DMSM 08

CHAPTER 08

If I stood right in front of him, could I win?

Ireina’s mind was filled with thoughts of how to break the knights’ formation. Meanwhile, Karl was watching the knights’ battle.

The knights began to aggressively push each other back. The heat radiating from their bodies raised the intensity of the training ground. Some knights were knocked out of position. When a space opened, another knight naturally stepped in while injured ones were pulled back for protection.

“Excellent tactics.”

“Right?!”

Ruin and Bessie’s eyes sparkled at Ireina’s comment.

“As expected, Ireina has a good eye.”

“And good instincts too.”

“Really? I just said it looked cool.”

The two immediately praised her as if waiting for the opportunity. Ireina had recently noticed that they were taking unusually good care of her. At first, she had simply followed their training pace blindly, but after observing the surroundings, she began adjusting her own intensity.

Ever since Ireina picked up a sword, the two had become increasingly invested in her, trying to push her toward even more intense training. She was glad she had noticed and held herself back appropriately.

“Hm, really? The more you watch, the more you’ll understand techniques.”

Ignoring Ruin’s disappointed tone, Ireina focused on the training. The two exchanged glances behind her.

Ruin and Bessie had already fallen for Ireina’s unusual stamina—which far exceeded that of a beginner—and her sword posture, which, though basic, had something distinctly different about it.

Ruin, who shared a room with her, said Ireina woke up at dawn and went outside alone to stretch and train. When she returned, she was still warm with exertion, washed up quickly, and waited for Ruin.

Talent—and on top of that, relentless effort.

She was exactly the kind of person they had been looking for.

“Hey. What are you doing here?”

While the three were sitting under a tree at a distance from the knights’ training so as not to interfere, a sudden voice came from behind them. A large shadow had already fallen over them.

Startled, they turned their stiff necks upward—and immediately sprang to their feet upon seeing the face of the shadow’s owner.

“Y-Young master!”

They bowed deeply, lowering their voices so as not to disturb training. No one told them to raise their heads, so they remained bent, sweating nervously.

‘Why is the young master here?’

‘He was just at the training ground a moment ago.’

Their eyes shook in confusion. Ruin and Bessie in particular were anxious—they had only recently reported Ireina’s talent to him. They hadn’t expected him to move this quickly.

Ireina, though awkward like a beginner, had unusually excellent physical control. Even when learning something simple, she quickly perfected the posture. The two had been trying to bring her deeper into the ducal household as a valuable asset.

They had even heard from maids that strange, strong winds could be heard from Ireina’s room—she was clearly practicing swordsmanship alone.

She was talented, and she worked hard.

She was exactly the kind of talent they wanted.

And now the young master had already acted?

It seemed there was a shortage of useful people lately.

“Alright.”

Only after Karl’s delayed reply did they straighten up. Ireina kept her gaze on the ground, pretending ignorance—she had nothing to say. She assumed the seniors would handle it.

“Answer my question.”

“She’s a new maid who wanted to watch the knights train!”

“She’s extremely, extremely interested in swordsmanship!”

Ireina’s hope vanished instantly at their betrayal. She looked at them in disbelief. The two simply shrugged, looking smug as if this was the natural way to survive.

Karl’s gaze shifted to Ireina, asking silently whether this was true.

She was done for.

Ireina forced her head not to turn away. She recalled Derek’s advice: if questioned, act like a clueless countryside girl.

“I-I came from the countryside, so… I’ve never seen anything like this before. Hehe.”

She smiled awkwardly, stretching her lips as far as they would go, trying to appear innocent.

Could she really smile like that?!

Ruin and Bessie stared at her wide-eyed. It was the first time they had seen her act so… innocent.

“Do you like the ducal knights’ swordsmanship?”

Karl asked another question, uninterested in her background.

Was she supposed to say they were good? Or just acceptable? Ireina hesitated. Being too honest might offend knights who were clearly interested in this place.

From experience, that kind of trouble would only bother her later—and she had no desire for that. Also, it wasn’t a beginner-level evaluation question.

“I don’t know much about swordsmanship, but… it feels like I’m looking at a strong, solid fortress. A huge, unbreakable castle.”

That was how it felt to her—the ducal swordsmanship was like a heavy, immovable wall of stone, something built to protect what was precious.

“Is that so? You’ve seen correctly.”

Did she… get it right?

Ireina smiled awkwardly. Karl’s lips briefly curved in amusement as he looked at her.

“Then I’ll grant you permission to observe from the front if you’re so interested.”

At his words, Ruin and Bessie clenched their fists in excitement.

“As expected of the young master!”

“No one can match him when it comes to recruiting people.”

“Th-thank you, but I shouldn’t interfere with the knights—”

“Refusal is also refused. It’s an order.”

Karl smiled with narrowed eyes. His face was infuriatingly handsome.

Ireina briefly considered wanting to hit the back of his head.

Ruin and Bessie patted her shoulders in relief.

“Come on, let’s go. We have to obey the order.”

Bessie pulled Ireina toward the training grounds. The knights had already stopped and were waiting. Ruin and Bessie greeted familiar knights before sitting under a shaded viewing area.

How thoughtful of him… he even prepared a viewing spot.

Ruin was impressed internally. Truly, one had to learn from the young master’s way of handling people.

Meanwhile, Ireina was restless.

“It’s fine. Just relax and watch. It was specially permitted.”

That reassurance did nothing to help.

In reality, Ireina was trying very hard not to jump in excitement—this was a rare chance to observe Karl Beckman’s swordsmanship directly.

Karl stepped forward, facing the formation of knights. His gaze briefly flicked toward Ireina, then away.

“Resume training.”

At his command, the knights moved.

From the front line onward, they pressed toward him. The sound of clashing swords rang out sharply. Ireina felt her ears throb with each impact.

She focused on the Sword Master before her.

The man didn’t blink as he dismantled the knights—yes, dismantled them.

There was no hesitation in his strikes. He broke their formation with overwhelming force.

A shiver ran through Ireina’s body.

I want to try fighting him. Could I win?

It was her first time facing someone of equal caliber.

Without realizing it, her grip tightened. Seeing what she had only heard in rumors, her competitive spirit ignited. Her eyes moved nonstop to catch every motion. Knights were thrown back as their swords collided with his.

“Ugh!”

“Ah!”

The formation steadily shrank until only the strongest remained.

“Ah! Young master, you’re doing this after coming back after so long?!”

A knight shouted in frustration.

“You haven’t been slacking off, have you?”

Karl frowned slightly, as if irritated by the noise, and increased his pressure. Then his eyes briefly shifted toward the maids watching from afar.

There was a carefully arranged target there.

He could feel a pair of green eyes burning intensely as they followed him.

Karl’s sword moved even more brilliantly under that gaze.

“Oh.”

So that’s how a sword can be used.

Ireina murmured in admiration. It was clearly a different way of wielding a blade.

Unable to hide her desire to test herself against him, she stared.

Karl, perhaps sensing her gaze, met her eyes briefly.

Their gazes brushed—and parted.

“I concede.”

“Well done.”

“Your swordsmanship seems sharper.”

The knights finally admitted defeat. The captain, Michael, spoke beside Karl.

“If the captain says so, then it must be true. The knights have improved. Their movements are better than before.”

“Thank you. Would you like to continue training?”

“No. That’s enough for today.”

Karl had only come to confirm the face of the maid who showed interest in swordsmanship.

Having achieved his purpose, there was no reason to stay.

He left the training grounds, knights bowing behind him.

Ireina wanted to see more—but she couldn’t stop him as he walked away.