Chapter 17: The Melancholy of the Knights
The next morning.
“What are you calmly reading a book for!” (Claura)
“No, this is necessary for me ahhhh now I have to start all over again.” (Gio)
With my spellbook spread open, I was in the middle of recharging the spells that I’d used up when Claura began pulling on my earlobe. No matter how much I may be a level 36 wizard, even I cannot concentrate while being on the receiving end of such violence. The Inner World me was even worse off, forced to flee the Spell Archive even while the walls were shaking with the threat of collapsing completely at any moment. I mean, when I put it this way, it may sound kind of comical, but it was a situation where my mind could have received some serious damage, alright?
“...... And that is how I ‘charge’ my spells. Spells that are not charged cannot be used.” (Gio)
I ended up giving away the weakness of wizardry, but I had no choice but to tell Claura a little bit about how spells work.
“Is that so. I’m sorry for having gotten in your way, then. But if that’s true, then it is a weakness that you should never tell other people. Do be careful.” (Claura)
“Continue the conversation another time! Let him finish so that we can get going. Arnogia is waiting.” (Sedam)
Even while showered with complaints, I’ve already resumed recharging my used spells and switching ones that I don’t think I’d need today. Originally, choosing the spells to charge for the day is supposed to be one of the challenges and pleasures of being a D&B wizard. However, all that time that I could have spent on the ‘pleasure’ part today would instead have to go towards me fixing up my appearance.
But with that said, all I really have to do is shake the dust off my robe and pat down my bedhair. The robe that I’m wearing, as well as the boots, rings, and amulet are all extremely rare magic items. If a D&B wizard saw me, his eyes would immediately go green with envy. It seems that magicians in Sedia don’t have an eye for this sort of thing, though.
“...... Do I appear imposing?” (Gio)
I stretch myself to my full height and give a shot at quoting a line from the wizard that had appeared in the cla.s.sical fantasy movie Dragon Slayer.
“...... Yeaa. Sure you do.” (Sedam)
“You are the very picture of a Great Wizard.” (Claura)
Then why are you guys refusing to look me in the eye.
♥♦♣♠
The son of the Carbanera Knight Order’s Grand Cross, Arnogia gil (knight) Sadishu, who is also the Company Commander of the 1st Company, turns out to be a pretty boy.
After returning to White Sword Castle with the inspection squad, he immediately hurried over to meet us.
“I see, an anki nest. Unfortunately, it seems that you are telling the truth.” (Arnogia)
After listening to Sedam’s account, Arnogia nods with a gloomy face.
“We shall hold a strategy meeting as soon as possible. My father—the Grand Cross, I mean—would also have to attend. Would you two, as well as Wizard-dono, be willing to help?” (Arnogia)
“Naturally.” (Gio)
Did I just say “naturally” instead of “of course”? I guess I’ve grown just a little bit more used to the ‘mask of a great wizard.’ However, if I ever forget the fact that my real nature is that of a mere salaryman, it would come back to bite me later on down the line. I have read mountains of black sci-fi and fantasy novels that went down that path.
“As expected of Arnogia-dono, being able to see that we are telling the truth with but one glance. In the future, you will definitely become a very gallant Grand Cross.” (Claura)
Claura is really praising Arnogia. For what it’s worth, Gillion also immediately believed us about the anki appearance…… Don’t tell me she’s evaluating them based on their looks?
♥♦♣♠
The meeting is going to be hosted in the great reception hall of White Sword Castle.
When I think of it as a presentation, my body stiffens up.
Before this, Sedam and I have discussed what we are aiming to achieve with this presentation. At the very least, we wish for the deployment of one company from the Order. To be frank, if I freely use all the spells I have at my disposal, I can take care of the anki army and nest all by myself.
The problem lies with any possible escapees, who might attack nearby villages and people or create another nest. To prevent that from happening, a certain number of people is needed to set up an encirclement around the place (or so said Sedam). Being able to round up everyone in the Order would be best, but one company of knights and soldiers should be enough to somehow make do (or so said Sedam).
The great reception hall being on the top floor of the castle works to my favor for this presentation. The large balcony on the east side commands a great view of the surroundings around the castle.
On the floor is carpet with detailed embroidery, on the walls are paintings depicting the feats of the Order, and on the ceiling are chandeliers and flags bearing the Order’s coat of arms. Deep within the large doors lies a ma.s.sive chair, which is currently occupied by an elderly knight. He must be the Grand Cross.
On his right is Arnogia, and on his left is Gillion and another male knight that I don’t know. Most likely the Company Commander of the 3rd Company.
In additional, there are also 5 other top bra.s.s, several tens of knights that happen to be in the castle at the time (I see Lioria among them), and us three. This is everyone present for this strategy meeting.
“I am the Grand Cross of the Carbanera Knight Order, Amrand gal Sadishu. Adventurers, as well as…… Wizard Margils-dono. We would be thankful if you would present your valued information.” (Amrand)
White hair and mustache. His dark face color indeed confirms that he is ill. However, his voice rings out powerfully.
“We are merely fulfilling our duty, Grand Cross.” (Sedam)
Sedam makes a shallow bow, but his att.i.tude is more courteous than the one he normally takes towards other knights. Beside him, Claura also makes a graceful curtsy.
“Thanks is unnecessary. Anki are an existence that threatens all mankind, after all. I have faith that the Carbanera Knight Order will come up with a most appropriate method to resolve this problem.” (Gio)
I also bow in greeting. When the other party is someone who has borne the heavy burden of the Grand Cross t.i.tle for so many years, acting like I’m his equal is taking a heavy drain on my spirit. I can feel my palm, the one holding the Wizardry Staff, beginning to sweat.
“...... Leader belonging to the Lelis Adventurer Guild, Sedam-shi. Present in full detail your account of the matter at hand.” (Espine)
So intoned the tactician in a stately voice.
