Chapter 77

It's been a while. I'm very sorry for keeping you waiting. I'm alive!

Thank you to everyone who didn't give up and waited for me!

I'm restarting my updates!

It's been quite a while, but my story was read out alongside "Nobu" in the official Nico Nico Nara Radio, the isekai izakaya series!

I was delighted to be featured alongside a work that's in the final selection of the NaraCon!

I'll share more detailed impressions in my activity report.

Now, let's start the palace chapter.

I tried to keep the plastered smile from peeling off, but I barely managed to hold it together.

This is my first day on the job after being given the grand title of Special Training Advisor.

It's a grand title, but I interpret it as a non-military advisor.

If I were a military member, there would inevitably be a hierarchy, and things I couldn't say would pile up.

The problematic structure is not much different from the knights. Especially with the prestigious Royal Guard, the issues run deep.

My existence is probably perfect for the king's desire to improve such aspects.

With the new standards in place, the king aims to boldly and efficiently clear up the darkness.

There will be resistance, of course. That's what this position is for. My direct superior, as a non-military member, is the King himself, bypassing the ranks of soldiers and captains.

The King's personal guard is special, but in terms of position, it's on par with the captain. I can say and do whatever I want, but I won't be held responsible in battle because I'm not a military member.

Thinking about it, it seems like a sweet position, but reality doesn't work that smoothly.

I'm being glared at by the Royal Guards as if they're about to shoot me, so I know it's not that easy.

Given my personality, I can't just do and say whatever I want. I wanted to build a good relationship as smoothly as possible, but they don't seem to have that intention.

The training ground for the Royal Guard is within the palace grounds. As soon as I entered with Alice, everyone stopped moving. The captain's command brought the guards in front of me.

I had contacted them in advance to see the training ground, but I didn't need them to gather.

I opened my mouth to greet them with a plastered smile but closed it again.

The guards' hostile gazes are frankly scary. I feel like I'm about to back off.

But I have to endure. They're not going to attack me here and now.

I don't intend to act superior, but I also don't intend to be overly humble. It's similar to handling complaints at the guild.

If I cross a certain line, the balance will be lost, and I'll have to accept everything they say.

That relationship will affect the future. If I'm underestimated here, it will all be for nothing. The position the king gave me will be just a name.

"I'm Noah Ignis Essex. This is my attendant, Alice. I'm here to observe the training of the Royal Guard today."

As I greeted them with a forced smile, a bearded man stepped forward. He's the captain who tried to take Cerberus from the knights.

"Ah, Special Training Advisor. What a tongue-twister. I heard you were a receptionist at the guild."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Hmm, then you're not used to such a place. If you have any business, we'll send a messenger to your room. It would be more beneficial for both of us if you wait there, wouldn't it?"

His tone is incredibly irritating. He's telling me to stay in my room and wait for a call if needed. The Royal Guard doesn't want their methods questioned, so they want to silence me first and take control.

"No, I've been taken care of by the Essex castle and the Mensis knights, so there's no need to worry about me."

As I said this, the captain moved his proud beard.

"My apologies. May I ask a question?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"What is this skill you mentioned? How reliable is it? I heard it's a completely unprecedented skill. For example, what's the accuracy?"

As I opened my mouth to explain, the bearded man pressed on.

"If you don't like someone, you could just give them a low number, and their value would be decided. We have no way to verify it. Isn't that unfair?"

I expected this. Everyone probably has this doubt. But I didn't think of such a petty method.

As a receptionist, I unconsciously believed that the information I provided had to be correct. I wouldn't try to deceive or use force to trap someone.

The system uses a magic item to burn the numbers I read onto a card. This should have been explained, but I'm not sure if they'll listen here.

I understand their feelings. Proud Royal Guards being judged by civilians who don't know battle, and being dismissed if they don't meet the standards.

But if I handle this problem casually, it will cause trouble later.

I need to make them recognize my skill as effective and want to improve themselves. My skill doesn't directly make them stronger.

I need to make them realize the effectiveness of my skill. Only then will they listen to me.

I made a proposal to the bearded captain.

"I have a proposal."

"What is it?"

I stood directly in front of the bearded man and challenged him. To help him understand my skill.

"How about a one-on-one, three-match contest? No magic items, but magic is allowed. The first to win two matches wins. It's a simple rule."

"Hmm, quite interesting."

The bearded man glanced back and exchanged glances with other captains, then laughed through his nose. He selected two of his confident-looking subordinates.

"Who are your team members?"

I activated my skill and looked around the gathered soldiers. I called over three who were standing at the edge.

The bearded man, without hiding his sneer, confirmed if I was really choosing them.

"It's fine. Give me a little time. Three days should be enough. I'll bring out their potential in three days."

"Alright. I'll accept your challenge. Those guys are the bottom of their squads. Whether they meet your standards or not... they might just be dismissed three days earlier."

The members I chose turned pale.

"Then, if we win this match, these guys will pass the test unconditionally, how about that?"

As I said this, the bearded man nodded with a relaxed expression, clearly thinking it was impossible.

"If we win, you'll have to wait in your room quietly, right?"

"Yes, that's fine."

I asked to decide the order of the matches and to have a member of the Royal Guard as the referee.

The conditions were easily accepted. I thought it would be fairer to have a Royal Guard as the referee rather than a captain or a sergeant. If possible, I wanted Robert, who wouldn't deliberately disadvantage the king's plan to strengthen the Royal Guard. Of course, I have no intention of cheating. I want to do the opposite.

Thanks to the bearded man's insults, I regained my usual smile. It's easier to deal with someone who underestimates me, and the effect will be greater when the results come out.

It will be tough for the members I chose, but it's also a chance for them to prove themselves to their comrades.

The bearded man gestured to the members I chose, as if saying, "You understand, right?"

We got permission to borrow the members from their squads and moved to a courtyard away from the training ground.

Mike, a chubby and laid-back guy, Watt, who seemed nervous and kept looking down, and Ash, a small and thin guy.

After introducing myself, I explained my thoughts to them.

A straightforward and fair match is hard to win. They know it, and so do the others. That's why I want them to go for a direct approach.

If they win using some trick, the guards won't be convinced. I don't want to give them a chance to say it's unchivalrous.

"It's impossible."

Mike said this, and Watt nodded vigorously in agreement.

"It's not impossible."

I didn't look away from the three.

"It's not impossible. You have talent. I'll help bring out that potential over the next three days."

"It's impossible. The captain said we're the bottom of the Royal Guard. Why did you choose us? To be honest, it's a bother."

Ash said coldly.

I felt a bit guilty but repeated myself.

"It's not impossible. Don't you feel frustrated? Laughed at by your comrades. Don't you want to prove them wrong?"

Mike and Watt fell silent. They were scared.

I deliberately chose those who wouldn't just follow the captain. If I chose those who would flatter the captain, they would probably lose on purpose and ruin the match.

Those who are scared but still feel frustrated and have hidden talent. That's why I chose them.

"This is your chance. The king hired me. You are the Royal Guard of the Albion Kingdom. Trust the king. Especially Ash, you seem to have other problems. If you need help, I can assist you."

Ash's face lifted sharply. He was the one who reacted most strongly to the captain's signals.

Saying to trust the king might be a bit exaggerated, but I want the other soldiers to think this way too.

Thanks to my words, the three finally seemed to listen to me.

The match is in three days. I'll do everything I can until then.

2015/01/12 Revised