CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: SWORDSMANSHIP

In the training grounds of the castle, there is a clearing specifically designated for swordsmanship training. Beside the clearing, there is a wooden rack with a collection of gleaming longswords.

The guards usually train with real swords, but they are not sharpened, ensuring a certain level of safety.

Herag and Emil each held a longsword, standing opposite each other.

Emil personally taught Herag swordsmanship, which showed how much he valued him.

He said to Herag, "Swordsmanship is for killing the enemy. My swordsmanship does not have the fancy moves of Palace Swordsmanship, there are no unnecessary sword forms."

"Slash, chop, stab, lift, block!"

"These five words are the eternal unchanging basics of all swordsmanship. As long as you master these basics, the rest is the cultivation of combat experience."

Emil took a deep breath, lifted his longsword, and suddenly lunged forward with a slash, the sword wind stirring up a cloud of dust.

His movements were quick; if not for the chip’s assistance, Herag wouldn’t have been able to clearly see Emil’s actions.

"This is normal speed. Next, I’ll slow it down a bit. Pay attention to the details of my movements. When you first learn swordsmanship, don’t pursue speed. Just make sure you perform every move correctly."

Emil slashed forward again, and this time Herag could see his movements clearly by relying on himself alone.

"You try it," Emil said after demonstrating.

"Shenlan, activate swordsmanship training assistance."

A small blue figure appeared in Herag’s vision, demonstrating the key points of the slashing move.

He adjusted his movements according to Shenlan’s instructions and sharply slashed forward with his sword.

"Too much force from the wrist, you should use more arm strength," Shenlan immediately provided a hint, correcting Herag’s force application method.

Emil also noticed the problem and said, "The move looks good, but you should use more of your arm strength. Try again."

Herag recalled the feeling just now, found the right point of force, and slashed forward aggressively again.

"Very good! Next, I’ll teach you the other moves." Emil rarely showed a smile.

The entire afternoon, Herag practiced basic swordsmanship, and his learning speed even earned praise from the usually stoic Emil.

Herag never considered hiding his skills; he came from humble beginnings and could only show his worth completely to have more resources invested in him.

"Keep up with your practice during this period. Later, I will provide some opportunities for you to gain experience. One cannot become a knight without seeing blood."

In Emil’s heart, he was already nurturing Herag as a preparatory knight.

"Thank you, Master Emil! Thank the Lord Baron!" Herag expressed his gratitude.

After finishing a day of practice, Herag had just returned to his cabin when Housekeeper Ivan delivered his salary.

"Housekeeper Ivan, there are five extra silver coins," Herag opened the pouch and found more pay than before.

"It’s not extra, Mr. Herag. Captain Emil reported your situation to the Lord Baron, who specially increased your salary," Ivan, an elderly man with graying hair, said with a kindly smile.

"Oh, I see..."

Emil hadn’t mentioned this to Herag, perhaps because he considered it a trivial matter.

After receiving his salary, Herag carried a jar of good wine he had bought to the back garden.

"Old Henry, I brought you some wine!" He entered the garden and saw Old Henry lying on the chair, resting with his eyes closed from afar.

"What wine?" Old Henry moved his nose but couldn’t smell anything.

Herag placed the wine next to the chair and said, "I have no idea; I asked someone who went to town to buy it for me."

"Let me see." Old Henry was invigorated at the sight of wine, got up, picked up the wine jar, and unscrewed the lid for a sniff.

"This is Marco family’s wine from the town, really good stuff," Old Henry said, immersed in the aroma.

"By the way, my salary went up too. Now, I earn a whole ten silver coins a month, I’ll split half with you!" Herag took out five silver coins and handed them over.

Old Henry scoffed, "What do I need money for at my age? I can’t bite meat anymore, and girls in town dread that I might keel over. When you’re old, spending money isn’t quite as enjoyable as when you’re young. You’re still young, take the money and enjoy yourself; all I need is wine."

Hearing Old Henry’s words, Herag remembered an ancient verse from his previous life: "To buy osmanthus and bring wine, it is not like the youthful wanderings."

Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, "Old Henry, do you know how long Official Knights like Emil can live?"

"How long? Not too many knights die of old age. Let me think... I think those I’ve heard of lived to be about a hundred, a bit longer and healthier than ordinary people," Old Henry recalled.

"What about Great Knights like the Lord Baron?" Herag continued to ask.

Old Henry took a sip of wine and replied, "Great Knights are still human, they’re about the same."

"Only around a hundred, huh..."

Herag originally thought knights, wielding extraordinary power, could live much longer than typical humans. He was surprised they only lived slightly longer.

"Old Henry, are there any people more formidable than knights?"

"More formidable?" Old Henry pondered for a moment, "Of course, but those are just legends. They say Wizards are stronger than knights, but Wizards are very mysterious, and no one knows if they truly exist."

"Wizards..." Herag silently committed the term to memory.

By the time Herag returned to his cabin, it was already late at night. He had been drinking with Old Henry all night.

After helping the drunken Old Henry to bed, he still left those five silver coins behind.

He was someone who remembered and repaid kindness.

...

Half a month later, in the castle training grounds.

Herag donned a suit of armor, standing in a line with six other guards, awaiting Emil’s orders.

"A group of bandits has appeared at the Pumpkin Farm. It’s our duty to protect the safety of the territory’s people, and Lord Baron has ordered us to eradicate the bandits..." Emil was explaining the mission’s details.

Over the past half month, Herag had been diligently practicing the Earth Breathing Technique and basic swordsmanship, and today he finally had the opportunity for real combat.

"Though it’s just a group of ordinary bandits, you can’t be careless. A stab from a blade can still kill!" Emil spoke of some precautions.

Herag listened intently, feeling that the other six weren’t taking it seriously.

Eradicating bandits was a common task—a lord’s duty, as well as a chance for the lord to demonstrate strength and intimidate others.

This era was chaotic, with frequent conflicts between territories.

Every so often, Herag would hear about a territory being annexed, or about a famine occurring somewhere.

The bandits had to be cleared quickly once they entered the territory, or others would think you’re an easy target, attracting more and more bandits.

This time, Emil personally led the raid, along with seven castle guards, forming the expedition team.

Riding on horseback, Herag still felt a bit inexperienced. Fortunately, his memory included knowledge about horse riding. With Shenlan’s assistance, he quickly learned how to control the horse.