Prologue: Part 3

The Offer

Seeing the blade pressed against Reynart’s neck, Reck instinctively reached for the dagger at his waist. But the woman was far too quick to allow that.

“Don’t. Or your master will lose his head.”

Reck lowered his hand. He had a quick temper, but he wasn’t a fool. He ground his teeth in frustration, glaring at the woman, wondering how things had spiraled into this predicament.

“You seem to be of no small standing, yet you carry no sword at your side…”

The woman’s words stung like a physical blade to Reynart’s heart.

“…I haven’t reached my coming-of-age ceremony yet,” he muttered, his voice lacking strength.

The woman wore a look of mild surprise. “I see…”

“So, what do you intend to do with us? Hand us over to the guards?”

“No. We don’t even know who you are yet. Even if you were a wanted fugitive, we have no way of knowing that right now…”

“A wanted fugitive, am I? Is that how I appear to you?”

“No. But even in this country, which is known as the Land of the Sword, there are no female swordswomen. I find it difficult to believe you are an ordinary traveler.”

“I see…”

“I don’t know how you entered this country, but if you have come with the intent of joining the martial arts tournament, you must be a renowned swordswoman, are you not?”

At Reynart’s words, the woman shook her head.

“Hardly. I am but a nameless wanderer. While traveling the world, I heard talk of this country’s tournament, and I thought it would be a fine opportunity to make a name for myself.”

With that, she pulled the sword away from his neck and stepped back a few paces.

“I am Eleanor.”

It was the first time she had offered her name. Perhaps she had finally judged that they posed no threat.

“It is, at the very least, a harvest to know for certain that I cannot enter the inner gate. Had I tried to force my way in blindly, it would have been quite troublesome…”

“If you were able to participate, do you think you could win?”

Reynart asked the question clearly, locking eyes with her. Though an illegitimate son, he was still a man of Istella. Even if he wasn’t permitted to carry a sword, he had spent his life training in the art. From her poise and her stance, he could tell she was far more skilled than he was.

“Who knows. They say victory is a matter of fortune. I cannot say for certain until I have crossed blades with them, but I do not intend to fall behind.”

There was no boastfulness in Eleanor’s tone. Was she truly that formidable a warrior? Or was it mere bluster? The best way to know the truth was one: to see it for himself.

Suddenly, Reynart proposed something outrageous.

“Then, shall we see if we can get you registered properly? If that is your wish, I will see what I can do.”

“What! Is such a thing even possible?”

“Reynart-sama! What on earth are you thinking…?”

Both Eleanor and Reck cried out in astonishment. It was only natural; just moments ago, Reynart himself had explained that a travel permit and identification were required to enter the inner gates of the royal castle. If he were to pull strings for her, and she were to commit some transgression, the consequences would fall squarely on Reynart’s head.

This was not a favor one offered to a complete stranger.

Ignoring their surprise, Reynart continued.

“To be honest, I won’t know if I can pull it off until I try… but I will manage something. Now, if you take this road and head toward the capital, the first gate you reach is the Main Gate.”

“Reynart-sama!”

“Keep quiet, Reck.”

“But…”

“It doesn’t matter. After passing through the Main Gate, continue along the main thoroughfare until you reach the Third Gate. These two gates do not require a permit. Once you pass through the Third Gate, you will find an inn on your right called ‘The Stag’s Inn.’ You will know it easily enough; the taxidermied head of a stag with magnificent antlers is hung above the entrance. Take a room there. The city is crowded with people from many nations right now, but if you mention my name, they should provide you with whatever assistance you require. Wait there for me.”

Eleanor found it difficult to measure his true intent. “Why…?”

“I am, it seems, an unwanted child. If I can be of use to someone, even in this small way, there is no greater joy for me.”

“Reynart-sama! Do not speak like that again…”

“But it’s true, isn’t it? I haven’t even been granted my coming-of-age ceremony…”

“That is surely because… because your father, the King, has something in mind for you. In any case, never speak of yourself that way again.”

“Enough, Reck… and this is not the time or place for this.”

“That may be, but still…”

Cutting the conversation with Reck short, Reynart turned back to Eleanor.

“My apologies. In any case, please wait at ‘The Stag’s Inn’.”

Watching the exchange, Eleanor felt there was more to the story, but she chose to set it aside. If she could participate in the tournament, the circumstances mattered little. Besides, nothing would be lost if it failed.

“Understood. I shall do that. And your name? Reynart… who?”

“Ah, my apologies. I am Reynart Forge.”

“Reynart Forge, then. I am Eleanor Chassé. I will be waiting at The Stag’s Inn.”

With those words, Eleanor turned on her heel and disappeared into the trees in the opposite direction from which they had come. A few moments later, the distant sound of a horse neighing echoed through the forest; she must have tethered her mount nearby.

“Reynart-sama, do you truly intend to go through with this? For someone who could be anyone. a complete stranger… If something goes wrong, you will not escape unscathed.”

After letting out a small sigh, Reynart spoke quietly.

“It doesn’t matter, Reck. Do you really think there is anything good in store for my future? Not as an illegitimate son…”

Reck could find no words to answer Reynart’s self-deprecating murmur. He could not bring himself to believe that anything other than suffering awaited his master’s future.