Chapter 41

If this were a manga, there would probably be a sound effect like “Zuuuuuun” written. Despite the large tent being big enough to accommodate multiple people, Lord Friedrich, who sat down with a thud in the center, seemed to be crossing his arms uncomfortably.

Dantes, who is shorter in height but not that much smaller in build, seemed to be shrinking due to the invisible gap of “status difference.”

When Lord Friedrich spoke, even the muscles in his jaw seemed to move.

“Let me be blunt. Come to the Radiant Knights Kingdom.”

“Ah, yes. That’s my intention.”

“I see—then I’ll leave the rest to Wilhelm.”

With a “Zuuuuuun” (hallucination), Lord Friedrich stood up and walked out with the knights.

“Huh? It’s over?”

“...Is it over?” Dantes said, clearly relieved, but Lord Wilhelm and the bearded knight, Johan, were still there.

“Dantes, it seems this young knight is also treated like a noble.”

“Eek!”

Dantes is about to develop a noble allergy. To be precise, he’s allergic to “royal relatives,” but saying that would only make the allergy worse.

“...Ah, well, what... I would like to be treated equally with other knights.”

“No, that’s not possible. I’ve seen you representing the Radiant Knights Kingdom in diplomacy.”

“...Mm, I see.”

Lord Wilhelm, looking dejected, had his shoulders slumped, and Johan said something encouraging like, “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

What, what is this? Are they trying to be friendly with me? No way. I’m just a commoner. I’m only a bit more used to nobles because of my experience as a bodyguard.

“By the way, about what you discussed with Lord Friedrich... You really plan to come to the Radiant Knights Kingdom, right?”

“Yes, that was my intention.”

“S-so, I thought you were more suited to being an adventurer.”

“Huh? Yeah, I do want to continue being an adventurer for a while.”

“That’s difficult. A knight becoming an adventurer...”

“Huh?”

“Mm?”

The conversation isn’t syncing.

“Hold on, Raiji. You are coming to the Radiant Knights Kingdom, right?”

“Yes, I said that’s my intention.”

“Are you going to become a knight?”

“Huh?”

Why?

“...I don’t think you have any other business in our country, do you?”

“No, that’s exactly it. I’m preparing to leave for that reason.”

“...”

Lord Wilhelm put his hand to his forehead and looked up at the sky, while Johan burst out laughing.

“W-what’s going on? Why does ‘going to the Radiant Knights Kingdom’ mean ‘becoming a knight’?”

“That’s... didn’t you receive an award from the Empire today?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Following that, when Lord Friedrich, one of the ‘Five Radiant Knights’ of the Radiant Knights Kingdom, says ‘come to our country,’ it means ‘I’ll make you a knight.’”

“Eh?”

That’s a bit of a stretch. Besides, I don’t have any reason to receive anything from the Radiant Knights Kingdom. And that big knight, you need to use more words to explain.

Basically, everyone in the Radiant Knights Kingdom, even the common soldiers, is a “knight.”

“...Well, there is a position and treatment prepared for you. Do you want to hear about it?”

“No, that’s fine.”

“I see... It was a proposal to recommend you for one of the ‘Eleven Celestial Knights.’”

“Hmm.”

Even if you look at me, my heart won’t move. I don’t know about that position.

“It’s a great honor. Below the ‘Royal Sword Knight,’ the ‘Five Radiant Knights,’ and the ‘Eleven Celestial Knights’—the core of the Radiant Knights Kingdom. Lord Friedrich must have thought highly of you... No, never mind.”

Lord Wilhelm must have realized I wasn’t swayed, so he cut off the explanation. Even Johan was smiling wryly.

“Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do. —Johan, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Lord Wilhelm stood up, I called out to him.

“Excuse me, I have a question—”

Seeing this as an opportunity, I asked about the route to the Radiant Knights Kingdom. It’s probably the same path Lark took.

Lord Wilhelm answered kindly. It’s almost a straight road, and if you’re in a hurry, you have to follow the main road.

“Thank you.”

“Well... If you’re going to our country, would you like a military carriage?”

“Is that okay?”

“Do you want a fast carriage with a terrible ride or a slow carriage with a comfortable ride? I recommend the latter—”

“I’ll take the fast one!”

When I answered eagerly,

“S-so, you want the fast one... I see. I’ll arrange for you to leave at dawn tomorrow.”

He looked a bit disappointed.

“Thank you!”

“Y-yes... Raiji, well... never mind. Farewell.”

“Yes.”

I’m grateful to Lord Wilhelm for offering me what I wanted most. As I bowed deeply, I felt him leave.

“...Lord Wilhelm wanted to talk more with you, Raiji. Please, another time.”

Johan whispered and left.

“Same age... huh.”

The sunset had already faded, and their figures quickly disappeared.

(We may be close in age, but our circumstances are completely different. Important people must have their own worries... Yeah, of course they do. Even Lady Eva secretly worried about not having friends. Now she has Lady Mira and pen pals.)

As I was thinking about this,

“—Huh. A-are they gone? They’re gone?”

Dantes, who seemed to have just regained consciousness, was gasping for breath and looking around frantically. By the way, Mimi and Non stayed away, sensing the tense atmosphere with the knights, and Zelly had gone to the casino and lost money.

Regarding the title of the bonus SS I mentioned in yesterday’s afterword, it seems to be different from what was delivered. I’m sorry, I don’t have the title on hand...! (But I have the text.)

However, even though the title is different, the content is the same! So it’s fine!