The Beastly Young Lady, Knight Forging (1)
I couldn't believe my eyes. No matter how hard I tried.
Something utterly unbelievable was unfolding right in front of me.
"Waaah! Come on!! I said come!!"
Holy shit. What the actual fuck? I was genuinely confused.
She's a kid. Undeniably. Twenty-one? In a medieval setting, isn't the bar for adulthood a bit more lenient...? And a noble at that? This shattered my shallow assumptions.
Living proof was right here. That young lady's tantrum was truly artistic.
She threw her head back, flailing wildly, while the maids behind her supported her perfectly. A murderous level of coordinated positioning. A super tantrum that conquered the filth-smeared ground!
Facing this inexplicable phenomenon, my body started trembling. My master was the same.
"What in the world..."
"Stop...! Why on earth are you doing this?!"
If she'd come at us with words or force, I could've handled it smoothly. But this girl struck at our party's blind spot... Layers of unexpected behavior left my mind reeling.
"Twenty-one... twenty... one? Child, you... surely..."
Even Master glanced at me, plunging into panic. Facing a full-grown kid seemed to short-circuit her thinking. She muttered in disbelief.
If it were a real child, she might've given a stern scolding. But compared to my usual maturity... Dodo, you asshole... Sinful man!
The artistic performance with the servants left me and Master overwhelmed.
Of all things, a precious noble flower! This was a crisis unlike any before. Time to think of a gentle way to soothe and escape.
As our party fell silent, she sprang up like nothing happened. As if by magic! She stopped crying and asked again.
"So, wanna be my knight?"
"Knight? No? Wait... Let's talk it out. Uh... Don't cry! No crying!"
"Waaah!!"
Even with a face thick as steel, it wouldn't be this shameless. She started bawling again!!
Damn, this is driving me nuts. Using noble authority like this... How the hell do you deal with it? Is this how nobles act? This is authority?
Onlookers pretended not to see. Or watched nonchalantly, as if used to it.
Master clutched my sleeve with both hands. I was glad for her reliance, but... Master... I got no ideas this time either.
Still, I had to pull myself together.
"Miss, let's negotiate! Negotiation...!"
"You'll be my knight?"
"We'll consider it positively... so stop."
Of course, I'd bolt the second an opening appeared.
"Really? Knew it! I'm the best! Hehehe..."
The young lady beamed with pride. In a situation that called for shame. Her upbringing was highly suspect.
For a former modern orphan like me to think that... She was a super precious flower.
With a confident expression, she led the way, the crowd parting left and right once more. Flanked by servants, her steps were full of energy. She guided us to the carriage.
Six years of family-like bonds. We understood each other with just a glance. I shot Master a look.
Should we bail?
She shook her head firmly. Running now wouldn't help; as long as we were in Kerpen, she'd track us down again. Judging by her antics at first sight... I didn't even want to imagine a reunion.
What a dogshit city. The sticky filth clinging to my soles only deepened the damp misery.
Greeting us was a butler straight out of a textbook.
"Sebastian! Success!"
Even his name fit. Like he was born to be a butler.
Sebastian rubbed his brow as if nursing a headache.
"Miss... As I said before, please maintain your dignity."
"Sure! Next time!"
The immature young lady let it in one ear and out the other. A sad glint lingered in the butler's eyes, then our gazes met.
Nod.
No words needed; we understood each other.
Inside the spacious carriage, the real talk began.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Sebastian. As the young lady mentioned, I handle all affairs."
Master gave a nod in greeting.
"Ah, you have my thanks for your hard work."
"Not at all. It's my job."
The young lady yawned, staring out the window.
"Wake me when we arrive, Sebastian."
"As you wish."
What a my-pace girl. Must've exhausted herself with the tantrum; she started dozing off, head bobbing.
The dapper mustachioed butler. Sebastian broached the topic seriously.
"Our young lady is currently focused on recruiting talent."
"Eh? Doesn't she usually handle that herself?"
"...Normally, it's my duty."
From today's antics, I got it without asking. She must've thrown a fit insisting on doing it herself.
Master gave him a sympathetic look and asked,
"Understood. So, what's the goal?"
"Exactly as stated. We're recruiting those with martial prowess. We heard an intriguing rumor and sought you out."
"Doesn't your house have its own dedicated knight order?"
"...Pardon me."
Sebastian glanced at Master, then whispered to me.
"Excuse me, but is that your child? Or perhaps your little sister...?"
