Outside Alice's tent, there are three tents somewhat smaller than Alice's arranged in a triangular position around her tent. Further away, about a hundred or so even simpler and smaller tents arranged in concentric circles centered around Alice's and the three tents. And in the outermost layer of the camp lies a circular wooden fence, whose purpose seems to be more of marking the edge of the barrier for the mages than to defend against anything.
To be honest, the camp looks pretty good, at least much better than the town. The wastes are disposed of in a very specific hole near the fence, which is covered by a barrier of its own. This prevents the camp from smelling like a waste disposal ground.
The cooking area and blacksmithing area are covered with their own barriers. This also helps prevent living in the camp from becoming a living nightmare. The reason for why it will become a living nightmare if not covered is that the major barrier that covered the entire camp allowed air to pass through but not smell or anything else. This should be in place to prevent enemies from poisoning the entire camp from outside through the air and for stealth.
Because our masks are on, we don't actually know what the camp smells like, but judging from how it looks, the smell should not be unbearable.
The temperature inside is also regulated, but normally, it should not be this well-regulated. After all, normal people on the military campaign will not waste so much magic power on something that can be done via non-magic means, right? Shiro thinks that the reason why it is so well-regulated is that Alice is in the camp; Alice is a princess after all.
Looking around the camp, nothing attracts Shiro's interests, but this isn't the case for Kuro. Kuro is quite interested in humans' weapons and fighting techniques. Indeed, compared to dragons' combat style, which mainly focuses on utilizing our complete dragon forms, we who cannot transform are more suitable for humans' combat style.
Shiro is also very interested in humans' magic, which focuses on utilization efficiency of magic power, whereas the draconic arts focus on maximizing the output regardless of the consumption. It's not to say she is more suitable for humans' magic; after all, humans' magic also relies heavily on resonating with the free magic power. She just wants to learn it to develop magic that is suitable for her and Kuro.
Upon seeing Kay training in an open space with his helmet removed, Kuro pulls Shiro's hand to get closer to watch him train. Soon, we arrive about 10 meters away from Kay. There are already five people watching him training; there is plenty of space for us to stand.
Kuro stares unblinking at Kay's movement. Her vertical-slit pupils change to round to better detect Kay's movement. She also squeezes Shiro's hand, signaling that she needs processing power support.
Shiro transfers most of her processing power to Kuro without hesitation. She currently doesn't need to analyze anything anyway, so why not give it to Kuro?
Kay's swordsmanship is graceful and even more fluid than Alice's. Each of his moves connects seamlessly to his previous ones. He freely displays his sword techniques to anyone who watches him without hiding his moves. He even intentionally slows down his movement so that the soldiers who are watching him can see clearly.
Despite this, Kay is very focused on training, so focused that he doesn't notice us.
"Soldiers, heed my words: the field of combat demands mastery, not fury." Kay calmly sheaths his sword. "In your next encounter, ensure that your fury does not obscure your mind, for it will render your weapon dull."
All the soldiers bow their heads and shoulders to express their gratitude. "We shall not forget your lesson, Sir Kay." One of the soldiers says. He should be the leader of this group of soldiers.
"You are welcome. Now, go and hone your craft." Kay replies.
All the soldiers bow once again before departure. Presumably, they are going to the training ground or something along those lines.
Kay turns toward us. "What purpose brings you both here? Do you not sense the danger that surrounds you?" He asks with a neutral face; there is an almost imperceptible hint of concern in his voice. "You must keep close by Her Highness's side. It is perilous to stray so carelessly from her protection."
What is he talking about? What danger might we face? Most of Shiro's processing power is used by Kuro; she can't analyze much at this moment.
"Kay, show us your swordsmanship." Kuro suddenly says in her usual tone. Her pupils had already turned back into vertical-slit pupils the moment Kay sheathed his sword.
Kay freezes for a moment. "Little one, a noble and a knight are to be called by their title. Though you have Her Highness's protection, carelessness with your tongue might still invite trouble. 'Sir Kay' is what you will call me."
Kuro nods. "Mmm. Kay, show us your swordsmanship." She repeats herself again. Her way of addressing him remains unchanged, though.
"No, girl. We shall not speak of such until you have done so properly. Now, let us return to Her Highness's side." Kay speaks. He seems to be quite determined on this.
"Alright. Let's go back to Alice first." Kuro agrees after seeing that she can't convince Kay. She also transfers back Shiro's processing power, though she still operates her brain at its full capacity. Then, we start walking back to Alice's tent.
"Her Highness." Kay corrects Kuro. His effort is in vain, though.
After a short walk, we are back at Alice's tent. Kay's walking speed seems to be faster than usual. Maybe he could guess that we may rush in directly, so he walks a little faster to arrive before us?
"Your Highness, the young ones are returned to your safekeeping." Kay says in front of the tent's entrance.
"Thank you, Sir Kay. You are welcome to enter." Alice's voice sounds from inside the tent.
After Alice's voice ends, Kay directly pushes open the tent flaps, creating enough space for us to go inside. Then, he bows deeply to Alice.
"Alice, we are back." Shiro says as we enter the tent.
Alice merely nods and says to Kay. "Rise, Sir Kay. Thank you for bringing them back."
