31
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 31
Knight Night is one of the most famous monthly magazines in the Empire.
When it comes to news related to knights, the magazine's reporters would rush to conduct interviews or secretly investigate anywhere in the Empire, so their information network was not to be underestimated.
However, the reporters could only tilt their heads at a reporting guideline that came down from above.
"Why on earth are we told not to publish articles about Caesar?"
Caesar is the hottest figure in the Wizard Province.
He's the axe of Homigraph who saved Homigraph from the mafia, and the demon slayer who slaughtered the unicorn demon.
The fact that he insists on using dual-wielded axes instead of a sword is also unique, so there was an abundance of material.
The senior reporter exhaled cigarette smoke and said,
"What's Caesar's family name? It's Sylvatil, right?"
"That's right. So if someone from the same Sylvatil family becomes famous, shouldn't the Sylvatil Baron's family be happy about it? Isn't this something we should be promoting?"
"That guy is an illegitimate child. At the same time, he's also the only knight among those bearing the Sylvatil name."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah. There are four sons from the legal wife, but it's said that none of them have any sense for being an Aura user. So they couldn't even take the knight exam."
Only then did the reporters nod.
"Come to think of it, the succession competition has just begun, right?"
"Yeah. I've even heard that Baron Sylvatil hasn't left his mansion for over a year? With doctors and nursing nuns frequently coming and going, it seems he might pass away soon."
The senior reporter extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and said,
"So, as much as possible, don't even bring up news related to Caesar to the higher-ups. It'll be rejected anyway."
"But won't other magazines and newspapers in Vex Province make a fuss about it?"
"I heard that the Sylvatil family has been passing around envelopes of money to magazine and newspaper companies in the southwestern part of the continent. Unless something special happens, there definitely won't be any feature articles or such."
The senior reporter placed his hands on the typewriter.
"So stop talking and start writing articles. The first qualification exam for reporters is coming up soon. We only have two months left, so we need to line up the promising candidates."
"Yes! Understood."
The reporter's room was once again filled with the sound of typewriters running.
***
The railway company gave Caesar three types of compensation.
First, they upgraded his second-class seat to first-class.
"Wow, this is like a complete hotel!"
From a soft bed to a sofa and dining table.
It felt like a small hotel room had been moved onto the train.
Moreover, a dedicated attendant was always waiting outside the room, bringing whatever Caesar wanted to eat and offering various services.
Caesar checked the letter bearing the railway company president's seal.
[To Sir Caesar,
We express our infinite gratitude for resolving the robbery incident two days ago...]
To summarize, it was filled with thanks, more thanks, and even more thanks.
It also stated that he could use the train at half price for the next year.
Lastly, the third compensation.
"Hello. I'm Sean, the sales representative from Miracle Railway Company who will assist Sir Caesar for the next month. I would be grateful if you could call me Sean comfortably!"
A young, energetic man in his early twenties was assigned to assist Caesar with utmost care.
If Caesar asked for a hotel, he'd find one; if he asked for a carriage, he'd get one - a sort of lower version of Harrison, perhaps?
It felt slightly like getting a smartphone from a different company.
"Alright. Then wait until I call for you."
"Yes! Please call me anytime! When you call, I'll come running swiftly like a horse, clip-clop clip-clop!"
Clip-clop clip-clop?
Caesar couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity.
He's a bit noisy and clumsy, but quite likable.
It probably won't be boring having him around.
Caesar lay down on the bed.
"Now I can finally rest easy, right?"
Caesar closed his eyes with a smile.
***
The journey from Goldmile Province to Dre Province took almost a week.
Isn't it said that the Trans-Siberian Railway takes over a week?
Of course, the trains in the world where Seo-han lived were far superior to the ones here, but considering it takes about a week, the Valent Continent must be quite vast.
[Land blessed by Goddess Dre.
Welcome to Sanctus Lumen.]
"Oh, how tiresome."
Caesar stretched.
Sanctus Lumen was much drier and hotter compared to Homigraph.
