《Soot-Smeared Knight》


 Vol. 1 - Ch. 1 - Reminiscence

    These tiny flowers, named Suzuran, were blooming in clusters and making a white carpet...I forgot that a sword was pointed at me, as I was gazing at the flowers. I have always loved this flower, they don''t have an air of being in full bloom but, I find it hard to put into words the beauty of these flowers and how they have a certain presence, even when they are all lying face down.


    I looked at the tip of the sword pointed at me and noticed a small tremor in his blade. I guess he knew the difference in power between us. Ignoring the trembling sword, I turned my attention back to the Suzuran.


    As I recall, you can also plant them in pots. I really should pot a few of them and take them back home with me.


    A big man with a pitch-black sword, holding a pot of white flowers to his chest. I know that he would laugh, saying it doesn''t suit me at all. I want to see that face.


    And as I looked around again, I thought about how out of place I am on the battlefield. S?a?ch* Th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    As I come to think of it, that day, on this very hill, I was also surrounded by Suzuran.


    "I can''t believe it! Rolf is really amazing!" Emily made a noise, her bright blue eyes wide open, looking towards me.


    On the hill of the Suzuran, her flaxen-coloured hair was catching the sun''s rays, a big smile resting on her well-toned face. It really was something to behold. Something truly beautiful.


    "No... Well... I guess I just got lucky. Besides, Simon-san wasn''t even being serious." I replied, a little overwhelmed by Emily''s vigor.


    Today, I won a sword fight with the adult who was my instructor. In terms of technique, there was still absolutely no way I could beat him and, it was only by chance that I was able to win this time.


    "It''s still amazing! Simon-san was a Troop-leader in the First Order, remember?" Emily said, bouncing around. This childhood friend of mine is always as happy for me as I am for her.


    Emily is the eldest daughter of Baroness Melness. The Melness family is a small noble family with very little territory and she is also destined to join the Buckman family.


    The Buckman family is also a Baron family, like the Melness family. However, they are the lords of this land, and my parent''s home. In other words, Emily is my fianc¨¦e.


    "Ehehe! I''m so proud of you! My future husband is so strong!" Emily is such a sweet and honest girl. She is the kind of girl who shows her love to me without hesitation.


    I, on the other hand, feel embarrassed.


    "Well...thank you." It was a very simple reply. I''ve been trying to respond to Emily''s kindness, but I can never think of the right words to say.


    Emily is 15 years old, just like me.  I''m not sure if it''s a noble normality, but it''s not unusual for people to feel a sense of rejection when they''re assigned a partner without their consent. And yet, Emily still tells me that she is glad that I''m her partner.


    I guess I really do need to tell her how grateful I am for that. It would be rude otherwise. But I can''t do it, or more like, I''m not very good at it.


    What kind of a prodigy even am I?


    And yes, I, Rolf Buckman, is said to be a child prodigy. It is said that I''m highly intelligent and courageous. But I doubt the courage part, I''ve never seen it like that. A brave man would have said something like, "I''d like to brag to everyone about how I have the privilege of seeing Emily''s smile from up close."


    As I was thinking about this, Emily was still looking at me. Suddenly, a voice called out to me from behind. "Brother." the voice said. "Felicia, what''s wrong?" I replied.


    The voice came from a girl with long black hair. My sister, Felicia Buckman. Her eyes are red unlike mine, which are black. I''ve always thought the red in her eyes was beautiful, and her face as pretty as Emily''s. She''s always been a cute girl, even though she is my younger sister.


    "I baked a berry pie" she started, "It''s in celebration of my brother''s victory!" she went on. "Yes, you too, Emily onee-san."


    "Thank you Felicia!" Emily replied excitedly.


    Felicia took a seat next to us, she took the pie out of the basket and cut it neatly into slices.


    Emily''s eyes lit up.


    "In celebration of my victory?" I asked.


    "You beat Simon-san, didn''t you? Everyone says it was an eye-opening uppercut." she replied.


    "......Oh, thank you." I said back sheepishly


    I don''t want to say she''s exaggerating but, the other day, she baked me a gaufrette to commemorate the time she surprised my tutor by pointing out an error in a book on heraldry. I mean, that was delicious too, but this berry pie is even better.


    "It''s delicious, Felicia. It smells so good." I said to her,


    "It''s really good!" said Emily.


    "I''m using Staffen rum. Supposedly, It''s the best for pies, Aura-san told me. " Felicia said with pride.


    Aura-san is our family cook. And as Felicia often uses the kitchen to make pastries, she has become good friends with the maids and cooks.


    "It''s really delicious, Can I have another slice?" I asked happily.


    "Me too!" added Emily.


    "Fufu,I''m glad you liked it. Here you go. I brought tea, too." she replied, smiling.


    A warm breeze blew on the hill of Suzuran. The three of them sat shoulder to shoulder, their faces smiling at the sweet and sour taste of the pie and laughing at each other''s silly stories.


    "Brother, would you like to tell us something else?" asked Felicia.


    "Alright then, recently I read about the specific gravity of heavy metals that are used in knight''s equipment." I started.


    "Can you please start with something a little more enjoyable?" she said, clearly not impressed.


    The Suzuran that fluttered mildly in the breeze, the sunlight that shone gently on us. It was a captivating sight.


    "Hmmm... oh yeah! What about those rare animals in the southern travel books?" I asked.


    "Yes, exactly! That''s what I''m asking for!" she happily replied.


    "Well then, in the south, there is an animal called the river horse..." I started.


    This was, as far as I can remember, the last happy scene from my childhood.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 2 - The Beginning - Day 1

    "Brother, you know, it is tomorrow. Are you nervous?" Felicia called out to me during a family dinner. "No, not really. You know, things are going to turn out exactly the way they are supposed to." I replied.In the Kingdom of Rondosius, in May, of the year of turning fifteen, almost everyone, regardless of status, goes to the church for a ceremony. It is performed by a priest and is called Sangso Shinso no Mutsu.


    Through this ceremony, one acquires magical power. It is said that, by having a soul connection with the goddess Yona, one can receive magical power from the goddess.


    The amount of magical power obtained differs from person to person. And the amount of magic power is directly related to the state of prosperity. That is why it seems that everyone is nervous just before the ceremony.


    "Rolf, you don''t need to worry. I''m sure you''ll receive a lot of magic power and become a great knight." Felicia said, beaming at me.


    "Don''t let the pressure get to you. You''re a first-class swordsman and military strategist. Even if you don''t have a lot of magic power, you''ll be able to play an active role as a knight." my parents said with a smile.


    "The amount of magic power is certainly important, but it should not be the only thing. The most important thing in Sangso is to have a connection with Yona-sama. Do not forget that."


    "Yes, Father."


    As I responded, I remembered the origin of the Secret of Sangso, which everyone in this kingdom knows.


    It is a secret that the saint Lacriamelec learned through a divine revelation six hundred years ago. By applying this to a person, a soul connection is established with the goddess Yona, and magical power is given.


    Lacriamelec was a kind-hearted young man who lived in a village in the mountains while taking care of his mother, who had a limp.


    One day, while he was working in the fields in front of his house, the village was attacked by a demon tribe. Unable to escape with his limping mother, Lacriamelec desperately tried to drive the demons away with a farming hoe, but he was powerless to do so and went down, with a spear thrust into his body.


    Miraculously, Lacriamelec woke up a few hours later.


    He learned that his life had been saved, he also understood that this fortune had been given to only him. Right before his eyes, his mother had been mutilated beyond recognition.


    Lacriamelec wailed, his wounds opened and blood gushed from his body at the sight of the cruel death of his only living relative.


    From that day on, he spent most of his days in prayer.


    He tended to his fields for minimal sustenance, and he spent the rest of his time by a large tree, praying to God. At that time, there were only indigenous beliefs in very few places, there was also no Yonaism, the unifying theism of today.


    Lacriamelec did not know much about God, he did not know what to pray for nor how to pray. But he could not help but pray for the peace of his mother''s soul.


    I don''t know if his mother was headed for a place called heaven or even somewhere else, but wherever it was, he wanted her to find peace, somewhere she could no longer be hurt.


    And of course, he couldn''t help but ask for the strength to fight the demons, so as to not let the sorrow repeat itself. He wanted to know how to resist the irrationality of suddenly running over people who were living in peace, without fault.


    So he prayed to the most majestic tree he had ever seen, he saw it as a god and continued to pray to it every day. There was no one there to criticize him, no one there to tell him that acquiring the strength to fight would have been better than praying.


    The difference in power between humans and demons was so obvious that it was not something a person could train to fight. Therefore, the only thing Lacriamelec could do was to pray. Prayer is supposed to be a gentle act, but Lacriamelec''s prayer was very intense. Whether there was snow, a storm, or unbearable heat, Lacriamelec prayed without wavering.


    The days that he spent in the fields became fewer and fewer, and his life became a life of prayer. It is said that the sight of him praying for days on end, without eating, drinking, or sleeping, was so unnerving that he could hardly be called a saint.


    One day, Lacriamelech finally had a revelation. He heard a voice in his mind that was warm, and powerful, albeit intermittent.


    "...Hear... Can you hear... Can you hear me?"


    Lacriamelec immediately understood that the voice belonged to God. He didn''t know why, but he was sure it was God''s voice.


    The voice said, "O gentle one, the one who prays... in the name of the goddess Yona, I give you the secret of salvation."


    Lacriamelec then felt something flowing into him. Suddenly, he knew how to form a bond with the goddess. This was the secret of the Goddess.


    "Please pass this on to the people. And take a stand... against... evil."


    The voice grew fainter and fainter.


    "Please... please use your power to restore the world as it should be.........." ..............


    As the voice of God faded away, Lacriamelec slowly stood up under the great tree. He felt that the voice of God sounded somewhat like his mother''s.


    Lacriamelec then traveled around the world, offering the people the secret of his magic bestowed to him by Goddess Yona. The people who had gained magical power used it to protect their families and their lives from the demon tribe. People were deeply grateful to Lacriamelec and offered him status and wealth, but he refused all of them.


    He said that it was the goddess Yona who was to be thanked, and that he had only acted as a mediator between the gods and the mortals.


    After Lacriamelec''s death, he and those who loved the goddess Yona, founded the Yona religion. The secrets to create a connection with the goddess Yona were firmly handed down, and the priests of the Yona religion continued to offer them to the people.


    The secret mysteries came to be called the Secret of Sangso.


    Considering the burden of connecting the soul with God, the priests of the Yona religion decided to impart the Secrets of Sangso once at the age of 15 years old. They continued to bestow the secrets in various places to give power to the people.


    The people''s counter-offensive against the demon tribe gradually became organized, and cities were built and countries were established.


    In particular, the Kingdom of Rondosius, which was founded in the birthplace of Lacriamelec, became the largest country in the human race.


    And so it is to this day.


    Tomorrow, I will receive Sangso''s secret and establish a bond with goddess Yona. Then, I will gain magical power, the power to fight against the demon tribe.


    Demons.


    An existence that opposes human beings.


    They innately possess strong magical power.


    It is said that during the time when people did not have magical power, mankind was overrun by the demons.


    However, since being given magical power through the saint Lacriamelec six hundred years ago, people have continued to fight against the demons.


    In the Kingdom of Rondosius, all those who have received the secrets of Sangso are qualified to join the Order of Knights. In fact, many of the nobles join the Knight Order as soon as they receive the power.


    The people who fought against the demon tribe formed an organization, and eventually the Kingdom of Rondosius was established. Therefore, it is the duty of the nobles of this kingdom to fight against the demon tribe.


    And so, it was decided that Emily and I would join the Order as well. However, children of nobles rarely venture all the way to death. Usually, after being knighted and gaining a bit of military experience, they return to their lands.


    In short, they go to the Order to make a career.


    But I had a different idea. Ever since I can remember, I have loved knight stories and have always dreamed of becoming a knight. That is why I have swung a sword more than anyone else. I will eventually rule a fiefdom, but for now, fortunately so, my father is still in good health.  s?a??h th? N?v?lFir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    However, I want to be a knight. And I want to be a knight for as long as possible.


    And actually, I have no intention of belittling Emily and her feelings. I intend to marry her before I take over the family. In fact, I''ve actually heard that some nobles get married while they are knights.


    And when I become a knight that I can be proud of, I will return to my lands.


    That was my wish.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 3 - The Beginning - Day 2

    "Rolf, let''s do our best today!" Emily clenched both of her fists and said strongly. Though, even if I say we''ll do our best, it is the priest who performs the Sangso Shinso no Mutsu. "All we have to do is kneel before the priest and close our eyes. I don''t think we can do our best." I replied.


    "But you want Yona-sama to feel your enthusiasm, don''t you?" she said excitedly with a grin.


    "That''s right, brother. Please do your best , I''ll be there to see your courage, too." Felicia said. She''s going to come with us to the church.


    "Very well, I understand. I''ll do my best." I finally replied.


    "I want to see you guys right after the ceremony but I won''t be able to see you for a while..." Felicia said sadly. S~?a??h the Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    After receiving the Secret of Sangso, Emily and I will immediately join the Fifth Order. The Fifth Order''s base of operations is in the Marquis of Norden''s territory, which is adjacent to the Royal Capital. We will leave for the Marquisate the day after we receive the secret. It''s not far from Baron Buckman''s territory, but it won''t be easy to come back.


    "But next year you will join us, won''t you? I''ll be waiting for you." I said to Felicia.


    "That''s right, Felicia! A year goes by so fast!" Emily added on.


    "...Yes. I''ll be right behind you, both of you!" said Felicia, finally satisfied.


    We smiled at each other.


    "So how do you feel, brother? It''s finally time to become a knight. And you too Emily, how do you feel?" Asked Felicia.


    "Well, you know Rolf has always said it was his dream to be a knight! He''s been saying it for over a decade. And now it''s finally happening!" said Emily proudly.


    "Yes. Aren''t you deeply moved?" added Felicia.


    They both get a twinkle in their eyes at the mention of my dream.


    "That being said, in the first year I''ll be an obedient graduate. After the second year, the best ones get picked, so there''s still a long way to go." I said.


    "Then, in my brother''s case, he will definitely be picked as soon as he enters his second year, so he will be knighted right around the time I join the order," said Felicia.


    "Alright! Then let''s celebrate Rolf''s ordination and Felicia''s induction together!" Emily said with a smile.


    The tension in my chest was dissipating thanks to the two of them.


    The church was filled with a more solemn atmosphere than I''ve ever seen before. Children who will turn 15 this year were gathered from all over the territory and lined up in a row, all with tense expressions on their faces. A statue of the goddess Yona stood in front of a stained glass window, glaring at the inside of the church, and a priest stood before the statue.


    Next to the priest were two knights. They were the members of the Fifth Order, which we are entering. They were the priest''s escort and were accompanying him to assess the magical power of the newcomers.


    "Congratulations," he said.


    "You have safely reached the age of fifteen."


    After saying these words, the priest told the tradition of the saint Lacriamelec.


    The holy prophet who was robbed by demons, learned the cruelty of the world, and was beheld by the goddess. The priest told the story of his life.


    "So, you must use the magic you receive here today for what is right." Everyone was listening to the priest''s words with a sincere gaze. I looked next to me and saw that Emily''s profile was serious as well.


    "Then, in turn, you will touch the inner secrets."


    Everyone''s tension rose even higher. The boy who had been called stepped awkwardly in front of the priest. The priest gave him a piece of transparent quartz, which then the boy held in both hands, knelt down, and closed his eyes. The priest held his palm to the boy''s forehead and started chanting cheerfully.


    "O supreme goddess who protects us from the nine heavens. We pray that you may grant us a vessel to resist the tyranny of evil."


    As the chanting ended, the quartz glowed a deep blue in the boy''s hand. The boy slowly opened his eyes and gazed into the light of the quartz. When the light subsided, the priest called out to the boy, "It is over. May the blessing of the goddess Yona be upon you."


    The boy returned to the line to replace the next person. The boy, who had successfully obtained the magical power, was clearly disappointed.


    The higher the brightness of that blue light, that is, the lighter the blue, the greater the magical power obtained. If it resembles the blue of the sky, it is quite good.


    In the case of the boy just now, it was a darker blue, which meant that the magical power was not great. Therefore, the boy was greatly disappointed.


    Then, the Sangso''s Secret Depths proceeded without delay, and everyone was given magical power one after another.


    Some were delighted with the result, while many were disheartened.


    "Next, Emily Melness, come forward," said the priest.


    "Yes!" Emily responded in a faltering voice.


    "Rolf! I''m off." she said as she walked off.


    "Calm down, Emily." I said to her just before she went out of earshot.


    Emily stepped in front of the priest and was handed the piece of quartz. She knelt with her hands clasped tightly to her chest, as if the quartz were her faith itself.


    The priest placed his palm on Emily''s forehead. Emily''s eyes, which had been tightly closed, quivered slightly.


    "O supreme goddess who protects us from the nine heavens. We pray that you may grant us a vessel to resist the tyranny of evil."


    A beat later, the quartz shone. Emily opened her eyes fearfully, but she could not look directly at the quartz. The quartz shone as strong and as white as the sun.


    The priests and knights were astonished. When I looked toward the attendants who were watching behind me, they too all looked as if they had seen something incredible. Felicia was also frozen in amazement.


    When the light subsided, the knights and the priest began to talk, as if they had come to their senses.


    "Priest...well, it looked completely white just now... doesn''t the "white light" indicate that the greatest level of magical power has been given?"


    "Yes, it seems so! I''ve been performing the secret of Sangso for a long time, but this is the first time I have ever seen such a thing! Emily, was it? You are very much loved by the Goddess Yona!" said the priest excitedly.


    "Emily Melness! You are a member of the order, right?" he followed.


    "Yes, I am." she replied.


    All eyes in the room were on Emily.


    "Did you feel the magical power in her?" said one knight.


    "Yes, Yes. I felt something intense and overwhelming. It was incredible." said another.


    "No one in the history of the Fifth Order has ever shone such a white light! You have been given the greatest magical power of all those who have ever joined the Order! We welcome you!" said the priest.


    "Oh... thank you!" said Emily, still looking very overwhelmed.


    After the knights had congratulated her, Emily, with cheeks flushed, came back to us.


    "Ro..Rolf....!" Emily stammered.


    "You did it, Emily!" I replied back, beaming.


    "Well done, Emily! Now it''s your turn brother, Good luck!" said Felicia.


    "Next, Rolf Buckman, step forward." the priest finally continued.


    It was then my turn to step in front of the priest. I was handed a quartz crystal and asked to kneel down with my eyes closed.


    "O supreme goddess who protects us from the nine heavens. We pray that you may grant us a vessel to resist the tyranny of evil."


    "................"


    I felt nothing. Nothing dwelled in my chest. And there was no change in the quartz.


    "...O supreme goddess, who protects and guards us from the nine heavens. We pray that you may grant us vessels to resist the sericulture of evil, in response to the desire of this lost child." The priest chanted again. But still the quartz remained silent.


    The knight called out, "Priest, is this...?"


    "No, this is not possible.... supreme goddess, you who protects us from the nine heavens. I pray that you may grant us a vessel to resist the sericulture of evil!"


    The priest started over, but the result was the same.


    "....I''m sorry but... it seems you weren''t given any magical power."


    In the opposite sense to Emily''s, the knight asked "What do you mean?.....It is impossible! The blessings of the Goddess are always given to everyone, no matter the quantity."


    "Then why?" I asked, still confused.


    "I don''t know. It is not that there is a very slight glow that you do not notice. This is... truly unbelievable..." The priest said so while looking at me.


    He wrinkled his eyebrows and looked at me in the same way one would look if they were looking at some foreign object.


    "This boy is not blessed." the priest finished.


    It took a moment to comprehend the meaning of the words.


    And as I turned around, I saw that Emily and Felicia were just as stunned, if not more, than I was.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 4 - A Loathsome Child

    "...The Man Without Blessings, Rolf Buckman." I returned home and talked to myself in my room. The sunset sky outside the window looked more faded than usual.


    After the ceremony, on the carriage ride back from the church, Me, Emily, and Felicia were silent the whole way home. I''m usually a person who does not mind silence, but today''s silence was a little more unbearable for me.


    Emily and Felicia were both giving me worried and sad glances. They didn''t seem to know what to say to me.


    No magic power is an obvious anomaly. It indicates that they have little strength to fight.


    Humanity has long been at war with the demons. The demons share the same appearance as humans except for their brown skin, they are civilized, and they speak the same language as humans. However, their individual strength is completely different. Unlike humans, they are born with magical powers. Demons, who wield powerful magic, have proven to be formidable enemies to humans.


