Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: I Become a Royal Knight (2)
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Secrets don't end just because you know them.
The moment you learn a secret, you're inevitably tangled up in it. That's why it's a secret in the first place. Especially a heavy one—it could put your future in jeopardy.
And the Royal Knights' expedition having failed? That's an incredibly heavy secret. As I mentioned before, the Royal Knights were the first united knight order, selected without regard for race or class.
Given how radically they were chosen, their skills were beyond question. They'd racked up numerous major achievements too. Sure, some were exaggerated, but not all.
The fact that the Royal Knights are the continent's heroes and hope is something even those who hate them couldn't deny. But for them to suffer defeat?
And so soon after departing on the expedition? If word got out, the ensuing chaos would be plain as day. That's the weight it carries.
"So why tell me—a mere guard—about it at the crack of dawn?"
That raised a question. Why share such a critical secret with a lowly guard like me? It sure seemed like something I shouldn't know.
Yet here was Quorens barging in at dawn to spill it all. He was definitely a bastard. At least, that's what I concluded. To my question, he replied as if it were obvious.
"Don't you already know?"
"???"
"Let's continue the talk inside first."
I already knew? How the hell did he arrive at that? Did he somehow know I'd possessed this body? His unexpected answer threw my mind into chaos.
Seizing the moment, Quorens slipped inside naturally. By the time I shook off the confusion and gathered my wits, he was already settled in. I glared at him.
But only for a moment. I sat down across from him. Of course I knew about the Royal Knights' failure—it was blatantly laid out in the game's opening story.
In the past, the glorious name of the Royal Knights fell to the earth. Their foundation now leaves not even a trace.
You are the sole official successor and captain who has inherited those Royal Knights.
Rebuild the Royal Knights from now on.
But I had no intention of getting involved, no matter how blatant it was. Even with Time Stop, it was just a powerful ability—my own skills were still at the level of an ordinary soldier.
Hell, I'd been too weak to fully subdue the Fighting Ghost I'd encountered before and had to let it go. For someone like me to tangle with the Royal Knights? I'd need ten lives.
I let out a sigh. It wasn't that shocking since I already knew, so there probably wouldn't be more surprises. Or so I thought right then.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly."
"Huh?"
"My name is Quorens Averyk. I am a knight of the Royal Guard, directly serving His Majesty the King."
The Royal Guard—the king's personal knight order ruling the kingdom. They boasted immense power, and in the original story where the Royal Knights were wiped out, they were effectively the strongest knight order.
Though, after the Royal Knights' annihilation, the kingdom was pretty much the only place operating one. But Quorens being part of the Royal Guard? That explained his strength.
"So what’s the Royal Guard doing in a refugee camp?"
"I was carrying out a secret mission on His Majesty the King's orders."
"A secret mission?"
"Yes. But that helmet..."
Quorens asked cautiously, and only then did I realize I was still wearing the helmet. It fit so comfortably that I'd forgotten.
"Hold on a sec. Right..."
"What exactly is this secret mission?"
"Sorry. We were in the middle of something important."
"Yeah, we were."
Helia's sudden interruption made me sit back down. Quorens's story mattered more than the helmet right now. Realizing that, Quorens continued.
"My mission was to find candidates for the Royal Knights."
"Royal Knights candidates? I thought they were just picked based on skill."
"Yes, that's right. That's why our human spots dwindled."
"Human spots dwindled?"
This was new to me. What did the Royal Knights have to do with humans? They were a knight order formed to crush demons, not for politics.
Sure, the previous Royal Knights' greatness was hinted at vaguely, but the details were never fleshed out. This was my chance to learn more.
"That's correct. It's all because of the Royal Knights' prestige."
The Royal Knights selected solely based on strength. Naturally, compared to powerhouses like dragons or elves, humans were at a disadvantage.
And with two original human members falling in battle, humans became the first race with zero knights in the Royal Knights. Was that how it went...?
Thinking back, in the original, aside from the protagonist and Helia, there were no human knights in the Royal Knights. For some reason, a bad premonition started brewing.
"The Royal Knights are the continent's first united knight order in history. And now, they're practically the continent's saviors."
"Yeah."
"Which means individual members could leverage that status and position to grant favors to their own race or nation."
"???"
In other words, races with members in the Royal Knights could use their influence and the order's prestige to benefit their own kind or country?
Of course, it hadn't started that way. It was founded to save the continent from demons, but over time, favors crept in.
Tensions between inherently rival races, plus emerging factions clashing internally, turned it into a full-blown political battlefield.
"So, basically, politics."
"Yes, you could put it that crudely."
"It's rotten. With enemies right in front of us."
I was floored. Scheming among themselves with a common enemy staring them down? Then a thought flashed like lightning.
"Is that why the Royal Knights got wiped out?"
"So you did know."
Good lord! After two years from early access to full release, the unresolved teaser about the previous Royal Knights was tied up like this? Politics, of all things?
"And they still call those guys heroes."
As a fan of the game, the disappointment was secondary. But from my position, about to bear the full brunt of the fallout from their wipeout, I couldn't help but be pissed.
You think just like me, Sir Hans.
"This voice...?!"
"Calm down, Helia. It's coming from the crystal orb."
I didn't expect you to see through it all like this.
Of course I hadn't seen through it—I'd just guessed from game scenes. But admitting that would make me sound insane.
Quorens silently pulled a small orb from his bosom. The glass sphere was crystal clear like water, but something shadowy lurked inside. He spoke admiringly.
And even in the village, you keep the helmet on without letting your guard down. The epitome of a knight.
"No, that's not..."
But first, allow me to express my thanks, Sir Hans.
"Thanks?"
The voice from the orb sounded quite excited. I tilted my head. It felt familiar, but I couldn't place it.
Thanks to the information you provided before, our kingdom finally gained proper leverage for the first time in ages.
Our kingdom was the only one to predict the Royal Knights' failure. It's all thanks to you, Sir Hans.
"???"
I provided info? When? Wait. I had a guess. Back when I heard about the Royal Knights' expedition, I'd muttered offhandedly.
No matter how I racked my brain, that was the only time it made sense for such thanks. So Quorens had overheard, reported it directly to that guy.
Thanks to that, they'd predicted the Royal Knights' failure, boosting the kingdom's voice naturally? I clamped my mouth shut. Denying it rashly here would be bad.
I didn't mean it that way.
Then how did you know the Royal Knights would fail?
Ah.
The Royal Knights' wipeout had everyone on edge. Speaking carelessly could land me with treason charges. Better to stay quiet.
Staying silent should at least get me through the middle ground.