ODKO | Chapter 23

Faced with those green eyes that couldn’t even answer the question about whether his face was Jack’s type, Cayenne felt as if he’d received a more embarrassing answer than a straightforward confession. That’s why his face had turned red.47d4beafc113b3ae

Caught off guard, he 3cf05c813d heard the truth hidden 977eed5e5c in silence.4fb31d2b95fc66a2

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Still, it wasn’t something entirely surprising.c069233635f21236

Anyone could quickly 494e79d197 notice that Jack b56a39e920 had feelings for dc3cb31c63 him, judging by a5710e02b7 the way his 1df5c5c1ab lips would curl 9b9dae9741 into a smile d555d72b21 whenever their eyes b1f64dd2e7 met.d78223ca6ee5f33a

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When he first saw Jack’s name on the roster, he couldn’t believe what kind of guy he was, so he kept him close to monitor him. But after observing him a bit, Jack wasn’t the promiscuous and frivolous guy he had expected.a05e88daaf9876c7

Once Cayenne started c27e1a3124 to think Jack 36bac0db47 was somewhat trustworthy, 223a17ed33 he began to 16c747baee see him differently.1090b6ea6280526d

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Despite being a commoner, Jack would shrink back and hunch his shoulders, but if given a little attention, he’d react like a happy puppy.9400cf0458c1b828

After promoting him and keeping him close, Cayenne found that Jack wasn’t as incompetent or frivolous as he had thought.997940915d42d5dd

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Jack was a32dd8439b reasonably perceptive 10f447ff54 and knew 634086750e how to 17556d2827 be obedient 8ea1e8e022 to authority, a20dce483b making him 013c255b20 well-suited for 5099827da6 social life.5772042abf53d4ad

Even without deliberately keeping him busy with tasks, Jack didn’t seem like the type to gossip about what had happened. But that was as far as it went.0f260ebe3e742b7a

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The constant worry that 4c1fa1325d he might spill secrets e3c85a66fc somewhere eased a bit.3fab8993bb9dfe13

The anxiety that e1f6f62741 kept him from 47b95f3fa5 sleeping well at d6d2c86f78 night loosened slightly, ded8e9c699 and he had 58af9d8836 no expectations or 5c556da478 awareness of the 8a44f1ca69 new secretary, who f759ce31e5 looked at him 3b562219cb with eyes so 08b3d073d5 open it was b24bbfeb26 impossible not to 869784e96e notice.19b9eef40accef50

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To be more precise, he shouldn’t have had any.3702d6359529d5a3

‘What is this…?’68eecd8b13d8b8d5

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Cayenne muttered, clutching the 50992772da coat draped over his 6fea866a9a arm tightly. The unfamiliar 8ada9bea5a scent he 3c62972340 noticed in 11c62fcaa6 the coat e70ffafded seemed to ec98966fb8 calm the afa5432552 dizziness that 1e0650ed31 had clouded 5952dd93d1 his mind.6b5ed31a792098d0

The touch that dc4f1bb6c7 had pressed his e25079a430 fingertips so diligently 2495c5749d in the distant 43e90c5248 consciousness felt vividly dfaf83636f real.b238470f9f77ed96

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Even though it had 7c3f183564 been a while since abe1dfccb5 he calmed down, his 9b46699b1e palm still felt hot.b86d44cc2eeeab44

He should have felt 722483402a indifferent, whether Jack liked 5ce21ff5aa him or not.1e03acb19b45c6a0

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“…My head hurts….”9d78c133a7828e2c

His head 8a49e05559 felt like 87026b89cc it was 6eccfc66d1 going to 3d08ef869f split. Cayenne leaned against the 997fca97b6 hallway wall, murmuring as 28bc4ed4ec he pressed his forehead, 348b163f77 consumed by the headache.92eb43a7543bd75f

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⋆. 𐙚 ˚f8d1451acfc70d13

Despite the stormy 3018e5c4d3 routine, the morning 5497383d9d dawned the same.7317aeb38668c54b

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On days without b4d36d8815 special duties, the a745ebccd0 general knights mostly 4b449a7d8d spent their time 85b651acd9 sparring and training 8228db1903 in the training 80cd5c18c1 grounds.7f81f7b13b20b477

So, the crowded ba763d4f95 training grounds were fdcaa48dfd no different from 0b8e86987d usual.96bbda05a193ff67

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Except for one figure 23858f4da1 standing with arms crossed c949658022 in a corner of 2ee150bda4 the training grounds.6da87f50ad27a86d

