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23.1_Studying more

Chapter 23.1: Tell me directly

Pulling Pierre into the infirmary, I couldn't help but observe the severity of his wounds. It was clear that he had been through quite an ordeal. The stitches appeared fresh, almost hastily applied.

However, it was challenging to assess the full extent of his injuries. The treatment given seemed somewhat lacking for someone of his status, leaving me to wonder about the competence of those overseeing his former care.

The royal healer would be more than capable of healing, however, I will hasten the progress when there are days when he would be unable to like his predecessor. The mistake of being unprepared shall not plague us again.

[‘lumen ducens’] A light bestows vitality before him, in the shape of a single flutter feather. It doesn’t help with scars and overly permanent damage, but it will be more than sufficient for the test before.

With filled stamina, Pierre urges up from the bed. Trying to flex around with those proud muscles of his, telling me about some of his priorities foremost. Turning me, he exact a single bow making me a bit of confusion.

“What ridiculous that you are trying to perform here?” I ask in annoyance.

“Just a way to express my gratitude and an apology for an unideal spar that I have given your holiness.” To my surprise, in words of sincerity, he expresses quite knowledgeable comments; unlike the impulsive behavior he used to express.

If I work around his easily provoked nature, he may be a reliable lance for the human kingdom. Darwen does have an eye for a successor. Still a little candid still unfavorable for a man only gullible for his savior, I need to affirm an unchanging mindset.

"You needn't make that gesture being my possession,” Tipping his head off, I continued. “Your performance has met my expectations. Carry yourself with pride." With my sigh, he began shredding needless tears while sobbing about my kindness.

Humans truly are conflicted as always, I thought having some words of encouragement would have him up. They tip through such drastic measures over a few words, the emotions are marked through neither tone nor intention, something latent behind the strange conduct of them.

["…granted this power with the utmost wisdom."]

Irrational reverence…

[“…at the handler of the sword you use to slaughter, so does the stain of slashes you inflicted on yourself.”]

Wrathful warning…

[“…my honored and final master.”]

Even that foolish gratitude…

Now is this senseless regret, why are they so needlessly complicated? Before I notice or properly react, he ceases the noise.

“Wait…your possession?” His eyes sparkle with joy and begin to make so wheeze.

"You are Darwen's successor, and Marvos has entrusted you into my care; thereby appointing you as my knight. Was that not true?" I ask in confusion as his enthusiasm would come over the moon with erratic behaviors.

"Your holiness's knight? Me, a paladin?" He starts with that odd amusement again, and I can't help but find his reaction quite perplexing—a paladin... someone who pledges themselves to defend the church, taking oaths rather than vows.

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They're the frontline against heretics... If Pierre was to be bestowed with such a title, it could provoke Azazel. I'd rather avoid angering Fifth after last night's confrontation. Playing with a raging fire is never a good option.

"Lower your expectations; you won't become a paladin like that. A title without true principles would be meaningless," I respond, trying to gauge his enthusiasm while explaining as best I can, trying to understand his mindset.

“Being a knight of mine isn’t working for the heretic extermination. What I bestowed and stood, you shall be employed unto your soul expired.” Saying what Darwen has spoken before, is a dubious lie that one may honor until their ends.

Somehow, his defiance spoke volumes about his value. I couldn’t help but agree with that obvious yet wasteful proposal that he has given. Burning about what he saw was right, a requiem of mastery scripted sacrifice.

I was the one who plunged his axe unto his existence, to honor what my possession thought righteous. Gathering whatever ashes were left in his name.

I wasn’t strong enough, willed enough. That is my sin.

“Then I shall rework my vow as you made it clear, your holiness.” Pierre chuckles with a cherry tone, I am glad he wasn’t chasing stars.

"In my name, Pierre Rigolitaire, I solemnly devote my existence to my only lord, the Archangel of knowledge. Until this mortal vessel decays and my soul departs, I pledge to steadfastly fulfill my lord's noble cause, unwavering even in the face of temptation." Take his bow, he dares but kiss the tip of my feet.

A vow of great importance…yet it is so unoriginal takes what I have just told him by. But it is for each to work as their promise, I shall proceed accordingly with what he wished.

“Then I shall cover your existence under my wing, my possession,” I say while covering him with my wings. The soft feather caresses a mere second before retracting, though those would be enough for him to make the weird face again.

An awkward silence engulfs us, I would rather that he has spoken by now. Unlike Darwen, Pierre is quite a chaos incarnated. From one moment he may act all squeeze and talkative, another silent and somber.

“I hope I am not too late.” A voice speaks from the infirmary entrance, perhaps the royal healer may have returned. I supposed it had been time for him to change bandage and other human remedies.

I look to where the voice begins to see Marvos, half formal wearing walking into the bed where I and Pierre at. I suppose he is here after Violet makes a report about us destroying the training ground this morning.

“Pierre, you have no id-“ Marvos stops his frustration at the sight of me. He acts all the scared lion again, with his tail behind his back. Someday, I need to straighten his act altogether.

“Lord Mikhail, I didn’t think you would be here. I bid you a fine afternoon.” Giving a greeting and a bow as well…it is unlikely timid of him.

“Are you here for Pierre, Marvos? I hope that his time wasn’t taken too much.” I say with a relaxed tone, while Marvos gets quite tensed up.

“Ah, I mean…it isn’t concerning that much. Please have some time with the knight captain, I don’t want to be impeded on…” Marvos says with a nervous chuckle, with this little interaction and he is already wanting to tail away.

I step down from Pierre’s bed and walk up to where Marvos stands. “We are finished, I have no reason for lingering,” I say with a pat on Marvos’s back.

Before I can leave, Pierre shouts with a booming voice “May I tell his majesty about that, milord?”

Marvos turns in confusion directly at him and then at me. What a troublesome situation to be brought in, I was planning to tell Marvos the next time we have some session over the kingdom’s policy. I have to turn back before we have more misunderstandings or some unnecessary.

“I shall you directly, Marvos. Pierre is my possession now, as he will be guided under my wing.” I told Marvos about Pierre’s vow and how I would use him in the future, the conversation seemed needless and painful by the timing and unprepared.

Throughout my explanation, Marvos can only keep one apparent emotion: Confusion.

“Lord Mikhail, what I am understanding is Pierre will be a ‘possession’ of yours. Not a paladin, but a personal knight as you state.” Marvos asks to affirm whatever he was thinking, it is rare how a misconception may spread about being a paladin would be linked to something like a service under the archangel.

“What you have said is corrected.” I sigh at having to explain a simple concept over many times. Perhaps it is a misunderstanding or overstating one’s placement on the chessboard.

“It’s a lot to take in for the moment. Please excuse Pierre for my using, lord Mikhail.” Marvos states with a solemn tone, that he looks quite enraged by the revelation. It would be the first time I see him expressing a little bit of anger in front of me.

So I wish you good luck, Pierre.

“I will let you have him, Marvos. And Pierre, come to me after you have recovered enough.” As soon as I finished my statement, I disappeared from the room. The words between a king and his subject should be left to their decision, no need to tell me directly.

The end

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