Jenkins stood still for only a moment before spinning on his heel, looking as if he was ready to sprint over to where the Knights were. However, the words he said next betrayed her expectations.
I must inform the Duke of this immediately, my Lady. Please wait here. I will ask another Captain to take you and the young master to lunch.
Delphina was puzzled at this turn of events. Why wasn't he asking her anything and just rushing off to the Duke? It was almost as if…
"Ah."
She raised a hand to her forehead in exasperation. The thought that had immediately crossed her mind wasn't the greatest, but Jenkins' behaviour so far led her to only one conclusion.
"Jenkins, do you not realise we'd have notified my Father immediately if we thought this situation was beyond our three's capabilities? I only suggested including the Captains as a precaution."
The fact remains, my Lady, you have not reported assassins infiltrating the territory to the Duke.
Delphina nodded briefly before stopping as she realised he was still speaking with his back turned.
"Normally, I'd agree. But this is my first day dealing with the Knights… How low do you think my credibility with them and my Father would go, if my first reaction was to cry and run to daddy to solve my problems?"
Jenkins finally turned his head back to look at her- before following it up with a snort, and faced forward again.
"Look at this bastard?"
"Before informing the Duke, I wanted to get mine and the others' plan settled first. Honestly, Jenkins, I don't understand why I have to explain this to you."
Narrowing her eyes at him, she crossed her arms across her chest and leaned against the tree- her suspicions were mounting, and she decided this was something that needed settling as soon as possible.
"Come, you braggarts, show me the steel of your blades."
[₱ira₮Ɇ's Ⱡłfe: Come, you ฿Ɽ₳₲₲₳Ɽ₮₴, show me the steel of your ฿Ⱡ₳ĐɆ₴.
Effect: People with ĐɄ฿łØɄ₴ morals ⱤɆ₴₱Ɇ₵₮ you ₳₴ their ₵₳₱₮₳ł₦. Those with high mental values may challenge you for leadership.]
Closing her eyes, she truly hoped this skill didn't trigger.
Unfortunately, only a moment later, she heard the sound of metal heavily tamping its way in front of her.
Letting out a deep sigh, she looked up to see Jenkins towering over her, his fists clenched.
Taking a moment to appreciate the sight, she felt conflicted that he seemed to have considered her an 'opponent' the entire time Velvet Mask was activated. That, combined with the 'dubious morals' aspect of this particular skill…
"Tch, it seems I was right when I compared Soldiers to Zergs."
Still reclining against the tree trunk, she decided to test how this particular skill had worked out.
"Jenkins, I order you to assign the Captains to guard duty during the Tournament."
Moving closer to her, the automaton brought his head close to her face.
I refuse. You don't have the right to order me.
Prove to me you deserve that position.
There it was, a leadership challenge. Putting on a cold smirk, Delphina was more than happy to oblige.
"Gladly."
"Let me speak to Sir Burgess and my brother first, then I'll happily accompany you for a duel."
Back with Hayle and Pietro, Delphina quickly informed them of her idea of stationing the Captains as Tournament guards- a step which the two greatly approved.
Jenkins' sudden coldness was somewhat obvious, but the two brushed it off as it being a result of Delphina telling him about the assassins belatedly.
When she asked them to go ahead to lunch, ever the 'gentlemen', they insisted on waiting with tea until she returned. Together, they walked back to the Soldiers' headquarters before she and Jenkins broke off toward the rear training grounds.
The sparring arena was far more spacious than the Hunters', but it lacked any greenery; as a result, the exterior wall of the Castle was perfectly visible.
"I almost feel bad for any poor sod who sneaks in from this side. Imagine crawling around the cliff only to pop up here of all places."
Shaking her head in pity at the imagined scenes of mayhem, she found herself surprised as Jenkins laid a hand on her shoulder and gripped it tightly.
As long as you can harm me even once. I agree to your conditions. But if I restrain you, it's your loss, and until you become the Duchess, you will never have command over the Soldiers.
Crossing her arms, she shook her head in disappointment at this sudden addition.
"I didn't take you for a petty bastard, but I guess I really ticked you off earlier, huh, Jenkins? Fine. I agree."
Flipping her ponytail and braid back behind her, she moved towards the centre of the arena, hoping the distance would allow her some privacy to throw a skill or two if things did happen to get too dicey.
She couldn't use a sword aura to guarantee harm; one wrong swing and she'd be scraping Jenkins off the ground.
Cocking her head, she just realised she'd missed something important.
"Haha, Jenkins, by harm, you do mean decent damage, right..? Right!?"
Jenkins didn't reply; he simply positioned himself approximately five paces away in textbook duelling form.
Prepare yourself.
"Oh, you piece of shit!"
She drew her Estoc and steadied her breath. It was a terrible weapon for this fight, but there was no time to swap. She'd have to rely on her own abilities.
"If I can't deal with him after all my experience, I might as well give up. Gods above, I hope I don't kill him by accident."
Life Energy surged through her circuits as she pushed them to their limit, her senses narrowing until only the arena existed.
Closing her eyes and raising the Estoc in both hands, with the tip pointed to the sky and her elbows level with the ground. She took a stance built on absolute focus.
Jenkins had no visible eyes for her to read, so relying on just feeling was the best course of action for now. She also didn't know if the original Delphina's visual acuity would currently keep up with her own, and she didn't want to give herself motion sickness.
"Jenkins."
She felt him tense as she spoke.
"Please don't put me in a position where I have to kill you to win."
That won't happen.
Yikes. Well, it was her fault for riling him up this much. All she could do was sigh and give a nod.
Standing as steady as a mountain, she knew Jenkins would waste no time in attacking her. He was annoyed, his arms betraying his frustration with their slight twitching.
His claws seemed to extend a few inches before he unexpectedly bounded towards her, like a predator shooting towards its prey; they dug deep into the floor, trying to gain further purchase on the sandy surface.
It was almost like he wanted to snatch her up like a mantis, aiming for her sides with his hands. With his finger claws almost fully retracted, one arm led the other.
Waiting for the perfect timing, not moving her feet even an inch, she spun the Estoc in a tight reverse half-moon. The blunt edge cracked into his elbow joint with a sickening snap. She let the motion carry through, whipping the blade around to knock his other arm wide in a clean follow-up arc.
Jenkins spun behind her; the recoil of the first swing had put him off balance.
Almost back-to-back, she pivoted sharply, riding the momentum as her sword lunged at his right-hand shoulder joint in a riposte.
Slamming the Estoc point in before flicking it up and away, she withdrew and slid her foot back into guard. The blade hovered at head height, in a hanging guard stance.
"Twice I've harmed you, now Jenkins, won't you tell me why that doesn't count?"
Hah. Apologies, my Lady. It seems like I underestimated you.
"I'm glad you finally realised. Are we good now?"
Jenkins turned slowly. His right shoulder hung limp, the arm dangling uselessly, but his stance hadn't softened in the slightest- he clearly had no intention of acquiescing.
A loud grating noise split the air. Delphina winced- mentally noting that her hearing didn't need to be quite that sensitive, she quickly dialled it back. But as the ringing in her ears faded, a low metallic chuckle reached her.
By all means, if you wish to challenge my Leadership, this is the least I should do.
A sense of unease suddenly hit her. She thought she could hear a faint chain-like noise, like metal sliding and locking into place repeatedly.
I would be doing the youngest Sword Master in history a disservice if I didn't try my best. Isn't that what you wanted, my Lady?
Exasperation struck her.
"Oh no, it's a second phase Boss transformation!"