Chapter 61

As he fixed his gaze on me, Nathan pointed at Clifford with the long sword he was holding, with a forceful gesture.

"When selecting the final candidates, you chose someone who didn't leave any results in the practical exam—"

With that movement, the golden tassel hanging from the hilt of the sword swayed.

"On what grounds did Your Highness appoint a knight as a guard?"

The question, along with his gaze, reached me straight from the stage.

Nathan is straightforward, without any pretense.

In other words, he always speaks his mind. He is not good at the essential skills of the nobility, such as probing others' intentions in social settings, and chose the path of a knight, taking advantage of being the second son of a viscount, as written in "The King of Integrity."

—Such a straightforward Nathan, of course, asked a direct question!

"There is no reason."

And I, swayed by his straightforwardness, answered.

I, I did!

Deciding on Clifford was just a matter of which way to go, and I only thoroughly read the results of the practical exam three days ago...

When asked for a reason...

But I realized after I said it.

Immediately, not only Nathan but also the other guard knights and my brother gave me an indescribable look!

I should have thought more deeply and made it seem like there was a profound reason!

No, in this case, I definitely should have.

It's not too late even now. F, follow-up...

Previously, when Clifford asked me a similar question, I answered, "It was a message from the sky." But... no, wait!

At that time, Clifford's reaction was a bit... subtle, wasn't it?

Should I avoid using that with Nathan and the others?

As I was breaking out in a cold sweat inside, Nathan gave a harsh rebuttal to my "There is no reason" statement.

"Does Your Highness mean that you chose the person who ranked last in the practical exam without any reason?"

The "without any reason" was emphasized.

That's right... Normally, you would appoint the person who ranked first as a guard knight.

The reason for choosing Clifford, who ranked last... the reason... the reason... fabrication...

—A lightbulb went off in my head!

I turned a princess smile toward Nathan on the stage and began to speak.

"Anyone would have been fine."

But with conditions!

"Anyone...?"

"Yes."

I nodded firmly.

"Because, as long as they are one of the final candidates to be my guard knight, they should be able to perform their duties regardless of who they are. Don't you think?"

Guarding a royal is the basic job of a guard knight.

In my case, by the time they were nominated as candidates, they were all equally capable of being my guard knight.

There might be differences among the candidates, but everyone has reached the required level of practical ability!

For example... in an RPG! Level 1 is no match for a level 100 final boss. But between level 110 and level 150, either could defeat the final boss.

In other words, if someone made it to the final candidates as a guard knight, they are all at least level 110.

Even if Clifford's practical exam results were the lowest, his level is sufficient.

Moreover, in reality, if you convert Clifford's level, it's not just 110... "Servant" who can defeat "Servant," in this example, 200... no, even higher?

"As long as they were chosen as a final candidate, I didn't need to particularly emphasize the practical exam. That's not the only basis for my judgment. Therefore, I can only answer that there is no reason for choosing Clifford based solely on the practical exam."

I emphasized that I valued other aspects! A subtle appeal! It feels good, doesn't it? Despite the struggle, I managed to cover up my blunder!

Nathan immediately spoke up.

"I understand what Your Highness is trying to say. Indeed, as long as they are a final candidate, even if they ranked last in the practical exam, they can perform the duties of a guard knight."

Good, good. Nathan is convinced—

"—However!"

Not at all!

His purple eyes widened.

"What I'm asking is not that! Then, on what grounds did Your Highness appoint Clifford Alderton as a guard knight? I would like an answer to that!"

The momentum of his question almost erased his princely appearance.

Ah, his reaction is clearly worse than when I said, "There is no reason"...

I was startled.

According to the knowledge in my head from the original story, Nathan is a character who doesn't accept evasion or sophistry. "There is no reason" is a fact, but after that, I tried to evade.

In other words, Nathan prefers honesty over poor logic or righteousness?

I saw the direction!

"...Right. I'll be honest. I chose Clifford because—"

I took a breath. I smiled sincerely, not with a princess smile.

"I like Clifford."

That's it. Honestly, without logic, go with emotion!

"Like..."

This time, Nathan's tone clearly dropped. He seemed to be thinking. He was still pointing the sword at Clifford, though...

"In other words, this person was the most favorable among the candidates? Therefore, you appointed him as a guard knight."

Nathan said this with a serious face.

Favorable...

Sure, if it's a choice between favorable and not, I like him? ...It's not wrong. It's just a rephrasing of "like"!

I felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to retract my previous statement, but I held back.

I raised my black fan slightly.

What I needed now was a simple affirmation!

And to answer naturally!

"Yes. That's right."

But I couldn't help but arm myself with a princess smile.

"..."

After a few seconds of silence, Nathan lowered his sword and bowed his head.

"Thank you for your answer. I, Nathan Holden, apologize to Princess Octavia for my impertinent question."

...Well.

If Nathan backs down, then...

"Raise your head. This situation arose because others had questions as well."

A big gathering in the midnight training ground?

"—Yes."

Nathan, who nodded deeply, once again moved the sword he had lowered.

"Therefore, the remaining question is only one!"

Huh.

"About preference. I have no objection to Princess Octavia choosing this person as a guard knight. However—"

Once again, the tip of Nathan's sword pointed at Clifford.

"Did this person defeat a 'Servant'?—No matter what words are used, I cannot believe it just by words alone."

Nathan glared at Clifford. Clifford, who returned his gaze, showed no sign of unease.

"If it's a fact, please prove it!"

As soon as he declared this, Nathan threw the sword he received from another guard knight to Clifford's feet with his left hand.

It was a challenge to fight.

However, Clifford didn't move at all.

Back to square one?

After all, the fact that he ranked last in the practical exam is a problem... Even if he ranks last, he can serve as a guard knight. But he can't defeat a 'Servant.'

...Okay.

I looked up at Clifford on the spot. Our eyes met, his deep blue gaze.

"—Clifford"

"Yes"

"Fight Nathan and win. Both of you must remain unharmed."

The guard knights' eyes changed with a murmur.

Nathan is not weak. Yet, the condition of remaining unharmed could be seen as an insult to Nathan.

But I know from my own eyes how powerful Clifford is.

Even with such a condition, he can accomplish it!

"Yes... Unharmed. Understood."

Without any hesitation, Clifford picked up the sword that had been thrown at his feet.

As both of them readied their swords,

"—Hold it."

My brother, who had been silent since the conversation between Nathan and me began, called out to stop them.

"Brother...?"

Is he going to forbid the fight? That would be correct...

"Nathan is strong. But even if he defeats Nathan in a one-on-one battle, it won't prove that he can overwhelm a 'Servant.' I've heard that a 'Servant' is far beyond the norm."

The situation is getting complicated!

"What are you saying, Brother?"

"Unless he fights and defeats everyone on the stage except Hugh, who is assigned to you, it won't be enough to prove it. Of course, all the guard knights must remain unharmed."

My brother increased the difficulty of victory!

"What do you think, Octavia?"

My brother, who had been looking at the stage with his arms crossed, turned his gaze to me.

What do I think...

—And.

"Princess Octavia"

Clifford called me quietly.

"If you desire victory, please give the order."

It felt like he declared that he would win without hurting anyone. But.

"...You must also remain unharmed, Clifford. Don't forget that."

Clifford smiled faintly.

"—Yes. I will remember."