episode_0004

In a city without an inn, the church served as a shelter for travelers.

Although Bolle was not a city devoid of small inns, the cost of a room was not cheap, so I gladly accepted Father Pippin’s hospitality and spent the night at the church.

After shaking off the fatigue from the previous night, I immediately began preparing to leave.

I had a long journey ahead of me.

Unlike the modern world, the road was a place where wolves lurked and thieves roamed freely, requiring one to take care of their own life. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare thoroughly before setting off.

For the next few days, I wandered around the city, browsing through the blacksmith’s shop for equipment and buying spare clothes from the tailor, enjoying a rare spree of consumerism.

I restocked the herbs and bandages for the girl. Finally, after scraping off the rust from my armor and oiling it, my tasks in the city were mostly complete.

Father Pippin, seeing me packing my belongings, asked, “Are you leaving soon?”

“Yes, Father, you must have heard the news from the north as well?”

“I have indeed. They say the savages have come again. What is the world coming to…?”

People commonly referred to those who did not believe in God as heretics.

However, here, if one were to speak disparagingly by subtracting culture and intellect, the word “savage” would be used.

They did not venture inland, mostly raiding coastal villages and monasteries.

And if they succeeded in their raids, they would immediately board ships and sail back north. It was a task that the belatedly informed army could not pursue, leaving them to watch their backs from a distance.

For those who lived without a central point and in village or tribal units, it was possible. Complex diplomacy and politics were not even considered.

So one day, when a tribe impulsively desired to raid, and someone responded appropriately, they would immediately grab their weapons and turn the bow of their ship southward.

Back in the early days of medieval fantasy life, I used to joke that the empire would collapse every time I heard such news.

I once asked my master about this while drinking beer and chatting.

“They say the savages are raiding the coast! Isn’t this something that needs to be dealt with quickly?!”

“Why so urgent? Their raids are nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Is that a common occurrence?”

“Who knows? They are habitual raiders. You just happened to witness it by surprise.”

“…”

However, now, having spent over ten years in the life of a sower and knight, I knew that the savages’ raids were an annual event, so I accepted it.

Moreover, contrary to my worries, the empire managed to survive numerous civil wars, raids, and invasions. I realized that surviving meant being strong.

Anyway, with the recent increase in attacks, it became clear that the northern coast would soon become a battlefield.

And the demand for force followed the flow of blood. It was clear where a roaming knight wielding a sword should head.

The destination was the northern coast where the savages’ attacks had begun.

Knowing this fact, Father Pippin, with a bitter expression, spoke, “You’ve been traveling diligently lately.”

“It’s not surprising to say that to a wandering knight. The name itself means ‘one who wanders.’”

“Rather, should I say the frequency has increased. It also signifies how chaotic the world is.”

“At least I won’t be lacking in money thanks to it.”

The word “knight” literally translates to a mounted warrior.

The value of a knight lay in the chainmail armor that could withstand most attacks, as well as the power that came from the speed of their horses and the momentum when charging.

And the horse, which accounted for half of the identity of the knightly class, was highly valued for its speed and was quite expensive.

Therefore, considering the price and purpose of the horse, it could be likened to the sports cars of this era.

However, compared to modern sports cars… it boasted a rather dismal level of fuel efficiency. Where in the world could you find a sports car that guzzles fuel even when parked?

Sudden acceleration was frequent, and there were no airbags. On top of that, the risk of theft was always looming, and due to the autonomous AI installed, sometimes the sports car would run away on its own.

And a knight was originally required to handle two or three of these sports cars at once. Plus, there was the role of a maintenance worker.

It was not something done by noble families or wealthy households for no reason.

I may be able to survive with just one horse and one suit of armor, but in reality, this level of armament was considered well-equipped by the standards of this era.

There were many who swaggered around as knights with just a crude sword. Those who had turned into bandit knights were mainly like this.

And one of the reasons this level of armament was effective on the battlefield was that my name had spread around the vicinity of Bolle.

