Chapter 100 – This Works (1)

Austin Roderick was in an untimely dilemma.

‘The restriction disappeared?’

Henry’s story was shocking.

For the fact that the restriction’s duration was twenty years was content unheard of.

In fact, it had no great influence on other shadows except Marshal. Since they could not fill the duration, and also mostly ended up losing their lives before twenty years passed.

If Henry’s words were true, Marshal was the only human who broke free from Roderick’s restriction.

‘It must be true. Since it is Henry.’

Just how he found out was not important.

For if he began to nitpick, he would have to dig into every single ability Henry possessed, and Austin did not feel the need to do so particularly.

‘It is ultimately a matter of trust. And I trust Henry.’

Where should he start the story with Marshal?

At that moment when Austin was drawing up a plan of his own in his head, Henry visited.

“Ah, Henry. Just as well, the story you gave me yesterday…”

“That is for later. It seems I must go to the royal palace immediately. What about you, Austin?”

The royal palace.

It seemed an answer had already returned.

Also, Melissa had interest not only in Henry but also in Austin.

“For me, I think it is early to graduate yet.”

Although the fence called the academy was frustrating, it was true that it guaranteed certain safety.

It was not yet the time to break out.

Henry nodded calmly, and Austin spoke as if it was fine.

“Go ahead first. Because I will follow slowly.”

It cannot be helped. Both Austin and Henry knew that fact.

Henry left the training ground. The place he headed to was the waiting room at the academy entrance.

Normally it was a place where guests who visited here stayed, but today’s case was an exception.

Because a carriage of the Royal Knights was promised to visit.

“For now, it has been decided that I will depart alone.”

[Once you return from this, you graduate immediately, right?]

[But when you go there, aren’t they going to force you to enlist? lol]

“It won’t be so. Since Sir Melissa will remember my answer. Also, in the case of graduation, it is only possible if you take the formal test prepared by the academy.”

The test was a truly formal kind.

In the first place, since they set the criteria to ‘1-star knight,’ facing something suited to that level was all.

“What I will do visiting today is a polite refusal. Since it is a refusal after clearly seeing what the Royal Knights is like, this time Sir Melissa will also surely understand.”

Not a refusal because he didn’t know, but to plant an image that he has no choice but to refuse despite having checked everything was Henry’s plan.

However.

When the carriage arrived.

“Long time no see! Have you made the decision to become our junior?”

Royal Knight Patricia, who came to ‘meet’ Henry, showed a reaction different from Henry’s expectations.

[lol It seems these guys think slightly differently?]

[It seems she thought the knight would enlist lol]

[Wow, but I never imagined they would come all the way here to meet him lol]

“…I can guess. She probably didn’t hear what kind of reaction I showed. Since Sir Melissa wouldn’t have spoken.”

When he took the class A promotion test.

Henry met two Royal Knights.

One was Melissa, a 7-star knight.

The other was Patricia, a 6-star knight.

Both wanted Henry to enlist, but Patricia’s side approached much more blatantly.

“Why such a lukewarm face? This makes me sad!”

“I am sorry. It is because I was surprised.”

“Then I must understand. I will go and see the Headmaster first. Let’s go together with me in a bit. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Hmmmm, as expected, it is lukewarm.”

“It is not.”

“Then that’s a relief! Wait just a bit!”

Hop.

Alighting from the carriage, Patricia ran swiftly into the academy.

A truly immense speed.

Henry put forth a short impression.

“I won’t be able to keep up with that speed. Although her behavior seems light at first glance, as expected, she is a 6-star knight.”

Patricia was strong, and what was certain.

Was the fact that she wanted Henry to enlist very strongly.

“If I do not come to my senses, I will end up having something done to me even before I know it.”

***

In Vallaran, the country of knights, the meaning held by the Royal Knights was special.

As knights among knights, they possessed skills superior to anyone else, and the type of master they served was different from other knights.

A knight of a Count family serves the Count, and a knight of a Duke family serves the Duke.

However, the one the Royal Knights followed was not the head of a family, and also was not the master of this country.

They did not serve the King.

For they were those who served only the nation of Vallaran, and further, all citizens living on this land.

Of course.

In principle, it was so.

For a Royal Knight was a target to whom even a Duke of a country had to show courtesy.

They stood in front of everyone, yet were above everyone.

The exception was the royal family, including the King. Even that, only the direct blood relatives of the current King.

Naturally.

Putting aside if it was an empty carriage, from the moment the ‘Royal Knight’ visited, the news in question spread to the entire academy, and naturally reached the Headmaster’s ears too.

“Headmaster! We meet again like this!”

Patricia, a 6-star knight, gladly accepted the Headmaster’s request for conversation.

The place was the Headmaster’s office.

As soon as she entered, the Headmaster stood up as if genuinely glad and welcomed Patricia.

“Sir Patricia. I am only glad to be able to see you often.”

“Of course I must greet you! Although others could not come due to schedule, they told me to convey their regards by all means. We are all doing well!”

“That is truly a relief.”

Smiling pleasingly, the Headmaster changed the subject.

“By the way, what business is it with trainee Henry Camilton… By any chance, has enlistment been decided?”

“Ah, not at all. But wouldn’t it become like that? Since he contacted us first.”

“What is the part this Headmaster should help with?”

“I am confident! Just trust me. Henry Camilton will end up joining us.”

“Wonderful. It is wonderful beyond measure. This Headmaster has been moved by Sir Patricia’s spirit.”

From the position of pricing the trainees’ body values.

The Royal Knights was a customer that paid a body value incomparable to any other group.

