Chapter 47

Dantes and Non were tasked with gathering information about the "Sea Monk" at the Adventurers' Guild, while I set out to negotiate with Miminoh to see if we could borrow a ship. Zelly? She had disappeared at some point.

The person we were negotiating with was the Knights. This Kingdom of Light Knights is, after all, a country of knights, so it's faster to talk to a knight.

"—Very well. I will hear your request, Lord Ragi."

And his decision was quick.

The commander overseeing the knights in the port town of Zackerhaven was a middle-aged gentleman with a Kaiser mustache that curved upward. Even though he was a knight, he didn't always carry a sword, and in fact, he seemed busier with his job as the mayor of this port town.

"We have several magic ships in the military fleet. We'll send them out."

I was surprised at how easily we got his agreement.

"U-um, is that really okay?"

"Of course. There are two reasons for this."

He raised two well-manicured fingers.

"The first is that the Sea Monk problem is serious. If the Sea Monk continues to come and go as it pleases, it will remain a significant issue. We were planning to send out a research ship anyway. The second is—"

He took a letter from his pocket.

"This is a letter from Lord Friedrich Berger. It says to provide assistance when Lord Ragi visits..."

I didn't realize that the big knight cared so much about me.

"Besides, I am a big fan of Lord Friedrich. Just receiving this handwritten letter is reason enough for me to assist Lord Ragi."

The mayor winked playfully.

A fan? I thought, but as I listened to the rest of his story, I learned that among the knights, some fight on the front lines, some provide support, and those skilled in paperwork, like the mayor, are assigned administrative duties.

In this country, civil servants are also knights.

While there is a place for everyone, the mayor still has a fondness for the elite positions of the "Five Light Knights" and the "Eleven Heaven Knights."

Was he trying to recommend me for such a position...?

And if I declined, I might be called "disrespectful!" I'll keep that to myself.

"Then let's go immediately. I'll inform your companions to come to the Knights' port facilities."

We watched the messenger run off to the Adventurers' Guild and some unknown place (where Zelly was. It seems he knows exactly where Zelly is... the Kingdom of Light Knights is truly formidable) and then Miminoh and I were led to the port by the mayor.

"Thank you for your trouble, Mayor, to have you guide us like this..."

"No, it's no trouble at all. Guiding someone who might have been recommended for the 'Eleven Heaven Knights' is an honor for a knight."

"..."

You know, right?

His eyes sparkled for a moment! He might really be angry about the "disrespect!"

"Hehehe, don't be so stiff. If you get to know the good things about our Kingdom of Light Knights, Lord Ragi might want to live here."

"R-really...?"

"Of course."

Not only the mayor and I, but about ten knights followed us in an orderly manner.

The townspeople didn't seem to be wary of the knights,

"Hey, Mayor. How about a game tonight?"

"Hey, knights. Say hello."

"Knights are coming through, move the carts out of the way."

They casually invited the mayor to a game of shogi, small children waved, and people cleared the way.

They weren't revered or shunned because of their authority; they were naturally integrated into the community. I had heard that the capital was more strict, but this port town, being on the outskirts, was much softer.

(Indeed, this is nice... The town and the knights blend together so well.)

As I was thinking this,

"By the way, Lord Ragi. I heard a rumor that you made a rather outrageous request to the Emperor of the Lev Magic Empire?"

"Ah!"

A sudden, sharp comment came, and I burst out laughing.

"W-why does the mayor know about that...!?"

"Rumors spread like the wind. However, the details didn't reach me... I was curious about what kind of request it was. The Emperor of that empire even held a meeting to consider it, right?"

It's scary that it spread this far. We came here at a considerable speed, but the rumor spread even faster?

"Since you seem to be in a hurry, how about a meal when you return from the sea...?"

"O-okay."

We had arrived at another port next to the civilian port, a military port. Unlike the commercial and fishing ships, these had cannons and shields lined up on the deck, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The mayor went with his subordinates to check the military ships, leaving Miminoh and me behind.

"Wow... I'm surprised. How did the mayor know all that?"

"I made a dinner appointment, but is it okay, Ragi?"

"Normally, I couldn't ask for a military ship, so I can't refuse."

Miminoh, who had been looking down, said,

"...About what you just said, we were also curious. Why did you make that 'request'? We kind of understand, but..."

"I haven't really talked about it much. I wasn't sure what was confidential and what I could share."

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine..."

"No, it's not that at all."

I recalled what I had asked the Emperor.

"What I wished for... 'the release of Princess Anastasia'—I made this wish on my own, but I haven't yet heard if Princess Anastasia herself agrees with it."

Only 2 days until the book release! From here on, I'll update daily! (meaning back to normal updates)