Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 353: Knights of Aln Training (2)

The moment I heard Fayvi mention her duties at the church, I resigned myself to the fact that I couldn’t take her along.

Come to think of it, the church must be especially busy around this time of year. With the New Year approaching, December is a crucial month for the Church of the Divine, full of significant events one after another. As the face of the Church, Fayvi must remain in the holy city and make her presence known at these gatherings.

Back in the summer break, there weren’t any major events, so she had more freedom. But now, that’s simply not possible.

Considering this, I quietly examined the divinity residing within Fayvi.

Recently, she had received the blessing of the Divine’s power and had swiftly adapted to it. Fayvi, who had already shown exceptional talent in handling divinity, managed to grasp the ways of wielding the Divine’s power within just a few days, thanks to her natural talent, hard work, and Johann’s support.

On the surface, nothing seemed different about Fayvi. While I, as an apostle of the Divine, could feel the warmth of the Divine’s grace, those around her, like Joy and Arthur, remained unaware of her change.

Few people would likely notice her transformation even if she returned to the holy city.

The problem lay in that handful of individuals who might.

After carefully considering these variables, I concluded that there was no need to worry. Those unworthy types certainly wouldn’t suspect any changes in Fayvi.

Besides, Fayvi had grown significantly, and Johann would be there to support her.

More importantly, the Pope, who holds absolute authority in the Church, clearly favors Fayvi. With him looking after her, nothing could possibly go wrong.

...Still, a little safeguard wouldn’t hurt.

Rising from my seat, I handed a ring to Fayvi, who was blushing and looking uncertain.

She stared blankly at the ring on my palm before slowly lifting her head.

“Um, my lady, what is this?”

‘It’s a gift. Don’t you like it?’ “What, you don’t want the gift I’m giving you? Fine, I’ll take it back.”

As I pretended to retract the ring, Fayvi hastily grasped it in her hands.

“N-no, that’s not it! I was just curious about what this ring is!”

‘It’s a communication ring. Just in case, I thought you might need it.’ “The incompetent saintess can be as airheaded as her friends, so I thought I’d better give her a way to contact me if she gets into trouble.”

It’s one of the trinkets I bought at an auction a while back.

While it was just a common item in the game, I figured it would be quite useful in reality, so I kept it on hand.

The magic circle inside isn’t large enough for crystal-ball-style conversations, but it should work fine for contacting me in case of emergencies.

“My lady is worried about me...”

Clutching the ring I’d given her with both hands, Fayvi lowered her head and then raised it, wearing the brightest smile I’d ever seen.

“Thank you so much! I’ll cherish it!”

There’s really no need to treasure it. It’s not even an expensive item.

“Lucy. Lucy.”

While I was feeling slightly overwhelmed by Fayvi’s joyous expression, Frey suddenly tugged at my sleeve, having sidled up next to me.

“What about me?”

...You? What about you?

“I’m a fool. I cause a lot of trouble. You should worry about me.”

So, you’re jealous that I gave a gift only to Fayvi, huh?

Hmm. I do have a gift stored in my inventory that I was planning to give Frey on her birthday.

There are also a few items in there that I think she’d like.

I could give her something nice, and she’d probably smile happily, but where’s the fun in just giving it to her?

‘Do you want a gift that badly?’ “What’s this, silly swordswoman? You want a gift that much? Haha, hmm. I wonder what I should do.”

“Yes! I really want it.”

‘No way. I’m not giving it to you.’ “But I really, really want it. There’s no way I’ll give it to you.”

“No gift? Really?”

...Wait, why do her eyes look misty?

No.

No, no. Hold on.

I didn’t mean to make her cry.

I was just teasing a little.

“Sniff.”

Ack! Hang on a second!

Here, Frey. Here’s your gift.

It’s an ornament you can attach to the handle of your sword.

Posell even assured me that it wouldn’t interfere when you swing it, so there’s nothing to worry about.

“...A gift.”

With a bright smile that made it seem as if her earlier tears were an act, Frey quickly took the gift from my hand, attached it to her sword, and grinned as she admired it.

Sigh. I meant to tease Frey, but it feels like I’m the one who got played.

Oh well, if she’s happy, then I guess it’s fine.

“Joy, why are you so quiet? I thought you’d be jumping in.”

“I already received my gift a while ago. The perks of being the first friend, you see.”

“...Well. Isn’t that something.”

Allen Territory

The borderlands of Soladin Kingdom, and one of the areas adjacent to the haughty Teresha Empire, which arrogantly calls itself an empire.

This land, which bore the scars of years of war after Teresha Empire declared invasion decades ago, had since recovered to the point that few signs of the conflict remained.

Arriving in the city of the Allen family at Lucy’s invitation, Arthur observed the lively, smiling faces of the people and felt renewed respect for Benedict Allen.

Despite the memories of war, people could laugh without a hint of worry, undoubtedly because Benedict Allen resided here.

The people could forget their concerns because the knight among knights, the man who once single-handedly altered the tide of war, was here.

What a remarkable honor it is to be able to train with his family.

Since the day I first witnessed that knight’s back facing down a dragon, I’ve never wavered in my admiration for him.

The first time I held a sword, it was to follow in his footsteps. As long as he wields a sword, my respect will not wane.

