Ch.22. Bullshit

Why didn’t I notice earlier that my colleagues’ gazes were strange?

Perhaps it was because of the title of the Empire’s Royal Order.

We were the strongest military force the Empire possessed.

In terms of numbers, we were just 100 knights. But every single one of them possessed skills of at least mid-Expert level or higher. There were plenty with high or highest-level expertise too.

Though we were often misunderstood as lacking combat experience because we were stationed in the capital, the truth was that we had more field experience than any other knightly order in the Empire.

For instance, suppose a territory was in crisis due to a monster wave. We would be the first to deploy. A crisis that might require mobilizing a thousand conscripts could be easily resolved by a dozen or so of our members rushing in like the wind.

We were the Emperor’s most useful tool of governance.

Naturally, the members’ pride was beyond imagination. Most of them were sword demons who practically lived in the training grounds all day, and even the more playful members limited themselves to sipping a beer in the evening.

‘I never thought they’d be jealous just because I made some money.’

Once I became conscious of my colleagues’ gazes, even their casual remarks no longer sounded ordinary.

Especially today, someone who I thought wouldn’t care at all about Cordana approached me.

“Erick. I heard Cordana surpassed 340 million?”

“Did it? I didn’t know.”

“How could you not know? You must be the biggest player in the capital right now. I heard even the Duke of Arcnight barely has about 50, but you have more than that… In a way, you’re bigger than a ducal house?”

A blonde beauty with tanned, healthy skin and tall for a woman.

It was the female knight “Selin.”

She was my senior by one year and undoubtedly the strongest among the female members. She was already at Expert-high level and had been close to me since we first joined. She was also someone who preferred cracking skulls with a warhammer rather than a sword.

But now she was looking at me with half-closed eyes, quite unlike her usual self, going “Hmm? Hmm?”

“There’s a rumor that the Hero will issue additional Cordana soon… Oh, but of course you’d know better than me.”

“I don’t know. It’s not like I’m in constant communication with the Hero.”

“Really? You served him for a long time when he lived in the palace. You were even almost a member of the Hero’s party at one point.”

“I gave that up to Millia. So what are you trying to say?”

“Just saying.”

I decided to ignore Selin as she kept making sarcastic remarks.

Then Selin brought her face closer to mine. I could faintly smell alcohol.

“By the way, why so serious, Erick?”

“I’m not being serious. Just go train.”

“Ah, yes, I should. Unlike someone who made a fortune with Cordana, I need to keep training diligently to protect my livelihood.”

Despite her words, her actions were completely different.

She didn’t go to the training ground to sharpen her sword, nor did she visit the gym to lift weights. She just glared at me with discontent.

‘Come to think of it…’

I had heard that Selin had been showing up less frequently at the training grounds lately. I’d also heard she was often spotted at taverns near our quarters. I had assumed she was going through a slump, but now it seemed my influence was significant.

Skipping training because of Cordana. What was she thinking?

If Selin had even a few Cordana, I might have understood. Honestly, even I had trouble controlling my excitement when Cordana suddenly surged in value.

It was hard to believe that an ugly gold coin with the Hero’s unattractive face embossed on it was worth more than several years’ salary.

But as far as I knew, Selin wasn’t an investor.

She came from a warrior family. Her entire clan had served or was serving in either the Royal Order or its rival, the Black Iron Knights.

However, her family’s territory was extremely modest. A small domain with just four thousand people, barely self-sufficient.

I wondered why someone like Selin would check the Cordana price daily. It’s not like checking the price dozens of times would magically create Cordana out of nowhere.

‘Come to think of it, she seems to have gained some weight around her waist.’

While some fat is essential, Selin’s current figure seemed somewhat flabby. Attractive as a woman, but honestly disqualifying as a knight.

The capital’s strongest female knight wasting time venting at a colleague. Though I hated meddling, it didn’t seem right to leave it alone.

“Selin.”

“Yes, what?”

“What do you want from me? Stop being sarcastic and just be honest.”

When I asked bluntly, Selin’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Do you really not know why I’m asking?”

“I don’t, that’s why I’m asking.”

Selin sighed deeply and glanced at other colleagues sitting at a distance.

The male and female colleagues who had been subtly watching us responded to Selin with nods or fake coughs.

This meant Selin had stepped up as a representative of knights who had grievances against me.

Then she began speaking in a serious tone.

“Erick. You’re a commoner.”

