Chapter: The Iron Fortress (3)
Tap… tap… tap…
Ugh… getting up like this every single day… it's truly annoying. But there's nothing to be done. The pay here is excellent, and they even prepared astonishing bedrooms for us. Honestly, I never dreamed I'd own one like that.
"Kyaah~"
The Duke is truly an amazing person. To prepare all of this for us… how can someone be this generous?!
Well… I should go wake up the young master. Poor thing, he thinks the journey will begin after he wakes up. He doesn't know that departure is scheduled before sunrise. With that average build of his, I doubt he'll last long. His only merits are his height and handsome face… truly an enemy of all men. Well, I hope he'll be fine.
As the servant approached Daniel's room, he thought to himself:
"So… how should I wake him up? Oh! I've got an idea."
He knocked softly and spoke in an extremely low voice.
"Young master, are you awake?"
There was no response.
"Well then… I'll do it."
Suddenly, he flung the door open and shouted:
"Sir! Wake u—"
But before he could finish, he found Daniel already awake—fully dressed and prepared to leave.
Daniel frowned.
"What is this?"
The servant's face turned bright red with embarrassment. He bowed deeply and rapidly.
"S-Sir! I sincerely apologize!"
Daniel sighed lightly.
"Ah~ no worries. Get up now."
What is this? I thought this servant was smart…
"…What? Were you trying to surprise me?"
The servant answered without hesitation.
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Trying to deny it now would be pointless, you idiot…
"Well, whatever. Are we leaving now?"
"Yes, sir. The carriage is already prepared."
Yeah, I know that already.
Daniel paused for a moment, then said:
"Then why are you still kneeling? Get up."
The servant replied with a trembling voice.
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Alright, let's head to the carriage. Hey—what's your name?"
The servant was startled.
"M-My name? Oh, yes! My name is Karl, sir. I am at your service."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Alright, Karl. Lead the way."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon reaching the ground floor, I saw the Duke and the Emperor standing near the main entrance. I approached them and said:
"Good morning."
The Duke replied in his usual manner.
"Yes. Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I did."
As for my father… he said nothing. He merely stared into the distance, expressionless.
Soon after, I headed toward the carriage. The head butler was already waiting. He didn't look like a servant at all—rather, like a true combat expert.
As I boarded the carriage, Arnold suddenly spoke.
"Take care of yourself."
I looked at his face. There was no emotion on it.
I smiled.
"I will."
And so, the journey began.
---
As we departed, the head butler began explaining the rules and the training schedule.
"First, I'll explain the rules of the castle.
First: status means nothing there. You'll be treated like everyone else."
That's fine by me.
"Second: you'll be required to wake up early and perform cleaning duties and other tasks."
That's manageable…
"But the worst one is—
Third: you must respect those older than you and those of higher rank."
Tch… damn it. That's the worst possible rule. I have bad memories tied to that.
He continued.
"There are three ranks in the Iron Fortress.
First: Veteran Soldier.
Second: Trainee Soldier.
Third: Recruit Soldier.
You'll start from the lowest rank—a Recruit."
He paused briefly, then added:
"It doesn't matter who you are there. Only talent and competence matter."
This is going to be exhausting…
"Go to sleep now. I'll wake you when we arrive and explain the rest."
"Alright…"
I'll sleep for now. I need the rest.
But… wait a moment. Doesn't this butler speak rather casually?
…Well, whatever.
I closed my eyes, and before I realized it, I had already fallen asleep.
---
"Heeey, young man. Wake up."
Huh? What's that voice?
"Oh! Looks like you're awake, young man."
Huh? The head butler?
"Move it. We've arrived."
"So we're here already…"
"Yes, yes. I'm coming."
I stepped lightly out of the carriage and gazed upon the majestic Iron Fortress.
Yeah… it's magnificent.
The head butler interrupted my thoughts.
"What are you doing standing there, young man? Come on. Let's go inside."
First the casual tone, now calling me young man?!
He smirked.
"Oh? Are you bothered by my informal tone? Did you forget what I told you earlier? In this place, status and family names mean nothing."
He handed me a leather coat.
"Put this on. You don't want to catch a cold on your first day, do you?"
I looked at it, then put it on.
"Much appreciated."
He smiled again and walked ahead. I followed.
I don't know much about him. This is the first real interaction I've had with him. Previously, I trained under other soldiers. Still… who knows? He might be strong.
---
He showed me the entire fortress: the dining hall, kitchen, group training grounds, baths, physical conditioning hall, running track—and finally, my quarters.
It was a large room containing eight beds.
Let's see who my comrades will be this time…
He sighed, then explained the training program.
"You'll wake up at five in the morning.
For now, you'll run ten kilometers.
Then breakfast.
After that, assigned duties.
Then two hours of physical conditioning.
Lunch.
Group training.
Then rest until the next day."
"Oh, I almost forgot—after dinner, you'll have special training with me every day. Understood? I won't repeat myself."
"…Yes. I understand."
"Oh, by the way—my name is Dian. I'll be your personal instructor. Pleased to meet you."
I gave him an indifferent look.
Dian closed his eyes slightly.
"Listen—"
Before he could finish, my body suddenly flew into the air.
"What—?!"
I spun uncontrollably, then crashed to the ground, my head striking hard.
"Gghhh—!"
Damn it… that hurt like hell.
What just happened?!
Dian finished his sentence calmly:
"…I am your teacher now. You will speak to me with respect. I, however, will not. Do you understand?"
That bastard was smiling arrogantly.
I replied nervously:
"Yes… Instructor."
"Good. A smart boy."
---
But wait… what was that attack?
I didn't see anything at all.
Dian noticed my thoughts, as if he had read my mind.
"What? Did you like that move? Want to learn it?"
I answered instantly, without hesitation.
"Yes! Please!"
He laughed loudly.
"Very well. I'll teach it to you."
I smiled, excitement filling me.
He noticed and said:
"Alright. Go rest now. The rest of today is free. Training starts tomorrow."
"Yes, Instructor."
He smiled.
"Good. I'll be going."
He turned around and left the room.
I arranged my belongings, then sat on the bed, thinking.
How did he pull off that attack? I'm really excited to learn it.
After a moment, I muttered quietly:
"Yeah… just as I thought. This man… is definitely not ordinary."
---