Chapter 447: Duty and Honor ( 447 )
As the training room shook from another shockwave—this time caused by Gloria's hammer smashing an elite spawn into the wall—Hesbeirn spoke up quietly.
"…Big sis. Are you sure we're really doing this?"
Erinnette didn't turn around. She kept watching Liana and Gloria fight, arms crossed and eyes sharp. But her voice came out firm and calm.
"Why not?"
She glanced over her shoulder.
"If not for Lord Garius's orders, I wouldn't even be here right now. You know that, Hesbeirn."
Her tone softened just slightly.
"You remember who saved us, don't you?"
Hesbeirn fell silent.
He didn't need to answer; the memories played too vividly in his head.
Years ago—
When Garius was still a young master, just a boy from a rising noble house, he found two battered slaves at a border auction. The crowd laughed when the boy stepped forward to bid. He didn't flinch.
He didn't buy them as tools or property.
He bought them as his people.
Not for what they could do—but for who they were.
Because of that moment, because of one child's decision—they became two of the most feared guardians in the entire kingdom.
Erinnette, leader of the elite battle maid corps.
Hesbeirn, commander of the Armand region's personal army.
"…I haven't forgotten," Hesbeirn finally said. His voice was quiet but solid.
"I'll never forget."
Erinnette gave a faint smile.
"I know."
She exhaled, tilting her head back to let her braid sway behind her.
"Still… it's hard."
"Being away from Lord Garius?"
"No."
She smiled more warmly now.
"Being away from Alf."
There was a pause.
Hesbeirn blinked.
"…You mean your husband?"
Erinnette nodded with an exaggerated sigh.
"Lucky Alf gets to guard our lord while I'm stuck playing survival teacher for our lord's future daughter-in-laws…"
A monstrous crash echoed behind them.
Hesbeirn coughed.
"…Technically, you volunteered."
Erinnette rolled her eyes.
"Technicalities."
But her smile stayed gentle.
"…Still. I trust Alf. Just like I trust Lord Garius. So I'll do my part. You do yours."
"Yes, big sis."
The two stood shoulder to shoulder, watching Liana and Gloria charge into the next wave.
The monsters kept coming.
Wave after wave.
Until—
Thunk.
Liana dropped to one knee, her bow clattering beside her, the glow in her fingertips fading as she struggled to breathe.
Gloria was only a step behind—her warhammer still upright, but her legs trembled under its weight. Her mana circuits were overloaded; her body was pushed to the brink.
"Ugh… just five more… I can handle five—"
Thud.
She collapsed beside Liana.
"Ahh… I guess... maybe three…"
From across the chamber, Hesbeirn's eyes narrowed.
He stepped forward.
With a single motion, he pulled out his massive sword—a towering, wide-bladed greatsword shimmering with radiant gold and deep crimson inscriptions.
It was a Colossus Blade, forged for those with monstrous strength and perfect mana control.
BOOM.
Hesbeirn launched forward, the ground cracking beneath his boots as he charged into the monsters.
With a wide arc, he cleaved through seven beasts at once, the sheer force sending shockwaves down the training chamber walls.
One remaining monster leapt toward him.
He raised the blade with one hand and crushed it downward, pinning the creature like a bug.
Then, Erinnette appeared in a flicker, dual blades flashing like silver lightning.
In just two heartbeats, the last of the monsters were reduced to shimmering blue dust.
She exhaled through her nose, straightened up, and twirled her blades before sheathing them cleanly.
"Looks like we need to continue this tomorrow."
Hesbeirn slid his Colossus Blade back over his shoulder with a low rumble and nodded, glancing at the unconscious forms of Liana and Gloria.
"Yeah… big sis."
The dust had settled. The training room fell quiet, lit only by the fading glow of the ceiling runes.
Erinnette walked over to where Liana and Gloria lay unconscious, their expressions peaceful despite the exhaustion on their faces.
Without hesitation, she bent down and hoisted both girls up onto her shoulders, one on each side.
Hesbeirn stepped forward instinctively.
"Big sis, I can carry one of them, if you want—"
He froze.
Erinnette was staring at him.
Not glaring or scolding—just staring.
A soft, sharp look that said: You sure about that?
"…They're girls," she said plainly. "And our lord's youngest son's future brides."
"I know," Hesbeirn replied quickly, hands half-raised. "I just… wanted to help."
Erinnette blinked once.
"Nope."
She adjusted Liana's arm over her shoulder with care.
"Don't worry. They're not heavy anyway."
"If you say so, Big Sis…"
She started walking toward the chamber exit.
"Oh—if you want to help, carry their weapons."
Hesbeirn glanced at the massive white ore warhammer and the glowing magic bow.
"…Okay, Big Sis."
He scooped them up carefully, holding them like sacred relics.
Erinnette gave a satisfied nod.
"Now let's get out of here."
"Yes, Big Sis."
They walked in quiet sync—one carrying the future, the other guarding it.
Behind them, the ancient training chamber dimmed fully, sealing itself until the next session.
Meanwhile…
Javier stood calmly in front of the massive stone wall of the Beastkin Kingdom's border gate.
The main gate was firmly shut—standard protocol after sundown—but a smaller entrance nearby remained lit and guarded. Mana-powered lanterns bathed the area in a soft glow.
A pair of beastkin soldiers, dressed in polished leather armor with iron pauldrons, stepped forward, crossing their spears in front of the smaller door. Their sharp eyes caught the crest on Javier's cloak—a silver crest inlaid with the unmistakable emblem of House Armand.
One of the guards narrowed his gaze.
Though noble crests carried weight, this wasn't the Armand region. Nobility outside your homeland was still just a title, not authority.
Still, the beastkin were respectful.
"Oh—young lord," the older one said, standing straighter. "Where's your escort?"
Javier tilted his head slightly, gesturing behind him.
"Just me… and my Buddy."
The guard blinked once.
"…I see. Did something happen to your escort unit on the way here?" He lowered his voice. "Monsters have been unusually active lately—especially at night. We've had three missing caravans this week alone."
Javier offered a small smile.
"No, nothing like that. I was traveling alone. By choice."
The younger guard raised a brow but quickly nodded, not pressing further.
"Very well. If you don't mind, we'll need to process your entry documents first. Standard procedure."
"Of course," Javier replied smoothly.
"Please wait over here," the older one said, guiding him to a side structure built into the wall—a guest room designed for foreign nobles. Modest, but separate from the common waiting area, with a low stone bench, some refreshments, and a warm fire mana crystal on the wall.
"It won't take long. We'll notify the border officer immediately."
Javier nodded, casually removing his gloves as he took a seat.
Buddy flopped beside him, stretching his talons with a satisfied squawk before curling up like a feathered loaf.
( End Of Chapter )
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