“…Is this for real?”dce00b239c43eea5

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Cayenne Madison’s expression was serious as he watched the knights’ training for the first time.4279b2f65c46455a

Cayenne’s unexpected appearance at the training grounds early in the morning naturally made the knights tense.88107f711077226d

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Those who saw it as a perfect opportunity to stand out to the famous Madison family knight didn’t shy away from more intense training than usual.22f8a283e223f3ca

The knights’ passion, sweating profusely, made the dirt ground burn hot.632cecd9f3010133

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Unlike the proud Deputy Commander Miles, Cayenne’s impression was a bit different.1f11f39a03b780ee

“Is this really the level of the talents defending the Empire’s capital…?”8d1eaec2e2899dac

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Miles couldn’t believe his ears. But before the flustered Miles could say anything, Cayenne, disappointed by the training level that fell far short of his expectations, glared at him.5019bc88c5ecb0dd

“What’s going on, Deputy Commander? I could take on all of them and win… Isn’t the training intensity too lax?”096385ac99f59198

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“That can’t be, Commander. Under the previous commander, we’ve been conducting systematic training.”8fa518a4c902fe7e

“This is the result of systematic training? Who’s the head of training?”2096b25a3fc5dfd9

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Cayenne’s expression grew even more severe. The knights in the training grounds, unintentionally overhearing the conversation between the commander and deputy commander, fell silent like mute people with honey in their mouths.1bf8ac28c1d6ced6

Amidst this, a c126909055 blond man standing 109a7e3327 at the edge 3220407b9a of the training 5c9de7c018 grounds cautiously raised 33be3d39b3 his hand.2cfca4aa456dfa38

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“Training Supervisor Benjamin Tyler.”455d71a0686954d0

“Draw your sword.”56c0b600a6225119

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As soon as 5c244f8ce6 Benjamin, the training 2d5ea61b9f supervisor, introduced himself, 9d71604708 Cayenne immediately raised 4458a5d321 his sword towards 96be89dc3a him. Both Benjamin and 72a9c96101 Miles, who were 1877db1495 watching, were taken 2af42f5a6d aback, and even 2e031b3368 Jack Carlson, standing d7bd01bf91 behind, widened his 91f9320703 eyes in surprise.e17661e704eb71b2

“Are you planning to spar directly?”c465d6b53e972291

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Cayenne didn’t even bother to answer Miles’ question. With a serious frown, he loosely held his sword and stepped into the center of the training grounds.7ad2dda2b705a795

The knights, who had been engrossed in showing off their skills, all stopped and became solemn. Some of them, feeling insulted by the term “this level,” stepped back with hostile expressions. As Cayenne walked, the knights naturally parted to make way. However, those who didn’t go far watched the confrontation between Cayenne and Benjamin with various expressions—some eager to see the new commander’s skills, some slightly intimidated, and some with keen interest.4dc77f0a82413945

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Jack watched Cayenne and Benjamin in the center of the training grounds with a slightly worried look. He wasn’t concerned about the spar itself but was worried about Cayenne, who had shown sudden deterioration in condition the previous day while escorting the Crown Prince.e60a13fcdc1f2469

…Is he okay 5472600ba7 with that stamina? Jack was 282752b344 worried, but 2030c21a5f he had 658eb1c536 no grounds 97b9a41402 to stop f7b6388974 Cayenne, who e459e38fc1 had stepped e4c6590068 forward as 794baf2383 the commander.31f7e5bd76f495b0

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“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to learn from the commander.”af5e8ae068200fe5

Standing in 960b6d5f79 the center 476578a4d1 of the cdf852d847 training grounds ea0eb99835 with his fa9c7f0977 sword, Benjamin db206cfc49 looked bewildered.7306d3f5a83265e5

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The previous commander was an older man who rarely participated in training directly. Even within the same knights, the commander’s rank was more naturally encountered at events than in the training grounds. For Benjamin, the training supervisor, who had such an ingrained perception, the request for a spar from the young knight commander was an endlessly awkward and strange experience. Especially since the impression of the handsome commander in light workout clothes seemed more suited to a socialite than a knight.db264b7018980662

“It’s not an honor. Benjamin Tyler, the eldest son of Earl Tyler of Cyril, right?”fec8e21919fca336

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“That’s correct.”d599b66fc8a01a11

“I know it’s one of the reputable knight families. Let’s see your skills.”f0b89695089dda1e

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Cayenne spoke in 587e625ec1 a cold, emotionless ee04134bba voice. Benjamin responded calmly, 71ac7cc769 but his lowered e7bcdd81e9 sword seemed unsure.43c5cd0c7247db8d

