Volume 16 Chapter 6: Father–Son Time

The next morning, Keith headed to the barracks to train again. As he entered, an oddity struck him. Did Valgros take the day off? Unlike yesterday, where all the trainees were sprawled on the ground, there were no dead bodies. There would be some littered at the gate, crawling to flee the training ground.

Keith headed inside to see that not only the trainees but the knights were lined up on the side.

What’s going on? Shouldn’t you all be practicing? Instead, they were still as a rock, staring at what was across from them, trying their best to keep their composure.

“Valgros-huh?” Noticing him, Keith called out, but he was in the same situation as the others! Sweat poured down from his forehead as he gritted his teeth to maintain a smile. This guy could sweat? Before Keith could get an answer, he followed their stares. Keith was taken aback to see Alastair in the barracks?!

Why is he here?! This question was on everyone’s mind as the king swung his blade: it was obvious that he was practicing. He was silent and concentrated on his blade. Each time he swung his blade, the others shivered in fear. But even the most stoic man would notice it. Alastair was about to leave when,  

“Your Majesty, please have a bout with me.” Keith stepped forward with his weapon raised.

Valgros’s eyes widened, “…Are you sure you want to fight him?!” That was their king?! Was he asking for trouble?! What if he harmed him?!

“Why shouldn’t I fight? This isn’t the first time I fought a king?” Keith laughed.

“…” I didn’t mean it like that. Wait a moment, you fought against other kings?! Valgros processed the words Keith said as he stepped into the ring.

“Should I give you a handicap because of your hand?” Keith glanced at his arm; a few nights of sleep wouldn’t completely heal his cut arm.

Alastair shook his head, “No need; I mostly recovered.” He picked a lance. Keith’s brows raised as he lifted his halberd forward: the match between the two began!

Swoosh! Keith made the first move as he raised his halberd to slam it down! Alastair smoothly parried the attack, letting it slide off the body of the spear. Damn. Keith pulled the halberd upwards to challenge the king’s attack, only to be knocked away. Fast! He saw the lance tip coming towards him and instinctively blocked it. This was not the end, as more lance thrusts came flying in droves! Keith was mostly on the defensive before he was lying down on the floor.

“Your Majesty, are you sure you don’t work out?” Keith was panting as he eyed the king; he was so composed after the fight.

“Hmm?”

“For someone stuck in an office all day, you move incredibly fluidly!” Keith roared as he pointed at him in accusation!

“…I think that’s because you’re young.”

“…” That doesn’t make sense. It would mean you’re young while I’m old!

Keith sighed while Alastair asked, “You fought with other kings before?” Remembering what he spoke about to Valgros, he was curious which kings he had fought before.

“I met with King Julius, Othniel, and Finrandir.”

“Them? You fought against them?” Alastair tilted his head, “How are they?”

“Well, they’re lively.” Finrandir and Othniel continued to yell at him. They were quite annoying. Julius fought with him from time to time because of food-related issues.  

“I should talk with them,” Alastair muttered. It had been some time since they had spoken.

“You can talk with them later. You have something else you need to do.” He glanced at Tharaziel, “Oi! Get up here.”

“Hmm?!” Tharaziel froze.

Keith continued, “Show your father what you’re made of!” As he walked back down, he whispered, “Don’t even think about running away. He came here for you.”

“!” Tharaziel’s eyes widened before he took a deep breath and headed onto the ring, “F-father.”

“Mmhmm.” Alastair stared at him, “Show me your strength.”

“Y-yes!”

“He’s shaking like a tree,” Valgros grumbled.

“What do you expect? This might be the first interaction between father and son.” Keith got an idea why Alastair came down to the barracks. Now, it was Tharaziel’s turn to respond. It didn’t even last 30 seconds: Alastair dashed forward and sent Tharaziel flying!

“…” No one said a word; they all stared at the rubble. Alastair blinked; even he was confused about what had happened!

Keith sighed as he brushed the rubble off Tharaziel, “He’s out cold. The rest of you, go spar with the king.” You all need to buy some time.

“Y-yes!” The knights and trainees were taken aback, “Please guide us, your majesty!”

“Alright,” Alastair was surprised by how forward they were, but he didn’t mind as he sparred. Some went flying while others were buried.

“What happened?” Tharaziel blinked as he got up; his legs wobbled side to side like a newborn fawn.

“You’re awake.” Keith pointed to the ring, “You were knocked out.”

“Yes.” Tharaziel mumbled as he remembered what transpired; he turned to see Alastair facing the trainees, “Father is so strong.”

“He is.” He’s better bare-handed. Keith had arrived late at the office, but Alastair faced off against those traitors with his bare hands. He wiped the floor with them as well. Seeing Tharaziel’s bright eyes, “You want to be like him?”

“Of course!” Tharaziel shouted, but he paused, “But I doubt I can ever catch up to him.”

“Who knows, but take that leap of fate.” Keith got up, “Your Majesty, can you give tips to Tharaziel? This brat can’t use a sword to save his life.”

“Keith?!” Tharaziel’s eyes widened; Keith kicked him up, “Go. Don’t you want to have some father-son time?”

“!”

“Okay,” Alastair stated, “so you need to change your form if you want to do better.”

“Understood!”

Keith cracked his neck, “Come on, let’s fight now.”

“I’m game.” Valgros grinned.