episode_0164

Episode 164

“…This is an unexpected situation. It’s all my fault.”

“Um, what happened?”

“Today, I told the Knights that there would be a female applicant for membership… but the reason is that I didn’t specifically tell them not to reveal it. It seems like it fell into the ears of a maid who likes rumors.”

A considerable number of onlookers were gathered around the parade ground seen from the terrace of the Knights’ Building.

A female swordsman who suddenly applied to join the Royal Knights. It was not difficult to imagine how interest would have been aroused as the rumors spread.

It was hard to see clearly because it was far away, but there seemed to be quite a few familiar faces among the gathered onlookers. There were also off-duty maids and noble ladies who had no idea where or how they had heard the rumor.

“Shall we politely kick you out?”

“Um… no. Please just proceed as is. As long as it does not interfere with the review.”

The only female knight of the Royal Knights. As long as she tries to accept that position, these kinds of gazes will continue to follow Rika anyway. I thought it would be better to get used to it at least a little bit in advance.

“Yes. So let’s get started right away.”

Pilgret shouted orders to the personnel waiting below. Soon, Rika, dressed in simple gear and carrying a sparring sword, was seen stepping out into the center of the parade ground.

As they check Rika’s appearance and demeanor, the mood of the onlookers becomes even more excited. Although we do not know exactly what kind of rumor was spread, it seems that the person responsible for the rumor did not betray the expectations.

The test that will take place today is a special screening. There was a big difference from the procedure for regularly selecting drivers. It is a screening method handed down from the era when the romance of the sword was still alive.

In order to become a knight, a person recommended by the knight commander or vice-captain, or a noble with a title, had to undergo this special examination. The standard is very simple. All it took was a sword fight with five active knights in a row.

Although it is said that victory or defeat is not considered, and only sword prowess is judged… it was an implicit custom that you would not pass if you did not defeat all five people.

It may also have been intended to keep in check the nobles who tried to take over the knights. It is said that among those who were recommended by nobles and underwent special examination, there has never been a case where they actually became knights.

It’s barbaric. Well, in a place where sword festivals are held, such exception review is nothing.

Soon Rika’s first opponent stood in front of her.

Is that guy’s name… Hamburger? Reliable shoulders and large stature. If you look from the front, Rika will be completely obscured.

The match began with Philgret’s shout. The two prosecutors moved carefully, measuring the distance.

It was Rika who attacked first.

Even though the sword specifications are the same, the arm length is different. It seems that he decided that it would be advantageous to burrow into his arms. Or maybe I found a loophole.

Hamburger slashed his sword vertically towards the approaching Rika. No matter how much protective gear you have, it would be a dangerous blow if you got hit.

Cheaeng-!

Sword and sword clash. Rika’s sword took a heavy blow from the hamburger at an angle and then climbed up the body of the sword with a movement like a snake coiling around its prey.

“Ahh!”

Rika hit Hamberton’s wrist with the side of the knife. Unable to overcome the pain, he lost his grip on the sword. It was Rika’s victory.

“This is a tactic that is not included in the Knights’ manual. It is definitely an effective means against opponents who do not have a gauntlet. However, if you know it, it is also a number with a clear response. Of course, if it’s your first time seeing it, it’s natural for it to be tricky…”

“Hmm… I see.”

“It certainly seems like it was still a tough opponent for Hamberton. Because he only believed in his superior physical condition, he was lazy in his research on tactics. This will also be a good stimulus for him. It’s just as I thought.”

“I see.”

“Then let’s move on to the next match. This time it’s Levarus’ turn. Although he is smaller than Hamburger, he has much more experience, so he will be able to show a more interesting match.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Unlike me, who answered indifferently, Philgret seemed unusually excited. I began to think that perhaps the reason he wanted Rika to join was simply because he wanted to see this match.

Soon, Revarus stepped in front of Rika. Philgret announced the start of the match in an even more excited voice.

* * *

“Aaaagh!”

“Red-haired female prosecutor, fighting!”

“Awesome! Please look here!”

A sharp cheer pierces my ears. It was surprising that such a number of people could make such a sound.

It was the moment Rika defeated her fourth opponent that screams of joy erupted from the onlookers, mainly women. As the match progressed, the enthusiasm of the audience increased, and it was now reaching a level that was interfering with the judging.

It appears that members of the Knights Templar are there to warn people. Although the sound had died down to some extent, it was still noisy.

Rika also seemed taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected such a reaction at all. He completely turned his head away from the onlookers who asked to see him and was just focusing on the person in front of him.

