Themis, The Flower of Justice
Chapter 15 — Sword and Magic
3 Years Later, 27 Cancer Year 1344 Helios Calendar
[Our Mother Luminous Kingdom of Medeia]
[Queen's Residence Selena Argaient]
In a hallway of Queen Selena's palace, a group was seen marching towards the palace's exit. In the front row of the group, there was a little girl who seemed to be leading the group.
The little girl leading the party had two knights in full armor escorting her, as well as several people in servant clothes walking with the three of them.
The little girl who led the party was Luminas Von Medeia, a daughter of the owner of this residence, and also a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Medeia.
Luminas, who was leading the party, seemed to rush out of the palace and head to the training ground of the knights.
“Mr Princess, why did you come to this training ground? Isn't this your first day for art class?”
A knight who had bright brown hair asked Luminas a question.
“Javis, I'm just here to see someone for a minute,”
Luminas replies to a question from a bright brown-haired man called Javis.
“Understanding..”.
Javis who understood who Luminas was going to meet politely answered him.
After walking for a while, Luminas finally arrived at a door on which there was the inscription ‘Tokan’, which shows what place behind the door.
When Luminas opened the door, there was a scene that showed how the training ground of the knights in this residence was.
The training ground was in an open space, precisely in the middle of the palace building. The training ground had a passageway that surrounded it, from the entrance of the training ground, to the exit that was opposite the training ground.
Luminas walked up to the group of people who were practicing swinging his sword.
When the Luminas approached, they immediately realized the existence of the Luminas from a distance and immediately stopped their training.
“Glory for princess!!”
They all bowed deeply and let out loud sounds simultaneously.
“Thank you, just continue your practice,”
“WELL!! PRINCESS,”
They answered him firmly and unison.
After saying that, they immediately dispersed and returned to the training position they had occupied before. Luminas, who saw this, admired him.
Looking at their movements in unison and harmony, proves how long they have been training together. Luminas admire their persistence and perseverance in practicing. Regardless of anything, whether it was summer or winter, they never stopped training.
After finishing with the residents of the training ground, Luminas immediately continued his goal opposite the training ground, more precisely in a corner near the exit of the training ground.
There was an 11-year-old girl holding a wooden sword in her hand, and a man with messy black hair who looked like he was training the girl.
The girl holding the wooden training sword was Dorothy, she seemed excited in swinging her wooden sword.
Dorothy, who saw Luminas approaching her, immediately stopped her training and ran towards Luminas.
“Mr daughter!!!”
Dorothy threw the wooden sword out of nowhere and quickly ran over to Luminas.
Luminas saw the appearance of Dorothy approaching him quickly, at a glance Luminas felt a goosebump entering his body.
The problem for Luminas was Dorothy's performance after training. Her sweaty body, her face filled with dust, as well as Dorothy's disheveled red hair made Luminas feel a little uncomfortable.
Luminas seemed to feel a little afraid of seeing Dorothy with a disheveled appearance and ferocious look hurriedly approaching her, like seeing a hungry monster wanting to eat her.
*BUGS
“Aduh!”
A violent punch landed on the back of Dorothy's head, she instantly fell to the ground.
“I told you not to behave like that in front of your majesty, and again... Didn't I teach you not to suddenly leave training and throw your weapon carelessly?!”
It was the knight with the black disheveled hair who hit the back of Dorothy's head, he scolded her because the weapon Dorothy threw recklessly fell on her head. Also, Dorothy had never listened to his advice despite being repeatedly reminded.
“Aduh-duh-duh-s. Mr Scott, shouldn't you understand? As a devotee of the Princess, of course after seeing her I have to greet her! Know You? Of the many devotees of the princess, I am the number two devotee of Princess Luminas, me,”
Dorothy giggled and crossed her arms, as if she was bragging about what she was saying.
‘Measure myself? Number two? Whatdoes thatmean? If Dorothy is number two, then who is number one?’
Hearing Dorothy's statement, Luminas became curious.
“Pemuja Tuan Putri? Number two? If you are number two, then who is number one?”
As if reading his thoughts, the black-haired man said the exact same thing that Luminas was thinking.
Luminas who agreed nodded with a series of questions from the black-haired man.
