The Knight's Broken Promise
In the carriage heading toward the second hall for the imperial princess’s lecture, I was checking the rewards for the main quest I had completed yesterday.
“Status window.”
Title: Power Reinforcement
Status:Completed
Reward:[?????]
I thought the reward would be roughly covered by the Bitan I obtained yesterday, but it seemed there was something else. The reward had definitely been listed as [?????]. I’d been curious about it—might as well check now.
Ding!
The moment I clicked the ‘Claim Reward’ box, a mechanical chime rang out and a new window appeared. Unlike the usual blue windows, this one carried a warm orange glow. At the very top of the orange window, these words were written.
“Shop…?”
In the novel Those Who Erase Sorrow, the protagonist Allen’s status window had two primary functions. The first was ‘Information Confirmation,’ which displayed his stats and condition. The second was the ‘Shop,’ where he could purchase various skills and items.
No matter how thoroughly I had examined my own status window, I’d never been able to find a shop. So this must have been a function added as the main quest reward.
Come to think of it, Allen only started using the shop system in the latter half of the first volume…
The shop might seem minor, but it was actually a rather important ability. It let you pull out daily necessities, weapons, consumables, or skills exactly when you needed them. The only flaw was its terrible cost-performance ratio—it demanded far too many points—but there was no doubt it would become my most helpful tool going forward.
“……Ah, that’s right. This was here too.”
I closed the status window and reached out into empty air. In my mind, I called the name of the weapon I had acquired yesterday.
Bitan.
Instantly—
◈ Feeds on and amplifies negative emotions
◈ Sub-space storage capability
◈ Special skills usable without drawing
A single black-blue blade materialized in the air. The moment it landed in my grip, the dark-blue edge trembled violently, letting out an eerie noise.
“Stay still.”
I tightened my hold, suppressing the vibration. Slowly, I ran my hand down the scabbard, soothing the sword’s razor-sharp nerves.
…Click.
Before long, Bitan stopped its savage rumbling. As I watched it purr contentedly under my gentle touch, I murmured quietly.
“This really is a convenient function.”
It was the unique ability possessed by relics of myth-grade or higher—sub-space storage. With this, no one would discover that I owned Bitan. Another advantage was that, unlike ordinary swords, I didn’t need to carry it visibly at all times.
“Having Bitan appear right from the start would be too risky.”
It could turn me into a target for relic hunters. The demon race might also set their sights on me, calling it the birth of a new hero. That was why, although I had obtained it, I had no plans to use it actively. Unless the situation became truly dire, Bitan would never leave its sheath.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll discard it completely.”
Bitan’s special skills could be activated simply by holding the hilt. In other words, I could use them even while the sword remained stored in its scabbard. Since the sheath itself concealed the divine artifact’s aura, no one would recognize it unless I drew the blade first.
“……Though honestly, I’d rather never have to use those special skills either.”
But that was wishful thinking. Unwanted situations always arrived whether you wished for them or not.
With a light sigh, I stroked the scabbard once more. In my mind, I pictured the countless dangers that would soon approach.
Meanwhile, near the second hall of Reynolds Academy, a girl was crossing the plaza with quick steps.
“……”
Even in her hurried movement, her dignity never faltered. With every step, her golden hair—looking as if it had melted the sun itself—swayed brilliantly. Her blue eyes held the calm stillness of the sea. Warmth and coldness coexisted in her impression, a beauty that drew gasps of admiration from anyone who saw her.
The girl walked with a strangely irritated expression. Trailing behind her was a woman. She had short brown hair and a mature appearance that suggested she was in her mid-twenties. The woman followed the blonde girl with quiet steps and spoke.
“Your Highness, your steps are too hurried.”
“I won’t fall, so don’t worry, Alice.”
The first princess of the Lietro Empire, Lucy von Lietro. That was the golden-haired girl’s identity.
“You’re being unusually emotional. May I ask the reason?”
The empire’s chief maid, Alice, tilted her head at Lucy’s reaction.
Lucy had always possessed a childlike, innocent personality, but she had not shown this side for the past several years. At Alice’s question, Lucy’s body stiffened for a moment. Then she furrowed her brow deeply and answered.
“That person… I heard he has returned to the academy.”
“By ‘that person,’ you mean……”
Alice realized it a beat later. The news about a certain boy that had recently become a massive topic. Raiden’s old acquaintance, now turned into a bitter connection—the infamous scoundrel.
“You mean Young Master Lisite.”
“That’s right.”
For an instant, a blazing fire ignited in Lucy’s eyes.
“After soiling the name of blue blood so thoroughly, he dares to shamelessly return.”
How utterly despicable.
Lucy muttered under her breath and clenched her fist tightly. Seeing her like this, Alice let out a deep internal sigh.
She usually had such a warm and benevolent personality. Why did she transform the moment the topic of that boy came up?
“……As I told you before, he is no longer someone Your Highness needs to concern herself with.”
“Today I will give him a proper taste of bitterness.”
“I understand that the past still pains you, but…”
“Just imagining it already refreshes my heart.”
“You’re not listening at all.”
Despite her maid’s concern, Lucy remained lost in her own thoughts. Alice eventually gave up and played along.
“So what exactly do you mean by ‘a taste of bitterness’?”
“During today’s practical combat class… I intend to challenge him to a duel.”
“A duel, you say.”
A duel. Not a casual spar between students, but a formal duel between nobles. Its significance was considerable even without saying it aloud.
“Is there something you desire from him?”
“There is.”
Lucy smiled, her expression twisted.
“As the price for his defeat, I will have him expelled from the academy.”
“As expected. That seems acceptable.”
At Alice’s approval, Lucy nodded several times and resumed walking. Within the summer breeze brushing past her, the golden-haired girl recalled memories of the past—memories of Raiden Lisite, who had once been her closest friend.
