Chapter 68
Nieshock-sama, whom we call Hock-san, is from Tsanadefor, a great power in the north. When Hock-san was fifteen, his father brought him to Ludeck as a refugee.
Hock-san's father had apparently been an exceptional soldier. I don't know what happened in the north, but somehow they ended up in our country.
Then, during the previous king's reign, he entered Ludeck's service. His horsemanship earned him an appointment as a unit commander in the Second Knight Order, and he rose all the way to commander.
Luluria, who came from the Southern Continent, was delighted by how large and magnificent our country's warhorses were and how imposing our cavalry looked. But on our continent, when people speak of cavalry, many think of Tsanadefor, which is known as a land of fine horses.
Tsanadefor is a cold country. Its summers are short, and its winters long. Humans aren't the only ones to live hardy lives in its harsh, snowbound environment. The horses do too.
Tsanadefor's horses are hardier than Ludeck's. Just imagining Tsanadefor's military horses charging in formation is enough to make me shudder. What's more, almost all of Tsanadefor's knight forces are cavalry.
That's why Tsanadefor, despite being inferior to the Empire in national power and troop numbers, can fight it on equal terms or better.
Hock-san's father, having come from such a country, apparently possessed horsemanship that stood a head—no, two heads—above even that of Ludeck's knight orders. It would be no exaggeration to say that his instruction greatly improved the Second Knight Order's horsemanship.
Hock-san, too, had been around horses since childhood and had ridden across battlefields as a member of the Second Knight Order from an early age. Now he held the position of commander.
And Hock-san had been going on about all of that without anyone even asking.
As a result, I still hadn't gotten around to asking what mattered, but I now knew a great deal about Hock-san's tumultuous life.
There were quite a few things I knew from books, but this was the first I'd heard that he was from Tsanadefor. I don't dislike stories like that—in fact, I adore hearing about the lives of knight commanders. I ended up hanging on every word, completely forgetting what I needed to ask.
Having apparently said all they wanted to say, Hock-san took a sip of tea and let out a deep breath.
But Roa-chan... you're an unusual one too.
Nieshock murmured thoughtfully.
What do you mean?
I've talked this much, but you're the first person who's ever listened to my story this intently without getting bored. Isn't that right, Rezor?
Indeed. Frankly, even that alone is enough to convince me that Roa-dono is no ordinary person.
That was a bit harsh toward Hock-san, wasn't it?
Quite so.
Well, if Hock-san didn't mind, I supposed it was fine.
Anyway, thanks for listening to me. I've taken a liking to you. Teehee.
Huh...? I merely listened to her talk about her interests, and somehow I'd won the favor of the commander of the Second Knight Order.
"It was very interesting." For the moment, I gave the safest reply I could.
Even so, we'd used up a considerable amount of time. What was I supposed to do?
For a while after that, our conversation continued with a discussion of cavalry operations—nothing contentious, but useful in its own way.
To be honest, there was a great deal to learn. I found myself listening intently as well.
Still... I couldn't bring myself to think this person was bad.
While we were talking, the time when we would have to return gradually drew near.
Though I was reluctant to leave, we rose from our seats, expressing our thanks.
I suddenly decided to ask one last question.
"Hock-san, even though you're from Tsanadefor, have you ever struggled with pledging your loyalty to Ludeck—to King Zeurasia? Ah, I was just curious. I'm sorry; that was a rude question."
"No."
An immediate answer.
"I see. I'm sorry for asking such a trivial thing."
"Not at all. It just means you were really listening to my story, Roa-chan. I don't mind."
"Thank you. If you ever have time again, I'd love to hear more from you."
"I'll welcome you then. Please do."
Thus, my meeting with the commander of the Second Knight Order came to an end, cordial from beginning to end.
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"Have the people from the Tenth Knight Order left?"
After Roa and Wickhart had left, escorted by Rezor, Hinoff of the First Knight Order emerged from a hidden room in the back.
"You were eavesdropping, so you already know," Nieshock said, looking at Hinoff with slight exasperation.
"So what did they say?"
"You heard that too, didn't you? They really did seem to have come simply to say hello. That boy has quite a lot of promise for someone so young."
"Hmph. There's nothing worth seeing in one of Rays's dogs."
"Well, as loyal dogs go, you're not much different."
Teased by Nieshock, Hinoff glared at Nieshock.
"Surely you aren't planning to change your allegiance?"
"Of course not. I owe Lucifal a great debt. I always repay what I owe. That much I can promise."
At that, Nieshock gazed into the distance.
—Yes, even if it was built upon the corpses of those young soldiers.—