If Homigraph had a feel of 18th century England, this place was more like Israel or the Middle East.
So Caesar had taken off his outer clothes and was wearing comfortable short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and sunglasses.
"Wow… Sir Caesar looks great in anything! Shall I take a photo for you?"
"Go ahead."
"Yes! Please wait a moment!"
Click Click.
Sean moved around Caesar, taking photos from various angles with a large camera typically used by reporters.
"More stylishly! Smile like the benevolent smile of Goddess Dre! Good! Good!"
Caesar gave a wry smile, indulging in the man's enthusiasm.
This guy is fun.
"I'll send the photos to your home as soon as they're developed!"
"Alright. Then go get a carriage now."
"Yes!"
While Sean went to find a carriage, Caesar yawned and looked around.
There was no one dressed in short sleeves and shorts like Caesar; everyone was wearing modest, loose-fitting clothes in calm black or white colors.
There were people who looked like travelers like Caesar, but they all seemed to be on pilgrimages, so their attire wasn't flashy.
It really did seem like a city of religious people.
Just then, several groups of men approached Caesar.
"Who are you to walk around in such disrespectful attire on this holy land?"
Caesar glanced at the men's sides.
Judging by the swords they carried, they seemed to be knights.
But they looked quite young.
"I'm Caesar."
"I didn't ask for your name. Why are you in the place where Goddess Dre resides–"
He's talking too much.
What exactly are they picking a fight about?
"Ah! Is it about this?"
"How rude. You dare to interrupt!"
What do you think these knights want from Caesar?
Caesar took out his axe from his bag.
"You want to fight?"
The guys flinched as soon as Caesar pulled out his axe.
"W-what are you trying to do?"
"Aren't you picking a fight with me because you want to fight right now?"
Caesar pointed at the man's glove and said,
"If you want to fight, throw down your glove and formally request a duel. Don't waste your breath talking."
"Y-you...!"
They seemed to chicken out when actually asked to request a duel.
"A-a duel can only be requested by knights. It seems you ruffians don't know anything..."
"I am a wandering knight who serves no one. According to the doctrines of Goddess Dre and the laws of His Majesty the Emperor, I can accept duels from anyone and request duels from anyone."
Caesar took off his sunglasses and said, "But it seems you can't?"
Seeing Caesar's fiery eyes, the guys turned pale, seemingly frightened.
"Nonsense! You, a knight?"
"What? So you weren't one? And you picked a fight with me despite that?"
Caesar couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.
This wet-behind-the-ears kid dares to pick a fight with the Demon King Slayer?
"Then why did you pick a fight with me? You don't like my clothes? Or is it my sunglasses that bother you?"
As Caesar took a step forward, the guys stepped back.
They look like scared puppies.
"If you're going to pick fights based on who you think you can handle, you might as well cut off your balls, you idiots."
"Y-you...! You!"
The face of the blonde at the front turned red, and he finally put his hand on his sword.
At that moment, Sean shouted from behind.
"Sir Caesar! What's going on?"
"These wet-behind-the-ears kids are pissing me off."
Caesar handed his finger to Sean.
Sean, being quick-witted, promptly placed a cigar and lit it for him.
Sean looked the guys up and down and then spoke.
"Sir Caesar. They seem to be aspiring knights. When you're young, you tend to be hot-blooded and make mistakes."
"That's a nice way of saying they're hot-blooded, but they're just foals picking fights with anyone. Such guys have always needed a good beating."
"Still, let's turn the other cheek just this once. They say it's bad luck to see blood on your first day in the Goddess's land."
Perhaps thanks to Sean's intervention?
Caesar's anger subsided a bit.
He glared at the guys and said,
"You guys better know you're alive thanks to Sean."
Caesar handed his bag to Sean and headed towards the carriage.
Before leaving, Sean whispered to the aspiring knights.
"It seems Sir Caesar spoke harshly because he hasn't fully recovered from his travel fatigue. Please understand. Well then, I'll be going."
Sean smiled faintly and got into the carriage.
***
Bradley kicked a trash can roaming in the alley.