...Of course, one could say his behavior when he’s around Lucy Allen is rather, well, undignified.

But in a generous interpretation, that’s just another of his human charms.

Recalling Benedict’s expressions of pure affection, from cheerful laughter to near tears as he clung to his daughter’s feet, Arthur shook his head, trying to erase those somewhat undignified memories.

“Ugh. The day has finally come.”

Meanwhile, Joy, standing beside him, muttered incessant complaints.

Ever since getting caught up in Lucy’s scheme to join the Allen Knight Order’s training, she hadn’t stopped grumbling.

Arthur had tried comforting her at first, but her relentless complaints were starting to wear thin. He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Joy’s slumped shoulders.

“At this point, you should just accept it and brace yourself. You already received permission from the Duke of Patran, didn’t you?”

“Even so, I don’t want to do it.”

The three who decided to train with the Allen Knight Order had to obtain permission for an extended absence.

Arthur, being little more than a nominal prince, could come and go as he pleased, but Joy and Frey were esteemed members of their respective families.

For them, disappearing for nearly a month was no small matter.

Joy, clinging to one last hope, had appealed to her father.

She had hoped he would say, “I’d love to, but my father won’t allow it.”

But unfortunately, Duke Patran merely expressed admiration for her eagerness to train with the Allen Knight Order, not the opposition she had counted on.

“To experience that hell... my daughter has truly come of age.”

The single word, “hell,” uttered with dread by Duke Patran, confirmed that Lucy’s earlier stories had been no exaggeration.

“I’m not like some people who idolize knights.”

“It’s fine, Lady Patran. The hardship will make you stronger.”

“Lady Kent, as I said before, I have no interest in becoming that strong.”

“It could help Lucy, too.”

“...Ugh.”

Just as Frey deftly dismissed Joy’s complaint, the Allen estate came into view.

The mansion of the renowned border count had a humble air. The first to greet the three at the estate was a man who introduced himself as the captain of the Allen Knight Order.

“I am Posell. I owe my position to Lord Benedict’s grace, so I am a lucky man indeed.”

“...The famous Sir Posell? The one who charged alone and tore through the enemy lines during the war?!”

“That was only possible because of the opponent’s weakness. The stories are terribly exaggerated and quite embarrassing.”

Arthur, clearly delighted, continued peppering Posell with questions, despite the faintly horrified looks from the other two. Once he finally calmed down, the three followed Posell to meet Benedict.

Sitting behind a desk that seemed almost too small for his large frame, Benedict looked up at them with bright eyes the moment they entered.

“Welcome! Lady Patran! Lady Kent! And the Third Prince!”

The terrifying figure once known as the kingdom’s fangs was nowhere to be seen in the teary-eyed man who now delighted at the thought of his daughter having friends.

Yet, Arthur could tell that Benedict had not lost his edge.

A lifetime of training and experience had honed him to an overwhelming strength that defied reason. That this man was considered to have weakened only highlighted the ignorance of those within the court.

While Arthur was lost in admiration, Benedict treated him with surprising coldness, displaying warmth to Joy and Frey while subtly distancing himself from Arthur.

Arthur, perceptive as he was, could guess why.

He probably suspects that I have some interest in Lucy Allen.

I’d love to clear up that misunderstanding, but with how soft Lord Benedict is for his daughter, he’d likely respond with, “What’s wrong with liking my daughter?” and then drill me for an answer. Better to just play dumb for now.

Mentioning it would only bring more trouble.

“I hope this training proves valuable for all of you.”

With those words, the three left his office and were shown to their rooms to change before heading to the Allen Knight Order’s training ground.

“The training ground is quiet.”

Not a knight or even a single soldier in sight. Did they clear out in anticipation of our arrival?

Arthur’s question was answered by Posell, who approached while pulling a cart.

“The knights are out doing endurance training around the territory. They’ll be back soon.”

“...Wait. Did you mean the entire borderland territory?”

“Haha, of course not.”

“Right?”

“That would take days of non-stop running, which would be too intense for a warm-up. For now, they’re just doing a few laps around this area.”

“...What?”

Arthur froze, realizing that Posell’s tone implied it was entirely possible to run the entire territory if necessary.

While Arthur struggled to process this bizarre idea, Frey and Joy joined them, having changed into training attire.

“Sir Posell, where is Lady Allen?”

“She’s training with the other knights. She’ll be here soon. Ah, there she is, toward the rear.”

Following Posell’s gaze, Arthur spotted the line of knights and muttered to himself.

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“Why does the ground tremble with each step they take?”

“It’s because they’re using weight-enhancing artifacts. Imagine each of them carrying a horse on their shoulders.”

“...At that speed?”

“Haha, they’re actually slower than usual since they’re tired.”

Reminded once more of the surreal nature of this place, Arthur suddenly noticed the gear strapped to the knights’ limbs looked very similar to the items loaded onto Posell’s cart.

“Sir Posell, just out of curiosity, those items in the cart...”

“Yes, exactly. They’re for your warm-up before the real training. Go ahead, take one.”

“...Ugh?!”

As soon as Arthur took the artifact Posell handed him, he nearly staggered under a weight far greater than he had expected.