“Are all knights such perfect beings?” Felt’s gaze flitted between Reinhard and Carlisle, her brows slightly furrowed.
She didn’t know why, but looking at Reinhard, she always felt the two of them were so similar—that dazzling radiance, formidable strength, and humble attitude.
Well, just from the first impression, she had already found many commonalities.
“Hey, Carlisle,” Felt’s voice held a hint of dissatisfaction and teasing, “What’s your relationship with the Sword Saint?…
Could it be siblings?
I don’t know why, but seeing her makes me as annoyed as seeing you.”
Carlisle was taken aback, while Reinhard let out a hearty laugh.
“No, little girl, it should be older sister and younger brother.
My age is a few months older than Carlisle.”
“Is that the point?!”
Carlisle said with a playful smile, “If possible, to be related to the Sword Saint would truly be a blessing in three lifetimes.”
Reinhard nodded, her gaze gentle as she said, “Yes, if Carlisle were my younger brother, I would be very happy.”
Subaru’s gaze was fixed on Carlisle and Reinhard; standing together, they looked incredibly well-matched.
However, Subaru keenly noticed some subtle differences.
During their conversation, she caught Carlisle’s eyes when he looked at Reinhard.
They were full of admiration—the unique adoration of a young man for a powerful individual, intertwined with pure friendship.
Reinhard’s words toward Carlisle consistently showed care for a junior, while also containing genuine friendship.
“Between them… there’s no romantic feeling.” A ripple of quiet delight spread through Subaru’s heart, and her earlier self-deprecating mood vanished.
Her eyes flickered slightly, and an indescribable anticipation and determination welled up within her.
“Which means… as long as I work hard and stay by Carlisle’s side, I’ll have a chance to enter his heart.” Subaru’s lips curved slightly, her eyes filled with resolve and confidence.
She took a deep breath, silently vowing in her heart: “Carlisle, I will definitely make you see my existence, and make you understand my feelings.”
Everyone present was focused on Reinhard; after all, the Sword Saint herself was present, so no one saw the girl making her resolute decision.
Felt, watching the two knights smile at each other from the side, felt her irritation grow even more.
“What’s with this overly cheerful personality?!
The light you two are emitting is going to blind my poor slum-kid eyes!”
Hearing Felt’s complaint, Reinhard showed a hint of apology on her face and said with genuine sincerity, “I apologize, please forgive me.
I haven’t chatted with a friend in a long time, so I got a little excited.”
“Hey!
Carlisle, don’t tell me the entire Knights Order is full of people like this, otherwise, I’ll really die from excessive inferiority!”
Carlisle’s gaze held a touch of helplessness as he gently advised, “Felt, you should be a bit nicer to the Sword Saint.”
“I won’t!
Having just one of you with this personality is already enough for me!
Don’t you know that being overly humble is a form of arrogance?!
Argh, why do I feel like I’m being an unreasonable, jealous person?!”
Felt’s voice was filled with exasperation and helplessness; she was annoyed at her own emotions.
She didn’t know that the reason she was so irritated was actually due to her unyielding, competitive nature.
Having grown up in the slums, she had always held prejudices against nobles and the wealthy, believing they were merely born into good circumstances and were nothing special.
However, these two individuals—Carlisle and Reinhard—made her feel an indescribable sense of frustration.
Their sincere, humble, and polite attitude left her with no reason to dislike them.
It was this perfection that made her feel a deep shame.
I live almost every day under the crushing weight of expectations, which is why I am this way.”
“Why are you apologizing?!”
Old Man Rom stood by, muttering softly, “She really is as the rumors say, hailed as the knight among knights.
If I entrust Felt to her, I can rest assured.”
Reinhard’s gaze turned toward Elsa, who was sealed in an ice sculpture, and a hint of appreciation flashed in her eyes.
“Carlisle, did you come to me because you captured the Kingdom’s wanted criminal, the Bowel Hunter?”
“It’s truly you.
Although you never admit it, that title is well-deserved.”
“Title?
Does this girl also have some exaggerated title?”
“That’s right, Carlisle probably hasn’t told you, but he stands at the pinnacle of knights in magic, swordsmanship, and character.