. . .
The first memory of the boy dated back to when Lucy was seven years old. It was the day Duke Lisite visited the imperial palace.
The duke, who usually appeared alone, had brought two children with him that day for some reason. One black-haired boy and one red-haired girl.
The two children standing before Lucy bowed their heads in turn.
“Raiden Lisite, eldest son of House Lisite, greets the empire’s first star.”
The older-looking boy greeted first. He bowed with refined grace, performing perfect etiquette. Lucy let out a small sound of admiration; it was hard to believe someone her own age could display such flawless manners.
In contrast, the girl behind him was quite clumsy.
“I-I greet the empire’s little sun…!!”
Her voice came out far too loud from nervousness. She stuttered. She had even mixed up “little sun,” which referred to the crown prince, with “star,” which referred to the other imperial children. Realizing all her mistakes, the girl’s face flushed crimson. When moisture began to gather in her red eyes, the boy gently comforted his sister. She quickly hid behind his back, clutching his clothes and trembling. The sight was rather adorable.
When Lucy stared at her quietly, the boy smiled awkwardly.
“I apologize, Your Highness. My sister is very shy……”
He stroked the girl’s head along with his light apology. A soft smile rested on his lips. Lucy thought that smile was kind. A warm boy. That was her first impression of Raiden.
. . .
After that meeting, the three children began to meet regularly. As children that age usually did, they grew close at astonishing speed.
Ariel Lisite was a cute child. Because of her timid personality that made her burst into tears at the slightest provocation, even Lucy’s mild teasing would send her sobbing into her brother’s arms. Each time, Raiden would calmly soothe her.
Raiden Lisite was a strange child. He was always kind and warm, almost excessively altruistic. The smile that never left his face was practically his trademark.
Raiden’s personality influenced Lucy greatly as well. Through him, who accepted even her trivial emotions and irritations with a smile, she learned many things. Before she realized it, she had become influenced by him and began changing her own behavior. She, who had lacked consideration, learned to think of others. She, who had been self-righteous, learned to humble herself.
And those changes brought good results. The maids who attended her gave her even more affection. She grew close to her younger sister, with whom relations had been poor. Raiden was the person who had influenced her most after her parents. Lucy naturally came to rely on him, and the two grew even closer, becoming the dearest of friends.
Years passed. When they turned ten—
“Raiden, Raiden, Raiden!!”
The Lisite family had come to the palace as usual. Lucy ran toward him with a loud cry, eyes sparkling.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“Raiden! You’re from House Lisite, right?”
“That is correct.”
“And House Lisite protects the imperial family as their closest aides, right?”
Raiden answered with a small smile.
“You know your facts well.”
“Yeah! Yeah! Exactly!”
Lucy swung her arms excitedly, like a child who had discovered something fun.
“Then, Raiden!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Become my knight!”
“Knight? What do you mean?”
At the unexpected request, Raiden tilted his head. Lucy recalled the scene she had witnessed in the palace the day before.
“You know, that thing we saw yesterday!”
“Hmm…”
“The knight appointment ceremony!”
Raiden clapped lightly as if it had finally clicked.
“Ah, I remember now.”
“Wasn’t it incredibly cool?!”
“It was quite splendid. After all, it was the appointment ceremony for the Imperial Knight Order.”
“Right? You think so too, don’t you, Raiden?! Then!”
Lucy planted her hands on her hips proudly.
“You become my knight too, Raiden!”
“Pardon…? Me?”
“I want my own knight too! Knights are so cool! It was in the book I read last time……”
It seemed she had read a fairy tale featuring a heroic knight. Raiden wore a helpless expression at the girl’s innocent enthusiasm.
“If it looks that wonderful, wouldn’t it be better for Your Highness to become one herself?”
“That won’t work!”
“Why not?”
“I’m a princess. Instead of becoming a knight, I should be the one who has loyal knights as subordinates!”
Raiden nodded as though convinced. In truth he wasn’t entirely convinced, but he knew Lucy behaved this way often and that it was best to simply go along with her.
The boy shrugged with a slightly troubled smile.
“But why ask me? I have no talent for martial arts, so becoming a knight would be difficult……”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Lucy shook her head.
“Father told me that a knight and their master share both a superior-subordinate relationship and the bond of closest friends.”
She smiled brightly.
“Raiden, you just need to stay by my side as my knight and as my best friend.”
Raiden gazed at the radiant Lucy for a moment, then let out a small laugh that mirrored hers and nodded.
“Closest friend… That sounds nice.”
“Really?!”
“Of course.”
Looking at Lucy, Raiden quietly knelt on one knee. In a calm voice, he spoke.
“I, Raiden Lisite, swear that I shall become the loyal knight of the empire’s first princess, Lucy von Lietro.”
“Ahem, hm hm.”
Lucy tapped his head and shoulder once each with the teaspoon she was holding.
“May you forever remain my friend, my knight.”
She had put great effort into imitating the dignified tone her father had used yesterday. Raiden chuckled and answered.
“I shall obey your command, my lord.”
It was a small promise made by two ten-year-old children who knew nothing of the world.
. . .
Lucy stomped forward fiercely. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the damned knight who had broken that promise. She remembered the cold voice she had heard from him not long ago and shivered.
Promise? Ah, you mean that childish prank from our youth.
I forgot about it long ago.
How stupid.
That sneering attitude, that mocking tone—it belonged to the Raiden who had changed completely. Lucy bit her lip hard and glared straight ahead.
“Today I will show that bastard exactly what he deserves!”
“Your Highness, please watch your language……”
“I don’t care! I’ll get him expelled no matter what it takes!!”
Lucy advanced noisily, shouting at the top of her lungs.