A Royal Invitation and Unexpected Secrets
In one of the reception rooms of the Royal Capital.
In a small but neat and tidy room, what exactly is Dalek Ron Lagrand doing here?
It's the third or fourth time he's come. Originally, I thought that since I'd come to the Royal Capital for the first time in a while, I'd get a commendation, take a tour of the Royal Capital, and clear my head a bit.
But what am I doing here? If I stick to my original plan, I should be slowly heading home or strolling leisurely down the street.
But there's no such lazy freedom. The officials and knights of the kingdom have been coming to find me and Dalek, getting acquainted.
And now the finishing touch is old man Drex Valefor himself. I've been doing emotional labor I never wanted to do.
"How is life in the Knight Academy? I didn't go to the Academy so I don't know much about the curriculum, but are you satisfied with the course?"
"Under the guidance of the professors, we're all doing well. And all the fellow students are excellent too."
"Is that so. I hope an excellent student enters the Knight Order."
That old man, I thought he was here just for a greeting, but he's slowly trying to pull me in.
With more than ten years of working together, I could see right through his thoughts. When we were both in the Knight Order, I didn't know how it felt.
But the moment I felt him trying to pull me in right in front of me, it honestly didn't feel good at all.
"Sigh."
I unconsciously let out a sound. At that moment, the old man shifted his gaze to me.
No, no. Don't look at me. Like everyone else, go pay attention to Dalek, the successor to the prestigious Langrand family.
"Oh, that's right. I neglected to pay attention to my precious one. Lir Ostrin, was it?"
"Yes, I'm the same as a student enrolled in the Knight Academy."
"I heard you caught a demon single-handedly. It was lucky there wasn't a big injury."
"Ah... yes..."
I had no choice but to force a smile. I know this is all groundwork.
"From what I know, it's unprecedented for a freshman just entering the Academy to catch a demon. Truly a promising talent."
...... If you're a student at the Academy, you wouldn't run into demons, so you couldn't catch them. I used to catch demons even when I was younger than my current age.
At sixty years old, those sparkling eyes still shone brightly inside. I felt burdened and casually looked away.
"So, um... have you thought about your plans after graduating from the Academy?"
Old man Drex leaned on the desk and slightly leaned forward.
I rolled my eyes, trying to figure out what to do.
"If you're a Knight Academy student, there are cases where you become an organizational instructor... or often stay as a bodyguard. But that can't be it. After all, didn't you come to the Knight Academy to become a knight?"
"That's correct. If you're in the Knight Academy, aiming for the Knight Order is only natural."
Please, Dalek.
I have no idea what you're thinking, but don't do this. Please. At least don't make such an active position statement here.
Anyway, it doesn't help my life. I don't seem to have directly benefited from getting involved with Dalek.
Contrary to my burning heart, old man Drex smiled as if he had received a very satisfactory answer.
"Hmm. Very good. If the son of the prestigious Langrand family joins the Knight Order, there could be nothing better."
He nodded several times and shook hands with Dalek using both hands.
This old man is no longer even in the Knight Order... why is he like this now. He's just a royal advisor now.
"Then, how about Lir Ostrin? The Knight Order is looking for talent like you. The salary is quite generous, and who else would protect the kingdom and family if we don't?"
"Ah, um. I haven't thought about it deeply yet. I'm also a freshman."
That's a lock. I still remember the times when I received vacation as a knight apprentice and my savings ran dry.
I don't want to. Even after retiring, I have no intention of returning to the battlefield.
Even if I go back, if I return to Rigel Belheim's body, that's it. There's not the slightest thought of spinning around in the body of Lir Ostrin from the bottom.
"Yes, think it over slowly. If you're as talented as Lir Ostrin, I think it wouldn't be strange to aim for the Knight Commander."
"Ah, yes... I'll think about it slowly. It's too sudden to think about right now...
Since I evaded the answer, Drex didn't push more aggressively.
Instead, he glanced at Dalek once more, judging that it was already decided.
"If you really come to the Knight Order, I will make every possible effort, using my authority and other things. I hope that thought doesn't change!"
