Moto Sekai Ichi'i no Sub-chara Ikusei Nikki-Chapter 8: Ostracized Female Knight

My first impression of him was the worst.

I though he was a young nobleman who grew up in a snugly environment that didn’t know hardships, a man with no common sense that was not thinking about how he would be bothering others as long as they didn’t bother him.

But right now.

He defeated six Scarlet Mantis in thirty seconds. From 20 meters away, and nothing but a long bow, an impossible feat to do with Archery.

How much effort did he put into it?

I feel sorry for having bundled him together with those dirty nobles.

How about me?

From an early age I have wanted to follow the path of a Knight, and this is all I’ve accomplished with my sword.

Useless. No matter what I do, it’s useless. Since I had no talent for the sword I was chastised in my home, and when I finally entered to the bottom rank of the knights, I felt so left out.

I had no skill after all.

All I did was speak of justice, I was that lousy justice girl.

But even that justice felt empty, it did not resonate.

Even when I exposed the unjust aristocrats’ dirty deals, someone from above always came to stop me.

And when I tried to expose the boss’ injustice, other knights got in the way.

Those political lapdogs.

I’m sick of it.

I’m sick of this Kingdom’s system.

Just take a look.

Even after the death of our comrades, the rotten upper echelons are trying to capture and use the savior of the Third Knight Order.

And the reason we got into that predicament was because of an incompetent commander and the unreasonable orders from the upper echelons.

Is this truly a Knight Order?

The image of a knight that I once admired and aimed at?

If that’s so, then, I’ll just……

＊　＊　＊

“Second-dono. Aren’t you going to join the adventurer’s guild? ”

After helping the Third Knight Order, I was brought to a room and made to sit in a sofa which seems to be of quite a high class.

I was wondering if I’ll be receiving words of thanks, but the first thing the old man sitting opposite from me said was almost the opposite.

“The adventurer’s guild? ”

“Ahem, I guess I should start from the beginning. I heard that you, Second-dono, despite being an adventurer, did not belong to the guild.”

Certainly, I’m not affiliated with them.

However, there is no reason to belong to the guild.

The adventurer’s guild in the Castall Kingdom is an organization that controls and oversees requests such as monster extermination. So to speak, they’re the bridge between the people and adventurers ――But the truth is, they are a rotten organization in this Kingdom that seeks to manage personal information from adventurers in order to serve their own needs.

The reason why I know this is because that’s the setting of the story in Mobius.

“Sounds like a nice deal, but I’ll have to refuse.”

“……Can I ask you why? ”

What a tenacious old man. What is his purpose?

“I’m not particularly bothered by money, and I’m not good at being tied to an organization… maybe because of that. ”

Since it’s probably useless to hide it, I told him the honest reason.

Immediately after, the old man made an expression that as if troubled.

“What’s wrong? ”

“It’s nothing. As a knight, I don’t want to let such a great adventurer as Second-dono go. Especially this time, when Second-dono’s ability has become quite obvious in a big way. With this being the case, many nobles will rush to get their hand on you.”

“……In other word, you mean the guild will protect me?”

“Pretty much.”

Suspicious.

He said my ability has become obvious in a big way, but there aren’t many witnesses, so isn’t it good if the Third Knight Order doesn’t speak of it?

Why would this old man wanted me to join the guild?

…………Hmm, I have no idea.

I may join some organization, but I don’t feel that’s something that would keep me from reaching the world’s first rank.

“After all, no, I won’t join them.”

“……I see.”

When I said so, the old man pulled down.

And then, he opened his mouth after being lost in thought.

“Then, let’s go with our Silvia. If you have someone from the Third Knight Order attached, it will serve to give them some level of restrain.”

With Silvia…

I see. She might be a bit dumb, but she is quite beautiful. Any man would obviously want her by their side.

And that’s exactly why I’m afraid to accept this old man’s proposal.

Perhaps this is what he was originally aiming for.

