The Plan (1): The Star-Rank Evolution Plan
It has been five days since I woke up.
My body had recovered long ago, but the doctor insisted on more tests for stability, and with the all-clear, I could be discharged.
Of course, not to the poorhouse which had been reduced to ashes by the terror, but to a temporary relief center.
Though the bed of the poorhouse isn't here... but whatever.
In the midst of the chaos of clearing the remains of the destroyed poorhouse, all the orphans had gathered at the temporary relief center.
Without beds, it was a bit inconvenient, but there was no hindrance to daily life.
After discharge, I received worried glances from villagers in several towns.
So, they didn't assign me errands much, and the village atmosphere was generally depressed.
As a result, my daily routine was playing with the poorhouse kids or light sparring with Edith.
'Robert uncle must be very busy.'
Robert uncle had been receiving investigations under the guise of a witness, leaving no time for training.
In the newspapers, the poorhouse incident was viewed as a type of terror event, and imperial investigation teams entered the back alleys and continued the investigation.
Some knight orders also entered to protect the investigation teams, so the result was that security had improved somewhat.
'White cloak... the Round Table.'
The symbol of the Round Table, worn only by the untainted white and knights who had reached the pinnacle, was also seen.
'I should be able to do it properly. Star-Rank Evolution Plan'
This was the plan I established after talking to Robert uncle over the past three days.
The goal is to grow the talented children of the poorhouse.
Mor, Mote, Marigold, who have talents for strategist, druid, and archer respectively, are the targets.
'As for Eric, his growth has already progressed quite a bit, so it might be difficult...?'
The basis for Star-Rank Evolution is largely three things.
First, the fluid change of N-star rank is possible.
The basis for this is Marigold.
In the original work, the reason she was 5-star instead of 3-star was the presence of Fairy Eyes.
If factors like permanent injury to the body, mental injury, incurable disease, aging, etc., cause Star-Rank Drop, then the opposite also holds true.
Professional training, goal setting, awakening of racial traits, sufficient nutrition and elixirs, etc., will be factors for Star-Rank Rise.
Second, one can acquire Traits exogenously.
The basis for this is Hector Blackshuck.
Traits like Oath of Protection, similar to Hector's first trait Oath of Protection, Deeds like Kane's second trait Hero's Fosterer, Blessings like Pasture Rest received by saints of the Caserta Kingdom, etc.
Of course, these have the exception of being all 6-star, but by acquiring traits, it can be treated as having increased star rank.
Third, Traits can be changed through training.
The basis for this is Edith.
Since Traits have changed differently from the original work, Skills can too.
Those who have not opened their Traits can sufficiently acquire them through training corresponding to Standard, Unique, Pinnacle.
And based on this plan, I had to persuade Robert.
“So for that reason, I need to train Mor, Mote, Marigold noona, and Eric oppa.”
“Isn't it too sudden? For Eric, maybe, but none of the three seem to show knightly talent.”
“Since they have talents for strategist, druid, and archer, it has to be that way.”
“Do you have evidence for that?”
“I can only say it's in the records room. Not only the current heroes, but also those in the near future could be seen.”
“I don't think I can prepare a systematic educational policy.”
At those words, Robert was seriously pondering.
In other words, training on tactics and combat he could provide, but strategy, magic, and archery were not his specialties.
“I want to ask Robert uncle for help, but it's not for training the four of them.”
“Then what?”
“Help me persuade Sir Lancelot.”
“Without certainty of coming, and... it would be a difficult type to persuade.”
“Yes. He will definitely come. And leave the persuasion to me.”
Robert uncle looked at me as if it was unbelievable, but I was thinking with near certainty.
The matter was a terror by the Nightmare Demon Lord.
He would definitely come.
At the forefront of the white cloaks, a knight in silver-white armor appeared.
It would be Sir Lancelot, Kane's role model and respected knight.
'If it were Kane, he would have gone crazy with joy... but.'
