Chapter 9

It seems that I am generally being received with goodwill.

Just as I thought that,

"Aren't you all quite relaxed? Aren't you upset? That a sudden old man is appointed as the captain?"

A sarcastic voice echoed at that moment.

Turning around, I saw the figures of three men and women.

They were all probably in their early twenties.

And among them, one handsome man and two beautiful women.

"Are you the new captain? I'm Edmond. Nice to meet you."

One of the three male knights glared at me.

His expression clearly showed hostility.

"To be suddenly appointed as captain after being just a farmer a month ago... You must be quite capable, right?"

"Unless, of course, you did some dirty backroom deals."

The two women glanced at me as if I were something filthy.

They, too, were openly hostile towards me.

...It seems none of them are welcoming me.

Well, I had expected this to some extent.

I thought there would be people who would resent such a sudden promotion.

However, I didn't expect such blatant attitudes in a gathering of over a dozen knights.

"Please work with me."

I didn't want to start with a hostile atmosphere.

I returned the courtesy as I would to any other knight.

"Edmond, and also Jynette and Carina. It's not right to speak to the captain like that."

Jyudo interceded.

"...I apologize."

The three of them bowed in a completely different, respectful manner towards me.

"But, I still can't accept it. The Holy Dragon Knights are a gathering of chosen knights. Everyone has worked their blood, sweat, and tears to get here. While it's one thing to be a temporary soldier, being appointed to a higher position should be reserved for those who have earned it."

"Yet, this person – a former farmer who became captain in just a month – it's just strange."

"For example, if Jyudo were to become captain, I could understand. But it makes me suspect there were some dirty backroom deals."

"That's enough. Marius's appointment as captain was decided by the captain's council and is a royal order. Speculations about backroom deals are just that – speculations."

"Then, prove that it's not just speculation."

Edmond's gaze turned back to me.

"If you're appointed as captain, you must have the necessary strength, right?"

"For example, can you use powerful skills?"

The two female knights, Jynette and Carina, continued.

I had learned several skills in previous battles, including combat, defense, weapons, and magic.

If I demonstrated them, would the three of them be convinced?

"There's a training ground ahead. Show us. How about we compare, too?"

Edmond suggested.

"Compare?"

"Which one has more power – as a captain, you should be able to use a much more powerful skill than me, right?"

I realized that the other knights were also watching me.

Some looked worried, others interested, and some were sizing me up.

Considering the presence of other subordinates – it would be better to show my strength.

"Alright. If that's what you want, let's do it."

I decided that the only way to convince this kind of person was to show them my strength.

We moved to the training facility.

Inside, we entered a room designed for practicing attack skills.

The vast hall was enchanted with multiple layers of damage reduction magic, allowing the use of high-power attack skills with a certain level of safety.

Our contest was to attack a target, and the one who caused more damage would win.

The target was made of Rhydell steel, enchanted with seven layers of defensive magic, and there were ten of them in a row.

"Shall we use a Rank 2 attack skill, [Impulse Blade]? If you can't, any other skill is fine."

Edmond suggested, his face full of confidence.

[Impulse Blade] is a weapon skill that releases a shockwave in the shape of a slash, as its name suggests.

"I'm fine with that. I've learned it."

"Then, I'll go first."

Edmond drew his sword.

As expected of a knight, his stance was impressive.

Unlike me, who was still a novice in swordsmanship.

"Haahaaaaa, [Impulse Blade]!"

Edmond's sword was enveloped in a green light, which shot straight ahead.

It traveled about ten meters and hit the target.

With a sound of destruction, it cleaved three of the ten targets in half.

"Hmm, to cleave Rhydell steel targets enchanted with seven layers of defensive magic..."

Jyudo muttered.

"Indeed, Edmond is one of the young hopes..."

"His attack skills might even rival those of a deputy captain..."

The other knights murmured in unison.

"Your turn, Captain."

Edmond pointed his chin at me arrogantly, already confident of his victory, smirking.

"Alright. Since the targets are broken, please replace them with new ones."

I asked one of my subordinates to replace the three broken targets with new ones.

Edmond had cleaved three out of ten targets.

Would my skill do the same?

I had used this skill many times in battle, but this was the first time I was using it on a target.

I couldn't quite predict its power.

"What's the matter, Captain? Are you scared?"

Edmond taunted me.

"If your skill is weaker than mine, it would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?"

"Come on, Edmond, stop it."

"You're putting too much pressure on him."

Jynette and Carina also smirked, just like Edmond.

They probably expected my skill to be less powerful, damaging my reputation as captain.

I don't care about saving face.

But as a captain – as someone who needs to lead this squad – I need to show a certain level of strength to avoid problems in the future.

I'll let it all out.

I readied my sword.

"What's that stance...?"

"Is he a novice...?"

Voices from the other knights, besides Edmond, could be heard.

From the perspective of professional knights, my stance might look awkward.

But the stance isn't the issue.

The power of a skill is generally proportional to the user's level.

So –

"[Impulse Blade]!"

With a shout, I swung my sword.

A brilliant green flash burst forth.

"What...!?"

"No, it can't be...!"

"Such a –"

Edmond, Jynette, Carina, and everyone else – they all let out stunned voices.

The green shockwave I released –

It cleaved all ten targets in half and even split the wall behind them.

Thanks to this, the daily comprehensive cover has returned. I'm grateful!