Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke-Chapter 134 - Turning Tide

134 Turning Tide

The common folk were left reeling.

The idea of a real female knight was astonishing enough.

But the fact that she had chosen William—a mere rising star—over all others?

"How can this be? The Third Prince may be gaining recognition, but is he truly fit to command the successor of the Swordmaster?"

"Could it be Lord Aizen’s doing? A way to signal his support for the prince?"

"Nonsense! The Swordmaster himself swore he’d stay out of politics!"

"Then how do you explain it? The world would have turned against her the moment her identity was revealed, yet she chose this path willingly!"

Even the knights of neighboring territories couldn’t ignore the implications of this shocking event.

The name of the Swordmaster carried immense weight.

And when a mystery remains unsolved, speculation runs rampant.

Before long, whispers of the truth began circulating within the Hern estate.

"Word is, it was the Third Prince himself who first recommended Dame Felicia to the Swordmaster."

"What?! Then what was she before that?"

"They say she was a noble’s illegitimate daughter—treated as little more than a discarded pawn. But the prince saw her talent and took her in."

"So he’s the one who saved her?"

"That explains everything. If she owes her very future to him, then it makes sense why she swore loyalty to no one else."

"As expected of a knight. A true warrior dedicates their life to the one who first recognized them."

Once the truth became known, praise replaced doubt.

It was a story of honor and loyalty, one that knights could respect.

Even the most skeptical among them had to admit—a knight’s debt to their savior was worth more than their very life.

And so, the baseless rumors faded.

But in their place, a new kind of tension began to rise.

"She is the successor to the Swordmaster. That cannot be ignored."

Knights from across the land turned their attention to Felicia.

For those obsessed with swordsmanship, she was an irresistible challenge.

For others, she was a symbol—an heir to a legend.

Whether driven by rivalry, admiration, or ambition, many would be drawn to her.

And where knights gathered, power would inevitably follow.

"Damn it, if this continues unchecked, a faction will form around them before we can even react."

Those who had been hesitant to get involved with William before now found themselves scrambling.

"He’s still young. Just a year into his rise—too soon to invest in him."

That had been their excuse.

But now?

If they waited any longer, there wouldn’t be any room left for them.

"Once the right people rally around him, it’ll be too late to claim a seat at the table."

"Like it or not, the Third Prince is now tied to the successor of the Swordmaster. That alone is enough to shift the balance."

"Even without wealth, he holds something far more valuable—the allegiance of a future legend. If we’re going to act, we need to do it now."

And so, the courtiers, nobles, and power-seekers began their moves.

Some opted for gifts—a way to subtly gain favor.

Others considered switching allegiances entirely.

A few even debated making direct investments, despite the risks.

In the span of a single day, everything had changed.

William, once seen as a promising candidate, was now a formidable contender.

And Felicia?

She wasn’t just a knight.

She was a force that would reshape the battlefield.

What followed wasn’t the usual wave of opportunists trying to latch onto William’s growing reputation.

No, this time, it was the real players—those with the power and resources to truly influence the game—who began to move.

"Young Master, another gift has arrived."

"Who’s it from this time?"

"A branch manager of the Roth Merchant Guild."

"Throw it in the pile."

William dismissed the package with a casual wave of his hand, not even bothering to check the letter that came with it.

As yet another extravagant gift was added to the growing mountain of presents, Hans, his steward, wore an exasperated expression.

"Are you sure about this? You’ve accepted these gifts; shouldn’t you at least send a reply?"

"A reply? Please. They’re the ones desperate to curry favor with me. If they were truly influential, I might reconsider. But they’re not."

William turned slightly, flashing a sharp smile.

"Besides, I have the successor to the Swordmaster at my side now. Even if these people hold a grudge, I have nothing to fear."

"You honor me too much," Felicia replied, lowering her head in deference.

Following her knighting, William had officially appointed her as his personal guard, keeping her close at all times.

It was both a declaration to the outside world—the bond between the Third Prince and the next Swordmaster was unshakable—and a practical move to strengthen their relationship as lord and knight.

’Thank the master Aizen is flexible. He could have demanded she return immediately for training, and I wouldn’t have been able to refuse.’

William inwardly sighed in relief.

Given the old Swordmaster’s limited lifespan, he was likely in a hurry to pass down his teachings.

Yet, surprisingly, Aizen had readily agreed to William’s proposal.

"Do as you wish. A knight swearing loyalty only to immediately leave her lord’s side? Even I would find that strange. It’s best to dispel such misunderstandings before moving forward."

Despite having only trained Felicia for a few months, Aizen no longer seemed impatient.

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He wouldn’t have accepted William’s request so easily unless he was certain he had enough time to pass on everything he needed to.

’What a monstrous talent… She’s given Aizen peace of mind about his own limited time. That alone speaks volumes.’

William couldn’t help but marvel at Felicia’s skill—both in awe and in satisfaction.

Because now, that overwhelming talent belonged exclusively to him.

As he reveled in the thought, another curiosity crossed his mind.

"Have you heard anything about my brothers lately? It’s been a while since the knighting ceremony."

William could still vividly recall their reactions—shattered pride, barely restrained fury, outright disbelief.

For a moment, it had seemed as though they might draw their swords on the spot.

And yet, since that day, they had been strangely silent.

"I only know what I’ve heard from rumors," Hans admitted. "The First Prince has locked himself away since the ceremony. He hasn’t stepped out of his room even once."

"And the other two?"

"They seem to be meeting frequently… but I hear they argue just as often as they talk. I have no idea what they discuss."