    To fight them, humans must also have magical power. Only magical defenses can prevent magical attacks, and only magical attacks can break through magical defenses. If we cannot use magic, we cannot fight against the demon tribe. And the Knights are basically an organization for fighting demons. There is no place for those without magical power, in other words, those who cannot fight demons.


    Those without magical power will not be treated kindly by the Knights. There is no precedent for "those without magical power," but it is certain.


    I''ve always wanted to be a knight. But I have no magical power. I don''t have the fighting strength required of a knight. So what should I do?


    Well, I don''t have to think about it. I will join the knighthood as planned.


    If I don''t join the knighthood, there is no chance to be knighted. I am not willing to give up the knighthood, so no matter how small the chance is, if it is not zero, I have no choice but to bet on it.


    There are battles that can be fought without magic power, such as the battle to clean up demonic beasts. Besides, there is no decent future for me, even if I remain here in the territory. Even if you are not a knight, the amount of magic power you have is directly related to your prosperity, and it''s the same everywhere. I will not be able to succeed the baron''s family as it is. Whether I stay here or go to the knighthood, I''m sure I''ll still get a lot of criticism either way.


    The lack of magical power means that one is not blessed by God.


    So to speak, it''s an abomination. All thatt awaits you is contempt, ridicule, and discrimination.


    It''s been quite a hard life... But, I still have a sword, holding the sword he has always used for training. It is an iron sword that has been used and scratched, but always kept clean.


    Yes, I still have my sword. I can wield a sword even without magic power. I will further hone my swordsmanship in the knighthood and fight with the sword. And I will become a knight.


    That is what I vowed in my heart.


    Later that evening, there was no seat for me in the dining room. My parents, who were seated, didn''t even look at me. Felicia turned to me for a moment, then immediately looked down.


    A servant approached.


    "This way." I followed her brief words and found myself in the kitchen.


    On the kitchen table, I saw a soup of vegetable scraps and black bread placed randomly on the table. The servant pointed at them silently and left.


    A wooden box was placed in front of the cooking table. It was probably supposed to be a chair.


    "Well, it''s better to sit down and eat." I thought.


    I sat down and picked up a loaf of black bread.


    I tore off a piece of the crusty bread, dipped it in vegetable soup, and ate it. It wasn''t bad. The cold, hard bread and the tasteless vegetable soup went surprisingly well together.


    This is how I will be treated from now on. Even in the knighthood, I will never be treated equally with everyone else. I am an unloved human being who has intruded into the land loved by the goddess.


    I am both foreign matter and a defective product.


    A "failure" that should be loathed.


    That is me. Rolf without blessings. I''ll get used to this treatment. Even if the food is meager, if I don''t eat properly, I won''t have the strength to fight. I silently put the loaf of black bread in my mouth.


    After the meal, I crossed my arms and looked up at the ceiling. And then I thought about my divided family. This treatment was to be expected, but I felt a little surprised. I don''t feel much anger or sadness toward my parents. I think that the connection between my parents and me is more genuine than it used to be. I somehow knew that they were looking at my talent and not at me. It is natural for parents to look at their children''s talents, but I somehow understood that their gaze included "calculation".


    What they needed was not Rolf, but a capable next head of the family. I could see those kinds of thoughts somewhere in their eyes.


    "No... Is our familial bond really that worn?"


    Or perhaps this situation has made me think of such things with a hint of condescension in my thoughts.


    Discriminatory circumstances would deprive me of the opportunity to nurture my ego. After all, It is inevitable that a person would be strongly influenced by their environment in the development of their ego.


    Fifteen years old is the age at which one can join the Order of Knights, and one is regarded as an adult in this country. However, there is no doubt that he is still immature in terms of human nature, and he would need to mature his spirit from then on. That is what the Order of the Knights is all about.


    It must be a great disadvantage for one to be placed in an environment where they are subjected to harm from those around them at that age. A person who has been hurt continuously will eventually become so fearful of being hurt that he or she will atrophy his or her ego. They worry about what others will say or do, they cannot act as they wish, and they are unwilling to make eye contact with anyone.


    I have seen such people on several occasions.


    And I am in an environment where such people are created. To avoid this, I must maintain a strong sense of self-discipline.


    " Self-discipline, huh? "A smile of dismay came to my mouth as I said that. Shaking my head, I got up and went back to my room. Until, a figure appeared at the entrance. "Brother..."


    "Felicia."


    My sister had a look on her face that I had never seen before.


    I thought to myself, "People make this kind of expression when they are sad but can''t do anything about it." But I was also sad, sad because it was me who was causing her to make her such a face.


    My parents appeared from behind her.


    "Felicia, don''t get involved with that." they said.


    "That''s right, Felicia. If you associate with those who betrayed the Goddess, you too will be stained with the filth."


    Felicia kept her eyes down and said nothing.


    Any form of conversation from here on out would be futile so I simply passed by the three of them in silence.  S?a??h the N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hey!" my father called out to me.


    "Felicia is the next head of the Buckman family. You know that, right?"


    "Yes, of course."


    With that, I headed for my room without looking back.


    My mother''s voice followed. "You are not to have anything to do with Felicia from now on. Is that clear?"


    "I understand."


    I am a man who has betrayed one of the most important things in an aristocratic family, the expectation of an heir. My parents'' voices were filled with disappointment and hostility.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 5 - A Dazzling Sight

    The next day was the day of departure.Emily rode in the carriage leaving the Buckman''s house. Emily''s parents and servants came to see her off. Emily was on good terms with her servants, mainly because of her personality. Many people were celebrating her departure.


    Maria, the young maid of honor, who had been so beloved by Emily, took her hand and spoke to her. Then Emily''s parents embraced their daughter with red, puffy eyes.


    It had become a well-known fact that she had attained the greatest level of magical power, and of course her parents knew this. Their eyes were full of pride for their daughter.


    My parents were there as well, but they would not speak to me. They simply looked at me with cold eyes.


    I guess they are not here to see me off, but to make sure I am indeed leaving the house. I tried to get on the carriage and stopped for a moment. I probably won''t be coming back here.


    Although I had to leave like this, I was happy for the last 15 years. My childhood with Emily and Felicia was definitely full of good memories.


    I looked up at the house, overcome with mixed emotions, and saw a figure looking at me from one of the windows.


    It was Felicia. She was staring at me from her room.


    I''m sorry. I returned her gaze with that thought in mind. I have put her through a lot of trouble because of the change of the next head of the family. But I am sure she will be fine. My sister is brilliant after all.


    I heard a sharp cracking sound. It was the sound of my mother''s slap on my cheek.


    "Don''t you dare look at Felicia, the next head of our family, with the filthy gaze of a man not loved by the Goddess! Shame on you!" she screamed, shaking.


    "....I apologize." I said back.


    My mother had tears in the corners of her eyes and her voice was trembling. She cherished and loved her son, as all mothers do. She truly believed in his bright future. And yet, he betrayed her. At least that''s how they felt. In fact, that''s how everyone in this country felt.


    My father held my trembling mother''s shoulder and told her,


    "Next year, Felicia will be a knight, don''t worry." he said solemnly. "Yes..." she replied back.


    With that, I got into the carriage. Naturally, my parents did not say a word. The carriage with me and Emily on board started for the headquarters of the Fifth Order.


    I was so happy to see her. Inside the carriage, we were silent for a while. But then, perhaps unable to bear the silence any longer, Emily began to speak to me. We had a long, halting conversation, which led us to the night before our departure. I had lost the right to inherit the family title. In other words, I was disinherited. When I told her this, Emily looked shocked.


    "Are you sure?" she asked.


    "I was told clearly. The next owner is Felicia." I replied.


    Emily seemed very upset.


    "I''m sorry, Emily." I said to her,


    "Why are you sorry?" She replied back.


    "For breaking off the engagement. I''m sorry for the mess I''ve made of your life." She looked lost for a moment, and then asked, "You broke off the engagement...why?


    "I hate to admit it, but that''s what was bound to happen anyway." I replied.


    Needless to say Emily was just so upset that she couldn''t think straight. Emily was to join the next head of the Buckman family, and since I''m no longer the next head, my engagement is gone as well.


    "But... but! Because! I''m with Rolf...!" She struggled to find the words.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t receive any magical power." I said.


    "Rolf..."


    Emily''s eyes were getting wet with tears. I was surprised. She must also have strong faith. And yet, she didn''t hate me, the traitor of God. I was grateful to her for that at least.


    But, I felt sorry for being the cause of her tears. More sorry than I had ever felt for disobeying my parents'' expectations.


    The carriage then pulled closer to the headquarters of the Fifth Order.


    When the carriage passed through the main gate, we found ourselves in a large training square. It seemed that all the members of the Order would sometimes gather in this square, therefore it was quite large.


    The training plaza was surrounded by a large wall, and in front of it was a large brick building.


    Of the five knightly orders protecting the kingdom, the Fifth Order is the lowest in the pecking order, but the headquarters building was magnificent.


    A man in his early thirties stepped up to the podium in front of the inductees.


    "Welcome, young lions! I, Bert Tarian, Commander of the Fifth Order, welcomes you." He was young for a commander. But the Fifth Order is more of a place where children of noble families come to be knighted and make a career out of it. Therefore, a young leader like that is not so uncommon.


    "It is a great pleasure to welcome you here today and to stand with you as swords of the kingdom."


    Commander Tarian is also a nobleman. His tone was undoubtedly aristocratic. The splendid silver armor that he donned caught my attention.


    Silver is the best conductor of magic power. Therefore, swords and armor made out of silver are extremely useful pieces of equipment when magic power is passed through them. In the Order of the Knights, silver equipment is given to all officers above the rank of commander. The beauty of the equipment, as well as its performance, is admired by all of the members of the Order.  s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    But I, who has no magic power, have nothing to do with it.


    "For the king, for the people! For your family, for your neighbors! We fight demons with our lives! That is our duty! Remember that from this day until the day you die!" With these words, Commander Tarian''s speech ended.


    After that, he explained the headquarters facilities.


    On the first floor of the headquarters, there were several training grounds and a staff room for each unit, and it seemed that most of the time was spent in this area. The cafeteria and bathrooms are also on the first floor. On the second floor, there is a reference room and a meeting room, as well as a large room where corps members were to sleep, and on the third floor, there are private rooms for unit commanders and above.


    General members were not allowed to enter the third floor without permission. In addition, there is a blacksmithing facility and a simple store in a separate building. It seems that we can live in the headquarters without going out into the city.


    Tomorrow morning, we were told to gather at the training plaza and disbanded for the first day. They were going to hold an enrollment ceremony.


    "Um... I guess I''ll See you later in the dining room, Rolf." Said Emily.


    "Okay." I replied.


    After promising to have dinner together, Emily went to the women''s dorm room. But that night, Emily was not to be seen in the dining hall.


    The next morning, the new members lined up in the training square. But Emily was nowhere to be seen. The new members were told that they would be assigned to their respective units at the enrollment ceremony.


    However, it does not mean that they will become knights at the place of assignment. All new members of the order follow senior knights as squires and learn the basics of knighthood.


    The ceremony began, and a well-dressed male nobleman stepped up to the podium.


    It was the Marquis of Norden. The headquarters of the Fifth Order was within his domain. He is the one who is given the responsibility of managing the Fifth Order and its budget by the kingdom.


    He seems to visit the headquarters of the Order several times a year. Today is one of those times, and he comes every year on the day of the enrollment ceremony to give instructions.


    Fortunately, the Marquis was not the type to talk long, and the instruction was brief.


    After the ceremony, the assignment was supposed to be announced, but the deputy commander, who was conducting the enrollment ceremony, uttered words that everyone did not expect to hear.


    "We will continue with the ordination ceremony." Following this declaration, the Marquis on the stage said in a high voice,


    "I will treat you, who belong to the Order entrusted to me by His Majesty, with due respect. Those who excel will be given the treatment they deserve. I want you to know that."


    The knights then urge a girl to come up on the stage.


    It was Emily.


    "One of the new members, Emily Melness, received the secret of the Singso and showed the highest amount of magical power in the Fifth Order. In honor of her power, I knight her today."


    The new members of the Order were in an uproar. It was unusual for her to be knighted in her first year without having graduated as an acolyte.


    With that, I was relieved to find out why Emily had been out of sight since last night. She had been told of her knighthood and was preparing for it.


    Those who are to be knighted must take a bath the night before to cleanse themselves, and then spend the night with swords in both hands. This was the customary practice of the Royal Order of Knights.


    Emily''s expression was hard and she seemed quite nervous. She knelt down and presented the sword in her hand to the Marquis.


    The Marquis received the sword, pulled it out of its scabbard, and held it vertically in his hand. He then struck Emily three times on the shoulder with the belly of the sword.


    The sword tapping style of ordination used to be used for short-form ordination on the battlefield, but the knightly order has always been in the fight against demons, and this style of ordination has been used for peacetime ordination as well.


    Remembering this, I looked at Emily standing up as she received the sword from the Marquis. She looked anxiously around the line of new members as if looking for someone, then looked down and put her sword on her hip.


    Emily became a knight. She had easily become what I had longed for.


    It might have been my imagination but, she felt a little far away.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 6 - The Owl and Crane

    After Emily''s ordination, the deputy commander rose on the platform and raised his voice."I will now announce your assignments!" The new members were going to be assigned to their respective units. Cavalry, infantry, magic, support, and supply units.... Each unit is from the first to the third, and they are assigned according to their aptitudes. Everyone was pleased or sad at the results they were told.


    "Next, Rolf Buchman!"


    <"Yes, sir!">


    "You will be in the Owl and Crane Squadron!"


    <"Yes, sir!">


    The crowd was in an uproar. The Owl and Crane Corps is a unit under the direct control of the Commander. Named after the saint Lacriamelec''s love of birds, especially owls and cranes, this unit exists in all of the first five knighthoods and is made up of only the most talented individuals.


    I''m not sure why they would assign someone without magical powers to such an important unit. At least, I didn''t have a good feeling about it.


    ...........


    The new members headed to the station to which they were assigned. The fifth Order of Knights'' staff quarters are not separate buildings, but rather are sectioned off in the headquarters building. All of the corps'' stations were large, but the Owl and Crane Corps did not have a station.


    The Owl and Crane Unit is positioned as a superior unit to all other units. It is a small elite unit, and all members are treated as executives and given private quarters. The commander and all other members of the unit are usually on duty and do not wait at the station. Without a duty station, they do not know where to go.


    When I told this to the deputy commander, he beckoned a man nearby and told him.


    "Yeld, the owl crane unit is gathering too, right?"


    "Yes, I''m on my way there now."


    "This man is assigned to you. Can you take him with you?"


    "Oh, him. I''m listening."


    The man called Yeld turned to me. He had a slightly shaved head, long eyelashes, and a high nose. He had the look of a dude.


    "Follow me."


    <"I understand."> I replied and followed him on foot.


    It seemed that he also belonged to the Owl and Crane Unit. He was a member of the Owls and Crane Corps, which is a high-ranking unit, so he was dressed in silver armor.


    "You."


    <"Yes.">


    "I can''t believe it, but what do you mean you have no magic?" The man called Yeld did not try to hide the contempt in his eyes.


    <"I''m not sure but it seems I didn''t receive the blessings of goddess Yona.">


    "When you say there is no magic, do you really mean there is none at all?"


    <"Yes.">


    Yeld asked me as we walked. He seemed to have a hard time believing in the unprecedented case of zero magic power.


    "You mean Yona didn''t give you anything?"


    <"Yes, that would be the case.">


    "What do you mean? Why is there such a thing?"


    <"I don''t know.">


    A man without blessings who should not exist. Yeld showed frank hatred towards me who deviated from the world''s reason.


    "Why would such a defective man come to the knighthood?"


    <"To become a knight.">


    "You know..." Yeldo turned around and grabbed me by the chest.


    "We''re all here because we''re serious. Do you think this is a place where nobles come only to be knighted? Everyone gives it their all every day while they''re here." Yeld''s voice lowered with anger. The hand gripping my chest was filled with strength.


    <"I didn''t come here seeking ordination for my career. I really want to be knighted.">


    "Are you kidding me? How can you be knighted if you''re defective? You can''t fight!"


    <"I will fight.">


    Yeld clicked his tongue, let go of my hand, turned around and started walking again.


    "He not only has no magic, he doesn''t know how to stand on his own two feet. A scum is a scum no matter what."


    ..........


    The destination where Yeld headed was the third floor of the headquarters building.


    "I think it was explained at the time of joining the unit, but you should normally enter this floor only with permission," he said.


    <"Yes, sir.">


    Yeld seemed uncomfortable inviting me in now. S~?a??h the N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "Are you sure you''re okay? Do you have the brains to understand things?"


    <"I''m fine. I''ll come in with your permission.">


    "Hmmm..." Yeld knocked on a door and entered. There was a plate on the door that said "Commander''s Office."


    I followed him in.


    There were four knights in the room. Yeld called out to one of them, Bert Tarian, Commander of the Fifth Order.


    "I''m here, Yeld Kranz," he said.


    "I see you''ve come. Now there are four of you."


    I guess Commander Tarian didn''t count himself. And me.


    "Emily, this is my unit. This is where you will be assigned." With these words, Commander Tarian called out to Emily, the girl who was there. She was dressed in brand-new silver equipment. And she''s staring at me with sad, apologetic eyes.


    "First of all, this is Yeld Krantz. He is a magic swordsman. He is the oldest in this Owl and Crane unit. He''s young, though, as you can see. How old are you again?"


    "I''m 20 years old. Regardas , Emily? I''m Yeld. It''s an honor to have you in the unit."


    "It''s an honor to join this unit. Thank you"


    Yeld shook Emily''s hand.


    "At 20 years old, he is the oldest? The Fifth Order of Knights have a high turnover rate, but the Owl and Crane unit seems to have a particularly high rate of turnover. But at 20 years old, he has already been with the Order for six years. I was not sure if he was old enough to be called a young man." I was thinking to myself as the Commander introduced the other members.


    "And this is Raquel Nyholm and Sheila Larsen. Raquel is a magician and Sheila is a healer."


    "I''m Raquel. You were White Light?"


    "Yes, I was. I don''t know, but I think so." Emily answered.


    "Well, you''ve got another great one. I''m looking forward to it."


    Emily shook hands with one of them, and the other one held out her hand.


    "Emily,I''m Sheila. I thank the goddess Yona for meeting you. I look forward to working with you from now on."


    "Yes, I am looking forward to working with both of you."


    Both of them were a little younger than Yeld. They were about 18 or 19 years old.


    Raquel is a tall woman with red hair. Her muscles are toned and supple and can be seen even through her clothes. She is not a magic swordsman, but a magic warrior.Indeed, she has a silver war hammer hanging from her waist.


    Sheila is a woman with long, bluish black hair. She seems to be a recovery magician. She is a very valuable warrior when she can use recovery magic, but she seems to have the magical power to be an even more powerful warrior. She held a silver staff in front of her chest with both hands.


    "The most important thing is that they are all strong people. And they all come from noble families, just like you. Get along well with each other." Commander Tarian said to Emily, and then explained about the unit.


    "This unit, in essence, is to protect me . But if I were to be directly involved in a battle, it would only be the result of a tactical error. That is, this unit should not be fighting on the battlefield. Do you understand, Emily?" , he said.


    "Um... yes."


    "But the unit that protects me; the commander, has to be the best at what it does. That''s what this unit is. We need to constantly improve our skills and train our coordination. I want you to fulfill your duties with ambition."


    "I understand!" Emily answered nervously.


    "I''m not going to tell you to take it easy today since it''s your first day of assignment. I want to see what you can do, and we''re going to the training ground right away. Follow me."


    "Yes, sir!"


    The fifth knighthood, also known as the place for the ordination of a noble''s child, can not remain a mere lackey knighthood, as the war with the demon tribe is becoming constant. They headed to the training ground with serious expressions on their faces. They didn''t even look at me.


    "Excuse me..."


    Emily glanced at me as she left the room and called out to Commander Tarian.


    "Hmm? Oh..."


    For the first time, my eyes met the Commander''s. But it was only for a moment and the Commander immediately looked away and said in a voice that contained not a shred of interest:


    "Come."


    <"I understand.">


    As expected of the Order of the Knights. The orders are concise and easy to understand.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 7 - Silver shining Sword and Armor

    During the journey to the training ground, Emily looked back at me several times and gave me a look as if she wanted to say something. However, I could not exchange words with her. We kept walking in silence and headed for the training ground.When we arrived at the training area, Yeld pulled out a sword from the sword rack by the wall and handed it to Emily.


    He handed the sword to Emily and said, "There are swords in the training area with smashed blades, so you can use them as you like. The few swords over here are silver swords. Pick it up."


