Chapter 83

In a room within the barracks, two men were present.

Kurt clutched his pounding head as he sat up. The room had grown dark, indicating that considerable time had passed since the duel. He tried to recall the outcome of the fight, but the crucial details eluded him amid the throbbing pain.

“It seems it was a draw,”

A voice startled him, making him realize he wasn’t alone.

Turning toward the source of the voice, Kurt saw Erich reclining on a bed, engrossed in a book.

“I see… is that so,” Kurt murmured.

The fact that both of them ended up in this state suggested they had caused their lord some inconvenience. Kurt felt a pang of guilt for both his shortcomings and the burden he had placed on his master.

“The Duke reportedly gave a wry smile when he came by earlier and said, ‘Take some time to rest for a change.’ Well, that’s the kind of person he is,” Erich remarked casually.

Kurt attempted to rise, thinking he might still be of some help, but his body refused, and he sank back onto the bed. While feeling a small warmth at his lord’s concern, a question lingered in his mind.

“Erich, may I ask you something?”

“Go ahead,” Erich replied, still focused on his book.

After taking a deep breath, Kurt carefully chose his words.

“Why is it that you—and the Duke—work so tirelessly, even to the point of exhaustion?”

At this, Erich closed his book with a faint smile of amusement.

“It’s not that I intend to overwork anyone… But if I were to put it simply, I’d say it’s because of shared purpose.”

“Purpose?” Kurt echoed, tilting his head slightly.

Erich nodded, his gaze drifting to some distant place as if lost in thought.

“The Duke has a vision of the future he wants to create. And I want to see that future.”

“The future…”

Kurt silently repeated the word, rolling it over in his mind.

Until recently, his only thoughts had been of dying. But meeting his lord had given him a new sense of direction. Somehow, he felt he could faintly grasp the future Erich spoke of.

“But Kurt, I hope you remain just as you are,” Erich said, bringing Kurt back from his thoughts.

Raising his gaze, Kurt found Erich looking directly at him.

“The Duke has a strong sense of responsibility, so he tends to push himself too hard. That’s why knights like you, who prioritize his well-being above all else, are indispensable.”

“Erich… as a fellow knight, I thank you,” Kurt responded, his voice steady.

Loyalty to his lord was unshakable, no matter what anyone said. But having that loyalty acknowledged brought Kurt a quiet sense of satisfaction.

“Think nothing of it. We serve the same master. Let us continue to support him together,” Erich replied with a nod.

“Indeed… By the way, Erich, you’ve served the Duke for quite some time, haven’t you?”

Though Erich wasn’t among the earliest retainers, he had still spent several years by the Duke’s side.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Erich confirmed.

“In that case, I’d like to hear about how the Duke was in the past,” Kurt asked, his curiosity piqued.

“For the very early days, you’d be better off asking Herbert, who’s been with him the longest. But if you’re interested in what I know, I’d be happy to share,” Erich replied, a nostalgic smile appearing on his face as he began recounting old stories.

The conversation between Kurt and Erich stretched deep into the night, their voices carrying through the quiet barracks.