It would be better not to do this, Lord.


    Even Jermi was taken aback by those words.


    Such an answer was not something amoner could give to a nobleman. It was possible only when there was a very justifiable cause formoners to respond like that.


    For a very justifiable cause.


    There was no very justifiable cause for Jermi to feel.


    Amoner must not have any justification for such an answer. It was a dangerous enough situation for Jermi.


    If even that bosss finger is cut off


    Then, this delicious egg tart would disappear.


    Isnt this Princess Vis regr restaurant?


    Most of the people gathered here aremoners. He couldnt help it. Because in this world, the proportion ofmoners was overwhelmingly higher than that of nobles. Wherever they go, there were moremoners than nobles.


    There is no one to stop him.


    This was a ce he liked.


    He was willing to find it again next time, so Jermi hoped this ce wouldnt go bankrupt.


    How very unsightly it is in the winter castle.


    Im sorry if it seemed that way, but a principle is a principle.


    You kept saying a principle, and Im nauseous.


    The boy strode over and pped the boss.


    p!


    It didnt seem like magic. Nevertheless, as if he had been training, the owners cheeks swelled up quickly.


    I give you onest chance. Bake the leftovers.


    Im sorry. As you may know, this is a favorite ce for the Iron-Blood Princess.


    Then?


    She also queues up and buys only two. If I sell three or more egg tarts to the Lord, Im ignoring her.


    The boyughed as if it was ridiculous.


    Youre joking around with that hole in your mouth.


    He could understand why the owner mentions the iron-blooded Princess. It was because he felt threatened by alluding to the fact that the famous Verratoux princess was behind the owner.


    You dare to threaten me, you scumbag?


    Its not a threat. Im asking for your understanding, Lord.


    Shut up. Tonight. You will be found dead.


    Jermi felt a presence outside the door.


    It seemed that Princess Vi and her party were still outside.


    Hmm. Then.


    He likes it here, and he likes Vi, too.


    Shall I get some points?


    If the day came when they could formally greet each other, he wondered if he could make a good impression. A good swordsman who helped the owner of her regr shop that seemed to be enough.


    Jermi stepped forward.


    Lets stop here.


    The eldest son of Viscount Seal.


    Zelton, who turned sixteen this year, was truly upset. In his own estate, things that wouldnt even dare to look at him with their own eyes kept making eye contact with him and talking back and forth.


    What else is this?


    Judging by his attire, he didnt seem like a nobleman.


    The person in front of him was wearing an old sword, so he may be of nobility, though he would never be the son of a prestigious family with a title.


    My name is Jermi, an aspiring apprentice knight.


    Jermi?


    Jermi did not lie about his real name because the name Jermi was not a rare name.


    Just the same worthless things.


    Hearing so, he smiled brightly. A bright smile that could not be covered by the shabby clothes as his face rose like the sun.


    Would it hurt to get hit by the worthless things?


    What?


    I didnt say anything.


    Jermi didnt use the Storm Sword.


    He just drew his sword.


    Sreung!


    A clear sword that did not go well with the old sword rang out, and the tip of the sword touched Zeltons neck.


    It was close.


    Had it gone a little deeper, he would have bled.


    How rude!


    The knight who was with Zelton behind him also drew his sword.


    However, the sword was no longer considered a sword anymore.


    The knights eyes widened.


    Uh, when!


    As the sword was cut in half and fell to the ground, the knight looked at the cut surface.


    The cut surface is clean.


    He didnt even see Jermi wielding his sword. Nevertheless, his own sword was cut off, and the cut edge of the cut sword was too clean. Even if he had a sword of the century made by a master, it was difficult to say.


    They swallowed their saliva.


    Damn it. We got it wrong.


    His appearance was shabby, but he was, by no means, an ordinary person.


    It was clear that the knight was at least level Nine or higher. There were times when a good knight walked around like a beggar like that.


    How about it? You shouldnt be angry anymore, do you?


    Tom, tomorrow is my birthday, so I will forgive you in a good way.


    Zelton snorted huhng! and turned around. He pretended to be okay, but his legs were trembling.


    What the hell is that guy?


    His appetite had plummeted.


    It was his first time seeing a senior knight. So, he was terrified to see the skills of a senior knight right in front of his eyes.


    Lets get out of here quickly.


    Outside, there was a pretty girl and a boy with golden hair.


    Zelton hurriedly adjusted his clothes and began to walk in a bad way.


    The door would be closed, too.


    He was no longer scared.


    Out of the way.


    It was a step as if iming to be a ferocious and wild man. He thought he looked like he had a mans taste when he behaved so harshly.


    Sixteen-year-old Zelton thought so.


    Vi wasnt particrly angry.


    Oh, my.


    There were always kids like that everywherelittle kids who think they know how to be strong. Judging from Vis mental age, he was still an immature child.


    But


    Thepanion sword, Tundras eyes lit up.


    Jermi thought he had scored.


    Hehe.


    The door was blocking it, though Vi must have already felt it.


    I saved the owner of your regr shop, Princess Vi.


    Thinking he made a good impression, he slowly enjoyed the one remaining egg tart.


    I did my best developing that footwork.


    It was pretty satisfying.


    Vi probably liked it very much. If he had shown her this much footwork, he wondered if she would at least want to be friends.


    Anyway, its good.


    He thought she scored a lot thanks to a dimwit who didnt even have aristocratic dignity. Meanwhile, Vi bit her lip and turned her body towards the Dukes castle.


    Its a dangerous world, too.


    She looked through the gap in the open door.


    Jermis neat footwork. It was just a simple hair knife with no special skills.


    Too fast


    It seemed that it would be best not to get close.


