The Female Knight (2)

Thud! Next to the lord’s castle lay a flat training field of moderate size. Placing the knights’ magic-powered training grounds too close would make normal life impossible—the noise and shockwaves alone would see to that. This was why a smaller building attached to the castle served as the knights’ office and dormitory, while their main quarters stood a short distance away.

“First time coming all the way out here.”

“Is it?”

I left the maids behind and walked with my older brother, Aidan. The path hadn’t been deliberately widened, but constant foot traffic from the knights had flattened and broadened it, revealing a leveled clearing beyond.

As far ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as I knew, this spot used to be a small hill.

“You could have visited more often.”

“Too much hassle. Never planned on taking a knight as my vassal anyway.”

“Still, do you honestly think a noble can wander around without even a guard knight? I heard you went to the adventurer guild with nothing but a clerk.”

“I was curious. Only ever seen the place in books. Besides, the clerk has a decent amount of magic power, doesn’t he?”

“Haa… You really are something else.”

I hadn’t expected any real danger, and I’d ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kept basic defenses up. I’d also confirmed the adventurers’ overall level and equipment quality. From the magic signatures I’d sensed nearby, most of them didn’t even reach knight-level. The guild master, Isabel, however, possessed solid knight-level power and respectable control. Her technique for analyzing my magic had been particularly impressive.

“Guild Master Isabel was pretty impressive, wasn’t she? Felt like she was around the same level as the knights who guard Father.”

“Isabel? Hm. I suppose that was the guild master’s name. Well, reaching that level as an adventurer at her age does show talent.”

From Aidan’s vague tone, it was clear he only remembered her magic power. He’d normally remember the name of someone at that level even if she were a commoner. Must be because she wasn’t from around here. My brother, honestly.

Thud!

While we chatted, a powerful vibration rolled through the ground. The distinctive wave created when many people clashed spread out across the area.

“They’re working hard.”

“Maybe they know we’re coming?”

When the division commander shows up, the cleaning becomes brutal. Fuck. Just remembering it makes me want to curse.

“Isn’t that only natural?”

Aidan looked at me as if I were strange. This is exactly why people born to stand above others—

I felt their gazes. More of them than I expected. I thought I’d heard that too many knights would ruin a country? Must be another one of those fantasy world tropes. Best to ignore it.

“Welcome, Sir Aidan. Sir Leoric.”

Hans. The knight commander. Father’s very first guard knight. White hair, thick beard, and countless scars that told exactly how many battlefields the old man had walked.

“It’s been a while, Grandpa Hans. I should have come to see you more often.”

“Second Young Master. Have you been well? Hehe. The rumors that reach me in passing are plenty. I heard about your recent activities. That’s good to hear. If it’s you, Second Young Master, I’m sure you’ll handle it splendidly.”

“Haha. I’ll work hard so I don’t disappoint you, Grandpa Hans.”

When I puffed out my chest to answer, Hans’s gaze softened into that of a grandfather looking at his grandson. Given the age gap with Father, the grandfather-grandson dynamic fit. With how quickly people conceived in this world, the actual gap might be even larger. Starting from the sheer volume of magic power and adding the achievements earned serving under Grandfather and fighting alongside Father, he’d accomplished enough to found a new bloodline or arrange a prestigious marriage into another noble house.

“Hahaha. I’ll be counting on you from now on as well.”

“This old man is on the verge of retirement. I’m hardly the one you should be asking favors from.”

Though his smile was gentle, the fact that he still held the position of commander proved how vigorous he remained. The other knights behind him wore bitter smiles.

“Hans. Are the preparations complete?”

“Yes.”

At Aidan’s question, Hans’s gaze shifted toward a group standing off to one side. They were the owners of the stolen glances I’d been feeling since we arrived—all young men.

“Tsk.”

I’d noticed the furtive looks. Of course Grandpa Hans had too. His eyes sharpened on them. The young knights’ faces turned pale.

“They are still fledglings, but… will this be acceptable? To be honest, I had hoped to assign you deputy commander-level personnel.”

Hans’s concern ran deep. The fact that these youths had been brought forward meant they were the most skilled of their generation. Aidan gave a small chuckle.

