Chapter 64 If You Quit Being A Knight
"This country's been messed up from day one..."
(Wow, Master suddenly started talking to himself)
(This principal thing is straight garbage)
(Principal? )
(A sleep-inducing black magic user)
(Wow)
Powell suddenly makes a terrible suggestion and then starts talking without waiting for a response. Even Ruthless can't help but smile at this.
"Five hundred years ago, the first emperor Sigmund founded this Asgardam. But those knights, who got too proud with the title of Knight King, foolishly extended their power over the nobles and are still running wild in this Holy Western Country. This kind of outrageous behavior is unacceptable. You all think so too, right?"
"...That obvious elitist thinking. You sound like one of those 'old nobles,' don't you?"
"Old nobles?"
"Don't use that insulting term. We are not old. Call us the noble faction!"
Powell snaps back at Shura's words.
He really doesn't like it, but I can't help but wonder if there's even a difference between new and old nobles.
"Noble faction, huh? You're directing hostility even at other nobles."
"Hmph. Those who forget their pride as nobles and grovel to knights, even sacrificing their own wealth to maintain their status, can no longer be called nobles."
"I don't care either way. Whether you bribe knights to speed up corruption for power or cling to past glories, what's the difference?"
"We are not clinging! We simply want to fulfill our mission of restoring the glory of the good old nobles!"
(...I see. Looks like there are 2 types of nobles. The old nobles are the hardliners wanting to restore their status?)
(You're right, Ruthless is a straight-up genius)
(How about that?)
Wait, is Ms. Ruthless smarter than me?
No, it's not like I don't understand. But still, Ruthless was left in an orphanage, while I've been living in the city. Despite that difference in background, she can grasp the difference between current and old nobles just by listening.
This is bad. Having an IQ lower than a steel pipe is really humiliating.
(This ain't goin' down. My dignity as the protagonist is gettin' dragged through the mud.)
(Huh? You didn't have any dignity to begin with...)
Even though I'm in charge of the fighting, I have to make a comeback.
Ignoring Ruthless's sharp comments, I need to make a strong statement or I'll lose my status as the protagonist!
"Haha, fuhgeddabout it, I don't care 'bout bringin' back them old nobles. It's one and done."
"Oh? Then..."
"Yo, keep your stank feet away from me, cap. Who the heck wanna touch dem, you paella?"
"Pa, paella...!?"
Yeah. Once I heard the details of the negotiation, I already knew my answer.
Did he think I would accept his proposal? When I kicked his outstretched foot, Powell's face twisted in shock.
"Sure, I put in work to become a knight, that's some real tragic stuff right there. That title ain't somethin' you just take lightly."
"Then why won't you accept the conditions! If you regret it, then swear loyalty to me!"
"Don't you get it, you jerk?"
Basically, this is what nobles are like. They live with the assumption that everything in the world should go the way they want. Even I, as the protagonist, often can't get things to go my way.
So I should correct their luxurious "misunderstanding" as much as I can.
"I'm down to do whatever it takes to get this hero thing done. Throwin' in the towel and bein' your bae ain't gonna cut it for me. Fuggeddaboutbein' a knight, you rotten paella!" (I'm truly sorry, but we will have to pass on your application.)
I sought the title of knight just as a means to become a hero. And heroes don't swear loyalty just to protect their status. It's completely backwards to abandon the goal for the means.
"Get lost, sucka. Go home and lick your own boots." (Thank you for your hard work. The exit is to your right.)
His plan was never going to succeed from the start.
* * *
After saying all that, he must have realized I would never agree.
After spitting out some hard-to-remember insults, Powell left the punishment room. Don't regret it, he added with a grudge.
"Was that the right thing to do?"
"Huh? Course it was. But what about you? I just low-key blew off those negotiations."
"Just kidding. I'd never be a servant to someone like that, even if I died. I don't care about being a knight anyway."
"Tch... This is why them smart folks are so extra."
The storm has passed, and now I really need to think about the future.
Losing my knight title is tough, especially after all the hard work I put in. I also need to apologize to Quollio, who helped me with my magic training.
So, I should focus on what's next.
"What 'bout magic master Hiiro?"
"You can only use white magic, so what're you talking about?"
"Then what 'bout instructor Hiiro?"
"You can't become an instructor if you can't be a knight, you idiot!"
"Ugh..."
Shura's harsh denial hits me hard.
I mean, I think it's impossible too. Being a magic master is out of the question. An instructor is also a no-go. So, what about something more free?
"What about adventurer Hiiro?"
"...Adventurer?"
"Yeah. This world ain't just Asgardam, you feel me? There's other places to explore, hidden spots and dungeons. And if you're into gettin' rich, treasure huntin' ain't so bad neither."
Of course, being a protagonist means adventure.
It sounds fun to leave Asgardam and explore the world. Helping people everywhere I go and becoming known as a hero someday.
Yeah, that sounds great. I'm totally on board with that.
"You're dreaming. With your brain, I can only see you messing up and dying somewhere."
"What the 'ell did you say!?"
(Master, to be honest, I can only see that future too.)
(Ruthless!? This is where you're supposed to back me up!)
(I'm a realist, you know.)
Getting shot down so easily makes me feel down.
Maybe Shura could tell how I was feeling, because she chuckled softly.
"So, I'll go with you."
"Huh?"
That was an unexpected suggestion.
"What? You're not happy? Just so you know, I traveled for about a year before joining the knight order. I'm way more used to it than you."
"You! You think you're better at adventurin' than me? Ha!"
"Too bad. Other than your stupidity and your bad looks, I'm better at everything."
"My looks are fire, though!"
"No way! Yours are way worse!"
"Huh!?"
I can't believe Shura is suggesting we travel together.
We're even bickering in this prison.
Is it because we're rivals? Maybe she feels the need to step up since the protagonist is missing? I don't know.
"Well, anyway. If you want to travel the world, I guess I'll go with you. You better be grateful."
"Hold up, you just dipped outta nowhere and now you wanna me thank ya? Get outta here..."
"Shut up!"
But honestly, traveling with her might not be so bad.
We might argue a lot, but I don't think I'd get bored. Plus, she's actually reliable. Just me and Ruthless would make me nervous.
I was starting to feel a bit more positive about it.
"──Sorry, but that future plan is going back to square one."
"Ah!"
I quickly turned to the voice that suddenly interrupted us.
Standing in front of our cell was a woman.
She had short, dark purple hair and sharp blue eyes peeking through a monocle.
She looked strict and serious, and I suddenly felt like I'd seen her before.
(Wait, isn't she the one from the entrance ceremony...?)
I remembered. She was the one giving the introduction at the spring entrance ceremony.
I think she was called the head assistant to Captain Leiva. No doubt about it. But why is she here? I had a very obvious question.
But her gaze was sharp, focused only on Shura, as if I didn't even exist.
"Be happy, Eshurareze Midgard. You are being released."
That's what she said.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)