After that, thinking we might get in the way of their discussion, Philia and I considered stepping out of the room.
"You're welcome to stay, you know. The boy who's coming in is a friend of yours, isn't he, Erik-kun? If so, I think having you two here might help ease his nerves."
"Well, that's true, but..."
Reassured by Belinda-san's words, Philia and I decided to remain.
A few minutes later, Olivia-san returned, bringing Alan and Roan-san with her.
The moment they walked in and our eyes met, they looked slightly taken aback.
"N-Nice to meet you! Thank you very much for taking the time to see me today!"
Despite his surprise, Alan properly greeted the members of House Fortis.
Looking visibly tense, he bowed vigorously as he introduced himself.
"Fufu, think nothing of it. More importantly, how does it look? Do you see anyone here worthy of being the master to a [Knight of the Covenant]?"
When Belinda-san asked that, Alan slowly raised his head.
Then, as he looked toward the Fortis family, his expression transformed into one of pure awe, as if struck by an overwhelming sensation.
The person at the center of his gaze.
It was none other than the head of House Fortis—Vorgus-san.
"...Me?"
"Ah! I-I've never felt anything like this before. It's... it feels as if [Knight of the Covenant] and my very soul are screaming that I must swear loyalty to you, sir!"
"Are you truly certain it's me? My wife and daughter are far more beautiful and charming, you know."
"That has nothing to do with it!"
Vorgus-san spoke as though it couldn't possibly be him.
Yet Alan vehemently denied it at the top of his lungs.
"That thoroughly honed physique! A body like that isn't built in a day or two. Anyone can tell it was forged through years of relentless discipline. And that overflowing, manly aura! I feel an undeniable strength practically commanding me to swear my fealty!"
Alan declared his case before Vorgus-san with complete conviction.
Never expecting such high praise, Vorgus-san looked somewhat flustered.
"Oh my, isn't that wonderful? Having a boy look up to you with such profound respect has been a dream of yours for years, hasn't it?"
"Nngh, well, yes, but... A-Are you truly certain you mean me?"
"Yes, sir!"
Alan answered Vorgus-san's confirmation without a shred of doubt.
For a few seconds, Vorgus-san pondered the matter.
"Very well. Alan-kun, I shall become your master."
"Thank you very much, sir!"
Alan bowed deeply, offering his heartfelt thanks at Vorgus-san's acceptance.
Even before discussing terms or conditions, Alan had already laid out his desire to pledge himself.
Perhaps that, too, was the influence of [Knight of the Covenant].
As I mulled over the thought, the conversation moved rapidly toward activating [Knight of the Covenant] right then and there.
"Alan. Can I have a second?"
"Hm? What is it, Erik?"
"I don't know if this is the skill talking, but shouldn't you make sure your prospective master knows what you want out of this first?"
"...!"
He probably hadn't even realized it until I pointed it out.
He had been on the verge of rushing into the contract on pure momentum.
"Do you have conditions?"
"Ah, no, well... I fully intend to become a knight who serves you faithfully, sir. However, I also want to work as an adventurer. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember..."
Prompted by Vorgus-san's question, Alan laid bare his true feelings.
"An adventurer, is it? I see no problem with that. Setting out as an adventurer and gaining diverse experiences serves as fine training for a knight, after all."
"Ah! Thank you so much, sir!"
Alan bowed in gratitude once more, deeply relieved to have his personal ambition recognized.
And so, this time for real, they proceeded to forge the pact through [Knight of the Covenant].
Unlike my own abilities, the method for using [Knight of the Covenant] was rather distinctive.
Alan dropped his left knee to the floor before Vorgus-san and placed a hand over his heart, assuming a classic stance of fealty.
The moment he activated the skill, a visible shroud of mana enveloped both Alan and Vorgus-san.
"...Does this mean Alan-kun and I now share a master-servant bond?"
"Yes. What I stated to my Master just now serves as the vow, and the power of [Knight of the Covenant] ensures that I must fulfill it without fail."
The "covenant" Alan had established was a pledge to grow stronger and become the sword and shield of House Fortis.
Apparently, that was a compromise he had carefully thought through during his search for a master.
If he swore absolute, unconditional loyalty, [Knight of the Covenant] might restrict his freedom to operate as an adventurer.
Alan had instinctively anticipated that risk, which led him to frame the oath in such a way.
"Alan. Did your vibe change just now?"
"Yeah. Did you get kind of... sharper?"
Following the activation of [Knight of the Covenant], Alan's overall presence felt subtly different.
"I think it's the skill's effect. It feels like a power that was locked away inside me has finally been unsealed, and energy is surging through my whole body. Erik! Now I can keep our promise!"
Flashing a broad, confident grin, Alan turned to us.