    "Well, I can use a regular iron sword..."


    "Emily, you''re a member of the Owl and Crane unit and you are treated as an executive. It''s a rule for executives to use silver equipment."


    Emily hesitated, but Raquel and Sheila advised her.


    "Emily, you know, it''s not a virtue to be reserved in a place like this. It''s only natural that the top brass use the best weapons, right? Look, my war hammer is silver, too."


    "Emily, it makes sense for an executive who is expected to be a force on the battlefield to use superior equipment. You know that this will lead to an improvement in the strength of the knighthood, don''t you?"


    "I understand. Raquel-san, Sheila-san."


    When Emily replied, Raquel continued.


    "And that''s it."


    "Huh?"


    "You don''t need to say "san" and honorifics. Right, Yeld?"


    "No need. We are equal members of the unit. Well, Sheila is a bit of a stubborn one and she can''t get rid of her honorifics, but Emily, you''re going to have to adapt to me and Raquel, okay?"


    "I understand... I understand."


    Yeld started the lecture when he nodded in satisfaction at Emily''s words.


    "Okay , then I''m going to teach you how to pass the magical power through the silver, which is the basis of everything.


    "Okay... I got it. But when you are given magic power, you already know the basics of how to use it, right?" Shelia asked.


    "Yes, you do. The best way to do this is to use the right tools. The most important thing to remember is that you can''t just take a few minutes and let the magic flow through your body. And with further training only, you will be able to use various kinds of magic. I can''t wait to see how far Emily can go now that she has the white light."


    "I''ll do my best."


    After two hours of training, Emily was able to pass her magic through silver. She put her magical power to the silver armor she wore, and raised her silver sword, which was also powered by magical power. She gazed at the sword with deeply moved eyes.


    "Yeld, is it done?"


    "Yes, it''s done, Emily. The sword and the armor are both powered by magic power. Can you see that the power of the sword has increased dramatically?"


    "Yes, it has. The sword became something else as soon as the magic power was applied to it." Emily''s voice showed her elation.


    "After all, Emily, you''re the same type of magic swordsman as me. It looks like you''ve been doing swordsmanship for a long time, and it''s reasonable. Emily, what about your armor? Do you feel your body covered by a magical barrier?


    Emily replied, putting her hand on her chest as if to make sure. "Yeah. I feel like my whole body is protected."


    "The magical barrier emanating from the silver armor envelops your entire body. You''re now invincible against non-magical attacks." Yeld said to Emily and then turned to me.


    "You, come here with your sword."


    <"I understand.">


    I had been at the training ground for several hours, with only the occasional glance from Emily, but no one else had ever seen me. I was glad to see that they were able to see me as well. I pulled a steel sword from the sword rack with a crushed blade and approached Emily and Yeld.


    "You take the sword and strike Emily with it, but she stays where she is. Is that clear?"


    <"Yes, sir. Alright then Emily here I come.">


    "Hey!" The Commander was fuming.


    "It''s ''Lady Emily'', isn''t it? She''s a full-fledged knight, and a senior officer! You should be aware of how to interact with her!"


    <"I beg your pardon. I''m sorry. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Emily.">


    "What? ??????"Emily was stunned.


    Well, this is the way it''s going to turn out. I knew what to expect when Emily was in the same unit. The information about the new member should have been known to the executives. It would make sense to make me submit to Emily, my ex-fianc¨¦e. It was only right for them to torment a man without a blessing.


    I couldn''t see the expressions on the faces of Raquel and Sheila behind me, but the corners of Commander Tarian''s mouth were slightly upturned.


    Yeld turned from indignation to contempt on his face.


    "Hmph, then strike, and strike wherever you want." ,Yeld said.


    <"I understand. I''m coming.">


    I stepped forward and swung my sword down on Emily''s shoulder in a slash-and-slash motion. But my sword stopped about two centimeters in front of Emily''s shoulder. It was not as if the sword had hit a wall, but as if it had been enveloped by something soft. I felt an invisible power through the sword and understood that this was indeed unbreakable. At the same time, my body was blown backwards.


    I tumbled over and fell down.


    Emily shouted as I rolled over and fell down. "Rolf!"


    I tried to get up, but I couldn''t catch my breath.


    <"Huh.....ha...">


    Heat and pain came on me, as if every nerve in my body had been forcibly ripped out.


    While lying down, I pressed my chest and tried to adjust my breathing. I managed to turn my shaky vision forward to see what had hit me. I saw Yeld, half of his body facing me, holding a sword slouched in his left hand. s?a??h th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    Without even holding his stance, he stood erect and swung the sword out with one hand. That was enough to blow me away.


    "Emily, did you see that?"


    "Yeld! Rolf!". Emily said with worry.


    "Listen to me. I''m trying to explain."


    <"Yes, Emily, listen to him. I want to know too. I came here to be knighted, to have the strength to fight.">


    "Now , that man''s sword stopped without touching Emily because her body was covered by a magical barrier. The silver armor can expand to cover more than its surface area, so the barrier protects the parts of your body that are not protected by the armor. The armor is designed to cover your entire body exactly."


    Yeld continued in a slightly playful tone as he slung his sword over his shoulder.


    "If you attack someone without a magical barrier with a sword that is enchanted, you will get a result like that. Now, I just swung lightly with one hand, but the guy rolled with a mighty swing, didn''t he?"


    Yes, what Yeld did would hardly have been called an attack. Still, the sheer force of the blow blew me away. If it hadn''t been for the sword with the crushed blade, I would have died for sure.


    "Then, Emily, here''s the problem. What happens when a sword enchanted with magic collides with armor also enchanted with magic?", Yeld said.


    "Eh...? What?"


    Emily looked like she''s about to cry as she looked back and forth between me and Yeld.


    She''s a sweet girl, she probably wanted to say that she''s more concerned about Rolf''s treatment. But she should focus on her own training. She''s not going to benefit from my attention.


    Besides, I don''t need medical attention. Fortunately, there are no broken bones, just bruises and lacerations. These are just grazes.


    "Emily, that''s not going to kill him. Just answer my question."


    "That.....I don''t know- I guess it depends on the power and skill of both of them."


    "The one with more magic wins. But it''s not all about the power of magic. Depending on your training, you will be able to make more powerful magical attacks and defenses. Do you understand?"


    "Uh-huh."


    "But the size of the magic power is still the most important thing. The more you know, the better you will be able to do your job. The difference in skill level can be overcome by the amount of magical power.


    Well, let''s learn about that later. That''s about it for now. The first day, you''ve reached the point where you can pass magic power to your equipment, which is a good achievement, Emily. That''s excellent."


    "Thank you, Yeld."


    "I''m looking forward to it, Emily. Good luck."


    "Yes, Commander. Thank you."


    "And..." Commander Tarian turned to me.


    "Rolf, right? You are to serve as Emily''s squire from now on."


    <"I understand.">


    Somehow I managed to stand up, catch my breath, and answer.


    (As expected.)


    "What? Why Rolf? And why do you want him to be a squire?"


    "New recruits, with the exception of Emily, become squires and learn from senior knights. However, not all knights have a squire, which is natural given the number of knights. "


    Emily was upset, but Commander Tarian replied, "A knight is a squire to a knight. A knight needs to teach his squire how to be a knight. But since Emily has just become a knight, she can''t teach him how to be a knight, can you? That''s why they gave you someone who is not going to budge."


    That''s a pretty blunt way of putting it. Then why give Emily a squire in the first place?


    Emily replied, "Then, there is no need for me to have a squire, is there? Even Rolf can be taught by other senior knights..."


    Emily was silent after saying that much.


    I was so impressed with the way she was able to get through to me that I was being mistreated no matter who I followed. I''d much rather do that than put a load on Emily''s mind, but there''s nothing I can do about it.


    "No, I understand."


    "I''m not a stranger to you, am I? You''re not a stranger to her, are you? And you, too, right? You heard me. Do you understand, in your own faulty way?"


    <"Yes, Commander.">


    There''s no doubt. I answered immediately.


    "I have a lot of work to do: take care of my equipment, look after my horses, clean my private chambers. You will serve Emily with all your heart and soul."


    <"I will.">


    "Rolf..." Emily looked sad.


    <"I''m sorry, but I don''t have anywhere else to go. I have no choice but to cling to my sword here.">


    And so, I was assigned to the Owl and Crane Corps as Emily''s squire.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 8 - Days without Blessings_1

    Emily''s days as a knight have begun.I wake up before sunrise and head to the back of the headquarters building with my sword. I don''t have much time for training during the day, so I train before work starts. I don''t use the training grounds. There are a lot of people who don''t like the idea of me using the training grounds for independent training.


    With a heavy iron sword, I do up-and-down, left-and-right, diagonal, and leaping swings. The other members of the group hardly do any swinging. However, I have been doing this training for a long time because I think it is important to make the movement of slashing ingrained in my body. S?a??h the N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    With each swing, I make sure the line of the blade is straight, and then I swing firmly through the air.


    The sun rises when my body is covered in beads of sweat and it becomes difficult to raise my arms. When the sun rises, I end my training and go to the well to wipe myself off before heading to the horse barn.


    At the stable, I groom Emily''s horse and give it fodder. Then I walk the horses and clean the stalls. When I''m done, I wait in front of Emily''s room for her to wake up.


    <"Good morning.">


    "Good morning, Rolf.....Here. Please."


    "Yes."


    When Emily comes out, I take the sword from her and follow her. I would carry a spare sword in addition to the one Emily wore on her hip. Then I follow Emily according to the day''s schedule.


    During meetings, I stand behind Emily, and during training, I stand at the edge of the training area. When there is horseback transportation, I walk with Emily''s horse.


    "Rolf," she says. "You''ve been walking for so long, why don''t you take a break? We can rest in the shade of those trees..."


    <"I have no problem with that. I''m going to check the western battlefield and return to headquarters by nightfall, so if you don''t order me to go, I''d like to keep going."


    "Um...yes...well, I''ll stay on..."


    When Emily is working at her desk in her private office, I wait at the side of her desk. She often asks me questions when she doesn''t understand what is written in the documents. When she does, I explain what she needs to know and tell her what she should think.


    <"In this case, we need to tell the Commander to send it back to the Logistics Department and have them correct the discrepancy in the figures.">


    "But the last budget was off by the same amount."


    <"Since this is the closing of the fiscal year, we cannot think of it as the same as last time. It will affect the request for approval to the center"


    "Well... what do you mean?"


    Emily usually makes a difficult face and complains that her understanding can''t keep up, but if I break it down and explain it to her patiently, she will understand in the end.


    It is also my job to take care of Emily''s equipment. I sharpen her sword from time to time. Armor takes a little more work. I fix dents in the plates, reupholster the leather, and apply oil to the entire piece as needed.


    "Ro, rolf. The belt will be damaged again soon anyway, so I don''t mind if you don''t change it so often."


    <"You have to keep your equipment in the best condition possible. It can be the difference between life and death.">


    "Yeah, right."


    And once the day''s schedule is all exhausted, I get permission from Emily to pick her up again tomorrow when she wakes up. Do not skip this process, which is just a verbal permission.


    I am not allowed on the floor where Emily and the other executives have their private offices unless I have their permission. I have to get permission at the end of the day to go in the next day as well.


    <"May I pick you up tomorrow at the same time as today?">


    "Yes....that''s fine ..." When giving permission, Emily would always keep her eyes down.


    .................


    After all the day''s work was done, I would take my sword and head to the back of the headquarters building, just as I had done in the morning.


    "Huff... huff... huff... huff..."


    Under the moonlight, I swung the sword again and again. A movement I have repeated hundreds of thousands, even millions of times since I was a child.


    With each swing, I put my whole heart and soul into it. Ten serious swings are better than a thousand random swings.


    We must keep swinging with all our heart and soul, all the way to the tip of the sword. If even the slightest thought enters your mind and disturbs the line of the blade, you have to start all over again from the beginning.


    Swing through the moon on the surface of the water with the image of cutting the moon in two


    without disturbing the water.


    Under a deciduous tree, swing horizontally with the image of cutting through the trunk of the tree without touching the fallen leaves that are strewn about.


    In the midst of a storm, swing the sword diagonally with the image of drowning out the sound of the storm with the sound of the sword''s wind shear.


    "Rolf!" A voice called out from behind me.


    I was aware that the approaching footsteps were Emily''s.


    "Do you always train here?"


    I stopped, turned around, and answered while catching my ragged breath.


    <"Yes">


    After a moment of silence, Emily said, "Oh, you know what? The Commander complimented me again on how well I wrote the report!"


    <"I see.">


    "And he also said I did a good job understanding the tactics in the operation plan the other day!"


    <"I''m glad to hear that.">


    Emily was silent, her long eyelashes downcast. Another moment of silence.


    "...It''s all thanks to you, Rolf. But even if I told him that, the Commander wouldn''t take me up on it."


    <"You shouldn''t say that. It would only make Lady Emily''s position worse.">


    "But I am able to do what I do because of your advice, you know? The real credit always belongs to you. Rolf"


    <"It is only natural that the squire''s merit should be attributed to the knight. I am only offering my opinion, and it is Lady Emily who adopts it.">


    "?????????"


    Emily looked down for a moment and then said as if she had made up her mind.


    "That''s called ''Emily-sama''?


    <"Yes.">


    "When we are alone, we don''t have to say it like that, do we? Let''s stop with the honorific?."


    <"But you never know who might be listening.">


    "Yes, but..." Emily looked sad. It''s an expression I''ve seen many times since I came here.


    I''m making Emily look like that. I''m making my fianc¨¦e, the person I once intended to make happy, sad.


    "But why is it that you''re not called ''sir''?"


    <"It''s the group''s policy.">


    "There are horsemen here, and Rolf is the only one who has to take care of the horses! I''m not even on the battlefield, and I''m forced to walk around with my spare sword! Why? This is ridiculous! Rolf is fine!?"


    Tears drip from Emily''s beautiful eyes. The tears glisten azure under the moon. I walked up to Emily, put my hand on her cheek, and wiped the tears away with my fingers. Then I looked into her big eyes and said,


    "Emily, I''m not okay. I''m frustrated too, and most of all, I didn''t want to make you cry."


    "Rolf..."


    <"I''m so sorry.  I''ve caused you so much trouble. Whether it''s the engagement or your time here at the Order.">


    "Oh, no."


    He does not look away from Emily and tells her quietly but firmly:


    "I have nothing more than my dream of being a knight. The most important thing to remember is that you can''t go anywhere without a blessing. I have no choice but to stay here and endure. Endure, endure, and one day I will become a knight. I will become the knight I have longed to be since I was a child. When I do that, I will be saved for the first time. I know I''m being selfish after making you so sad, but there''s nothing else I can do."


    "Rolf..."


    <"I''m sorry, Emily."> Emily rubbed her face with the back of her hand before looking up at me.


    "No,  I''m sorry too. Rolf..."


    Tears welled up again from both of her eyes as she rubbed them.


    "Rolf...is...in....the...worst...pain..."


    The sobbing continued to echo in the moonlit night. The sobbing of Emily is more painful to me than the abuse of the senior knights.


    The man without blessings can''t even make a single girl laugh. I looked up at the night sky, feeling frustrated at my immaturity for the first time since I joined the knighthood.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 9 - Days without Blessings_2

    "Oh!"The sword of the side cleave comes from the front. It is easier to avoid the sword than to deflect it, and it is easier to connect to the next attack. You take a half step back, and just after the sword passes right in front of your chest, you quickly close the distance and enter the opponent''s pocket.


    "Kuku!"


    According to his previous attacks, this opponent often relies on the upper mid-distance attack. If he closes the distance here, he will try to retreat to the right back and re-set his sword to the upper level. I keep my body close to the opponent and place my left foot first at the point where the opponent''s foot is expected to come.


    "What?"


    The opponent, who was not able to move his feet as he wished, lost his posture. The nose-to-nose combat at such close range often turns into a battle of positions. You can gain the upper hand by first gaining control of the ground and then controlling your opponent''s footwork.


    I slammed the hilt of my sword into the opponent''s stomach, knocking him off his feet. Then I thrust the tip of the sword against his throat as he fell on his back.


    "....I give up."


    When the opponent''s face contorted into a grimace and he surrendered, the people around him gasped.


    "Hey, you won again without any blessing, didn''t you? And this time it''s Nikolai."


    "Calm down. This was a fluke, of course."


    "No, I don''t think it''s a fluke, judging from the way he''s carrying himself."


    Well, I can wield a sword even without the blessing. One year has passed since I joined the group. Even though I have no magical power, I can show my strength in swordsmanship training. If I overwhelm my opponent with my swordsmanship, I can hear some people recognizing me, albeit only a few. The guy I had just defeated got up and went back toward the crowd, and another guy came out in his place.


    "The next time," he said, "let''s do it with me."


    <"....Please.">


    He was the commander of the 2nd Cavalry, as I recall. He was dressed in silver armor, the mark of a senior officer and his face was covered with a vicious smile.


    "Begin!"


    Hearing the signal to begin, I stepped forward at once and swung a lower strike into his shin.


    "Mm...


    The leader of the unit didn''t react at all. My sword stopped right in front of his shin.


    "Deaaaah!


    I draw my sword, and while circling around to the side of the commander, I swing down a kesa za siri with all my might. This too stopped dead in its tracks. The commander didn''t even look at my sword.


    "Oh!"


    I stepped back once, and after half a second, I stepped forward with all my weight on the tip of my sword and made a thrust. And this too stopped just in front of the commander''s chest.


    "Oops!"


    Seeing this, the commander slashed up from the lower right. He took a large distance and ducked, and you could hear his tongue lashing out at you. I quickly closed the distance and cut with an upper slash with the sword set in the middle. When the upper slash stopped again, the commander threw a side slash.


    I immediately drew my sword to guard against it, but just like his armor, the silver sword is naturally permeated with magic power. I was blown away by the powerful force that was twisted into my body from above the sword I was guarding, and I rolled around on the ground two or three times.


    ''Geeh... hah... Kahaha...''


    "I wouldn''t even be able to speak even if I tried to surrender, so okay, that''s enough."


    The commander returned to the crowd. He must have been satisfied.


    I''m the only one who knows about magic. Only I know the sensation of having magic power twisted into my magic-less body. Fever, pain, and back and forth agony attacked my entire body.


    It was as if every organ in my body was being agitated and stirred. I heard a voice mocking me as I fell to the ground and slumped over.


    "He knows he can''t reach you, but why was he slashing at you over and over again?And with all his might."


    "He''s probably desperate."


    "He probably doesn''t understand anything about magic, so that''s possible."


    "Ha-ha-ha! That''s too bad!" A chuckle erupted from the crowd.


    I managed to stand up with my sword as a walking stick and saw a different man standing in front of me.


    "Okay, I''m next! Nice to meet you! Morf-kun, right?" Silver armor adorned the man''s body.


    <"Oh, you''re next, Mr. Max?">


    "Mr. Max, that''s Horf, sir."


    "I''m so glad you guys are so kind as to go along with his training without any blessings. Hey, Horv! You should be thanking me!"


    I was laughing and holding my sword up while suppressing all the pain in my body.


    <"I''m ... I''m looking forward to working with you. Thank you.">


    ................


    "All right, that''s it for today''s training. After this, we''ll have dinner. Please move to the cafeteria. The order was given to end the training.


    I knelt down on my knees, my body in tatters, as everyone bustled past me. I somehow managed to get up and leave the training area, only to see a familiar girl with long black hair and red eyes.


    "Brother..."


    Felicia, who joined the group this year, seems to have gained outstanding magical power in the secret depths of Sangso Shinso, though not as much as Emily. She was assigned to the magic unit and has already shown extraordinary talent in training


    <"You were watching, Felicia?">


    "Yes... Um, you''re hurt..."


    <"I''m fine. It''s nothing serious. So don''t look at me like that."> Felicia''s expression remained blank, though she tried to smile.


    "I wish I could use recovery magic."


    <"Don''t worry about that . You''re learning offensive magic, right Felicia?">


    Felicia was assigned to the First Magic Unit, which specializes in offensive magic. Felicia apparently had a strong aptitude for offensive magic. The first day of her assignment, she was taught the basic magic "fireball," and it is rumored that she suddenly created a fireball three times the size of the model shown by a senior member of the unit.


    "Um, brother..."


    <"Yes?">


    "Why did you slash him like that so many times? If you didn''t do it like that, you wouldn''t have been hurt so much..."


    The way I did it seemed strange even to Felicia''s eyes.


    <"I know I can''t reach them, but I repeatedly slash at them with all my might, which only makes them more displeased and hurt.  As long as I swing my sword with all my might, a new opponent comes out and blows me away, just as if to say, "You''re still in good spirits, aren''t you?