Seeing the idol in person, he would have been extremely happy, but now I was rather tense.
The sound of clanking armor came from in front of the relief center.
When I removed my helmet, the sight of black hair flowing down appeared.
Silver-white armor emitting pure white steam, a woman with black hair and crimson eyes that are uncommon in Britannia.
Sir Lancelot Dulac, the empire's premier knight.
In the game, she was consumed by all sorts of memes for her smile-bell level performance, but in the empire, she is a noble knight praised for her virtues.
Every day, she bestows charity on the poor, protects the weak, and is the symbol of a knight who protects the empire.
'Target that must be persuaded...'
Robert uncle naturally blocked my way.
When Lancelot and Robert's eyes met, they maintained a moment of silence, then lightly bowed their heads in greeting to each other.
“It's been a long time since we've met. Sir Hector, I didn't expect to see you in such a backwater place.”
“I'm just an old soldier who retired long ago. What business does the empire's hero have walking all the way to the back alleys.”
Caution was evident in the uncle's voice.
However, Lancelot, despite the impolite attitude, gazed at Robert without a single displeased expression.
She just quietly breathed, and with each exhale, a feeling of moisture rising slightly in the alley.
'That's the Healing Water that operates as a trait...'
Even though it's 10 times more efficient, it seemed to me that the surrounding mana flow was reversing.
“I've come to see the children. I heard there's a child in critical condition, so I've hurried here.”
“It's been a while since he's recovered. Didn't you hear the news that he came out of the hospital room?”
“Of course, I came from the hospital room. I heard that all have gathered at the relief center, so I thought maybe he's here.”
“Haa...”
'Was this the reason Robert uncle couldn't persuade...'
Communication ability that cuts to the chase.
Perhaps he couldn't understand roundabout talk.
Even though I was listening from behind, the conversation felt one-sided.
“I'm fine.”
“Kane.”
“Hector, is that the child?”
Only then could I face Lancelot.
More beautiful than the illustration, but no heart fluttering or such.
'Well... it's not blonde...'
Even seeing a pretty celebrity, it was like 'ah, pretty' level sensation.
Outstanding beauty, but no stirring bosom.
While thinking that, I just stared silently, and Lancelot's pupils slightly widened.
“This child...”
“Enough, he's my poorhouse child. He's not a guy you'd be interested in.”
“No. Surely the flow of Suiryu... Anima. Even though the age for the mana path to barely open has come, if he already has such clear breathing, I have no choice but to be interested, right?”
“Uncle, I'm fine.”
For now, this was the acting I matched with Robert.
Responding to Robert's prohibition with "I'm fine" and bowing my head to show courtesy and greeting.
“It's an honor to meet you. Sir Lancelot Dulac. I'm Kane from Robert's Poorhouse.”
“Likewise, it's an honor to meet one who continues the maintenance of the spirits. I'm Sir Lancelot of the Round Table, the Knight of the Lake.”
After the light greeting, the expression of wanting to talk about the main topic.
Those who practice spirit magic are very rare, and in Britannia where nature is quite damaged, even more so, so they couldn't hide their joy.
“It's truly fortunate that you've recovered. Unfortunately, it seems the poorhouse incident is taking a long time to investigate. However, the truth will be revealed in the near future, so please stay comfortable at the relief center.”
“I'm truly grateful for your concern. I also think it's a good thing for the empire's peace that the truth is revealed as soon as possible.”
“Your etiquette and rhetoric are truly smooth. Did Sir Robert personally teach you?”
“I'm still immature in etiquette, so it's only embarrassing.”
Robert's gaze seemed to say 'what kind of guy is this?'
The source of such smoothly rolling rhetoric isn't Trait or Skill.
It's one of the Logistics Traits used in the High Command Facilities which are currently unopened...
'I never thought I'd actually use this.'
It's the Noble Trade logistics trait for trade centers.
And it's also a means to persuade Sir Lancelot.