Chapter 23: Pride and Perseverance

Aren’t I too young to be underestimated? Or are you that arrogant as to defy the Pope of a nation?

…If that’s the case, I apologize.

She was terrified. A weak branch of the Youngae family could be so servile. At that moment, the man before her swept his shoulder-length, bright yellow hair back and let out a chuckle.

…Hmph, that’s enough. I’ll leave by myself.

Unsure what was so funny, Lara thought as she tiptoed toward the door with a graceful gait.

You know…

A caustic tone, ready to sneer, came from behind.

A woman, right?

…What do you mean?

‘……!!’

Only then did Lara realize she was disguising herself as a man. Earlier in the shower, she had felt something odd on her scalp. Fortunately, her wig was secure, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d inadvertently exposed too much.

I say this because your tone and stride scream refined noblewoman.

Oh, come on! Where’s this noblewoman tone you’re bragging about, and what’s with that elegant walk!

Are you an idiot?

Irritated by the mockery, Lara lowered her voice.

Don’t call me an idiot.

Then what should I call you? A fool?

His carefree retort reminded her of someone long unburdened by formality. Given his delicate features and the bearing of a Pope, she figured that aside from his temper and bladder, Mikhail was the kind of man who had it all.

‘What remark?’

Can’t we just leave it be? Lara thought, but God was obstinate.

“Just as it’s wrong to let your incontinence be a laughingstock…”

‘That’s basically admitting you think I’m a fool!’

Despite Lara’s protest, God remained silent. Mikhail’s gaze had lingered on her, and then he slowly closed and reopened his eyes.

“So you say it’s wrong to mock. Then what’s your point?”

“What I’m saying is that it’s not right to tease me.”

“Heh heh, what are you reading? There’s no script to follow here.”

“Don’t tease me!”

Realizing that further talk was pointless, Lara fell silent. Suddenly, he set his teacup down, stood up, went into the bathroom, retrieved his uniform, and flung it into her arms.

“Follow me, I’ll take you to the garden exit.”

Her expression was a confusing mix of emotions. Uneasy but with no other option, Lara clutched the damp uniform and hastily followed as Mikhail stepped outside.

They walked silently through a deep, foliage-dense garden for what felt like ages until a path of white pebbles emerged.

“Keep walking along this path and you’ll reach the garden exit. From there, you’ll see the way out – unless you’re an idiot. And if you get lost again, just grab someone and ask.”

Just when she almost let him pass, Mikhail turned his head. His light, golden hair shimmered as though it might scatter in the breeze.

“Are you here to return that uniform?”

“…I will.”

“Who said it isn’t returned?” Lara pouted irritably.

“Then that settles it.”

Despite his calm tone, his eyes locked onto her stubbornly. Feeling the pressure, Lara quickened her pace. At one point, she sensed someone watching her back, but when she glanced over her shoulder, no one was there.

Back at the mansion, Lara penned a letter to Lady Elina V, explaining that she had gone home due to feeling unwell and apologizing if her actions seemed rude. Two hours later, Lady Elina V replied, urging her not to worry and to rest up.

‘Phew… did I do the right thing?’

A mix of relief and uncertainty washed over her. In hindsight, perhaps Lady Elina V hadn’t intended any harm; maybe she’d simply overreacted.

After all, divine power can both heal and destroy. The force she meant to use on Lara wasn’t a destructive beam, but rather a healing power she had once deployed.

Back then, it had emerged from her fingertips.

Maybe divine energy can be released anywhere, or perhaps it depends on its application. Lara closed her eyes, lost in thought, until sleep gently overtook her.

At least it reminded her that Lady Elina III was a cherished friend and that the Knight Order truly symbolized peace.

* * *

The training drill on the field had been buzzing with energy since sunrise.

“Soldiers, are you ready for next week’s promotion exam?”

“Yes!!”

Amid the rousing shouts, a half-awake, bewildered Lara stood aside. Beside her, Lady Elina III gripped the hilt of her sword with grim resolve.

“The knight with the highest score will automatically earn a spot in next month’s swordsmanship tournament, so give it everything you’ve got!”