In the Royal Guard Knights Order, he has achieved the de facto second position in both strength and actual accomplishments, and has been granted the title of ‘Black’ by the Kingdom, known as the ‘Perfect Knight’.”
After speaking, Reinhard clapped Carlisle on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
“Hahaha, Carlisle, don’t be too humble!”
“Why is your tone so proud?
Could it be that you’re first place?
And you’re the last person here who has the right to tell others not to be too humble!”
Upon hearing this title, Carlisle’s face uncharacteristically flushed.
His gaze held a hint of embarrassment.
“Please don’t tease me.
I don’t believe I live up to that title.”
Subaru’s gaze was drawn to Carlisle’s slightly reddened face, her eyes almost fixated.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, ultimately coalescing into a silent exclamation: “Amazing… a beautiful boy’s blush, it’s truly a sight to behold!”
“Thank you, God, for letting me witness such a scene.”
Carlisle shook his head.
“You give me too much credit.
You know, I’m constantly striving with you as my goal.”
The conversation between the two was full of humility and praise, as if they were engaged in a “mutual flattery session.” But anyone who understood them would know that their words were genuinely heartfelt, without a trace of pretense or formality.
Felt walked forward discontentedly and lightly kicked Carlisle’s shin.
“Alright, let’s get to the point.
If you two keep chatting like this, it’ll be morning.”
“Oh, right, my apologies.
I got a little carried away.”
Carlisle gently pushed Felt in front of Reinhard, his tone as solemn as if entrusting an orphan: “This child is Felt, around 15 years old.
She’s an orphan with no surname.”
Reinhard was caught off guard by Carlisle’s action and asked in confusion, “Carlisle, what is this…?”
Carlisle didn’t answer directly but turned to Emilia.
“Remember to return it to me.”
Upon hearing this, Reinhard immediately realized something, her eyes widening in surprise as she stared intently at Felt, as if confirming something.
Carlisle took the insignia and gently placed it in Felt’s palm.
The moment the insignia touched her hand, it emitted a dazzling light.
“The insignia… resonated!” Reinhard’s voice was filled with shock and excitement.
“This child is the last Royal Selection candidate!”
Carlisle nodded.
“That’s right, Reinhard.
I came to you hoping you would be her first knight.
Please.”
After speaking, he bowed, earnestly pleading with Reinhard.
Seeing this, Reinhard quickly stepped forward to help him up, saying with gratitude in her eyes, “Carlisle, you don’t have to do this.
Even if you didn’t ask me, I would still be her knight.
This country can finally choose its king.”
“Actually, I should be thanking you.
I will report this matter to the Council of Sages.
Lugunica owes you a favor.”
“No need for favors.
I am a knight of the Kingdom; it’s my duty.”
“Please don’t refuse; these are two separate matters.”
Reinhard’s tone was firm, giving Carlisle no chance to decline again.
She then turned to Felt, knelt on one knee, performed a solemn knight’s salute, her voice steady and respectful:
“Lady Felt, I swear by the name of the Sword Saint, from this day forward, I will protect you with my life.
I pledge to be your knight and serve you faithfully.”
Felt, seeing the famous Sword Saint suddenly kneel on one knee and salute her, was startled, jumping aside like a frightened cat, her face filled with panic and confusion.
“Hey, hey, don’t do something like that to someone you’ve just met!
I don’t remember doing anything that deserves such respect from you!” she said, frowning irritably.
“You know, before stepping into Old Man Rom’s house tonight, I was making a living by stealing and… being caught by a certain knight and made to sweep the streets.
Is it… merely because I was chosen by that Divine Dragon that I’ve suddenly become high and mighty?”
Reinhard maintained her respectful posture.
“Yes, as a Royal Selection candidate foretold by the Divine Dragon, your status in Lugunica is undeniable.
And I, as your knight, will always obey your commands.”
Felt listened, biting her lip, her expression a mix of emotions.
“Tsk, just a prophecy… can pull someone out of the slums?
What was all my past effort for?
Struggling to survive… only to find out it’s not as good as a dragon’s approval?”
“What a cruel fate!”
It really helps the fic grow!