Volume 2 Chapter 73 The Knight’s Oath (False)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Well… if you dress up as a ‘Thorn Demon’, I think the audience will know that these are servants. It’s a strange design, but if it can hide the difference in physique, then it’s fine. The colors are bright, and I think it will be well received by the audience. ──Yes, go with that costume.”
”The craftsman who designed the armor will be furious, I imagine.”
”I’ve paid enough. It’s an emergency, so it’s unavoidable. I’ll explain the situation to him later, and he should understand.”
”I see. By the way, aren’t you going to stop Her Excellency? Weren’t you going to ask the guild head to lend out 2 staff members?”
”────! That’s right. I need to stop her right away. Kian, if you have your familiar, you should have told me sooner.”
”My apologies.”
It wasn’t that he had forgotten to introduce his familiar.
He brought them here because he wanted to avoid summoning the two of them in that place.
Renaud de Châtillon.
The knight capable of becoming that dragon was genuinely aiming to kill Kian.
If a fight is going to be challenged soon, it’s better not to give out more information than necessary.
Both Natra and Tengu possess traits as Night Wraiths.
Thanks to their gear and vessels, sunlight is no problem anymore, but silver and mithril are a no-go.
He has heard Renaud is a sword hunter.
If he pulls out a holy sword, which expels evil rather than a magic sword, it would have a special effect against Natra and Tengu.
”This familiar is my business tool, and if it leaks to the information brokers, it will expose my hand, so please keep it confidential. While Her Excellency and Sir McCutchen can be trusted, the guards protecting them may let something slip, so I’d appreciate it if you could use expressions other than ‘familiar’.”
”That’s a valid point for an adventurer, but… how should I explain then?”
”‘Kian had friends’”
”Understood, so it’s agreed that they’re your ‘comrade.’ Then I’ll explain it that way in front of the guard. If Sir McCutchen or Her Excellency asks, I’ll answer honestly.”
”Yes, of course.”
”The equipment that Guillaume was supposed to wear is over there. The under armor is also available. Please change into it right away. The thorn decorations for the two of you are over there.”
”Understood.”
”My subordinate will come to check on you when you finish changing. If you have any questions, let me know then.”
”Yes.”
Waterman said, “Well then,” and quickly returned from the space lined with cages below.
The stairs to go up are to the east of the cage room, and to exit towards the arena is from the short stone steps to the northwest.
The sound of a trumpet echoes from outside.
The ceremony is about to begin.
By now, Oswald should be having his last conversation with guests like Eleonora before the ceremony.
From the floor below where Kian is, there was still the presence of knights searching for Guillaume.
Naturally, they seem determined not to give up on Guillaume until the last moment.
As the back of the bald knight disappeared up the stairs, Natra, who had been silent until then, spoke up from beneath the mask.
”Sir Kian, I will assist you in putting on your armor.”
”I’m sorry, Natra… for various reasons.”
”No, if I hadn’t stepped forward there, I would have been prodding you along. Opportunities for great leaps don’t come by just waiting with your mouth open. Your judgment was correct.”
”I see. Thank you.”
”By the way, Sir Kian, today we will be fighting together for the first time, but are you familiar with the ‘Enhancement Seals’ used by warrior monks when they form a partnership?”
”As far as knowledge goes, I know of it. It’s an application technique of ‘Shot’ and ‘Wall,’ a method to enhance the power of allies’ ‘Leap’ and ‘Impact.’ Unfortunately, I can’t use it.”
”I will cast a buff on you. I will also support you with shadows and walls as necessary, so feel free to swing your sword as much as you like. No need to worry about magic power; I absorbed a large amount of monsters into my body while you were sleeping last night.”
”That’s reassuring.”
”Hehe. Soon enough, I will make you so dependent that you can’t fight without me.”
”That’s a bit much.”
”…… heh…”
(Why did she laugh?)
Kian felt a chill from Natra’s mature smile, but she quickly returned to her businesslike expression and began to help him don his armor.
’This girl may have as heavy a heart as this one…’
(Does that mean she has deep feelings?)
The glasses did not answer Kian’s inner question, replying with silence.
However, it was evident from her remarks that Natra and the ‘glasses’ shared similar attributes as women.
(Speaking of which, are the ‘glasses’ gender actually female? The voice sounds… feminine but…)
”Is the belt too tight?”
”No, it’s just right. As for the weapon… this. The sword with thorn decorations that Guillaume used. It’s practically a long sword in shape. The magic language has several necessary properties for combat, like heat resistance, hardening, and acceleration.”
While cradling the helmet given by Natra, he picked up the straight sword that was placed in the barrel.
It was left unsheathed and carelessly propped up.
According to the meticulous Kian, “The management is so sloppy that it might give me a headache.”
(Good thing I practiced ‘impact.’ The magic language for combat is engraved as well, so even without using the Windsong Blade, I can maintain a minimum level of attack power.)
”What about the Windsong Blade and the magic-draining bishop staff?”
”Leave both with the Tengu. As long as they are materialized, they should fit inside the kimono.”
”Understood. Then I’ll take this mage’s staff. Will you leave the shield and mace with the Tengu?”
”Given the size of the weapons, it has to be the Tengu.”
Given Guillaume’s former companions, she took on quite a flashy appearance.
Yet, as the villain ‘Thorn Demon’, it brings quite an atmosphere.
Only in terms of appearance, it achieves a perfect dreadfulness.
He must admit, it feels as if the real ‘Thorn Demon’ has truly resurrected in the modern age.
Especially, Tengu exuded a strong aura of the uncanny.
”Can you use a staff? No need to ask, right?”
”Yes, I have some knowledge.”
As she said this, Natra skillfully twirled the magician’s staff around her body.
It was a casual act on her part, yet the way she handled the staff was visually striking enough to warrant payment.
”I’ll give you a long sword as well. Don’t hesitate to use it if necessary. This is a game, but it’s no mere game. If you’re struck by him at noon, it could send you to the gods in one blow.”
”I am prepared.”
”Good.”
After that, Waterman’s subordinates came to check if the armor could be properly donned.
They were instructed to leap from the northwest stone steps into the arena in time with the bard’s song during the exhibition match.
However, Kian was merely a substitute.
They were ordered to swiftly change out of the armor and swap with Guillaume if he showed up.
His mind couldn’t solely focus on the ceremony──
it was a quiet agony to be prepared for Guillaume’s unexpected return.
Yet, if he could perfectly play against Oswald, he had a strong feeling that a new path would open ahead.
”…Sir Kian.”
”What’s wrong?”
”I sense 2 individuals approaching from above. ──This is Lady Christy and Her Excellency Maribel.”
”――――.”
He jumped down from the barrel he was seated on.
Placing his helmet on a wooden box, Kian turned towards the eastern staircase.
Soon after, just as Natra said, Maribel and Christy came rushing down the stairs.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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