Romance Fantasy Knights Are Too Weak
Iana's party was brighter than usual for once. It was all thanks to the hefty reward they'd scored from clearing that Gate.
"Kyaaah~ Iana, check out this pouch! It's so damn heavy!"
Adventurers' wallets were always a struggle. For a trio like them constantly on the road, camping out was just part of daily life. A windfall like this hadn't come their way in ages.
"That lord really delivered on his looks~ Who would've thought a sudden commission would pay out this big?"
"Luna. You can't just blow through money that fell into your lap. We were scraping by on inn fees, remember?"
"I know, I know! This is money you worked hard for, Iana. I won't squander it."
"Hmmm~ Really?"
"Of course! You trust me, right, Iana?"
Luna shot her a look, but Iana didn't react. Her mind was clearly elsewhere.
"Iana?"
"Huh? Oh! S-sorry! What were we talking about?"
"...That the lord's got a big heart, and we scored a fat payout."
"Oh~ Yeah. I was shocked when I got mine too."
Iana gave an awkward smile. It was a little off, but since Iana had always been a bit weird, her friends let it slide.
"Getting hired directly by the lord and pocketing rewards like this. Classic Iana."
"I told you, it was just luck."
"Anyway, I like that lord~ Should I go for it even now?"
"No, don't!"
Iana shouted reflexively. Her odd reaction drew stares from the other two.
"Iana...? What's up with you since earlier?"
"N-no! His reputation's bad, right? They call him a wastrel and stuff. What if something weird happens if you get involved?"
Jenis smirked at Iana's rambling.
"You're always so serious about everything, Iana. Luna's not seriously gonna seduce him."
"Ah, ahaha. R-right?"
"The lord's got no shortage of options. Why would he go for Luna?"
"H-hold on! What’s that supposed to mean? I'm a gorgeous, slim elf with killer curves!"
"Your looks are decent enough. But not worth that much."
"Uwaaaah! That actually hurt!"
Iana smirked at their bickering this time. But her thoughts soon drifted elsewhere.
What the hell is that lord's deal, anyway?
Heading into a Gate alone to clear it? That combat prowess against the monsters? He didn't seem like your average lord at all.
For starters, his vibe was nothing like the typical spoiled nobles crawling around everywhere.
And most of all, that line from before about the 'precious person worth risking your life to protect'...
No, no! Don't think about it!
She shook her head furiously. Just recalling it made her face heat up—big trouble.
His words looped endlessly in her mind, making her ears burn so hot she wanted to splash cold water on her face.
B-but... it's the first time anyone's ever said something like that to me...
Iana had zero experience with romance. She had no clue how to handle such a intense confession!
Not that the guy had even properly confessed, right?
No, I wouldn't say yes even if he did properly!
That's when their vibe—pink-tinted in more ways than one for once—got interrupted.
*Knock knock.*
"Pardon the intrusion. Is anyone there?"
The room's mood plummeted instantly. All three reached for their weapons on reflex.
Adventurers without backing lived dangerously every day. Getting ambushed by grudge-holders or pervs after their bodies wasn't uncommon.
"...What do you want?"
"I'm Tavi, aide to the lord of Armeyna Territory."
The lord's aide? That's high up. Second only to the lord in authority, probably.
Why would someone like that come to our inn personally?
It was a woman's voice, at least. No other presences, no hostility.
After exchanging glances, Iana cautiously opened the door.
...It's that woman from before.
The one whose conversation with the lord she'd overheard on that night street.
...They'd seemed awfully close. So she was the aide, huh.
...She's pretty.
Blue hair and eyes like the sea. A grown-up suit that screamed intellect and sex appeal.
Did that guy feel nothing working daily with a secretary like this?
"What brings you here so suddenly?"
"...You're the adventurer Iana, right?"
"Yes."
Tavi's gaze slowly scanned Iana. Nothing special about it—just a plain look.
Yet it grated on her oddly.
"...If you have nothing to say, could you leave?"
"I came specifically because I have business with you."
"You could've just sent someone. Got a lot of free time?"
"Quite the opposite. I'm always busy serving the lord."
"...Then get to the point."
"Even adventurers should show some manners. I'm here as the lord's official envoy."
A strange tension crackled between them. The chill seemed to drop the room's temperature.
"Jenis, why's Iana suddenly acting like that?"
"No idea. Not many people get that treatment from her. Something happen last time?"
Iana snapped out of it at her friends' whispers from behind.
For some reason, she'd been way more hostile than needed.
"...Sorry. Adventuring means tangling with central folk rarely ends well. I got defensive without thinking."
"No, my attitude was poor too. I apologize if I offended."
They both apologized promptly. Though their expressions stayed icy.
"The reason I came is to hire you all."
"What kind of commission? I'd hear the terms first. If it's for the citizens, I'm positively..."
