Alessandro (6)

Gregory made a bold proposal to Alessandro. It was the dream he had secretly harbored—pharmocology. To Alessandro, it was a sufficiently attractive offer.

"What, what did you say? Pharmocology? Are you telling me to take charge of medical affairs within the knight order?"

Alessandro rubbed his face with both hands, taken aback by the challenging and unexpected suggestion. Gregory added more words.

"So, what do you think? Want to give it a try?"

Alessandro grabbed Gregory's shoulders and shook him, quickly scanning the surroundings.

"Gregory, have you gone mad? Or did you get infected by some poisonous plant while passing through the bushes and lose your mind? Or, what, did you perhaps eat some weird mushroom or something?"

He seemed to be looking at Gregory as if he were crazy. It was understandable that he would react with such bewilderment.

Gregory lowered Alessandro's hands from his own shoulders and spoke.

"Calm down and listen. I'm not asking you to just do it blindly. If you don't want to, then let's just drop it cleanly. And I said you could do both, not to commit yourself entirely, right?"

It was a plausible persuasion, but Alessandro still couldn't shake off his fear, his hands trembling violently.

"But, but if my family finds out, who knows what kind of punishment I might face."

Which meant—as long as he wasn't found out, it would be okay.

Gregory's persuasion was starting to work, little by little. However, he was still so frightened that his chin was quivering.

Alessandro, being part of the knight order, was provisionally living outside his family's home.

Studying pharmocology on his own without any support was practically impossible.

Alessandro was shivering out of fear that he might fall out of favor with his family, but if he would just swear secrecy, his safety could be reasonably assured.

And if a secret oath felt burdensome, there were other ways.

He could persuade Hemingway, or get help from Walter and have the kingdom appoint Alessandro as a physician officially.

If that happened, even the head of the Lucenberg family wouldn't be able to complain.

What could someone who lived off national hospitality possibly do?

Gregory realized that Alessandro was wavering and began to negotiate.

Having a physician in the Dawn Knight Order would be a huge advantage, after all.

Besides, if Alessandro could finally study herbs as he wished, it would be a win-win for both of them.

"The period's not even long, is it? Try it once, and if it doesn't suit you, you can always throw yourself fully back into the path of the sword."

"......"

Alessandro nodded reluctantly. If Gregory was going this far, it wasn't out of mere overconfidence.

And he wasn't the kind of person who would make such empty promises.

If he tried it and decided it wasn't right for him, he could always return to the life of a strong warrior.

Though it might turn out to be a grave offense, this choice could help others and be what he truly wanted.

It was a decisive moment for Alessandro, usually so timid, as he finally made up his mind thanks to Gregory's persuasion.

"Really? Promise you'll make sure not to get caught, and if I do, you'll help me no matter what, right?"

"What do you take me for?"

Gregory nodded vigorously, and seeing his response, Alessandro renewed his resolve.

'I'll study herbalism diligently and become a great strength to my comrades.'

Since he had already obtained the great sword, he couldn't retire as a swordsman for now.

Besides, he resolved not to neglect his training and to do his utmost in everything.

***

Gregory and Alessandro returned to the Radiant Light Order. Magnus, who happened to be tending to the garden out front, saw Gregory returning.

"Oh dear, are you all right, young master? Allow me to carry him."

Magnus noticed Gregory carrying Alessandro on his back and immediately offered his own.

Gregory was a bit worried as he passed Alessandro onto the frail-looking, unsteady Magnus.

But thanks to keeping himself fit for household chores, Magnus didn't actually find it too much of a burden.

Gregory immediately gave Magnus an order.

"Please, take him to the infirmary right away."

"Yes, young master. Ah, by the way, the lord has returned as well."

"Thank you for telling me."

Gregory headed for the office to explain the situation to Hemingway.

The reason Gregory and Alessandro had originally come to the Radiant Light Order was to report to Hemingway that they had found the great sword.

However, since Alessandro, the owner of the sword, was unable to move due to his injured leg, and Hemingway would have to wait until he received treatment, Gregory decided that reporting the situation first was the right thing to do.

Moreover, since Gregory knew the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the great sword best, it would be easier for him to go alone rather than together with Alessandro.

***

"Come in."

Even before Gregory could knock, Hemingway's voice could be heard from inside. Gregory opened the door without hesitation.

"I trust you have been well."

Hemingway got straight to the point.

"So, you're back. I received a letter from Magnus. You say you found the great sword?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Where did you find it?"

Gregory hesitated briefly before explaining how they came to discover the great sword. He had vowed not to lie anymore.

He spoke the truth, though carefully withholding as much information as possible.

"We were training with the others, and I noticed a lot of things that could be improved. So I started recommending weapons that would suit my comrades—"

Hemingway cut Gregory off with a question.

"Your preamble is too long. So, where did you find it?"

"We went on an expedition to the ruins at Boriha and discovered the great sword."

Gregory explained the circumstances under which they acquired the great sword. Hemingway showed little positive reaction.

Even if it was considered a source of monsters, he could not have expected a great sword to be buried there.

He opened his mouth, half as if to object to Gregory's explanation.

"Show it to me."

Though his manner was brusque, Hemingway was as curious as anyone about the fabled great sword's true form.

He stared intently at Gregory. However, since Alessandro had the great sword, there was nothing Gregory could do. Gregory spoke to Hemingway.

"I tried to pick up the great sword, but for some reason, I couldn't lift it."

Hemingway reprimanded Gregory loudly.

"What? Then are you saying you just left it there at those Boriha ruins?"

"That's not it."

Gregory shook his head.

"Then where is it?"

Just then, Alessandro's voice could be heard from beyond the door. Since he had only suffered a minor injury, he had quickly received treatment and come to the reception room.

"May I come in?"

Seeing what was happening, Hemingway immediately realized that Alessandro was in possession of the great sword.

Though the confusion displeased him, since the precious weapon known as the great sword would be added to their strength, he allowed Alessandro in without displaying any particular emotion.

"Come in."

Creeak—

Normally, Alessandro would have shriveled under Hemingway's intimidating presence, but perhaps because of his promise with Gregory—

There was a strange, intense spark in his eyes.

"I trust you have been well."

Looking at Hemingway with a gaze full of conviction, he offered a polite greeting.

His movement was disciplined—distinctly different from the usual Alessandro.

'This guy... To think he could change this much? Just how serious was he about herbalism?'

Hemingway felt relieved to see the disciplined Alessandro.

He had worried that the Dawn Knight Order might have grown slack with increased support, but seeing Alessandro's composed behavior, he thought the knight order was running well.

"Good. Raise your head."

Alessandro lifted his head and took out the great sword from his back.

The sword was unadorned, revealing its rough and solid iron texture.

The blade's straight lines, without any excess, exuded a heavy presence as if a single iron pillar had been forged into a sword.

"That certainly appears to be the great sword."

"Yes, that's correct."

Hemingway hesitated for a moment. He wondered if the fact that they had acquired a legendary sword was something he could resolve on his own.

He hesitated briefly, thinking perhaps he should report it to his superiors.

"Hm... Should I report directly to the King...?"

After pondering for a while, Hemingway continued to speak.

"Then, leave it here for now. For reporting purposes, we should keep it in our collection for the time being."

Gregory objected to Hemingway's words.

"Are you planning to make the King come all the way here personally?"

"What? How dare you speak so disrespectfully?"

"That sword couldn't be lifted by anyone in our group, even those stronger than Alessandro."

Hemingway stood up confidently and strode toward Alessandro, who was holding the great sword.

"Let me see it. I need to see for myself whether it truly cannot be lifted."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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