Misunderstanding due to Master's appearance. I answered boldly, no whisper needed.
"Uh... She's my master?"
Sebastian leaned in again, whispering,
"I see. Understood."
And nodded with an empathetic look? Oh no! A living example. The super precious flower must love role-play!
"No...!"
"Child."
This time, Master tugged my sleeve, pulling me close to whisper.
"Upon reflection, this lady finds it quite understandable."
"Master...!"
Her heart was as vast as the sea. As expected, our Master was perfect.
She continued whispering,
"Thus, in future, no need to correct such matters. Dodo, your kind heart reaches this lady well enough."
No complaint about being treated like a kid. So generous and gentle. Considering my feelings too, my respect overflowed.
Damn... If not for the carriage, I'd have given Master the full filial piety treatment...!
Butler Sebastian cleared his throat, returning to the point.
"Ahem. As with guild intel, some exaggeration is expected. But your exceptional skill and noble intent are beyond doubt."
He paused, then continued,
"We'd like Dodo to become our house knight."
"That's sudden and tricky."
"Not a lifelong bind, of course."
The butler pulled out a hefty ledger. A list of enlistment perks.
Meals provided, housing, injury coverage on duty... And this salary...?
"Quite generous."
"That's not all."
Next page. Personal horse, blacksmith discounts in the territory, farmland based on years served...? Real medieval work conditions?
And it didn't end there!
Sebastian drove it home.
"For unmarried, full funding for quarterly social events. And after six months, a dedicated maid assigned."
"A maid...?"
Holy shit! I couldn't hide my shock. In modern terms, a honey-pot job—people join, none leave. An invincible company!
My mind went blank; agreement nearly slipped out instinctively...
"Hah...!"
Master, ears open while gazing out the window, caught my eye. A stance of respecting whatever I decided. It warmed my heart, but snapped me alert.
Our journey's goal wasn't settling down. Curing the mark, solving the lifespan issue. Couldn't ignore the urgent problem.
"Great conditions, but we have circumstances... Sorry."
Tears in my eyes, I rejected the hard-to-beat offer.
Sebastian nodded, then asked,
"Dodo, does your little sister have an illness?"
"Uh... Yes?"
His gaze pierced the truth. Ah... Objectively, Master did look frail. I knew her usual demeanor and true self, grown too used to her face. The perpetual shadows under her eyes made it a fair guess.
Unsure how to respond, I glanced at Master. As I wavered on hiding it, Tia Master nodded silently. She'd caught my exact dilemma. As expected!
I answered the butler.
"Yes, actually. Incurable disease, so conditions might be... tough."
Sebastian nodded understandingly. But not giving up.
"Once our Solaris house's current issue resolves... We can address your sister's health too."
"Pardon?"
"Heard of Elixir?"
Master's eyes lit up. She'd tuned out but jumped in.
"I've heard. Care to elaborate?"
With Master speaking, Sebastian eyed me again. Time to back her up as disciple.
"I'd like to hear too."
Sebastian nodded and continued.
"To clarify, the Solaris knight order is disbanded."
"Oh... I see. Why?"
"Can't delve into deep reasons, but please understand our house is in precarious straits."
Exposing weakness to recruit us... His desperation was palpable. It raised questions. A house offering this to a house knight... why?
"Something political entangled."
"Sharp. Correct."
Master replied coolly; Sebastian clapped, impressed, face relaxing like praising a clever child. A situation to take offense, yet Master brushed it with a calm smile.
She turned to the window, entering listener mode. Her mature handling swelled my chest with pride today too.
I asked again,
"So, if we join and resolve the political issue... you'll provide Elixir?"
"No firm promise, but commensurate reward assured."
From my prior knowledge, Elixir was near-panacea. In game, only lore-known. Effect on marks...? Gotta ask Master later.
Already tempting opportunity, now with justification—no need to hesitate. Time to impose on Solaris house awhile.
"Alright, let's do it. House knight."
"Excellent choice. No regrets."
Verbal contract sealed for now.
The girl snoring away jolted awake.
"M... What? Done? Knight?"
"Mm... Yes, pleased to serve. Uh..."
"Ah! I'm Ellen Solaris. Proud only daughter of the Solaris house!"
The tomboy young lady wiped drool from her mouth, grinning energetically. She casually extended her booted foot toward me.
Inside the carriage, leg stretched out straight.
...What the fuck is this crazy bitch's intent? First impression too insane to predict.
Ellen demanded it like it was obvious.
"Now, swear your oath with a kiss here!"