Ch.1919. My Knight (1)

Sione Sianella’s death is by no means insignificant.

From a myopic perspective, it’s merely the death of a highly respected count family’s second daughter who had just begun to reform herself.

Looking at the bigger picture, it means this world will follow its original fate toward destruction.

Sione’s death is significant enough to not only prevent my return to Earth but also threaten my very life.

Even though these were just words appearing in a quest, I couldn’t feel particularly pleased about them.

“Demons and fanatics…”

They’re exactly the type to ruin an entire world.

Among the numerous worlds I’ve conquered, quite a few were destroyed by unstoppable demonic invasions that began with demon worshippers.

This place must be one of those worlds destined for destruction.

Certainly, the future where I lost my life was a hell filled with demons.

I retrieved my sword that I had set aside and stroked the hilt.

I shouldn’t let my guard down carelessly.

This was an S-rank Dungeon world, so vigilance is essential.

In S-rank dungeons, even the minions of the villains are incredibly vicious and relentless.

Even at this seemingly peaceful moment, it’s obvious I shouldn’t underestimate these so-called fanatics who aren’t even demons themselves.

I looked at Sione, who had fallen into a deep sleep, breathing softly.

“Really one lucky bastard.”

She should consider meeting me as a stroke of divine fortune.

The deeper I fell into my thoughts, the more irritating it became to see Sione sleeping so peacefully, oblivious to everything.

She’s not even my real fiancée—I don’t understand why I’m going through all this trouble just to help someone meet their fiancé.

“…Still.”

There were some fortunate aspects.

First, Diolia, a knight who had reached the advanced level of Sword Expert, was accompanying Sione as her guard.

No matter how deranged these fanatics might be, they wouldn’t dare attack Sione in broad daylight on a public road.

With luck, we might be able to leave the village quietly without any incidents.

As I stroked the sword hilt several times, organizing my thoughts, a village that appeared quite large finally came into view through the window.

I’m sure Sione had mentioned we would arrive at a small village.

It seemed Sione had casually relayed to me what she had half-heard from Diolia about it being smaller than the Sianella territory.

Well, this seems like a good time to wake her up.

I shook Sione’s shoulder.

“Lady Sione, please wake up. We’ve arrived at the entrance of the village.”

“Yawn… thank you for waking me.”

Sione stretched with a small smile.

After fixing her disheveled hair, she organized the blankets and sat in her chair.

She was taking in the village scenery like a child visiting an amusement park for the first time.

“I thought Lady Diolia said it was a small village. It looks quite large.”

“It seems Lady Diolia was comparing it to the city of the County of Sianella.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, that’s probably what Diolia meant.”

Indeed, it seemed the standard of “small” that Diolia mentioned was in comparison to the count’s territory.

Sione, who had been quietly looking outside, turned her gaze away from the window.

“Since this is my first time ever leaving the count’s territory to visit another village or city, I’m quite excited.”

“Do you mean you’ve never left the count’s territory before?”

“That’s right.”

Sione slowly nodded.

“When I was young, I wielded a sword on the estate, and for a brief time, I held a spear and books… but after that, I retreated to my room. In fact, by now, even my memories of playing outside the lord’s castle have grown dim.”

Well, having her self-esteem completely shattered by constant comparisons, falling into self-loathing, and then developing an aversion to others that led her to lock herself in her room with her defenses up for not just months but years…

I felt somewhat sorry for Sione as she spoke of these facts so matter-of-factly.

Yet this same Sione managed to produce a pure, bright smile.

“That’s why I’m quite looking forward to this place. Aren’t you as well?”

“…Since you put it that way, I am looking forward to it too.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

With those final words, Sione quietly raised the corners of her mouth and closed her eyes.

Her expression was as peaceful as the smile she had on the day she cut away her long, painful past.

* * *

We stopped the carriage at the village entrance and got out. The roads weren’t properly maintained enough to take the carriage deeper into the village.

We arranged to meet the coachman at this entrance the next day at noon, and he left to attend to his other duties.

