“Everyone, halt. The House Head will be arriving. Prepare to receive him with the proper respect.”
Just before they left the Galahad estate, Yukail brought the procession to a halt.
The Squires began whispering among themselves at the weighty title spoken by their Instructor.
“Th-The House Head is coming?”
“This will be my first time seeing him in person!”
Only Heria turned her head away with a strange expression.
Finding her behavior peculiar, Joshua asked her a question.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Ah… No. I am merely a little nervous.”
Joshua recalled the girl’s constitution and the Element she had awakened at an early age.
“Could you perhaps be the House Head’s…?”
“I am not! Th-This will be my first time meeting him too!”
Heria was an exceptionally poor liar.
Joshua decided to protect the secret the girl wished to conceal.
‘…If Heria truly is the House Head’s daughter, does that make her the fourth-generation descendant of my youngest sibling?’
She was family connected to him through the ties of his previous life.
Once he thought of her as a rather distant niece, even her cold exterior began to appear adorable.
“Everyone, silence.”
A short while later, Hector Julius Galahad, the sixteenth Head of House Galahad, appeared with dozens of knights accompanying him.
His epaulettes were embroidered with silver feathers, while the house emblem upon his chest was stitched in gold.
They were decorations that only the House Head was permitted to wear.
He was a strongly built man who appeared to be in his late thirties, meaning that he was currently at his physical prime.
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I am not such a rigid Count, so there is no need to remain so tense.”
“Yes, understood!”
Their response was even more forceful than usual.
“Your spirited voices are pleasing to hear. The Knight Commander was originally supposed to participate, but he refused, claiming that he could not leave the front line. Therefore, I will be accompanying you instead. I ask that you forgive any discomfort my presence may cause.”
“We are not uncomfortable!”
“If there is anything you wish to ask regarding the house or magic, you may approach me at any time. I place great importance upon the growth of young sprouts such as yourselves.”
Hector was a Fifth-Circle Mage counted among the strongest people of the age.
Opportunities to receive instruction from such a powerful person were exceedingly rare.
Every Squire rejoiced inwardly.
“Then we will resume the march.”
Once the House Head finished his introduction, Yukail raised his hand once more.
There were no longer any drug addicts or gamblers to be found in the slums outside Haradin’s gates.
Children in shabby clothing played tag, while women sold small assortments of inexpensive side dishes.
It was modest, but it unmistakably resembled a proper village.
‘Sezelin must have worked extremely hard. She truly has changed.’
The Count also praised her accomplishments before everyone.
When the person she respected acknowledged her efforts, Sezelin’s face reddened like that of a young girl.
Then her eyes met Joshua’s.
It was as though she were telling him that it had all been thanks to him.
‘I merely awakened the dream that had been sleeping within your heart.’
The boy answered her with a bright smile.
Around evening, they reached the hilltop village known for its simple, pleasant scenery.
The ogres they encountered during the journey were no longer worthy opponents.
“Everyone, you have worked hard today. It will be difficult for so many people to move together at once, so each Squad should find its own meal and lodgings. We will gather here again tomorrow morning.”
Exhausted after walking for the entire day, the members of the 1st Squad headed toward the marketplace in search of dinner.
“Leader, you said you visited this place during the Sacred Site Pilgrimage, did you not?”
“That is correct, Alvan. A magnificent view will unfold when morning comes.”
“Forget about that. What food is good in this village?”
Alvan had worried about their provisions even when their lives were in danger.
Joshua laughed softly at the sight of the boy, who had not changed in the slightest.
“Wh-Why are you laughing?”
“My apologies. The truth is that we do not know either. We merely slept here and left during our previous visit.”
“Then let us have roast pork with baked potatoes! This village is famous for its potatoes.”
Heria, who had overheard their conversation, suddenly joined in.
“Potatoes! Potatoes are the best! That sounds wonderful. Let us go immediately!”
Alvan’s eyes sparkled as he linked arms with the girl.
He even began humming, making it clear that he was genuinely delighted.
“He truly is impossible.”
Galev, who served as the Squires’ designated cook, clicked his tongue.
As though entranced, they entered a restaurant from which an appetizing aroma drifted.
Although the usual dinner hour had already passed, every table was occupied.
It appeared they had chosen well.
‘…Those two are….’
After ordering their food and sitting down, Joshua noticed two familiar faces.
They also spotted him and quickly approached.
“Y-You are the Brother we met in that village, are you not?”
“It has been some time, Clover. I am glad to see you looking healthy.”
“I have been training diligently with Father! When we return to Haradin, I am also going to learn from the Adventurer Guild Master!”
The man stroked his daughter’s hair before speaking.
“You would not believe how diligently my daughter is training to enter the Knight Order. I could not be prouder of her.”
“Please guide her into becoming an exceptional talent.”
“Of course. And… I have not touched a drop of alcohol since that day. Thank you once again for forgiving my past conduct and saving my life.”
Only then did Joshua remember the man’s identity.
He was none other than the ruffian who had caused a disturbance at the Black Rose’s Rest.
Joshua quietly leaned toward the man’s ear.
“You visited a brothel despite having a daughter?”
“I lost my wife and surrendered to loneliness… However, I have now come to my senses. It is all thanks to the mercy you showed me.”
“Please remain a good father from now on.”
“Yes. I certainly will.”
The man nodded, his eyes filled with determination.
It was a sincere vow without the slightest trace of deception.
