Become My Squire (1)

A feast of endless notification windows. And before my eyes, a lion stood, holding a shattered axe. The creature was slowly turning into ash.

As I pulled out the sword I’d driven into it, a larger hole opened up, as if the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clumped ashes were being scattered by the wind. With a heavy thud, the lion knelt, and as it was swallowed by the dust and blown away, it spoke.

"Knight."

Hm?

"Master…. I still could not reach you…."

For the first and last time. Muttering something I couldn't understand, it entered its final rest with a look of relief on its face.

Me too.

Thud.

I feel like I’m going to die soon, too. Have I ever fought this intensely since I fell into this world?

My legs gave out, and I collapsed forward. I barely managed to hold onto my fading consciousness. If I hadn't possessed Dragon Force, I don't know what would have happened. I could feel that my internal organs were shredded and several bones were broken, even if they were slowly regenerating. If not for that power, I’d be dead already.

Still, the story of the peerless knight. It was truly something. In a state where my magic and stamina were completely bottomed out, I had taken down the lion with a single thrust. What on earth were they? Why was the body of the 'Knightly Star'—something not even mentioned in the game settings—here?

I was curious about everything, but I decided not to dwell on it for now. Because right now, it just hurts like hell.

Anyway, there’s no way this is going to pass quietly. I’m definitely getting a 10-star rating from the duty officer….

"Ian!"

Someone was running toward me. A woman with silver hair fluttering behind her. Dolnesia. When I saw her face, there was a clear streak of blood at the corner of her mouth, and tear tracks in her eyes, as if she’d been crying. She approached slowly, knelt, and placed her hand on my cheek.

"…Are you seriously insane?"

Instead of asking if I was okay, she just started with the insults.

"I survived, didn't I?"

"Is that even something to say right now!"

Dolnesia screamed at me. I thought surviving was enough… but it seemed she didn't see it that way. But really, isn't surviving enough? Why be this angry?

'But you are different. You have one more person who will cry for you.'

Seeing her bite her lip, why did Haede’s words come to mind? The person Haede spoke of. The person who would cry for me if I died. I couldn't understand why she would be that person. Was she that close to the Ian from before I possessed this body? Or was it five years ago….

Ha…. I let out a dry laugh at the useless thoughts.

"What’s so funny?"

"No, it’s just…."

As if that could be true. If she knew, she would definitely be angry. She wouldn't treat me like this….

I tried to ignore the rising thoughts. Well, it was true that I’d pushed myself too hard this time. I decided to humbly accept her nagging.

I couldn't do anything. Even when Ian was covered in blood. Even when Lady Dolnesia and Dante were coughing up blood. Even when Haede suddenly intervened. I couldn't do anything but scream.

No. 'Don't come.' It was a hindrance.

My heart ached seeing them fight the enemy even while coughing up blood. But my heart ached even more because I was the one who could only watch. And because they didn't blame me for it, it hurt even more.

I came to the academy to get stronger, but when it mattered, I couldn't do anything for anyone. Ede threw her body in the way to protect Ian, but I… I could only scream. Why on earth did I come to the academy….

I placed my hand near my chest and looked ahead. Ian, sitting there covered in blood. Dolnesia, nagging him in front of him. Dante, trying to restrain Dolnesia beside them. Watching them, I bit my lip slightly.

Do I… really deserve to be with these people? I’m just a bad person who smiles when others smile, pretends to be kind, but does nothing when things get dangerous. I don't want to see others die in front of me, yet when Ede was about to die, I just stood there. I am….

"Lis?"

"Ede…."

Ede approached me, and I forced a smile so she wouldn't worry.

"What are you doing here?"

"That is…."

"Ah."

Ede clapped her hands as if she understood. "Are you blaming yourself again?"

"N-no, it’s not that…."

"You totally are."

As expected. I can't hide anything from you.

"I couldn't do anything." Even when Ian, Dante, and Lady Dolnesia were fighting and coughing up blood. Even when you stepped forward, I couldn't do anything. I am so….

"Here, take this." Ede handed me something. It was a ring. A silver ring without any decorations. But it felt warm. It felt… somehow familiar….

"A ring? Why this ring?"

"Ian told me to give it to you."

W-what? Ian gave me a ring? Why, why? Why would he give me a ring? At that moment, a romance novel I’d read in the past came to mind. There was a similar scene in that book….

A grown man giving a ring to a grown woman means. My face flushed hot. That… a pro….

"Well. I don't think he’d try to propose in such a critical situation…. Hmm, or maybe not. But it didn't seem like he gave it to me with that kind of tone…. Besides, it’s not even a ring with jewels or anything, right?"

It’s not? Then what is it?

Seeing Ede resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought, my mind drifted further into a labyrinth. But it’s so out of the blue. Giving me a ring all of a sudden.

"Hmm, but I think he gave it to you because it’s a ring you need."

Because I need it?

"Why?"

"Just a woman's intuition, I guess. And you have the favor of Charles, Asdel, and Ars. Is there any brave soul who would dare give you a proposal ring?"

"Haha." They’re just being kind to me. I don't have the qualifications to be with them. Then. Why did Ian give me the ring? Did he really give it to me thinking it would help me? Then, how does Ian know that?

I stared blankly at Ian’s face. Ian, who was struggling while being scolded by Lady Dolnesia. I still don't know. Ian is still full of mysteries. He was like that from our first impression.

'Oh, yes. Hello.' When we first met, he looked at me as if he were startled, and he was a scary person with a very fierce impression.

