Sword Emperor, Becoming the Young Lady of a Viscount House

Chapter 19: Torze Military Academy (1)

“Milady, you must come this way.”

“Why?”

“…It is His Highness, the Crown Prince’s directive.”

After a two-week journey, Beatrice’s party arrived in the capital.

They visited the palace to pay their respects to the Crown Prince, but the official’s words were rather strange.

“Why would His Highness issue such an order…?”

Airy looked puzzled.

She felt deeply grateful to Beatrice.

She was determined to pay her respects together and highlight Beatrice’s contributions.

It would be much more effective to go together.

However, her plan was immediately shattered.

“There is a reason for this. I will accompany her.”

“That is not allowed.”

“Then report separately. Tell His Highness that Airy Arvanceco has an urgent request.”

Airy did not like using her status as a noble.

However, this time, she had something she wanted to achieve, even if it meant using her position.

“There are no exceptions. I apologize.”

“…If you were just a mere guard, I wouldn’t have to say this. Sebastian, don’t you have enough authority for this? I really have an urgent request, and I need to go with Beatrice to do so.”

Sebastian, the aide.

It was well-known that the Crown Prince trusted him immensely.

Because of that trust, he held authority that far exceeded his position.

However, Sebastian simply said,

“I apologize.”

And bowed deeply.

‘A man with no flexibility.’

Beatrice yawned widely and waved her hand dismissively.

She was exhausted from the two-week journey and didn’t want to deal with such annoying matters.

“Enough. Airy, I’m fine.”

“…But.”

“No need for any repayment. I only helped because you seemed troubled on the road.”

“Beatrice…!”

Airy looked at Beatrice with teary eyes.

Even after saving her life, Beatrice didn’t seek the slightest recognition.

It was astonishing.

And there was someone else who was equally surprised.

Sebastian.

She was speaking casually to the noblewoman without hesitation.

‘When did they become so close?’

Airy was someone who was cautious around people. She was conservative and valued decorum and propriety.

In noble society, speaking casually implied a strong bond.

This was surprising to Sebastian.

“Do I go this way?”

“Yes.”

Without hesitation, Beatrice started walking.

“Beatrice!”

Airy hurriedly called out to her.

As Beatrice turned around,

Airy said,

“See you later.”

“Sure.”

Beatrice nodded without hesitation.

Chris and Lilith also began to walk away.

But at that moment, Sebastian stopped them.

“I am sorry, but only Lady Beatrice may enter.”

“What?”

“Her escorts and maid must go elsewhere.”

‘No matter the difference in status, this is too much.’

They were comrades who fought together on the battlefield.

Even considering the medieval setting, the level of segregation was excessive.

“Lilith.”

“Yes, Milady!”

“Stay calm and behave yourself.”

“Of course! Milady, please don’t get your clothes dirty either!”

Beatrice coolly ignored Lilith’s call and continued walking.

In the distance, a gathering of numerous nobles came into view.

**

Krapos was an ancient kingdom.

Its splendid ancient buildings still retained their magnificence thanks to preservation magic cast by outstanding mages.

An architectural style that could no longer be replicated with modern techniques.

Perhaps because of this, even Beatrice, who had only seen modern buildings, found it quite appealing.

‘It’s similar to the architectural styles of other Western nations.’

It resembled a typical castle.

As Beatrice passed through a massive gate, she entered a wide open space.

In that open area stood about 30 nobles.

Yet, she noticed something strange.

‘They’re all young.’

They all seemed to be quite young.

Some even appeared younger than herself, let alone her father, Francesco.

“Your striking beauty suggests you must be Beatrice of the Cenci family.”

As Beatrice assessed her surroundings, a blond man approached her and spoke.

‘He has the face of a thug.’

That was her simple impression.

Objectively, he was an extraordinarily handsome man, but to Beatrice, he looked like a foppish dandy.

“That’s correct.”

Flinch.

Beatrice’s abrupt informal tone caused the blond man’s expression to stiffen noticeably.

“…Haha. That noble demeanor certainly proves the rumors about you aren’t exaggerated. Very well. A beauty is always exacting. I am from the Count Severance family…”

Thump.

Beatrice, who was quick to judge people based on appearances, gave him a casual shoulder bump as her response.

‘Nothing but mediocre people here.’

[Young Beatrice may lack manners, but she has a good eye for people.]

‘Solad, do you see any generals worth using in war?’

[My name isn’t Solad, it’s Solid. At the very least, remember the name of a god properly.]

‘Just answer my question.’

How did it come to this?

Solid sighed but still provided the information.

[Do you see that guy crouched in the corner over there?]

‘Why that pathetic guy?’

Beatrice shifted her gaze.

True to her title as the Sword Emperor in her previous life, she had a broad field of vision.

She had already scanned all the faces present as soon as she arrived at the clearing.

In a corner where no one paid attention, someone was crouched alone.

His face was hidden, and his small frame made him seem insignificant, but the quality of his clothes confirmed he was a man.

