. 

Valgros shook his head, “At least he is welcomed in the castle.” Unlike before, Keith wasn’t ostracized or looked at as an enemy. Saving the king and helping the princess would get anyone's grace.

“I still do not trust him...but the food he cooks is delicious,” Tharaziel mumbled softly. No wonder his sister was so infatuated with him.

“Enough talking. It is time to get back to work.”

“...Again?” Tharaziel looked up at the sky. He wanted to get something to eat. It seemed he won’t get it soon.

“What do we need to discuss?” Keith was in the office with Alastair.

“Thank you for the food.” The dish Keith made was quite impactful. Not only did Alastair remember Fioreal, but he also regained his sense of taste.

“Also, you should know this incident isn’t finished.” Alastair’s expression became heavy.

“It’s not?” Alastair was clearly talking about the Sarthos situation. The grand duke of the kingdom tried to get rid of the king and take over. Because of this, Keith had tackled him out of the room.

“He was captured. However, there are still his descendants.”

“You mean Draezar?”

“Yes, we were not able to arrest him. You need to be mindful going forward.” Draezar had escaped before the soldiers had stormed the duke’s manor.

“...” Keith said nothing because this was true; Draezar had bad blood with him. But is he really going to come after him? That was something he didn’t find happening after what Sarthos said. He was scared to death by Keith after the tournament.

“He is not a good leader either.” There were no leadership qualities from him; he might lead the rebel camp into ruin.

“He may not be after you. But the same cannot be said about those who follow him.” The people who followed Sarthos were capable; even if Draezar could not lead, he had people who could. Those people knew Keith was a threat.

“...I see.”

“Thank you for notifying me.”

“Mmhmm.”

“...”

“How is Scarlet?” Alastair asked in a quiet voice.

Keith smiled, “That’s something you shouldn’t be asking me. Instead, ask the person herself.” With those words, he walked out of there. There was no need for him to stay there.