Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The Black Eagle Regiment was the military unit of the Duchy stationed closest to the capital, Sionia, with a singular mission: defending the city. While many knights of the Ducal Family were positioned at Twin-headed Eagle Castle and there were guards within Sionia, their roles were focused on protecting the direct line of the Ducal Family and maintaining city security.

In times of war, it was the Black Eagle Regiment that functioned as the true military force tasked with Sionia’s defense.

Consequently, the regiment’s 600 personnel were primarily infantry, with only about 100 cavalrymen.

One might question how a mere 600 could defend a city as large as Sionia, but if the Black Eagle Regiment were ever mobilized to defend the city, it would signal all-out war.

Able-bodied men from Sionia and nearby villages would be conscripted, resulting in a fighting force numbering in the thousands.

Such a scenario would only occur in the most dire circumstances when the Duchy was on the brink of collapse.

Typically, the Black Eagle Regiment patrolled the vicinity of Sionia, subduing bandits, highwaymen, and monsters.

Not that there were many large-scale bandit gangs in Sionia or the Duchy.

Regardless, the Black Eagle Regiment maintained high training standards and strong discipline as a unit dedicated to Sionia’s defense.

A large part of that discipline could be attributed to Jordan Blaho, the Regiment’s commander and the Swordmaster of Sion Duchy.

“Did you say you were Piotr Sion Kilburn?”

Blaho asked.

Blaho’s appearance immediately declared, “I am a knight.”

With a solid build, a sharp nose, a broad forehead, and striking green eyes, his presence was unforgettable.

Though simply dressed in black trousers and a white shirt, his look was tidy and modest, far from aristocratic.

The practical muscles visible beneath his shirt, honed through training and combat, made it hard to believe he was a nobleman in his forties.

However, Blaho was a Swordmaster acknowledged by all, and personally recognized by Sion himself.

Maintaining his respectful demeanor, Piotr bowed slightly, keeping his nerves in check.

“Yes, Master Blaho. Lady Maria Sion is my grandmother.”

“Hmm…”

Blaho’s gaze shifted from Piotr to Sirvan, who was standing nervously beside him.

Catching Blaho’s glance, Sirvan nodded earnestly.

“My uncle, Sir Jonas Paloma Sion, and I have confirmed it. Piotr Sion Kilburn is indeed Lady Maria Sion’s grandson.”

“If the young lord of Paloma says so… then it must be true. And who might that be?”

Blaho’s eyes subtly gestured behind Piotr and Sirvan.

Stelman, who had come alone, leaving his mercenary subordinates outside, gave a slight bow.

“Stelman Janstrick. I am an ordinary mercenary leading the Janstrick Mercenary Group, a small band from the city of Alphmarine.”

Currently, he only had about 40 followers with him, but the Janstrick Mercenary Group had once boasted over a hundred combatants.

They had never been considered a minor force, capable of devastating many small estates.

Yet Stelman spoke humbly, knowing that the man before him was a knight commanding hundreds of regular troops and a Swordmaster endorsed by Sion.

Blaho was unlike any professional military leader Stelman had encountered.

Not only did his aura surpass those of other elite knights, but Blaho’s presence also stirred an unexpected feeling of competitiveness within Stelman.

“Ha! Ordinary? If you’re just a commoner, then my captains must be worse than commoners.”

As Blaho smirked, the three knights lined up behind him exchanged curious glances.

They were no pushovers themselves and could sense that Stelman was quite formidable. Still, they had never considered a mere mercenary captain their superior.

But since the words had come from Blaho—someone the three combined could not hope to overcome—they had to accept it.

“You flatter me.”

“No need for that. Judging by your skills, I bet your men aren’t your average mercenaries either. Do they all ride horses? Northern knights are reputed to be quite skilled; how do you compare?”

“Except for those formally trained for many years, I am confident my men can hold their own against most cavalry.”

“Hah! That’s impressive. But enough about us—I apologize, Lord Kilburn.”

“It’s quite alright. Please, call me Piotr.”

“Very well. Lord Piotr, why have you sought me out instead of heading straight to Twin-headed Eagle Castle?”

Piotr was already growing more fond of Blaho’s straightforward nature, which was rare among nobles who usually hid behind flowery language.

He responded politely.

“Sir Salen, a royal member and the one who guided me here, instructed me to meet with Master Blaho first.”

“Salen… related to the first Duke’s wife, the Princess?”

“Yes, and he’s also a distant relative of mine.”

“Sir Salen has also been verified by me and my uncle, Jonas.”

“I see. But why would a royal ask you to meet me, someone they have no acquaintance with?”

Piotr produced a letter from his pocket.

Blaho gave the letter a fleeting glance before breaking the seal and reading its contents.

Although the paper was small and the message short, Blaho examined it for nearly a minute, as if it were a lengthy report.

When Blaho finally looked up, everyone was intrigued. He addressed the nervous Piotr.

“Did Sir Salen tell you to seek an answer?”

“Yes? Oh, yes. He said it would likely be one of three.”

“Oh…?”

A strange gleam flickered in Blaho’s eyes.

With a peculiar smile, he glanced around before speaking.

“Everyone, leave except Lord Piotr.”

“Yes, sir!”

