episode_0050

The Black Finger Bandits made quite a name for themselves in the vicinity.

First and foremost, they gained points for not being mere mercenaries, but rather mercenaries with a reputation. And their infamous reputation, especially due to the delightful rebellion in Filah, played a significant role.

In particular, their leader Marcus had spent over ten years rampaging from mercenary to bandit, accumulating a stack of enemies here and there to climb higher.

It was common for him to eliminate others in competition and seize what they had in order to rise.

Therefore, it was not strange that Lavender’s name, the one who dealt with Marcus, was frequently mentioned among the local people.

However, it had to be taken into account that Lavender, a bishop aiming for a lottery win, was accompanied by the knightly reputation of the soon-to-be Viscount Canosa, which was well crafted to sound pleasant.

“I heard he acquired a village before, but it seems like he wasn’t just bragging.”

“You can tell just by looking at his fluorescent sword. It’s an extraordinary relic in itself.”

“I heard from the soldiers who were with him during the process of reclaiming Filah that he has a family story that can’t be heard without shedding tears. Do you have the heart to listen?”

“Shall we listen over a drink? Innkeeper, bring us six beers!”

The novel that the soldiers had creatively concocted with their imagination was once again distributed in the vicinity.

Mixing the appropriate amount of sentimentality with the tragic clichés of the era, this new story, which could not be tasteless, smoothly captivated other people as well.

There were those who were dissatisfied because they couldn’t boast about what they had seen.

These were the soldiers who had infiltrated the castle with Lavender and witnessed the battle from beginning to end.

“Have you heard the story about the fluorescent sword?”

“I have. It was a good story, but there’s no need to repeat it.”

“No, I came to tell the sequel to that story. I personally charged into the enemy lines bravely with that knight.”

“I, too, am greatly interested in that story. Shall we listen over a drink? Innkeeper, bring us four more beers!”

With some exaggeration and biased content mixed in, the story spread once again without any gossip.

The humans who had once dared to defile the armor of the knight were now afraid they would be chopped into pieces in the dead of night and couldn’t sleep properly.

Therefore, the story reached the following conclusion this time.

It was just a single line that was too dazzling to be worshipped, a bright and shining line.

Under the protection of the gods, the straight line cut through the bandit leader’s armor in a single strike.

For the price of a few beers, the soldiers willingly opened their mouths to testify to this miraculous feat.

Of course, there may have been some exaggeration, but in difficult times, it was a pleasant story to hear.

And such a hero deserved a fitting nickname.

Therefore, with reverence and admiration, people bestowed upon him the most magnificent name they could imagine for his weapon, believed to be imbued with sacred magic.

*****

Nobles gained nicknames for their achievements.

If they conquered land, they became the Conqueror King, and if they lost, they became the Lost King.

However, unlike nobles, knights were not rulers, so they couldn’t be given nicknames in that manner.

Knights were more like tax collectors than rulers. The ruling was left to the village steward.

For knights, their weapons were their pride in battle, and their armor was their reliable friend in the chaos of the battlefield.

Therefore, the nicknames of knights were derived from ideas inspired by their representative armor or weapons.

One of the most famous cases in this area was Jenny of the Chain Sickle, and I, too, have been called the Fluorescent Sword.

Therefore, I hoped that this time, in proportion to my actions, I would receive an even more splendid nickname.

“Glowing Sword. Its reputation is well-known around here, and people are starting to call it by a new nickname.”

“What is it?”

Sure enough, I could hear that the dice had been rolled for a nickname reset.

Although I didn’t show it, I listened eagerly with a pounding heart.

“While the word ‘glow’ certainly has a striking power, it doesn’t fully capture the power of the sword.”

“I see.”

Rolling the dice for the third time, there can’t be a failure this time.

Moreover, this time it was a name derived from a larger group, so it was reliable. It was worth putting my trust in this collective wisdom.

“And so, it has been decided to call it ‘Radiant Sword.’”

“Hmm…?”

Epic fail!

*****

Something was off.

