The Courtesan

Chapter 84

ELAYNE

“This letter seems to be authentic… the identity document checks out…”

“Does that mean I’m recruited?”

“No, but you certainly are forward.”

His disgust was disguised but it definitely hit me.

“Can you tell me why?”

“The church is facing a crisis nowadays and we need people more… capable.”

“So, you’re saying you don’t find me capable just because of the way I look?”

“Yes.”

At least he was being honest.

“What if I proved my capability?”

“Fine. If you can manage to beat me, then I’ll consider your application.”

Now, the man that accessed my application was a tall man that rumped my height several times over. He had a bigger build too and with the looks of his hands, has been handling the sword longer than I have. Even with how skilled I have become, there was no way I was beating him. Still, I didn’t want to back down.

We got up and were ushered to a courtyard. He picked up a real sword instead of a wooden one and pointed the sword at my hip.

“Let’s have a real fight. If you can prove to me that you’re a man, then I’ll recruit you into the knightage.”

“... You really don’t look like you’re going through a crisis.”

“There’s no time for petty talk on the battlefield. Let’s fight.”

Shaking my head, I raised my sword. I lowered my center of gravity and attacked first. He easily dodged my first attack but I wasn’t deterred. While training me, Lion pointed out that my height and size could be the biggest advantage when I fought. So, I went from the lower ground, looking for weaknesses opponents often forgot to guard against.

He was on defense all through, swinging lazily. His guard was done and he looked confident. We had been exchanging blows for about five minutes and it looked like he was already getting bored.

No, not yet. It’s not time yet.

He had no idea that I was heralding him with my sword. I just had to put the last few steps in place.

“I thought men always took fights seriously. From this point of view, it is you who isn’t a real man.”

“I was taking pity on you so I wouldn’t break the hands you would have to use for farming later.”

“Please, I wouldn’t even know what a hoe was if I saw one. You are free to go ahead and attack me.”

“Don’t regret this.”

His first strike was heavy but nothing compared to Kalvin’s or Lion’s. He continued striking with increasing force, pushing me back. Before the fight started, I had accessed the field for anything I could use to distract him and soon found it. Steering him around, I arranged them with my foot, forming the perfect trap.

“You know what… I should be saying that to you.”

Then I activated my trap. It was like I attacked him with overwhelming force when the trap came into effect. He lost his bearing and eventually, his weapon and his footing. I made sure to point my sword in the middle of his eyes so he couldn’t escape.

“Is this manly enough for you?”

“... Just because you beat me once, doesn't mean you can be cheeky!”

“I think you’re not realizing that I have your life in my hands and can take it away at any moment.”

“... You wouldn’t dare!”

“It sounds very tempting to me now.”

“Why are you standing there looking at him?! Arrest him immediately. For trying to kill me, he should be burnt at stake!”

The guards picked up their weapons and pointed it at me.

“I wouldn’t move another step if I were you. The identity document I dropped shows that I am a close aide of the Crown Prince. The church is already in a bad position with the royal court. If you hurt someone affiliated with the royal court, then I imagine the church would be in a much more difficult position. If that happens, how are you going to tell the Saintess? How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

They hesitated for a moment and all stepped back. I smiled at the man held captive by my sword.

“Is my recruitment offer still on the table?”

An hour later, I was out of the cathedral’s premises. He leaned against a wall, waiting for me.

“How did it go?”

“It was a waste of time. I even cut my hair for this.”

“I already advised you not to do it.”

“I was just trying to help. I thought I would be able to sharpen my skills being a knight.”

“I already offered to train you when you were ready. You’re being too greedy, my dearest.”

“Shut up. What are you even doing here?”

“I was waiting for you. After seeing you yesterday, my yearning for you increased. I couldn’t wait to lay eyes upon you again.”

“You do realize that I look like a man right now?”

“In my eyes, your radiance stays the same.”

“... How am I going to tell the royal court that the Crown Prince has lost his mind?”

“You can tell them I am crazy for the one I love. There should be no objections there.”

“You’re insane. But now that you’re here, follow me.”

“Ooh, where are we going?”

“Somewhere important.”

I led him down the city to a wide alleyway. On the sides of the walls, there is a wooden door. I knock on the door four times and we wait. The door finally opened after a while and a middle aged man with a stern face came out of it.

“What do you want?”

“I’m offended you would forget my face, Mr. Silva. I have come back here to discuss my offer with you.”

“Piss off lad. Despite our hatred of the church, we don’t want any trouble.”

“You don’t want revenge for your wife and children burnt at stake?”

“What are you going to do about it?! You can’t fight the church and the vermins inside! You can’t help us!”

“You’re right, I can’t. But he can. Say hello to his highness, Prince Kalvin.”

“Oi, Ariana, what are you doing?!” He whispered harshly.

“And so what if he’s the crown prince?! What’s the difference between them?!”

“I guess you haven’t heard. His highness went against the church and imprisoned the pope. Soon, the church would be held accountable and pay for their crimes. Their retribution will come. All we need is a little help from the people. So, my offer still stands. I want as many of you to spread your hatred for the church and weaken them. If you do that, then we can handle the rest. Do we have a deal?”