“Please, train me in the way of the sword.” The boy in front of me knelt down and pressed his head to the floor.

  I knew that it would come to this.

  “Give up; you are unsuited for the sword.” I quickly dismissed him.

  “I beg you. Please train me. I will not get up from here until you accept me as your disciple.” The boy spoke as he maintained his posture.

  “Suit yourself,” I said as I left the room.

  I knew it. Sooner or later, he would come to me. That boy was not suitable for the sword. He had no talent. His body was nothing but a wreck, too weak, too damaged. Being able to live a healthy life for the next 20 years would be a miracle for him. However, the eyes he showed me that time were too similar to hers. So, I decided to give him a chance. If his determination lived up to hers, I would consider training him.

  It also came at a good time. I was considering training a bodyguard for Lady Aria, one who would protect her to the end, one who would be strong enough to take my head. I was not sure. But there would be a day that I would have to confront her. It would not be due to my will but due to his order. So, before that time comes, I wanted to prepare my replacement for her. Lady Aria was always too preoccupied with her mission, to the point that she always disregarded her own well-being. So, it was our duty to protect her well-being. We had to do so.

  I thought that if he could hold on for just three days, I would give him my all. Do not let me down, boy, I thought to myself.

  Then, for three days, I instructed no one to go into my room. On the eve of the four nights, I entered my room. As I opened the door, the foul smell hit me. Was he dead? No, I could feel the life force from him.

  “Are you alive, boy?” I asked.

  “…..Yes…..” the boy weakly answered.

  “…………..” I came to realize the smell came from his excrement. So, you did not move from this spot for more than three days? Not even the restroom break?

  “….. go clean yourself. After that, come to me again.”

  “……………………… I will not move from here until you accept me,” the boy protested.

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  “……I told you to clean yourself, so you go clean yourself. I do not need an unruly disciple. I cannot instruct you while you are covered in shit.” Annoying as it was, I had to admit his perseverance was top-notch.

  “…….Thank you, master……” The boy spoke before fainting.

  I had to call the servant to carry the boy to the bathhouse in the church where we were staying. I could not show Lady Aria that side of him. It was not for me nor her, but for the boy. As a man, you would not want to show your embarrassing side to the woman you admire. We would keep that sight a secret as a tribute to his resolution that day.

  I also felt pity for him. Lady Aria was not someone who would be tied down by something called love. His affection, his dedication, would not be answered. In the future, he might be remembered as a tragic knight stuck in unrequited love. But it suited garbage like him.

  If, after knowing about this, he still chose to go down this road, I would shape him to the best of my ability.

  Thus, before we proceeded, I needed to confirm that fact with him.

  So, when the next came, I told him to meet me at the back of the church we resided in.

  “How is your body?” I asked the boy.

  “I am perfectly fine, Master.” He loudly replied.

  “Tsk, being able to access one’s body is the first requirement to be a swordsman. And you failed it.” I was disappointed with him. I needed to wipe him from the very basics first. I decided that.

  “……. I am sorry, Master.” The boy lowered his head at a ninety-degree angle.

  I let out a big sigh. “… Before we proceed, I want to ask you some questions. You must be honest … Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?”

  “I want to protect her holiness as she did to my mother.” The boy gave the expected answer.

  “There are many ways to protect her. Why do you choose a sword?” I stared down at him.

  After a while, he replied, “…because I know the bitterness of the powerlessness. ……… Sword is the most certain way to protect her holiness.” And he gave me a dumb answer. Both of them are too na?ve.

  “You are too dumb. And because you are too dumb, the only way you can protect her is with your life.”

  As he listened to this cold truth, he could not answer. I continued to observe him. When I judged that he could not retort, I went to the main topic.

  “…I want you to know. Lady Aria is not someone to be tied down. She is way out of your league. Your affection and your dedication will not reach her. No matter how hard you try, it will not be fulfilled.” I had to give him a cold fact.

  “I am fully aware of it, master.” This time, he gave an immediate answer.

  Of course, I needed to reconfirm his purpose. “Good. At least you know your place. Then why do you still want to hold the sword?”

  “It is to protect her holiness, master.” Yes, it was a dumb answer. I was speechless. He was dumb, and he was also honest to a fault.

  However, because of that, I could entrust Lady Aria’s safety to him.

  Being ‘dumb’ about his surroundings and worldly interests meant they would not sway him. Being honest with his desire meant he would carry out his duty faithfully. At least we knew what he wanted.

  Then, I started our training regimes.

  That was how I obtained that garbage.