Ch.216216. Knight Jawill Wilson, Step Forward to the Platform.

“Knight Jawil Wilson, step forward to the platform.”

In the training hall of Lake Manor.

At my call, Jawil Wilson takes several deep breaths with a visibly tense expression before climbing onto the platform.

And then.

He turns his gaze toward the knights who are looking up at me.

“I believe Jawil Wilson has already proven his abilities through his exemplary knightly spirit and outstanding combat skills during the monster wave.”

At my firm voice, the assembled knights nod in agreement, acknowledging Jawil Wilson’s achievements.

The atmosphere is solemn.

Jawil Wilson strides forward, kneels before me, and bows his head.

‘Life really takes you to unexpected places.’

I had intended to make this appointment simply, but Padericks strongly insisted that we follow proper procedure, which is why we’re holding this ceremony.

Of course, now that I’m conducting the ceremony myself, I think it was the right decision.

Jawil Wilson seems to be quite pleased about it.

Swish-!

I glance briefly at the knights again.

Most wear envious expressions.

I can also see vague expectations in their eyes, wondering, ‘If I become stronger, could I stand in that position too?’

Shing-!

I raise the Raiden Sword and gently place it on Jawil Wilson’s shoulder.

“Jawil Wilson, do you swear to fulfill your duties and responsibilities as the Vice-Captain of House Alphonse from this day forward?”

“Yes, I swear!”

And then.

Once more, I raise the Raiden Sword, place it on his other shoulder, and then position it at the center of his head.

“I hereby appoint Jawil Wilson as the Vice-Captain of the Knights of House Alphonse.”

As soon as I finish speaking, cheers erupt from all around.

-Jawil Wilson!! So cool!! Wait, should we call him Vice-Captain now?

-Haha!! Vice-Captain Jawil Wilson!! Looking forward to working with you!

-To think Jawil Wilson became Vice-Captain, I should start training right after this ceremony!

-On a day like this, we should take a break from training!! Vice-Captain Jawil Wilson, how about treating us to some drinks?

-Yeah, let’s all get drunk together!!

Jawil Wilson’s eyes redden with emotion.

It seems like just yesterday when he was getting beaten by me during our first meeting, and now he’s grown enough to deserve the position of Vice-Captain…

Time really does fly.

Jawil Wilson, who had been kneeling, rises and straightens his back.

“Young Master, thank you so much for trusting me and appointing me as Vice-Captain.”

“With the position comes responsibility and duty. Do well from now on.”

“…Understood. Knight Vice-Captain Jawil Wilson, I swear to remain forever loyal to you, Young Master.”

I turn Jawil Wilson to face the knights and continue speaking.

“The Captain and Vice-Captain alone are not enough to lead the entire knight order. We will be selecting squad leaders in the future, so keep that in mind.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere subtly shifts.

Though they try to hide it, everyone must feel ambition stirring within.

For knights, honor comes first.

Earning a badge of rank is an opportunity to elevate one’s status even further.

After the ceremony, I walk with Jawil Wilson into the reception room.

“Sit down.”

“…Pardon?”

I grin at the puzzled Jawil Wilson.

“Don’t you understand why I suddenly called you to the reception room after the ceremony?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Just sit down first.”

“Ah, yes.”

Looking at Jawil Wilson seated across from me, I adjust my posture.

“Now that you’re Vice-Captain, I should tell you about the benefits that come with it.”

“B-benefits?”

“I can’t treat you the same as the regular knights, can I?”

“I really don’t mind. I’m satisfied with my current salary.”

I sigh briefly at Jawil Wilson’s words.

“That’s not something we can just ignore because you’re fine with it. Didn’t you see the expressions of the knights during the ceremony?”

“…Pardon? They were all congratulating me…”

“You’re missing the bigger picture. I mentioned I’ll be appointing squad leaders, remember?”

“Ah… yes, I heard that.”

“If the Vice-Captain receives good benefits, won’t the other knights work harder to become squad leaders?”

Jawil Wilson strokes his chin before speaking.

“I’m not sure about that. I believe honor is the highest priority for a knight.”

This guy goes crazy at the sight of women and I’m constantly worried he’ll cause trouble if I don’t keep him close, but he has no greed for money.

How should I put it… he seems content with his current life?

I’m not sure if I should consider this a good trait or not…

I fold my arms firmly in response to Jawil Wilson’s words.

“Honor? That’s fine. But there should be rewards that come with it. And if you don’t receive any benefits, I’ll be the one criticized.”

“W-why would you be criticized, Young Master?”