"I was planning to come to the Knight Order from the beginning!"
Ah, that was the time I was supposed to have come to the Knight Order with me.
I went to the Knight Order thinking only about me, but after I retired, I changed my course to the Academy.
"With such enthusiasm, the future of the Knight Order looks bright! Then, it's about time. I'll be going now. I hope your tour of the Royal Capital is enjoyable!"
It seemed like his goal was achieved. Old man Drex said to us with the most lively and bright voice I've heard in the past year.
With a bright and cheerful smile that wouldn't make you believe he's a sixty-year-old man, he waved and left the room.
Clack.
After the door closed, the flowing silence was a huge contrast to the lively atmosphere right before.
"It's tough, Dalek. This should be the end...
"I hope so. I never imagined I'd meet that prestigious old man Drex, but...
"You... no, never mind. Talking is tiring."
After one storm passed, the backlash left me powerless.
'I want to go home.'
Even though I thought that, the sound of the door opening cruelly crushed that expectation.
Reflexively, I leaned on the armrest to lift my upper body, but my strength gave out and I slumped down.
"Eek... aaaaah..."
"Oh, you must have been in a lot of pain?"
Thinking it was good fortune in misfortune, the princess's voice rang out.
As if asking her to sit, she waved her hand down.
"I'm sorry. So many people wanted to see both of you that I thought you wouldn't be used to this, so I went through the trouble."
"No. It was an honor to meet such famous figures of the kingdom."
"Then that's good. I've prepared a proper gift, so please accept it."
Next to the princess, two aides were holding items wrapped in high-quality cloth.
At her gesture, she handed one to me and Dalek.
"A modest item, but it's wine aged for thirty years in the royal warehouse."
Me, I'm not good with alcohol. It probably isn't a very high alcohol content?
One sip to go with the meal... should be fine...?
"Ugh... ugh... I wasn't even at the Royal Capital for a few hours, and why am I so tired."
"I think training is much better. Right, Lir?"
"You have the proper knightly qualities, Dalek."
Yeah. All a knight needs is to handle weapons well. Just cut through monsters and demons well. What do politics or small talk have to do with it?
Even though you're from a noble family, I thought you were skilled in politics and networking. It's just managing your expression, I guess it must be tough for you too.
I thought Dalek had the proper knightly qualities. For such bureaucratic work, we just need to hire an official. Whatever.
Lir and Dalek exited the Royal Capital.
Although the sun hadn't set yet, and maybe because he was tired, Lir's mouth let out a yawn repeatedly.
Looking out at the view of the Royal Capital from far below, Lir said to Dalek.
"Dalek, I have to go this way. See you at the Academy."
"Ah, Lir. See you next time. Thanks for today."
The direction Dalek was heading to his estate and the direction Lir was heading home were different.
Lir showed a tired expression with a yawn and waved goodbye to Dalek.
Only after Dalek turned his steps toward the lower path, rounded the corner, and disappeared did Lir turn her steps.
But she didn't immediately head home. She moved her steps into a somewhat dark alley.
Inside a deserted alley. And after confirming no one was around, Lir opened her mouth and spoke.
"I don't understand your intentions. I thought you were done for because you stepped out of the Royal Guard's eyes, but you actually got a commendation at the Royal Capital."
Standing still, Lir Ostrin leaned her upper body against the wall and looked at the empty passage.
Tap, tap.
While tapping the wall with the back of her hand, she summoned the presence she felt.
"Isn't that right? Royal Guard?"
"As expected, you noticed."
From beyond the alley, a man with light brown hair appeared without a sound of footsteps.
His expression was sharp in the usual dark brown attire. The Royal Guard I bumped into before.
"I only think you failed to report. What's your intention?"
......
I postponed the report on that point because there were questions. What relation do you have with Rigel Belheim?"
As expected, he asks about that point.
I withhold the answer. Before that, I need to find out what this Royal Guard's purpose is and what relation I have with him.
"That depends on your answer?"
Even though the game of reading each other's minds doesn't suit my temperament. I have no intention of fighting for no reason.
This is the best for now.