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Chapter 17
I wasn’t sure whether extraordinary beauty was a characteristic of the Fairy Race, but the way Nata spoke and carried themselves was no different from a human.
“The Count recommended you. He said I could hear some brutally honest suggestions from you regarding the celebration banquet.”
“Brutally honest…?”
“That’s right. It seems he holds your frankness in high regard.”
Nata looked uncertain whether to take that as a compliment or not.
“I want this celebration banquet to be a success. If you give me a good idea, I’ll reward you as well.”
I couldn’t offer anything extravagant, but I could probably arrange a cash bonus or a few days of leave.
The Margrave didn’t seem particularly uncomfortable with me, so I doubted he would refuse such a small request.
At the mention of a reward, Nata’s expression immediately became more favorable.
“I believe that, more than delicious food or performances, the celebration banquet needs events that people can participate in.”
“Events?”
“Yes. Events in which both soldiers and knights can take part.”
In other words, rather than simply watching a performance, there needed to be something everyone could actively enjoy together.
“Dancing is… probably out of the question.”
“There are knights who have learned sword dances, but there are no soldiers who have learned ordinary dancing.”
“Then… maybe an arm-wrestling tournament?”
Apparently my suggestion had been unexpected, because Nata’s eyes widened.
“I think they would enjoy something like that.”
“Hmm.”
‘A competitive event would probably work well.’
The soldiers I had seen wrestling earlier on the training grounds came to mind.
It had been a little rough, but some kind of competition suited them far better.
‘Arm wrestling is too ordinary, though. This is the Ducal House—we should maintain at least a little elegance.’
Something formal enough, eye-catching, and competitive enough for the soldiers to enjoy.
“What about sparring? Like a martial arts tournament?”
At my question, Nata shook their head without the slightest hesitation.
“No. They would love it. In fact, they’re frustrated because they rarely get the opportunity.”
“Don’t they spar all the time?”
“Sparring in front of an audience is different. This place is filled with people who have absolute confidence in their skills. They’ll want to show off.”
Nata confidently declared that if someone simply provided the opportunity, everyone would immediately grab their swords and rush into the arena.
‘A martial arts tournament… It does sound entertaining.’
Still, something was missing.
Perhaps entertainment value.
Or spectacle.
Since the celebration was being hosted by the Ducal House, I wanted it to be something memorable for everyone who attended.
As I pondered what to add, Nata sighed softly.
“I suppose I won’t be able to participate.”
“Hm? Why not?”
I hadn’t intended to restrict participation to certain people.
Seeing my confusion, Nata answered with a complicated expression.
“…My face is the problem.”
“Ah.”
“People won’t fight me seriously.”
It was a short explanation, but both Anna and I immediately understood.
Nata possessed beauty comparable even to Helene, who was known as the Flower of Western High Society.
There would undoubtedly be people making annoying excuses like, ‘I got distracted by that beautiful face and couldn’t fight properly.’
Perhaps still feeling guilty about her earlier mistake, Anna cautiously asked with genuine concern,
“Does… your appearance cause you trouble often?”
“It’s not entirely a disadvantage. There are times when I use my appearance to seduce the enemy.”
“S-seduce them? You actually do that?”
Instead of sharing Anna’s surprise, Nata frowned as though wondering why she found it so shocking.
“If it helps us win, I’ll do anything. Victory for my allies—and their lives—are worth far more than my pride.”
It seemed Nata’s sense of chivalry differed greatly from that of ordinary knights.
To them, their beauty was both an inconvenience and a weapon that could be used for victory without hesitation.
Still…
I never imagined they actually employed the classic honey trap.
‘Then again… this is practically a classical world.’
Considering the era, perhaps I was the old-fashioned one.
‘…Wait a second. They can’t fight properly because of their face?’
Come to think of it, a martial arts tournament between people who all knew each other would have plenty of awkward situations.
If your direct superior became your opponent…
Or if you had to fight someone you secretly admired…
Wouldn’t it be difficult to perform at your best?
Nata wouldn’t be the only one struggling.
The other competitors would probably have their own concerns as well.
‘Then they can just hide their faces.’
A brilliant title suddenly flashed through my mind.
A competition where everyone concealed their identities while demonstrating their skills.
Lavish masks.
