Delusions

"Good thing. Really good thing."

"No injuries?"

The guild hall turned into a tearful reunion scene in an instant. But I had no intention of inserting myself into that touching moment. I just sat crookedly on a broken chair and took a bite of an apple.

"Thank you so much…."

"Yeah, sure."

As the emotions died down and one or two adventurers came over to thank me, the guild's massive front doors swung open once more.

"Could you check if anyone is injured, you see?"

Along with the faint scent of rose perfume, a beautiful girl with elaborately curled golden blonde hair appeared, flanked by knights.

Frisia Springfield.

It was my first time seeing her at this point in the timeline, but I'd seen her hundreds of times in the game.

The young lady who gathered every mercenary in the area to defend her family. Regardless of the outcome, I had to respect her initiative.

She brushed the dust off her dress with a flick and scanned the hall.

Adventurers reuniting with their families amid cheers, people tidying up the guild here and there—and then she spotted me in the center and strode over confidently.

"Thank you for resolving this sudden riot, you see. I had no idea there was someone of your caliber mixed in with the adventurers."

Frisia delicately lifted the hem of her simple dress and bowed gracefully.

"I won't pry into the details, you see. It's regrettable that the mercenaries I hired for the territory's defense caused trouble… but thanks to you, we avoided a major disaster. Come to the manor later, and I'll formally reward you."

She tossed out the light promise as if that settled everything and turned to leave.

She didn't even introduce herself. Her expression showed not a hint that I might not know who she was.

What the hell? Is this really it?

I swallowed a hollow laugh.

The family head was critically ill, and Viscount Gondor had brought troops to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the vicinity of the territory—hell, they might already be inside. And she was talking about later?

"Hold on. That mercenary captain… Budong. Have you interrogated him?"

"We've decided to just deport ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him appropriately, you see."

"……."

This woman seemed completely unaware of the trap Viscount Gondor had set.

She knew he was targeting the Springfield territory and had gathered mercenaries for defense. That was the extent of it. A bit of a headache.

Maybe it'd be easier to just help Frisia after she failed and went on the run?

The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I shook my head.

If the east fell completely, the royal capital would crumble in no time. No choice.

My first slave… no, ally. I could handle this much.

"Hoo…."

I let out a sigh and beckoned with a hand.

"Frisia."

She halted at my call.

She turned with a displeased frown.

"How rude, you see. To dare call a noble by name so casually…."

"If you go like this, you'll die."

"…What did you say?"

Frisia's eyes wavered.

It was probably because my gaze was too dry for mere empty ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠intimidation.

I crunched into the apple and continued.

"Request protection from the Church right now and inform the kingdom of Viscount Gondor's ambitions. Use the teleport gate or whatever—shortest time possible."

If things went well, reinforcements might arrive within a day.

"What are you talking about, you see? Even Viscount Gondor wouldn't…."

"His army's probably already inside the territory by now. Not the main force, but at least scouts. Prepare defenses immediately—right now."

"Eh?"

My voice was low but firm.

"And sweep through your household staff again. The viscount's spies are bound to be mixed in."

Was that the trigger?

One of the three knights guarding Frisia couldn't hold back and drew his sword.

Shing— The sharp metallic ring echoed menacingly.

"What nonsense…! The household servants are all loyal souls who serve the family head with true devotion. You think the young lady would be swayed by drivel from a rootless commoner like you?"

I was dumbfounded watching him draw his sword.

Damn, why do these guys always go for their weapons first?

From my experience here, this place just didn't mesh with me.

Normally, drawing a sword like that meant a duel to the death—intending to turn one side into a corpse. But these idiots pulled weapons for intimidation and talked after.

"……."

As I pondered why bother talking when you had a good sword, the knight mistook my silence for fear and smirked.

"You pathetic wretch, finally grasping your place? You'll shut your trap soon enough, so why soil the Springfield name with that filthy mouth? The young lady's presence spares you today, but if you show such insolence again…."

"Lady Frisia."

I cut him off ruthlessly and looked at Frisia.

"Guys like this are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the most suspicious. Investigate them first."

"This bastard, to the end…!"

Veins bulged on the knight's forehead.

Patience was supposed to be a knightly virtue, but this guy clearly had anger issues.

No skill, just a foul temper.

"Heh heh hm."

The amusing part was Frisia's reaction.

Far from intervening, she crossed her arms and watched me and the knight alternately with keen interest.

