The baron could not stop him. It sounded like a thud, but it didn't matter. Raymond ran to the entrance. A horse was standing there. Raymond jumped up. There was no need for a footrest. He kicked the horse on the side with his tongue. It was raining outside.

I was shy. I was embarrassed. Everything was embarrassing and painful.

The baron was ashamed and ashamed of himself. Was the baron's body very small? If he was healthy, would the baron go instead of sending Raymond? In the old days, if my father was alive, he would have cheated.

"Berdick Evans!"

Raymond ran a horse. The rain had prevented his fancy carriage from going so far. The horseman turns his head and looks at Raymond. The carriage stops. Raymond puts his horse close to the carriage. The carriage window opens. In it, Verdick puts his head out.

"Oh, it's raining. What's going on... The baron will tell you what he's curious about."

Raymond swept away his wet bangs. I can't see.

"I'd like you to cancel the contract."

"Hmm."

There was a strange noise in the carriage. Raymond came close.

"There is a rotting disease circulating in the sheep in our territory. You're going to... I didn't know."

Even if you lose money, lose your family, lose your health. under fire

But Raymond didn't want to lose his conscience. It is because the parents who gave instruction were not long after they died, were young, and were just such people.

Raymond thought that his eyes would shed tears as he was in the rain. But it was a relief. It won't show. I won't be known to that nasty merchant.

"I'm sorry."

Don't live in shame. If you keep it, your father and mother will be the same as living with you.

"Well…"

Verdick stroked his chin. A little girl with a small head of hair out of it. Is that a daughter? Raymond was in high spirits. He was a child who was younger than himself, wondering if he could read.

"You mean the baron deceived me."

Raymond dropped his head. I couldn't raise my head. Berdick said nothing for a long time. No, I didn't say nothing. He coaxed his little daughter beside him and spoke to Raymond again.

"I understand. You'll have to pay for cheating us."

“…….”

"But I don't want to break the engagement.”

Raymond went back. Xenon stood on the street and said he would rather stay at his house until the Baron's anger was relieved. So Raymond didn't know that his life was set between the Baron and Verdick's contract.

Soon after, Raymond received an admission letter from a military school. It was Verdick's recommendation. What Raymond wanted was not a very important factor.

When Raymond showed his face to Icela Evans in the carriage, his fate was decided.

This is because Icela Evans said to Verdick Evans.

"He's like a knight. A military uniform would suit you."

So Raymond wore a military uniform.

***

I'm fine.

You're sick.

Raymond thus did not resent Baron Sayertes. What do you mean by blaming the sick? And now we're the only family.

Sick people can do that.

Sick people can do that.

***

The military school was better suited to Raymond than I thought. In fact, I can't compare because I don't have any other opportunities, but I think it's a good fit because I stood out. The pessimistic view that it was not his choice quickly disappeared. There were too many students in their own situation in the military school. Raymond's position was not so unusual either.

There were many places where Raymond was called because he was born to move his body, was diligent in his studies, supported by his appearance. Whatever the occasion, Raymond was an objectively good man. And Raymond himself couldn't not know it.

"I hear that you're a master craftsman, right?

"Who says that?"

"That's what everyone says.”

Xion spoke in a touchy manner.

"Do you really need to let me know?”

"Isn't it better to know?"”

"What's the point of knowing? I don't think it's a good story."

Zion giggled with laughter.

"You'd better know. There are a lot of people who are jealous if they win the top position for three years in a row.”

"As long as I'm good.”

Raymond tapped Zion and ignored him. I was too busy to care about students' jealousy. No one can take the top spot without studying. No one is trained without movement. Effort is something that anyone can do. So Raymond tried.

"I think I'm going to cry because I respect you."

"Xion, shut up."

"Yes."

But Sion held back for a while and then spoke again.

"But, sir."

"Xion, it's a duel. See you at lunch time tomorrow."

Raymond twirled his pen and glared at Zion. Zion was stunned by Raymond's gaze and continued to speak more.

"Wait a minute. Oh, wait a minute. There's a reason. Aren't you really going to the meeting hosted by the Marquis of Pancake again? People talk a lot about it."

The Marquis was one of the school's directors. And he was a supporter of many scholarship students. It's not so good to see Raymond, the head of the group, missing. But Raymond shook his head.

"This time Mr. Berdick called."

"…you got your nose pierced, you got your nose pierced. Your life is over."

Zion clicked his tongue. When Raymond frowned, Zion waved his finger.

"You know I grew up pretty thin, right? That's why I'm quick to sense things. I have to find a place to live and mix it. You have a hard-on-the-wall attitude in a useless place. Just ignore it.”

"I don't think it's your problem."

Xion snorted as if he felt guilty.

"Will you increase your debt if you go a day or two late? That's all you have to do. What if you catch a 80-year-old girl?"

"Is that your future hope?"