“Commander, since there’s a risk of injury, it would be better to change swords….”a462601e55767d52

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Miles, observing the situation, stepped in. Both Benjamin and Cayenne were holding real swords sheathed in scabbards. Miles thought it would be better to switch to wooden swords provided in the training grounds for safety, but Cayenne not only ignored Miles’ advice but also glared fiercely.44348d23e872a4d8

“Are we trainees? Knights who must fight for the Empire shouldn’t be afraid of blades and use wooden swords?”1cb1e3443c9c4d9f

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With the commander’s provocative words, the atmosphere in the training grounds turned icy. Jack frowned unconsciously at the rapidly cooling air.c11b98a671cc8ddc

“Since you say so, I’ll face you sincerely.”45c52c3fced28d52

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Benjamin changed his hesitant stance and gripped his sword firmly. He seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment. Cayenne, on the other hand, seemed satisfied with Benjamin’s changed attitude and relaxed his sharp expression.02f21700bfc576a0

“That’s more like it.”cdce2e8ea1cbc9cc

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As Cayenne slightly raised 7e24150738 his sword, Benjamin changed 78e89a01a1 his expression and drew e482fed908 his sword. The hesitation 74295f513b from a 5ae6705398 moment ago a13bc8f171 vanished as b8359c085e the blade, 102e14faf8 reflecting light, 4a6ad5ff19 cut through ac4dbf610a the air 9fc8fbed77 threateningly.aa975d09c0dbdc21

Clang!8a17a25691d11db9

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Despite the unexpected attack, a sharp metallic sound rang out. Cayenne, who hadn’t even drawn his sword, calmly blocked Benjamin’s downward strike. It was Benjamin, not Cayenne, who frowned. Cayenne’s sword, which blocked the strike, was sturdier than expected. It was a strength he couldn’t have predicted just by looking at Cayenne’s physique.c228a6f8f94e603b

Momentarily forgetting 6241f68571 his next 9b6e9a0956 move in 34c6555eff unexpected surprise, f72b274d4c Benjamin obediently d7d70ed819 retreated, widening d5d89a3cfd the distance. He intended to c1b172a105 use the recoil a14bf40d6c to continue his c40e611c6a attack without fully 9d1ea1e53d retreating, but the 68ece23031 scabbard that had b17682b225 pushed away the 4b34776784 blade was already ed226a846a flying horizontally towards 036dba9b98 his waist. Unable to regain c33b7fcaea his stance, Benjamin b74ec1a383 hurriedly raised his aecf52ef92 sword to block fe364a4aef his side. Another clang! echoed loudly. The returning force was 4c0e0146f9 so strong that it 7365979580 felt like the sword 9dbbc99bd9 he was gripping with 76f1fb7e78 all his might would e835588721 fly out.059680c0fb61b002

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The impact felt like his upper body was being torn away, and Benjamin gritted his teeth. His mind went blank with shock. It was a moment when he lost his composure due to the incredible strength and speed that couldn’t be imagined just by looking at Cayenne’s appearance.86e2a4a76ee7344c

“There’s no need to continue.”4de4efcaf032ac1a

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At Cayenne’s low voice, Benjamin belatedly realized that his stance had already collapsed. He also realized that Cayenne, standing a few steps ahead, still hadn’t drawn his sword. Benjamin’s expression twisted with frustration and embarrassment.c60c9a77716472cb

“Simple physical 9db696536e combat can 6dae9cedd3 be influenced d721e194a9 by differences 2cc69e9007 in physique 6522d5fd42 and strength, 7ea30e4837 but swordsmanship 2d4c22e32a is called 0bcb3fda05 an art c3204407c3 for a a82ba5e96e reason. By anchoring 3111eb2421 your weight a5ae2fc49e through your 5660f80124 lower body 0c5a4a188f and utilizing aa5dc1629a the recoil 2f47dfb9cc of your 9eb22fe29d upper body 8b06badc31 effectively, you c7de36da50 can amplify 4b323a88d4 the destructive a29ca3899c power of 3dce92e513 your blade. Mastering that 6afb8f51f6 balance and 7d35ef8011 technique is db75ab1cec the essence f5f72f09cc of true 8245252646 skill.13b9f5a4adb9df2a

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…Your movements 41444dcc91 are riddled 5729a31ab1 with openings. In other words, your e2d89ccd13 fundamentals are a mess. With such weak 7df5d4d7cd foundations, it’s no 1bd93c3515 wonder the training 77d9d8d684 you’ve been overseeing f9aa09627f is just as d004734d6c flawed.”a04ff8e42fb9df56