Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: A Whale in the Swamp
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Just loyal knights.
The Dreitna Count family, which once had no name beyond their loyalty, had now attained a lofty status.
Surprisingly, this honor did not come from the head of the family.
Currently, the Dreitna family's power was concentrated not in the patriarch, but in the eldest daughter, Eclair Dreitna.
Even if the person herself didn't want it, the flow of power was clear.
Her prestige grew relentlessly, even if she just sat there breathing.
The lowest seat among the Empire's Five Knights.
Squire to Asen Premiller, the pinnacle of knighthood.
A supernova who was selected as a squire during her cadet days and graduated from the academy early.
The imperial sword, and more.
At just mid-twenties, she already bore more names and honors than many veteran knights could dream of.
No need to look far—just her mansion in the capital spoke volumes about the status of the Five Knights.
Rattle—
"Don't make noise with the utensils during meals."
"S-Sorry..."
"Haa—"
At Eclair's sigh, Chloe instinctively shrank her shoulders.
She had thought enrolling at Lofty Academy and living in the dorms would make things a bit easier!
Her sister, who barely spoke to her usually, suddenly contacted her and insisted she not waste money on dorms but stay at her mansion instead.
The location was great—safe—spacious—and packed with undeniable advantages anyone would see.
But from Chloe's perspective, who craved peace of mind and solitude, it was driving her insane.
Wanting to live alone in the dorms because her one and only sister felt overwhelming?
She'd sooner choke to death than say something like that.
On top of that, her sister urged her to focus on her duties as a cadet and said she couldn't help with anything, which only added to the pressure.
'I'd rather starve!!!'
Breakfast was always so burdensome.
With perfectly capable servants around, the renowned Eclair Dreitna personally prepared "healthy" meals.
For Chloe, meals became times when she wasn't even sure if food went in her mouth or nose—or if she was eating at all.
"I heard they're pilot-testing a new class this time. Is the adventurer teaching it well?"
"The classes haven't happened many times yet... so I don't know..."
"Even so, he's an adventurer skilled enough to have ties with the imperial family. Once you learn it, there'll be chances to use it. Work hard."
"Yes..."
After finishing the meal and preparing to head to the academy, her sister was already dressed and leaving the mansion.
'She's so fast...'
Her sister looked similar to her on the outside, but how was her core so utterly perfect?
If she had to pick one area where she had the edge, it was her height.
Breasts? Too big, and they'd just get in the way of swinging a sword—not exactly an advantage.
Other visible differences were hair and eye color, but...
'...So what?'
The most crucial talent for swordsmanship was on a whole different level between them.
If she charged at her sister, she'd be cleaved in half the instant she moved.
'How am I supposed to survive three years here...'
'Busy day today, huh.'
He figured he'd hit the Adventurer's Guild, then the information guild, and wrap up at the academy.
But a sudden imperial summons had him stuck in the guild's reception room.
If they gave him some trivial task now, even the imperial family might face a serious refusal.
'Rike probably headed to the dorms first?'
She had a few things to pack, so maybe he'd get home faster.
With Rike around, didn't it make sense to move to a bigger, safer place than the current house on the outskirts?
Alley thugs were punks even regular cadets could smash.
But if they leered at her, just the entanglement would sour his mood.
It'd ruin his whole day.
'Gotta talk to Rike about it later.'
Knock—knock—knock—
-Coming in.
He was zoning out, sipping water, when the VIP finally arrived.
Even with rank and experience, she still handled bothersome tasks herself.
"Long time no see."
"Mm—"
"Can't your squires handle deliveries by now?"
"It's an item touched by the imperial hand. Can't do that."
She responded lightly to his words, unbuckled the sword at her waist, and entered.
Silver hair tied back, and crimson eyes that gleamed brightly unlike his.
Eclair Dreitna, one of the Empire's Five Knights.
Though it was imperial duty, not her own will.
She was the one who cleanly severed Doran Escaro's arm.
