Chapter 20

As usual, Leord was practicing with Gilbert when a maid came running over. Normally, Gilbert would scold her for being improper, but the maid's pale expression made it clear that something was seriously wrong, so the two of them stopped their training.

"What is it?"

"Huff... Huff... The butler... A knight has come to visit. It seems there is an urgent matter."

"Hmm... For me?"

"Um, may I speak to you privately?"

The maid, out of breath, told Gilbert that a knight had come to visit. Leord was also curious about why the knight had specifically come to see Gilbert, but the maid only whispered it to Gilbert.

"I see... Young master, let's end today's practice here. I need to speak with the visiting knight."

"Ah, alright. I understand."

Leord couldn't help but be curious, but since Gilbert's demeanor didn't give anything away, he obediently followed his instructions. With Gilbert's practice ending early, Leord found himself at a loss for what to do. So, he returned to his room and devoted himself to studying magic.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, having heard from the maid, went to meet the visiting knight. When he reached the knight, who was waiting at the entrance with the maid, Gilbert led the knight inside to hear the details.

"I heard from the maid that there's a report of wyverns nesting near Zeato. Is this true?"

"Yes. Our knightly order sent a reconnaissance team, and it's confirmed."

"How many?"

"The report says over twenty."

"Twenty, you say... Pardon me, but the knightly order is supposed to conduct patrols once a month, correct?"

"Unfortunately, some of them have been making false reports of completing their patrols..."

"Hmm. If that's true, then I must report this to Lord Beluga."

"Could we perhaps handle this quietly...?"

"That's not possible. This incident is a result of the knightly order's negligence. It cannot be overlooked."

"..."

"Is that why you came to me?"

"N-no. I heard from my subordinates that you, Gilbert, are a formidable warrior, and I came to request your assistance in eliminating the wyverns."

"Hmm... Lord Barbalot, is it? However, I am the young master's butler, so I cannot participate in the wyvern extermination."

"Can't you make an exception!? If we go alone, there will definitely be many casualties. At the very least, we want to minimize the damage!"

"You need to stop putting on a false front. You should send a messenger to the capital to request reinforcements. I will take my leave now."

If this were the Leord before he regained his memories, he might have been accepted. He could have returned to the capital in triumph after slaying the wyverns. Unfortunately, as Gilbert said, this was a result of the knightly order's negligence, so even if the wyverns were eliminated, there would be no reward. Instead, punishment for exposing the people to danger would be more appropriate.

However, the current Leord would likely refuse. Focused on survival, he would judge that leaving the wyvern extermination to the knightly order is the best course of action.

Gilbert, deciding there was nothing more to discuss with the visiting knight, stood up. He assigned a maid to the knight, who was slumping in disappointment, and urged him to leave. The knight, unable to get a favorable response, tried to push but ultimately gave in to Gilbert's unyielding pressure and left quietly.

Sighing at having wasted time on trivial matters, Gilbert returned to his room and compiled a report on the knightly order. Once the report was complete, he delivered it to Lord Beluga. After sending a messenger, Gilbert slowly made his way to Leord.

Leord, who had been holed up in his room, was diligently practicing his magic. He was trying to cast and maintain a spell without incantation to improve his precision. He was so focused that sweat was pouring down his forehead, dripping onto the floor and forming puddles.

"Huff... Huff..."

Leord, with a serious expression, was watching a ball of water floating in his palm. The water ball would become distorted and burst if Leord's concentration wavered even slightly.

"Huff! Huff! Calm down...!"

Although his concentration hadn't broken, the water ball in Leord's palm started to become agitated. It had been a perfect sphere, but now it was bubbling and looked ready to burst.

"Damn... Again?"

Leord, cursing, grabbed a towel to wipe his wet hair. As he rubbed his hair irritably, he heard a knock on the door.

"Young master, may I come in?"

"Ah, yes, come in."

Gilbert, entering the room, was puzzled by Leord's drenched state.

"Did you take a bath?"

"No, it's the usual."

"Ah, I see."

"What is it?"

"Regarding the earlier matter, it seems that a wyvern nest has been discovered near Zeato."

"What!? How many?"

"The knight said twenty, but the exact number is unknown."

"Hmm..."

(This isn't in the game. I can't die from something like this, right?

I'm starting to feel scared...)

"Gil, should I go and support the knightly order—"

"That's not possible. I've already told the knight to call for reinforcements from the capital. There's no need for you to get involved."

"Y-yes, understood."