    Surely, if I had stopped at the right place, I wouldn''t be so tattered and bruised. But I don''t want to do that. I''m learning to use a sword just as Felicia is learning to use magic. You can only make progress if you continue to put all your energy into each swing. Otherwise, what''s the point of training?">


    "But you don''t have to go that far.."


    <"Don''t worry. It''s alright.">


    At 16, I had grown even taller. Because I was devoting my training time to strength training, my body was already the largest of all in the Fifth Order.


    <"I decided to...">


    "Hmm?"


    <"Does it make sense... to do so?">


    It must have been the words that I squeezed out after being so lost that they burned in my chest. The words that I delivered with my eyes downcast and in a voice that sounded like it was about to fade away, however, certainly contained a strong will.


    Without magic power, you can''t fight demons.


    No matter how fast I swung my sword, no matter how hard I swung it, no matter how sharply I swung it, it would never reach them. S?a?ch* Th? ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    So why do we continue to swing the sword until it is in tatters?


    Why do I continue to wield the sword even though it is meaningless?


    These were the words of Felicia, who could not bear to see me hurt, and who was sincerely concerned for her brother. I know my parents told her to stay away from me, but like Emily, she was also a kind girl.


    <"I don''t know if it means anything . But if I keep swinging the sword, maybe someday it will reach somewhere. We just have to believe in that.">


    I looked Felicia in her eyes and said, <"The only thing I know for sure is that if I don''t swing it, I won''t get anywhere.">


    "That kind of......" My answer was probably not satisfactory to her.


    I myself think it''s outrageous. But I had no choice. I had to believe that my will was meaningful, even if she laughed at me and scorned me.


    <"But more importantly, dinner is coming, Felicia. Why don''t you go to the cafeteria?">


    "Yes. You should come with me, brother."


    <"No, I''ll join you later. Eat with the troops.">


    "...yes"


    It''s better if no one sees Felicia and me together. I''m not going to do anything that will cast a shadow over Felicia''s future, let alone my own.


    "I''ve done nothing but hurt her..."


    I muttered to myself as I watched Felicia walk away with a downcast look on her face.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 10 - Days without Blessings_3

    "Doo!"I stepped forward at once and slammed my sword into the opponent''s forearm. The opponent let out a short scream, took down the sword, then glared at me and said in a small voice, "Oh dear."


    The crowd was in an uproar.


    "Hey, the one without blessings has won again!"


    "It doesn''t matter if you can only wield a sword. He''ll be finished off if he gets hit by an offensive magic spell."


    "But still , I think he''s good with the sword, and there are things I can learn from him..."


    "No, I''m not sure about that."


    Although magical power can be passed through iron swords and armor, it cannot be compared with silver, which has the highest magical power conductivity. The attack of the iron sword can be guarded with a sword even if it has magical power. But with a silver sword, even if you guard against it, you will be blown away without any questions. However, the attacker still takes damage on top of the guard, so it cannot be prevented so many times. Also, unlike silver armor, iron armor cannot cover the entire body with a magical barrier. It is possible to reach the enemy''s sword by striking repeatedly and looking for gaps.


    Therefore, if I was fighting against an ordinary member of the corps wearing iron equipment, I could fight on the basis of my own swordsmanship.


    So far in today''s swordsmanship training, I have won all the battles. But it was about time.


    As I was anticipating the next development with the murmur of the group members in the background, an officer wearing silver equipment came forward, just as I had predicted.


    "All right, I''m next."


    <"Oh, I''ve been waiting for you! Please show me what you got!">


    "Hey, no blessings! You''re not going to get away with this! You should have known better!" The last line is from the opponent I just defeated.


    This is the usual development.


    "The man who has no blessing but is foolishly getting on with himself is righteously condemned by a person who has received the blessing of the goddess Yona."


    It is very easy to understand good and evil. The group members were excited to see this entertainment.


    .............


    I fell to the ground and was met with ridicule. The sight of a man without blessings blown away like a leaf is a famous sight in the swordsmanship training of the Fifth Order.


    No matter how many times I rolled on the ground, no matter how painful it was, I never let go of my sword. It was a sight that was so comical to the others that it stimulated their fascination with swordsmanship.


    "Oh, my God, he''s still holding the sword."


    "You''re always so stubborn, aren''t you? What''s the point in holding it?" S?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "Get up, get up, get up! Don''t sleep!"


    I got up somehow, despite the abuse I was receiving, and readied my sword.


    "I''ll be the next one."


    Another man wearing silver equipment came out. His face was full of amusement.


    ..........


    After the training was over, I washed my wounds in the well.


    "I am in splendid tatters today as well."


    I remembered a memoir I saw in the library at home once upon a time. It was the memoir of a baron in some country who had awakened to a taste for the oppressed.


    "Masochism," it was called. It is a story about a baron who finds pleasure in inflicting physical and mental pain, and lives in an aristocratic society while being ashamed of his own perversion. I was not very interested in the story, and only read a small part of it, but maybe I should have read it properly.


    I would like to learn from the baron how to make pain one''s friend. While I was thinking about such a useless thing, a voice called out to me from behind.


    "Rolf."


    The names for me in this Order of Knights were "no blessing," "bigot," and "scum. There was only one person who called me "Rolf" by name.


    <"Emily.">


    "Are you hurt?"


    <"Yes, It''s no problem. I''m fine">


    "Yes..." After a moment of silence, Emily smiled awkwardly.


    "Rolf, after a long time, would you like to have dinner with me?"


    <"Yes, I''ll join you.">


    ............


    "Oh, Emily."


    "Hey , Emily. Are you going to the cafeteria now? We are, too. We''ll be right with you."


    "Uh-huh."


    While we were on our way to the cafeteria, we met the members of the Owl and Crane  unit - Yeld, Raquel, and Sheila. Emily was surrounded by the three of them, and I walked a few steps behind her.


    "Congratulations Emily for your new position as captain of this unit,"


    "Thank you, Yeld. But I''m the newest one here."


    "Don''t be modest. I''m not sure if I''m the best person to do it. I think it''s only natural that Emily, the strongest of the bunch, should be the new captain."


    "I agree with you.  The commander is always praising her for her sharp opinions on operational plans and strategy formations." Raquel said.


    Emily answered uncomfortably. "Oh, hey, I''ve told the Commander many times, but it''s always Rolf who gives me that insight..."


    "Emily, even if the Squire''s opinion was somewhat of a reference, it is still your merit."


    "But it was Rolf''s idea that we needed a captain..."


    "Emily. It''s admirable of you to think about your squire, but I don''t think you should be giving the man any more attention than you have to."


    "I don''t think..." Emily glanced back at me and gave me a troubled look.


    I''m not sure what to do. I think Emily is a good choice for the captain position.


    The Owl and Crane unit did not have a captain. However, I explained to Emily that it would be better to have a chain of command in this unit, along with a number of reasons, and this was submitted to the commander, who decided to establish a new unit leader.


    The first captain was Emily.


    But it was also appropriate for Emily to be the leader of the unit from the standpoint of her ability.


    Yeld is a bit of a theoretical person, and although he understands the contents of the training manual, he is not able to think flexibly beyond it.


    Raquel has no aptitude for military strategy.


    Sheila has the calmness to see the big picture, but not the ability to attract people.


    In contrast, Emily had charisma.


    She showed a strong aptitude for lightning magic. During training, she wielded a sword enchanted with lightning, and her beautiful appearance combined with her ability to deliver powerful lightning blasts over a wide area attracted the attention of everyone.


    Her natural personality, combined with her popularity, gave her a strong charisma. I think that is an important quality for a leader. She has the talent to be a commander. With these thoughts in mind, we arrived at the cafeteria.


    A good smell wafts up to the hallway.


    "Is it a stew? The one with lamb meat. It''s a hit today."


    "And it''s just right for a cold day." Raquel seems to be feeling the cold, too, and says it''s chilly.


    "It''s cold, isn''t it? Isn''t it especially cold these days?"


    "It sure is cold this winter. When I picked up my walking stick in the morning, I was surprised at how cold it was."


    "I mean, it''s cold even here in the cafeteria. It never used to be like this before."


    "Is that so? I think it is warm here."


    It seems that wherever they are, people always talk about hot and cold. I was casually listening to their conversation.


    "No, it''s cold. Hey, you guys?"


    "I guess that''s true. It used to be warmer in the cafeteria."


    "Well, I don''t know about that , maybe it''s just my imagination."


    "Maybe Raquel is more sensitive to cold because of her thin fat."


    "As expected, Sheila. The one who has a big lump of fat on her chest is different."


    "Are you angry?"


    "What about Rolf?" Emily asks, turning around. She''s trying to make sure I can join in on the conversation.


    <"There is soot in the fireplace. It''s probably slowing down the heating.">


    "Well, soot makes it harder to heat the house?"


    <"Yes, because it reduces the efficiency of wood combustion.">


    "No blessing, then you clean it up right now." Yeld says casually.


    "Why? Rolf will have dinner with us from now on."Emily says.


    "The sooner you clean up, the better. And without him, we have work in the morning."


    "But why Rolf?"


    "Because he''s a squire who can''t fight. That''s not a squire''s job! He can''t fight, so why shouldn''t he do something else?"


    "Rolf is my squire."


    This is not good. The people around me are gathering. If Emily raises her voice here, she might be seen as someone who flaunts her power as soon as she becomes the captain of the unit.


    <"I''m going to go clean up, Lady Emily. You all have dinner.">


    "Oh, well, we''ll be eating. Good luck."Yeld says condescending.


    "Oh, no, Rolf."


    "Lady Emily. I don''t mind. I don''t like hard lamb meat this time of year. Good day."


    "Ah..."


    I left the cafeteria and went to the warehouse to get my cleaning supplies.


    The line about the lamb being tough was a bit dumb. I laughed a little, remembering the fable of the fox who looked up at the grapes just out of reach and said, "They must be sour anyway."

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 11 - Days without Blessings_4

    I cleaned the fireplace with everyone eating and laughing in the background.I have always loved cleaning. Whenever I felt depressed, I would clean my room without thinking about it. I would clean the room and feel calm at the same time.


    It''s called a routine, and depending on the person, it may be cooking or walking, but in my case, it was cleaning. But I had never cleaned a fireplace before. I had seen a servant do it before, so I decided to try it, remembering that.


    First, I remove the large cinders that remain in the fireplace. The ashes can wait until later. I can remove them together after I remove the soot from the chimney. Enter the fireplace and look up the chimney with the lantern pointed at it. The soot is sticking to the inner wall of the chimney. The upper part of the chimney is not so bad. The lower part of the chimney could be cleaned.


    I pushed myself into the chimney and cleaned the inner wall with a brush. Soot was falling off in little pieces. It felt good. I also used a long-handled brush to clean the middle of the chimney.


    After scrubbing with the brush, I turned the lantern to check the dirt. Then, scrub the still dirty wall surface again. After repeated scrubbing, the inside of the chimney was clean.


    I wriggled out of the chimney and cleaned the fireplace next. The walls of the fireplace were cleaned in the same manner as the chimney, and the soot was scraped off.


    Once most of the dirt was removed, I stepped out of the fireplace and checked it. It looked much cleaner. All that remained was to scrub the walls of the fireplace with a brush a little more, and finally remove the soot that had accumulated on the bottom surface.


    In the dining room, everyone had finished their meals and were chatting over a cup of tea. S?a??h th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s Arga, covered in soot," someone said and after a beat, a loud laugh erupted.


    "Soot-stained arga" is a derogatory term for a servant who is often dirty with soot. It is true that I am covered with soot all over my body. My face is probably black, too.


    The laughter continued unceasingly. Some of them were clapping their hands while shedding tears.


    It was easy to imagine the look on Emily''s face. If her eyes met mine, she would turn her head sadly. So I tried not to look at her.


    I was so sad that I didn''t even look at her.


    ...............


    Late that night.


    I trained behind the headquarters building as usual. Emily came up to me as I continued to swing my sword.


    "Rolf... here."


    She had a piece of bread in her hand. She had brought it for me, since I hadn''t been able to eat dinner.


    <"Thank you.">


    She handed me the bread and pointed to the wall of the headquarters building.


    "Here..." I guessed Emily''s intention and sat down alongside her on the wall. I talked with Emily while eating the bread.


    ".....I''m sorry about today. I''m sorry I made you do that."


    <"I don''t mind. The most important time for you is now that you''ve become a unit leader."


    "I''m only a captain now because of you, Rolf."


    <"That''s your misunderstanding. You have the capacity to become a commander.">


    "But..." She goes into silence.


    I finished my bread, but it would be bad for Emily to resume training like this, so I silently sat down next to her.


    "Hey, Rolf."


    <"Yes.">


    "This self-directed training, you do it every night, right?"


    <"Yes.">


    Morning and evening, to be exact.


    "What''s the point?"


    Felicia had asked me that question before.


    <"I believe there is.">


    "You''re smart , aren''t you Rolf? I think there are other things you can do, like military strategy and unit management. You even offered to make some organizational changes, like putting in a new unit leader."


    <"Emily, you''re the only one who listens to me. I don''t think I have a chance to be involved in running the unit.">


    "That''s why I''m going to have to convince the commander to..."


    <"Emily, I know you want to trust your superiors, but I don''t think the Commander will recognize my value.">


    "That''s not necessarily true! I''m sure he will if we talk about it properly!" Emily is persistent.


    <"I can see that you are seriously concerned about me. I''m not weak if I give up the sword. I can fight in front of the command table even without magic power. Isn''t that right?">


    "That''s right."


    <"But there is no one in the Order at the moment who would allow me to go in front of the command table."> Emily believes in my abilities, but the others have no reason to believe in me. I guess that''s what Emily doesn''t understand.


    <"And I don''t want to throw away my sword. Emily, Military strategy and unit management are, of course, a knight''s true duty. I hope I can be of help to you in those areas as well. But I can''t put down the sword that has always been my stronghold.">


    "Rolf is...that..."


    Emily spins her words as if she is having trouble saying them. "You can''t stop believing in the sword that has helped you for so long , can you? ... Isn''t it just that you want to believe that the sword you''ve been swinging will amount to something?"


    <"I guess so. The sword must be thinking that he has fallen in love with a troublesome person.">


    "....I see."


    Then, I and Emily stared at the sky silently for a while. When we were in Baron Buckman''s territory , we often saw the starry sky together. It feels like a long time ago now.


    "Rolf... I got a letter from your father.I..."


    <"..Yes">


    "I''m engaged to be married."


    "..........."


    "The eldest son of Viscount Aalbeck. Kennet. Do you know him?


    <"Yes. The Aalbeck estate is right next to the Norden estate. The eldest son is only 12 years old, is he not?">


    "Yes."


    "......."


    "Maybe, you know. If Rolf becomes a knight, and if he''s accepted, then..."


    Then I could take over the Buckman family and become Emily''s husband, as originally planned. Heartbreakingly sad, but unlikely. It is beyond the level of optimism. But Emily wanted to believe it, so she asked me to pursue a different path than the sword.


    What should I say?


    All I want is for Emily to be happy. But I guess it would be incorrect to say that I wish her happiness. I understand that. I know that, but I don''t know the right answer.


    I have never been ashamed of my lack of magical power, but I am still ashamed that I don''t have a single line of dialogue for such a situation.


    A sixteen-year-old man who has been engaged should normally be able to say something. However, even after frantically searching through my memory, I could not find a single line that I could use. I was running out of ideas, so I looked at Emily''s profile and decided to let the words that came out of my mouth do the talking.


    <"...You''re still a crybaby even if you''re a unit leader.">


    Emily turns to me.


    "....I''m not crying."


    "I''m crying."


    "I''m not crying."


    "But I''m crying."


    ".........."


    I really think the world is cruel. If I am a man who is not blessed, then why shouldn''t I be the only one to suffer?


    I can bear it any way I want.


    Why should someone else be sad?


    <"I don''t know what the future holds. But what I can tell you is that even if Emily accepts me, the winds of criticism against those without blessings will probably be greater than you think. Even if I were to be knighted, it is unlikely that I would be able to take over the family.">


    "Yes..."


    I say without looking away from Emily. I thought I should do that, even though my words were not very good. Emily looked me in the eye, too.


    "But there may be a path somewhere. We just have to look for it. To do so, I may not be able to just foolishly swing my sword. Maybe you''re right, Emily."


    ".........."


    <"But if I give up the art of fighting, if I give up my sword, somewhere I am convinced that this is where the path will end.">


    "........"


    I exposed my heart to Emily. I was  talking to her, but I was also talking to my weak self.


    <"I don''t know if it will lead to a future if I keep swinging my sword. But I believed it should. And now that I believe it, I have no choice but to do it.">


    "......"


    <"I am aware that I am saying what I want without any proof, but I have no choice but to do this.">


    "Yes... I understand." Emily nodded and answered.


    "If Rolf thinks it''s the right thing to do, then I believe it."


    <"I''m sorry, Emily.">


    "I don''t know why you keep apologizing to me."


    <"...Yes">


    I smiled along with Emily.


    I wondered if I was smiling well.


    After all, I didn''t know what I chose to believe in, even though it was about me.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 12 - In the Heat Wave

    "Are you a reinforcement for the First Order?""Yes. You''re fighting on the El Verde River , right? We''re going there too."


    Two years after joining the order, I finally had my first opportunity to go into battle.


    Even so, it seems that the group''s leaders are very enthusiastic because it is their first actual battle in a long time, and almost all of the Fifth Order''s military forces are said to be mobilized.


    Currently, the First Order and the demonic tribe are glaring at each other across the El Verde River at the eastern edge of the kingdom.


    The demon tribe side is trying to push back the First Order, the most elite in the kingdom, using the river as a defensive line, and the kingdom side wants to break through the river and suppress the fertile basin. The Fifth Order is on its way to reinforce the operation.


    "When do we leave?",Emily asked.


    <"In three days.">


    "That''s short notice. It''s a bit of a rush, but it''s a good thing they''re going to reinforce us."


    <"I''ve heard that the First Order already has the upper hand. But this is a strategically important operation, so they want to make it a rock solid with reinforcements.">


    "To make it a rock solid, huh?"


    <"It is said that reinforcements are needed to give them a chance to win the war.">


    "El Verde has been in a stalemate for about a month, but you think a good tide is coming?"


    <"Yes. Yes, I think we have a good chance.">


    "Conversely, if they miss this opportunity, they may find themselves in a stalemate again."


    <"The kingdom must do everything in its power to take advantage of the situation.">


    "Rolf, let''s do our best!"


    <"Yes, I will. By the way, who''s planning the march?">


    "The Commander in Chief is in charge of the logistics department."


    <"This operation is hard, not only the fighting, but also the marching. If you take the shortest route through the Belisus Plains in the middle of summer, the troops will be too exhausted. It will be necessary to march into the cool Schwell Great Forest. It would be easier to secure water there.">


    "I see. I''ll tell them to think about it."


    From then until their departure, the entire Fifth Order was in a flurry of activity. Everyone was elated, but they also seemed to be on edge.


    Although there was a break in training before the departure, I practiced morning and evening alone as usual and tried to maintain a normal mindset. The night before departure, I finished swinging my sword and looked up at the eastern sky. I wondered if there was anything I could do without magic power.


    Would I be able to find a role on the battlefield?


    I have to find out. I was thinking about the sky in the distant land where the First Knights are now fighting.


    ..............


    "Rolf, I''m sorry."


    On the day of departure, Emily apologized at the outset.


    She was probably thinking either that I should stay at home as I had received no blessings, or that my marching plan had not gone as we had talked about.


    If it was the former, I would be the only one in trouble, but if it was the latter....


    "The march route was to cut through the Belisus Plains. I insisted on the route through the Schwell Forest."


    <"I see. Did you say it was my idea?">


    "Yes..." Emily rubs the fingers of her hands together in front of her chest apologetically.


    "I shouldn''t have said that."


    "Oh, yeah. If we go through the Belisus Plains, we can get there in seven days, but if we take the Schwell Forest route, it will take about nine days, and we can''t go all the way around because speed is of the essence in the reinforcement plan." For some reason, Emily starts to explain to me.


    I don''t think that''s necessary.


    <"That''s right. I think you''re right about the importance of speed. The First Order is waiting for us.">


    "Yes. We''ll be leaving soon. Are you ready?"


    <"Yes, I''m ready.">


    The Fifth Order began its march to the El Verde River at the eastern end of the kingdom. But I was in no mood to be elated. The Owl and Crane Troopers were all marching with their commander. I pulled Emily''s horse and walked in silence. We had been walking for about five hours since we left in the morning.