“Isn't that clear? If I was her second number, then her number one would be Her Majesty Queen Selena—!”
Before Dorothy finished her sentence, the back of her head was hit again violently, causing it to fall to the ground once more.
‘Ah..’
Luminas who listened to this, immediately imagined the face of his mother who always screamed and hugged him when every time they met. Her mother's voice called her ‘Lumi!!’ it was turned back inside his head.
“Uhuk! Glory to the Princess, forgive the impoliteness of the servant who just gave you greetings,”
A man called Scott looked down and apologized very politely.
“It's okay, Captain Scott. It seems you have taught Dorothy well,”
“An honor is praised by you, but I only carry out my obligations as a knight obeying the orders of his master, which is to train the girl,”
“Haha, then, how has Dorothy progressed so far?”
Luminas asked with a bright smile.
“.... “
Hearing Luminas question, Captain Scott fell silent. It was as if something was holding him back from saying that to Luminas.
“Captain Scott? Why just shut up? Tell me, what has Dorothy been up to?”
Luminas urges Scott to answer his question.
“Mr princess, actually.... Dorothy is not fit to be a knight,”
“!!!!”
The shocked Luminas opened his eyes wide.
“What? What do you mean?”
“As I said, he is not suitable to be a knight,”
Captain Scott answered Luminas with a straight and reassuring look.
Seeing that confident look, Luminas' heart became worried and afraid that what he said next would hurt Dorothy's feelings.
“Captain Scott, what caused him to be unsuitable? Is it because his talent as a knight is lacking?”
“No, not that. To be honest, even though I was reluctant to admit it, but the talent Dorothy had in battle was very high. He was even able to learn quickly and defeat a real knight at his young age,”
“Fuhh, if his talent is high, why is he not suitable to be a knight?”
Luminas who listened to this breathed a sigh of relief.
“As it is known, the reckless nature possessed by Dorothy causes herself to become a royal knight,”
“Ahh, so so... Can't it be changed?”
“Of course you can, but it will probably change his personality, and it won't be like this anymore,”
“....”
Luminas who heard this became worried.
In a way, he wanted Dorothy to remain like this, with her ridiculous nature going to be a suitable companion for Luminas. However, he also respected his desire to become stronger in order to become a knight who could protect him.
“K-then, I want to..”.
Luminas said something with a soft voice.
“Sorry to cut your word, Princess. I did say that Dorothy is not suitable to be a knight, but she is more suitable to be a personal knight who only protects you,”
“You learn that Dorothy wants to become stronger solely to protect the princess. Unlike a knight who had to obey the orders of the kingdom, a personal knight only had to obey the orders of the people he served. Isn't that also in line and matches Dorothy's personality?”
Scott who finished his sentence looked straight at Luminas and firmly, as if he was serious about what Dorothy would do in the future.
“If so, then let him train hard in order to become my guardian knight. Can you execute this command?”
“Yes!!! Knight Captain Scott carrying out orders!”
Scott knelt on one leg and declared it loudly.
“Good, then.”.
Luminas approached Dorothy who was unconscious and fell on the ground. Luminas can see two large protruding bumps on the back of his head.
“Dorothy, wake up,”
Luminas simply patted Dorothy on the shoulder and spoke right beside her ear.
In an instant, Dorothy immediately opened her eyes and rose up in an instant as if she was okay.
“Dorothy answered a call from the Princess!!”
Dorothy gave off a strange pose.
Luminas who saw the strange and familiar pose performed by Dorothy, Luminas decided to ignore it. Then he asked Scott to get him a wooden sword that had been swung, eh Dorothy.
“Captain Scott, please give me the sword,”
“Good, Princess,”
Scott handed politely the sword he had been holding since.
When Luminas was about to raise the sword handed to him, suddenly—
*bom!
A heavy object falling to the ground sounded. It was the sound of a wooden sword held by Luminas.
The wooden sword slipped out of Luminas' hand and fell to the ground due to its heavy weight.
‘What is this? Isn't this the sword Dorothy used? Why is it so heavy?’
“AH! Princess, please forgive my mistake! I forgot that Dorothy usually wears a heavy training sword!”
Admitting his mistake Scott immediately knelt down and asked for forgiveness.