“Yes, sir!!”

“Anyone who fails will be expelled or demoted, so I expect every single one of you to pass! And you, newcomer—!”

The company commander singled Lara out from the assembled troops. Surprised, she stuttered, “Yes, yes…?”, before a booming command silenced her.

“No more vacant stares! From today, you’re on special training!”

‘Th-that’s…!’

Thinking, ‘Maybe if I fail on purpose I’ll get kicked out,’ Lara felt a wave of despair. She searched for help in Lady Elina III’s eyes, but all she heard was a low murmur: “Lucky you, special training.”

“Everyone except the newcomers, disperse!”

Unable to muster even the thought of escape, Lara was hauled away by the company commander. In a secluded corner of the training field, a heavy sword was tossed directly before her. As a cloud of dust billowed, Lara gasped when the Tiger Company Commander bellowed.

“Can’t you even hold it properly?!”

“Eek…”

“And that whining is banned too! Now, grip it and swing it. I’ll set you straight.”

“I actually like it this way…”

“I don’t care why you entered the Knight Order in disguise, but once I take someone on as a subordinate, I never let them off easy!”

Although the moment could have been touching, Lara felt nothing but a desire to be left alone. Life never went as planned, after all.

“Do 200 swings!”

Cursing and spouting insults like a scaredy-cat, Lara had no choice but to swing the sword up and down. After five swings and a pause, then another five, when she finally reached 105 swings in a struggle for her life…

“Ugh, ow!”

Her shoulder throbbed as if burned, and suddenly, a cracking sound echoed.

“Don’t whine about just 105 swings!!”

“Ugh, ouch, my arm… it hurts so much. Ouch… ugh.”

When Lara lowered her sword and tears began to fall, a medic rushed over. The moment his hand touched her shoulder, his expression turned incredulous.

“…Surely, you’re a woman…?”

‘I really want to get out of this Knight Order.’

“You’ve ruptured your shoulder ligaments.”

Lara was momentarily speechless. With her eyes dried of tears, she gazed out the window. The sky was a crisp, cloudless blue, yet her mood was in tatters. Nothing seemed to go right since joining the Knight Order.

“Avoid any activity that strains your shoulder and take at least a month to recover.”

“This time, I’m not just going to sit still.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say…?”

Fuming, Lara rose from her seat and left the infirmary. Using the Lady’s Teleportation Technique, she dashed across the corridor toward the training field where the company commander was drilling the knights.

With determined steps, Lara approached the commander from behind. Then, with an elegant motion, she raised her uninjured hand and patted his broad back.

“Hey.”

“Hey…? You’re not calling me, are you?”

The company commander glared at Lara with a sinister twist of his lips, gritting his teeth as if ready to teach the diminutive cross-dressing knight a lesson.

Lara widened her eyes in defiance, her fierce gaze meeting his challenging stare.

“My arm just won’t lift.”

“So what if it won’t lift?! Can’t you see what’s right in front of you? Your discipline is slipping…”

“I said my arm won’t lift! Fix my arm now!!”

The knights around them began setting down their swords at the sharp, ringing commands. Among them stood Lady Elina III. As chaos began to stir, the company commander’s thick eyebrows furrowed.

“This isn’t done quietly!”

“I can’t do it quietly!! What am I supposed to do with my arm? I’m really angry! Here, in this miserable dump, following orders from an overbearing superior until my arm looks like this—how can you expect me to calm down?! Speak up!”

Stepping forward boldly despite her small stature, Lara glared at the commander with eyes wide open. Just as he was about to smirk at her defiance, the commander felt a chilling energy squeeze his body.

‘Survive?’

Could it be that Raan—the little cross-dressing knight—is really showing his true colors?

“How will you take responsibility for this?!”

“First… calm down, newcomer.”

“Do you think I look calm with my arm like this?! At this rate, I can’t even get my left hand done with nail polish!!”

“Why would a knight even wear nail polish! Alright, alright, I get it! I’ll give you a half-day off. Go to the Daeshin Shrine and get treated. The treatment cost will be charged to the Knight Order.”

“Hmph, that’s more like it.”