That said, I do not understand what the aim is

“I have no idea what hand the nobles might try to play with. And Silvia is famous for being a tough knight against the nobility in the capital. I think this will be quite effective, don’t you think? ”

This old man gave an additional push.

……I feel like I’m starting to get it.

Silvia is tough on nobles. And the upper echelons of the knights are connected to those nobles. In other words, Silvia is a thorn on the side of the knights. Does that mean he wants to relegate Silvia?

Oops, I went on a tangent again.

If that’s the case, maybe this is actually a good proposal for me, right?

Why? Because a wolf comes with a bag… Never mind that. This is a unique opportunity to bring a beautiful female knight to my group.

“How long will she be accompanying me? ”

“Uhmm. Let’s ask the person herself ――Silvia.”

After I asked, the old man opened the door and called for Silvia.

After a short while, Silvia, whom now was not wearing her armor, appeared.

“Silvia. You’ll be in charge of acting as Second-dono’s escort. About the time of this endeavor, as a knight I would like to respect yours and Second-dono’s opinions.”

“――eh! ”

Silvia was surprised by the old man’s words.

Well, that’s only natural. This is pretty much a de-facto demotion. But that also means that her and my opinion will be respected, that is, Silvia’s term will be decided by me. I knew it, it seems like the knights want to chase Silvia out.

“…………”

Silvia was looking down in silence. I managed to steal a glance at the valley in her chest. Not bad, moderately sized mountains.

“Got anything to say in particular about your term? ”

“……No.”

The old man told Silvia implicitly to remain silent.

Then, he turned his eyes towards me. Should I be the one deciding the term? In that case――

“How about two years? ”

That’s what I’ve decided.

Two years. That should be enough time to get to the world’s first rank.

The old man then spoke without changing his expression.

“Alright.”

And thus, the female knight Silvia became my escort.

＊　＊　＊

Demoted――。

For the knights this might be more like “getting rid of a troublesome person”.

While I was assimilating those facts, I accompanied Second-dono to the inn as his escort, and together with him, drank at the first-floor bar.

Even though I refused at first saying I was just an escort, Second-dono kept saying “it’s fine, it’s fine”.

There were a lot of shocking events today, so I lost to temptation.

“Hey, let’s make a deal.”

It was at that moment.

Second-dono suddenly said something like that.

I was drinking but was still in a good condition, so I returned it with a “Let’s hear it”.

All without knowing that this deal would change my life in the future.

“I believe Silvia wants to be prouder of her work as a knight. I want to help.”

I was a little surprised to be called out by my name without honorifics.

In hindsight, Second’s appearance was quite good. Up until now I only had eyes for my sword, but maybe because I’ve been slowly drinking for some time now, such womanly feeling suddenly sprang out.

No, his words mean more than that.

Those words accurately represent my current feelings.

I want to be a proud knight. Since I was young, that was the justice that filled my heart.

“If you are disgusted with the current state of the Knight Order, I think you should quit it. And, I think you should follow me.”

It was a shocking remark.

Follow me!?

Wh-what is this guy saying…!?

“Wh-w-w-w-w-what ar-are you ta-ta-talking about?”

“Wait, calm down, calm down!　I told you, this was a deal.”

Th-that’s right. Calm down, me. This is a deal. By no means this is a pro-pro-pro-proposal. Damn, my face feels hot!

I emptied the contents of the glass in a dash.

……Have I calmed down a little?

“I think Silvia is not someone to give in to power, right?　Then, you should get the appropriate skill. And I have the means to do that.”

Umu, that’s true.

But it’s easier said than done……

“I was born in the Virginia House of Knights. It is the role of those born in the Virginia House to become a knight and master fighting skills. Therefore, I have walked the path of the sword since I was four years old. I’ve been training in the way of the sword for 13 years now… But it all has been for nothing. I had no talent for the sword. I was despised by my brother and sister, even by my very parents. I am one of those who have failed. And even after barely becoming a knight, my sense of justice isn’t shared by others…”

I spoke as if complaining. It seems like I’m really getting drunk.

