Chapter 20: The Tin Knight and the Lion's Bloodline (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: The Tin Knight and the Lion's Bloodline (3)
That night, the girl went to see her mother.
“…”
Lying in bed, the lady of the domain's face looked incredibly peaceful as she slept.
Perhaps she’s dreaming, the girl thought.
A dream where her father and older brother weren't dead, where the whole family was laughing happily together.
Perhaps her mother wouldn't wake up because she was afraid to leave that happiness behind and return to a cruel reality.
The girl understood her mother.
If she were in the same situation, she wouldn't have wanted to wake from the dream either.
Even if it meant she was left all alone in reality, it was better than seeing her mother weep in anguish.
One hour, two hours, three hours.
Clasping her mother's hand, the girl sank deep into thought.
"Handle the rest yourself. If you're serious about this, you can stay here and play knight, or if you don't think you can, just tell Giselle. She'd rather have the heir actively cooperate with the new lord than be exiled to some backwater post, so she'll cook up a situation that everyone can nod along to."
That was the witch's final piece of advice.
Even though she had created this opportunity for the girl, her attitude suggested she had no interest in whether the girl seized it or not.
The witch had said, without any attempt to hide it, that she was simply getting paid to indulge a knight's pointless meddling.
As for the knight himself, he had simply looked at the girl and given her a thumbs-up. That was it.
The witch and the knight were scheduled to leave the domain tomorrow.
They had received their reward from Giselle, so there was no reason to stay any longer.
It was only then that the girl realized they didn't care much about her.
Whatever she chose, whether she overcame her trial or not, the two of them wouldn't care.
One day, walking down some street, they would probably chat about it.
‘Hey, remember that dazed young lady from back then? I wonder if she made it. She probably gave up, right?’ they would say, casually discussing her story before forgetting it all over again.
It wasn't malice. It wasn't wrong. In fact, it was perfectly natural.
They weren't characters in a fairy tale prepared for a protagonist named 'the girl'; they were adventurers with their own goals.
Tears welled up in the girl's eyes.
She was tormented by her own weakness—her one-sided expectations, her reliance on them, and her subsequent disappointment and despair.
She hated her own weak will, which even now was thinking, Wouldn't it be easier to just leave everything to Giselle?
Everyone was chattering about her, and she couldn't stand how pathetic she was, unable to utter a single word in her own defense.
And so, the girl stood up.
She wiped her eyes and cleared her throat.
She wanted to say her farewell to her mother properly.
“I'm sorry for leaving you alone, Mother. But please, wait just a little longer. As my brave father's daughter, I will become an heir I am no longer ashamed of. I will make everyone acknowledge that I am worthy of inheriting this family line. I will. I promise I will, and then I'll return.”
Her unconscious mother did not open her eyes, nor did her hand twitch.
But that was fine, the girl thought.
She didn't need a 'wonderful miracle' like in the stories right now.
The girl left the room.
By the door, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, stood Ronnie.
As if she had already guessed the girl's decision, she spoke with a resolute expression.
“Young Lady. If you command it, I will follow you anywhere.”
The girl gave a bitter smile.
This was the Ronnie who had so desperately wanted to become a knight.
While her raw skill was still considered lacking, her loyalty and the achievement of pursuing those vicious criminals to their city to rescue the domain's people and her lord were acknowledged by all.
If she stayed in the domain, a successful career was guaranteed, yet here she was, saying she would cast it all aside to follow her. The girl's gratitude was difficult to put into words.
But the girl shook her head.
If Ronnie came with her, the girl would only end up depending on her again.
She would rely on her, complain to her, and show her weakness.
It was precisely because she was the one person she could trust above all others that the girl could not go with her.
“It's alright. Until I return, can you protect my mother? The new lord—no, the acting lord—is taking good care of her, but the one I trust most is you, Ronnie.”
Ronnie's eyes trembled violently.
With a determined look, she replied.
“I will protect the lady, even if it costs me my life. So, please, Young Lady, you must also return safely.”
“Thank you. But don't push yourself too hard. You're just as precious to me as my mother.”
Suppressing the urge to talk longer, the girl turned her back.
There was much to prepare before the sun rose.
*
The next morning.
Facing the rising sun, you twisted and turned your body, doing your morning exercises.
As you stretched with creaks and groans of metal, Dorothea stared at you as if to say, What is this moron doing?
“What are you doing?”
[The 'Tin Knight' preaches that morning exercises are essential for a pleasant day!]
“That only applies to living bodies. What the hell kind of exercises does a tin can need?”
[The 'Tin Knight' insists that Dorothea can do them instead!]
“No way, it’s a pain.”
Ignoring Dorothea's grumbling, you steadfastly continued your exercises.
While it had absolutely no physical restorative effect, it was mentally refreshing.
[The 'Tin Knight' wonders what choice the girl will make!]
“That kid? I bet she’ll hesitate, watch what others are doing, and then get roped in by Giselle.”
It was an incredibly cold assessment.
There was no particular reason to argue, but you were bored, so you offered a rebuttal to keep the conversation going.
[The 'Tin Knight' argues that she might actually try her best!]
“You think? ‘Cooperating is what’s best for the domain's future.’ ‘I, too, am thinking of this domain with all my heart.’ ‘I’ll create a story that the vassals can accept, and no one will deny your efforts.’ If she’s fed a few lines like that, I bet that weak-willed kid will fold in an instant.”
You thought about it for a moment.
And you came to a similar conclusion as Dorothea.
It was a little disappointing.
While Dorothea seemed to be thoroughly underestimating the girl, your—or more accurately, 'your body's'—discerning eye had already perceived her outstanding potential.
Her software was a bit of a mess, but in terms of hardware performance alone, the word 'prodigy' was no exaggeration.