‘…As expected, no human being is evil without exception.’
Even the drug addicts in the slums they had seen that morning could become admirable people if they were given an opportunity and a proper environment in which to reform.
Joshua had saved countless people because he had always lived while believing that truth.
“Then I will see you at the Knight Order next time, Brother.”
“I will wait for as long as necessary, so do not be impatient.”
“Hehe. All right.”
Clover displayed a fresh smile befitting her name, then returned to her seat and stuffed her mouth full of potatoes.
The Squires’ meals were served soon afterward.
“As expected, Leader is exceptionally popular.”
Alvan spoke while swallowing his saliva and cutting an enormous piece of meat.
“We all fought together, yet she only remembers Joshua.”
“Do not feel too bitter, Galev. I am certain she is grateful to every one of you.”
Heria, who had been chewing upon a potato, also spoke dejectedly.
“She ran away from me because she said I looked frightening.”
“…That cannot be helped.”
Her eyes appeared to hold the bitter winds of the North, while her jawline was sharply defined.
Anyone meeting the girl for the first time struggled even to look her in the eyes.
“Yet there is no one warmer than I am.”
“Then we can appreciate your warmth enough to make up for everyone else.”
“Joshua, you always avoid my eyes too. You are doing it right now!”
“…My apologies.”
In any case, the potatoes from the hilltop village were every bit as excellent as expected.
Once they had filled their stomachs and lay down inside an inn warmed by a fireplace, sleep quickly came over them.
Even Alvan’s tremendous snoring could not prevent Joshua from falling asleep almost immediately.
They followed the same road they had traveled during the Sacred Site Pilgrimage and continued toward Betlimier.
Spring appeared to have reached this region as well, for snow no longer fell.
With the House Head accompanying them, none of the monsters that appeared could create a dangerous situation.
Joshua and Galev fought diligently in every battle to prove the true value of the sword.
Hector did not hold back his praise for the boys, who reminded him of their legendary ancestor.
He possessed a gentle nature and displayed no hostility toward the sword.
“We will rest in this village tonight. We will reach Lombardia tomorrow, and the Joint Knight Order Combat Training Exercise will begin the following day. Therefore, we will now select the Squires and Squads that will participate in each event!”
“Yes, understood!”
Although exhausted, the Squires gathered inside a spacious lodging and listened attentively to Yukail’s explanation.
“In essence, the Joint Training Exercise is a contest intended to determine the superiority of the Five Great Count Houses, one Ducal House, the Paladin Order stationed in the North, and the knights and Squires affiliated with the Academy. If we fail to place among the top four of those eight factions, the support we receive from the Imperial Family will be reduced.”
He added that the results would also influence the honor of each house and help attract talented people.
“The exercise consists of four events. The rankings of the Squires and the Full Knights will be calculated separately.”
The Instructor explained the events in order.
First, the Individual Duel.
A knight would fight within an arena until one participant became incapable of further combat or declared their surrender.
Each faction could send two participants, and the rankings would be determined through a tournament.
Second, Monster Subjugation.
A Squad would fight actual monsters restrained through magic.
Points would be awarded according to the difficulty of the monsters they successfully defeated.
Only one Squad from each faction could participate.
Third, the Squad Battle.
The attacking and defending sides would be assigned at random and fight a Base Assault-and-Defense Battle within a designated location.
It was the same event they had practiced against the 2nd Squad.
Each faction could send two Squads, and points would be awarded only for victories.
Fourth, Live Combat Deployment.
This was the only event in which knights and Squires participated together, and it therefore offered the greatest number of points.
They would enter an actual front line and kill demons.
The more demons they eliminated, the higher their score would become.
“…That concludes the explanation. Are there any questions?”
“How will you choose the Squires who participate in the Individual Duel and the Squad that enters Monster Subjugation?”
Hannibal asked with fierce enthusiasm.
“We will make the decision based upon the evaluations the Instructors have prepared until now, as well as your own opinions. The current candidates for the Individual Duel are Joshua, Hannibal, Heria, Lunae, and Galev. Discuss the matter freely and select two people.”
The moment Yukail finished speaking, the Squires formed a circle.
Naturally, Hannibal was the first to speak.
“Obviously, I will participate. If anyone intends to object, I will roast them alive.”
“That is not a discussion, Hannibal. Could you first explain the reasons and evidence supporting why you should participate?”
As always, Freya restrained the boy.
“Because I am the strongest.”
“Do you not lose to Joshua every time?”
“Th-That is because he uses underhanded tricks befitting a sword-wielder!”
“They are not underhanded. He is simply intelligent. In any case, I recommend Joshua and Hannibal. Joshua requires no explanation, and Hannibal… may appear like this, but he is exceptionally powerful when the location suits him.”
“Precisely.”
The boy snorted and raised his shoulders proudly.
Alvan spoke next.
“I agree that Leader must be selected, but I believe Lunae would be a better choice than Hannibal. Lunae can use powerful magic in any environment.”
“Wh-What did you say?!”
“Calm down, Hannibal. Does anyone else have an opinion?”
Heria quietly raised her hand.
“I-I can also fight better than anyone if there are sufficient places to take cover.”
“Swordsmen will be stronger in Individual Duels. Therefore, I want to participate with Joshua.”
Galev also argued for his own selection.
“Then we will decide through a vote. Everyone should write the names of two people upon a piece of paper and hand it to the Herb Girl.”