Advance Party (2)
Darania's Knight Order had commissioned me with this because they wanted to use my sacrifice to their advantage in taking down the dragon.
But they had no intention whatsoever of handing over the position of Knight Order Commander to some half-baked nobody who didn't know the first thing about it.
"If we're under those guys, we'll face interference as a given, and even after succeeding in the subjugation, we'll have to watch our backs."
"Does the academy president dislike them too?"
"Neither like nor dislike. I am a collaborator and advisor to the royal family and Darania's Knight Order. Additionally, I am a father who doesn't want to see his daughter's tears, and an academy president who has no desire to be at odds with Agnes."
A self-introduction befitting a man of knowledge and dignity.
Normal people can't sum themselves up so neatly.
Because they don't know themselves well, or don't know how to express it, or want to hide various circumstances, or because of emotions, and so on... for all sorts of reasons.
It really drives home how people are complex beings that can't be neatly divided into left or right, black or white.
Just talking with him opens up my perspective, letting me see all sorts of colors.
"The queen seems satisfied that you'll be acting independently. The Knight Order, on the other hand, probably doesn't like that."
I'd also been about to ask about how the queen had secretly gripped her skirt in tension before my final answer.
One thing was clear: the queen was pleased with my ultimate decision.
So, was she afraid I'd refuse the commission and end up executed?
Or was she afraid I'd accept it as the Knight Order intended?
"……."
Something told me I shouldn't ask.
It felt like... something... deeply personal.
"Thank you for your cooperation, President Paradilan. It's my good fortune that you've become my advisor."
"It's the listener's act of hearing that rewards the advisor. It's the listener's memory of the words that brings the advisor honor. Kirgil, you are a fine listener."
Paradilan paused as he finished the interview and turned to leave.
"One more thing. Princess Ashushikara won't be able to help. You know the circumstances."
I'd figured as much. Since this was a mission excluding royalty, Ashu couldn't join me.
It also meant we might need a different priest, or that meeting one would be difficult.
"It must trouble you. When I'm troubled, I pray at the Kalderan Cathedral. The saintess who just arrived here will be praying for and blessing the faithful at this cathedral."
"Thank you for the advice. I'll keep it in mind."
I opened the door for him myself to see him off. He gave me a faint smile.
After Paradilan left, a guard knight entered shortly after.
"I am Haideriran, second son of Baron Haishuderka. I serve as captain of the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Guard Regiment. I wish to join the advance party."
Did he really need to give the exact same introduction I'd heard that morning? It must be important to him, though. His expression was deadly serious.
The reason for applying was obvious, but I still wanted to hear it from him.
"Because defeating the dragon will help Princess Ashushikara. My sword exists for that purpose."
The content was predictable, but damn, it was intense. So intense.
But I wished he'd tone down that intensity directed at me.
"I refuse. Haideriran, you need to stay here."
"Then I challenge you to a duel. I'll show you my skill."
What a textbook setup from this young man.
Childish, yet passionate. Familiar, yet exciting. Is this why people enjoy clichés?
But adults who have to deal with a young person's burning passion get tired easily.
Playing with my nephews is exhausting enough.
I didn't want to deal with this intensity and passion throughout the entire adventure.
"Then let's do it now."
"Y-yes!?"
I stood up immediately and approached him.
He scrambled to his feet and reached for his sword, but I circled behind him faster.
From that point, I activated Happy Moment.
From his blind spot, I drew his sword before he could even pull his own.
And before his fumbling ended, I had the blade at his throat.
"C-coward…."
"Then you'll die to that coward. And you don't feel anything even after having your sword stolen?"
"……."
"A greenhorn who can't grasp his own place or his own abilities."
I didn't even feel like continuing. I tossed the sword to the floor. The moment it hit, Haideriran lunged for it.
Quick reflexes for someone in armor.
And then.
"You think I'll give up just like that!!"
Yeah, I figured he wouldn't quit.
I thought he was the type with that kind of passion.
The rage of having his childhood sweetheart promised to some weird uncle must be huge.
With time stopped, I slipped past his thrusting sword, tripped his leg to ruin his balance.
I looked down at Haideriran sprawling face-first and kicked his sword away.
Then I mounted his back and grabbed his right arm.
I had no intention of sparing someone who'd aimed for my life without reason.
I twisted his arm with my full body weight, and something cracked with a sickening pop.
"Gaaaaah!!"
Haideriran screamed in agony but didn't let go.