Before I could even try anything, my nickname remained unchanged.

“I heard about your exploits. You have lived up to my expectations, Knight.”

“It’s an exaggeration. How could I have accomplished this alone? It was the effort of everyone, including Your Grace.”

“You are humble. Thanks to you, we were able to bring true peace to Filah. And I hear people are calling you by a new name.”

Stop.

“Laven, the Radiant Sword.”

Gyaaaah.

Why did the heavens give birth to me,

only to give birth to the plague of Bolle, the Glowing Sword, and now the Radiant Sword. They have really given birth to a lot.

…No, it was my own fault for not recognizing their naming sense sooner. Therefore, I must humbly accept this.

Upon careful consideration, it seems better than Glowing Sword.

“It’s the promised reward. Of course, as per the contract, the gold coins of the Papal Decree.”

Days of endless boredom by the Marquis’ side.

The Bishop, who had regained some of the past freshness with Filah, handed me a box.

A heavy, satisfying feeling and a creaking sound. The Bishop fulfilled the contract with a sense of responsibility befitting his position.

After the battle, the enjoyable payment time always came.

The Marquis distributed the items that the soldiers had dismantled from the thieves among them, or exchanged them for money.

And those like me who had personally contracted received their promised rewards in a separate meeting, concluding the contract.

The money arrived late, but I finally received it now.

The Bishop personally wrote in my status evaluation that he was very satisfied.

The customer’s wishes were fulfilled, and the payment was made. With this process, the contract between me and the Bishop was over.

“I heard you will make a loyalty contract. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I received a lot of help.”

“You have received a reward befitting your accomplishments, haven’t you. Well then, I guess our relationship ends here.”

I received a contract from the Bishop. With this, I became a complete stranger in terms of employment, so it was time to part ways.

No, rather, the Bishop was probably busier than me with the aftermath. His mistake wouldn’t disappear just because he returned the situation to normal.

The Bishop turned around, paused, looked around once, and then spoke to me in a low voice.

“…If you ever meet Ghiberto, be careful. He is definitely someone who will one day show his fangs to the Pope.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

“Please don’t forget my words. Well, you have worked hard. May the Lord watch over your path.”

“May the Lord watch over us.”

The Bishop nodded slightly at me and then walked away.

There were no grand farewells or promises of the future. In this chaotic world, every meeting had to be based on the assumption of eternal parting, and if the gods guided well, the connection would eventually be made.

I glanced at the figure behind me for a moment, then handed the box I was carrying to Sanchu, who was by my side.

Ricia, who had been lurking behind an alley, pretending to buy bread for the bishop’s privacy, approached briskly as the conversation ended.

“Are we ready to depart now?”

“Yes. It’s about time.”

I raised my head. The streets of Filah were lined with carriages and soldiers.

Although the road was a bit dirty from the previous night’s banquet, the weather was clear and perfect for traveling.

First, I helped the girl onto Sanchu’s back, then I leaped up myself.

While it may have seemed like an unfamiliar combination to others, we had been traveling like this for months, so it was a familiar sight to us.

“Have you come, Luminous Sword?”

“No, now I am Radiant Sword. The Viscount is up ahead.”

With countless cheers from the soldiers who had already given each other nicknames, Count Canossa, after confirming my arrival, set the group in motion.

In the hot summer weather, we departed from Filah.

And four days later.

Count Canossa, returning triumphantly to the estate, immediately summoned the vassals.

Without delay, in front of everyone, they entered into a loyalty contract.

“Will you swear allegiance to me and faithfully fulfill the duties entrusted to you?”

“I swear.”

“Then, receive this.”

The Count handed me a handful of soil. This act symbolized the bestowal of knighthood.

As the fine soil trickled through my fingers, I clenched it tightly and replied, “I will protect the people of this land and be loyal to my lord.”

“Then, from now on, Alpen is your responsibility. Bear in mind the heavy burden that comes with it and manage it well.”

In my fourth year as a knight, in a sweltering summer.

I finally became a knight with a respectable piece of land.