[Yes, him. That guy is the strongest one here. Even if we include young Beatrice.]

‘…That’s an unpleasant thing to say.’

[I don’t lie, young Beatrice.]

Beatrice’s brows furrowed.

Although the spirit wouldn’t lie, she didn’t want to admit she was weaker than such an unimpressive figure.

[His aura is unique. It simultaneously carries the energy of mana, swordsmanship, and magic.]

Along with Solid’s cryptic remarks, a booming voice echoed.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!”

“What? Wasn’t His Highness supposed to join the Royal Faction?”

‘So even the nobles are divided, not by rank but by allegiance to the Royal and Aristocratic Factions.’

She realized this from a piece of information.

Her separation from Airy wasn’t due to differences in status.

It was because of the divide between the Royal and Aristocratic Factions.

If that was the case, the reason for separating them became clear.

‘Since the Aristocratic Faction started a rebellion, they must have taken extra precautions.’

It was a natural course of action.

For now, Beatrice turned her curious eyes toward the platform.

The stage, about 3 meters high, was made of white marble with a black dragon engraved on it.

Beatrice assumed it was likely the royal emblem.

‘The Crown Prince.’

She was aware of the state affairs in Krapos.

From what she had heard, the Crown Prince had been entrusted with full authority.

She couldn’t help but be curious about the Crown Prince, whose face she had never seen.

After all, he was the commander-in-chief, the most important figure on the battlefield.

He was also her superior.

“We greet His Highness!”

Step.

The surrounding nobles knelt and greeted him with a composed yet respectful tone.

Beatrice, gauging the mood, knelt on one knee as well.

‘Well, this isn’t bad.’

Beatrice believed in physiognomy.

From her perspective, the Crown Prince Luel had the face of a ruler.

His sharp and handsome features, moderately refined appearance, and pale skin flushed red from exposure to the sun all stood out.

It showed he spent significant time outdoors, to the point of harming his complexion.

At the very least, he was unlikely to be a frog in a well.

“Raise your heads.”

Even his eyes were impressive.

They were full of vitality, brimming with ambition.

Such people rarely gave up easily, which was a key trait for a leader.

He seemed capable enough not to be a liability.

Beatrice thought to herself, though she knew it would take more observation to be certain.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Your Grace”

The term “Your Highness” was reserved for addressing the king.

For Crown Prince Luel, the correct term was “Your Grace.”

Technically speaking.

However, the Royal Faction and his supporters were already calling him “Your Highness,” treating him as though he were the king.

Conversely, the Aristocratic Faction’s use of “Your Grace” was akin to declaring him unfit for the throne.

This was despite him already being entrusted with all royal authority.

“…I’ll overlook minor matters. More importantly, do you know why I’ve summoned you all here so urgently on the eve of war?”

None of the nobles could answer his question.

As if he had expected this, Luel continued.

“Not one of you is competent. This will be the first war for all of you.”

It was a humiliating statement.

However, Beatrice found herself in full agreement.

‘Going to war with inexperienced people? Oh, how dreadful. I understand why the Crown Prince is saying this.’

A battlefield with inexperienced comrades.

The idea of not being able to trust those guarding her back was more unnerving than she’d expected.

“So,”

Luel smirked and waved his hand.

“Come, Royal Knights.”

At that moment, knights who had been hiding emerged from all directions.

Shing!

Clad in resplendent armor, they drew their sharp swords.

Beatrice knew that they deliberately made the sound louder as they unsheathed their blades.

‘Trying to intimidate us, huh?’

Her eyes sparkled with growing interest.

“I came prepared.”

“What is the meaning of this! Even if you’re the Crown Prince, how dare you threaten the nobles of this kingdom…”

One of the nobles protested.

“You vermin. Do you truly not understand? Who is responsible for this crisis?”

“That is, of course…”

“It’s all of you. Your fathers, your relatives—all of you wretched people caused this with your divisive antics!”

Bang!
Luel struck the podium hard with his fist.

Breathing heavily, he spoke in a low voice.

“It would be wise for you all to comply with the knights. That way, no one will get hurt.”

Step.

The knights advanced, closing the circle.

Beatrice smirked.

‘You’ve set up quite the entertaining event.’

To her, this situation was nothing but amusing.

But such a deranged thought was unique to Beatrice.

The rest of the nobles were visibly pale.

“From this moment on, you will undergo training. Various experts will teach you in a systematic manner, and the process may be more than you can endure.”

The nobles trembled.

Their fear manifested as shivering.

Twenty-four Royal Knights surrounded them, swords in hand.

There was no one who wouldn’t feel fear in such a situation.

“However, I promise you this.”

Luel spoke firmly to the frightened nobles.

“Those who achieve results in the war will receive rewards beyond their wildest imaginations.”

‘That part, I like.’

Although his approach was somewhat forceful and irritating,

Luel’s clear promise of rewards was appealing.

Naturally, Beatrice planned to achieve great merit in the war.