Even in Raymond's eyes, Zion opened his chest proudly.

"Don't trample on the dreams of being serious. I would rather catch a granny with a sexy wrinkle than live like you."

Sion, who expressed his ambition as a male python, returned to the original story, dismissing Raymond's gaze lightly.

"Why is Verdick's day called a meeting hosted by sponsors? Every time. I'm trying to stop you from finding a new line. I don't want to miss what I caught. Pure debtors don't behave like that. I'm trying to get more money."

"Xion."

"We have to find a way to live."

Zion looked at Raymond seriously.

Raymond tapped Zion on the head.

"What are you going to get for taking me?"

"Dormitory fees for next semester. But my opinion is not a lie. To be honest, you have to open your way in many places. Why do you keep your loyalty to the private lender when everyone else is doing that?”

Raymond found that he could not study any more. I knew you were attracting attention, but I didn't think you'd be interfered to this extent. Raymond stuffed the book into his bag.

"Are you going?"

"Yes, you're so loud that I'll go out and do it."

It wasn't very pleasant to be influenced by Zion's words. And Zion wasn't really very perceptive. What he says is a fact that even Raymond can guess.

Nevertheless.

"I guess I was just lazy.’

Hard to resist Berdick, because of his second son's position as a student, young and inexperienced.

There is a difference between vaguely guessing and considering, and being aware of the fact that it is different. The latter touches a person's pride more. That night Raymond ripped the train ticket to Berdick Evans' mansion. It was capricious and all-purpose.

"Congratulations. Your dormitory fee."

"Thank you, sir. Conquest looks great on you."

Raymond entered the hall where students in uniform stood. I can feel familiar eyes. Women in society rather than soldiers. There's no difference, actually.

"What did you say to Verdick Evans?"

"I did it on my own."

I was going to write to Berdick that he was feeling a little under the weather, but he just said nothing. Any excuse would be a lie, and Berdick seemed to notice it.

"Xion, you made it."

"Yeah, your cuties have succeeded."

Albert hit Zion on the shoulder and laughed. Then he reached out to Raymond.

"Was it you?"

"I love you so much, it was my effort. Well, it's better to come out than to be alone.”

"I'm constantly going out to student gatherings.”

"That doesn't mean anything...Marquis, this is my classmate Raymond Sayertes. He's been the head of the class for three years in a row, the third year in a row."

It was a sudden introduction, but Raymond turned back reflexively and reached out to the man standing.

Raymond Sayertes.

"I finally see your face. I didn't expect you to come. I'm finally seeing you this year, senior."

Albert sneaked in next to me and said.

"I persuaded him well because he was my friend."

Raymond faced the Marquis later, determined to deal with Albert, who wanted to reveal his abilities.

"It's an honor to meet you, Marquis. The Marquis was also a graduate.”

"Yeah, I spent my young, young, childish days here. I hope you're having a good time, too. Mr. Albert, let me think about your sociability."

"Thank you."

Albert bent back quickly.

"I don't think Verdick liked you coming here.”

The Marquis looked unbecoming to the title of director. The Marquis of Pancair also mentioned the reason why Raymond has not attended the meeting. The year after Verdick began sponsoring, the Marquis of Pancair took the board seat.

"I'm here in secret.

"You'll find out anyway.”

"Why would I live if I didn't make my choice?"

The Marquis laughed at the words.

"Yes, you have courage.”

Verdick was very displeased that the Marquis of Pancair had taken over as a board member. I didn't hide the idea from Raymond. Verdick sponsored quite a lot of money upon Raymond's admission. And they started to grow their arms businesses more and more.

But the land of the Marquis was located on the outskirts. He was the lord of the land where soldiers were most needed, and his land was a place where disputes often occurred. However, the land was so far away that he was a nobleman far from military schools close to the capital.

Then why did he take the board seat?

To get to the center. To expand one's power and make money.

Many students thought so, and so did Berdick. So he vented his anger.

"No matter how much I earn like a dog, when a great aristocrat starts to come forward, merchants like us will be swept away."

The Marquis of Pancair has begun to get involved in the weapons industry, where Berdyk has begun to make significant profits. It seemed that Berdyck was intolerably annoying. Naturally, his patronage, Raymond, like the Marquis of Pancair, fell into the military aristocracy.

"I'm sorry, but I'm still young, and I'm afraid I won't be able to have a pleasant conversation with the Marquis.”

"What are you so worried about when you're young?"

The Marquis grinned. Then he raised his hand and let the servant pass the glass. Raymond received a crystal glass. The Marquis poured wine into the cup.

"Do you think I'm having a hard time getting help from you when you're young?"

"No way."

The Marquis can't be helped by the baron's second son. Raymond laughed bitterly. That's why it's harder to guess why he called himself. The only reason that came to mind right now was Berdick Evans.

"It's because of Verdick Evans."