episode_0044

There were many people gathered in front of the Knights’ headquarters where I arrived with mixed feelings.

Most of them were clamoring for the knights to find the bodies of their family members.

It seems that the number of bodies abandoned during the hasty retreat of the punitive force was much higher than expected.

The Templar soldiers blocked the entrance to the headquarters and tried to calm the people down, but it didn’t seem to be easy.

It was good to just shout, but there were also people who cursed harshly or grabbed people by the collar.

I understand how you feel, but I don’t think there’s a need to do that to soldiers who have done nothing wrong.

Even people who quietly ask for help will hear bad things about it.

‘Anyway, I can’t even go into the headquarters, let alone meet Veronica.’

I tried to find a way to get into the headquarters, but it is impossible to sneak into the Knights headquarters, which is basically a fortress, without other people knowing.

Just when I thought there would be no choice but to wait, Veronica came out and stood in front of the public.

Wearing magic armor, she climbed up onto the stage, took a quick look at the noisy situation, and shouted in a loud voice.

“Everyone, listen carefully! I fully understand your sorrow, but I cannot provide proper help in this disorderly state. So, please calmly stand in line and report a missing person to our knights. The Knights will definitely find your family!”

Veronica’s appealing voice drew people’s attention to her.

The overwhelming atmosphere around her calmed everyone’s excitement.

The people who hesitated for a moment lined up in an orderly manner under the guidance of the soldiers.

Sometimes, there were people who couldn’t control their excitement, but when Veronica personally visited them and comforted them, they shed tears and became calm.

The soldiers’ gazes towards Veronica were filled with respect, and the eyes of ordinary people were filled with gratitude.

After the situation was completely resolved and I had some free time, I went straight to Veronica and called her.

“Veronica!”

“Ah, Rebecca. It’s been a really long time. Please understand that we cannot properly welcome you under these circumstances.”

Veronica was happy to see me, but she kept her voice low and refrained from smiling.

It would be impossible to be happy about meeting a friend alone while everyone is grieving over the loss of their family.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“The people are in pain, but you can’t turn a blind eye, right?”

“This is truly a responsible response from a driver.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But has something happened to you too?”

Veronica looked at me with a worried expression.

Fortunately, nothing bad happened to me, but I felt like if it did, she would step up and help me.

I still don’t know why Veronica is completely friendly to me.

Although good things are good things, sometimes I feel anxious.

I think it’s because I’ve been the victim of favors given without reason in the past.

But I want to believe that Veronica is not that type of person.

“I wanted to help in any way possible because I heard that an acquaintance’s daughter, not me, went missing after participating in a punitive force. So, shamelessly, I decided to visit Veronica.”

“When you need help, it’s natural to look for friends. First, file a missing person report by lining up like everyone else and then come to my office. I will tell my subordinates in advance.”

Veronica whispered this time so that only I could hear.

In this situation, it is clear that he is quietly trying to help me because the fairness of the Knights Templar would be undermined if he openly showed that he was favoring someone’s convenience.

I couldn’t cause any inconvenience to Veronica, so I just nodded quietly.

“Rebecca, we will be standing in line, so go first.”

“Is it okay if it’s just the two of you?”

“Slaves are not prohibited from reporting missing persons, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you, then I’ll go first.”

Thanks to Laura and Iris’s consideration, I was able to follow Veronica right away.

Veronica’s office was located on the top floor of the fortress, high enough to have a panoramic view of the city.

The interior of the office was filled with appropriately luxurious and expensive furniture to maintain his dignity as a nobleman and vice-captain, so it was a bit far from being frugal, but not to the point of being extravagant.

“This is my first time having a friend come into the office. Now, sit here.”

“Thank you.”

I sat down on the soft chair that Veronica pulled out.

Veronica would be the only case in the world where a noble would even give a chair to a commoner.

Veronica instructed the secretary outside the office to bring out coffee and snacks.

Then, he went into the spacious dressing room, took off his magic armor, changed into his knight uniform, and sat down across from me.

“How have you been?”

“It was a shame that you left, but I managed to have a peaceful time. How was it for you?”

