Chapter 13
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Headgates (6)
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"You're back?"
Late in the evening, as Blake returned to the room, Lindelmann looked up from the table where he sat deep in thought.
"......"
Blake glanced at Lindelmann's bloodshot eyes and the empty liquor bottles on the table, then sat down on the bed without a word.
"It's quite late. Did something happen?"
Blake briefly recalled the events since entering Headgates and replied in a curt voice.
"Not really. I just concluded that this city isn't for me."
"I have no idea what you mean. Anyway, Blake, I have something to discuss with you."
Lindelmann spoke in a subdued tone.
"What is it?"
Blake furrowed his brow at the smell of alcohol.
"Blake, what if... we pursue true knighthood together?"
"No."
Lindelmann's face twisted for a moment at the immediate refusal without a hint of hesitation.
But he quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.
"Ahem! You should at least think it over before answering, shouldn't you? A true knight doesn't just pass by those in distress. So, let's practice chivalry together. What do you say?"
"I'm not a knight. So I have no chivalry to practice."
"Ah, come on... No, but someone who proudly served in the Imperial Army for His Majesty should at least be willing to help Imperial citizens in need, right?"
"I didn't fight for the Emperor. I fought for the commander and the legion, under his orders."
"Gasp! H-how dare you say such blasphemy!"
Lindelmann jumped in shock and quickly scanned the surroundings.
But there was no one to hear, and in the North at least, it wouldn't matter much even if someone did.
Unlike other regions, the Emperor's authority wasn't that strong in the North.
Though weakened compared to decades ago, the North had traditionally been dominated by the prestige of lords and nobles.
Moreover, due to their longer history of resisting the Rebel King, Northern knights had strong pride and didn't warmly welcome the Emperor, who had never visited the North since ascending the throne.
But other regions, especially the central area including the capital Alteria, as well as the West and South around the Balt Strait, were different.
The Emperor's prestige was immense there.
So, if Blake had said that elsewhere, he could have been reported for blasphemy and executed by beheading within three days.
"Be careful. Even if this is the North..."
"......"
Blake gave no response to Lindelmann, who stared at him wide-eyed as if a catastrophe had occurred.
He figured it best not to mention that he'd already said the same to the Emperor long ago.
"Anyway, won't you at least consider it? I'm begging you."
"Is this about that guy from earlier?"
"Yes! That knight Carlson..."
Seeing Blake show interest, Lindelmann seized the moment and quickly began explaining.
"......And that's how it is. How tragic is that? He's lost almost all his wealth, his few remaining knights have left, leaving Sir Carlson alone. On top of that, not only has his eldest son died, but those bastards who ruined his house are trying to forcibly send his eldest daughter and young youngest to a convent..."
"It has nothing to do with me."
Ignoring Blake's cold voice, Lindelmann spoke exaggeratedly.
"But! Even in such circumstances, to resolve to defend the last pride of a noble knightly house through a duel of honor—how noble is that? Of course! Lindelmann Zaroph, who swore to become a proud Imperial knight, cannot just pass this by!"
Intoxicated by liquor and his own emotions, Lindelmann unwittingly clenched his fist and trembled with fervor.
But the young knight's hot blood cooled quickly.
"I never swore to become an Imperial knight, so I'll pass."
With that, Blake flopped back onto the bed.
"Is that really your stance? Hmph! Fine! Then tomorrow, the moment we leave Headgates, we'll go our separate ways. I've already promised Sir Carlson I'd help his house."
Downing the rest of his drink, Lindelmann spoke solemnly, as if issuing an ultimatum.
"Do as you like."
As expected, Blake's attitude remained unchanged.
"......"
Lindelmann glared at Blake in silence for a while before turning away with a whoosh.
Bang!
The door slammed shut as if it might break.
But Blake didn't twitch, just staring indifferently at the ceiling.
"Hmm. Then he's no good."
"Yes. Just forget him. To think I traveled even briefly with such a selfish bastard... Ugh! It's shameful."
Unable to contain his anger in Brick's room, Lindelmann had drunk a few more glasses here, his face even redder.
"But from his perspective, it's understandable. Especially if he really served at Northernrocks Fortress for over ten years—he might not want to fight anymore."
"Even so! A former proud Imperial soldier acting like that... Urk! Ah, no, just thinking of parting ways tomorrow! He thinks I won't if he suggests it! Grr!"
Still fuming, Lindelmann vented his unclear rage.
In the process, he emptied glass after glass.
His unusually aggressive words were due to the alcohol. He'd had quite a bit of wine while talking with Brick.