“If I put someone in the Vice-Captain position but don’t give them anything, isn’t that obvious?”

Finally, Jawil Wilson nods as if he sees the point.

“When I think about it, that makes sense.”

“Good, I’m glad you understand. Anyway, I’ve already spoken to Padericks about your salary increase, so he’ll take care of it.”

“I’m truly grateful that you’re looking after me like this, even though I still feel inadequate for the Vice-Captain position.”

“You think you’re inadequate for the Vice-Captain position?”

At my question, Jawil Wilson gives a gentle smile.

“You always think highly of me, Young Master, but personally, I believe I have many shortcomings.”

“Like what?”

“To be honest, shouldn’t the Vice-Captain be the second strongest person after the Captain?”

“Hmm, aren’t you the strongest after the Captain?”

“It’s true that I’ve grown stronger after consuming the Thousand Soul Pill, but the difference is still minimal.”

“Well, even so, nothing changes. There are many things more important than just skill.”

“That may be true, but I don’t excel at anything in particular.”

I lean forward slightly, raising my head toward Jawil Wilson.

“So… you’re saying you still have many shortcomings for the Vice-Captain position?”

“Yes, that’s the truth, and I won’t deny it.”

I wave my hand dismissively in the air toward Jawil Wilson.

“That’s fine. Who am I? I anticipated this and have already devised a plan to make you worthy of the Vice-Captain position, so don’t worry.”

“…Pardon?”

Sensing that the conversation is taking a strange turn, Jawil Wilson slightly lifts his hips as if preparing to escape.

Ignoring this, I stand up.

I approach Jawil Wilson, place my hand on his shoulder, and give him a mischievous smile.

“How about we play with wooden swords for a while?”

*

“Brother, are you feeling better these days?”

Leonard, sitting on the reception room sofa, gulps down his beer and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Hah! Nothing beats drinking cold beer after hunting monsters! Don’t you want a drink?”

Leonard shakes his now-empty beer glass.

With a gentle smile, I respond.

“Haha, I’ve decided not to drink until my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Oh, is that so? Come to think of it, you must be busy preparing for various things these days. By the way…”

Leonard’s eyes flash as he continues.

“What happened with Brother Evander?”

“It’s still under investigation.”

“I see. Will Brother Evander attend the coming-of-age ceremony?”

“If he doesn’t attend, it might actually be less stressful for us, don’t you think?”

As I’m joking around, there’s a knock at the reception room door.

Knock knock-!

After I say ‘come in,’ Padericks appears a moment later.

“Young Master, I’ve returned from the Forest of Death.”

“Oh?”

“We’re currently building temporary defensive formations up to the middle region of the Forest of Death, and construction will begin once they’re complete.”

By the time the coming-of-age ceremony ends, all the monsters in the Forest of Death should be eliminated.

There’s a reason we’re starting construction early, even though monsters still remain in the deeper parts.

It’s because we need a reason to stay in Lake Territory after the coming-of-age ceremony.

“Are you certain there are no monsters up to the middle region?”

“Yes, thanks to Young Master Leonard who thoroughly hunted the monsters.”

I glance at Leonard, who shrugs his shoulders with an ‘I told you so’ expression.

With a slight smile, I turn my attention back to Padericks.

“Do we have enough people to build the defensive formations?”

“Yes, as I mentioned, since we’re only building temporary defensive formations, I don’t think we need additional personnel.”

“Don’t make them too simple. Even though you said there are no monsters, you never know. Some might emerge from the deeper parts.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Safety will be our top priority.”

“So when will construction begin after the temporary defensive formations are built?”

“Probably starting tomorrow.”

I nod with a satisfied expression.

“You must be busy preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony as well. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Not at all. Now that I’ve made my report, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, good work.”

After sending Padericks off, I also stand up.

As I pick up the wooden sword I had placed on the sofa, Leonard shifts uncomfortably.

“W-what now?! I’ve been working hard hunting monsters, why are you doing this?”

“Ah! It’s not for you, Brother. I need to go to the training hall to train the others.”

At my words, Leonard lets out a sigh of relief.

“Phew… you scared me. But why bother carrying the wooden sword yourself? You could have someone else move it for you.”

I fiddle with the wooden sword with a satisfied expression, then curl up the corners of my mouth toward Leonard.

“Wooden swords break so often that it’s inconvenient. I asked Castleton to make this one specially. It has metal inside, so fortunately, there’s no worry about it breaking.”

Leonard stares at me with an incredulous expression.

Then, as if having reached enlightenment, he mutters quietly.

“…Well, at least the wooden sword won’t break.”