"It is my honor." Kay pauses for a moment. "Your Highness, with all due respect, I fear it is unwise to let these two little ones stray. Their unique nature makes the world a perilous place for them."
"Sir Kay, they are but within the camp. Surely, with your watch, no harm could befall them."
"Your Highness, the danger is not only what waits beyond the camp. It is also the men within. With the children so resembling our enemies, a moment's error could lead to grave sin."
"I thank you for your concern, Sir Kay. Your worries are heard. You have my word that they shall not stray from my sight."
"Your Highness, your vigilance is a comfort to us all. I am well pleased that they will be safe under your gaze." Kay's face shows an almost imperceptible sign of relief. "Your Highness, please allow me to speak plainly. I fear their manner of speech might offend the nobles in the court. An offended noble does not forget, and even your protection may not be proof against the long reach of their enmity."
"You are right, Sir Kay. Your insight into the people's hearts is unmatched by me. I will make sure to attend to their manners. But do not forget, Sir Kay, for I am not only an heir to the throne but also a court wizard. You should know very well how powerful I am. Even if my power alone cannot reassure you, I am not the only one sheltering them, am I, Sir Kay? You are the future duke of Hereweard and a future constable. Will your influences not be enough to shield them from any harm I may overlook?" She seems very confident. Are Alice and Kay so powerful? But that's a lot of fancy titles. What do they even mean anyway? Shiro will have to ask Alice later.
"Your Highness, your vision is as clear as it is formidable. With your and my family's strength. No one shall be able to harm them." Kay responds, seemingly convinced. Wow! They are so determined to protect us.
"Your wisdom is noted, Sir Kay. Your family's strength is a comfort. The children will be safe. I trust your judgment on this matter."
"It is my honor, Your Highness. It is almost suppertime now; I shall take my leave so as not to disturb you." Kay bows deeply to Alice, takes a few steps back, and turns to leave the tent.
After Kay leaves, Alice immediately slumps back into a relaxed sitting posture again. "It's all Kay's fault that I unconsciously enter that annoyingly rigid formality state again!" Why is Alice getting more and more unreliable as we know her? Where did your reliable and gentle elder sister image go?
"Anyway, Shiro, Kuro, you hear that, right? Don't worry too much; we will protect you two." We are not worried, and we don't need your protection either; our strength isn't any weaker than yours, alright! When the time comes, it isn't certain who will protect whom. Why are you two so insistent that we need protection anyway? Although it is true that we are not strong by the standard of dragons of our age, by the standard of this world, we are already at the apex, alright!
"We know! We are not worried at all! We are very, very strong!" Shiro replies. Rather than you protecting us, it is more like you are shielding those who may upset us and receive a one-way compulsory ticket to the "Underworld" from us by stopping them before they can offend us.
"I know. Shiro and Kuro are very strong." Alice says in an encouraging tone. She clearly doesn't believe us! But that is understandable; she seems to view us as some experimental subjects of some cults or some children tricked by the cult into undergoing 'metamorphosis ceremony.' With her limited perspective, it isn't strange for her to think this way.
Forget it. We are not trying to correct her anymore. Besides, things indeed are more interesting this way. We also have to learn her language soon before Alice notices something off; using dragon language isn't a permanent solution. Right now, we are merely utilizing her cognitive inertia to make her not realize we speak a language completely unknown to her.
"Alice, What do 'nobles,' 'court wizard,' 'duke of Hereweard,' and 'constable' mean?" Shiro asks.
After Alice hears Shiro's question, she seems stunned for a few moments and then contemplates deeply. She seems to struggle to define the exact meaning of these terms. Maybe, in her view, these are 'common sense' terms?
"Nobles are loyal vassals who help govern parts of the kingdom on the king's behalf. Although the king is powerful, his care cannot reach every corner of the kingdom all at once. Therefore, he entrusts good men and women, the nobles, to protect his people and keep his kingdom at peace." Alice explains. "Imagine the kingdom is a field, and each noble is a farmer, and the king is the one in charge of the field. When a farmer is good at his job and can be trusted, the king gives him more land to farm on; this is how some nobles have more land than others."
"The farmers with largest amount of land is called a 'Duke' or 'Duchess.' Next is a 'Count' or 'Countess.' They have smaller land than a 'Duke.' Finally, a 'Baron' or 'Baroness' who has the least land." Alice pauses for a moment. "We also have a 'Marquis' or 'Marquise' and a 'Viscount' or 'Viscountess.' A 'Marquis' is a 'Count' who is responsible for important areas on the border of the kingdom; you can think of it as their lands are at the edge of the field, so they are responsible for keeping wild beasts away from the field. A 'Viscount' is a trusted helper who helps a 'Count' manage his land."
"For 'Hereweard' in the 'duke of Hereweard,' it is the name of the duke's land. Do you understand?" Alice asks. We nod to show her that we understand.
"Next, a 'court wizard' is a position assigned by the king to a mage who is in charge of all magic-related matters within the kingdom, and a 'constable' is a position assigned by the king to the leader of all armies under the command of the king." Alice extends her hands to gently give us headpats. "It is perfectly alright if you do not understand them at this moment. There is plenty of time for you to slowly grasp them."
Hey, don't just casually give us headpats! Hmph! We only allow you to pet our heads because you are nice to us, but only just this once!