Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Welcome to Our Family-Like Knight Order! (4)
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In the original story, the Racial Alliance was said to have collapsed alongside the Royal Knights.
But to be precise, the alliance hadn't completely fallen apart. On the surface, at least, it was still holding. And it wouldn't break until every last demon was wiped out.
What did that mean?
Even for races that hated each other enough to go to war in the past, things wouldn't escalate to the point of drawing weapons first—not unless pushed to the brink.
The problem was that I was in exactly that brink-of-disaster situation.
Weeds grew as tall as my waist. Massive trees and thick vines tangled chaotically. And among them, figures aimed bows right at us.
All but one had shimmering golden hair. Pointed ears. And every single one was strikingly beautiful. Let's not beat around the bush—they were forest elves.
Forest elves aiming their bows at us Royal Knights, no less.
How the hell did we end up like this?
Let's rewind to this morning.
The Royal Knights were an elite united order selected purely on merit, regardless of race or status. Aside from the captain, there were no ranks among us.
Even the captain's position was more like the others voluntarily following their lead. And there was one symbol that embodied the Royal Knights' spirit...
In the heart of Lionheart Fortress, there was a vast room near the central plaza housing a large red round table that could easily seat twenty. That was the symbol.
The Round Table of Equality.
Designed so everyone, regardless of race, could face each other as equals and speak freely. I summoned all the Royal Knights to the Round Table of Equality. There was urgent business.
"Word came from the kingdom today. Fortunately, they're sending reinforcements—various personnel."
Managing the fortress required no small number of people. Basic cleaning and meals, of course. Guards to defend it. And more besides. We needed a lot.
But at the point when they pulled all those people without even notifying me, the Royal Knights had essentially been abandoned by the Racial Alliance.
Sure, plenty of knights might hope for our revival. But dispatching valuable personnel from their own nations to an uncertain Royal Knights? Not easy for any ruler.
They'd watch and wait. If we showed signs of real growth, then they'd support us—it wouldn't be too late. Damn frustrating bunch. Hope they all drop dead.
"We'll start with personnel assignments and make normalizing Lionheart Fortress our top priority."
Too many facilities were shut down for lack of staff. The apothecary and labs, even. We had four out of five training grounds closed. Our situation was that dire.
"Do we really have time to handle that stuff one by one?"
"What do you mean?"
"Demons are eyeing us even now. We need to prepare accordingly."
Ruby was the first to speak up, surprisingly. She wasn't wrong. The Royal Knights had been the biggest obstacle to the demons. Now that we'd been wiped out...
They could march in with their monsters right this second, and it wouldn't be strange at all. I looked at her silently. Despite her tough tone, her body trembled faintly.
Probably fear. Imagining those things that slaughtered her comrades coming for us again. Her resolve not to run was impressive.
"No need to worry about that."
"What? You looking down on them?"
"Never. I've never underestimated demons, not once."
"Then explain properly."
"Even if the Royal Knights were annihilated, it cost the enemy dearly too."
Not just any Royal Knights, but the strongest in history, at their peak. And now survivors had emerged.
"That buys us at least a year. So we'll fortify as much as we can beforehand and prepare for their assault."
Of course, I wasn't just guessing. The original game story explicitly stated that full demon attacks began two years after the Royal Knights' fall.
But we couldn't relax completely. The Royal Knights were supposed to be totally wiped out, but they weren't now. The demons might strike sooner than in the original.
So better to assume one year—or less. Still, we couldn't skip the basics.
"A fortress is the cradle and shield of its forces. How can we fight a war without even securing that?"
"...Sorry. I got ahead of myself."
"No, I get it. It's natural to feel urgent. But that's exactly when we need to prepare step by step."
And that was the only thing I could do. I wasn't about to train Royal Knights myself. First, restore the shattered foundation somehow.
The next captain could handle the rest. Fortunately, the kingdom was providing major support. Blacksmiths, apothecaries, even guards.
And some funding too—like rain in a drought. Of course, the king made me captain, so it was like giving the poison and the cure.
"Captain! I think I can help with this!"
"Help how?"
"I told you before! My comrades live nearby!"
"...Right."
"I'll ask them for help! They'll definitely say yes!"
Clara raised her hand, beaming innocently. She looked much better than before. Counseling had worked. But elf mercenaries...
I closed my eyes, thinking. Declare war on the alliance over one tree, then demand corn and diamonds for peace? Gutsy merchants.
No matter how I sliced it, they wouldn't help. Wait, no. I shook my head hard. Right now, I couldn't be picky—even spoiled rice would do.
"I see. Elves would definitely help."
"Right? Right?!"
"More mercenary elves? Sounds nightmarish."
"You little dwarf shit!"
"Enough chit-chat. Clara, prepare in the morning. We head to the forest this afternoon."
"Captain's coming too?"
Of course. For something this important, the captain steps up. With kingdom personnel and elf help, we'd see huge progress.
"In that case, Teacher, I'll come along too."
"No, you stay and train with Ruby."
"But..."
"Ruby's a Royal Knight. A veteran who survived that hell. Plenty to learn from her."
"...I understand."
We couldn't leave Lionheart Fortress empty. Monsters could strike anytime, anywhere. Unlike demons, they could operate inside the barriers freely.
"I'm not really into babysitting brats by nature. But if the captain insists, no choice."
"What're you saying."
"Means I'm happy for the praise. Just leave me be then."
Indeed. I adopted Clara's idea wholeheartedly. Helia's talent was real. Half a year ago, she picked up Thunder Dragon Swordsmanship on her own from my joke mention.
In the original, she became a sword saint. Nurture her right, and she'd shine in the Royal Knights. Better to leave her with others than me.
She'd progress far more. I left Helia with Ruby and headed out with Clara that afternoon toward the forest.
...Leading to the current mess.
No matter how I thought about it, we hadn't done anything wrong. I hadn't even snapped a twig, careful not to trample grass. And this welcome?
Definitely time to exterminate the mercenary elves.
I'd just decided that internally when someone emerged from the elves. Unlike the others, silvery hair that glowed faintly.
Pointed ears framing cold blue eyes. While the rest carried both sword and bow, she had only a single sword.
Obviously the leader. Why start trouble now? I was about to ask when Clara, who'd gone quiet, cried out in shock.
"M-Mother...?!"
...What?