Having faced the barbarians in the northern battlefield frequently, I even earned a nickname. This was evidence that I did not live my life in vain after the second chance.

No barbarians remained where I passed by.

People said that such a sight reminded them of something, and with respect and admiration, they called me like this.

“Look there, it’s the Bolle Plague!”

“I heard you played a big role in defending against this invasion. Indeed, the name of the Plague was not just for show!”

“Thank you, but could the nickname be a bit better…?”

“The Bolle Plague! The Bolle Plague! The Bolle Plague!”

Although the nickname seemed more suitable for a leader of a band of thieves, it was better than having no reputation at all.

Receiving a fief from a lord was one of the important factors in being appointed, so the value of the name was crucial.

And having land to govern and collect taxes meant that there was no longer any need to worry about money.

Just as I started to daydream about when I could make a name for myself, the priest interrupted my thoughts.

“It won’t take long, do you have a moment?”

“I have a bit of time. What is it?”

“You brought a child a few days ago, didn’t you?”

“You mean… Ah, right. Is it Lycia?”

“Yes, that child is quite intelligent.”

Looking at him now, the priest seemed slightly excited.

A strange enthusiasm was evident in his eyes. Before I could say anything, he went straight to the point.

“Being born in a scribe’s household, she knows how to read.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“You didn’t ask her?”

“No.”

A scribe is someone who assists in the administrative work of a town or city, so it was only natural for them to know how to read.

But there was no guarantee that their child would also know how to read early on, she was indeed a talented individual.

It seemed that her speaking and thinking were not typical for her age. In fact, even considering that, she still seemed mature.

“Anyway, isn’t it a good thing?”

“Of course, it’s a good thing.”

“If she knows how to read, she won’t starve to death. It might even be helpful for the work at the church.”

“It would be a waste for such talent to wither away in a city like this. So, why not provide her with a better education?”

Education could be seen as a kind of privilege. Learning knowledge was always good, there was no harm in it.

However, it was not something that applied to me. I already had my main job, and more importantly, starting now would be difficult because my combat experience had become rusty over time.

In this life, where education had never been a part of my life, it was unexpected for me.

As I silently pondered with question marks floating in my mind, Priest Pippin looked straight at me and said, “The child has chosen you.”

“Me? Why me? Is there a reason for that?”

“For more details, you should ask the child directly.”

After speaking words that I didn’t understand, the priest led me outside the church.

*****

The place we arrived at was a chair placed in front of the church.

After asking me to wait here for a while, Priest Pippin left again.

Not long after sitting down and waiting, Licia hurriedly approached me.

Whether it was out of consideration for us to talk alone, the priest’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

The girl was wearing old clothes given to children at the church. I used to wear such clothes too.

Upon closer inspection, it was clear that using connections to leave the church had been effective, as her complexion had improved significantly compared to before.

As I pondered what to say, Licia suddenly bowed her waist.

“Thank you for before.”

“No, it’s nothing much.”

“There are many people in this world who can’t even do that.”

The girl raised her head and sat down next to me.

Expecting her to call me for something to say, I turned my head to look at her when she hesitated and hesitated.

“Feel free to say whatever you want.”

“Well, then.”

Perhaps she was trying to say something impolite. But in this cruel medieval fantasy world, I had to be open to whatever she said.

I assured her that I could accept whatever she said, and only then did the girl speak up.

“I’ve been thinking while staying at the church for a few days. The knight… you’re different from other people.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, I mentally compared myself to the average knights of this era.

Openly extorting money from passersby on the street, collecting money under the guise of protecting villages, and raiding and pillaging in the mountains.

I had seen or experienced countless cases while living in the medieval fantasy world.

But I hadn’t only seen ruthless knights. There were cases like my master, who didn’t make a living through looting.

“Well, it may not be exactly like that.”

“You showed it through your actions, so I want to believe. That’s why I have something to tell you.”

As Licia hesitated and extended her words, she took a deep breath and then, as if she had made up her mind, looked up at me and asked, “Um, sir.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I… I want to go to university.”

Unexpectedly, the words came out from the girl.