Was there any need to remind me of my status? It was the worst way to start a conversation.

“Are you asking because you think I’ve forgotten that?”

Selin sighed deeply and began speaking in earnest.

“…Becoming a knight doesn’t change your status. Knight is a position, not a title, and you can’t pass it down to your children. Of course, with your skills, you might eventually be granted a territory, but until then, you’re a commoner.”

“I know that, so you don’t need to remind me.”

“But I, no, we have never discriminated against you. Rather, we’ve been careful to ensure you don’t feel out of place.”

That was a fact I acknowledged.

Most of my colleagues were of noble birth, and there weren’t even any bastards among them.

While few members had their own titles, they were all young masters and ladies when they returned to their homes. Many would have to return to their families to inherit territories if something happened to the heir.

“I admit it. I haven’t experienced any discrimination.”

But I wasn’t in a position where I needed to grovel because noble lords treated me as an equal.

In the knightly order, skill was what mattered, and I had been considered promising since I joined. And I was still living up to those expectations. It wasn’t for nothing that I was mentioned as a potential Hero’s party member.

But Selin, and the knights backing her, seemed to attach great importance to that meager equal treatment.

“I’m glad you acknowledge that. …But Erick, lately you’ve been making us feel uncomfortable. Severely so.”

“You’re bothered because of Cordana, right?”

“Yes, that. …As you know, the knightly order pays relatively poorly. At least, it’s not a significant amount for nobles. But suddenly you’ve acquired enormous wealth. How do you think we feel watching that?”

“Judging by your sour expression, not good.”

I stared at Selin with a slight smile.

‘I don’t like the commoner talk, but…’

I could roughly guess what she wanted.

It’s true that I had been stingy with my colleagues, but that was because I genuinely didn’t have money. I hadn’t sold a single Cordana yet and was living on the same predictable salary as the other members.

But looking at my colleagues’ expressions, selling a couple of Cordana didn’t seem like a bad idea.

‘Right. Even if I sell two, I’ll still have 106 left.’

I looked back and forth between Selin with her chin held high and my other colleagues, then nodded with a short sigh.

Selin’s expression brightened slightly.

“Erick. I’m glad you agree with our concerns, even if it’s a bit late… Though you’ve always been rather insensitive.”

“Yeah, let’s say that’s the case.”

Good. I might look like a pushover, but let’s sell just two.

The current price of Cordana was 340 million. It was enough to buy a decent house in the capital. Outside the capital, it could buy a multi-story mansion and a carriage.

Selling just two would be more than enough to take care of all my colleagues.

‘Since I’ll be seeing these people for a long time, I should take care of them to some extent.’

I immediately began planning what kindness to bestow on my colleagues.

Should I treat them to a week of drinking? Or perhaps sell two Cordana and distribute 6 million Lyra to each of the 100 members? That would be equivalent to two months’ salary, and if they had any shame, they should be satisfied with that.

Having made up my mind, I was about to speak again while looking directly at Selin.

But then.

“Erick. What do you think about turning half of your Cordana into the knightly order’s common property?”

Selin added that 40% would be fine if half was too much, as if she were being generous.

Only after hearing this did I realize that I had underestimated my colleagues’ greed.

They weren’t just expecting a few coins. For some reason, they seemed to be under the delusion that they had a “stake” in my fortune.

But thanks to their true intentions being revealed, I could also clarify my stance. I finally opened my mouth while looking at Selin.

“Selin. What do you mean by half? Don’t talk nonsense.”

There was no reason to seriously entertain such an absurd demand.

“…Nonsense?”

“Yes. I’m not an idiot. Why would I give half to you people?”

The Cordana I possessed was received in exchange for willingly giving up the honor of being in the Hero’s party.

Of course, I didn’t know the price of Cordana would surge like this, but it meant I hadn’t received it without paying any price. Even now, there were people who occasionally mocked me behind my back for choosing money over the historical mission of defeating the Demon Lord.

“That’s why commoners are hopeless,” “No wonder the imperial family doesn’t select them as guard knights,” “I heard he sews Cordana into his underwear.” That kind of talk.

Still, I endured it. I didn’t reveal that the Hero had kicked me out to create a perfect harem, nor did I warn those who spoke rudely. I thought I had to endure that much to enjoy a windfall.

But what if I gave up that Cordana? I would become both a materialist and a pushover. That was absolutely unacceptable.