Ulfhar studied Percy with a calm, knowing smile. He expected to see uncertainty, confusion, and maybe even anger in the youth’s eyes, but all his eyes revealed was his determination to survive no matter what awaited him.
The young Adventures was probably confused and maybe even afraid, but he didn't show it.
“We are on our way to the Wintermoon estate and won't travel through any villages, let alone towns, for a few more days. I regret to inform you that the Wintermoon estate is far from civilization. You can travel with us, or we will give you some proviant and a proper blade to defend yourself before sending you off. I recommend you to follow us. The kingdom's citizens avoid the lands around the Wintermoon estate for a reason. It is dangerous here.”
Percy raised an eyebrow, “Why are you traveling to the Wintermoon estate if it's so dangerous?”
Now that his stomach was filled to the brim and some questions answered, Percy’s mind worked faster and better. He could roughly gauge where he was on the maps he’d studied in Raewood’s Guildhall and couldn't recall any place or estate called Wintermoon.
“The annual training camp for the young Imperials is being held there. The heirs of most noble households and some of the most promising Egos gather there to train.” Ulfhar explained, which earned him a fair share of surprised gazes.
Was he not supposed to tell me that? Well, it seems to be a special place if Egos and heirs gather there.
“Don't look at me like that. If you’re traveling with us, you will learn about the Imperials and their training sooner or later. In the first place, we are responsible for you after all that happened.” The Glacia Knight Captain said seriously.
Percy nodded slowly. Maybe he could gain something from traveling with the Glacia Knights. Meeting more nobles like Melissa sounded like a hassle, but if the Wintermoon estate was a good training ground for Egos and the heirs, Percy should also be able to gain a lot.
“If I travel to this Wintermoon estate with you…can I train there as well? In the first place, what makes this estate so special? Is it the strength and numbers of the monsters habituating in the surrounding lands, or is there more to it?”
The old knight answered this time when Ulfhar hesitated, “I don't think our captain can promise you anything. The heirs and promising Egos usually occupy the training ground because of its special properties. I'm not sure how much we can tell you, but let's say the Wintermoon estate has been built at this location due to its special properties. Egos and the heirs can train there far more efficiently. Even Ulfhar was never given a chance to stay there to train. Our mission is to protect Lady Reeze and bring her safely to the Wintermoon estate.”
Ulfhar nodded slowly, a waft of sadness spreading through his features before he continued, “We are also supposed to train Lady Reeze for her future endeavors. Every Reeze family member must be strong and experienced enough to lead the Glacia Knight Order into battle against our foes in war times.”
Percy recalled the young noblewoman’s fight and how she lost focus and stumbled when the Pleacis appeared behind her. She missed an attack that could have killed the Pleacis instantly and was thus exposed to the Pleacis’ deadly attack.
Percy wasn’t sure what the Staff of Leech did to unleash so much power, but the Artifact was powerful. The mana ball was certain to kill the Elite Demon, mutant or not if struck square in the chest or head.
“Loos like her training is a mess,” He murmured in a moment of utter silence, not registering that everything was silent.
So, she is not only a girl of noble birth but also the heiress of the Reeze Dukedom? Poor citizens. They will suffer a lot.
Melissa must have eavesdropped on Percy and the Glacia Knights because she smashed the carriage door open and stepped out, her cheeks puffed in anger.
She shot him a deadly glare and stepped out of the carriage, a sword of ice forming in her hand, “How dare you lowly peasant say that?!
Ulfhar remained silent but studied Percy with a gaze that couldn’t mean anything good.
“Apprehend him!!” Lady Reeze declared.
…
Percy saw a few Glacia Knights swallow hard as they looked at each other in uncertainty. It was at that moment that Percy realized his mistake.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Why can’t I keep my mouth shut? Obviously, they will follow their lady’s command. They were trained to follow the Reeze family’s orders and won’t care about someone like me!
Ulfhar got up and cleared his throat.
“Lady Reeze, I regret to inform you that Percy saved your life. Do you want ill rumors to spread? Raewood’s people know of Percy’s injury and that he travels with us. If we apprehend him now, your enemies will learn of your mistake and spread news. What would your father think if you ordered your savior’s death?”