Even now, he was reaching with his left arm for the sword. Impressive mental fortitude.
"Grrrr… For Princess Ashushikara, my sword… Aaaagh!!"
"I like that. Hari, was it? You're in."
He looked baffled by my sudden acceptance. Even in pain, he stared at me.
"That's why you have to stay here. For Ashushikara."
Haideriran—Hari—stopped struggling completely. Now his face was pure disbelief, pain forgotten.
"I've protected Princess Ashushikara until now, but I can't anymore. So someone has to stay and guard her. Looks like you're the right man for it. Even if I don't come back, I want you to protect her to the end."
Hari gazed at me with a pained expression.
Not from the arm, it seemed.
Ignoring the pain in that awkward state, he asked me directly.
"Kirgil, what are you to Princess Ashushikara?"
He'd said "what," but he already knew.
Instead of answering, I showed him the Connection Ring on my left ring finger.
Tears welled up in Hari's pained eyes.
It sobered me up without warning.
So I released his broken arm and stood.
Hari dragged his aching right arm as he rose, picking up his fallen sword with his left.
He walked slowly toward me.
No killing intent.
With his good left hand, he offered me his sword and knelt before me.
"This sword is one I vowed to dedicate to Princess Ashushikara.
Hero Kirgil. If you are the one bound to her in union, then this sword is yours as well."
This young man was enduring not just the pain of his arm, but the pain of lost love, to make his oath.
So steadfast. So foolish.
So... it made me feel sorry in all sorts of ways.
He was the epitome of the loyal knight from the fairy tales Ashu had admired.
But who knows how fates twist and turn.
I took his sword and helped him up.
"Hari, while I'm gone, protect Princess Ashushikara well with this sword."
I sheathed it at his waist in place of his injured hand.
Only then did Hari wipe his tears and leave.
"Hoo…."
Left alone in the quiet room again, a sigh escaped me naturally.
Headache-inducing, heartbreaking, longing, and somehow relieving.
Putting it all together…
I'm tired.
I hope the next one comes without any drama.
Haah, what the hell am I even doing?
Come to think of it, this isn't a prison.
I should probably step out for some air.
I left the room and spoke to the attendant waiting nearby.
I said I'd be out briefly, and he offered to guide me.
He'd let anyone coming for an interview know I was away.
Once outside the hall, the attendant peeled off, replaced by a male secretary in casual outing clothes.
The secretary nagged—er, advised—that there were many places in the palace I couldn't go without permission. So when I headed straight out, a guard soldier tagged along extra.
VIP treatment is nice and all.
But trying to take a street stroll with one secretary and three soldiers trailing me was annoying as hell.
I had my weapons and could protect myself just fine.
Guidance aside, they were probably surveilling me too.
We took a carriage out of the palace.
I figured there'd be some complicated procedures, but the secretary said something, and no one stopped us. They'd apparently notified them of my status and treatment in advance.
Judging by the shadow's position, it was around three or four in the afternoon.
The sun was still high, so the streets bustled with people.
"Well, well, if it isn't the esteemed hero gracing the streets?"
A black-haired middle-aged man in his forties, with a beer gut like an office worker who skipped the gym, spotted me and acted familiar.
I remembered him. Captain of the 3rd Darania Knight Order, in charge of the west.
The guy whose armor looked ridiculously awkward. That's how I recalled him.
Now he was in noble casuals.
His ears were a bit longer than a normal human's.
Mixed blood with elf or another race.
His name was…
"I am Frezhi, captain of Darania's 3rd Knight Order. We've met before, but this is our first introduction."
"Kirgil, hero of Prosek."
"Hahaha, to have such tales of valor and yet introduce yourself more briefly than I did. Most humble, sir."
I wasn't trying to be humble, but he was buttering me up on purpose. Flattery like that is bad for you here.
Frezhi wasn't just some captain who swung a sword well, as he appeared.
Unusually, the 3rd Knight Order captain valued financial ability highly.
Armies eat money, so financial skills matter. The captain position doesn't have to symbolize peak martial prowess.
The original Darania Knight Orders weren't formed by sword-wielding knights anyway.
Four mages, priests, and warriors who fought alongside the hero took charge of each direction, starting the four orders.
The academy's founder had been a Knight Order captain too.
Since the previous captain got effortlessly sliced by Katona, he probably wasn't chosen purely for strength.
He drew close and whispered so only I could hear.
"Kirgil-nim, I hate Darania's Knight Order. Hate it so much I want to bankrupt them."
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