Novel Bin Chapter 2: Alfred
Chapter 2: Alfred
My name is Alfred Deeg.
I used to be the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights, but that was a long time ago.
Having retired a long time ago, I started working as a butler for the Gilberts.
Being a butler for all those years, I still think
I should never have become a butler.
I hate aristocrats.
Im not cut out for this.
Then why am I still a butler? Well, Im grateful.
Back then, I made a huge error in judgment on the battlefield.
I let a lot of people die on my watch.
I still dream about it to this day.
The shadows of my dead comrades.
The Chief did tell me that it was unavoidable under the circumstances, that it wasnt my fault, but I couldnt forgive myself.
Thats why I quit being a knight.
He also told me to become an instructor, but with what face does he expect me to do that?
How can an incompetent person like me who lets his friends die, serve in such a position?
Thats why I turned down his offer.
Wandering on the street, I was picked up by the Gilbert familys predecessor.
He was a curious person.
As a commoner, I was not even proficient in the use of language, so he taught me how to act as a butler from the very scratch.
Back then I detested noblemen, but thanks to that man, my values have changed just a little.
But then again, that guy was just an oddball.
From the day they were born, they became a s**t aristocrat who looked down on commoners as if they were not the same people.
Well, this is normal for an aristocrat.
The Gilberts are better off for having done nothing wrong but look down on them.
Well, this job isnt for me, but Ive learned the trick
To completely detach my mind from my body.
I do my work without hesitation.
Thats all that needs to be done.
Ive been doing that for a long time now.
Today is no different.This chapter is updat𝓮d by nov(e)(l)biin.com
I aint gonna change was supposed to.
Can youuuuuuu!
This guy who suddenly started screaming like he was in pain in front of me, his name is Luke Wizaria Gilbert.
Hes the eldest son of the Gilberts.
The maids often talk about how this guy can do everything cool if he tries.
In fact, this kid is unusually smart.
But I dont like him.
I dont like his eyes.
Those eyes that look down on everything.
But today, he was a little different.
He seemed to be struggling, fighting desperately against something.
Its clearly not normal.
No matter how much I dislike the nobles, Ill never forget the favor theyve done me.
Before that though, theres no way I can leave an abnormality unattended, which is obvious at a glance.
So I asked back.
How can I help you, Master Luke! Huh! Are you not feeling well?
Nooooooo!
Apparently, hes not sick.
Then what the h**l is it?
Ive learned most of what I need to know to become a butler, but I still have no idea whats going on with this guy right now.
I mean, what is it all of a sudden?
Hes never spoken to me face to face before.
He probably doesnt even recognize me as a person.
This kid was the epitome of my distaste for nobles.
But what about now?
Hes still looking down at me with those eyes.
Still, looking firmly into his eyes, I see that he is trying desperately to appeal to me for something.
That one point is slightly favorable.
Well, I appreciate it because up until now hes been too bad.
Teach me the way sword.
What did this guy just say?
He wants me to teach him how to use the sword?
Swordsmanship is something nobles hate unless youre from a knightly family.
Its so obvious.
The Gilberts are no exception.
This guy, who is supposed to think of swordsmanship as nothing more than a game for barbarians who cant use magic, is now asking me to teach him the way of swords?
Forgive me? What did you just say?
I reflexively asked back.
My brain refused to comprehend words that werent too real.
Teach me sword!
No, excuse me. I am an old man, and I doubted my own ears.
Haah haah I see.
Apparently, I didnt mishear.
That said, whats really going on with this guy?
Why does he start screaming in pain like that every time?
And to top it off, it looks like hes out of breath.
Well, whatever.
I thought for a minute.
Perhaps this guys taking swordsmanship as a joke.
Swordsmanship isnt something you can learn overnight.
Its not something you can just sit and learn like magic.
You learn it by getting covered in mud over and over again.
Theres no way his parents would let that happen.
They would call it barbaric, and I would be the one to suffer the consequences.
And from the looks of it, I dont think hes serious.
A noblemans idea, a mere joke.
If they find it even a little bit annoying, theyll get bored and quit.
Thats what I thought.
