episode_0009

The investiture ceremony ended neatly.

Although it was somewhat unreasonable, it was an understandable level of unreasonableness, and because they knew that, the cathedral did not express any particular complaints to me.

An incompetent, born knight who was not chosen by anyone.

Because that’s how they view Diana.

There would have been no reason for them to be offended if I picked up one of them.

but.

‘That’s a bit harsh.’

Bruises all over his body and a thin appearance that shows his nutritional status.

The sight of Diana in real life, not just a passing scene in the game, was more serious than I knew.

I knew that the Knights’ treatment of her was not good, but I never thought it would be this bad.

Well, it doesn’t matter. The future will at least be quite different from now.

As I left the cathedral, I looked around.

Already, a faction of nobles could be seen huddled together and forming friendships, and there were quite a few factions chatting with clergy members and forming friendships.

Of course, I have no intention of joining them.

Even though the investiture ceremony is over, there is still a long time left on my schedule.

I slowly rolled my eyes and looked at Diana’s behavior.

Even the armor that looks crude at first glance and the shabby sword whose blade is completely dull.

It’s ugly, that was my honest review.

Diana read my eyes and lowered her head with a somewhat sullen expression.

When I saw that, I suddenly felt confident.

I’m convinced that I have to go get Diana’s equipment right away.

Since he sold his appointment number at a high price, he has sufficient funds.

“Raise your head.”

Diana cautiously raised her head.

Looking at his dazed face, it seems like he is still unfamiliar with everything that happened to him.

I thought for a moment.

Should I pretend not to know her and ask her about her, or should I just move on?

Diana doesn’t know anything about me.

However, as she acts as my escort, she will naturally find out.

“What is your name?”

“This is Diana.”

“Where are you from?”

“… doesn’t exist. I spent my childhood in the cathedral.”

Although I knew all this, I nodded and pretended not to know.

“Do you know who I am?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Kyle. Kyle Winfred.”

Winfred.

At that clear sound, Diana’s shoulders flinched for a moment.

“You will never become a knight under Winfred. Because you have been completely ordained as my personal knight.”

“I am keeping this in mind.”

There was a quiet determination in Diana’s eyes.

A solemn determination to become Kyle Winfred’s sword, not for his own glory.

Is it because of the experience of living as a villain all my life?

Suddenly, an indescribable doubt passed through my mind.

I have a suspicion that those strong eyes might be a lie to impress me.

“It would be better to give up your dream of rising status. I’m not treated well in my family. You will not be treated as an official article anywhere.“

“I don’t care.”

“Really? What if I am the world’s wicked person?”

“That also doesn’t matter. My role does not change no matter who the lord is.”

Diana looked at me quietly.

Her eyes were filled with a confidence that bordered on madness.

“I am my master’s sword. If it cuts, it cuts, if it stabs, it stabs.”

“… ”

“The sword has no ego.”

I can’t help but laugh at Diana’s creepy remarks.

If it cuts, it cuts, and if it stabs, it stabs.

This is not a hero game steeped in romance and chivalry, but the very realistic essence of a knight.

“… ”

Her short silver hair was dazzling in the light.

I laughed and turned my back.

“I need to adjust the equipment first.”

Appointing Diana was, of course, the best choice.

****

I walked down the street with Diana.

It’s dangerous to walk around the streets alone, and I don’t dare entrust my safety to the female knight who was ordained today.

Although I had quite a bit of trouble due to the family guards who blocked my path more persistently than I expected.

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of time until the sun sets.

I wanted to head to the blacksmith shop right away and look around Diana’s equipment, but I was already exhausted from the investiture ceremony.

View of Mt. Geumgang after a meal.

First, I went to a restaurant located in the middle of the street to fill my hungry stomach.

“Welcome to Crotian.”

The name of the restaurant is Krotian.

From the antique exterior reminiscent of a medieval European castle to the pure white marble and gold decorations surrounding the entire building.

Krotian is a high-end restaurant most frequented by nearby nobles.

“I will guide you upstairs.”

The waiter confirmed my identity and hurriedly guided me to the top floor, the highest floor.

The number of floors you can use also seems to be divided depending on your status.

I glanced at Diana out of the corner of my eye.

Although she was trying hard to control her expression, her shoulders twitched every time she passed by an ornately decorated artifact.

I guess I can’t control my shoulders.

Before we knew it, we had arrived at the balcony on the top floor.

As I sat down at the perfectly set table, Diana stood behind me with an angled posture as if it was natural.

It was so natural, like flowing water, that I almost didn’t even notice.

“What are you doing now?”

“Escorting.”

Sounds like an escort.

Do you have anything to do other than eat?

“Sit.”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Then there is someone here other than you.”

When he gave the command in a sighing voice, Diana sat down shakily, creaking like a broken clockwork.

