Chapter 57

Mensis Knights' Garrison.

In the same hall where the knights gathered as yesterday, I was shaking hands firmly with the boy in front of me.

"I am the Second Squad Captain, Shiero Rubio. Nice to meet you!"

My hand was taken easily and shaken up and down without being released.

"...I am Noah Essex. I look forward to working with you today."

"Yeah! Ah, don't worry about Maloche, I'll take good care of him! So, can we start right away?"

Captain Shiero shook his head to indicate Maloche, who stood expressionless.

According to Baldo, the Second Squad was particularly composed of those of high lineage.

It was probably because the former captain, Maloche, had chosen such individuals as squad members.

"Just to let you know, I'm not a bloodline supremacist!"

"...Is that so?"

Even though I hadn't asked, he kept talking about things that made me nervous, making me feel like my timidity was being exposed.

Facing Captain Shiero across the crystal.

At first, he looked like a boy, but he might be closer in age than I thought.

His angelic smile almost deceived me, but there must be a reason he was chosen as captain.

"I really hate bullies!"

Maloche's expression changed at Captain Shiero's innocent statement.

"I'm done. Here it is. Please check it."

I finished the task quickly and handed the card to Captain Shiero.

"Fast! Thank you. Next, Maloche!"

I faced the silent Maloche.

"You won't refuse, right?"

I had expected him to say something like, "I can't rely on such an unknown skill," or "Nobles don't reveal their secrets," and refuse.

That's what the reasons for refusal from those who didn't participate yesterday seemed to be.

Honestly, it's because they don't want their strength to be known. Also, many of them don't feel the need to advance in the knights, Baldo said.

Especially in the Second Squad, which has many bloodline supremacists.

"...I follow the words of the commander. Indeed, I am proud of my birth. But that's why I revere the commander."

Revere Tristan?

So, it's because Tristan is of higher lineage that he follows him?

Maloche continued with an awkward look.

"That's why, at first, I didn't like the fact that you, who aren't even a noble, are a friend of the commander."

"...What do you mean?"

Like a child's tantrum.

You were bothered by me, who was closer to Tristan than you, who was born a noble.

When we had a practice match, when you shouted, "I won't acknowledge it," you meant you wouldn't acknowledge that Tristan and I were friends.

Honestly, I had forgotten about it with everything that happened.

"...I knew Hans was doing something. I pretended not to see, so I'm also at fault. As a captain, I should have been aware of what my subordinates were doing. I'm sorry."

"No, I wasn't the one being harassed. Please apologize to them directly."

"Ah..."

Maloche fell silent after that.

Hans, for his part, seemed to revere Maloche.

But he had just chosen the wrong direction.

After finishing with Maloche and the rest of the Second Squad, it was the Fourth Squad's turn.

They all participated as well.

When I was surprised, Captain Shiero chuckled and said,

"Of course, they would line up. If they refused here, they would be suspected of being Smith's allies, right?"

"I never thought of that."

I smiled wryly.

At Captain Shiero's words, the shoulders of some of the gathered knights twitched.

Probably those who didn't participate yesterday.

They didn't want to be suspected, but their faces clearly showed they couldn't stand in line now.

Baldo helped by saying that those who couldn't participate yesterday or had a change of heart could line up, and a few stepped forward.

"By the way, what about the Tenth Squad?"

"...I'll ask them another time."

When Tristan said that, I nodded.

Perhaps it was difficult to discuss the details here.

"Then, let's start the skill consultations."

First, I divided the line into three.

I put the captains and those whose names were called in my line.

The rest of the consultants were divided into two and lined up in Eugene and Renji's lines.

"First, I'll inform the captains. It's fine later. Please compile the average and trends of magic power and physical strength for each squad and submit the documents to the former king."

I will also be involved in the analysis, but first, I will report to the former king to understand the strength of the Mensis Knights.

The data left in the crystal is general and cannot identify individuals.

The detailed information will be gathered by the captains.

"From now on, I think there will be more opportunities for you to complete requests from the guild. Please do your best."

After receiving their acknowledgment, I took a deep breath.

Then, I re-energized and started the skill consultations.

"It's over..."

"I'm tired."

"We talked a lot."

"Well done, everyone."

The voices of sympathy came from Lava, while we, Eugene, Renji, and I, were in the guild's carriage.

Tristan will be late today, so I decided to go home first.

"It was easier to give consultations because Lava gave us the data on the branches and skills of knight-related professions in advance."

Eugene said, looking satisfied despite his fatigue.

"Renji, did you answer the members' questions properly?"

"Of course! I did my job well."

"That's good."

I gently patted Renji's head.

"Why do you want to get to know nobles? Or, do you want to date them?"

Eugene, who had been wondering for a while, couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Well, it's easier to live comfortably if you marry someone rich, right?"

"Money is better to have than not."

"Wow, you're so practical."

Renji laughed, saying, "Hehe."

"There's another reason. I'm looking for someone!"

She also chose a guild job because it makes it easier to travel around.

"If I get to know nobles, I can expand my connections."

Surprisingly, Renji had her own solid reasons.

Eugene raised an interested voice and then seemed to have an idea.

"Then, Noah isn't a candidate?"

"...Me?"

The topic suddenly turned to me, and I blinked.

"Haha, you are a relative of the Essex Margrave, so you have connections. And you're not a hardcore bloodline supremacist, right?"

Quincy, who had been quiet until now, said in a teasing tone.

"You know a lot of people, Noah. You're not short of money, and you're kind!"

"You have rare skills too. Oh, I like your face, Noah. Maybe I should nominate myself too."

Oh, oh, embarrassing.

No matter how much you praise me, nothing will come of it.

Eugene, I'm not that rich, and I'm not that kind.

Lava, it's embarrassing to be praised like that, even if it's a joke.

"Kyaa! I can't believe I missed such a good catch!"

Renji looked up at me with a bright voice, seemingly serious.

I replied with a troubled look.

"I'm flattered, but you feel like a little sister to me."

Knowing your obsession with money and your reason for looking for someone, no matter how cute you are, the effect of your puppy eyes is halved.

"Ah, that's a shame. But I always felt Noah was like an older brother."

"R-really?"

You give up so quickly.

I felt a little disappointed, but I hope it didn't show on my face.

"Can you help me look for someone sometimes? Noah-nii-chan♪"

"Sure, I'll help."

I nodded, thinking, "What can I do?"

"Yay! Thank you!"

"That's great, Renji. I'll help too if I can. So, who are you looking for?"

Eugene asked Renji, who was jumping with joy.

"Well, I'm looking for a half-brother I was separated from."

"Separated, huh."

Lava said, looking a bit surprised.

Renji lived with her mother, and her father was never around.

Her mother didn't like to talk about her father in detail.

They lived a very financially difficult life. Hearing that, it's understandable why she would want a more comfortable life.

"My mother rarely talked about the family, so I remember it. She didn't complain much either."

My mother was a mistress, and I was born from an unknown father, Renji said.

"She once mentioned that I have a half-brother."

Renji was smiling.

"I want to meet my brother and talk to him. I want him to know me. That's all I want."

"Renji..."

Eugene called Renji's name, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying, Eugene!"

Indeed.

Renji lightly tapped Eugene's arm.

I impulsively patted both Renji's and Eugene's heads with both hands.

"Uwah! Noah-san!"

"Kyaa! My hair will get messy!"

"Fufu, you two look good together."

Lava watched with a smile.

Quincy pretended to be indifferent but was smiling at the corners of his mouth.

"...If Noah was really my older brother, it would have been nice."

The small, tearful whisper reached me clearly.

2015/01/12 Correction