In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 13

“Sir Knight, you’re up early today!”

“Yes.”

“Are you feeling alright? How’s your body? You’re going to win today, right? Once you become vice-commander, I’ll take full responsibility for all your meals!”

Eshil, brimming with excitement, peppered Bellona with questions, her breath puffing out with each word. Bellona, who had been polishing her sword, glanced at Eshil with a puzzled expression.

Was Eshil always like this?

In her previous life, after Bellona became the knight commander, she had appointed Eshil, who had been her squire, as her personal aide. Afterward, perhaps due to her new position, Eshil had become quite serious and responsible. Seeing her now, flustered and full of energy, was both surprising and amusing.

Still, Bellona was genuinely relieved that it was Eshil, among all people, who was by her side when she woke up in this unfamiliar situation. Without her, adapting so quickly would have been much more difficult.

Suddenly, Bellona’s eyes widened as she realized something important she had momentarily forgotten amidst the chaos.

“Eshil.”

“Yes, Sir Knight?”

“My siblings… how are they?”

At the mention of her siblings, Bellona’s voice trembled noticeably. Even though she was certain they were alive, a wave of anxiety washed over her.

Eshil, inspecting the wooden sword Bellona was going to use, replied nonchalantly, “Hmm, they’re probably still asleep.”

“…Ha.”

Such a nonchalant answer surprisingly brought immense relief. Bellona’s jaw tightened as a wave of emotion hit her.

The fact that her siblings were safe, and that she hadn’t been betrayed by the one she trusted most—Eshil—filled her with overwhelming gratitude. Her chest tightened with emotion as she realized how comforting it was that Eshil was still firmly on her side in this life.

“Sir Knight! It’s time.”

“Alright.”

As Bellona gazed at the gleaming blade she had polished, a wry smile tugged at her lips. Compared to the splendid sword she had always carried before her death, this old and worn sword seemed pitiful.

The realization that this sword mirrored her current situation felt strange. Still, unlike her past filled with hollow pretense, her heart now felt at peace.

After all, a sword can always be replaced.

She sheathed the sword at her waist and stood up. Thanks to her morning exercise, her body was in better shape than the day before. But compared to her past self, she still had a long way to go. It would take months of rigorous training to regain her former strength.

Eshil, her face beaming with expectation, handed her the wooden sword. Bellona, watching her for a moment, suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Uh… Sir Knight?”

That sounds much better than being called commander.

Bellona chuckled softly and silently savored the warmth of Eshil’s embrace. The image of this girl crying as she watched her until the end was still vivid in her mind.

What happened to you after that?

“Sir Knight…”

As she slowly released her, Bellona noticed Eshil’s cheeks had turned a deep shade of red. Eshil squirmed in embarrassment, and Bellona couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Just as she was about to head out with her wooden sword in hand, she stopped and looked back at Eshil, who was following her.

With genuine sincerity, Bellona said, “I’m sorry.”

“What…?”

I’m sorry that I might not be able to meet your expectations.

Bellona gave her a bittersweet smile, sighed softly, and turned away. Her steps, now firm with resolve, felt lighter. She tucked the wooden sword into her belt and gathered her flowing hair, tying it up tightly.

Today, she planned to fully display her skills. No one would be able to say anything about her swordsmanship.

She intended to perform so well that both men would be forced to covet her swordsmanship.

The “Goddess of the Sword.”

Today, in this place, she would embody that name once more, even in the form of a common knight.

***

The training ground was silent, but in a different way than the day before. Although fewer participants remained for today’s trial, the matches were taking much longer.

Bellona was deliberately prolonging what could have been quick duels.

With dazzling techniques that no other knight could hope to imitate, she overpowered—or rather, toyed with—her opponents. Just as she had done with Ether, she ensured her opponents couldn’t fall, keeping them dazed and off-balance. After defeating six knights, not a trace of fatigue showed on her face.

Glancing at the platform, she saw the two men seated side by side. Caelus, with his dark hair, and Impes, with his silver hair, seemed to represent the destinies of these two men in her previous life.

One had lived a dark and unfortunate life, while the other had shone brightly.

But would this life follow the same path?

As Bellona’s victory became increasingly certain, Impes’s smile grew wider, while Caelus’s expression remained stern. Though she knew why his expression was like that, she pretended not to notice and turned her attention to the two remaining knights before her.