"F*ck! That bastard!"
Bradley and his companions, still not having cooled down, trampled the trash can violently.
People glanced at them furtively.
"What are you looking at! What?"
At that, people just frowned and went on their way.
Bradley lit a cigarette and said,
"That f*cking bastard. Him, a knight? I'd sooner believe he was a thug."
His friends agreed with Bradley.
"Exactly. Did you see his eyes? How could that bastard have passed the knight qualification exam?"
"What's that bastard's family name? Isn't he just a commoner?"
Bradley exhaled cigarette smoke and said,
"I held back because the first exam is only two months away. If we had caused trouble, we might not have been able to take the exam."
"That's right. He looked like he was all show and no substance."
Bradley threw his cigarette on the ground and said,
"What did he say his name was?"
"Caesar. He said it was Caesar."
"I haven't heard that name around here."
"But it does sound familiar. Where have I heard it?"
"What does it matter? We just need to take care of him."
His friends' eyes sparkled.
"Are you going to call Sir Chiffon?"
Bradley nodded.
"I could take care of him myself, but I can't directly shed blood with the knight qualification exam coming up."
***
Caesar had dinner with Sean in the hotel lounge.
"Thank you sincerely for buying me dinner as well."
"It's your company paying for it anyway. Since we're here, eat all the delicious food you want."
"Yes! Then, may I order a bottle of wine?"
"Go ahead."
"Excuse me!"
The more Caesar looked at him, the more amusing he found him.
Harrison was too taciturn to be much fun, but having this guy around like a bell was quite entertaining.
Is this why kings kept jesters close?
Caesar pretended not to notice and lightly touched Sean's wine glass.
-Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!
-Red wine is indeed the best with steak!
-I wish every day could be like today!
Caesar had never seen such a pure soul in his life.
Isn't it natural for people to have some small dark intentions?
This guy was as white as snow.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three!"
"You're quite young. How old were you when you started this job?"
"Eighteen. I was originally a carriage driver. But by chance, I ended up driving the railway president's carriage, and he must have taken a liking to me because he suddenly put me in charge of VIP hospitality."
Caesar could understand why the railway president hired this guy.
Just listening to him talk was entertaining, how could one not hire him?
"Are you thinking of changing jobs?"
"Huh? Well..."
The guy rolled his eyes around and then smiled awkwardly.
"I feel indebted to the president, so it doesn't feel right to change jobs right now. I'm grateful that you think well of me, but... I'm sorry!"
"Seems like you've received offers like this before?"
"A few. Hehe."
Oh, he even has loyalty.
He passes the romance test.
"Well, if you change your mind later, come find me."
"Yes. I understand!"
The guy enjoyed his meal deliciously and then melted the chocolate that came as dessert in his mouth.
Caesar wondered how the railway president had persuaded this guy, but no matter how he thought about it, it seemed he had just fed him lots of delicious food.
"Oh, right. Those people who picked a fight with you earlier, Sir Caesar?"
"Hm? What about them?"
"They're quite infamous for their bad behavior here in Sanctus Lumen. Especially that blonde guy with the unpleasant face, you know?"
"Ah, the one who was making a fuss at the front?"
"Yes. I heard he's from the Herson Viscount family in Vex Province. Of course, not from the main family, but a branch family."
"A branch family? Then there's nothing to see. He's just a pseudo-noble like me, right?"
"Still, it seems he keeps a knight around. I heard the knight gained some fame in Vex Province in the past... What was it? The Wild Dog of the Wilderness, or something?"
"What kind of nickname is that?"
"Usually, when they say 'wild dog,' it's a roundabout way of referring to knights with nasty temperaments."
"Then it's not fame, it's infamy."
Caesar wiped his mouth and stood up.
"Then there's nothing to see. I don't back down from a fight that comes to me. If they're annoying, I'll just beat them up."
Just as Sean was getting up, a man burst through the restaurant door.
"Who's Caesar!!!"
Well, speak of the devil.
"Is that the wild dog?"
Sean looked at the man's face and nodded slightly.
"...It seems so."