In fact, you probably won’t have time to focus your attention on anything else. The level of the guards’ knights is by no means low. Even though she won four times, Rika must have been very tired.

Soon a fifth opponent stepped forward. I could immediately think of his name.

Jack Sevenshill. He was a veteran knight who accompanied me on several escort missions. He could be considered the next in line to Pilgret.

Come to think of it, he also fought against Rika when she first appeared as an enemy. Did Pilgret intend to do that by sending Jack away?

With a loud shout that showed no signs of fatigue, Pilgret announced the start of the final match.

Jack’s movements were different from those of the ordinary knights before him. Rika boldly approached with her sword raised as if she knew all the moves she could use.

“Haaa!”

Rika went on the offensive first this time too. I turned my body halfway and used the rotational force to throw the sword towards Jack.

Chaae-ae-!

Jack also received the sword without dodging. I didn’t really want to know, but it seems that a fierce battle begins from the moment the swords meet. A detailed explanation followed that the winner would be decided by comprehensively considering the angle of the wrist, gaze, and the opponent’s psychology.

However, no prior knowledge was needed to watch the sword fight that followed. All you needed was eyes. The two people’s swords collided spectacularly and fell again on the stage of the ground and space of the parade ground.

“That’s cool.”

Instead of giving a long explanation, Pilgret left only one word and concentrated on watching. A happy smile appeared on his face as he stroked his chin. When he realized I was watching, his expression quickly changed to a solemn one.

But the end soon came for the two’s sword dance.

puck!

Jack’s sword cut into Rika’s thigh. Although protective gear covered the legs, the steel plate would not have been able to completely block the impact of bearing weight.

Rika knelt on the ground with one hand covering her thigh. Sighs erupted from the audience at the painful expression.

Jack looked at Rika for a moment, then turned his head and looked at where Philgret and I were. It seemed like they wanted to ask whether they should continue like this even though the game was already decided.

According to the Knights’ rules, the winner of this match is determined only in three cases. Lose the sword, admit defeat, or die.

Philgret shook his head quietly. Jack turned and aimed his sword at Rika again.

The target is clear. A proud knight of the kingdom would never inflict more harm than necessary on an injured opponent. He was going to aim for the right arm holding the sword.

Jack would never underestimate his opponent. But it was clear that his consciousness had developed some blind spots.

Rika was aiming for that.

The moment Jack got close enough, Rika instantly stretched out her injured thigh and narrowed the distance between herself and Jack.

Rika didn’t suffer any injuries. Perhaps even allowing attacks on the thighs was intentional.

By the time Jack realized this, the game had already been decided.

Chaaeaeang-!

The sword flew away, and Jack clutched his arm as if in pain.

What a coward. But it is an effective tool. I don’t know if it would be suitable for the name ‘knight’ or not.

The audience cheered again at Rika’s victory. Rika didn’t pay any attention to that and just looked up at where Philgret and I were.

“Haha, Jack, you let your guard down.”

Pilgret seemed very happy to see his men run away. Well, as a knight commander, I am glad that my subordinates have the opportunity to realize their own shortcomings.

Philgret declared loudly. Right here and now, I will accept Rika as a member of the Golden Knights.

* * *

A small room within the royal palace.

Rika entered there hesitantly, being led by my hand.

“Thank you for your hard work, Rika. Hehe, it looked great.”

“Thank you… Well, heh, but princess… Right now, just a little…”

“Are you saying you don’t like being alone with me?”

“Oh, no! It wasn’t like that at all… It was because I was moving my body vigorously… I was sweating a lot…”

Rika seemed embarrassed about her smell and was trying to keep her distance from me.

“Hmm…”

I immediately closed the distance to the embarrassed Rika. In the sword-to-sword battle, the gap between Rika, who was as strong as an iron fortress, was easily broken through for me.

I stood within touching distance of Rika and took a deep breath. I even sniffed it on purpose. Rika looked almost like she was about to cry.

“ugh…”

“Hehe, there’s nothing to be so embarrassed about. Because it smells good enough.”

When I took a step back, Rika looked a little relieved. Looking at Rika like that, I blurted out.

“So how did you feel, Rika? The feeling of receiving such passionate cheers from women I met for the first time.”

“…Yes?”

Rika didn’t even expect to hear such a question. The embarrassment was clearly evident in his voice.

“Um, princess, are you… angry…?”

Crash.

I locked the door behind me. And ordered Rika.

It’s a “command. Take off everything you’re wearing, Rika.”