Volume 2 Chapter 73 The Knight’s Oath (False)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Your Excellency, please wait. For the ceremony, could you let me take on the role of ‘Thorn Demon’?”
As Maribel hurried out of the waiting room, Kian called out impulsively.
”Huh…”
”Oh?”
”Hmm, how brave to volunteer to partner with Oswald, even if just for fun. ──Lord Steward, he says this, what do you think?”
”You’re saying to entrust an important role to Kian Vahid? That is…, well, but…”
At the gesture from the head magician, Natasha, McCutchen fell silent, a perplexed look on his face as he mentally calculated the pros and cons.
Meanwhile, Waterman’s eyes sparkled with opportunity.
”No, Sir McCutchen, it could work! The ‘Thorn Demon’ wears armor designed like thorns in battle. As long as the size fits, the audience won’t notice.”
”Yes. Therefore, I was thinking of asking someone from my guild for help.”
”…Hmm. Excellent idea, Waterman.”
The old steward clapped his hands and raised his voice.
”Kian Vahid! The role of ‘Thorn Demon’ is yours!”
”Thank you.”
”Wait, McCutchen. …Kian, have you seen the armor for the ‘Thorn Demon’? It is said to be heavy armor for Western swordsmen designed to enhance physical strength in battle. Can you wear it and fight effectively? I think it would be better to leave it to someone experienced.”
Unlike when she previously recommended him for the guard role, Maribel was determined to hold him back this time.
Perhaps it was because the danger was on a whole different level.
Maribel knew Oswald’s strength.
And despite being inexperienced in combat, she sensed that Kian, with his evasive fighting style, would be poorly suited to heavy armor designed for Western knights.
”Does changing the armor really affect my fighting ability? The armor must have magic language engraved to resist heat and flames, right? Hey, Waterman?”
”It’s definitely going to change”
Renaud, who had been crossing his arms in place of the bald Baron, spoke up.
”What’s astonishing about Azrael’s Dance Swordsmanship is its power and speed. While Western swordsmen deflect, parry, and engage in close combat, the warrior monk specializes in killing before being cut. They generally evade enemy attacks. If they must take a hit, it’s unavoidable. Therefore, if a warrior monk dons heavy armor meant for Western knights, it would negate their greatest advantage.”
”Moreover, to conceal that someone else is playing the role of ‘Thorn Demon’ instead of Sir Guillaume, they will have to wear a full-face helmet. We cannot let the guests know about our mismanagement.”
Natasha snapped her fingers as she said this.
A heavy helmet meant for Western knights appeared in her hand.
It was headgear designed to neutralize magicians casting magic.
While it might be good for killing a magician, the drawback of obstructed vision was too great when facing a powerful swordsman like Oswald.
In fact, Guillaume also prioritized visibility and used a helmet with an open face.
”The visibility is quite limited… just a single horizontal line.”
”Yes. If you were Azraelian, it might be possible to disguise yourself with special makeup, but with a face structure similar to Sir Guillaume, it would be difficult.”
”No. I will do it. Please let me.”
”You’re quite eager… I thought you were a boring herbivore, but it turns out you’re a carnivore burning with ambition. Hehe… I’m starting to feel a bit hungry.”
”Ahem, Lady Natasha.”
”…….Kian. Are you really going to play the role of ‘Thorn Demon’?”
”Yes.”
He nodded without hesitation.
Others might be astonished that he would dive into danger, especially now that Azrael was targeting him.
However, this adversity was the greatest opportunity.
By demonstrating strength here, he would engrave his usefulness into the minds of the executives of the Margrave Izerland territory.
Even McCutchen can’t help but think it’s a waste to offer Kian Vahid to Azrael.
(As a result, perhaps I might be granted the rank of knight.)
If even McCutchen is convinced, it could be a stepping stone to rise in status.
It’s time to attack.
Be greedy.
He won’t let the quest to rise in status slip away before his eyes.
He’ll think about the rest later.
’You have truly changed, haven’t you?’
(I’m human, after all. A month can bring some change.)
”──I understand. I wish you good luck.”
Seeing Kian’s resolve, Maribel slightly trembled her lips and stepped back.
She wore a worried expression mixed with confusion.
She must be struggling to understand the person that is Kian Vahid.
If she thinks of him as timid and kind, he is bold and ruthless.
A theatrical trickster who bets even his own life as a chip to rise in status.
The blonde young princess does not know Kian’s light and dark nature.
”Kuku, you certainly seem to have potential.”
”──”
As Kian left the room, Renaud’s low voice reached his ears.
”Kian Vahid. I will definitely kill you. By consuming your blood and flesh, I will gain even greater power. ──I have a feeling about this.”
* * *
Led by Waterman, he descend the stairs to the underground.
Unlike the corridor leading to the VIP seats, the underground is an ancient coliseum made of stone, wood, and sandbags.
The cages meant to hold slaves for the nobility’s entertainment are now all empty.
”There aren’t enough guards, and no one wants to face Oswald. Especially since it’s become known that Lord Guillaume’s hair roots have been completely annihilated. The remaining 2──those playing the ‘Blood Servant’ role of the ‘Thorn Demon’ will likely be foisted onto local Guild staff who are unaware of the situation.”
”In that case, it’s unnecessary.”
”What did you say?”
”I can handle 3 people by myself.”
Saying that, Kian unleashes his magic power.
(Come forth, Natra, Tengu.)
In response to the master’s call, 2 familiars began to take shape from the shadow of the coat.
The two shadows rose with a soft shuffling sound.
”What──!? What is that!?”
”Please calm down, it’s my familiar.”
Between a warrior monk clad in a black coat stood 2 strange entities dressed in Eastern-style garments.
One wore a Kitsune mask and was wrapped in a shrine maiden outfit, Natra.
The other wore a Tengu mask and was engulfed in orange and purple monk robes, a Tengu wraith.
The two stood quietly, heads slightly bowed.
Waterman turned his face towards Natra, who radiated strong magical power, and staggered backward.
Perhaps feeling an instinctive fear.
It seemed that being a warrior despite everything had given him sharp instincts.
”Though the familiar with the Kitsune mask is lacking in height, the thickness of the clothing should help disguise that. Do you have any design preferences for the ‘Blood Servant’ role?”
”――――.”
”Baron Waterman?”
”…Ah. W-well…. As I mentioned to Lord Guillaume and the others, I don’t have strong preferences regarding the appearance of the attendant. As long as it’s clear that it represents a ‘Blood Servant’ accompanying the ‘Thorn Demon’.”
”Then how about this outfit?”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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