Naturally, a favorable smile was hung all while conversing with Patricia, and it was the same for Patricia too.

“Then I will return now! Since Sir Melissa is placing great expectations!”

“It is truly a pity. By any chance, may I ask one favor?”

“Yes!”

“Although it is a very embarrassing thing to speak as the Headmaster, I wonder if I can know trainee Henry Camilton’s exact skills.”

“Well, that is not a difficult matter either! Since to enlist him, we must verify his skills first. Do not worry!”

“Just by you speaking so, this Headmaster is truly only glad.”

“Of course! Without the Headmaster’s help, the current me wouldn’t exist either. I will greet you again!”

The current Royal Knights were all those who received ‘the Headmaster’s help.’

Also, unlike Henry, they all revealed prominence from the stage they entered.

Which meant all while staying at the academy.

The Headmaster the current Royal Knights faced was an image of actively giving everything possible.

So they had no choice but to feel grateful.

‘In any case, the Headmaster also wants Henry to enlist, right? He is not a person who would recommend simply because a person is nice either.’

Patricia thought so.

The Headmaster was not a person who would push for enlistment simply because Henry was pretty.

It must be a decision made under the judgment that Henry has sufficient ability, and would survive among the Royal Knights anytime.

‘We have the same thought… good.’

If only the party concerned, Henry Camilton, agrees, no problem occurs.

Make sure to always keep in mind the hand we hold. Focus on elements Henry might take interest in.

7-star knight.

Recalling in her head the advice of Melissa, a fellow Royal Knight and senior member.

“Did you wait long?”

Patricia boarded the carriage Henry was waiting in.

“No. It is fine.”

“It might be fine. It is because I feel sorry. The Headmaster was so glad. Have you decided your mind?”

“Pardon?”

“You decided to enlist, right?”

“No.”

“How can you be so resolute.”

Patricia opened her mouth wide as if she received a great shock.

Of course it was a playful action, but Henry Camilton was not a person who would accept such play.

At Henry’s attitude looking at her with a straight face, Patricia ended up shaking her head.

Clop, clop.

The carriage began to advance at a slow speed.

The street of the capital was an unsuitable place for a carriage to speed up.

There was plenty of time to converse.

“Why do you have no intention to come?”

“There is a reason I must do so.”

“When does that reason end?”

“I do not know either.”

“Over a lifetime… that is, is it like a conviction?”

“It is not so. Although it will end someday, I only cannot be sure of the exact timing.”

“It is hopeful.”

Nod, nod.

Reacting as if that degree was not bad, Patricia moved to the next step.

“It would be hard to tell me even if I ask, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me anytime you need. Because I only want to help you. Although I am a regular member, I have been here for a long time. It will be helpful in shortening the process for whatever matter.”

“Is there a reason you look after me to this extent?”

“Because I took a liking to you.”

“That statement is…”

“I want to receive you as a comrade. After that reason you mentioned is sorted out.”

Was this sincere?

Henry thought for a moment.

He recalled the reaction Patricia showed at the time of the test, and reflected on Melissa’s attitude.

‘Half of it would be sincere.’

It was true that they wanted to receive him as a comrade. However, whether they would wait for Henry’s ‘reason’ was unknown if it was sincere.

Since they were none other than the Royal Knights.

“I rejected the offer to enlist. To this side, it would have been an unexpected reaction. At such a time, I requested help, and showing interest like this now is…”

[Aren’t they testing the waters?]

“I think so too.”

Henry agreed with the viewer’s opinion.

***

The carriage stopped. Patricia placed Henry in the waiting room and spoke as if it was regrettable.

“It is a pity. I wanted to help you with this and that.”

“I am only grateful for the thought.”

“Yes, well, it is a pity but it cannot be helped. Anyway, take your time looking around!”

“Me alone?”

“You entered under the qualification of our guest, right? Wherever you go, you will be able to receive the same treatment as us. See you later!”

Patricia patted Henry’s shoulder as if encouraging him, and left.

However, the place she returned to was neither the training ground nor the lodging.

Knock, knock.

“Regular member Patricia, returning as of this hour.”

“Come in.”

It was the residence of the senior member Melissa.

The fixed number of the Royal Knights was about a hundred.

Among them, the senior members were merely about ten.

Also, the senior member’s residence was at a level that did not allow comparison with the regular member’s lodging.

“Did you hear the details?”

“He does not confess. It seems it is truly important content in its own way.”

“Important content.”

Melissa, who was working busily, raised her head.

Coolly blue eyes. Similarly short and blue bob hair.

Although it was a cold impression, for Patricia to be intimidated by the impression alone, the time she spent here was too long.

“For now, you will let him wait, right?”

“Leaving him free.”

“Although that is so, wouldn’t it be better to attach at least a friend to guide him?”

“Attach one in a bit. Let the person in charge be Colin. Also convey my apology. That as work is piled up, I will be able to see him in a bit.”

“An apology?”

Patricia’s eyes widened.

To think this was a matter to even apologize for.

“It is courtesy to treat a guest.”

“…Yes. It seems you took a liking to him indeed.”

“Aren’t you too?”

“I am too. Well, thinking about it, even I would have apologized.”

“Still, he will like it. Since at first, it would be better to look around comfortably alone.”

“Wouldn’t he feel burdened?”

“He is not such a guy.”

Melissa intended to help Henry face the image of the Royal Knights directly.

Elements like the benefits provided, or the skills of the knights belonging here right now.

If Henry has even a slight interest in his own growth.

“He won’t be able to just pass it by. Because knowing with the head and the emotion felt seeing directly with two eyes are clearly different.”

BJ Swordmaster