Chapter 10
Even after visiting the armory, each day passed in a similar routine.
Arnulph would wake up early and do light exercises. After that, he would run a lap around the garden and then practice with the sword he had purchased at the armory the last time, in the shaded courtyard. Every time Fin watched him, it seemed both unfamiliar and fascinating.
At first, his movements had seemed a bit awkward, but now he handled the sword with considerable skill.
“Master Joseph, I think you could spar with the knights without falling behind at all!”
Fin, his face full of admiration, repeated the same words he had said every day, clenching his hands tightly. Arnulph wiped his sweat with the handkerchief offered by the servant and organized his sword, letting out a small chuckle.
Arnulph had originally been an exceptional knight, almost unmatched in Hesse. Only Sigmund, who had followed him as an aide, might have been able to spar on equal terms.
“Really?”
For Fin, who had no idea who was inside Joseph’s body, comparing him to a royal knight seemed almost laughable.
“Yes! Next time, you should enter a martial arts tournament. Everyone will be so surprised!”
Perhaps. If he participated, everyone would probably be utterly shocked. Arnulph had been the only knight in Hesse to use dual-sword techniques, so if Joseph, known as a reckless madman, suddenly appeared wielding twin swords, it would naturally cause quite a stir.
Instead of replying, Arnulph merely shrugged. A mischievous thought flickered across his mind about seeing their astonished faces in the tournament, but he quickly suppressed it.
Better not. It would only stir unnecessary trouble and might provoke the queen, who had intended to quietly bury his “death.”
After swinging his sword to stretch fully and taking a refreshing shower, Arnulph requested that lunch be brought out to the terrace. The weather was nice, and it seemed pleasant to enjoy the breeze outside.
One of the advantages of being inside Joseph’s body was that he could laze around without anyone daring to complain.
Just then, someone suddenly occupied the chair opposite Arnulph as he waited on the terrace for lunch.
“Well, Joseph. I heard you were hurt, but looks like you’re doing better these days?”
Arnulph stared at the unfamiliar face that spoke so casually. He didn’t know him, but judging by the familiarity, this person must have known Joseph well.
“What? Why are you pretending not to know me? That’s harsh. It’s me—Siben Acht. You haven’t forgotten a friend’s face, have you?”
The visitor revealed his identity on behalf of Arnulph, who had remained quietly seated. Siben Acht—an unfamiliar figure indeed.
“Sorry. I’ve been busy and couldn’t even visit the hospital. But you look perfectly fine now. I thought you’d be dragged straight to the palace.”
Arnulph remained silent, while Siben continued chattering with a mischievous grin.
“But are you really okay? I never expected you to go there. And I certainly didn’t imagine you’d cause such a major incident. Truly impressive. Well, it’s not like you would…”
“Stop.”
Arnulph cut him off. If left unchecked, Siben would have kept talking until sunset. The short, sharp response made Siben blink in surprise.
“What? Why are you suddenly acting all stiff?”
Arnulph wasn’t posing. He simply wanted to eat, and Siben’s endless chatter showed no sign of stopping. He gave a subtle signal to Fin, who had been standing awkwardly with a tray.
Understanding the cue, Fin approached and began setting the table.
“Ah! You were hungry, huh? Then say so. Hey! Bring mine too!”
Seeing the food being arranged, Siben nodded and commanded as if it were obvious. Simultaneously, Arnulph’s brow twitched.
He disliked Siben sitting there without permission and being so bold as to command a servant without consulting the master.
“Siben Acht.”
Arnulph’s low, firm voice drew Siben’s attention, making his eyes widen again. Something about Joseph’s expression and presence while seated across from him had subtly changed.
“What now, you…”
Siben muttered out of habit.
“Get to the point.”
Even this was sharply cut off by Arnulph. Feeling a bit deflated, Siben pouted in response.
“Isn’t it about time you made an appearance? Everyone’s waiting for you to return.”
Arnulph didn’t ask where he was supposed to return or who was waiting. Instead, he simply looked at Siben, silently prompting him to continue.
“I got word that something worthwhile has arrived recently. You should be the first to unveil it.”
Siben’s identity remained unclear, but one thing was obvious: he was one of the people who had led Joseph into reckless and indulgent behavior in the past.
Siben seemed to tense up as Arnulph’s stern gaze met his, almost making his lower abdomen ache from the nervousness.
‘What? Am I actually intimidated by that madman?’
As the thought suddenly struck him, Siben straightened his eyes, determined not to back down.
“I’m not interested.”
Arnulph spoke first. Siben, whose shoulders had been stiff with tension, immediately relaxed.
“Whoa. The great Joseph is not interested? That’s a lie. Hey, come on. I’ve already made all the arrangements, see?”
Siben leaned on the table and tilted his torso forward. Arnulph, however, had never been interested in such matters and completely ignored him. He didn’t respond but picked up his fork and knife, eating diligently.
Though he ate quickly, his movements were elegant, and his long-ingrained manners were impeccable.
Siben watched Arnulph with curiosity before abruptly standing, pouting.
“Joseph. We’ll leave it as is today, but don’t act stubborn next time you come.”
Siben snorted and deliberately knocked over the water glass beside Arnulph. The glass fell to the table with a shock.
“Ah!”
Fin screamed at the sight, fearing the water would soak Arnulph’s trousers. But the expected accident didn’t happen. Arnulph swiftly batted the glass away.
“Gah!”
“Ugh!”
Both Fin and Siben cried out. Fin from the sudden flying glass, Siben from getting splashed on his thigh.
Clang.
The glass that hit Siben’s leg shattered on the floor. The remaining water soaked the floor and his shoes.
“You…!”
Siben glared at Arnulph, his face twisted in anger. Arnulph remained completely calm, almost bored.
“Sorry. I thought it was a flying insect.”
Arnulph offered a ridiculous excuse with a faint, mocking smile.
“Do you want me to lend you a towel?”
“No need!”
Siben, furious, nonetheless kept glancing at Arnulph. Despite Arnulph’s subtle smile, there was something unnervingly imposing about him now.
‘What’s up with him? He supposedly woke up after being dead for two weeks, and now he’s even stranger.’
Stories about people changing after near-death experiences existed, but Fin didn’t want to believe Joseph could change like this.
“Fin, see the guest out.”
“Yes, Master Joseph!”
Fin responded more cheerfully than usual. He looked at Joseph with quiet pride, recalling how deftly he had batted the glass away.
It was no accident; Joseph had clearly targeted Siben. After training consistently in swordsmanship, he was finally shining.
Fin felt immensely proud. If possible, he wished he could write to the duchy immediately to boast that Joseph had become a new person.
As Fin escorted Siben to the front door, the man called him over:
“Hey, servant.”
“Yes?”
Siben, who normally ignored Fin, surprised him by calling out.
“What’s up with him?”
“Yes?”
“Why’s Joseph acting like that?”
Only then did Fin understand Siben’s question. He looked at him blankly, realizing Siben suspected Joseph’s strange behavior was due to lingering effects from medicine.
“Why?”
“Master Joseph has changed. Completely different from before.”
Fin didn’t mention that it was due to memory loss. Clenching his fists, he declared resolutely:
“So don’t mess around anymore. You’ll end up in serious trouble if you do!”
Siben stared in disbelief, but Fin spun away with a triumphant smile, heading back toward Arnulph.