And that was Brick's intention.
Knock knock!
Someone knocked on the door then.
Brick, glancing at Lindelmann with a hint of guilt, stood and went to the door.
"Who's there?"
"I-it's us, Sir Carlson."
"Huh?"
At the hesitant voice, Brick opened the door in mild surprise.
In came a blonde beauty with upturned eyes like a sleek cat and a sharp-eyed boy.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
"I couldn't sleep. And I heard some brave knight would help us..."
The petite beauty subtly glanced at Lindelmann as she spoke softly.
From the moment the two entered, Lindelmann's eyes had been fixed on her, and he cleared his throat.
"Ahem!"
"Ah, Sir Zaroph, this is Christine White, the eldest daughter of the White Family. And this is..."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Christine. I am... Hic! Lindelmann Zaroph, third son of the Zaroph family."
Before Brick could finish the introduction, Lindelmann rushed over like the wind and clasped both of Christine White's hands, the blonde beauty.
"Oh my!"
Startled by the unexpected action, Christine blushed furiously and tried to pull away.
But Lindelmann gazed straight into her eyes and gripped tighter.
"Miss Christine, though my strength is humble, I shall spare no effort for the White Family. Hic! For you and the White Family's... honor! I gladly draw my sword."
Lindelmann's demeanor and voice were gravely resolute.
"Oh......"
Christine, who had never had her hand held by a peer like this handsome young knight, was at a loss.
The sweet wine scent from the close Lindelmann made her mind hazy.
"Well then, Christine, I apologize for the impropriety on our first meeting... Hic! Sir Carlson, let's depart after breakfast tomorrow. Then, everyone, until tomorrow... Urp!"
Lindelmann, eyes bloodshot and words unfinished, suddenly left the room.
The three left behind stared blankly at the door where he vanished.
As expected, soon after, a beastly retching echoed from the hallway.
"Kueeegh!"
"Somehow..."
The boy winced at the sound of Lindelmann vomiting.
Brick smiled reassuringly.
"He's just very drunk, Miss Mia. He's more than capable of fulfilling his role."
"Is that so? If Sir Carlson says so..."
Mia, the boyish girl whose disguise Blake had seen through, shrugged.
"What do you mean by that? He's clearly a knight pursuing true chivalry. He stepped up for a duel of honor for us, total strangers. And he hurried out to avoid being rude in front of... us. How considerate!"
Christine clasped her hands, eyes sparkling.
'Yeah, because you're a noble from Alteria, sis, and he's smitten.'
Swallowing the words that rose to her throat, Mia gave her three-years-older sister an awkward smile.
"Well, he's certainly knightly enough."
"He can handle at least one from the Lancaster side. As a noble, he trained in swordsmanship for years under a renowned central knight. And volunteering to come here means he's no pushover."
"I see. But he seemed pretty angry when we came in. What happened?"
Recalling the shout from outside, Mia asked. Brick's expression turned slightly regretful.
"The man who came with Sir Zaroph is going his own way. He's quite disappointed about that."
"Ah, I see."
Mia's voice softened a bit.
"Someone came with him? Who? Another knight from Alteria?"
Christine interjected, and Brick shook his head.
"Not from Alteria, and not a knight."
"A mercenary then?"
Mia guessed it might be a mercenary, given the unusual description.
But Brick shook his head again.
"No. I thought he was Sir Zaroph's hired guard mercenary, but he's not."
"Then...?"
"A recently discharged Imperial Army soldier. Served about ten years at Northernrocks Fortress."
"Northernrocks Fortress...?"
Mia was smart for her age, but still just a young girl unaware of Imperial Army details or Northernrocks Fortress.
So Brick roughly explained what he knew about the fortress and Lindelmann's companion.
"A soldier? Tch! Just a commoner then. I'm heading back to sleep."
Christine, briefly interested in Blake, lost it upon hearing "soldier" and returned to her room.
But Mia listened intently to Brick, eyes wide.
"......That's why he ended up coming to Headgates with this Blake fellow."
"I see. But is Northernrocks Fortress that impressive? I've heard it's near the Northern Great Mountains."
At Mia's question, Brick gave a thumbs up.
"Extremely. It's the strongest in the Imperial Army."
"That much?"
"Yes. Among Imperial garrisons, it's the only place with year-round combat. Ten years there means top veteran. He's very strong. Maybe even stronger than me..."
"Ah......"
Mia's eyes widened; she rarely saw Brick praise anyone like this.
(To be continued)