    Emily, on horseback, calls out to me, "Rolf, are you all right?"


    <"Yes. I''m fine.">


    Looking around, everyone was less talkative in the blistering sun. Besides the squires, there were others who did not have horses, depending on the type of soldier, but all of them were breathing hard with grim faces.


    "I hear you''ve offered a route through the Great Schwell Forest," he said.


    "Would you have preferred to take a leisurely ride through the cool forest? No blessing."


    <"Yes, Mr. Yeld.">


    "Even though I was asked to go to reinforcements, it was a cool detour."


    <"I thought it would be pointless to arrive at the battlefield in a hurry if the troops were exhausted and useless.">


    After a small pause, Yeld raised his voice on horseback.


    "Hey, look, no blessing! No matter how tired you are, walking in a haphazard manner with your horse in tow, it will have no effect on the strength of the troops! Can''t you even understand that?"


    "Well, for a big guy, you''re pretty soft. Don''t tell me you get tired just because it''s hot." Raquel said.


    <"I''m sorry. I beg your pardon, Mr. Yeld, Raquel-sama.">


    After lunch, we continued on our way as the sun continued to rise. The Fifth Order''s footsteps gradually became heavier and heavier as the shimmering sun rose.


    As two or three hours passed, I could see that the speed of the march was gradually slowing down. Even those on horseback were speaking less and less.


    Thirst was pressing down on everyone, but unlike the Great Schwell Forest, there were no streams here, and water couldn''t be procured locally. Therefore, they had no choice but to drink water in accordance with their consumption plan, but already there was a shortage.


    The sun was shining, and it was taking away everyone''s physical strength without mercy. From all around, breathing labored and raspy, some people''s eyes were losing focus.


    "Hey, no blessings."


    <"Yes.">


    "You want to take a break?"


    <"No, I''m fine.">


    "As expected, the apostates seem to be good at lying. Well, I''m sorry to hear that. No more breaks yet."


    "That''s right. There is no rest in the middle of the plain where there is nothing to block the sunlight. And we can''t pitch a tent every time we want to take a break."


    <"I understand.">


    "Hmm."


    "But it won''t be all right. You are sweating a lot. I know you want to look good, but if you want to be a knight, don''t tell lies."


    <"No, it''s all right, Sheila-sama. This level of sweating is not a problem. But we must be careful about the lack of salt.">


    "Salt?"


    <"The miners and the like would take salt in the summer, but the nobles here didn''t seem to know anything about that.">


    "Rolf, is that why you told me to lick the salt off my lunch?" Emily asked.


    <"Yes.">


    "That''s stupid. What''s the use of licking salt if you''re thirsty?"


    We continued eastward, talking like that. The temperature was still high in the evening. The ranks were in disarray, and those on horseback had stopped talking with their eyes down on their horses'' backs. Nevertheless, the Fifth Order of Knights managed to reach the intended point of the first day''s march.


    But they were crawling along.


    The executives gathered around the leader, discussing the plans for the encampment.


    "Well then, please follow the plan as planned. Emily, the watch will be in accordance with the personnel plan. Please confirm with each unit leader."


    "Yes, Commander."


    <"Miss Emily, may I speak?">


    "What? Uh, yeah, sure, Rolf."


    Everyone was a little uncomfortable about the fact that a squire, who was only there for Emily''s service and without any blessings, could speak up, but I couldn''t care less about that. s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    <"We should have dinner without setting up our tents, and after a short rest, we should set out again and march at night.">


    "You mean we should make up the distance while the sun is still out?"


    <"Yes, sir. That is correct, Commander.">


    "No blessing. We are not trained to march at night. We can''t just do it on the spur of the moment." Yeld lowered his voice and said in a terrible tone.


    <'''' Mr. Yeld, night marches in the summer are a common occurrence in military history, and it is not an insane operation. It would be less dangerous.">


    "Just because it''s less dangerous doesn''t mean it''s not dangerous!"


    <"We are consuming 20% more water than planned  and we are using it at a much lower rate. At this rate, many members will be dehydrated before we arrive.">


    "Shut up! Don''t talk to me like you know what you''re doing!"


    This is not good. Yeld is emotionally rejecting everything I say. I guess he''s remembering that morning when he made fun of my dedication that we should take the route of the Great Schwell Forest. He is turning his shame into anger at me. But if we don''t do something, this march could really be a dead end.


    "If we had chosen the march route that Rolf had advised us to take, we would not be in this situation. We should use Rolf''s strategy here." Emily says, adding fuel to the fire.


    "Damn...!"


    I''m glad you have faith in me, but Yeld is on the verge of exploding at the mention of the march route. It was not a good idea to advise him directly, to the Commander instead of admonishing him. Just as I was thinking that, another reinforcement shows up.


    "Calm down, Yeldo. You''re right, it''s risky, but we''ll be fine. To be honest, it''s hard; to run out of water. Let''s just enjoy the stars and enjoy the cool of the evening march."


    "Yeld, I agree with Emily and Raquel."


    Raquel and Sheila seemed to have some reason left in them. They seem to be in the mood to babysit a child, but I wonder if they are used to dealing with Yeld because they have known him for a long time.


    Sheila''s line, "I agree with Emily and Raquel," was not aimed at me but may have come out naturally, but it was effective.  Emily''s smile seemed to have been a good push.


    Yeld nodded his head after a sigh.


    "I guess so."


    The Owl and Crane unit, which is positioned at the top of each unit, has unified its will. We can go now. The commander looks around at the unit leaders and asks, "Any objections?"


    No one raises a voice.


    "We will start again tonight. When you have finished your dinner, order your men to take a rest and rejoin me. That is all."


    Many of the men, including the commander, looked bitter, but it seemed that they could not turn their backs. Thus, the decision was made to march at night.


    The pinch still persisted, but Emily was smiling in a strange way.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 13 - Arrival

    They marched during the night and rested in their tents during the day. The Fifth Order of Knights gradually made their way to the El Verde River.In any case, the temperature was high and the march was still arduous, but it was still much better. The unit leaders reviewed their plans for consuming supplies and discarded the load, leaving only the minimum amount necessary. The speed of the march was secured even if only a little.


    Despite accumulating fatigue, the Fifth Knights continued their march, and on the seventh day after the start of the march, they passed through the Belisus Plain.


    Currently, they are resting in their tents, waiting for sunset. They will soon depart. By midnight, they would finally reach the El Verde River.


    Somehow, we had made it this far. However, the group members were still exhausted. And of course, everyone understands that the real work begins when they arrive, and perhaps with that in mind, everyone''s faces are covered in shadows.


    "We will leave then. We will arrive later tonight. You guys, brace yourselves!" They must understand that the situation is not good. The commander''s orders were also somewhat uninspiring.


    We started our final march towards the El Verde River, where the First Knights and the demons were waiting for us. We pulled our horses silently in the dark night. The Owl and Crane unit all have enough strength left to fight. They are indeed a very capable group.


    <"Emily, you have a strategy meeting with the first knights when you get there, right? Will we be there?">


    "Yes, we''ll have everyone attend. Thank you."


    "It''s a pain in the ass, but I understand."


    "Emily, what is your plan?"Emily answered Sheila''s question with a troubled look on her face.


    "We''ll have to ask for instructions from the First Order once we get there," she said.


    "Emily, you''re not transferring command of our unit to the First Order, are you?"


    "No. The other units will be under the command of the First Order, but I will take command of the owl crane unit."


    "If so, it''s okay."


    Yeld does not seem to have a good impression of the First Order at the top of the pecking order. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the kingdom''s most elite knightly order fight with my own eyes.


    "Rolf, what do you think the plan will be?"


    <"A crossing operation, I suppose.">


    In answer to Emily''s question, Raquel raised a question. "We''re going to the Dezel Bridge. Why are we crossing a river when there is a bridge?"


    <"We can''t cross the bridge. The reason why the El Verde front has been at a standstill for the past month is because neither side has been able to control the Dezel Bridge. Once we capture the bridge, we can hold both banks of the river. The fact that there is no victory or defeat means that the bridge cannot be crossed. The two armies are facing each other on the bridge.">


    "Squire, that''s why you''re going to bring in reinforcements to break through the bridge, isn''t it?"


    <"No, no matter how huge the Dezel Bridge is, there is a limit to the number of troops that can be deployed on the bridge. It is not something that can be breached by sending in reinforcements.">


    "But that doesn''t mean we can cross the river. El Verde is a big river."


    <"Normally, it is. But it can be crossed now. The First Order said they had a chance and asked for reinforcements.">


    "Yes, they did. Well, what do you mean?"


    <"Perhaps the opportunity is this sunshine. The Dezel Bridge is wide, but the water is shallow, so if the water level drops further from there, they can send a large army across the river by footsteps.">


    "Hey, wait a minute, no blessing. How do you know the depth of the river? ", Yeld asked.


    <"The Royal Geographical Survey Institute surveyed the water when the Dezel Bridge was built. I found the data in the archives at the headquarters. The data is 40 years old, but the Dezel Bridge was successfully constructed based on it. It was reliable data.">


    The four people listening to the conversation fell silent.


    "No blessing. You mean to say that you had read all that? We only had three days."


    <"Yes, I wanted to be as prepared as possible.">


    "...You''re not ready to fight, but you''re doing a good job," Yeld said quietly.


    I looked up and saw that the moon had passed the mid-sky. As I wondered if it was about time, I heard cheers from the group members who were leading the way. It seemed that we had arrived.


    As we continued on for a while, we began to see a few lights. They must have belonged to the garrison of the First Order. The sound of hoofbeats approached from that direction. There seemed to be three horsemen.


    Soon, knights in silver armor emerged from the darkness. They must have seen the flag and confirmed the commander''s whereabouts. They were approaching us.


    "Excuse me from my horse," he said.


    "I am Erich Lindel, commander of the 1st Knights'' owl and crane unit. Thank you for your hard work on the long journey and for your reinforcements. I will take you to Commander Tisserius, so could I please see Commander Tarian?"


    The youngest of the three, the man at the front of the group, introduced himself. He was a handsome man with dark brown hair and a fearless face.


    "Thank you for welcoming us. I am Emily Melness, captain of the 5th Knights Owl and Unit. There is no need for him to see you. May we please enter the garrison as is?"


    "No, it''s okay, Emily. I know Erich." Commander Tarian comes out from behind.


    "I beg your pardon. I am sorry to have bothered you, Mr. Lindel."


    "No, it''s all right."


    "It has been a long time, Erich. You are looking well."


    "Thanks to you. I''m sorry to disturb you so soon after your arrival, but I would like to ask you to attend a military meeting."


    "I understand. Let''s go."


    "Yes."


    Erich Lindel led the Fifth Knights to the garrison of the First Knights.


    (We finally arrived at the battlefield.)


    ¡ô


    "We''re going to have a war council now."


    The first knight''s tent is the largest of its kind, but it is not big enough to hold all of the executives of both knight corps. Therefore, the squires of the First Order set up a meeting place with chairs and desks in the open air. Commander Tarian ordered me to help.


    The First Order told me to leave the heavy lifting to them, as they thought we were probably tired from the march, but this was no problem. The First Knights were tired, and so were we, as we were all fighting.


    After setting up, we welcomed the executives. The commander, vice-commander, and owl and crane unit, the captains of each unit.


    On the First Order side, the commander of the unit currently engaged in battle was absent. Also, the commander''s seat was still vacant.


    "I am sorry, Commander Tisserius will be here shortly."


    "I understand."


    A few minutes after Commander Tarian answered Lindel''s words, a woman in her mid-twenties appeared.


    Everyone stood up to greet her. She was a long pink blonde with a light perm. She was about 170 centimeters tall and wore silver armor and a red robe.


    A heated sigh came from someone on the Fifth Order side. Was it because they had seen a beautiful woman of inexpressible beauty, or because they had witnessed a hero whose name is known throughout the country?


    The most powerful knight in the kingdom. Esther Tisserius, Commander of the First Order.


    "I''m sorry I''m late. I am Commander Tisserius. I thank you for your support."


    "Commander Tisserius, it''s been a long time."


    "It has been a long time, Commander Tarian. Your assistance is greatly appreciated."


    Everyone is seated as Commander Tisserius leads them to their seats. The squires stand behind their seats. There are three squires from the First Order here, and I am the only one from the Fifth Order. S?a??h th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    I looked at the Fifth Knight''s side, at the captain''s seat of the Fifth Magic Corps. There I saw Felicia.


    She had gained a great deal of magical power and had a promising future ahead of her, and her talent had blossomed in response to expectations, becoming a unit commander within a year of joining the order.


    Naturally, she was also knighted.


    Although the magic unit does not use horses, she, as a senior officer, was given a horse for marching. Perhaps that is why, as far as I could see, she was not seriously fatigued from the march.


    Felicia glanced at me for a moment and immediately returned her gaze.


    Then the dignified voice of Commander Tisserius sounded.


    "Then we will begin the military discussion."


    For me, Emily and Felicia, it was our first time on the battlefield.


    Our first battle.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 14 - Invitation to the other shore

    Looking around at the leaders of both knights, Commander Tisserius opened her mouth again."As you know, the El Verde River basin was taken by the Kingdom from the demons forty-five years ago. The kingdom built the Dezel Bridge here, but 20 years ago, the Demon Tribe took back the other side of the river, and here we are today. It is extremely important for the Kingdom to seize this fertile basin, which means that this operation cannot fail."


    The executives listened attentively with serious faces. Emily and Felicia also straightened their backs with tense expressions.


    "We are now trying to reach the other side of the river from the Dezel Bridge. The Dezel is a huge bridge, 25 meters wide and 120 meters long, but it is still too narrow for us to deploy a large force. We are in a situation where we are unable to attack."


    After a pause, Commander Tisserius announced, "So, I have decided that with the Fifth Knights as reinforcements, we will attempt to reach the other side of the river by crossing it."


    The Fifth Knights were in an uproar.  One of the captains raised his hand and asked, "What method will we use to cross the river?"


    "Francis Berman, the deputy commander, will explain the details of the operation. Francis, please."


    A gray-haired man in his fifties stood up.


    "The way to cross the river is by foot. We walk across the river and get on the other side."


    "What? Is that even possible on the great El Verde River?"


    "It is possible. The water level in this area has dropped considerably due to the long-anticipated sunshine. The deepest point is estimated to be 80 to 100 centimeters deep. The current is slow, and it is possible to cross the river by foot."


    Deputy Commander Berman explained to the captain and now Sheila asked for a remark this time. "Have you determined where the crossing points are?"


    "Please see this map. There are four crossing points. We will cross at the same time. Here, here, then here, and here." When the deputy commander pointed out the red circles on the map, there was a stir among the Fifth Order.


    Yeld''s face changed color and he asked.


    "All four points are less than a hundred meters away from the Dezel Bridge. In other words, they are in full view of the demon army deployed on the other side of the river. Are we going to cross the river in front of the enemy?"


    "Yes. The points at which you can cross the river are limited, and the basin is constantly patrolled, so even if you move the point away from the enemy''s main camp, they will surely catch you. If that is the case, it is better to move in tandem with both knightly orders."


    "No... but... Emily, what do you think?"


    "Well, since we are outnumbered even with reinforcements, it would be better to use our mass to break through instead of dispersing our forces away from the Dezel Bridge."


    "Yes, that''s right. I had just discussed this idea with Emily.",Yeld said.


    "Specifically, while deploying forces to the Dezel Bridge without interruption to keep the enemy pinned down, the crossing force would go to open a hole in the enemy''s defense line at four points simultaneously and push them until they reach the limit of their ability to respond...right?" Emily looked back at me.


    I silently nodded my head.


    "You understand very quickly. That is correct.",Deputy Commander Berman said.


    "Deputy Commander Berman, are you saying that you are going to send personnel directly into the river in person, instead of crossing it by boat?"


    "You guessed right, Commander Tarian. We will also have a small boat towed for the wounded." S?a?ch* Th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm... What are your duties?"


    "The First Order will continue to be in charge of Dezel. It would be dangerous to change the chain of command here. One of the crossing points will also be taken care of by the First Order. The remaining three points will be taken care of by the Fifth Order."


    Felicia raised her hand as the members of the Fifth Order looked at each other.


    "What defensive measures do you have in mind for the crossing force?"


    "Because you are going to be immersed in water, before you leave, we will give everyone support magic to make them resistant to thunderbolts. In addition, a mage will be stationed every five meters within the line to keep the barrier in place. Furthermore, the leading group will be equipped with a large shield."


    "I understand. Commander Tarian, I would like to make some adjustments to the Fifth Order''s formation. Each mage has a different effective range, so I will rearrange it to be optimal while considering the safety margin."


    Felicia''s recommendation was a reasonable one.


    Commander Tarian asked Commander Tisserius, "Commander Tisserius, is it alright with you?"


    "Yes, of course."


    "Then, Captain Buckman, will you do so?"


    "Yes, sir." Felicia nodded, and several questions were asked.


    After all the checks were completed and Commander Tarian informed the group that he had no objections to the plan, Commander Tisserius looked around and announced,


    "Tomorrow at noon, we will start the operation. The Fifth Knights should take a good rest. That is all."


    Everyone got up from their seats and returned to their respective tents. The tent of the Fifth Order was already set up. While everyone was walking away, Commander Tisserius approached Commander Tarian and spoke to him.


    "Commander Tarian, I ask for your continued support."


    "Yes, of course."


    "I see that you are all very tired," she said. You arrived earlier than expected, and it seems that you had a very hard day''s march through the Schwell Forest. Please take a good night''s rest."


    "Oh, no..." Commander Tarian stammers.


    We have come from the Plains of Belisus.


    "Belisus?I''m surprised you''re alright."


    "Well ,It went well."


    "I see." Commander Tisserius'' voice seemed to contain a hint of dismay.


    While I was watching the exchange between the two commanders, Emily approached me from behind.


    "Rolf, thank you for your hard work."


    <"Good work, Lady Emily.">


    "You can rest now. You must be tired after walking for seven days."


    <"No, I don''t think I can rest yet.">


    At the same time as Emily said "What?" Commander Tarian called out. "Emily, have your squire clean this place."


    "Oh, yes. I understand." Emily looked at me apologetically.


    It can not be helped. It''s not good to leave this kind of chore to the first order.


    <"Then, I will withdraw the venue together with the first order squires.">


    "Yeah. I''m sorry. "


    Just as she was about to say goodbye, a voice called out to Emily from a different direction.


    "Emily Melness?"


    "Captain Lindel, thank you for your hard work on the war council."


    "Thank you for your hard work. Please call me Erick." ,he said.


    "Okay, Erik. I''d like it if you called me Emily too."


    "Thank you, Emily."


    Since entering the garrison, Emily had been receiving glances from the First Knights, but Lindel seemed to have decided to cut in from the front with an open mind.


    "I had heard rumors about the "white light" owl and crane unit captain, but I had no idea she was this beautiful. And your quick and precise tactical understanding at the military meeting just now was brilliant."


    "Ha-ha-ha..."


    The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you have a good understanding of what you are doing and how to do it. Thinking about this, I left the place and cleared out the venue.


    Working with the squires of the First Order, we cleared away the desks and chairs. I talked a little with the squires of the First Order, and they told me that they had all just joined the Order half a year ago.


    When they learned that I had been a squire for two and a half years, they responded, "I see," and never spoke to me again.


    Felicia watched from a distance as I silently put away the desks and chairs.


    I noticed that every time she saw me being torn to shreds in training, cleaning up covered in soot, or being subservient to Emily, disappointment would roll over her eyes.


    I finished cleaning the venue, thinking pathetically that it was better to disappoint her than to make her sad.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 15 - Violence that pours down

    Before going to sleep in my tent, I took a short walk around the garrison and went up to higher ground. This was to see the battle situation at the Dezel Bridge. S?a?ch* Th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.Looking down from the high ground into the distance, I saw the bridge over the El Verde River. It was the Dezel Bridge, a huge bridge 25 meters wide and 120 meters long.


    On the bridge, illuminated by several bonfires, soldiers from both armies were glaring at each other.


    I observed the battlefield for a while. It was the first time I had seen demons, but their appearance was no different from that of humans, except for their brown skin, as I had heard. They fight in the same way as humans, making full use of weapons and magic, and under an established chain of command. It''s a good move. I think there is something to see.


    But the First Order''s moves are more than that. I was amazed at the strangeness of their tactics.


    This time, it is the kingdom that wants to hold the other side of the river, and the demons'' operational objective is defense. Therefore, they should just blow up the bridge. In fact, I could see that they intended to do so. However, the First Knights were preventing this with their skillful military tactics. It is impossible to blow up the bridge with the remaining soldiers of the demon army on the bridge. Therefore, the First Knights were fighting a battle that did not allow the demon army to leave the bridge.


