Miranda remained silent for a long time, but her eyes never left the Duke of Star Lake before her, as if she were still getting used to Tales like this.
"You said you had no shortage of experts under your command, and that some were even better than me?"
A few seconds later, Miranda said disdainfully:
"But as far as I know, that two-on-one duel..."
"They were merely the two weakest members of the Star Lake Guard."
Tales cut her off decisively, preventing her from exposing the depths of his own forces, while also feeling apologetic toward Nesi and Bastier:
"For one thing, my Guard Captain, Lord Tomond Marius, known as the 'Terror Blade,' can suppress both of them with one hand."
("Achoo—the cat hair's getting worse and worse. Only an idiot could come up with this idea of raising cats to keep down mice..." Marius grumbled as he inspected the supplies.)
In the study, Tales sneezed lightly and rubbed his nose.
"Ter... ror... Blade?" Miranda murmured, her face filling with puzzlement.
Tales assumed a solemn expression:
"That's Lord Marius's nickname. All the Northlanders—no, all the Starry Sky People—well, what I mean is, the enemies who have suffered at his hands, whether they're Exeterians or Starry Sky People, call him that behind his back."
Miranda furrowed her brow.
Tales gave a cold laugh:
"One hint: don't mention it to his face. Marius hates the nickname and would never admit to it, even on pain of death."
Miranda seemed to mull something over, her expression gradually turning serious:
"The Marius Family was once one of the Radiant Star Seven Attendants, also known as the 'Razor.' I know that. But Terror Blade? So Lord Marius is skilled with swords? Or short weapons and daggers?"
Tales had no choice but to cough more