< Previous Chapter | All Chapters | Next Chapter >
Chapter 18 – Banquet ②
“Oh, and there’s one more thing.”
The knight commander continued.
“I’m sorry about the fight. But please don’t blame the lord, he’s been on edge lately.”
“Eh?”
It sounded like he was going to explain why Kurena and Lieutenant Commander Wraybrand had fought. Gerda and Rodin were both listening to the knight commander. The knight commander encouraged the mayor to listen too, so he did.
“Actually, about three years ago, the son of an earl became a Sword Saint.”
(A Sword Saint was born to an earl? What? Not just a baron, but an earl?)
Allen remembered the relationship between rank and class from the character creation back in the real world. Sword Saints were only supposed to be born as serfs, commoners, and barons.
The knight commander continued. This person was lauded as a Sword Saint and served the royal family. Certainly, his physique was good, and his skill in swordsmanship was nearly flawless. However, there wasn’t much of an opportunity to show his power as a Sword Saint. Currently there was another Sword Saint, Doberg, and the difference between them was clear.
“I.. see.”
Gerda responded politely.
“Well, when he was re-evaluated, he didn’t have the talent of a Sword Saint, but of a Swordsman. The royal family was so surprised that they had all the other nobles investigated too. And they found that many Sword Saints and Arch Mages were just normal Swordsman and Mages. It was a tumultuous time for the kingdom.”
(I see. So, lots of noblemen exaggerated their talents.)
The story went that the angry king doled out a rather severe punishment: the earl who claimed to have a Sword Saint lost his entire territory.
“So now, when I heard that there was a Sword Saint, I insisted on confirming it myself, even though the church had been checked and there didn’t seem to be any false records.”
If there really was a Sword Saint, it was to be reported to the royal family. However, the intense punishment for the previous false report was still fresh in the lord’s mind. Therefore, he double checked with the church, and it seemed to be a real Sword Saint. Even so, the lord wanted to make absolutely sure. So, he took the time to investigate the church, and now, three months later, he sent the knights to see if there really was a Sword Saint.
It was partially an explanation, and partially an apology to Gerda and Kurena for accusing them of falsifying her talent. It felt like the knight commander was explaining the situation quite carefully to a just couple of serfs.
He looked at Kurena.
She was eating like it was her first meal ever. She was barely listening to the story, lapping food up in large gulps, excitedly biting a piece of bread.
“So that’s how it is.”
“So, going forward, please continue to honestly report the results of the appraisal ceremony. I don’t want to have to punish the mayor who created such a wonderful village.”
As a matter of course, the knight commander told the mayor to expose bad reports, so that no misunderstandings would arise.
“So what will happen to Kurena now?”
Now that the story was over, Gerda asked a question. Even if she was a Sword Saint, he didn’t really know what that meant.
“Hmm, yes. For the time being, just make sure she grows up nice and strong.”
The knight commander replied when he saw Kurena devouring her meal like it was her mortal enemy.
“O-okay.”
“And after she turns twelve, she will be educated at the Academy. After graduation, she will serve the royal family.”
(Oh! There’s an academy!!)
” ” ” “The royal family!” ” ” “
Allen reacted to the school, but everyone, including the mayor, reacted to the royal family. Serving the royal family meant she would be directly under the king.
“The Academy?”
“Yup. At Academy City. It’s where the best of the best are taught and trained.”
He talked about the Academy briefly. It was a school for those who had a talent. Enrolling in the Academy and living as a student took money, but for the Sword Saint, the lord said he would foot the bill.
“If I go to the Academy can I become a knight!?”
“D-don’t be rude, Dogora.”
Dogora, the kid with the talent as an Axeman, entered the conversation. He had a big build, and a face like a potato. His eyes were filled with fire.
“Hm? And this is?”
“I am sorry, sir. This is my son, Dogora. He has talent as an Axeman, and has always wanted to become a knight.”
While apologizing, the man pulled his child in front of him. Of course, he was sitting at the same table as the knight commander so that he could show off his child.