“It was good. Although I was hospitalized briefly.”

“Are you okay now?”

As soon as Veronica heard that I had been hospitalized, her eyes widened and she looked very serious.

I don’t know if they would be this seriously worried if they found out under what circumstances I was hospitalized.

If it were Veronica’s personality, I would have just laughed and wondered if that made any sense.

“Yes, everything is better.”

“I’m so glad. However, if you had told me that I was hospitalized, I would have gone to visit the hospital, so I feel a little sad.”

Veronica had a slightly pouty expression that did not fit her usual image.

It felt a bit cute, but I controlled my emotions thinking about the ‘accident’ of that day.

If I commit this one more time, I don’t know how Laura will change.

“I’m sorry. Still, it’s just a simple hospitalization, so I can’t bother Veronica.”

“Still, hospitalization is hospitalization. If something like that happens in the future, be sure to tell me. If you’re really busy, you can at least send letters and gifts.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

While we were having a private conversation, the secretary brought coffee and cookies.

I wondered if there was something special about the coffee the knights drank, but it was really ordinary.

Veronica drinks high-quality coffee at her mansion, but it seems like she doesn’t drink it at work.

Still, the cookies are so delicious that I want to bring them to Laura and Iris later.

While I was concentrating on the cookies, Veronica elegantly drank her coffee.

It is said that nobles learn even the smallest things, such as posture, and it seems like they are also learning how to drink coffee.

“Who is the acquaintance you mentioned?”

“They are people named Kalthran and Minaterin who run a magic weapon shop. I even lifted the curse on a new slave I bought. They are really kind and good people, so it’s so sad that such a tragedy happened.”

“These are people I know. Since he is the most skilled magic engineer and blacksmith in Franca, our knights are indebted to him a lot. It is truly a pity that great misfortune befalls such people.”

I didn’t know that Veronica knew about the Karls, and I didn’t know they were such great people.

I never thought the magic weapon store I happened to visit would be connected in this way.

“Anyway, what about the slave you bought this time? Even at first glance, you look outstanding.”

“Iris is as lovely a person as Laura. You can also use the magical eye.”

“A person who buys a slave for love is a very rare case.”

“I think it’s a bit funny. Maybe I’m buying a slave because I don’t have the ability to date normally.”

“Do not criticize yourself. If you didn’t have the ability, then I would… Hmm! Please pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.”

“Ah, yes. Of course it should be so. Ahaha!”

We couldn’t talk to each other or make eye contact because the atmosphere suddenly became cold.

We just looked in the wrong direction with bright red faces and waited for them to speak to each other first.

In the end, Veronica, unable to bear the awkward situation, spoke first.

“What type of magical eye is Iris’ magical eye?”

“It acts like a kind of telescope. I heard that it can tell which direction the wind is blowing and also has a function to track targets.”

“It’s a magical eye with truly outstanding abilities. Try to hide that fact from the nobles as much as possible. I will also keep this fact secret.”

“Do nobles hate the magical eye?”

“Rather, the problem is that I like it too much. Nobles who view it as something to behold are not very dangerous, but nobles who do everything to incorporate the power of the magical eye into their bloodline are very dangerous.”

“Thank you for teaching me in advance. It must not have been easy to expose the shame of a nobleman…”

“I just hope you can protect the ones you love.”

Veronica smiled and sipped her coffee leisurely.

But my mind became more complicated.

It is highly likely that the tragedy that Iris experienced was ultimately caused by a noble who was obsessed with the magical eye.

That’s why Iris’s mother gave up her life and passed on a curse to Iris, preventing her from using her magical eyes.

I don’t know who that noble family is, but someday I will have to get revenge for Iris.

“I think it would be best to get to the point now. Our knights will dispatch troops at 8 a.m. the day after tomorrow to find the bodies of the punitive forces and punish the hostile forces.”

“Then can I come with you?”

“That is impossible in principle.”

“Yes? Why? Same as last time…”

“According to the lord’s order, participation in this operation by personnel other than the Knights Templar has been strictly prohibited. Even so, in principle, it is a policy to prevent any untoward incident from occurring when the people are mobilized in a situation where there is a lot of damage to the people.”

