◇ Leo
I woke up slowly.
Where was I?
The brick walls... right, Valhalla Castle. That meant I had been brought back to the main camp.
What was I doing again?
I carefully pushed myself up into a sitting position. Someone had changed my clothes; I was wearing something casual and loose.
I climbed out of bed and stepped out into the hallway. Through a window, I could see that it was already the middle of the night.
"I wonder how long I was out..."
I turned back and noticed someone sleeping right next to my bed. I rubbed my eyes. A pleasant, warm scent drifted from them.
Sensing that I had awakened, the person rubbed their eyes and slowly looked up at me.
"A shame. It’s only me."
"I might not be an expert on these things, but isn't this usually the heroine's job?"
"Exactly why I'm here."
Deskis-senpai gave me a wink. He was currently shirtless.
I had been wrapped in a strangely warm duvet and slept quite soundly, but for some reason, I didn't want to admit that to him.
"Ah! Leo! You're awake!"
"Oh, Flare! Thank goodness..."
Flare came rushing into the room. She was also dressed in casual clothes. Looking at the two of them, I could only pray that Deskis-senpai was at least wearing pants under the covers.
Regardless, I was just glad they were both safe. I had pushed myself to the limit and blacked out.
"Let's get you up to speed on the situation."
Deskis-senpai stood up and threw on a high-end robe, the kind a nobleman might wear while swirling a glass of wine. I had no idea where he’d pulled it from. As he stood, I caught a glimpse of his muscular backside. It was a sight I really didn't need. Flare shrieked.
Just then, another voice spoke.
"So, you’re finally awake."
"Sir Osiris!"
Hearing our commotion, Osiris entered the room. He had taken off his armor and was dressed casually as well. He was the type who turned out to be incredibly ripped once the heavy plates were removed.
The fact that Osiris was dressed so informally meant the immediate crisis had passed. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to me. I tried to stand, but he held up a hand to stop me.
"Stay as you are. First... Abeljan is dead."
"I see..."
"I won't tell you to be happy about it. However, your contribution cannot be overstated. Abeljan was a man who stood on the same level as Gaia or myself. Successfully pinning him down so he could be killed is a massive achievement."
"Did you know Abeljan was coming, Sir Osiris?"
"No. However, I had prepared for the possibility that you might be targeted. A knight named Leo who single-handedly took a castle—I wasn't sure if the enemy would overestimate you... or rather, evaluate your threat level correctly. In the end, they acknowledged your worth. The result of that acknowledgment was Abeljan."
"I see..."
"Though, to be honest, I didn't think Abeljan himself would take the field. He was a cautious man. He wasn't the type to show his face so easily or engage in impulsive maneuvers. He was always thinking two or three steps ahead and would have secured an escape route for any contingency. And yet, he came. I suspect another force was at work behind the scenes. Well, we can only speculate, and there’s no point in doing so now. The fact remains that the Valhalla Frontline has advanced significantly. Odixia has been pushed back further than ever before; they must be at a severe disadvantage now."
"I see..."
In terms of the war, it was a victory. Yet, a heavy weight sat deep in my chest.
"Abeljan was a knight with many disciples, a man who was loved and respected. You must gradually come to terms with the fact that you killed him."
"I... I didn't really do anything."
"Humility can be quite unpleasant at times, Leo."
"You're right. Yes. I wasn't the only one involved, but I killed him too."
I had fought with everything I had. The knight named Abeljan had surely done the same. If I killed someone, I had to face that reality head-on.
"Therefore, I intend to recommend you for a First Class Merit."
"Huh?"
"Of course, the final decision lies with Lord Haurezel and Lady Scarlett. But I will personally vouch for your achievement."
"W-Wait a minute! Isn't that merit reserved for those who lead an entire campaign to victory?"
"You captured the Eldoro Plains Castle almost entirely on your own. As a result, you drew out Abeljan, held your ground without fleeing, and successfully enabled the pincer maneuver. You killed Abeljan and led the war to victory. It fits."
"B-But..."
"What is it you want to accomplish? And what do you need to achieve it?"
Osiris looked me straight in the eye.
That was right. To do what I wanted to do, I needed overwhelming strength. And that strength wouldn't mean a thing if it wasn't recognized by the world.
"I... I accept, with gratitude."
"Good. Now, you’re to return to the Royal Capital. A transport ship is waiting."
"Already?"
"It’s for the Knight Commander Exam candidates. Though you and Flare are the only ones left who passed."
I looked over at Flare. she gave me a cheerful "Yay" and flashed a peace sign.
Right... I had actually become a One-Star Knight Commander.
"From here on, you must establish your own Knight Order."
"A Knight Order?"
"Not just a collection of soldiers assigned to you. Build an order of knights who would be willing to lay down their lives for you."
"How do I even start doing that?"
"I haven't the slightest idea."
"What...?"
Osiris let out a small chuckle and placed his hand on my head. It was a large, fatherly hand. The feeling was remarkably similar to how Sir Gaia treated me.
"The reason Gaia put you in the Academy was for exactly this. Find friends you would want in your order. Friends you can trust with your very life."
"Friends..."
I looked back. Flare was acting a bit fidgety.
"T-That’s right! You’re a Knight Commander now, so you can invite anyone you want to fight by your side. You can, you know? It's totally okay to ask!"
"Is it okay to invite someone who's already a Knight Commander with their own stars?"
"Of course! That's how my Papa's order works too. Like Iricobert! Gathering allies is a vital part of a Commander's duty!"
I see. Just because I was a Knight Commander didn't mean I had to be the only one in the group. In that case, there was someone I absolutely wanted by my side.
I looked up. There was no one I could rely on more.
"I want you... to join my Knight Order!"
"Oh, honestly! If you’re going to be like that, I suppose I have no choice!" Flare exclaimed, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Deskis-senpai!"
"............"
"Heh... score. You watching, ex-girlfriend?"