“Hoho, an Axeman. Spearman are the highest priority recruits, but Axemen are also valuable. If you do well on the entrance exam, we can help with your tuition.”
(Hoho, they prefer spears over axes? And he’s offering financial aid?)
Was there already a well-established system for financial aid? Maybe something where, after graduation, you have to work for a few years in the territory that helped pay your tuition.
“Kay!!”
Dogora looked happy to hear that.
“Ah, that’s right, we will send a teacher to make sure that Kurena doesn’t fail the entrance exam. Well, maybe a bit further down the line. I hope she studies hard. And Dogora, if you want to become a knight, make sure to study with her.”
“Kay!!”
Apparently, talent alone was not enough to get into the Academy. The knight commander made this clear to the mayor. It seemed that it would be a hassle for the lord if Kurena failed the entrance exam. He also said that others could partake in the lessons, as long as it did not interfere with Kurena’s studies.
Dogora’s parents were staring at the back of his head, signalling to him to be more polite, but Dogora didn’t notice, and was beaming. He was too focused on the conversation about him becoming an officer.
“Are you gonna study too, Allen?”
(Hmm?)
“Ha!? Blackhair? Why would he study? Weaklings can’t be nobles.”
“Allen is strong! Cuz we always play knights together!!”
“Really~? Doesn’t he have no talent, and aren’t his stats super low?”
“That’s not true! Allen is super strong! And he knows everything!!”
(Oi, oi. Slow down Kurena. Why are you adding fuel to the flame?)
When Dogora trash-talked Allen, Kurena’s face went red, and her cheeks puffed out. Kurena shouted so loudly that all the other knights and villagers noticed.
All eyes were on Allen, who was eating food without taking a breath.
“By the way, this black-haired child is…?”
There was an unusually dark-haired and dark-eyed child sitting next to Kurena. The knight commander hadn’t said anything because it was nothing abnormal compared to the existence of a Sword Saint.
“He’s my son, Knight Commander sir.”
Rodan bowed his head. The knight commander made a face, wondering who this person was. It has been a while since the banquet started, but Rodan hadn’t spoken yet.
“This is my friend, Rodan.”
Looking at the knight commander, Gerda introduced Rodan. The name Rodan sparked the knight commander’s memory.
“Rodan? Are you Rodan the Boar Hunter?”
(Eh? He knows him? And he has a nickname?)
The knight commander’s attention shifted from the black-haired Allen to his father, Rodan.
“Ah, yes. I am Rodan.”
Somehow, the knight commander knew him.
“Ohhh! Sorry for being so rude, why didn’t you tell me sooner! I was about to leave without greeting the village hero!”
The knight commander’s attitude suddenly changed.
“Eh? You know me?”
“Of course. The lord said good things about you. It is of the utmost importance to provide food for the territory. He was pleased to hear that, after we built up the village and increased the number of fields, we also had Boar meat every winter.”
Every year, in the winter, meat came from the frontier village. The knight commander happily told us that, in the lord’s city, winter was only said to begin when meat arrived from the frontier village.
Each Great Boar produced over 1 ton of meat. Over half of that was exported from the village. Most of it was carried to the city where the lord lived. Every year, the village hunted nearly 10 Great Boars, which was several tons of valuable winter rations.
“The lord said, ‘When I looked into it, I found that Rodan and Gerda were the men leading the serfs in the hunt. And it looks like they’re doing a great job!!’”
There was no specific reward, but Rodan received a compliment from the knight commander. His praise echoed throughout the banquet hall, and all the villagers had overheard the conversation.
“T-thank you very much, sir.”
Rodan had been hunting Boars for a while now, and it seemed to have paid off. It was an emotional moment for Rodan. Allen, seeing how his father was so moved, felt as happy as if he was the one being praised.
Soon after, the banquet ended, and everyone began heading home. Allen had succeeded in hiding four Mormo in his clothes. On the way home, his steps were light – he couldn’t wait to tell Theresia what they had said about Rodan.
< Previous Chapter | All Chapters | Next Chapter >
Thanks for reading! 🙂
JATranslations 
2 Comments