Veronica calmly explained the situation.

Her uncle and lord wants to prevent this situation from spreading into an incident that will damage his prestige.

Since he has a history of being reprimanded by the emperor for the appearance of a high-class monster in the slums, he will have no choice but to respond sensitively to this incident as well.

It was a political decision that made sense with my head, but it was difficult to understand with my heart.

“I promised Mr. Kalthran and Mr. Minaterin that I would return their daughter. I can’t go back to those people empty handed. They freed Iris from the curse, and I want to return the favor.”

“Rebecca, I knew it would come out like that. So, I would like to suggest a trick.”

“A trick? That doesn’t suit Veronica at all.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But since I am also the vice-captain, I often resort to trickery. Anyway, give it a read.”

I carefully looked at the documents Veronica held out.

Experience joining? Isn’t this something only kids do?

According to the explanation, if you join the Knights Templar, you can experience some of the Knights’ missions and will be treated as a member of the Knights Templar during that period.

Normally, this was an opportunity given to children of nobles or wealthy people, but Veronica gave me, an ordinary adventurer, a great opportunity.

Surely this isn’t a ploy to completely get me to join the Knights?

I just said Veronica was a trick, but I’m not a shrewd person who would force things against my will, so I believe that won’t happen.

“As you can see, there is no problem in participating in this operation if you become a member of the Knights Templar for a while through trial membership. And if you sign up for a trial, I will put you in the direct unit that I will temporarily create, so apply with confidence.”

“This is definitely the best method. But can I take my slaves too?”

“Of course. It may be uncomfortable to hear, but slaves are private property.”

Veronica said, giving me an apologetic look.

I was grateful that someone of noble stature cared so much about a commoner who loved slaves.

Veronica isn’t just saying this, it seems like she really thinks of me as a friend.

“I see. By the way, if I join Veronica’s direct unit, will you stop talking to me? I think it would be a bit scary to receive orders from Veronica.”

“It’s not natural because it’s subordinate. Come to your senses, recruit! Hahaha, just kidding, I think it would be easier for both of us to just keep doing it the way we are now. It’s just a show to deceive anyway, so there’s no need to get along with each other by trying to control discipline, right?”

“That’s right. I want to continue to be good friends with Veronica. If I get the chance, I feel like calling her sister.”

“Sister… Please call me sister right now.”

I was just joking, but Veronica seemed quite serious.

Is this a joke again? No, those eyes are eyes that speak the truth.

“Okay, then please excuse me. Hmm. Sister Veronica.”

“What’s going on? My sister Rebecca?”

Veronica smiled charmingly and looked at me with profound eyes.

For a moment, I thought Veronica was so cool that my heart stopped.

Wake up, Rebecca! The other person is a married woman with a child and a nobleman!

“That was a foul just now.”

“Why? You said you wanted to call me sister, so I did it accordingly, right?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, there is such a thing.”

“Haha! You’re such a fun person. Anyway, it’s good that you stopped talking. From now on, whenever we are alone, let’s just talk comfortably like we do now.”

“Then what if someone comes?”

“Like now?”

I was so startled by what Veronica said while looking behind me that I jumped up from my seat and turned around.

Fortunately, it was Laura and Iris. No, when did they come into the office?

I didn’t feel popular at all.

“Don’t be too surprised. Because I called. I sneaked in when you called me sister.”

“Why on earth do people around me keep making fun of me?”

“That’s because Rebecca’s reaction is funny.”

Laura giggled and Iris tried to suppress her laughter.

No, I was such an easy person?

I filled out the application for a trial membership, feeling completely unconvinced.

I wrote down the name Regina Caron, my status as a commoner, and information about Laura and Iris, who were registered as my property, but there were still many blank spaces.

“I’ll take care of the rest. Don’t worry, come to the Knights’ headquarters by 5 a.m. the day after tomorrow.”

Verocina took away the application form that had not yet been completed.

All that remains now is to work with the Knights to wipe out the traitors to humanity and retrieve their bodies.