Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: I Become a Royal Knight (1)
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Mirrors are a pretty expensive luxury.
Of course, commoners couldn't even dream of owning one. Even among the nobles, only the seriously wealthy could afford them. You might wonder what good they're doing on a battlefield where your life hangs by a thread every day.
Surprisingly, luxuries like mirrors never lost their value. If anything, they fetched even higher prices. All because of the nobles' vanity—they couldn't resist a little indulgence right now over whatever threat loomed tomorrow.
The setting materials explained it that way. That's why the Time Stop Breeding Uncle had a mirror at home. No need to guess—he probably stopped time and swiped it. Thief bastard.
But it ended up being a huge help to me. I could check right away just how much weight I'd dropped. Except this time, I couldn't use the mirror to confirm.
"Where the hell did it go?"
About a week ago? No matter how much I searched, the mirror was nowhere to be found. I'd definitely hidden it here. But it just wouldn't turn up. It was enough to make a ghost wail.
"Teacher. Breakfast is ready."
I jumped at the polite girl's voice coming from outside while I was searching. For a second, I thought it was a ghost. But thankfully, the voice belonged to Helia, not some specter.
Starting a week ago, Helia had suddenly started volunteering to prepare my meals. Honestly, it felt like too much. Having a future heroine do housework was a little weird.
"S-Sorry, Teacher. I overstepped..."
I'd tried to refuse. But every time, she'd drop to her knees and reflect so sincerely that I'd end up accepting the meal. Sure, it was nice for me. But still, this was a bit...
"Thanks for the trouble. But..."
"Yes?"
Helia tilted her head, still clueless about what the issue was. Her red hair swayed cutely. I knew she'd worked hard. But.
"Isn't this too much food?"
Normally, I made do with rations from the guard post—turnip bread stuffed with turnips, potatoes, bean porridge, that sort of thing. All the food the Time Stop Breeding Uncle had stolen was long gone, distributed to everyone.
But for the past week, the meals Helia prepared herself had been way too generous. Not just all sorts of vegetables, but a whole roasted wild boar and fresh fruit to boot.
In the middle of a war like this, meals like that were noble-level fare. I knew that. But eat all this alone? My stomach would explode first.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I gathered all these ingredients myself this morning."
"That's not the issue."
"D-Do you dislike any of the food?"
"No, it's not that... Never mind."
Helia's eyes started to glisten with tears. I nodded and reached out to pat her head. She was doing all this for me.
Complaining about the portion size? What a spoiled, full-bellied whine. I'd spoken without thinking. I dug right in. The vegetables were great. And the meat? Delicious too.
"Where'd you even get food like this?"
"I gathered it all myself from outside."
"...???"
The first time she brought a spread so huge it nearly buckled the table, I'd asked out of sheer curiosity. Her answer blew my mind. She'd gotten all this alone?
A little kid, by herself? From my perspective, knowing the future plot, it was a total rollercoaster of chaos. What if she headed into the woods and ran into a monster—then died?
Even if not that, what if she came back with a serious injury, like a severed arm? Then who'd save the world? Naturally, I'd tried to shut it down immediately. But I couldn't. Because...
"It only took ten seconds to catch this wild boar."
"...I see."
"It's all thanks to your teachings, Teacher!"
Helia viewed it as training. I'd just assigned her some busywork from wuxia novels. Yet here she was, throwing her life on the line to toughen up on her own.
Of course, stopping her cold turkey was the right call. But... putting a halt to it meant I'd have to teach her the next stage: Thunder Dragon Swordsmanship. And that came with its own problems.
For starters, I'd need to improvise something that at least looked like a proper sword style. No matter how hard I racked my brain, nothing came to mind. But I couldn't just let things slide either...
"Teacher, there's still a ton of food left."
"This is plenty."
"No, you need to eat more, Teacher."
"..."
"I'll feed you myself."
Before I knew it, Helia was glued to my side like sticky rice cake, spearing a chunk of finely shredded wild boar on a fork. The meat dripped with juices—irresistibly mouthwatering.
If my belly weren't stuffed already, I'd have scarfed it down without a second thought. But now? I was truly at my limit. Still, seeing her hold the fork and gaze at me...
"Ah~♡"
My body moved on its own. She slaved away every day for me, preparing these meals. Leaving any would be rude. In the end, I polished it all off.
One whole wild boar. Fruits. Vegetables. Shoved down forcibly. My gut felt ready to burst. The funny part? Somehow, I managed to finish it.
Makes sense, though. Time stop drained my stamina way more than expected. So my body crammed in the energy to match. But seriously, no more.
"Teacher, Teacher."
"What is it?"
"I have a gift for you, Teacher."
"A gift?"
"Yes."
A little shy, maybe. Helia's cheeks flushed as she held it out. She'd brought an iron helmet. A proper one, too.
Not just the crown and back— it even had a full face guard. And it felt sturdy. I had armor, sure. But no helmet.
"A thoughtful gift. Thank you."
"Could I ask one favor?"
"Anything. Name it."
"Thank you. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Her soft hand smoothly took the helmet from mine. Soon, it settled over my head. Cold iron enveloped it completely.
The face guard hung wide open, though. Which let me notice just how close Helia's face was. She smiled faintly and lowered the visor with a single finger.
"Please wear the helmet whenever you go outside."
"...Outside? Why?"
"It's just a little wish of mine."
"Alright. Not a tough ask."
I wore armor whenever I went out anyway. Adding a helmet? Piece of cake. And hey, better safe than sorry.
"Speaking of, are your preparations done?"
"Preparations? Oh, you mean for the evacuation?"
"Yes. Anything I can help with?"
This refugee camp had faced back-to-back raids from demons and monsters lately. After agonizing over it, we'd opted to evacuate—and right on cue, the capital offered to take us in.
That was a week ago. And we had to wrap up by today. Because we were all heading out to the capital. Smiling, I replied.
"Done ages ago. Go take a break."
"Thank you, Teacher. Then..."
"...???"
Helia gave a small bow, then tentatively tugged my shoulder. Her knee—pillow-soft—soon cradled my head.
Her red hair draped around like a curtain of armor. All I could see was her crimson eyes and the faint smile playing on her lips.
"Captain Hans! You in there?!"
"Y-Yeah! Right here! I'm here!"
"...Tch."
If Quorens' voice hadn't boomed from outside, I'd probably still be savoring Helia's lap. I shot up fast. I caught a pouty mutter, but.
Figuring I'd misheard, I flung the door open. Sure enough, Quorens stood there. His face had never looked so welcome. I spoke up.
"Preparations are set. We heading out now?"
"First, there's something urgent we need to discuss..."
"It's fine. I'm Teacher's disciple, after all."
"...Not wrong, but..."
Quorens' eyes flicked to Helia behind me. She met his gaze, nodded calmly, and said it. Me? Clueless in the middle.
Why was Helia suddenly calling herself my disciple? We were just going to the capital. Some state secret? Quorens nodded at my words.
"Then I'll get right to it."
"Hang on, why the sudden polite talk..."
"Strictly confidential. Don't breathe a word to anyone."
"...Huh?"
Something felt off. Quorens—who'd always been so blunt and casual—was suddenly all formal. He took a deep breath, then spoke.
"The Royal Knights' expedition failed."
"..."
Ah, so that's why the big secrecy push. If word got out to folks who saw the Royal Knights as humanity's saviors, it'd be utter pandemonium.
But why the hell tell me? You bastard.