“…What are you doing?”

“…?”

The problem was that it was right next to me.

“Why are you sitting so close to me?”

“Because sitting next to someone makes it easier to deal with any unexpected situation.”

“It’s uncomfortable, so just go sit over there.”

“…All right.”

Diana, confused, moved to sit across from her.

Soon, the food we ordered filled the table.

It’s a bit too much for just the two of us, but it’s okay.

Diana is a food fighter recognized in the official settings book.

“Eat comfortably.”

I put the food in my mouth first.

Diana also looked at me and began to eat hesitantly.

Her meals were quite fun to watch.

Wouldn’t you rather be cutting a steak with two forks instead of a normal knife?

Now, he confidently took another mouthful of freshly boiled soup, shaking his clenched fist as if the roof of his mouth had been burned.

To be honest, it was hard to hold back laughter.

Not in a bad way, but in a good way.

“You eat well.”

“… ”

A rattling sound filled the space.

The food in the bowl was emptied one by one at a rapid pace.

After all, the setting book doesn’t lie.

After a while, we finished eating and left the restaurant.

The destination is a blacksmith shop.

Now that we’ve filled our bellies, it’s time to go see Diana’s equipment, which is our original goal.

My heart felt lighter.

In any case, I have achieved all my goals for coming here.

Except for one thing.

‘I have to dispose of the ring… ‘

I carefully handled the ring case stored in my pocket.

It would be a needless nuisance to keep it, and even if the value of the ring is high, it is too high to just throw it away.

Is it possible?

The only way is to sell it as quickly as possible and exchange it for money.

I walked steadily.

Although there were shops selling precious metals and accessories here and there, they were too small to handle rings worth this much.

You can’t even go in and get an appraisal if you can see the store.

So, I rolled my eyes as much as I could and searched for a store that met my criteria.

and.

“Oh.”

I finally found it.

A jewelry store with an overwhelming scale.

“Welcome! Feel free to look around. There are a lot of new products just arrived.”

I passed the person soliciting customers at the door and went inside.

It was that time.

“Meet the Northern Sun. This is Orkan, the manager.”

A soft, gentle voice.

When I turned my head, a man greeted me with a smile.

Northern sun.

This is another name for Winfred.

He seems to have recognized it by looking at the family emblem embedded in his livery.

“Need help?”

“I want to sell accessories.”

“Oops, then I guess I’ll have to do an appraisal first. Can I take a quick look at the item you want to sell?”

I immediately took the case out of my pocket and handed it to him.

He carefully opened the case and muttered briefly.

“It’s a ring.”

“Okay, please give me an appraisal.”

“This way for a moment.”

He led us into the reception room.

I sat down and took a moment to look around the interior of the reception room.

As he began to feel emotions in earnest, an exclamation close to a sigh burst out of his mouth.

“Haegeumseok. Among them, it is the highest quality product.”

Haegeumseok is one of the top three precious metals in the world with an exorbitant price.

Especially when it comes to top-quality products, the price skyrockets.

“This is my first time seeing a ring made with sea gem stones.”

You can’t believe they put the highest quality haegeum stone in something like an engagement ring.

Even though it’s my body, it still makes me sound like a crazy person.

“Is it possible to purchase?”

“If you purchase… ”

He hesitated for a moment and then answered.

“… It is possible. However, I think we will have to hold an auction.”

“Auction?”

“We don’t have enough cash on hand to purchase it right away. However, there is quite a demand for haegeum stones, especially high-quality ones, so if you put them up for auction, you will definitely be able to get them at an appropriate price. Although you will have to pay a small fee.”

Auction.

It’s a pretty attractive option.

I looked at him with suspicious eyes.

“What is the price?”

“You can pick it up here at any time. If it is difficult to visit, we will send someone to the duke’s residence.”

It’s perfect conditions.

Since there was no reason or justification for refusing, I nodded willingly.

“Then please do me a favor.”

“The ring will be kept with us for now.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“Nothing special. Please give me a few documents.”

****

After filling out the documents, I left the general store.

Diana also stood behind me with a calm expression on her face.

I felt relieved at the thought that I had finally gotten rid of that damn ring.

Now all that’s left is to fit Diana’s equipment at the blacksmith shop.

It was then.

“Huh?”

“…?”

A girl walks away at a fast pace with her head down.

It’s a familiar face. How could you not know?

It’s the face I’m tired of seeing every time I visit Isabel’s mansion.

“Do you know someone?”

“… I know.”

Erica, Isabelle’s personal maid.

As if she was running away through the street, she disappeared into an alley.

At first glance, her face was as pale as a defeated soldier delivering news of defeat.

and.

[Scenario progress: 10%]

“Fuck.”

The unraveling of the system has begun.