Chapter 37

“Hey, Takumi. What’s going on?”

“Takumi? How did you become acquainted with the captain of the White-winged knights, Lord Leon!?”

My fleeting hope was immediately crushed by Gazelle and Felix!

Ah, yeah. He really is the captain of the White-winged knights… I had a feeling, but still…

“Well, it’s kind of a long story…”

The two of them backed me into a corner, and my eyes became as lifeless as a dead fish. Even so, it wouldn’t be prudent to explain in detail, so I responded to the two of them succinctly. In other words, there was no other option but to respond in this manner. Because, if I’m being completely honest, “Yes. Actually, when I went to the castle town with Felix the other day, I stumbled upon him when he was being pickpocketed!”

…There’s no way I could say that!

If I said something like that in front of the other knights or nobles present, it might put him in a bad position! Because I witnessed the pickpocket’s incredible skills, I doubt he realized his wallet had been stolen. I can’t help but believe it was unavoidable. Someone who hasn’t seen the scene, on the other hand, might say something heartless like, “What? Even the captain of the White-winged knights was pickpocketed?”

So, I could not answer honestly and had no choice but to say otherwise…

As a result, Gazelle and Felix’s gazes changed to a cold one that seemed to say, “Oh, he’s just trying to avoid the question!”

N-No, that’s not it, you guys! Damn, if only my communication skills were better…

As I was mulling in my thoughts, the commander of the White-winged knights came walking straight towards me.

What, why is he coming over here? The group members following behind you are looking very confused!

“Takumi…! I never expected to run into you here.”

The commander of the White-winged knights, with his handsome features and a smile that could melt ice, spoke to me. But suddenly his expression became rigid and tense. It was because Gazelle had stepped in between us.

“Don’t try to pick up my team members, Lord Leon.”

“Lord…Gazelle.”

Ah, he used that honorific in such a forced way.

“It’s been a while, you look well.”

“You too.”

“I heard you recently captured the bandits from Wasso’s gang the other day.”

“Yeah, one of our promising new members did a great job.”

Gazelle cast a glance at me at that moment. The commander of the White-winged knights returned his gaze to mine.

“Takumi… were you a member of the Black-winged knights?”

“Oh, I was surprised too. I had no idea you were the White-winged knights’ leader.”

I was totally surprised! But if you look closely, this hairstyle and uniform are exactly like the character graphics in the game… No, wait…didn’t I wear casual clothes and let my hair down the last time we met? S-So, it’s just because I realized it late, it doesn’t mean that my memory is bad!

“Well then, let me introduce myself again. I am Leon de Dorme, the leader of the White-winged knights.”

“Commander Leon. As I mentioned before, my name is Takumi.”

“It’s okay if you just call me Leon, Takumi.”

Oh wow! You seem to be more friendly than I expected, Mr. Commander of the White-winged knights… But, Leon, huh… His full name seems like a tongue-twister…

Behind Leon, two people who appeared to be the vice leader and members of the White-winged knights still have a perplexed expressions. I suppose they’d be perplexed if their own leader suddenly began speaking to a member of another order in such a friendly manner. Should I also introduce myself to these two?

But, before I could introduce myself, Gazelle, who was standing next to me, said, “I had no idea Lord Leon and our Takumi were acquainted.”

“Well… we’ve only met recently.”

“Hmm?”

“…However, Lord Gazelle. Did you really let Takumi join of his own volition?”

“Ahh?”

Gazelle glared at Leon in front of him, but Leon didn’t seem to be affected by Gazelle’s gaze.

“Takumi certainly has some skills… But I hope you didn’t pressure him into joining the order.”

“If you can say such a ridiculous thing after seeing Takumi’s abilities, then you’re blind.”

“I have no doubt about his abilities. However, I think he’s too kind-hearted to make it as a knight.”

Gazelle and Leon locked their gazes on each other.

Felix stood next to Gazelle and coolly gazed at Leon with his icy eyes. The leaders of the White-winged knights and the Black-winged knights emitted a tense atmosphere that gradually drew the attention of those around them.

Uh-oh. If things between the two of them turn for the worse at this timing, it might affect the rest of the meeting, wouldn’t it? I really don’t want to do it, but since I’m the one who started this, I have no choice but to step in between the two of them. I really, really hate the idea of getting involved in between these two people who are trying to kill each other!

“Wait, Gazelle. Can I talk to Leon for a bit?”

“Takumi…”

Gazelle gave me a sidelong glance when I spoke up softly. Felix also looked at us with concern. I then nodded reassuringly to both of them.