The three knights saluted and exited without a word.

Sirvan hesitated momentarily, but Stelman nudged him, and the two left together, leaving only Piotr inside.

“Now, Lord Piotr, what are the three responses Sir Salen predicted I would give?”

Though still smiling, Blaho exuded a dangerous aura that made Piotr swallow dryly before he finally spoke.

“Sir Salen said that Master Blaho would either agree to assist, quit, or do nothing. Those were the three responses he expected.”

“…I feel like Sir Salen might have anticipated which of the three I’d be most likely to choose. Am I right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. But…”

When Piotr hesitated, Blaho’s smile deepened.

“It’s fine. Just tell me exactly what Sir Salen said, word for word.”

Feeling the increasing danger in Blaho’s smile, Piotr, unable to wipe away his cold sweat, replied.

“Sir Salen predicted that Master Blaho would most likely choose to… do nothing. And if he chose that… then…”

“Then?”

Blaho prompted, and Piotr shut his eyes tightly, raising his voice.

“Then he said, ‘Do you want to get beaten like your grandfather and run laps in full gear?’”

“……”

After a few seconds of silence, Piotr cautiously opened his eyes.

‘Gasp!’

Sensing a sudden surge of killing intent, Piotr instinctively recoiled.

However, Blaho was still smiling.

“…And what else?”

“Th-that if you chose to assist, we should proceed directly to Twin-headed Eagle Castle…”

“Right. And if I said I’d quit?”

“That wherever you go, Salen would offer all his support under his name, but if you stay, he will show you a new world.”

“……!”

Blaho remained silent, but his demeanor had changed. He seemed genuinely surprised, lifting his gaze slightly for the first time.

“A new world…?”

“Yes, that’s what he said. Although he didn’t explain what he meant…”

“Hmm? You seem to know something, Lord Piotr. Any guesses?”

“Yes, I have some.”

Piotr hesitated briefly but decided to respond.

“But I find it difficult to explain now. You probably wouldn’t believe it. Sir Salen knows best, and he can tell you himself.”

“Hm. Now I’m even more curious.”

Blaho murmured, rubbing his chin, sending shivers down Piotr’s spine.

‘It’s exactly as Grandfather predicted. Though Master Blaho knew his grandfather well, how could he have known this?’

Piotr was amazed at how precisely Blaho’s reactions aligned with what Sion had described.

To be precise, Sion had laid out several possible ways Blaho might respond, should he possess a character similar to his grandfather’s.

Luckily, things were playing out just as expected.

For Piotr, who had long placed his absolute trust in Sion, it was as though his great-grandfather had cast some spell.

“Lord Piotr.”

“Yes, Master Blaho?”

Blaho’s subdued tone made Piotr tense as he looked up at him.

“Frankly, you must understand how absurd this situation is.”

“Of course.”

Even with verification from Sirvan and Jonas, having a complete stranger show up, claiming to be a Sion, and handing over a letter full of provocations from a Swordmaster and knight of the Duchy was more than ridiculous.

Had it not been for the assurance of Sir Salen’s letter, Piotr and his companions would have been severely beaten or expelled, if not worse.

“But I’m accepting this situation because of Sir Salen’s message and the confirmation from Sirvan and Jonas. Did you know what was in that letter?”

“I didn’t, but I had a rough idea.”

It was likely something related to Master Blaho’s grandfather, someone who lived during the same era as Sion.

“Right. But you don’t know exactly what it is, do you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“According to Sir Salen’s message, something big will happen at Twin-headed Eagle Castle in the coming days, and as the commander of the Black Eagle Regiment, you have to make a choice.”

“……!”

“First, join Lord Piotr and follow his orders. Second, quit as the commander. Third, do nothing.”

“Ah…”

Piotr was taken aback, only predicting the first response.

The second and third had never crossed his mind.

“I see you only expected the first option.”

“That’s right.”

“If the letter had only suggested the first, I’d have immediately detained you and everyone with you for treason.”

Piotr gulped as Blaho continued.

“But the second and third are entirely different paths. I was inclined towards the third. After all, the Ducal Family will persist, and I’ll serve the next Duke. Isn’t that reasonable?”

“Yes…”

“But Salen removed that option by revealing personal details about my grandfather that only a few direct members of the Ducal Family and I know. So now, the second path is all that’s left.”

“You mean… you’re going to quit the Black Eagle Regiment?”

“If someone other than Salen had made these suggestions, it’d be nonsense. But this is from that ‘Salen,’ whose name holds a special meaning for me, as it does for knights whose lineage has served the Ducal Family since its inception.”

Piotr recalled how even Sir Longlive’s demeanor had changed upon hearing Salen’s name back at the iron mines.

“Given all that, I must consider this proposal and make a choice. The first is wrong from the start, and the third isn’t an option anymore, so I must take the second path.”

“Then… you’re resigning from your post?”

Piotr still couldn’t fully grasp the implications, assuming that Blaho was merely stepping down as commander.

However, Blaho’s next words shattered Piotr’s expectations.

“As commander of the Black Eagle Regiment, I will issue my final order: Stand down. I will quit alone. Then, as a free knight, Jorden Blaho, I’ve decided to join you and head to Sionia.”

“What!?”