    She asked carefully, Tundra. Have you seen Jermis footwork?


    Yes.


    How was it?


    It was fast.


    Better than you?


    Tundra thought for a moment. This, he thought, was the Masters test and evaluation. So, he answered calmly.


    In terms of speed, I think he was faster than me.


    I see.


    I will try harder.


    No.


    Vi didnt mean it that way. It was a little burdensome for Tundra to suddenly burn with enthusiasm. Nheless, she ignored Tundra and continued to move her steps towards the Dukes castle.


    Faster than Tundra.


    Also


    He was too risky.


    Dangerous. I have to keep my distance.


    Returning to his aodation, Zelton beat his escort knight harshly.


    Whats your mission?


    It is to escort the Lord.


    However?


    Im sorry.


    Do you know that my father pays you for that?


    Zelton whipped him for a while, and his escort knight silently endured.


    After a while.


    He was exhausted and missed his whip.


    Heukheuk!


    Im sorry, Lord.


    There was no excuse for the opponent to be too strong. Anyway, he didnt do a proper escort, and he thought it was his fault.


    That was the way a knight thought.


    That night.


    Zelton left the amodation with the escort knight.


    His house. Have you found it?


    Yes.


    Zelton has always been educated as a precious being.


    You are a great kid.


    You are better than anyone else.


    You can do really well.


    Thats how he learned it.


    His mother always said so. It became poison for Zelton.


    Im going to catch you.


    This is the winter castle, Lord.


    You can just kill them outside the winter castle. Drag him away.


    .


    The escort knight realized that he couldnt break Zeltons stubbornness. When he received an order, he obeyed itthat was the right way as a knight.


    Understood.


    But, he also wanted to ask.


    Shouldnt the boy named Jermi be punished?


    The person who insulted him in front of manymoners was Jermi. So, isnt it right to take revenge on Jermi?


    Why does the owner have to die?


    He was amoner and disrespectful, but He didnt even say anything wrong.


    Whats more, even the iron-blooded Princess of Verratoux kept the rules here.


    Zelton could not break that principle. It meant that there was no reason why the owner had to die.


    Should I follow thismand?


    Still, he had to follow.


    He thought that he was right as a knight.


    Thump, thump.


    As he walked the streets at night, the night streets of Winter Castle were peaceful and quiet. There were drunk people scattered all over the ce.


    Lord. The fact that they are so drunk and lying around


    It must mean that they are fools with neither dignity nor culture.


    That was not it.


    This meant that the security here was very good So, he wont be able to kill the owner outside the winter castle because the boundaries would be tight.


    The knight swallowed the words.


    After all, Zelton was a character who must see with his own eyes to be satisfied.


    Around the Winter Castle. Among the houses wheremoners lived, he saw a house with a fairlyrge gate.


    Are you sure this is the house?


    Yes.


    Break it.


    He broke the wooden door and entered.


    Does amoner live in a house with a garden?


    There was a small garden.


    Did the winter castlemoners have thoughts or not?


    It was the first time hes seen amoners house have a garden. Even though it was a small garden, it was too luxurious formoners.


    Anyone would think it was a noble house. So, it must have been why he had a stiff neck.


    Far ahead, there were five steps.


    A boy was sitting there.


    It was a blond boy.


    You also have a stiff neck.


    What else are you?


    Me? A mercenary who dreams of being a dog.


    The blond boy was Tundra.


    Zelton got agitated at the word mercenary. He snorted huhng! and said, What kind of nonsense is this?


    Why are you here?


    Your tongue is short on the subject of a mercenary.


    Youre short, too, you bastard.


    At that, Zeltons face flushed red. He was insulted by a mercenary like this, besides, he was already sensitive.


    Ill kill you, too.


    Killing? This is winter castle?


    Something like that. Maybe, youll find out!


    Zelton pointed his finger at Tundra.


    Knock him out. Take him out of the winter castle and kill him.


    This knight was a second-ss apprentice knight, so it wouldnt beparable to a mercenary.


    Or, so he thought.


    However, the reality was the opposite.


    Changgrang!


    As if breaking ss, the sword of the escort knight was shattered.


    What is this again?


    The escort knights eyes darkened.


    Even though it was a sword he bought in a hurry at the weapon shop, but it wasnt something that could be broken so easily. Nevertheless, the sword waspletely shattered, and fragments flew all over the ce.


    Obviously, you said you would kill me first. This is self-defense.


    Tundra was walking briskly.


    He swung his sword.


    You dare to touch the Masters favorite shop?


    Vi was happiest when eating egg tarts, and this guy was trying to ruin that happiness?


    With the side of the sword, he knocked Zelton and the escort knight. He wanted to kill him, but he couldnt because this was the Winter Castle area.


    Its easy.


    As he battled monsters like Vixen every day, it was very easy to deal with them.


    Finally, the door opened and the owner of Azulesia bowed deeply.


    Thank you, I dont know how to repay this favor.


    Not the ones at the store.


    It was against the rules if he gave something sold at the store. But, if its homemade, its a different story.


    Ten egg tarts baked separately at home. The Princess will be satisfied with that.


    Ill bake even a hundred. Thank you very much.


    Tundra barely caught the rising corner of his lips.


    He was very excited inside.


    If ten Will the Master be pleased? Did I do well?


    When he thought of that, he was thrilled. It was Tundras happiness to see Vi eating deliciously and looking happy.


    I would like it to be especially delicious.


    Of course!


    Two dayster.


    The only son of Viscount Seal was executed.


    In front of the southern gate of Winter Castle, his neck was hung, and startling rumors began to spread within the winter castle.


    Iron-blooded Princess.


    There were rumors about Vi Verratoux.