“Leon, you’ve helped me with a lot of things before.”

“Oh no, it’s nothing. I was the one who was saved by you.”

Uh, I interrupted their conversation, but what was it again? Wasn’t it about how I was coerced into joining the Black-winged order? Although Leon phrased it delicately, he essentially means, “Isn’t this guy too weak for the Black Wing Knights, who are based on strength?”

“I have no doubt about his ability” implies that “despite his skinny appearance, I don’t doubt that he is zero or even negative in terms of ability.” Even though it was difficult for Leon to say it directly, he must have taken such a detour to express his concern for me.

“Leon, about what you said earlier…please don’t speak badly of the Black Wing Knights. They accepted me when I had nowhere else to go and have become like a family to me. While I still think that I have a long way to go as a member, I intend to work hard from now on.”

“Takumi…” Gazelle had a slightly pleased expression on his face when he heard my response. Suddenly, his hand rose halfway into the air, only to be quickly lowered back to its original position.

…Could it be that he was about to pat my head again just now? If so, it’s a good thing you’re holding back in this serious atmosphere, Commander Gazelle!

“Takumi…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to belittle you. I was just worried about you.” Leon’s stern expression vanished, and he furrowed his brow, turning gloomy all at once.

When that happened, I suddenly felt guilty. “…Thank you for worrying about me. I’m happy about it,” I added as a follow-up, to which Leon’s face brightened.

“Recently, our leader seemed to be distracted, but I never imagined it was because of this…”

“Sh-should we hold a celebration or something?”

The vice-captain and members of the White Wing Knights behind me whispered, but what are they talking about?

Well, I guess it’s natural to worry if there’s someone like me in the Black Wing Knights. But even though I’m a wimp, if I use my cursed sword, I can fight to some extent! …The downside is pretty severe though!

However, if they could just have a proper conversation, I think Gazelle, Felix, and all the members of the Black Wing Knights would understand that they should not force anyone to join the group. Yeah, maybe it’s because of a lack of communication in their daily lives.

“If Leon would talk more with the members of the Black-winged knights, I think they would understand.”

“Me…with the Black-winged knights?”

Ah, he suddenly looks very unhappy. Hmm…judging from his tone, it’s not disgust, is it? It’s more like…he’s not comfortable with the idea.

“I want to talk to Leon more too.”

When I smiled at Leon, he leaned forward with his cheeks flushed. “Oh! Of course, me too!”

“Maybe we can have a joint exercise with your group next time. We’ve never worked together with the White-winged knights before, right?”

“Okay, let’s consider it! Definitely!”

“Eh!?”

The surprised voices just now weren’t mine. Well, emotionally, I was also like, “Eh, is it okay to agree so quickly even though I’m the one who suggested it?” But the voices I heard were from Gazelle, Felix, the vice captains and members of the White-winged knights, and the nobles who were watching the situation. Everyone’s voices of surprise overlapped miraculously. Their momentary shock didn’t last long.

“What? Commander?! Are you serious?!”

“Can’t believe it, the Black-winged knights and the White-winged knights having a joint exercise?”

“Oh, how wonderful! It’s been decades since such a feat!”

“Send word to His Majesty!”

Immediately, the room was filled with people’s excitement and buzz. However, the commotion quickly subsided. This was because a well-built man in his sixties who was in the farthest corner of the room loudly declared, “His Majesty the King is coming!”

Everyone closed their mouths immediately. When the room was completely quiet, an old man with a white beard at the corner of his mouth slowly opened the door and entered, accompanied by what appeared to be his aide and a knight.

King of Ritzheim, wearing a velvet cloak and said to be seventy years old, slowly walked forward with a shaky gait, yet full of dignity. before he could say anything, the door suddenly opened with a loud noise. When the king took the seat farthest away from the round table, he casually nodded to his aide. The aide returned the nod and turned to face the audience, ready to speak. But before he could say anything, the door slammed open with a loud bang.

Most of the people in the room turned their faces toward the sound with startled expressions. On the other side of the door was a middle-aged man in knight’s armor. But his face was pale, his forehead covered in sweat, and he was panting heavily as if he had rushed to get here.

A knight of the guard who was standing in front of the door approached him when he saw his face. “What exactly is it? The joint meeting is taking place today. “What exactly is going on?”

“I’m sorry to report this, but a group of Mad Bears, Skolls[1], and Blue Spotted Deers were spotted heading towards the road that leads to the fortress cities of Menonu and Wazlow,” the knight quickly replied. “There are hundreds of them!”

Footnote

[1] A mythical wolf like a Fenrir.