    When the demon army retreated, the First Order pushed up the front line and followed them while maintaining distance and formation. When the demonic forces moved forward, the first would retreat while defending. This was done by rotating the troops on the bridge, making use of the army''s resilience, and never losing focus.


    Occasionally, they would launch a massive firepower attack aiming to break through the bridge, but this attack was made at the best time when the demonic forces had fully retreated, thus keeping the pressure on the enemy.


    Looking at the way they were fighting, it seemed that the First Knights had quite excellent mid-level commanders, including the unit leaders. The demon army will be reminded of the fact that the hardest time to fight is when it is time to retreat.


    "The First Order is very good at battles, huh? What are you doing here?" While I was watching the battle, someone called out to me. It was Raquel. Yeld and Sheila were beside her.


    <"I was watching the Dezel Bridge.">


    "You wanted to see the battle situation with your own eyes, didn''t you? You may not be able to understand anything from what you saw, but it is important to keep that in mind."


    <"Thank you very much. Are you all going to check the bridge, too?">


    "Of course. Unlike you, we have to be aware of the situation at all times."


    Then another figure approaches.


    "Oh, you are all here together." It was Eric Lindel, commander of the First Order''s Owl and Crane Squadron. "I''m sure you must be tired from the march, so perhaps you should go to bed."


    "Yes, we will. We just wanted to see a little bit of the battlefield. May Captain Lindel have a good rest tonight." , Yeld said.


    "Yes thank you. I just wanted to talk to him before going to sleep."


    Lindel said as he looked at me. "Emily was very complimentary about you," he said.


    "She said that you did a great job crossing the Plains of Belisus. That''s impressive for someone who graduated as an undergrad."


    <"I''m very grateful.">


    "You seem to know a lot about military strategy. Where did you learn it?"


    <"I am self-taught. I''ve always loved books.">


    "Well, that''s very impressive!" Lindel looked surprised.


    "But it''s not your lucky day to have to come so far away to fight so soon after you joined the group."


    <"No, this is my third year.">


    "What?"


    <"I''m not a man of talent and I have no blessings, so I''ve been a poor follower until today.">


    Sheila explained to Lindel, who had a question mark on his face. "He has not been given the blessings of the Goddess." she said.


    "I have heard rumors that there is such a person in the Fifth, but is it true? I see, this is the man."


    Lindel''s face, through surprise and bewilderment, turned angry. Then he said in a voice filled with anger.


    "What is someone dreadful enough to be not blessed by Goddess Yona doing in the knighthood? What do you think knights are?" Lindel lunged at me and grabbed me by the chest.


    "Why is a man like you on the battlefield? This is not a game!"


    <"I''m not doing this for fun.">


    "This is a battle between the holy and the wicked! It is no place for a man forsaken by God!"


    <"I don''t think so.">


    ".....! You!"


    I was knocked to the ground on my back.


    A first-class knight, he has a great deal of physical strength.


    Lindel, who was on his horse, grabbed me by the chest with both hands, brought his face close to mine and shouted, "It can''t be good! It''s not right that someone like you should be by her side!"


    <"I see.">


    It seems that behind his anger, in addition to his feelings of me being without blessings, there is also his obsession with Emily. As could be seen from his post-military meeting attitude, he had an extraordinary interest in Emily because of her "white light" and beautiful appearance, as well as the fact that she was also the commander of the Owl and Crane unit. He must have approached Emily to find out if she was interested in me because she had mentioned my name to him. And yet, the man she mentioned was, of all people, unprovoked. That was unacceptable for him.


    <"I''m just a squire, I am nothing more than that to Miss Emily.">


    "Of course ! Don''t you dare to say something so obvious!"


    Lindel''s anger seemed to have gone beyond its limits. He slammed his fists repeatedly into my face as he rode on his horse. His fists even have a murderous intent. I defended with both arms, but I couldn''t block it, and Lindel''s fists were stained with my blood.


    "You! Someone like you!"


    Like his approach to Emily, Lindel seemed to be passionate about everything.


    "I''m not at all happy about this."


    "Oh, hey! You''re killing him!" Yeld interrupts.


    "A man like this should not exist! There''s nothing wrong with killing him here!"


    "Don''t be absurd! He''s a member of our group! Just get away from him!"


    Lindel is pulled away by Yeld. He is breathing hard and staring at me.


    "A man like you...you can''t be here...!"


    <"Even if you say so, I can''t just say yes, sorry, and disappear.">


    I stood up, wiping the blood from my cut lip with the back of my hand.


    Eventually he calmed down a bit, and the fury faded from Lindel''s eyes. Then he looked around at us and said, "...I''m sorry for the trouble I''ve caused you. Excuse me."


    He was addressing all three of us except for me.


    Lindel turned on his heel and left. We watched his back silently.


    <"Yeld-sama, Thank you very much.">


    I thanked him honestly. If I had fought back, Lindel would have become even more enraged, and we would have lost control of the situation.


    "I didn''t stop for your sake." With that, Yeld also left.


    "He was a great guy, wasn''t he? Well, it doesn''t matter. I''m going to sleep now.".


    "Squire, you should put some medicine on your face so that it won''t be a problem tomorrow."


    Raquel and Sheila also returned to the tent. Sheila did not come up with the idea of using recovery magic to heal my injuries, but she did show enough concern to mention the treatment of my injuries.


    It would be better to wash the wound and apply medicine to it. It would be a problem if my eye swelled up. I looked at the bridge again, then headed for the medical team''s tent.


    ¡ô ¡ô


    "What happened to your face, Rolf?"


    The next morning.


    Emily''s reaction was as expected.


    <"I fell.">


    "How can you be like that if you just fell?"


    <"I know, right? I thought so too.">


    I had anticipated Emily''s reaction, but had not thought of a response.


    At this point before the operation, I don''t want to give Emily any information that could lead to her distrust of the First Knights, but even if I don''t tell her, she will know if she asks Yeldo and the others. I had no choice. There seemed to be no point in hiding it.


    <"I''ve displeased Captain Lindel of the First Order.">


    "Mr. Eric? Why?"


    <"Because I have no blessings.">


    "Just because!"


    I don''t want to say that he lost control of his emotions as a result of his adoration for you, and this happened. If I say it, Emily will think that I am partly to blame.


    However, I seem to have begun to understand the subtleties of love and romance, as I read from Lindel''s behavior that he was in love with Emily and noticed the reaction of emotions caused by jealousy. It''s a sign that people grow up.


    If I had grown up a little earlier, I wonder if I would have been able to say beautiful things to Emily while we were still engaged. In any case, I wasn''t able to do anything like a fianc¨¦, so I have a feeling of mourning.


    "I am not sure what I should do."


    I had to stop Emily from protesting against the First Order.


    <" It is not a good idea to get into a fight with the First Order now. We must work with them and win.">


    "I know, but I can''t keep quiet about this!"


    <"We can do this after everything is over. Now just think about the fight.">


    "??????"


    <"Emily.">


    ".......alright."


    Emily reluctantly agrees.


    It was time for the knights to put their lives on the line for the mission that would decide the outcome of the battle. This is not the time to be arguing about who got hit and by whom. Emily was well aware of this.


    In the center of the garrison, Commander Tisserius is explaining to everyone about the river crossing operation.


    The operation to put an end to the battle that had been going on for more than a month in the El Verde River valley was about to begin.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 16 - Watershed Operation_1

    Commander Tarian and the Fifth Order''s Owl and Crane Squadron were positioned on high ground overlooking the Dezel Bridge and the crossing point.Commander Tisserius took up a position on the Dezel Bridge. She is in command of the battle on the bridge. The First Order''s Owl and Crane unit is also with Commander Tisserius.


    When Lindel''s figure was seen on the bridge, Emily''s eyes were swarthy for a moment, but she quickly turned to face him. She seemed to be able to handle her emotions on the battlefield.


    Below us, troops are already positioned at four crossing points. One is a unit of the First Order and the other three are of the Fifth Order. The number of troops on the boats is limited, but the clique can send its troops without any restrictions. They will now cross the river on foot, which is about 100 meters long.


    In areas without bridges, it is not unusual to cross slow-flowing rivers on foot. There are also laborers who make a living as river crossers without boats. They carry their guests on their shoulders or carry them on their backs by using a doorboard as a palanquin. Like such rivers, the El Verde River now has a gentle current, and the water level is waist-deep at its deepest point. It is certainly possible to cross the river on foot.


    The problem is that this is a battlefield. Naturally, the enemy will use arrows and magic to obstruct us. We will defend ourselves with large shields and barriers, but the key to our strategy is to assimilate the enemy''s forces into the battle on the bridge and suppress their ability to reach the crossing force as much as possible.


    Therefore, the success or failure of the operation rests on the shoulders of Commander Tisserius, who is leading the battle on the Dezel Bridge. However, Commander Tisserius''s expression, which can be seen from here, is not self-conscious. She is said to be a top-notch swordswoman and soldier. She does not seem to change complexion just because of this.


    In contrast, Commander Tarian, who is stationed on this high ground far from the enemy, has a tense expression on his face.


    For the Fifth Knights, who have little experience in actual battles, the mission of crossing the river while being exposed to attacks in front of the enemy is a hard one. Moreover, they were tired from the march. Some of them seem to have lost confidence at seeing the demons for the first time. Some of those who are about to cross the river may wonder why they have to do this, having joined the Fifth Order just to receive an appointment.


    However, if they were asked to join the First Order in a battle that they had been fighting for a month and had failed to win, and if they were able to bring victory to the battle, the Fifth Order would receive a great deal of recognition. In that sense, too, this is an important battle.


    And those who had such thoughts and those who did not, finally stepped into the river.


    The crossing operation has begun.


    ¡ô ¡ô


    Commander Tisserius'' command was brilliant. She was able to strike without pause on the bridge, cutting down the enemy. The demons had to throw their forces into the bridge at any time, and their attacks on the crossing force were thinning. It was just as the kingdom had planned.


    Commander Tisserius has gone to the middle of the bridge to take command. It is a place close to the front line. It is not a sensible thing for a commander to do, but perhaps that is why she is called a hero. She herself leaped to the front line, wielding a sword enchanted with magic, and opened a huge hole in the enemy line by pouring fire on it.


    The Demon Tribe''s lean movements, which immediately plugged the holes, evacuated the wounded, and applied recovery magic, were remarkable, but there were absolutely few recovery sorcerers among the Demon Tribe, and even fewer if they were capable of healing seriously wounded soldiers.


    As a result, the demon tribe was short of troops, and additional troops were deployed on the bridge. Correspondingly, the response to the crossing force became even thinner. Arrows arrived only sporadically , and the crossing force advanced little by little, repelling them with their large shields.


    The shields are made of ordinary iron, but the vanguard troops holding them up are transmitting their magic power firmly. The arrow repellent barriers also prevent the magic-enchanted arrows without any problem. And the crossing party is moving forward steadily and has reached the middle of the river.


    "So far, so good."


    "We''ve already won. It''s a pity we don''t have a part to play."


    "Yes, we can control the other side of the river." It''s true that we have the upper hand, but I still don''t agree with Raquel and Sheila.


    "We can celebrate our first victory, Rolf!"


    <"I don''t know. Maybe it''s too early to think so.">


    "What?"


    <"First of all, we shouldn''t be sure of victory until the moment we raise the battle cry.">


    "You sound like something you''d hear from a big boy. You''re getting carried away with your little contribution to the march, aren''t you?" Commander Tarian said.


    <"I''m just making a general statement. The Fifth Order''s crossing speed is probably slower than Commander Tisserius had assumed.">


    When she found that the fifth was lagging behind, she sent a message to Deputy Commander Berman, who was in front of the bridge. Then, under the command of Deputy Commander Berman, the First Knights'' river crossing troops slowed down their marching speed to keep pace with the others.


    "...You seem to be trying to say that the reason we are slow is because we are tired." Commander Tarian asked with anger in his voice.


    It must have sounded like he was accusing us of choosing the wrong route for the march. I was tempted to say yes, but decided against it.


    <"I am sure they are tired, but many of them are in a situation where this is the first time they have come into contact with demons. I guess they were not able to perform as well as you wanted them to.">


    "Hmm......" Commander Tarian sniffed in a bored manner.


    I turned to Emily and continued.


    <"The most important thing is that the Demon Army has been holding the line against the First Order for more than a month without allowing them to break through the bridge. I don''t think it''s going to be easy.">


    As if waiting for me to finish, a roar came from the bridge. This time, a hole opened up in the first battle line.


    The magical troops on the demon side came forward and fired their "scorching spear" heat lances all at once. It seemed that they aimed at the timing when Commander Tisserius retreated and the pressure on the front line weakened.


    At the same time that the First Knights stopped advancing, the demonic forces also regrouped. The demons immediately organized their forces on the bridge and supplied response personnel to the crossing force.


    In addition to that, the crossing force was in magic range just past the middle of the river. Not only arrows but also powerful magic attacks were fired at them.


    "Damn!" I heard Commander Tarian grunt. Ahead of him, one of the crossing party was crumpling into the water.


    An "ice gravel" frosted gravel had penetrated through a gap in the magical barrier and pierced someone''s stomach. It was the Fifth Order''s formation. The surrounding people rushed to get the wounded onto small boats. They were able to retreat while putting up barriers, but that one might not be able to survive. S?a??h th? N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet another crossing party. This is also the Fifth Order''s column. The "Water Snake" Slam Whip attacked them with a side swipe. Three men were hit directly. One of them had his neck ripped open, probably killing him instantly.


    "What is Commander Tisserius doing? Don''t let the crossing force attack us!" Commander Tarian raged.


    But Commander Tisserius''s movements appear to be of a ridiculously high level. She was herself participating in the attack, minimizing the damage to her allies, while completely controlling the forces on the bridge and advancing the battle on the bridge, where the defenders originally had the advantage, to a greater degree than they had the upper hand.


    On the bridge, the First Knights also gradually pushed up the front line. At the same time, three of the demons on the other side of the river were cut to pieces by the wind and fell. They were hit by the "wind blade" Breeze Glint released by the crossing force and died.


    It was Felicia who released it.


    "Felicia! We did it!" Emily rejoiced.


    She was the first spear among the Watershed Unit. She is indeed the captain of the Fifth Magic Corps.


    Felicia immediately fired her second arrow. Despite her unstable stance, immersed in the river up to her waist, she was able to control the torrent of magic power and released a blade of wind.


    This was just barely avoided, but it served as a check. The enemy retreated and re-established the barrier. While the attack faded, the crossing force moved forward again.


    Felicia''s expression could not be seen from here, but her movements were not sluggish. Perhaps because her opponent is a demon tribe, she seems to have no aversion to taking lives.


    "Okay, Felicia! We can do this!",Emily said.


    "Hmph. I''m not sure why I''m so clueless about this, but I''m sure my fears are just unfounded. Squire. That was your sister, wasn''t it? I''m glad to see that your sister has put your fears to rest."


    "??????"


    I feel something strange. I feel like I''m watching a eerie scene right now.


    "Say something, No blessings."


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤!


    <"Lady Emily! Commander! Get the crossing party out of here now!">


    "What are you talking about, Rolf?"


    <"The river''s rising!">

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 17 - Watershed Operation_2

    "The water level is rising....? Don''t talk nonsense.", said Commander Tarian looking around.<"It''s true, sir! There is not a moment to lose! We have to get them out of here now!">


    "Rolf, just calm down. You don''t have the authority here to order the crossing party to leave."


    <"........that''s right.">


    "You can''t lose your cool on the battlefield. That''s why you''re still a squire, Rolf Buckman." said Commander.


    I exhale loudly and calm my head.


    <"The water level has risen an inch or so since we last saw you, Miss Emily. The water level will rise further and the current will increase. Soon the crossing party will be out of action, and then they will be swept away.


    Depending on the strength of the current, a human being can be rendered immobile even if he or she is knee-deep in water. The entire crossing party has already entered the river, with the front of the formation submerged up to their waists and the rear up to their knees.


    At this rate, they will all be rendered immobile, and the current will continue to strengthen, with each and every one of them disappearing into the muddy waters.


    Felicia, too.">


    "If you have any basis for this delusion, explain it to me."


    <"The basis is that the water level has risen. The tributary has been blocked, Commander.">


    "What?"


    <"Excuse me!">


    "Oh, Rolf!?"


    I slid down from the high ground overlooking the Dezel Bridge as if I was rolling.Then I started running toward the bridge. I should have realized this when I looked at the map. There was indeed a tributary upstream that flowed into the demon territory.If that tributary was blocked, the water level and flow of the El Verde River would increase dramatically. S?a??h th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    Felicia and the rest of the crossing party would be swept away.


    In front of the bridge was Deputy Commander Berman of the First Order. However, even if I tell him, I can''t make it in time. I would have to go directly to Commander Tisserius and ask her to give the order from the bridge to turn back the crossing party.


    That is the only way.


    I reached the Dezel Bridge, which was surrounded by the fierce clamor of battle.Everyone was fighting to the death, and I was momentarily overwhelmed by the tremendous enthusiasm.


    Voices instructing coordination, pleading for recovery magic, and reporting on the situation. Voices frantically calling out to those who were severely injured in the battle.


    I had just been looking down at them from a high vantage point and saying, "I know what''s going on." Yeld described me as "lecturing them with a knowing look on my face," and he was absolutely right.


    I felt ashamed.But I couldn''t stand still.I pushed my way into the crowd as if to collide with it.


    I''m really sorry to interrupt your fight for your life.But our lives and the lives of the entire crossing party are at stake, as well as the victory or defeat of this battle.


    <"Please let me through! Excuse me! It''s urgent! I have an urgent report for Commander Tisserius!">


    Pushing past the knights, I proceeded to the bridge. I pushed my body into the gapless space. This body, which is larger than most people''s, is sparse.


    I managed to get there with a few angry shouts.


    The pink-blonde beauty has just retreated from the front line. She instructs the front line knights on their next move and sends a message to the rear.


    "You! What are you doing here!" The angry voice belongs to Lindel.


    Ignoring him, I raise my voice as well.


    <"Commander Tisserius!">


    "Are you... the fifth squire? Not now!"


    It was a natural reaction. There was no way she could be bothered with the squires in the middle of a battle where she could not let up for even a moment. But it was an emergency.


    <"I can''t wait! Take a closer look at the river!">


    "What?"


    <"The water level is rising!">


    "!?"


    "Don''t play dumb with me! If you interfere any more, I''ll cut you down!" Lindel shouted angrily again. He did not see that the water level had risen.


    The water level had risen even more than before, but still only about two centimeters. Not many people could see it from here. The advancing river crossing party would not be able to see it either. But there was no time to wait until the situation became critical. Rivers rise dramatically in a short period of time.


    Commander Tisserius stared at the river, astonishment on her face. She seemed to have noticed something unusual. She said, "They''ve blocked up the tributaries! There is not a moment to lose! Get the crossing party out of here!"


    She shouted again, and Commander Tisserius raised her sword high to attract attention. Then, in a loud voice that one would never have guessed from her appearance, she issued the following order: "Attention all crossing troops! Retreat immediately! I repeat! All crossing troops fall back!"


    The order seemed to have reached all four crossing parties. The sudden order to retreat caused all four units to widen their eyes in surprise. However, the seriousness in Commander Tisserius'' voice seemed to have been conveyed. Starting with the First Knight''s crossing party, all units began to fall back to the rear.


    "The Sixth Squadron is moving forward! Recover while retreating the 4th! The next shift will reestablish the barrier! Magic Third, get ready!" Commander Tisserius immediately turns her attention to maintaining the front line on the bridge and gives the order. However, the expression on her face, slightly biting her lip, seemed to express her remorse for not being able to read the situation.


    But time was running out, as if to taunt her and us. The water level and current of the El Verde River caught the legs of the crossing party.They were stuck in place. Those who were still in the shallow water at the rear of the column were also stuck.It was no longer shallow.


    They had been advancing only a few minutes before, but now they were holding on to the riverbed with swords and sticks, enduring the current. They all had a look of frustration on their faces. But the current was only getting stronger.


    Even if they continue to endure the current, they will eventually be swept away, but they are unable to take another step. Furthermore, arrows and magic are directed at them from the enemy army. Unable to hold up their shields or wands, they were helplessly exposed to the attack.


    Our troops were unable to resist, and were being taken out one after the other. The troops on the bridge, seeing this, were overcome with a sense of self-doubt. It was only for a short time. It was probably only for about 30 seconds.


