From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

The cold wind swirled up snowflakes, rustling as it blew across the wooden roof.

It felt like countless tiny claws were scratching at it.

The open space outside the wooden house.

Don Quixote, Cole, and Adele sat alone around a campfire.

They chatted while eating barbecue.

The pile of firewood between the three of them was burning rather recklessly.

Flames rolled and danced high into the sky in layers.

Don Quixote, seeing Adele's nose almost touching the flame, couldn't help but laugh:

"Adele, if I get any closer, I'll be set on fire."

Upon hearing this, Adele's face instantly turned bright red.

Whether it was the firelight reflecting off her or a sudden feeling of shame, she didn't know.

She whispered:

"Sir, it's so cold out here!"

Don Quixote looked at the iron kettle used to boil water by the campfire.

The water temperature is estimated to be about right.

He took out two bloody apples and handed them to Adele and Cole respectively, saying helplessly:

"Winter is coming, and the weather will only get colder and colder."

"Here, these are apples I bought at the market. Wash them and eat them."

Adele quickly took it:

"Thank you, sir!"

She looked down at the strange yet beautiful apple in her hand:

"Sir, what kind of apple is this? I've never seen it before."

Cole hurriedly swallowed the hot roast meat in his hand and respectfully accepted the blood apple Don Quixote offered him:

"Thank you, Don Quixote!"

Don Quixote added a few thick, dry twigs to the fire and said slowly:

"I don't know either. I just saw that it was pretty at the market and bought some."

"It tastes pretty good, and it warms you up too."

Adele looked up at Don Quixote and whispered:

"Sir, aren't you going to eat?"

Don Quixote shook his head and said:

"I've eaten quite a lot already, I don't want to eat now."

"The water temperature is about right, wash the apples and eat them quickly."

"Yes, sir," the two replied immediately.

Adele gently rubbed the blood apple against the rim of the bowl.

She quickly took a small bite:

"This apple is so sweet, and..."

She suddenly felt a strange warmth surging through her body and couldn't help but say:

"It tastes so comforting; it makes me feel less cold!"

Cole washed it roughly, rinsed it twice with warm water, and then put it in his mouth.

After taking a few bites, he mumbled a compliment:

"Your judgment is excellent, sir! This fruit is so sweet and warming!"

For Adele and Cole, whose bodies were so thin, the effect of eating a blood apple was quite obvious.

The three of them then warmed themselves by the fire, ate meat, and chatted for a while.

Of course, most of the time Don Quixote would ask the questions, and Adele and Cole would answer.

At this moment, Nathan approached:

"Lord Don Quixote, the tent is set up."

Don Quixote glanced at the animal-skin tent not far away, then laughed:

"Nathan, thank you for your help."

Upon hearing Nathan's words, Colton immediately stood up and respectfully thanked him:

"Thank you, Lord Nathan!"

Nathan first addressed Don Quixote:

"Sir, there's no need to be so polite. It's just a small matter."

He then glanced at Cole again:

"Kid, go check out that tent yourself. If it's not right, I'll adjust it for you."

Cole instinctively looked at Don Quixote.

Don Quixote nodded and said:

"Cole, go ahead, it's getting late. Go and rest after you've checked the tents."

"Be careful to protect yourself from the wind and cold at night, lest you wake up tomorrow and catch a cold."

"Hehe, I won't take care of you then."

Upon hearing Don Quixote's words, which carried a hint of concern, Cole replied earnestly:

"My lord, I will not let myself get cold! I still need to serve you and learn swordsmanship!"

"Goodnight, sir! Goodnight, Miss Adele!"

Adele laughed:

Goodnight, Cole.

After watching Cole and Nathan leave, Don Quixote glanced down and noticed Adele secretly looking at him.

He immediately laughed:

"Adele, what's wrong? Is there food residue on my face?"

"what……"

Adele, like a startled fawn, quickly shrank back.

But he quickly raised his head slightly and hurriedly explained in a low voice:

"No, no, sir! There's no food residue on your face!"

Don Quixote asked in bewilderment:

"Oh, then why are you staring at my face?"

Upon hearing this, Adele's neck turned slightly red.

After hesitating for a while, she timidly said:

"It feels like you're different from other officials, sir. You seem to be considering the feelings of us servants."

"Don't overthink it," Don Quixote said, reaching out to pat Adele's head.

"I'm only thinking about myself! Imagine if Cole got sick or frostbite."

"Then he can't do anything for me, which would be a problem for me."

"Really?" Adele blinked, not quite believing it.

"Really!" Don Quixote made a face, baring his teeth.

"I'm a bad person, how could I possibly consider other people's feelings!"

"Heheheha."

Upon seeing this, Adele couldn't help but chuckle.

After bursting out laughing, she quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand, laughing as she said:

"I'm sorry, sir! I couldn't help myself!"

"Hmph, Adele, you're finished!" Don Quixote's face darkened.

"You're punished by having to soak my feet and warm the bed for me later."

"Yes, sir."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The cold nights in the North pass slowly and are desolate.

In the blink of an eye.

A month has passed.

During this month, Don Quixote trained Adele and Cole's physical abilities.

After Adele ate four blood apples and Cole ate three blood apples.

Both of them showed significant improvement in their physical condition.

They are already able to accept a certain intensity of training.

Meanwhile, Don Quixote himself was also diligently practicing.

He can now practice basic knight breathing techniques while riding a horse at high speed.

Therefore, he spent almost all of his patrol time diligently practicing the basic knight breathing technique.

During his rest periods, he would treat his five men to a big meal at the Iron Axe Tavern every now and then.

(Ethan was ostracized by others, and his bad habits were reported to Liam by Nathan.)

Ethan was dismissed by Count Mechi after only five days in the guard squad.

As for remuneration...

Not a single copper coin.

Therefore, Don Quixote only had five men left.

Don Quixote was also practicing knightly skills such as swordsmanship, archery, horsemanship, hand-to-hand combat, and spear fighting.

Because he had more subordinates and had become familiar with Liam.

(Well, Don Quixote would invite Liam to the Wild Inn every now and then for a good time.)

Under such a financial offensive, the two became much closer.

Liam had long since stopped concerning himself with Don Quixote's Squad.

Don Quixote added a practical element to his training plan.

Or rather, a multi-player free-for-all.

He can take on two, or more, at once.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Don Quixote said coldly:

"You two are tasked with walking back and forth along this road ten times today."

"No slacking off! Do you hear me?!"

Cole shouted:

"Yes, Lord Don Quixote!"

Adele said with a bitter face:

"Yes, sir."

Adele was initially excited that Lord Don Quixote was also teaching her knightly skills.

But as the training intensity increased day by day.

Her feelings had already changed.

tired.

She was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Since the training began, she has had no energy to serve Lord Don Quixote.

Before she knew it, she was being cared for by Don Quixote.

However, although I am very tired and want to rest.

But she never thought of giving up.

Don Quixote nodded and said calmly:

"Let's begin."

After watching the two run a lap with great focus, Don Quixote turned and went into the wooden hut.

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)