“What? Did Dorothy always wear this wooden sword?”
“Ya, your honor,”
“Is it.... Wearing this sword since the first time he practiced the sword?”
“It was also true... Your honor,”
“Trustful,”
Luminas could not stop his shock coming at him. He felt that what Dorothy was doing was amazing. Lifting a very heavy sword at a very young age? That's an awesome thing to hear.
“Yes, I find it also unbelievable, his determination is incredible, even though I see it with my own eyes. Since the first time I trained him, he has not been able to grasp the heavy sword properly. I asked him to replace a sword suitable for his physique, however.”.
“However?”
“He turned it down raw. He said, that I do not need to replace a sword that matches his physique, but he needs to match his physique with the sword he uses. If this alone can not, then he will not be able to become stronger and protect you,”
Luminas could not believe what he had just heard. Even though he knew Dorothy and heard her in person, it was truly incredible.
‘He was even willing to train desperately and surpass his limits, just for me.’.
Seeing Dorothy's loyalty to him, Luminas became confused. What exactly did he do that Dorothy showed such loyalty? The question kept turning in his head.
However, when Luminas thought about it, he was even more grateful that Dorothy was his friend. A friend who is willing to do his best to help his friend, he is very grateful to have it.
“Captain Scott, please bring me a sword that suits me... Dorothy take the sword,”
“Good noble one!”
Scott immediately followed his orders.
“Mr Princess, what exactly do you want to do? Why did you ask for a wooden sword?”
Javis who had been standing quietly beside her finally opened her mouth and was about to say something. However, before Javis spoke Luminas instantly cut him off.
“Captain Javis, I'll just practice the sword a little,”
“... Whahuh? Sorry Princess, but aren't you a witch? Why are you training your sword?”
Javis becomes confused to hear Luminas saying that he wants to learn swords when he has been practicing his magic.
“A witch does not mean you always have to fight from a distance. There are times when we meet a great opponent in close combat, we have to put everything in place to be able to win from him. With trained reflexes and speed, will hone his fighting senses,”
“Your words are indeed true, but soon your classes will begin! You don't have enough time to practice swords,”
“How long until my class starts?,”
Javis pulled a clock out of his pocket.
“About thirty minutes left,”
“Thirty minutes yes, I think enough,”
Luminas went away from Javis while stretching.
“Then, let's teach me sword,”
Luminas, who turned her back to Javis, turned her head back and glanced at him.
“If that is indeed your wish, good princess,”
Javis can only resign himself to the decision of Luminas, because the duty of a knight is to carry out the orders of his master.
“Good!”
Luminas who heard Javis' approval smiled.
“Mr Princess, will you really practice swords?”
“Ya!”
Luminas answered him in a pretty excited tone.
“Haven't you all this time just learned magic?”
“Ckck, Dorothy. You underestimate the master you serve, just look at it later,”
Luminas displayed expressions with confidence.
Before long Scott who was ordered to bring a sword suitable for Luminas, he carried many swords at once in his arms. Perhaps it was because he did not know the criteria of a sword suitable for Luminas, so he brought all the available swords.
“hah... I brought her the sword, princess,”
Scott's breathing sounded harsh, probably because he was carrying all these swords while running as fast as he could.
“Thank you for your hard work,”
Luminas smiled brightly at Scott.
Scott who saw the smile and sweet words of Luminas, his physical fatigue just disappeared. It was as if the rough breath he had let out was a lie.
After thanking Scott, Luminas walked slowly towards the pile of swords that Scott had brought.
Luminas looked at the swords intently, and sometimes several times he took them to test the weight of the sword.
A while later, Luminas had finally decided what sword to use by him.
Luminas took out a long and quite thin wooden sword, it did not seem too heavy when compared to the sword used by Dorothy.
He weighed the sword by swinging it several times in the air. Not too light and not too heavy, it was a sword worn by Luminas. The sword seemed to be made only for the craftsmen's obsession with balance.
‘Comfortable sword, it suits me’
Luminas swung his sword once, then continued by swinging it faster three times. Then he shifted his legs forward and swung his sword forcefully as if he was slashing at something.
“Then, we just start the sword practice,”
.
.