★There is a super important afterword today! I want you to read until the end!!
"Eh? Something I want?"
"I’ve given it a lot of thought. In the end, I decided I wanted to hear it from you. To truly know a person, one must understand what they desire. It's a personal theory of mine... but I want to know you. I want to know the kind of person you are."
"Something I want..."
"Setting aside whether it's possible or not, you can say anything."
I never expected to be asked what I wanted.
Something I want... something I want... a cake? No, he’d probably just laugh at that.
But wait... what I want most right now is...
"A house in the Royal Capital... if that would be possible."
"Hmm, a house! But won't you be living in the Knight Academy dormitories?"
"My mother and I... we lost our home during the Dragonia invasion four years ago. Since then, we’ve been renting a temporary room in the Secondary. It’s freezing in the winter, and the conditions are poor. My mother’s legs are bad, too. If possible, I want her to live comfortably in the capital. And I’m worried about her, so... I don’t want to be too far away."
"............"
Was that too much? Maybe asking for a house was a bit greedy.
But in the next moment...
"Splendid!!!! I am moved!!"
He slapped both my shoulders with all his might.
It startled me.
"That love for your mother is the very sword that will protect this kingdom! I feel as though I’ve glimpsed the man you are! Leo, by the Royal Emblem, I swear your wish shall be granted! I will prepare a house for you in a prime location within the Royal Capital. Furthermore, I shall grant you ten Platinum Coins as an additional reward!"
"I—is that really okay?"
"Of course. You have earned it. If you still feel any sense of debt after this... then continue to protect this kingdom with that sword."
"............Yes!"
People said he was in conflict with Princess Scarlett, so I thought he might be a villain, but is he actually a good person?
"And one more thing. Leo, I hereby grant you a Knight Peerage and the rank of One-Star. However, I have heard from Gaia that he wishes for you to sit for the One-Star Knight Commander Exam. Regardless of whether you pass or fail, I agree with his proposal."
"One-Star? The Knight Commander Exam?"
"Yes. Give it your all."
A low buzz of murmurs spread through the crowd.
The nobles, in particular, were agitated.
"Skipping the rank of Knight and going straight to One-Star? Is there even a precedent for this?"
"No, none. Even with a Knight Peerage, to have a commoner suddenly join our lowest ranks..."
"Who is he, exactly?"
"If he is truly that exceptional, we should keep a close eye on him."
"It won't be too late to judge once we see the results of his Knight Commander Exam."
"Could he be a candidate for a son-in-law?"
It seemed this was a highly unusual promotion.
"Will you accept?"
"Yes. I accept with gratitude."
"Good."
The conferment seemed to be over. I followed Iricobert’s example, turning to the audience and bowing deeply.
The nobles and knights stared back at me.
The silence was a little painful. They probably hadn't accepted me yet. After all, I was just a commoner.
Clap, clap, clap.
The sound of solitary applause echoed through the hall.
It was Lord Gaia. He looked at me, nodding with a slight smile.
Following his lead, the knights—I think it was Dunkel?—from the Gaia Knight Order began to applaud one after another.
The nobles eventually joined in as well, though their applause was somewhat reluctant and far from enthusiastic. Still, it felt like a welcome.
"Excellent... Now! The ceremony is concluded. Let the banquet begin!"
Haurezel clapped his hands.
Suddenly, a flood of maids and butlers entered the hall.
In a whirlwind of activity, dishes were brought out and the room was transformed into a festive party venue in the blink of an eye.
I suppose it’s time for the party. Maybe I should head back now?
"Leeeo, over here!"
"Huh? Wait, where are we going?"
Flare grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room.
She led me to a separate chamber where, for some reason, Senior Deskis was waiting.
"Make him look super handsome, Senior Deskis!"
"Leave this side to me. You go make sure you look the part yourself."
"You got it!"
I wasn't sure what was happening, but Flare gave me a wink and vanished.
Deskis began applying some kind of gel-like substance to my hair.
"It’s time for the Victory Banquet."
"Ah... you mean the party."
"Precisely. Which means the guests of honor must look their best. By the way, custom dictates that a knight invited to the Meritorious Star Decoration Ceremony brings a 'princess' as his guest. Back then, I invited Flare. She turned me down with a look of utter disgust."
"A princess?"
"Heh... I wouldn't mind playing the part for you, but I'll yield the role to someone else tonight."
After that, I was subjected to a fair amount of grooming and squeezed into clothes that made me look like a high-ranking noble.
It was incredibly hard to move in.
"Excellent. Elegant. Now, Knight. Go and fetch your Princess."
Deskis told me to wait in front of the door to the adjoining room.
After a few moments, the door slowly creaked open.
The person who emerged was...
"............Flare?"
She wore white gloves and a deep crimson dress. Her lips were painted a matching red, and her fiery hair was brushed back beautifully.
She performed a graceful curtsy, lifting her skirt slightly as she smiled at me.
She was stunning.
I didn't even recognize her for a second, but it was definitely Flare.
She stared at me intently.
"U-Um... shall we go?"
"Staaaaaaaaare."
"I-Is there something wrong?"
"Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare."