The Glacia Knight Captain talked into Melissa’s conscience, but Percy barely noticed anything. He felt a large hand on his shoulder, grasping it with an iron-tight grip.
“Please think before you speak. Ulfhar will help you this time, but he won’t convince our lady to spare you whenever you ignore etiquette. Keep going like that, and you will die soon,” The old knight said. Percy nodded, his face drained of all blood.
If he’d learned one thing, it would be to listen to elderly people in occupations where most died young. The old knight might not be the strongest, but he was experienced and wise enough to avoid battles he could only lose.
Melissa was silenced at the mention of her father. She glared at Percy but turned around and returned to the carriage.
“Good night, and sleep tight, my lady. Tomorrow, your training will resume!”
A curse resounded through the carriage, but that was the last they heard from within. Ulfhar turned around, sighed deeply, and walked back to his seat. He sat down but didn’t respond to Percy anymore.
I messed up big time.
He scratched the back of his head.
“Can someone tell me what I’m allowed to do in a noble’s presence and what I shouldn’t do? I…am not very good with people, and it hasn’t been that long since I tried changing…but nobles are still too much for me.”
The old knight patted his shoulder and smiled encouragingly, “Don’t hesitate to ask away. It’s always better to ask questions rather than make stupid mistakes.”
“First, you don’t talk to a noble if he or she didn’t tell or gesture to you to speak. Knights are slightly below most nobles – some are nobles, but not all – but above the average Gifted One. You have to talk politely to us when we reach the Wintermoon estate. Most Glacia Knights don’t think highly of noble etiquette and won’t say anything if you talk to us informally using our names, but you should be more careful in public. You are traveling with the Glacia Knight Order and Lady Reeze to the Wintermoon estate as an ordinary resident, a commoner…”
The old knight looked at Ulfhar, who nodded slowly. He looked back at Percy and said, “If you travel with us, we will have to give you a new story. Commoners are not accepted in the Wintermoon estate, but we cannot leave you behind like this. You saved Lady Reeze’s life, and if news of how we left you to fend for yourself would spread, problems would arise. Nobody would be willing to give their lives for their nobles if we repaid kindness and courage with violence or by abandoning you in the wilderness.”
That means?
Percy was about to ask but remembered the old knight’s words. He should keep his lips sealed for the time being and listen carefully.
“You are tough, tenacious, and brave. Your lack of skills and manners can be solved quickly,” Ulfhar tilted his head and stared intently at Percy, “You are also a Cardist at the Elite Tier with a special Monster Card. I think selling you as a knight in training to others won't be a problem. Or what do you think, Liam?”
The old knight, Liam, smiled back at Ulfhar, “That’s what I thought. If we increase his rank a little and train him here and there, he would make a good knight. It’s a shame we have only a few weeks to push his Tier up a rank or two. That will be a little difficult.”
“Oh. That won’t be a problem,” Percy waved dismissively, the thought of becoming a knight excited him, even if it was only in name. He was too excited to notice that he spoke his thoughts aloud.
“Why won’t it be a problem?” Ulfhar turned to Percy, but he couldn’t answer. Lady Reeze, still unable to fall asleep, answered instead.
“Because that annoying kid has an Ego!”
Percy swallowed hard.
How?... Did she see me transform the Potion of Accelerated Regeneration? That must be it!
He didn’t remember everything that had happened when he woke up in the young noble’s carriage because the pain had been too much to bear, but the snippets of memories showed him transform the Potion of Accelerated Regeneration into something much stronger.
Nobody paid attention to Lady Reeze. She could eavesdropped as she pleased. It was not their business. Instead, the Glacia Knights stared at the tense youth.
“I cannot take back what I said just now…right?” Percy forced a smile on his lips, but nobody answered.
“So, it’s true?” Ulfhar asked after a few seconds.
“That…depends if I will get punished or not…”
Percy swallowed and felt much smaller under the intense stares of a dozen massive Glacia Knights.
“You’re not getting punished. If anything, it will make everything easier for everyone if you have an Ego!” Liam laughed and slapped Percy’s back with some force.
Percy was shaken thoroughly but nodded.
“I do have an Ego, yes.”