Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

As Henderson burst out of his newly assigned room immediately after unpacking, his heart was pounding so fiercely that he couldnt stand still.

He wondered if his temperament was too fiery, but he settled that thought quickly with a slam of the door.

Ugh. What now, team leader?

You too?

Whats up? Were all the same, arent we?

Members of Team 18 who had similarly kicked their door open, looked at each other and shared a sheepish laugh.

Theres no way to hold back once youve seen themthe knights with the eagle emblem.

Those words came from Digrom, the deputy team leader, which Henderson hadnt expected but welcomed.

Not just them, any knight would feel the same way.

I want to test myself against the Esperanza Knight Order.

Whenever the best knights of Grandia were mentioned, the Esperanza Knight Order always came to mind first.

Another of the three great orders, the Royal Knights, served only within the palace, while the Valtermayn Knight Order was known more for its size than skill.

But what truly spurred their competitive spirit was,

The knights personally trained by that Sword Master.

The countrys finest swordsman, idolized by any knight who bore a sword.

The Esperanza Knight Order, taught by the Sword Master himself.

How could anyone not be curious about their abilities?

Lets go. Show them the strength of the Maclain knights.

Leading the way, Hendersons eyes blazed with passion, even more so than when he first saw the refined ladies upon entering the capital.

Sorry, but were only average knights at the middle ranks. It would be somewhat unfair for us to spar with the others unless you want to try sparring with the apprentice knights?

However, a knight clad in armor bearing the eagle emblem deflated Henderson and his teams eagerness with just a single comment.

The lower-ranked Force users are just about learning swordsmanship for the first time. By our standards.

Within the Maclain, or most knight orders for that matter, a team leader level middle-ranked knight was but an average knight in the Esperanza Knight Order.

Two hundred middle-ranked knights, forty high-ranked knights, and two top-ranked knights.

The true might of the renowned but mysterious Esperanza Knight Order was astounding.

Our lord used to be a high-ranked knight until a couple of years ago, and he was unmatched in our region. But whats this mess, damn.

But having come all this way, he couldnt just back down.

Alright. The team leader of the Maclain Knight Orders 18th team, Henderson, requests a spar.

Accepted.

Though their pride was wounded, Henderson managed a better-than-expected result against an Esperanza knight in the ensuing spar.

It was a decent outcome, but Henderson couldnt help but feel something was off.

Damn. Maybe I should try sparring with the apprentice knights?

Theyre still just kids. They wont even accept you as an apprentice if you havent awakened your Force by your twenties, they say.

Really? Even so, that would be a blow to my pride

Does pride feed us?

Ignoring the comments of his peers, Henderson walked on, a perplexed expression on his face.

The spar with the Esperanza knight, who practiced a style of swordsmanship far different from his own, was enlightening, just at the mere thought of reviewing it.

However

Team leader. Are you sure that knight did his best? The swordplay was lacking.

That must be the case. Which is why its odd.

Digroms keen insight, being at the cusp of ascending from the lower-ranked knights to the mid-ranks, was accurate.

The average-level Esperanza knight he faced, seemingly around his age, had demonstrated a noticeably lower level of proficiency with the Iron Blood Sword compared to what he knew of the Maclains teachings from the Sword Master.

Why dont we all try sparring with the apprentice knights from tomorrow?

Ugh. I guess putting on airs here doesnt really suit us, does it?

Yeah. Lets do that. Even if we face disgrace.

Henderson and Digrom exchanged puzzled looks, lost in thought.

They didnt discuss it, but their thoughts were the same.

Perhaps the Iron Blood Sword that Lord Logan has obtained didnt come from the Sword Master after all.

It couldnt have been invented by the Grand Duke Where did he get it from?

Although their thoughts diverged, the conclusion was clear.

Their future lord had provided the Maclain lineage with a sword technique superior to that of the Esperanza ducal household.

The two knights expectations of their future leader grew ever so slightly.

* * *

Logans official reason for coming to the capital was to meet his mentor, the Sword Master, and remain until a successor was named.

However, there was also a genuine motive for his presence, and that required building trust with his mentor first.

Embracing the training that began on his first day with open arms, Logan threw himself into the sessions, which made him revisit his own shortcomings, causing him to forget all his plans.

Concerned the knights might cause trouble, Logan went to check on them after a week had passed.

His Highness the Grand Duke!

Your Highness, weve been loyal!

Respect!

Uhh, right.

Huh, these guys why are they suddenly doing this?

He was surprised at the excessive reactions, even when considering his position within the household.

Digrom. Anything happen?

No issues!

How have things been?

Weve been continually sparring with the Esperanza Knight Order for practice.

Really? Thats diligent.

Impressed, Logan smiled at their practice despite the early morning chill.

Shall we continue then?

We will continue to train rigorously!

Your Highnesss consideration, I will never forget!

Although Logan was puzzled by their intense reactions, nothing was seriously wrong.

He even found himself reflecting again.

The ordinary knights are this diligent. I should definitely

With a sigh, Logan retrieved his sword and joined the knights in training.

Why, the Grand Duke?

Today, Ill join you in training.

Smiling bright, the knights nodded, and Logans sigh turned into a smile.

Content after a satisfying training session, Logan was greeted by an unexpected turn of events.

A matchmaking meeting what?

Yes. A successor of a noble family without a betrothed at twenty-onethats intolerable! And youre my student, to boot! So Im considering finding you a match.