Yes, sir. If its all right with me, Id be happy to serve in that capacity.
At that time, I really didnt think much more than this.
The next morning, he showed up as promised.
Needless to say, I was disappointed inside.
If he hadnt come, I wouldnt have had to teach him.
But now that hes here, I have to teach him.
What a bother.
I had a chat with the Lord about it yesterday.
He had a nasty look on his face, but he kind of allowed me to do it.
So I gave Luke the sword.
It was a fake, of course.
I will show you a Form. Then follow my lead and swing your sword in the same way. [TLN Form : kinda like a basic template, a style.]
There are many people who hate using form, even those who aspire to the sword.
The reason is quite simple: its boring.
If I were to really take on an apprentice and teach him the sword, I would teach him practical skills first.
Get them interested in the sword, then the form.
In any case, you cant avoid this form that contains all the basics.
But anyways.
My goal is to quickly make this kid understand that swords are boring.
Geeeee haah haah get on with it.
Whats with this guys emotional instability ever since yesterday?
Seriously, he wants me to hurry?
Hes in a position to ask for a lesson.
If he wants me to teach him, he first needs to throw away that No, dont even think about it.
Lets get this over with.
Here I come.
after a few swings.
After watching my swings just a few times, I was struck by the peculiarity of his talent.
Swinging a sword is not that simple.
You can only swing a sword properly when you know how to use your feet, shift your center of gravity, transmit power, timing, and breathe
So if you let an amateur swing a sword, its going to be a bullshit move.
But this guy he did it after seeing me move just once.
No, it could be a fluke.
I managed to deny that intuition, which was close to certainty.
Then I continued the form for a while.
And it becomes something that can no longer be denied.
A monster.
Those words came into my mind.
Master Luke. Excuse me, but have you had any experience with swords before?
Theres no way.
I already know the answer.
Im with this guy 24/7.
Still, I waited for his reply, because I was trying to somehow understand this incomprehensible being.
You think I have any?
He looked at me with a condescending look and asked me that.
But that no longer matters.
Its too trivial.
Lets continue.
Then he continued with the form.
Apparently, its fear that humans feel when they witness something that they dont understand.
A fear that I never even had when I was a Commander, I feel from a kid whos only held a sword just a while ago.
Each time he swings, his movements become more refined.
What an abnormal growth rate.
This kid may not know this, but he started at a point where an average swordsman would have to work very hard to get to.
And after an hour.
I see that one swing.
Huh, that swing just now thats better than mine, how?
My sword aint rusty.
Im his butler as well as his bodyguard, and I cant count the number of days Ive gone without holding a sword until Im this age.
I vaguely recall the conversation between the maids.
Master Luke is awesome.
He can do anything instantly.
He must be a prodigy.
Thats what they were saying.
No, hes not just a prodigy.
This guys level is way beyond that.
A true monster, an outsider, or a deviant.
Those are appropriate words.
Master Luke, thats enough for today.
What? Are we done already?
Yes, Master Luke has grasped the sword for the first time today. Theres no point in rushing.
Oh, yeah. I got it.
I took Master Luke to his room and then went to the Lord.
I was naturally faster with my feets.
Unintentionally, a smile breaks out on my face.
2, or 3 years in a couple of years hell be able to surpass me
I must have a pretty creepy smile on my face right now.
But hey, how can I not laugh at this?
Im a former deputy commander of the Royal Knights, after all.
I was the number two swordsman in the land.
Being a nobody, Ive been swinging a sword ever since I can remember.
And to think that I would be surpassed by a kid who has held a sword for at most an hour, even if it is just swinging?
Tch! Thats not good.
Envy, jealousy.
An overwhelming talent that does not even allow for such feelings.
No doubt.
He was born to wield a sword.
I want to see
I want to see how far he can go.
I was overcome by an irresistible, intense desire.
No, Ive been charmed.
By the violent genius of the devil.
I knocked on the door with all my might.
Sir, may I have a word with you?
Get in.
Now, how should I start?
Well, whatever.
Im going to kneel down on the ground and appeal to him that,
I want to teach Master Luke the way of the sword.