“I know of a decent inn here, so let’s head there.”

Thanks to Diolia, who had visited this place several times before, we quickly found an inn to stay for the night.

The rooms inside the inn were clean with no musty smell, sufficient for a one-night stay.

Even Sione, who was accustomed to rolling up in blankets on a luxurious bed every day, didn’t seem to have any complaints about the inn.

Sione and Diolia each got separate rooms, while Ian and I would share one.

Since Ian said he would visit the church during the day, I could choose which bed I wanted.

After being assigned our rooms and unpacking all my belongings next to the bed by the window, Sione and Diolia came to my room.

I was going to go to them myself once I finished my tasks anyway.

I wondered why Sione and Diolia had come to see me first.

As I was pondering this, Sione spoke.

“Have you finished unpacking?”

“Yes, I’ve unpacked everything I brought.”

“Then let’s go to the market for some sightseeing together.”

So they came to invite me to join them.

Well, not a bad proposal, but I couldn’t accept it.

I needed to replenish our food supplies since everyone had been eating my cooking for three meals a day.

I also needed to shop for Sione’s snacks and other necessities.

“I’m sorry, but I need to buy preserved food for our journey and some separate items for Lady Sione…”

“That won’t be necessary. Lady Diolia said she would take care of the supplies.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying you can leave today’s tasks to Diolia and take a day off.”

I barely managed to keep my expression from hardening at Sione’s words.

“You want me to leave my duties to Lady Diolia and accompany you, Lady Sione? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for you to walk around without an escort?”

The only reason I could be somewhat at ease despite receiving such an ominous quest was based on the assumption that Diolia would be protecting Sione.

It would be problematic if Diolia were to leave Sione’s side.

I shot a glance at Diolia, who was standing quietly behind Sione.

“Today I will handle your duties, so do as Lady Sione says.”

“…While I’m delighted by your offer, shouldn’t you be guarding Lady Sione, Lady Diolia?”

“Lady Sione has already promised to carry a self-defense weapon and walk through the crowded market streets, and it’s currently broad daylight.”

Diolia’s gaze on me deepened, as if trying to see through me.

“Moreover, from what I’ve observed of your swordsmanship, you seem capable of subduing common ruffians despite being a man, so I don’t think there will be any problems.”

“But…”

“Also, Lady Sione said she has something she wants to discuss with you privately.”

“…I understand.”

…Well, as Diolia said, what could happen in broad daylight?

Besides, even though Sione had despaired over her talents before, she had reached the level of a Sword User.

If she were to fight seriously, she would probably be stronger than I am now.

But even in broad daylight, there’s always that slim chance of something happening.

I should at least arm myself lightly.

“May I change my clothes first?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I’ll change quickly.”

After checking the quest again, I put on the leather armor I had brought separately from the carriage.

I could feel the cool leather sensation overlaying my skin.

After making sure I was thoroughly equipped, I also fastened my sword at my waist.

I didn’t bring my bow.

It was obvious that Sione wouldn’t allow me to follow her around with a quiver on my back and a bow in hand.

My head cooled down.

Quests don’t appear without reason.

At least once, there will be a point in this village where Sione crosses paths with demon worshippers.

It’s obvious that I’ll get caught up in more trouble if I don’t stay alert, so I can’t let my guard down.

When I finished preparing and left the room, Sione looked me up and down and said:

“You even put on leather armor. Aren’t you being overly cautious?”

“Didn’t I say I would protect you? I did all this for you, Lady Sione, so I hope you’ll be understanding.”

“…Thank you.”

In response to my words, Sione avoided my gaze and quietly whispered her reply.

I asked her about one of the things Diolia had mentioned.

“Lady Diolia said you had something you wanted to tell me… what is it?”

“Ah, that, well.”

Sione hesitated, unable to answer easily.

Instead of answering my question, she grabbed my sleeve near the wrist and said:

“L-let’s go outside and talk about it later…!”

As she said this while leading me, she had a faint smile on her lips.