'My name is Ian! Ian de Logres!' A strange person who fought like a knight from a fairy tale when dealing with terrorists.

'It’s fine. I don't have any reputation left to lose anyway.' He would grant favors even when told he’d be ignored, saying he didn't care about his reputation.

'Are you deaf? I asked which affiliation you’re from.' He’s also a scary person when he’s angry.

How should I put it. Saving Ede. The way he charged toward that terrifying lion. It was like a knight from a fairy tale. That’s why. I think he’s just a strange person. That’s why. I think this is just a strange ring he gave me because he’s a strange person.

I carefully took the ring Ede handed me, held it tightly with both hands, and brought it to my chest.

"It’s warm."

It was a strange ring, somehow familiar and incredibly warm.

Finally. I hit level 30. As expected, what I gained was Aura. It wasn't a dedicated stat that protagonists usually get, but hey, it’s Aura. This means I can finally manifest sword energy.

I invested all my remaining SP into Aura. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Immediately, I felt a heat in my lower abdomen, and something spreading throughout my entire body. It was the same feeling as when I first leveled up my Magic stat.

The Mana Training Method, which hadn't leveled up, skyrocketed from level 1 to max. I could move mana at a level incomparable to before. Is this what it means to be a Sword User? And what hidden trait was unlocked?

Along with the 'NEW!' tag at the bottom, a single sentence shimmered. I can appoint a Squire? What is a Squire?

As I asked the question internally, Ding! A notification window popped up as if to explain.

[A Squire is an apprentice knight and servant who follows you.]

A servant? An apprentice knight? Is that something good?

[A Squire is a shield that protects you and a sword that fights alongside you.]

[You can issue a 'Forced Command' to your Squire 3 times.]

So I can force commands three times. Is there no other merit?

[You can pass on your skills to your Squire.]

I can pass on my skills? That means I could teach someone else the 'Orlando-Style Muscle Training Method' or 'Orlando’s Frenzy'. That’s not bad! If I appoint someone like Haede, couldn't I turn her into an 'Ian Prototype'? Or I could appoint Isabella and create a hybrid who uses both magic and muscles.

[Mutual consent is required to appoint a Squire.]

[However, you cannot contract with a hostile party, and if they become hostile, the Squire appointment contract is voided.]

Hostile parties are ineligible. If they turn hostile, can I not recover the skills I passed on?

[They cannot be recovered.]

What, why are there so many flaws? If I’m not careful, I’ll end up doing all the work for nothing. That means I have to appoint someone who won't betray me….

[The number of people you can currently appoint as Squire is 1.]

But wait. How do I appoint them? It said mutual consent is required, but I can't just walk up to someone and ask, "Will you be my Squire?" Besides, I’m the only one who knows about the System’s existence.

[You simply need to ask the other party if they wish to be appointed and obtain their consent.]

Just ask for consent. Hmm. Who should I appoint as my Squire? Dolnesia? Haede? Or Iris? As expected, is appointing Haede the right choice? I chose Haede not because of the three forced commands, but because I can ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pass on my skills. Haede isn't a main protagonist or heroine, so she stands in the position of Iris’s friend, and she doesn't grow strong enough to keep up with the power creep later on. But if she inherits my skills? Keeping up with the power creep wouldn't be a problem at all.

Then. To Haede.

"Ian."

The moment I tried to approach Haede, the wolf approached me.

"Why?"

"It seems the work is done. Both the leopard and the lion have fallen by your hand."

"Well, I suppose."

"It could have ended easily if you had sacrificed me."

That’s debatable. Considering the potential of that insane lion, I couldn't even imagine that you holding it back would have solved anything. Let’s not say that.

"Ian."

While I was having such trivial thoughts, it called my name again.

"So, what should I do now?"

"What do you mean, what should you do?"

"I mean I haven't found the timing to exit."

As the wolf approached slowly, Dante blocked my front, perhaps thinking it was dangerous.

"Ian needs to rest…."

"It’s okay." I restrained Dante. "I know that when you saved me the first time, you did it to use me as a guide. But the second time, there was no reason to keep me alive."

"I told you. I thought it would give me bad dreams if you, whom I’d gone to such lengths to save, died."

"I have no reason to live, Ian."

At the wolf’s words, everyone gasped. Neither I nor anyone else could open our mouths. Because the wolf’s voice sounded like a plea. Gritting its teeth with an emotion that sounded like it was coughing up blood, the creature spoke.

The wolf, who had never shown emotion, finally revealed the feelings of a broken heart.

"That day, when I woke up from that damn nightmare… when I realized I had turned into a giant wolf in the lab, I…."

It was resentment toward why it had been saved. I see.

"Ian. Please, kill me. I don't know the meaning of living anymore. My life has been nothing but misfortune. So, you, who saved me, do it with your own hands…."

"You…!"

Whatever trigger I’d hit in Dolnesia, she was about to get angry, but I spoke first.

"I told you."

"Unfortunately, you aren't dying today."

"But!"

"You said you don't know the meaning of living?"

Even that corpse, which was just mimicking the memories of the flesh, fought with all its might. There’s no way you don't have a reason to live. You just don't know it yet. If you don't know it.

"You can find out."

I approached the creature. My whole body still ached, but I limped and stood before it.

"If you don't know where to go. I will be your guide, Wolf."

"What?"

Exactly what I said. I grinned and opened my mouth.

"You, become my Squire."