"Look..."
Flare leaned in close, right in front of my face.
"I went through a lot of trouble to look nice, you know? I did all this just for you, Leo."
She looked at me with wide, captivating eyes.
I didn't know the 'correct' thing to say, so I just gave her my honest impression.
"Y-You're very red."
"Fail. Try again."
I failed...
I looked at her again from head to toe. I still thought she was very red.
But there was another thought I had—the very first thought that had crossed my mind.
I’d hesitated to say it because I thought it might be the kind of thing that makes her angry, but... it was the truth.
"You look beautiful."
"Hehe, maybe Leo’s finally starting to understand a maiden’s heart. Thank you! That makes me happy!"
She beamed at me with her usual sun-like smile.
Flare gently rested her hand on my arm.
"Sir Knight, I request your escort."
Her aura was so different that she felt like a stranger for a moment, but...
"Alright, let's go! I'm going to eat so much! I'm glad I came!"
"Oh, so you're back to your usual self."
"What’s that supposed to mean? Isn't it better this way?"
"Yeah... I like this Flare better."
"............Womanizer."
"What am I 'womanning'?"
"Nothing! Come on, let's go, Sir Knight!"
We returned to the hall, where solemn music was playing and the party was already in full swing.
Flare immediately began eating an incredible amount of food. Where had the refined lady from a moment ago gone?
Wait... is that... cake?!
Munch, munch, munch, munch.
Um, can I get seconds of this?
Munch, munch, munch, munch.
The two of us stuffed our faces. I was definitely glad I came.
"Do you brats think this is an all-you-can-eat buffet?"
Flare and I both spun around at the sound of Iricobert’s voice.
Wait, who was this? Who was this sharp, handsome knight?
"It's Iricobert, you idiots."
"Whaaa?!" "No way!"
Iricobert brushed his hair back with a smug expression.
He looked like a completely different person.
"I usually leave my beard and hair alone because it’s a hassle, but they fix you up for free here, so it’s a good deal. Well? I’m a pretty good-looking guy, aren't I? Believe it or not, I’m actually popular."
"You should stay like that all the time."
"You look so cool, Mr. Iricobert! Oh, and... um..."
The woman standing beside Iricobert smiled.
I gave a small bow and looked at her curiously.
"My, my... what adorable knights. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Iricobert’s wife, Layla."
She had long, black hair and a gentle air about her.
She was a true beauty. So this was Iricobert’s wife?
"Yeah, she’s my wife. Incredibly gorgeous, right?"
Iricobert held up his left hand to show me his finger.
Oh, a wedding ring. It was sparkling.
Layla had a matching one, which she showed me with a happy smile.
"Layla, this is Leo. And this is the daughter of the Lord and Lady Rose... Flare."
"Nice to meet you! I'm Leo!"
"I'm Flare!"
"Yes, I know. Thank you for taking care of my husband. This man is always doing reckless things, so please, both of you, keep him safe. He told me he might have died if Leo hadn't been there. At home, he talks about nothing but you, Leo. He seems so happy when he talks about this 'amazing kid' he found."
"Hey now, don't go saying weird things. I’m the one protecting them. These two are still just brats! Hm? What is it, Leo?"
"Your stomach... it's big."
"That's right. The baby will be here very soon."
Layla’s stomach was quite large. She was pregnant.
I must have seen pregnant women in my previous life, but... seeing her now... it felt incredibly mysterious.
There was a child inside there. It was a miracle.
"Do you want to feel?"
"Eh?"
"Yeah, go ahead, touch it. That’s my kid in there. Full of energy."
I reached out my hand, feeling nervous.
Was it really okay for someone like me to touch her?
But Layla took my hand and placed it gently against her stomach.
"Wow!"
Thump! Something kicked from the inside. I reflexively pulled my hand away in surprise.
They laughed, but I reached out to touch it once more.
It was moving. There was life in there. A soul was definitely present.
"This is one of the lives that you protected, Leo."
"I... protected this?"
"Yes. You protected it with your sword. You saved so many people of this kingdom. You saved this child’s father, too. So hold your head high. You earned that First Class Merit."
"............I did."
"That's right, Leo. Everyone is alive because you worked so hard."
"Well... that's the long and short of it. Realize what you’ve protected. Shoulder that weight. That’s what gives you the strength to grip a sword when it matters most. You’re the one who saved them, Leo."
Feeling that small pulse, the reality of it finally began to sink in.
I had just been fighting desperately, but I had truly protected people.
"I see............ I did it."
I was happy.
That heartbeat... small but pulsing with the will to live.
It resonated clearly through the palm of my hand.
"—Hm?"
The music from the band shifted from a solemn tune to something more upbeat.
It felt cheerful, like something you’d dance to.
As I wondered if people were about to start dancing, Iricobert grinned, snatched our plates away, and shoved us toward the floor.
"Alright, get out there! Dance, dance! It's a show—this is a job for the youngsters!"
"Wait, I don't know how to dance!"
"It'll be fine as long as the Young Lady is with you."
"Let's go, Leo!"
Flare pulled me along. Before I knew it, we were in the center of the dance floor with all eyes on us. Following her lead, I placed my hand on her waist.