Her eyes observed me like she was studying what kind of person I was.

"Hoo… For now, since you're the family's benefactor, I'll overlook this insult."

The knight sheathed his sword, suppressing his rage.

Whatever.

I stared straight into Frisia's eyes and asked.

"Are these your only knights?"

"…What do you mean by that, you see?"

"If that's all, your house is done for soon."

Way too few, no matter how you sliced it.

At my provocative words, Frisia arched a slender brow, arms still crossed.

"A few more are on the way, but these are the most trusted elites of the elites in our house, you see."

"Elites…?"

I swallowed another hollow laugh and glanced at the knights, who looked ready to skewer me any second.

In the capital, they'd be lucky to pass as soldiers.

"No wonder the viscount sees you as easy pickings and marches in."

"You lowly cur, enough…! I can't take this anymore!"

Shing— The knight finally lost it and swung his sword.

I didn't even stand from my seat. Chewing the apple, I just tilted my head slightly aside.

The blade whistled past my ear by a hair's breadth.

The knight's eyes widened in shock.

"H-How…?!"

He tried to readjust his grip, but my hand was faster.

I seized his wrist and twisted.

"Gahhh!"

I followed with a kick to his chest, sending him flying into the wall.

Bam—!

With my basic strength restored after the party disbanded, it was possible.

The remaining knights' jaws dropped at the instant takedown.

"Impossible! A single blow to the Bashinem…."

Frisia responded immediately.

"I'll inform about Viscount Gondor and request Church protection tonight, you see."

Listening to the winner, huh? Fine.

"Good. I have more to tell you—come here."

She didn't nitpick my casual speech anymore and walked over obediently.

Seemed she'd accepted I was that kind of guy.

I whispered a few key pieces of info in her ear, and her eyes went wide as she stared at me.

Weird, sure.

I'd overlooked the knight's rudeness and shared critical intel.

"…Why, why help me, you see? What does a powerhouse like you have to do with our house…? Sorry, but we're not wealthy. If it's money you're after…."

Frisia's voice trembled faintly.

Terror at her house's potential fall mixed with doubt over my goodwill.

Made sense—if it was wealth or status, siding with Viscount Gondor would've been far more profitable.

"Just."

"……."

I tossed the apple core aside lazily.

"Couldn't just watch."

My intent was clear: pure pragmatism. I didn't want to lose frontline support against the demon king's army. Where else to find a deal-tank like this?

But,

"Eek…!"

Her face flushed beet red in an instant.

From my words, she seemed the type awkward with expressions.

Her eyes caught the faint scars peeking from under my shirt collar—marks of past pain.

Scars from former party members, mostly Lurein, but she jumped to her own conclusions.

Aah…! Now all the mysteries are solved, you see!

He'd resolved the crisis at the perfect timing and was a knight in love with me, protecting me from the shadows!

Not swayed by the wealth and fame from Viscount Gondor, and those horrific wounds from shielding me time and again from the viscount's beasts!

Even kept worrying about her….

It reminded her of her favorite novel, The Demonic Knight and the Virgin Lady.

'Albert, you dare….'

'Dogs shouldn't talk back.'

Albert yanked the collar hard.

Woof.

One misstep, and she might devour me like a beast…!!

Handsome enough, but clearly a beast of a man.

Should I ask outright?

"Heh heh hm! D-Do I really catch your eye that much, you see?"

Frisia looked down, hugging herself protectively from the brute.

Why was this woman acting up all of a sudden?

"Yeah."

Her value as a frontline tank—nothing more, nothing less.

But at my answer, she clutched her head and staggered.

"It was real, you see…."

"Lady Frisia!"

"Are you alright?"

"Endured those wounds, over and over…."

"……?"

Wounds?

These were old burns from Seria and Lurein's "magic practice" and poke marks from their "healing tests."

Unaware of my thoughts, her eyes sparkled.

Look at that noble silence! True knighthood, never boasting of his deeds! Ahh, how did I never notice a man like this before…?

A strange atmosphere flowed.

Maybe just my imagination.

"Heh heh hm! I'll take my leave now, you see. Until then, stay well."

Face crimson, Frisia vanished with her knights in a flash.

* * *

"What the hell?"

Character scenario this early…? No idea why, but if it's showing, might as well check.

"Not much different."

Within margin of error.

"What's the issue?"

Then I spotted it.

Negative Trait: Delusional Disorder (Moderate)

"Ah."