Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?! - CH 48

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall

Anna, servant in the Belisario household

Clarabelle, servant in the Belisario household

Matteo, Percival’s horse

As usual, mornings in Vanderwall are early. It was too early for me to keep up, so I gave up on getting up early on the second day. Both Percival and Adeline said they didn’t mind if I didn’t go with them, so I decided to take their word for it. It’s impossible to get up before the sun rises every day. Apparently, Percival gets up early and trains with the Vanderwall soldiers. He said that if he neglected even one day, his arm would become dull. Which means that even at the academy, he gets up early and trains in the morning. Percival is really serious.

Here at the castle, I have a late breakfast, leisurely enjoying the view of the city spread out below.

It’s a luxurious morning by the way……Too much has happened in the last few months. When was the last time I felt so relaxed? In the first place, had Sapphiras ever lived so peacefully? No, not at all.

And Anna-san and Clarabelle-san takes such good care of me. They take care of my hair and make sure everything is in order. Or is this the norm in aristocratic life? I don’t know, because I was left alone.

“What are your plans for today, Sapphiras-sama?

“Percival is giving me a tour of the castle today.”

“That’s good. This is a large castle, so please be careful not to leave Percival-sama’s side.”

“Yes.”

That’s right, today we’ll have a look around this big Vanderwall Castle. I’m looking forward to seeing the training grounds and stables for the soldiers and magicians. I might even get to meet Matteo.

When I was all ready, Percival came to pick me up from my room.

Sent off by Anna-san and Clarabelle-san, we headed to the stables first.

“Matteo will be there too, right?”

“Yes. Matteo will be happy to see Sapphiras.”

“I hope so.”

Because I consider Matteo a friend I travelled with.

The castle of Vanderwall is old, but every part of it was meticulously maintained. There is no such thing as a gap, and they are ready to intercept any attack, no matter where or when it comes.

This kind of unrelenting attitude is probably the reason why the king trusts them. I don’t hear very good rumours about the western Ravenclaw territory, which is also a frontier territory. The royal family will be even more likely to favour Vanderwall.

The stables I was shown around were very impressive. They are clean and well kept for the comfort of the horses. It is clear that they treat the horses with respect, as they are indispensable for fighting and defeating the enemy. Some soldiers think of horses as replaceable tools.

The horses had finished their morning training and were eating heartily. The sight of the fit horses with shiny coats lined up in a row is a sight to behold.

“Matteo!”

Looking into the stable, I immediately knew which horse was Matteo.

Matteo noticed me, raised his head and sniffed. Apparently, Matteo recognised me too.

“Have you recovered from your travel fatigue?”

I reach out my hand, and Matteo meekly lets me stroke the tip of his nose.

I was told that the Margrave and his brothers’ horses were here, so I was introduced to them. The Margrave’s horse is even bigger than Matteo. He was a horse worthy of being called majestic. In case of emergency, he is a horse that runs at the forefront of the army with the general on his back, so it seems that he has extraordinary strength and guts. I thought Matteo was amazing, but he is even more amazing?

“His name is Gladius. He can only be ridden by father.”

“So he’s a horse with a high sense of pride.”

After that, he introduces me to his brothers’ horses, Noah and Max. They were a bit jovial and came up to me for a petting, so I petted them.

“I’ll be participating in the subjugation, please take care of me.”

Noah and Max nodded their heads as if they were bowing to me. After a few moments of interaction with the horses, we head to the training grounds.

I heard that the castle has lodgings for soldiers. It seems that they take turns to stay overnight so that they can dispatch troops immediately in case of emergency. Some of the lone soldiers and mercenaries live here completely.

In the training area, soldiers were practising with swords. They are full of enthusiasm and spirit, which is something that you wouldn’t expect during practice. They are, after all, the warriors of Vanderwall, who has surpassed what I heard. Even though the blades of their swords have been smashed for training purposes, if I get hit with that kind of force, I would fall unconscious.

“They are the strongest unit in the Vanderwall army, the Kingsleigh unit. They’re a bit of a rough bunch.”

“So they’re a group of fierce men.”

As we watched them practise, a stern man who was instructing the soldiers approached us.

“Percival-sama, it’s been a while.”

The man’s skin is sunburnt and he has a scar running down his cheek. The sharpness of his eyes tells us that he has experienced many battlefields and subjugations.

“It’s been a while, Commander Kingsleigh.”

“Will Percival-sama be taking part in the next subjugation?”

“Yes, I will be participating together with this magician here, Sapphiras. Sapphiras, this is Bruno Kingsleigh-dono, the commander of this unit.”

“My name is Sapphiras. Pleased to meet you.”

When I introduced myself, Kingsleigh-san’s sharp gaze was directed at me. Yes, I understand. He does’t look highly upon me.

“You seriously want to take part in the subjugation? There’s a difference between student training and the actual thing.”

“Sapphiras is a very talented magician. He will never be a burden.”

Percival interrupted me, but the sharpness of Kingsleigh’s gaze remained the same.

Well, I can see his point. It is impossible for Kingsleigh-san to know that I am an adventurer with a certain amount of experience in my previous life. A chick can only use a little magic, and it will only look like it’s stylish.

“……That’s right. In that case, how about having an elite unit led by Kingsleigh-san fight a mock battle against Percival and I, and if we win, we’ll participate in the subjugation?”

“Are you serious about that?”

A deep crease is carved between Kingsley-san’s eyebrows. He might have thought that his troops were being looked down on. I don’t mean that at all.

“Yes, I’m serious. It’s ok right, Percival?”

“Yeah. I don’t mind.”

“……If you’re going to go that far, fine. It’s a good opportunity to learn that actual combat isn’t as easy as it sounds.”

Yeah, that’s right. Actual combat isn’t as sweet as it sounds. There are things that happen in the world that you can’t imagine. I chuckle inwardly.

“Sapphiras, you have a good face1 on again.”

What? I thought I was laughing inwardly, but it seems that it inadvertently appeared on my face.

“Somehow, I’m sorry I made that decision on my own.”

“No, I don’t mind. Act as you like, Sapphiras.”

Percival said so and laughed. I return with a smile as well. I’ll take you up on your word and act as I please.

“Everyone gather!”

Kingsleigh-san gives a loud order, and the soldiers who have been crossing swords gather to him all at once.

“From now on, we’re going to have a match! Our opponents will be these two, Percival-sama and this magician, Sapphiras-san!’

Naturally, there was a guffaw from the soldiers. Putting Percival aside, no matter how you look at it, I look weak.

I quickly glance at the gathered Kingsleigh unit. A total of 20 people. Of them, five are magicians. Naturally, they would be the rearguard. I should also assume that there are magic swordsmen like Percival.

“No need to hold back. Teach them the rigours of real combat!”

“Thank you. We don’t need you to hold back, so please be serious.

When I said that, the air in the unit became tense. Like Kingsleigh-san, they probably thought that I was underestimating battle. But I never overestimate my magic. Behind historical defeats, arrogance and conceit are usually the reasons. The opponents are veteran fighters. I know Kingsleigh-san is not alone. I would never make light of them.

“Percival-sama and Sapphiras-sama, if either of you becomes unable to fight, the match will end. Is that all right?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Percival and I versus Vanderwall’s strongest unit led by Kingsleigh-san.

It’s time to take part in the subjugation.

if you rmb, Percival once said that Sapphiras had a villainous face