"What do I do?"
"Just follow my lead and use your reflexes. You can do it, right?"
"Understood."
And so, the dance began. I mirrored Flare’s movements while watching the others.
I was surprisingly good at this. Iricobert laughed as he watched us, drink in hand.
Beside him, Lord Gaia was also watching.
He looked on with a warm, satisfied smile.
Everyone in the hall—nobles and knights alike—was captivated by the pair.
They were a picture-perfect couple.
The young knight and the young princess-knight. It looked like the beginning of a grand legend.
"Is this alright, My Lord?"
"You're the one who shoved them out there."
"Heh, fair enough. But you’re the one who put him in the Academy for this exact reason, aren't you?"
"...That wasn't the only reason. Leo is a bit... distorted. I want him to learn. Together with friends."
"And maybe learn about love, too?"
"...Hmph. I suppose so."
The two men watched Leo and Flare as they danced happily.
"Still, the Young Lady looks more like Lady Rose every day. Her beauty, her talent... and that sun-like smile."
"............Indeed."
Gaia sipped his wine, memories flooding back.
He remembered the knight he had once feared, admired... and loved more than anyone else.
He gazed at his daughter, who was the spitting image of that knight in her youth.
"Why not just give her to Leo? He’s a bit airheaded, but he’s got potential."
"Hmph... don't be absurd. I won't give my daughter to any knight weaker than myself."
"Then the Young Lady’s going to be a spinster for life."
"............I wonder about that."
He looked at Leo with a gentle gaze.
He looked between Flare and Leo, watching over the two happy children.
"I have high expectations for this new era. It’s fine to take it slow... walk together. Just as we did... be aware of each other, and hone your skills. Strive together to reach even higher. Eventually, you will reach heights that neither of you could achieve alone."
"...Yessir."
Flare and Leo continued to dance.
There were moments when the music could have signaled an end.
But neither of them wanted it to be over, so they just kept dancing.
The banquet to celebrate the victory showed no signs of ending even as the night deepened.
In the castle bathed in moonlight, the two gifted youngsters gazed at each other and spoke of their dreams.
And they danced.
In a world where conflict never ends—where someone dies, someone kills, and someone cries every single day.
True peace might be an impossible dream.
That is why people take up the sword.
But just for today, I wanted to hold a hand instead of a blade.
"Hey, Leo."
"Yeah?"
"............Let's get stronger. More and more... because I think I can become even stronger if I'm with you."
"......Yeah."
In my previous life, I had a hand that even my parents wouldn't hold.
The best friend who once held it for me is no longer in this world, but now, you are here holding it.
Flare squeezed my hand tightly, and I squeezed back.
When I did, she squeezed back even harder.
Neither of us knew what to call this feeling yet.
But just like back then, when Ryu held my hand, a gentle warmth spread through me. It felt right.
For now, that was enough. I smiled and kept dancing.
Believing that this happiness would surely last forever.
The knights continued their dance long into the night.
Clack. Clack.
Pieces were placed one by one onto a map spread across a desk.
Clack. Clack.
A young boy moved the pieces alone in a dark castle.
The boy was a King.
Everything in this country was subject to his whim.
Wealth, fame, women, food—every pleasure a human could desire was his for the taking.
But he did not choose them. He had no interest in such easy, shallow paths.
Because he was a King.
His hands were already stained with the blood of countless people.
And so, the King walked the King’s path.
Shouldering the lives of everyone he had killed, and everyone he was destined to kill in the future.
Wishes had turned into curses, and there was no turning back.
Stopping was not an option. If he stopped, then what was the point of all those deaths?
And so, the King moved forward.
Even in solitude. No, because solitude is the King’s path.
Clack. Clack.
The boy moved the King piece across the board.
He had run the simulation thousands of times. In his mind, every scenario was perfectly reproduced.
Deeply, deeply—infinitely deep.
And then...
"......Check."
The boy’s King piece stood directly before the enemy King.
The conditions were met. All that remained was to issue the order.
The King stood up.
The greatest war in history was about to begin.
★ Important Afterword
With this, the first arc is officially concluded!
The latter half had quite a few slice-of-life chapters, didn't it? But this was all essential preparation for Arc 2. I wanted to show Leo gaining comrades and experiencing encounters that slowly change his daily life and personality... though I worry it might have been a bit slow for some.
That said, Arc 2 will be more than 80% about the war. It’s going to be an incredibly intense, pulse-pounding struggle! You might even get tired of how much fighting there is.
I need to take a short hiatus to prepare for the next part. Arc 2 will resume in one week, on Monday, January 26th.
To those who haven't followed the series yet—please do so so you don't miss the update! It would make me sad if you weren't there when I return...
Also, the rankings will definitely drop during the hiatus. If you want to see the story continue, if you want me to resume as soon as possible, or if you just want to show your support, please hit the '+' button for "Praise with Stars" below three times!
I’ll do my best to return as quickly as possible! I’m committed to writing the best story I can until the very end.
Thank you so much for your support.
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If you find yourself bored during the week, please check out my other representative works! I have a wide variety available.
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