They were not the subordinates who had followed her in the past.

That was both a relief and a disappointment.

It meant that her former subordinates’ skills were now insignificant.

With a hard expression, she cast a glance around the training ground, then clicked her tongue softly and refocused on the two knights. These were not men who would become her subordinates in this life.

So there was no need to harbor unnecessary emotions.

One knight, visibly intimidated, gripped his sword with trembling hands, while the other, though his grip was shaky, stared at her with fierce eyes, as if they had formed a silent alliance against her.

They had seen how the knights who had fought her were carried out, so it was only natural that they were scared.

As if deciding it was time to end it, Bellona twirled the wooden sword in the air and calmly lowered it.

Despite the presence of many knights, the training ground was as silent as if it were empty. Everyone was eagerly waiting to see what kind of swordsmanship she would display next.

As a signal to begin, Bellona raised her wooden sword high into the air. The two knights, now tense, gripped their swords tightly and assumed defensive stances.

And then, it happened.

The wooden sword, which had been dancing wildly in her hands, suddenly fell to the ground.

The knights’ eyes widened in shock.

But even this act of discarding her sword seemed like it could be part of some mysterious swordsmanship, and everyone held their breath.

After a moment, Bellona turned her gaze to the platform, and with that, she shattered everyone’s expectations.

“Bellona Riknis, I forfeit.”

Her action, like pouring cold water over the situation, froze the training ground in icy silence. Impes, who had been smiling all this time, was no exception.

Unfazed, as if her task was complete, Bellona turned to leave, but a voice she had been waiting for stopped her in her tracks.

“Sir Bellona Riknis. Did you say you forfeit?”

Bellona’s lips twitched slightly before she quickly composed herself and turned around. Caelus, who had risen from his seat, was looking at her with an emotionless face.

“Yes, I forfeit.”

“Do you think this trial is a joke?”

“Of course not. I’m simply stepping down because I believe this is not the place for me.”

Her seemingly light-hearted action contrasted sharply with her response, and this time, Impes, his face twisted with anger, shot to his feet.

“You are the most promising candidate for vice-commander in this trial. You have displayed such remarkable skill that no one here could dispute it! So why are you forfeiting?” Impes’s voice was tense with rage as he questioned her defiance.

Bellona, who had been looking at Impes with a vague expression, now turned her gaze to Caelus. Her answer was meant for him, not Impes.

“My apologies, but I have chosen to serve a master of my own choosing and live solely as their loyal dog, rather than accept the position of vice-commander of the Imperial Knights.”

Her blunt response caused a stir in the previously quiet training ground.

As expected, Bellona remained calm and focused on Caelus, who was staring back at her.

Impes, who had been frowning, suddenly let out a soft laugh, casually running a hand through his gleaming silver hair. Whatever misunderstanding he had, he smiled brightly and descended from the platform. As his white cape fluttered behind him, the stark contrast of black hair peeked through.

But contrary to Bellona’s wishes, Caelus remained motionless.

Impes, who had approached her by now, smiled warmly. Bellona turned her gaze to Impes, who filled her vision, and respectfully bowed.

Once again, a white-gloved hand was extended before her. When she looked up, Impes, in a dignified manner, commanded, “Your unwavering resolve has made me want to be a worthy master. Very well, I shall honor your wish. Become my loyal dog. I will ensure you do not regret your choice.”

A worthy master. A choice without regret.

Bellona almost scoffed but managed to conceal it as she bowed her head. Her green eyes, hidden from view, gleamed with a sharp intensity.

How could she not see that he was using her well-laid plan to bolster his own authority?

Though she had shown remarkable skill, her position was still that of a mere knight. By embracing even the overstepping words of such a lowly knight, Impes was showcasing his magnanimity, signaling that anyone with skill could be employed, regardless of rank.

As expected, the training ground grew even more lively. Every knight knew that becoming an imperial family’s trusted subordinate meant a bright future.

But none of them knew what awaited at the end of that path.

It wasn’t the outcome she had hoped for, but she didn’t feel entirely displeased. Since he claimed he wanted to be a worthy master, it would be quite entertaining to hold him to that responsibility.

Bellona, in front of everyone, subtly laid a trap within the very game Impes was trying to play.