"It's not that."
Tavi replied curtly.
"The lord plans to employ you ongoing."
"What does that mean?"
"More precisely, he'll appoint you in his name."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"As Armeyna Territory's first official Hunters."
Hunter?
What's that...?
Even Iana, an adventurer, had never heard the title.
****
I stood with the knights, eyeing the new Gate that had popped up.
"Bigger than last time."
"Yes. At least no monsters came out, so that's a relief."
A second Gate had appeared out of nowhere in Armeyna Territory. No monsters, just the Gate itself—no incidents.
The other difference from before...
"Three weeks till surge?"
"Yes. Exactly 21 days."
Plenty of time to clear it leisurely.
"My lord! This time, leave it to the knights! We'll crush the boss for sure and bring peace to the territory!"
"Nah, pass."
"P-pardon?"
"We've got time. No need to rush."
Charging into a Gate unprepared just tanked survival rates—idiotic.
Clearing them hinged on solid prep and swift execution.
"It's different from last time, so tell the knights not to stress. Leave a couple on watch, pull the rest back."
"Y-yes, sir!"
I posted sentries and left the Gate.
The vice-captain walking beside me still looked uneasy.
"What? Worried about leaving the Gate alone?"
"Honestly, yes. Even with time, it's still a threat to the territory. And..."
That wasn't all. Whatever came next was the real issue.
"During the last Gate, the knights couldn't do a thing."
"You did plenty. Slayed monsters, stood guard day and night to protect the territory."
"But you cleared the Gate in the end, my lord. Despite having a proper knight order for combat."
His dark expression made sense now.
"Our role is to be your sword and defend the territory. We failed to earn your trust, sending you into danger. We're ashamed."
I couldn't help but chuckle. The more I saw, the more they resembled my past life's underlings.
"Don't sweat it. I'll leave this Gate to you knights, including yourself."
"R-really?"
The vice-captain's face lit up. Thrilled at being thrown to the wolves? Not normal.
"You think I'll dive into Gates forever? I'm a lord, after all."
Last time was an emergency, so I stepped up.
If you've got forces, use 'em.
Above all, the knights need to adapt to Gates.
Gates appearing weren't random. Second meant third coming.
Future Gates in the territory? Knights handle them.
If that's not enough, hire more.
This wasn't a plot twist—it was survival.
"Just no rush now. Later, anyway..."
"Uwak!"
Mid-sentence, a kid burst from an alley.
A wooden hat and sword in hand, swinging wildly at the air.
"Hah! Take my swordsmanship, Gate-slaying lord!"
Vice-captain's face went sheet-white.
"M-my lord! He's just a clueless kid. Please, mercy...!"
"Gaaah! I'm hit...!"
Before he could finish, I clutched my chest and collapsed.
Behold my acting, honed taking hits from actresses in alleys!
"...Hey, what're you doing?"
"Huh?"
"You gotta die too."
"Ah, r-right...! Gahack! No way!"
I tapped his leg; he got it and flopped down.
The kid's face beamed brighter than the sun.
"W-wowww...!"
"Dropping me and a knight in one strike? Impressive swordplay. Learn from your dad?"
I ruffled his hair as I stood.
"N-no! I made this wooden sword myself!"
"Self-taught? Impressive. I trained like that at first too."
"Can I become awesome like you, my lord?"
"Better than me."
Dedicating life to killing like I did? Pointless.
"But great power means great responsibility. Swords are dangerous—don't swing at friends or adults."
"Got it! I won't!"
The kid bolted off, bragging to friends with arms wide.
"Seeing kids play means the territory's vibe is good."
"All thanks to your efforts, my lord."
"Me? Nah, it's the knights and soldiers grinding it out."
Public order was their achievement. Without their hustle, crime syndicates would've overrun us.
"...You're kind to kids, my lord."
"Obviously. They're the territory's future."
Vice-captain looked moved.
"Children are the territory's future! Wise words."
"Yeah, yeah. I always keep that in mind."
Those kids grow up, earn money.
By the time I graduate the Academy and return far in the future, they'll be adults paying taxes.
Precious retirement funds—they better thrive.
Couldn't claim my past life's decade-plus pension? Gonna collect here.
"On the Gate issue. Yeah, I'm seriously leaving the raid to you guys."
"Ah! Then I'll assemble a team and report—"
"No, training first."
"Pardon?"
Rofan world knights were way too frail.
Not even the grunts back in my latte days were this soft.
"Gotta train hard to survive Gates, right?"
"W-we already train rigorously..."
"No, no, no. That's way too light."
I grabbed the vice-captain's retreating shoulder firmly.
"You guys aren't 'training' at all."
I grinned wide and added,
"You gotta roll till you're half-dead to survive being thrown into hell. Let's rebuild from the basics."
Better than dying in a Gate, even if some drop?