    However, for the First Knights, who had maintained their frontline without letting up even for a moment, 30 seconds of self-loss was an unbelievable blunder. Even if it was only a small one, there was a gap in the supply of troops to the front line.


    Everything seemed to be in slow motion. The enemy is retreating in front of the bridge. There were no allies in pursuit.


    Where the enemy had retreated, several crates had been placed. I pushed through the crowd and started running forward. Commander Tisserius also shouted as she started running. She shouted for me to release water magic forward. But she was too late. The enemy completely retreated from the bridge and fired fire arrows at the crates.


    I jumped over the crate and continued running. The area ahead was already deserted.Then I ran as fast as I could under the flying fire arrows.


    There were others running behind me as well. One of them must be Commander Tisserius. The rest I don''t know. There is no time to look back. I don''t even need to think about what''s in that crate.


    Gunpowder.


    I hear the sound of a flintlock arrow sticking into it. We hear a thud, a sound that arouses despair in our hearts. We don''t even need to think about what will happen next. After what seemed like an eternity or a moment, it happened.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤ A roaring sound.


    The ear-splitting sound hit me from behind, accompanied by a heat wave and a blast.


    ¡ô ¡ô


    "Agh!"


    I was thrown helplessly into the air and fell directly to the other side of the river. The pieces of wood that had been a bridge until a moment ago rained down on my entire body.


    Pain seared through my body. In other words, I am alive. Then I still have something to do.


    I whip my shaking body into shape and try to stand up. This is the other side of the river. This is enemy territory. This is no time to be lying on the ground.


    I looked around, but the cloud of smoke and the ringing in my ears were preventing me from grasping the situation. Frantically, I stood up and wiped the blood from my eyes. With my sense of direction gone, I looked around as if I were wandering.


    Then, for a brief moment, there was a gap in the cloud of dust that was covering my vision. Beyond the gap, there was a scene that I did not want to see.


    The bridge had been destroyed, and the First Knights, who were fighting on the bridge, were in a state of collapse. The crossing force was pinned in the river, exposed to the rushing current. The only options now were to be swept away or shot.


    The Royal Army was overwhelmingly defeated.


    It was a scene that no one could deny.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 18 - Watershed Operation_3

    The cloud of dust is still covering the whole area. I''m in the middle of enemy territory. I must act quickly and get out of here before the smoke settles. As the ringing in my ears gradually subsided, I sought out what I needed to find.The demons who blew up the bridge must still be at the foot of it. As I approached, I saw a few demons. It was the demons who had shot fire arrows at the crates. Apparently, the scale of the explosion was larger than expected, and they were moving around amidst the smoke, busily grasping the situation and reporting back.


    Their chain of command seemed to have been temporarily impaired. One of them is breaking away from the formation.


    I approach behind him. We are in the middle of a clamor of angry shouts. There is no need to move slowly so as not to make a sound. I quickly approach him at once and leap onto his back.


    "Gugu...!"


    While controlling my opponent''s arms with both legs, I wrapped his right arm around his neck. I grabbed the left back collar and squeezed it. With the back of my hand, I squeezed the carotid artery, stopping the blood flow to the brain.


    "...!? ...!"


    The demon couldn''t speak. After a while, it collapsed with a jerk. I quickly snatched the arrow barrel from him. I needed this. And one more thing. I looked around. It should be by the bridge.


    "...okay."


    There it is. That crate.


    It''s hard to predict how much gunpowder you''re going to use. You always have to have more than enough in reserve.


    I hid the fallen demon behind a pile of crates. I then lifted one of the crates onto my shoulder.


    It was about 50 centimeters on each side and quite heavy. It was probably not something that could be carried by one person.


    The edge of the crate pierced my shoulder. It hurt badly, but I couldn''t afford to complain.


    Then there was the horse.


    Before the explosion, mounted messengers had been riding around to give instructions on how to deal with the crossing troops. They must still be around.


    Amidst the hustle and bustle, I listened intently. I heard the sound of hoofbeats over the cloud of dust. I was walking slowly and carefully, because my vision was limited. I saw them through the smoke and approached them from the side. I had no choice but to go at once. I ran and approached it, and hit it with the crate I was carrying.


    "Agh!"


    I quickly snatched the horse, grabbed the reins with one hand, and started to run. With a shout at my back, I broke through the cloud of dust. I headed upstream at this rate.


    That time. When fire arrows were shot into a wooden box on the bridge, I ran toward the other side of the river without retreating. This battle was already lost, but I still had eyes to wager on it. That is why I jumped into the other side of the river.


    The destination was a tributary. I recalled the map of the surrounding area in my mind. The location of the tributary that flows into the Demon Territory side of the upper El Verde River was not far from the Dezel Bridge. At most, it was only a few kilometers away. If I hurried, I could reach it in no time.


    According to the map, the tributary was of a reasonable size, though naturally inferior to the main El Verde River. If we blocked it up, El Verde would become a torrent.


    Why didn''t I notice it?


    When we anticipated the crossing operation. During the military discussions. There were many chances to notice. In the first place, why didn''t I suspect the possibility that the demon army was reading the crossing operation?


    Since I had noticed it, it was obvious that they would have noticed it too. If so, it was only natural that they would take countermeasures.


    Cursing my own stupidity, I drove my horse as fast as I could. I wondered if Felicia and the rest of the team were still holding on. I have no choice but to believe that they are.


    The strategy to nail the enemy forces to the Dezel Bridge is no longer available, but after the explosion, the enemy has lost their chain of command. If the crossing force regains its freedom of action, there is still a chance for survival, whether they turn back or cross the bridge.


    The tributaries are now in sight. And the appearance of the Demon Army''s craft unit is also visible. The defense is thin. They probably did not expect the enemy to attack here. Arrows were being fired at me, but I ducked down and just kept going in.


    There was no time to waste.


    <"Guu ...!">


    One of the arrows pierced my left shoulder. My head exploded with pain and my vision shook, but I kept going. The crate I''m carrying is just barely digging into my right shoulder.


    Almost there!


    Just when I think that, the horse neighs violently. The horse had been hit by an arrow. The horse fell forward and threw its body toward the demon''s craft unit. The craft unit avoided that and scattered to the ground. I, who had fallen from my horse, immediately got up and started running toward the tributary.


    I felt a sharp pain in my body. Some bones might have been broken by the impact. I reached the riverbank and peered down. The tributary was flowing about four meters below me.


    No, to be precise, it was not flowing. Sandbags were piled high, damming up the water flow. A demon saboteur came running toward me with his sword drawn. I made up my mind and jumped down onto the pile of sandbags, carrying the crate.


    <"Ggh!">


    I descend, or rather fall, onto the sandbags. My whole body is in tatters. But all I could think of was Felicia and the others enduring the torrent.


    "Please, Felicia and the others. Please hold on." S?a??h the N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    I put the crate on top of the sandbags and pulled a flaming arrow from the quiver on my back. Paper powder was wrapped around the base of the arrowhead, and yellow phosphorus was coated on the ignition part. I know how to handle it. It was a good thing I had researched the armament of the demon tribe. Friction against the yellow phosphorus ignites the fire. I rubbed the flintlock with the sole of my shoe. The arrowhead started to burn with a squealing sound.


    I looked at the wooden box. I wondered what was inside this wooden box. If the box is packed with gunpowder, it will explode the moment the arrow is inserted. If there is a gap, there will be some time before it explodes.


    What about the explosion on the bridge earlier? Was there a pause before the explosion after the sound of the fire arrow piercing the crate behind me?


    I can''t remember.


    But what does it matter?


    There was nothing to do but to pierce the arrow anyway.


    When I looked up, I saw that the craft unit had reached the riverbank. And when they saw the flaming arrow in my hand, they froze.


    <"What do you say? Do you like fireworks? Or something like that.">


    I don''t care if I say it when I''m about to blow them up, I''m the one who''s going to blow them up. Before I can make a judgment call, I let the arrow drop. With a clang, the arrowhead bites into the crate. I quickly jump from the pile of sandbags into the tributary.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤As soon as I entered the river, there was a roar.


    The explosion at close range sent a tremendous shock slamming me into the water. A heat wave hit the surface of the water and the blast created a torrent in the water. I was like a piece of hand cloth thrown into a tornado, unable to resist at all, my entire body being tossed about by the torrent.


    Sandbags were ripped to shreds, and large amounts of sand were scattered around me. The water rushing in at once swallowed the sand and turned it into a steady localized mudslide. I was being moved around like a leaf in the water, and the mudslide slammed into me. I felt a shock on my back as if I had been attacked by a rampaging bull. Or was it my stomach? I am no longer sure.


    The torrent tried to grip my whole body, and the next moment it tried to rip me to pieces. I don''t know what position I''m in or which way I''m facing. I don''t even know if my limbs are attached.


    I can''t breathe. I can''t even open my eyes. Even if I open my eyes, my vision is only covered by what looks like sand and soil, and my brain cannot process any visual information to begin with.


    The water flowing into tributaries one after another kicked me away like a stone on the side of the road, and headed downstream.


    Anyway, the water is flowing in. The fact that I was being swept down the tributary was the best proof of this.


    My life was in danger, but I did what I had to do.


    I unblocked the tributary.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 19 - Watershed Operation_4

    "Gee-ho! Gah-hoo! Gahaha! ?????? hah... hah!"How long had I been swept away? I drifted downstream to the riverbank, and I was out of oxygen.


    Beyond the riverbank, the dry land spread out. The sun was shining overhead. Everything in sight was so desolate that for a moment I thought I was in the afterlife.


    But I am alive. My whole body aches, and I even have an arrow in my shoulder to prove it.


    This arrow, which was shot by a demon craft unit before I entered the tributary, was broken off near the base.


    Well, of course. I grasped the few remaining shaft parts with my right hand.


    "Gghhhh!"


    I pulled it out with all my might. Then I threw the broken arrow and fell on my back.


    "Huh...huh..."


    I checked my condition. For the time being, my limbs are fine. But by "safe," I mean "properly attached."


    First of all, my left arm is broken. The little fingers of my left and right hands are also broken. In addition to the arrow wound in my shoulder, there are lacerations and contusions all over.


    As for the legs, the bones seem to be intact. My right ankle seems to be sprained and is quite painful, but I should be able to walk.


    Also, a rib is broken. Probably not just one.


    "Sigh...whew..."


    Even in this condition, I am still alive. It must be close to a miracle. I''m a man who hasn''t been given a blessing.


    If it wasn''t God''s blessing, what protected me?


    "?????????"


    I look up at the sky while lying on the ground. I don''t even want to move my fingertips anymore. I am terribly tired. I''m drowsy.


    I quietly close my eyes. I let go of my consciousness. I let my thoughts fade away.


    I melt my body in the pleasant darkness....


    ?????????


    ?????????


    ?????????


    ?????????


    "...Well, it doesn''t work that way, does it?"


    I stand up with my hands on the ground. This is the first time in my life that I have woken up that required such mental strength. I got up and checked the position of the sun.


    "The El Verde River is... that way."


    ¡ô ¡ô


    I continued walking through the deserted wilderness.It was almost dusk, but the sun still did not want to do anything about it. The sun had not yet taken its toll, and my soaking wet body was already dry.


    Since my leather armor was half destroyed, I took it apart and used it as a brace for my broken arm, discarding the rest. My body, which should have been lighter because of this, was as heavy as lead. Sweat seeping from my entire body licked the wound, causing intense pain. Even though I had drank enough water earlier, my throat was sticking to my thirst. My broken ribs screamed as I gasped for breath in the heat.


    My sprained right ankle throbs and aches.The arrow wound in my shoulder aches slowly.The wound on my head opens and blood trickles down my face.


    I keep walking even in this condition because I have no choice but to do so.


    "Today... is a memorable day..."


    I had the rare experience of gunpowder exploding behind me. Twice in one day.


    "It''s a rare experience..."


    There won''t be a third time, I''m sure. Anyway, I''m lucky to be alive. And I was also lucky to be alive when the river washed me away. It''s a small tributary compared to the El Verde River.


    I wonder if Felicia and the others who were enduring the current on the El Verde  survived. Not much time had passed between the bridge explosion and the release of the tributary.


    I had ridden a horse into the tributary, which was only a few kilometers away, and plunged straight into it to blow up the weir.


    It would only take a few minutes. I think I made it in time. If they had survived the enemy''s attack, they would have been saved.


    I believe so.


    ¡ô ¡ô


    I wondered how far I had walked. As darkness fell, I saw a number of tents ahead of me.


    They were garrisons.


    Since I had been swept down the tributary that divides the demon territory and walked in the direction of the El Verde River, it was naturally the garrison of the demon army.


    This meant that I had struck it from behind.


    I approached cautiously. I approached the camp, hiding in the bushes, and crossed the fence to enter the camp. I noticed that there were strangely few demons there.


    The garrison was on a hill behind us. The entire garrison could be seen in front of us, with the El Verde River stretching out beyond. I stepped out in front of the hill and looked around the battlefield, taking care to be aware of my surroundings. The sight I saw took my breath away.


    The royal army was fighting. They had already entered this garrison. It seemed that the crossing force had completed the river crossing.


    The demon army, which had been attacked up to this point, was mobilizing all of its forces to fight back. That is why there were few demons around here.


    After the bridge was blown up, victory was in sight. However, as expected, the enemy resistance within the garrison was fierce. The Royal Army was also unable to attack the garrison with just one more step.


    If this is the case, what I would have to do would be diversion and distraction. I would draw the enemy back to the rear of the garrison and thin the front line. I looked around and saw four horses tied up.


    Let''s borrow that.


    Next, I looked for a bonfire. The sun was already setting, so it was easy to find. The bonfire of the demon tribe consisted of several torches pushed into an iron basket. I knocked down the basket and took out four torches that were lit on fire.


    With these, I approached the horse and strapped them to the saddle. The horse was a little rough, but I asked him to bear with it.


    "Don''t worry, you won''t get burned."


    Besides, I''ve been through more pain and heat today than you. Then I let go of the horses and let all four run. The horses go wild with the fire, running into the tent and setting it on fire. I sent the horses off, and next I searched the deserted tent .


    What I found was an arrowhead. It was the same as the one I had used earlier in the tributary. I also borrowed a bow.


    Then I shot fire arrows one after another from the high ground. I gripped the bow with my broken arm, but of course, I couldn''t aim. However, it was not difficult to shoot into the tent, which was not moving.


    Since the goal was to distract them, it was enough if I could ignite the tent, just as the horses had done.


    In no time at all, the horses and fire arrows started to catch fire from various locations in the rear of the garrison.


    The front line of the demon army was instantly disrupted. They must have thought they were being pincer attacked.


    Well, actually, it was a pincer attack. The only one behind them is a man with a broken arm. S?a?ch* Th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    The royal army immediately deals a crushing blow to the disrupted ranks.


    The pink blonde knight at the front can be seen clearly from here. Commander Tisserius had also come to the front. Her magic sword spurts out fire, further breaking the ranks of the demons.


    There was one more conspicuous person in the royal army.


    A flaxen-haired knight.


    She was wearing a thunderbolt on her sword, and with a single swing, she cut down several enemies.


    "Emily?"


    Why is she coming to this side? As I questioned, "Frost Gravel" rained down on the demon tribe. Beyond it, I saw Felicia holding up her staff.


    I was glad to see her.


    "You''re safe." I exhaled loudly in relief.


    The broken ribs ached, but it didn''t matter. I was so glad that Felicia was okay.


    The battle was now entering its final phase. The kingdom''s army cut into the front line of the demon tribe, which had been thinned out by the diversionary tactics.


    "Alright...I''ll go too."


    I moved my body, which screamed so much that I could no longer tell which pain was where, and descended from the high ground. The fire that was rising from everywhere was staining my scarred face red, and I looked around cautiously.


    Enemy troops were returning to the rear of the camp, and I could see them everywhere. I proceeded quietly, hiding in the shadows so as not to be spotted.


    I looked for enemy soldiers who were relatively lightly armed, on horseback, and as far away from the troops as possible.


    I said to myself, "I can''t go for that one. That one is no good."


    After continuing my search without making any compromises, I found one horseman who met my requirements. He was at the tail end of a four-rider force, a little behind the line.


    "Let''s go with that one."


    I approached from the shadows. I had already taken the horses once today. I had carried a gunpowder box then, but now I was using my bare hands.


    It will go more smoothly than before. No, I didn''t break any bones earlier.


    Well, it doesn''t matter. You''ll know if you try. You just have to do it. With that thought in mind, I attacked from the side at once.


    "!?"


    The enemy''s face twisted in surprise, and he reflexively swung down the spear in his hand. But I was already in his pocket. I caught the handle of the spear with my right shoulder and pulled the enemy down from the horse.


    "Gghh!"


    At the sound of that voice, the three riders in front of me turned around. I quickly mounted my horse, turned, and rode toward the front line.


    "Wait, you!"


    I ran with the enemy''s angry shouts at my back. It worked. I knew I could use the hands-on experience. I was able to take the horse with the same movement as the first time.


    But I was able to get to him first, so I was able to get by, but if the enemy had a sword in his hand instead of a spear, I might have been in trouble.


    I will be careful next time.


    I ran with the enemy who was in pursuit of me. I could see the two armies fighting in front of me. That is the front line.


    I put my heel on my horse and rushed into the front line. The enemy was wary of a pincer attack. However, they did not seem to have anticipated that a cavalryman would rush into the front line from the rear.


    The cavalry charged through the ranks of the demon tribe, which had been caught off guard, slashing them in half. They kept their heads low and ran through at full speed. No one in their own ranks was aiming arrows or magic at them. And, as a result of the rear disturbances that siphoned off the front line troops, the enemy line was still thin.


    Consequently, I broke through the enemy force. I traversed the enemy line and arrived at my own army.


    Emily and Commander Tisserius were in the front line of the royal army. I approached them and dismounted from my horse.


    My legs were no longer strong enough, and I failed to dismount, falling to both knees.


    "Why did that man come from the other side?"


    "He''s all in tatters.... What happened?" A voice came from the ranks of the Royal Army.


    Emily was stunned.


    "Rolf Buckman ... Did you do it?" Commander Tisserius said.


    This person know my name? I wonder if Emily told her. No, does it matter now?


    I can''t get my thoughts together in any way.


    But anyway, I''m back to my own army.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 20 - Engagement

    "Rolf! Are you okay?"<"Yes, I''m fine, Miss Emily.">


    "You don''t look so good."


    Commander Tisserius has a point. A man covered in blood and with broken bones is not okay. But we have more important things to talk about.


    <"No problem. But, Commander Tisserius, please move down the left flank.">


    "What?"


    "Hey! Don''t show up here out of the blue and interrupt my troops!" The one who shouted angrily was Eric Lindel, commander of the First Order''s owl-and-crane unit.


    Had he come to the other side of the river, too?


    <"Before coming here, I checked the terrain from the high ground at the back. The only route of retreat for the enemy is to go up to the high ground from the left flank and exit the garrison from the rear.">


    "If that is the case, then the left flank can''t be lowered any further!"


    <"No, if we block the enemy''s retreat and leave them trapped, our losses will increase. We should make them retreat.">


    "I understand. Boris! Move the left flank back! Second squad to the center and the rest to the rear to regroup!"


    <"Huh!">


    A man called Boris, who appeared to be a temporary adjutant, sent a message to the left flank.


    This surprised me. Commander Tisserius accepted my advice without hesitation. Emily and Lindel''s eyes flashed.


    "Commander! Do not listen to this man! This man is a fool and a coward, and he has no blessings!"


    "Eric. The enemy is well-trained and has the advantage of the ground. If we engage in a war of extermination, our losses will exceed the acceptable range. We will win by driving the enemy into retreat. This is our decision."


    "...! I understand." After convincing Lindel, Commander Tisserius raised her sword and gave the order.


    "All units in the center will push the enemy in! Go!"


    "Oh, oh, oh!"


    As she brings her troops forward, Commander Tisserius turns to Emily.


    "The troops on the left flank will also turn to the center, so we have enough troops on the front line. I will retreat to the vicinity of the garrison entrance. Captain Melness, I want you to come with your followers."


    "Okay. Rolf, let''s retreat. Shall we go to the recovery team?"


    <"Yes, Miss Emily.">


    The recovery magic can seal wounds, stop bleeding, and restore some strength, but it cannot heal serious wounds such as broken bones unless you are a good surgeon. To be honest, I feel like it''s nothing more than a hot stone for me right now, but I''m going to go along with it.


    "Boris, take command here. Wear down the enemy and drive them back to the left flank retreat."


    "Huh!"


    "And Rolf Backman. When the battle is over, I''ll have some questions for you."


    <"I understand.">


    Commander Tisserius begins to retreat with her troops.


