One day, the third princess, Claudia Holly, approached the apprenticeship examination of Metel El Fraswerk.
Three old knights lowered their heads in front of a marquis.
"Do they really insist on that...?
It was Philip, the current lord of the Marquis of Ventershoven, who murmured in the troubled wind.
He was the fruit father of Queen Tineke and grandfather of the Third Princess Claudia.
The marquis is lowered by the old men, all of whom have forged flesh.
They were famous among the Marquises as warriors and excellent knights called the Four Swordmen of the Floor.
One of the four men is dead, and although the name "Four Swordsman" is already missing, he is nevertheless a samurai representing the Marquis of Ventershoven.
All three of them applied for retirement only this year.
…………
In the words of Philip, master and marquis, the three men lay their heads silently.
There seeped a strong will.
Neither convincing nor listening.
The Marquis is in trouble and looks right next to him.
There is an old magician who was a friend of Philip's father, the ancestor of the Marquis, and Dan, who became master of the sword of the Marquis and guardian of Queen Tineke.
The civilian grandfather, who had no "nobility" but one of them, looked up at the Marquis.
"You're not saying you want to stop, but you can't help it. I also refuse unwanted prophecies. Because I don't have any good memories of being forced by a great man...."
"Master Ehmont...! That's not much....!
The misguided Marquis stared at the magician with a sad face.
This old civilian, who has been taken care of since he was a child, cannot raise his head with him.
Philip wanted Ehmont to convince the knights.
One step ahead was Dan, her daughter's guardian.
"My lord, is it impossible for Lucan and Squadron to retire from Rabbit and Horn and Pistoleyx?
The youngest pistolix of the Four Swordsmen is now 55 years old.
I was only the youngest, and I took the initiative to fight monsters last year, but I was poisoned by monsters in last year's battle, and my physical freedom is getting worse due to the sequelae.
Pistolix lowered his head carelessly.
"I still have the strength to wave my sword, but we are not allowed to take blindness...! I decided to retire because of my colon... If so, I still wanted to dedicate myself to the Holy Father and Princess....."
The name of the Four Swordsman on the floor is known not only to the Ventershoven family, but also to all the people of the country.
Even if there is a clear reason for weakness that the disease has decayed, it would cause a great deal of upset to the whole family if they were to die in the event of war.
The Marquis says with a reluctant face.
"When it comes to pistolix, there's nothing we can do about it. --But Lukan and Squaro. I don't think you'll ever retire."
The two old knights nodded face to face.
"Unlike the pistolix of the energetic, we have faded. We don't have enough power to go to the front."
"I want you to rest here....."
Both expressions and lines were almost the same.
But Ehmont frowned slightly on one word.
Dan was the only one who noticed it.
Philip roared with his arms folded.
"Hmm... But, you know, it would be the 'representative of Wu' of my Marquis."
"Unfortunately, not even the four of us will be able to withhold from you during the high season. You know the Marquis."
"In other words, we are no longer the representative of Wu...."
"- But aren't you a first-class swordsman or a commander? Even if I can't force myself to leave, I can continue to be involved in military affairs....."
"Please forgive me. It's time for us to live in hiding."
"Our veterans will never stop going backwards."
Arrowed, determination seemed strong.
The Marquis spills complain.
"I didn't think you'd get away with taking my granddaughter's recent apprenticeship...."
"Sir, the opposite is true. Your Majesty's recent apprenticeship will allow us to shake hands and retire."
The Marquis could not dismiss the appeal before placing a valid reason for old age, saying, "I understand very well. Let's think about it a little bit," he replied vaguely.
"That's the word. Ong is not our family, so please come to the meeting."
After the "conversation" was over, Ehmont Garibaldi was summoned by the Queen's Knight of the Guards.
Dan and Ehmont are acquainted, so they both have much cheaper air than before.
"Well, I'm leaving King's Landing for a while after Claudia's apprenticeship exam. In the meantime, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give back to the place you're taking care of."
"If you say so...."
Ehmont faces the knight of the Marquis who folds his head down correctly.
Such an expression is unusual because the old man he knows is always in a hurry.
That's why Dan leaned his neck.
"... Master Ehmont, do you have anything?
"Yeah? What is something?
"I'll talk to you, but don't you have any concerns about Ong? I frowned at the meeting earlier."
The tall old man smiles bitterly and shrugs his shoulders at the words.
"Have you noticed? I'm afraid of you. - No, what? This is a different story than the prophecy. I thought it would be difficult for the aristocrats to get inside."
"What do you mean?
"The three of you who had lowered your head to Philip Boy the other day. They're all nobles, aren't they?
"Yes, but none of the four nobles have titles, including the late Galeos. I don't think I'm in a position to get into a lot of trouble...?
- Nobility is difficult.
Dan interpreted the meaning of the old prophet's line as saying, "I'm afraid I'll get into trouble."
At the same time, I realize that the safety of the deceased's identity is also there.
In the first place, they were under the umbrella of the Marquis of Ventershoven.
Saying that you will do something to them could turn the Marquis itself into an enemy.
It would be possible to do so for the like-minded Marquises, the superior Three Dukes, and the only Grand Duke.
(And then the Earl of Keremans, who owns the Merrose Foundation....)
The "Four Swordsmen of the Building" has a reputation for martial arts, but it is not that they are good at business.
It would not have much to do with the Commercial Count.
"Do you think Ehmont will get them involved in something?
"Well." The other way around... "
"On the contrary...?
"That's right. The Lord will know about" The Viscount of Bolstrap. "
"Of course, I know. Noble in blood, but weak in power. Those who said nothing were one of the topics in the bar."
He raised one eyebrow and groaned in a mood, not because Dan was close to the Vicomte.
"Bad-mouthed people" is the reason why his beloved Queen Tineke and her daughter, the Third Princess, keep talking.
Therefore, this Knight of the Guards hates pussy.
"I often go to the tavern, so I often hear rumors about it. --Some of the Vicomtes have entered a prestigious house."
"... you are the Marquis of Bailefeld. In fact, there was the second son of the Vicomte's house, but....."
Left, left, left. But the truth is, I don't know if the Viscount Bolstrap brought in the Marquis of Bailefeld. However, as a way of shaking the body of the nobles, I don't understand the concept of "Otaki if you don't stop". --I don't really like that way of life.
"But I don't think nobility can decide how to live with 'likes and dislikes'."
"Yes, that's exactly what matters. The aristocrat can't accommodate a lot. If you do not wish, you will be manipulated by" position ". Twist your will."
"I mean - do some kindness do something?
"Well, it's my fault. But let me tell you that this is an important time. - My arms aren't that long. It won't reach Claudia."
"... if so, I will protect Queen Tineke and the Marquis of Ventershoven."
"Mm-hmm. So, yeah. Protect as many as you can. After all, that's all I can do."
The master of the sword at the marquis turned a serious eye to the old sorcerer who murmured.
"--Is it part of your intention to treat that civilian child?
"... I'm not saying no. But it's more natural that it's in the nucleus."
"What's that?
"Let's decide. Claudia needs a good friend. But that's not all."
The old man's eyes were deeply clear.
Dan decided to believe this old man's behavior.
"Dear Mr. Ehmont, May I ask you a favor, Your Highness?"
"Oh, I got it. --Now, to boost the economy, I'm going to show my face in the casino!
Dan smiled at the old man who spoke with the candle and said, "Maybe not."