[The 'Tin Knight' laments missing out on the newbie training content!]
“…This guy's vocabulary gets weirder by the day. The fact that I can vaguely understand what he means is even more annoying.”
Dorothea shook her head.
“Even if we give her the benefit of the doubt and say the kid seriously challenges for the lordship, she won't be traveling with you. She'll either work with the knight order or get into administration or social affairs. Why would a noble lady go on a journey?”
[The 'Tin Knight' says that adventuring is the classic way to farm achievements!]
“Yeah, yeah. That’s enough nonsense. My mana’s replenished, so let's get going.”
Just as Dorothea opened the door to leave the room, there was a knock.
Knock, knock.
—Excuse me. I have something I'd like to discuss.
It was the girl's voice.
Your gaze met Dorothea's for a moment, and her eyes blinked two or three times.
When Dorothea opened the door, the girl came into your view.
You were a little surprised.
Clothes of leather and cloth, emphasizing practicality and durability. A backpack stuffed with all sorts of gear. And though she still looked quite clumsy wearing it, a sword that clearly conveyed her determination.
With no trace of the ornate dresses she used to wear, the girl, dressed like a fledgling adventurer, stared at you and Dorothea with a resolute gaze.
“Please. Let me join you on your journey!”
For a rare moment, Dorothea looked genuinely flustered, but she quickly cleared her throat and spoke.
“I-I don't know what you're talking about. You seem a little worked up right now, so you should probably cool your head first.”
“No, I'm serious. And this wasn't an impulsive decision.”
The girl's gaze was unwavering.
“I want to prove that I am worthy of succeeding my father.”
“If that's the case, you don't need to follow us. You can do that just as well here, right? It's easier to show the people around you how hard you're working.”
“No. If I stay in this domain, if I fight on the same stage as Acting Lord Giselle, I will never be able to surpass her. Everyone will cheer for me. They'll say I'm working hard, that I'm trying my best. But they'll be looking at me like a child. Adults watch a child's growth with a fond eye, but they don't acknowledge them as an equal, let alone a superior. Especially not when there's a fully-developed rival right next to them.”
They'd acknowledge her effort, they'd know she was trying, they'd feel sorry for her, they'd find her cute, but, but, but.
She didn't want that kind of assessment, the girl said.
To be acknowledged in a true sense, she insisted firmly, she needed to build her skills and achievements somewhere else, not here.
“At first, I considered leaving on my own. But if someone as inexperienced and foolish as me were to set out on a journey with nothing but bravado, I would surely meet a miserable end before long.”
“So, you came to us, who seem to be wandering around and also seem to be skilled? Thinking you could gain experience by our side and not die so easily? Well, that's a valid point. If you only consider your side of things, kid.”
Dorothea crossed her arms.
Looking down on the girl with an arrogant expression, Dorothea said:
“But what about us? What's in it for us to drag around baggage like you?”
The girl briefly stepped out the door, lifted a sack-like object from the corner of the wall, and presented it to you.
“This is all of my personal property that was left in the domain, plus all the support funds I received from Acting Lord Giselle. I'll give you everything.”
Chrrrk.
As the sack hit the floor, revealing its hefty presence, Dorothea's eyebrow twitched.
Not stopping there, the girl dropped to her knees on the floor and bowed her head.
“You don't have to treat me as a comrade. You can order me around like a servant. So please, help me.”
Silence fell.
Dorothea didn't speak, and the girl didn't rise.
So you stepped in.
[The 'Tin Knight' insists that now is the perfect chance to become a mentor!]
Dorothea raised one eyebrow higher than the other and looked at you.
“What are you talking about?”
[The 'Tin Knight' asks if she doesn't honestly want to try ordering a disciple around, just like her master did!]
“No, I don't really… hmm.”
Dorothea's expression turned peculiar.
“Still, she's not a disciple. It's not something I can teach so easily, and besides, she only looks this way. She's not that much younger than me.”
[The 'Tin Knight' argues that it's even better if she can ignore the responsibilities of a mentor and just boss her around!]
“…”
[The 'Tin Knight' claims that her noble status alone will be useful in many situations!]
“…”
[The 'Tin Knight' whines that he wants to raise a disciple too!]
“Agh! Fine! I get it, so just shut up!”
CLANG!
After smacking you on the head with her staff with all her might, Dorothea let out a deep sigh and helped the girl to her feet.
To the tense-looking girl, Dorothea asked:
“Name?”
“Pardon?”
“What's your name? I can't keep calling you 'kid'.”
In other words, it meant she would be calling her name in the future.
The girl's expression brightened noticeably.
Determined not to be outdone, you presented the brooch attached to your waist.
As the girl tilted her head with a question mark on her face, Dorothea said:
“Can you handle mana?”
“Yes, yes! The basics, at least!”
“Then pour some into that brooch. I don't know if it'll work, though.”
Though she looked puzzled, the girl touched your brooch and channeled her mana into it.
Imbued with a clear, golden mana, the brooch flashed brightly for a brief, intense moment.
[The 'Tin Knight' asks if she can hear him!]
“Huh?”
The girl looked at you, startled.
[The 'Tin Knight' requests that she raise her right hand if she can hear him!]
“Yes? Ah, yes! I can hear you! It's like… it's echoing directly inside my head? Is this magic, too? It's amazing!”
“Amazing, my ass. In less than a day, you'll be wishing you couldn't hear him.”
After spitting out the words curtly, Dorothea resumed the introductions that you had interrupted.
“Dorothea Aschengard. Occupation: Witch.”
[The 'Tin Knight' asserts that his occupation is Knight!]
The girl replied.
“My name is Adelaide von Lennart! Please call me Adel! My occupation is, uh, adventurer-in-training…? In any case, I look forward to working with you!”
And so, the Cowardly Lion joined the party.