    I and Emily followed suit.


    ¡ô ¡ô


    I asked Emily on the way back.


    <"Emily, why are you on this side?">


    "You started running so fast, I had to follow you."


    <"What?">


    At that time. I was running toward the bridge when I noticed the rising water in the El Verde River, and Emily seemed to be following me.


    "I am Rolf''s superior officer!" Emily proudly puffed out her chest saying so.


    ''"If Emily hadn''t come to the other side of the river, I might not have been able to protect the crossing party. And that beautiful magic sword. I''m so lucky to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with you on the battlefield."


    "...Thank you, Mr. Eric."


    The heat in the eyes of Erik Lindel as he gazes at Emily. Emily''s reply was simple.


    Together, Commander Tisserius, Emily, and Lindel held off the enemy who were attacking the crossing party and protected the party.


    Normally, this would not have been possible with just three people, but with Commander Tisserius, the most powerful knight in the kingdom, and Emily, who had the greatest firepower in the Fifth Order, they were able to protect the crossing force for a short time until the river''s flow was slowed by the release of the tributaries.


    The chaos on the battlefield after the explosion, such as the disturbance in the enemy''s chain of command, must have also worked well.


    Thanks to this, Felicia and the others were safe.


    As a result, the crossing force was able to cross the river despite incurring damage. They then took advantage of their massed forces to push the enemy and attacked the garrison.


    While talking about this, we retreated to the entrance of the garrison. We then joined up with the troops in the rear of the garrison.


    "I am Captain Melness of the 5th Owl and Crane Unit. I need you to treat my subordinate Buckman."


    "This is ... a serious injury. Please come this way at once."


    At the same time the knight of the recovery team said that , A flaming magic spear flew in from the side.


    The destination of the "burning spear" heat lance was Commander Tisserius. The mages under the commander''s command quickly put up a barrier. With a thud, the flaming spear exploded into the wall.


    "Enemy attack!" Lindel shouted and drew his sword. The demons were at the point of his sword.


    "I can''t believe I did what I did and didn''t notice the ambush." Commander Tiselius bit her teeth.


    "Commander, it can''t be helped. We are in the enemy garrison. As the commander said earlier, the advantage is completely on their side."


    "That''s no reason." Lindel''s consolations were dismissed.


    The reason for this is that the enemy has about sixty men. While on the other hand, we the kingdom knights were only thirty.


    It was a bad situation.


    However, the ambush soldiers were supposed to have planned to bring in a pincer attack with the front line at the time when the Royal Army had attacked deep into the camp. It was probably the same for the other side that things didn''t go as planned.


    Indeed, it seems that things don''t always go according to plan on the battlefield. I have been reminded of this many times today.


    "Recovery team, move back. I''ll take the front..."


    "!"


    I felt a tremendous presence. It was something different from a murderous intent. A violent, instinctive, bare aggressive urge was coming toward me. If I had to find the right word, it would be "Beast."


    With my unbroken right hand, I pulled out my sword and slashed at the demon in front of me. A few tenths of a second after detecting the Beast. A demon appeared at the tip of the blade I pulled out.


    "What!?"


    The Beast-like Lord, who stepped in front of me in the blink of an eye, shouts in astonishment at the sword that strikes its neck.


    But the sword without blessing does not reach the body of the demon tribe. A few centimeters before the neck, the blade stopped dead in its tracks.


    After a few seconds, Commander Tisserius grasps the situation.


    <"Come on!">


    "Tsk!"


    Commander Tisserius'' sword flashed. The beast-like Lord avoided the sword in the nick of time. It instantly jumped backwards and returned to the ranks of the demon tribe.


    "What was that all about?"


    The demon was a woman. She was staring at me with a questioning voice. She looked even younger than my seventeen-year-old self.


    It looked like a child.


    The daggers in her hands were out of place. But the speed of the attack was unbelievable.


    "Rolf! Are you okay?" Emily rushes to me.


    "Rolf! Was that a physical enhancement by magic?"


    "That''s right. Don''t let appearances deceive you. She is a dangerous opponent." Saying this, Commander Tisserius put flames on her sword.


    The flames swirl around the sword with a roaring sound.


    "Blaze Thrust!"


    As Commander Tisserius thrusts her sword forward, the fire gushes out in a straight line, piercing the enemy''s ranks. S?a?ch* Th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.


    "Gwah!"


    "Spread out and strike Tisserius! If you stay together, that thing will get you! "The demons were also moving fast. They immediately attacked Commander Tisserius from both sides.


    "I won''t let you!" Lindel and the other knights under the commander''s command fight back.


    The two armies cut each other down, and the sound of sword fights echoed through the air.


    "Damn it!" But the outnumbered knights are quickly pushed back.


    "Mr. Eric! Get back!"


    Lindel drops back, whereupon Emily steps in and cleaves her sword to the side.


    "Fearswold, the lightning sword!"


    The thunderbolt spread out like a fan and struck the demons.


    "Aaaaah!"


    Several enemies were sunk at once. Meanwhile, the enemy mages try to release their magic. But Commander Tisserius'' sword prevented them from doing so.


    "Aah!"


    "Guaa!"


    She instantly judged that Emily and Lindel could handle the attack of the enemy vanguard, and she herself had already cut deep into the enemy ranks. And with a sword judgment that can only be said to be flowing, the enemies are slashed one after another.


    "Surround them! Surround them all at the same time!" The enemy shouted in a voice filled with impatience. The demons surrounded Commander Tisserius and slashed at her at once.


    Commander Tisserius did not show the slightest sign of agitation, and with a calm, even serene movement, she swung her sword in a circle around the group.


    "The ''Fire Fengrui Circle'' Leviaclimate!"


    Instantly, a pillar of fire shot up around Commander Tisserius, burying her enemies in flames.


    "Gwahhhh!"


    She alone has defeated nearly thirty of them. She has tremendous strength. In the battle of Dezel Bridge, she had saved her strength so as not to destroy the bridge.


    Esther Tisserius, the strongest knight in the kingdom.


    Her beautiful and destructive sword was truly of another dimension. No wonder she was able to defend the crossing force with a small number of men, including Emily.


    The expression on Commander Tisserius'' face instantly turned grim.


    At the same time, I sensed it.


    I swung my sword again. The sword again stopped a few centimeters short of the neck of the demoness who had leapt at me.


    "Ku !!"


    The demoness immediately back steps to distance herself from me.


    ''''...How can you react?"


    <"Somehow.">


    "...Yeah. Also, why are you stopping the sword?"


    <"I don''t know what you mean!">


    The woman leaped at me and attacked further. She skillfully maneuvered both daggers and slashed at me without pause.


    She is still very fast. But I could see. And she can lose. But...


    <"Aghh!">


    I have no defense at all against the dagger that has been passed through magic power. Even if I ducked the blade, the magic power wrapped around the blade would catch me. I was slashed across the chest.


    "Rolf!" Emily shouted.


    It didn''t reach the bone, but blood spurted out loudly. How much blood was still left? My vision was becoming blurry. It''s getting worse.


    "What? This is..."


    On the other hand, the demon woman is skeptical. She has never met a human being without any magical power.


    At that time.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤The sound of gongs rang out three times from the back of the garrison.


    "...!"


    The demon woman''s face twitched.


    <"This is the signal to retreat, right?">


    "Yes, it is."


    <"Then I think you''d better go.">


    "Will I see you again?"


    <"I don''t know.">


    "??????"


    The next moment, the demoness vanished before my eyes. At the same time, I fell to my knees. I was at my limit. I can''t move another step.


    The other demons were also retreating. Looking towards the back of the garrison, I could see the demon army retreating to higher ground.


    It seems to be over.


    "Rolf! Blood...! Over here, recovery team! Please!" Emily rushes toward us, shouting.


    Commander Tisserius, who was a short distance away, looked back. Then, fire arrows flew toward her. It was probably fired by the retreating enemy. It was literally aiming for a blow, but it did not hit Commander Tisserius, but hit the tent behind her.


    The arrow, enchanted with magic power, pierced the tent and was shot inside.


    The knights breathe a sigh of relief. They thought that the enemy''s last arrow had missed its target. But it didn''t.


    The enemy knows that a single fire arrow cannot harm Commander Tisserius. The fire arrows were aimed at that tent from the beginning.


    Through the gaps in the tent, I could see the crates, which I no longer wanted to see. Not just one or two. They were piled high.


    <"Tisserius!!">


    I ran toward her, shouting. She must have sensed an unusual presence in my swordsmanship. She opened her eyes and looked at the tent behind me.


    Then she understood the situation and started running toward me as fast as she could. Even with the magical barrier of the silver armor, the blast and heat wave could not be blocked. If that amount of gunpowder exploded at close range, there would be no way to stop it.


    Commander Tisserius runs toward us. I ran up to her.


    In the tent, I saw the fire spreading to the wooden box. Realizing that the explosion would happen in the next moment, I grabbed Commander Tisserius from behind as we passed each other and pushed her down to the ground.


    At the same time, I had an out-of-place thought, "She is pretty small." A thunderous roar echoed throughout the garrison.


    I felt a shock as if I had been trampled on the back by a giant, and my consciousness was cut off there.

 Vol. 1 - Ch. 21 - Bedside Beauty

    Fortunately, the place where I woke up was on my bed. I thought I had crossed the river to the other shore this time, but apparently I am alive.This place looks familiar. It''s the tent of the medical team. It was where I had gone for treatment the night before the mission, after Lindel had beaten me.


    "Hmm? You''re awake?" The assistant nurse looked at me and said.


    "Stay where you are. I was told to call her when you wake up."


    Who? Before I could ask, she left the tent. Her demeanor is sterner than the last time I was treated. She probably found out that I was not blessed.


    After a few moments, Commander Tisserius appeared.


    "Rolf! You''re awake!"


    "....Rolf?"


    <"Commander Tisserius.">


    "No need to get up. Stay where you are."


    Commander Tisserius sat down on the chair beside the bed, restraining me from getting up. She was strangely flushed, perhaps from the fatigue of the battle.


    "How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?"


    <"I think I have a slight fever, probably from the fracture, but I''m fine. Were you injured, Commander Tisserius?


    "No, I''m fine. You covered me up and kept me down."


    <"I see. That''s good.">


    "Mm....."


    <"...?">


    "Remember when you called me....?"


    <"I remember.">


    It''s true that I called out her name that time when I saw the fire arrows being shot into the tent.


    <"I was so spur of the moment that my innate rudeness came out. Forgive me.">


    "Do you also remember how you held me from behind and pushed me down when you made me get down?"


    <"I apologize again.">


    "Do you remember that?"


    <"Yes.">


    "Fufu ... that''s right"


    She is rubbing her shoulder, which I grabbed at that time. Her mouth is loose, but I wonder if she is the type to get angry with a smile.


    "I''m glad you''re awake anyhow. You''ve been asleep for a whole day."


    <"How did the battle go?">


    "The enemy retreated. There were some who insisted on a pursuit, but we turned them down. That was the end. We won."


    A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. It''s over.


    "Your superiors and your sister are safe."


    <"Thank you for your concern.">


    My, Emily''s, and Felicia''s first battle ended in victory. Everyone will return home safe and sound. No, it is debatable whether I can say I am safe or not. Well, it''s over anyway.


    After a short pause, Commander Tisserius begins to speak.


    ".....Just before the bridge was blown up. That moment."


    <"Yes.">


    "You saw it coming, and you ran for the other side."


    <"And you, Commander Tisserius?">


    "Yes. I know I''m always too forward, but it''s not normal for a commander to jump into the water in that situation." Commander Tisserius says as if repenting.


    "But if I hadn''t done so, the entire crossing party would have been wiped out. My body naturally turned toward the other side of the river."


    <"A decent commander would not have allowed his entire army to be swept away by the muddy waters. I think it was the right decision to go to the other side of the river at that time.">


    "Thank you. I''m glad to hear that. You thought of the same thing, before I did. And you acted quickly on the other side of the river, heading for the tributary."


    <"You were watching?">


    "Yes. You took the horse and ran down the tributary, carrying that crate full of gunpowder. When I saw that, I decided to bet on you. I decided to protect the crossing party until the tributaries were liberated."


    <"I understand that Captain Lindel and Captain Melnes of the Fifth were also crossing the river.">


    "Yes. After a few minutes of the three of us holding off the enemy attack on the crossing party, we heard an explosion upstream, and after a few more minutes, the current subsided and the crossing party was free to move on."


    <"What was the loss to that point?">


    ".....About 30% were either swept away or hit by enemy fire. As for those who were swept away, we have sent out a search, but have not found them."


    <"I see.">


    The damage was heavy, but it was probably the best result in that situation where the Dezel Bridge could no longer absorb the enemy''s forces.


    However, Commander Tisserius squeezed out her voice in frustration. "It is truly regrettable. I could not have foreseen the blocking of the tributaries..."


    She cast down her eyes and recalled the scene.


    "The crossing force was at the end of its ability to withstand the torrent. One more minute and I think it would have burst, and we would have all been swept away."


    It seemed they were on the verge. When I encountered the enemy craft unit on the tributary, it was a good thing I didn''t hesitate to charge in. If I had hesitated there, I would not have made it in time.


    "Without you, we would have suffered a historic defeat. I can''t thank you enough."


    <"The fifth crossing was too slow to begin with. If it weren''t for our mistake of exhausting ourselves before reaching the battlefield, we would have won before they blew up the bridge.">


    "If you had not advised a night march in the first place, the Fifth Knights would not have arrived here at all, would they? And before that, you would have suggested the route they should have taken, wouldn''t you?"


    <"How do you know so much?">


    "I asked the Fifth Krantz."


    <"Yeld Krantz?">


    That''s surprising.


    "And what were you doing after you liberated the tributary? Why did you come out from behind enemy lines?"


    <"I got swept up by a tributary.">


    "When you were blowing up the blocked area?"


    <"Yes. There was an enemy craft unit in the tributary, and I couldn''t afford to blow it up while keeping it safe. I blew it up after a forced breakthrough, and I was swept away into the tributary.">


    "...You really are reckless, aren''t you? I''m surprised you''re still alive."


    "Because this body is sturdy, ma''am."


    Should I thank those parents for that point? To those parents who no longer consider me a child.


    "And then you broke into the rear of the garrison and created a diversion, siphoning off the enemy''s forces to the rear while you rushed to the front."


    <"Yes.">


    "A praiseworthy move."


    <"What?">


    "To go alone into enemy territory with so many wounds and achieve so much. I admire everything you have done on this battlefield."


    <"..Thank you.">


    The redness in Commander Tisserius'' eyes. To praise a knights'' squire with such enthusiasm. This is the reason why she is such an outstanding leader.


    "By the way, let me ask you something."


    <"Yes.">


    "How did you learn to use such a sword?"


    <".....?">


    I don''t understand the question.


    "Captain Tisserius, what is that sword?"


    "It''s a sword technique you used against the demons."


    <"It''s a sword that I swung with one hand, only twice, and I couldn''t use my broken hand.">


    "But it was the most perfect stroke you could ever imagine. It was a sword that had to be swung millions of times to reach its full potential."


    <"Millions.....Oh, I''ve swung it millions of times.">


    "I see."


    Since I was a child, I haven''t taken a day off just to swing. However, I couldn''t do it during this operation. I''m going to have to increase the amount I couldn''t do for the time being when I get back home.


    "I want to ask you one more question."


    <"What is it?">


    "Why did you swing your sword against the demons in the first place? You can''t reach their bodies with your sword. You knew that, didn''t you?"


    <"Oh, you mean...">


    The hand naturally gripped the sheet.


    <"I wanted to convince myself that the sword would never reach them. I knew of course that it would never reach me. But I needed to experience it with my own hands.">


    "...."


    <"I know it sounds crazy, but I...">


    "No... yeah. I see. I know you do. You''re a man who thinks that way. You''re not crazy." Commander Tisserius agrees with me in a gentle tone.


    The most powerful knight in the kingdom understands my irrational thoughts. That makes me happy.


    She straightens up her posture and says with a serious and slightly sad expression on her face, "Rolf. I cannot interfere with the merits of the Fifth Order."


    <"Yes, you are right.">


    "Your merits are unparalleled in this battle, but you will not be justly rewarded."


    <"....">


    "....I can only imagine what you''re going through."


    <"No, I''m having a good time.">


    "Oh....I see."


    Commander Tisserius'' face breaks into a thin smile. She is a woman who is picturesque no matter what her expression is.


    "...Rolf, what would you do if you were asked to transfer to the First Order?"


    <"©¤©¤©¤©¤?">


    While I was thinking about the intention of Commander Tisserius'' question, a voice came up from behind her.


    "Well, wait! Rolf is my subordinate!" It was Emily.


    "Captain Melness, you''re here."


    "Yes, I am. Just now. I heard Rolf woke up. I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to eavesdrop."


    "No, there''s no door to knock on in the tent. I''m the one who should be sorry. I''m sorry for talking directly to you, overstepping my superiors. It was against the rules."


    Commander Tisserius gets up from her chair and says, "Forget it."


    "I apologize again to both of you for what happened with Eric. I am sorry. He has been reprimanded."


    <"What do you mean about Captain Lindel?">


    "It''s about terrible violence against Rolf. I told you I would protest." Emily said.


    <"Oh---">


    Before the operation started, I told Emily that I would protest after the battle was over. She actually protested. I feel a little sorry for Lindel, whose obsession with Emily shows no sign of being rewarded.


    "He''s always been a dangerous man, but I didn''t know he was that dangerous."


    <"It doesn''t matter if you kill him," he said while beating me. I am used to malice, but that was close to insanity. Frankly, he looks dangerous.">


    Since Emily went out of her way to protest, I''ll take the opportunity to give her a heads up. I think he is a danger to the organization, even without my quarrel with him.


    "Well... I''ll keep that in mind. But he''s a good politician. That''s why I can only reprimand him. I''m sorry if I''ve been a bit of a disappointment to you."


    "No, no..."


    Emily is sad. The actual fact is, even though it was an act of violence, the other party is without blessing.  Even so, Commander Tisserius reprimanded her subordinate.


    <"That''s enough, Commander Tisserius. I thank you.">


    "I appreciate you saying so. Now, both of you, I must take my leave." Commander Tisserius leaves the tent.


    She says one last word. "Rolf, take care of yourself."


    <"Yes. Thank you.">


    After Commander Tisserius left, Emily stared at the exit of the tent she had left.


    "Rolf."


    <"Yes">


    "When did they start calling you by your first name?"


    <"Just a few minutes ago. Commander Tisserius always calls her troops by their first names.">


    "Rolf is not Commander Tisserius'' subordinate. He''s mine."


    <"....? Yes.">


    I am happy to hear that the most powerful knight in the kingdom remembers my name. That''s all there is to it.


    ".....Why did you save Commander Tisserius that time?"


    <"Because we couldn''t afford to lose our commander."> I gave the obvious answer.


    "She was wearing armor. You didn''t have to protect her, did you?"


    <"No, she would have been in danger had she not gotten down and taken a direct hit from the blast.">


    "But....well." Emily''s face seemed to be filled with an emotion that was not quite right for her.


    "... Well, Rolf. The first knights are still here, but the fifth will leave here tomorrow."


    <"I''m sure they will.">


    We will record and re-examine what happened here. Make a draft of a restoration plan by summarizing various damages including the destroyed bridge. The troops to be stationed in the area will be organized and deployed in the basin.


    (Organize the battlefield.)


    The Knights of the Kingdom of Londosius are, in essence, the national army, and this type of work must be done well. The First Order will still be busy for the time being. But for the Fifth, this is not a duty station. Now that the battle is over, they can only return home.


    "The wounded members of the Order who are still receiving medical treatment will stay behind for a while. Rolf, too, heal your wounds and then come home, okay?"


    <"I understand.">


    "I really want to stay, but Commander Tarian won''t let me. I will be back soon."


    <"The knight, who is in an important position, should not be allowed to stay behind with the squire.">


    "......Yeah, then I have a meeting about the march on my way home. Take care. Don''t get up and swing your sword until you''re healed."


    <"I understand, Miss Emily.">


    With that said, I put my head on the pillow. I then looked sideways at Emily as she left the tent. She stopped at the exit, and after a moment of silence, she turned and opened her mouth.


    "Rolf....  Commander Tisserius said earlier that you would like to come to the First Order?"


    <"I won''t go."> The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that I am not going to go to the First Order.


    "Even if you are invited again?"


    <"Yes.">


    "....Okay, I''ll go. Come back soon, Rolf!" Emily smiles and leaves.


    I will stay with Emily as long as I can. As long as I am allowed to do so.


    With this thought in mind, I closed my eyes.


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