'She cut it so perfectly, he's probably grateful.'
She approached with confident strides and sat across from him.
"That guy today... what was his name? The big one's missing."
He glanced outside the reception room, noting the absence of one who always stuck to Eclair.
Flirting with the receptionist maybe?
"...Didn't you make him indebted to the Church?"
At his words, Eclair narrowed her eyes and sighed.
'Oh right, that happened.'
No wonder he was gone—he'd forgotten.
"That was months ago... Ahem—If you don't know, remember this: men bond by fighting, whether with words or fists."
"Ridiculous adventurer nonsense. Our knight order is tight without quarrels."
"Believe what you want, noble knight. I thought he had guts picking a fight, but if he quit... disappointing."
"...I left him behind to avoid any more incidents. Don't speculate. More importantly, the commission."
She shifted the mood, straightened her back, and glared at him.
"Can I hear the details first?"
"...Even platinum adventurers shouldn't joke around. It's an imperial commission."
Mistaking his sincerity for jest, she drew a crimson-sealed letter with a dragon coiled around it from her bosom.
The imperial will that silenced even crying children.
She didn't know the contents herself until he opened it.
Usually reading proxies, she handed it over unopened this time.
"A bit exceptional this time... Read the letter alone."
"Why so ominous?"
"Don't ask me. That's the imperial will too."
"What grand task is this...?"
Flutter—
He roughly untied the knot and unfolded the letter.
"Hm?"
The content: Neatly kill a lone swamp whale that strayed from its territory.
Resolve it before it crosses into the federation.
'Not exactly top secret that Eclair can't hear.'
Swamp whales were classified as spirit beasts, not monsters, in the empire.
Hunting was strictly forbidden unless they left their haunts, destroyed villages, or seemed headed abroad.
Even poachers or mercenaries struggled to hunt secretly under imperial eyes—their massive size made secrecy impossible once moving.
Their hides and blubber resisted aura-less blades.
He soon understood why this ordinary letter was secret.
First requirement: Do not damage the swamp whale's heart.
Second requirement: After completion, entrust the whale's processing to the imperial envoy.
...
The rest was the usual secrecy pact.
'Swamp whale heart... not particularly effective, is it?'
Not just written—the imperial kin intended to consume the spirit beast's heart.
The empire forbade it, yet royals led by example.
'The empire's a masterpiece.'
Commissions were always like this—the emperor favored mysterious rumors over verified health foods.
Details unknown from the game.
'Pay's generous as always... Coordinate rest with Eclair...'
"Where's the escaped swamp whale now?"
"As expected."
While he read, Eclair had crossed her arms and slightly opened her closed eyes to answer.
"At this rate, it'll approach Dobat in five days."
Dobat—home to two hidden pieces he'd once fruitlessly searched.
Might as well check again while there.
"Teleport gate?"
"Same as always. Round-trip supported. Includes food and lodging."
He folded the letter in half and handed it back.
"Tell them I'll take it. Burn without reading."
Eclair took it and lit a prepared match right there.
Crackle—
The charred paper scattered into ash via her mana.
"Business done?"
"...Yeah, done."
Seeing her slightly sulky, he sat back down after rising.
"Trailing off now? Why?"
"Nothing much... Heard you're instructing at the academy."
"Once a week at most...? Feels like a diligent, upright guy being a temporary instructor."
"I see. The classes... Cadets keeping up?"
He knew why she asked.
Eclair Dreitna's sole weakness.
Chloe Dreitna was a first-year in the Knight Department.
"Even the Five Knights worry about their sisters. Just ask casually."
"...Not that. Just curious about a platinum adventurer as instructor."
He smirked as she buckled her sword and stood abruptly.
"Could just be honest. Living so tiringly."
"Don't overthink... Ensure no rumors of favoritism. Rumors and nepotism are threats that could kill her."
"Won't breathe a word, don't worry. Talented kid—I'll drill her properly once a week."
He called to her back as she left the reception room.
She surely heard.