“Ah……”

Then, Second-dono opened his mouth, as if to say something that was hard to say.

“I’m sorry for what I’m about to tell you. If you don’t have talent for the sword, you should try something else. A spear or a bow should be fine.”

“You ba-bastard――”

Flying into rage, I grabbed Second-dono by the chest and stood up… and then I gave up.

Just what was I trying to do?

Second-dono said nothing but the truth.

I’ve always been stubborn and trained with nothing but swords. Even after everyone said I had no talent, only the sword…

“……A knight is …… clad in armor, holding a sword, riding a horse ……A hero who rushed to save those in a pinch……”

I wanted to be a knight. A respectable knight. Never succumbing to evil, always an ally of justice.

……I am pathetic. My tears came out.

What would the child me think if she were too look at what I have become?

She would definitely hate it. No matter if I’m clad in armor, have a sword, ride a horse or belong to the Third Knight Order.

It doesn’t matter, I am no knight at all. It pains me just becoming aware of it.

“Isn’t it better to press forwards with those aspirations of being a knight? It doesn’t matter what weapon you use. What’s important is only the part about justice and rushing to save those in a pinch, it has nothing to do with swords and armors, right? ”

“…………”

It is exactly as Second-dono says it.

Totally right.

There is no need to stick to the sword.

What matters is to have the heart of a knight!

That’s it. That’s totally it!

Such a rotten organization is not a place for a knight to be!

Quitting the knight order doesn’t mean I would quit being a knight!

Right now is the time for me to change――!

“Second-dono!　I’ve made my mind. I will follow you! ”

I said it.

But I will not regret it. I already decided to bet on him.

When he heard my loud declaration, Second-dono just smiled happily and said “I see”.

I feel like my cheek are getting unnaturally hot. I probably have drunk too much.

“Then, let me tell you about my dreams.”

After saying so, Second-dono began to speak passionately.

That no matter what, he was going to be the “world’s rank one”.

It’s a very rough dream, one people might be amazed and laugh at.

But his smiling and cheerful face, and his almost glittering eyes.

――Yeah, Second-dono is really aiming to the top of the world.

I honestly thought so.

If so, then I’d like to go together with him and help him out.

I’m sure interesting things will happen.

Ahh, this is the first time I’ve had a night with so much fun.

My future surely looks bright――!

＊　＊　＊

“……Haa.”

After finishing drinking with Silvia, I returned to my room and sat on my bed.

“Fu……fufu, fuhaha, hahahaha! ”

A laughter came out involuntarily.

Beautiful female knight ――GET!

Well, I didn’t think it would go as planned.

She’s probably gifted in either 【Archery】 or 【Magic】. After training 【Swordsmanship】 for 13 years and not improving, it seems like she’s a specialized growth type, maybe DEX or INT type. There’s also the possibility of being a production type of some sort even if a little, but that would still be good. Anyway, it’s huge that I managed to get a companion. This will dramatically improve safety.

It’s great that I made a relationship with that pain in the butt knight order, seems like I drew a big one here.

However, I told her not to slap her resignation to the knight order right away.

On the surface, she will still be a knight of the Third Knight Order fulfilling her two-year term, but in fact, she’ll be a spy that will leak to me information about the order.

As a matter of fact, it seems like Silvia was instructed to “persuade Second in order for him to join the Knight Order”, but that is now meaningless since she told me.

Those knights might think that Silvia, being the “Knightish Knight” that she is, will have a sense of duty and properly follow those orders.

Truly, two birds, three birds with one stone, no, I guess it’s four birds with one stone.

I’m really looking forward to the days starting tomorrow.

In order to develop Silvia, I want to go to the dungeon and learn the essential skills of 【Swordsmanship】, and in addition to that――……

I lied on the bed and went to sleep while thinking about that.