“The deputy commanders are all busy, aren’t they?”

“All those fellows do is eat our food and grow fat. When I was young—”

Here we go again. Aidan’s expression ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stiffened. Once Hans entered this state, only Father could stop him. Aidan’s eyes flicked toward the knights standing behind Hans, but they had all closed their eyes and lowered their heads.

Heh. Looks like I have to step in.

“Come on, Grandpa Hans. Making the deputy commanders of the proud Franz Knight Order serve under a greenhorn like me? That’s hardly appropriate.”

“Second Young Master, even so…”

“Anyway, setting the deputy commanders aside, are these all the knights gathered here?”

As expected, no twins in sight.

“Ah, you mean those twins?”

“Yes. They’re my milk brothers.”

A quick glance at Hans’s expression told me it wasn’t bad. That’s a relief for them. No matter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠how much I wanted them, if they lacked talent I couldn’t raise them as knights. That authority belonged solely to Father. If they’d earned Hans’s approval, becoming knights shouldn’t be an issue.

“They showed considerable tenacity and loyalty.”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

Honestly, they were the most trustworthy pair I had. Even if they couldn’t become knights, I’d planned to keep them close. Still, becoming proper knights would be better for them.

“Their magic reserves are excessively large, so their control remains immature. Time will solve that… but they still have much to learn technically, so sending them under the Second Young Master immediately would be difficult.”

“Ah, that’s fine. Keep working them hard.”

“Haha. Understood.”

I couldn’t interfere with that authority. Better to let them suffer a bit more. Twins discussion over. Time for the main event.

I turned my gaze to the young knights standing at attention with tense expressions.

“Hmm.”

“……”

“……”

“……”

As expected of military personnel—their posture was impeccable. Most of them were older than me despite being called young. I slowly scanned the group. The majority were men, but there were quite a few women as well. From a female knight who could almost be mistaken for my brother to a rather delicate-looking female knight, their numbers were impressive.

Differences in physical training were obvious, but what mattered was the volume, control, and application of magic power. The differences in raw magic power weren’t that significant. I naturally swept my gaze across the visible female knights. Scanning people like this was one of my specialties.

Oh, she’s pretty. Silver hair, huh? I like silver hair.

“Shall we begin the test then?”

“A test? Did you prepare something, Second Young Master?”

“Yes. It’s nothing complicated. It’ll be over quickly.”

It really was nothing special. I stepped forward, barely holding back the grin threatening to break across my face. I wondered how this would turn out.

Swearing loyalty to the second son of the Franz family did not mean looking down on him. On the contrary, Chloe Tristan held considerable anticipation about finally seeing the secretive second young master who rarely left his residence.

Second Young Master Leoric Franz. All sorts of rumors surrounded him. Outstanding intellect, the consideration to remember every maid’s name, and even the rumor that Aidan—the highly respected heir to the Franz family—trusted him completely.

With so many colorful stories circulating, the news that this very person was selecting his personal guard knight had every knight in the Franz domain hoping to be chosen. The rumor that even deputy commander-level talents wanted to participate spoke volumes.

Becoming the vassal of such a figure—especially as his first guard knight and closest aide—was an honorable achievement for any knight. It would bring tremendous benefits when it came to advancing the family’s future. Even if it meant dying in his stead during guard duty or war, it was a position from which one could shoulder responsibility for the family’s destiny.

And the person who had appeared before them was exactly that.

Golden hair shining brilliantly like the sun. Golden eyes glowing with mysterious light. A faint smile played on his lips as he stood before them.

As expected of the young master of Count Franz’s house. Noble dignity radiated from his entire being. His whole body seemed to shine like the sun itself.

No, is he actually glowing?

The golden magic power residing within the young master’s body—

“Golden magic power?”

Chloe Tristan stared blankly at the second young master for a moment. She wore an expression of disbelief at standing before the person she had dreamed of for so long.

But then—

The highest-grade magic power color granted only to the direct descendants of the Franz Count family began to surge like a boiling sun. Leoric Franz raised his hand high.

“Kuh!”