Flashy costumes.
Ridiculous nicknames that made everyone laugh.
“How about… a masked martial arts tournament?”
Anna and Nata both looked puzzled, so I slowly explained the concept.
By the time I finished, Nata’s face had brightened more than I had ever seen before.
Grabbing both of my hands, they practically pleaded with sparkling eyes.
“P-Please! Please make it happen! I want the chance to prove my own skills too!”
Judging by that reaction, I had a feeling this celebration banquet was going to be a great success.
After that, the Margrave returned once he had finished his business and joined our discussion.
I explained the plans for the masked—no, the masked martial arts tournament in detail.
He seemed surprised at first, but before long he nodded in approval, evidently finding the idea refreshingly original.
“It sounds entertaining. Fighting while wearing masks and stage costumes may be somewhat inconvenient, but this is a festival after all… At the very least, it won’t end up looking as barbaric as the wrestling matches they hold on the training grounds.”
Personally, I thought these kinds of tournaments were more entertaining when they were a little barbaric and sweaty.
But I wisely kept that opinion to myself.
The Margrave already seemed to think I was rather unusual.
I should probably watch what I said.
As we worked out the details, we arranged for training weapons and first-aid supplies to be delivered to the Ducal gardens and borrowed several soldiers to prepare the tournament grounds.
“Then, Nata, gather everyone who’s available to help.”
“Yes!”
Answering energetically, Nata saluted the Margrave, bowed respectfully to me, and left the dining hall.
Apparently in much higher spirits than before, their steps were noticeably lighter and quicker than when they had entered.
“I didn’t expect them to be so happy.”
“Hmm. The moment I heard ‘masked martial arts tournament,’ I thought it suited Nata perfectly. Your Ladyship’s insight is truly remarkable.”
‘It’s less my insight and more the creativity of Korean variety show writers.’
There was no point explaining that, so I simply smiled.
“Nata has always struggled to work alongside the other knights because of both their race and their extraordinary appearance. I hope this opportunity eases some of that burden.”
“Has it really been that difficult?”
Even the commander was talking about cooperation.
It sounded like Nata’s life as a knight had been anything but smooth.
“Yes. The military is… a rather rigid organization. It’s difficult for someone with strong individuality to fit in. But if you try to change that, it creates problems with unity.”
If I were still living in the modern world, I probably wouldn’t have agreed.
But given the era, there was little choice but to accept it.
There was no point preaching equality and freedom in a rigid class-based society.
“The day of Nata’s discharge is approaching, so they’ll have to find a new lord soon… I’m worried.”
“Discharge? Knights are discharged too?”
I’d heard of soldiers completing their service, but I had assumed knighthood was a permanent rank.
Apparently accustomed to questions like this, the Margrave patiently explained.
“Ordinarily, a knight pledges lifelong loyalty to a lord. But Nata’s case is different. Their title was earned through military distinction. Knights who rise through military merit, like Nata, become free knights after leaving the army.”
In this world, a knight without a lord was called a free knight.
The name sounded glamorous, but in reality they were little more than wandering knights.
A knight’s title only truly carried authority when backed by a lord.
“So they either seek a new lord or remain in service.”
“So you’d like Sir Nata to find a new lord.”
“Yes.”
The Margrave nodded with a bitter smile.
It wasn’t because he disliked Nata.
If anything, he was thinking about Nata’s future.
“How skilled is Sir Nata?”
“Outstanding. In one-on-one combat, they’re among the finest.”
The Margrave’s army was renowned as the strongest military force in the western territories.
If someone ranked among its very best still wasn’t fully accepted by their peers, it was easy to understand why they would feel frustrated.
“In any case, understood. I’ll tell the men to look forward to the celebration banquet. It’s scheduled for next weekend, correct?”
“Yes. Please narrow down the list of participants as well.”
Preparing the food wouldn’t be difficult.
As for the costumes, I already had something in mind.
With our discussion successfully concluded, Anna and I left the dining hall and headed toward the camp entrance.
“Anna, could you call another carriage?”
“Yes!”
“Hm? You don’t have a carriage?”
The Margrave, who had been about to return to his duties, tilted his head after overhearing our conversation.
I couldn’t be bothered explaining the complicated circumstances, so I gave him a vague, noncommittal answer.