(T/N: No he’s not the guildmaster, he’s just a party leader, but the position of a party leader is more official and thus of some weight in this world. Detailed introduction to the Adventurer Guild will be in a later chapter, not any time soon.)
After Sedam’s accounting is my performance. But whether the meeting will proceed according to our plan…… Hoping to gather even the tiniest hint that could be of help, I secretly examine everyone else who is attending.
♥♦♣♠
“We headed towards the fort with the intention of rescuing Irudo-shi’s daughter. However, along the way, we met Great Wizard-dono, who had already rescued the daughter, and even turned the magician, who was the bandits’ leader, to stone……” (Sedam)
While Sedam continues speaking, I notice that the tactician is trying very hard to not look at me. Gillion and Lioria both look very uncomfortable. Within the eyes of all the top bra.s.s, which is composed of the Finance Minister, the Secretary, the Intelligence Head, and the Internal Affairs Head, I see a combination of doubt, curiosity, and unease.
Stay calm, me.
“...... Great Wizard-dono left us, but shortly right after, eight meteors appeared in the sky and crashed down……” (Sedam)
When Sedam got to the falling meteors, naturally the faces of the knights all turned suspicious. Even the tactician and Carbanera siblings, who have already seen my wizardry, look half torn between belief and disbelief.
The elderly Grand Cross’ face is showing no reaction at all, though. The same can almost be said for Arnogia, who has only turned slightly paler.
“...... And this is how the anki army that was heading towards Yuule was annihilated. However, it is impossible for an anki army of that scale to exist without there being a nest. It should lie somewhere within that valley. We believe this warrants immediate action.” (Sedam)
So ends Sedam’s report and advice.
“Thank you, Sedam. Everyone, your thoughts?” (Amrand)
As the elderly knight opens the floor, a heavy silence fills the hall.
“...... This is an ominous report. I believe we should first send out a scouting party to get a better grasp of the situation.”
So says the 3rd Company Commander (his name is Ord, apparently) in a hard voice while straightening his back. With his buff body and close-cropped hair, he looks the very image of a self-made military man.
“A scouting party? If we send a scouting party and they confirm that there really is an anki nest, then what do we do?” (Espine)
The tactician poses his question with a sour face. As can be expected, this causes the lined up knights to start buzzing.
“Naturally, we will smash it to bits!” (Gillion)
“Hear, hear!” (Ord)
Gillion sprays spittle with his outcry, to which Ord nods furiously.
“A scouting party, we can do. But destroying an anki nest……”
“Is there a problem, Finance Minister Igord?” (Arnogia)
Arnogia urges the plump knight to elaborate on his complaint.
“For special operations, we have to pay the knights and soldiers a special bonus. On top of which, foodstuffs, medicines, bedding, clothing, weapon maintenance, feed for the horses, fuel. If anybody gets injured, treatments costs; if anybody dies, compensation to the bereaved. In the meantime, we cannot cut down on the patrols and security in the various villages, so we’d also have to pay the knights to work overtime. To be blunt, we do not have the budget.” (Igord)
Finance Minister Igord’s face looks completely at a loss. He must be telling the truth about the Order’s finances being tight. What a harsh world this is.
Worst case, I can help out with what I have in my possession. But it’s hard to determine how involved I should get.
“That’s…… can’t we somehow work it out?” (Arnogia)
“Yea! If the Carbanera Knight Order is frugal about fighting anki, then why do we even exist?!” (Gillion)
The opinions of Arnogia, who is looking troubled, and Gillion, whose face is twisted with anger, appear to have lined up. The 3rd Company Commander, Ord, is also nodding.
The rest of the knights are anxiously watching the fate of this debate.
“In the first place, is it even true that anki have appeared? I’ve received no such report from my subordinates.”
The person who said that was a tiny old grandma with a husky voice and a razor sharp gaze who cut a conspicuous figure even among the top bra.s.s.
“There is no doubt, Intelligence Head Ileza. Where in my account was there room for doubt?” (Sedam)
I see, so she is the person in charge of the intelligence gathering.
“Sedam, are you sane? Did you eat a bad mushroom that got to your head?!” (Ileza)
“The claim that the wizard—or whatever he is—over there defeated a whole army of anki is way too unrealistic!”
After Ireza’s frank outburst, Internal Affairs Head Logik also voices his agreement. Well, it’s not like I don’t understand.
“...... As I had thought…..”
“No matter how amazing the magician, a meteor is a bit……”
When I listen to the other knights, all I hear are similar opinions.
However, I take a step forward, as if I had been waiting for this moment.
“Hou, interesting. Am I being suspected of being a con artist?” (Gio)
My line came out quite smoothly. In actuality, during my preparatory meeting with Sedam, we had predicted that the discussion would go this direction.
“N-, no, Margils-dono, by no means are we……” (Espine)
The tactician’s face quickly turns ashen as he tries to calm me down, but sorry, I’m going to have to ignore you here.
“I do not fault you all for your failure to understand. After all, ‘wizardry’ is something that has never been seen before in all Sedia. As such, allow me to demonstrate! For this is the power of my spells!” (Gio)
Uu, my back is so itchy. The fact that Arnogia and the bra.s.s and all the other knights are focused on me with their breaths held is my only saving grace. Seriously, if anyone laughs or even giggles at this moment, I know with certainty that my heart with be broken.
“By means of this spell, may 8 falling stars be summoned and descend upon the head of mine enemy. [Meteor].”
I pointed my Wizardry Staff towards the reddish-brown wilderness visible beyond the balcony as I recited the chant.
A ‘hyuu’ sound, indicative of something flying at high speed, immediately emits from above our heads. A split second later, eight meteors slam into the open land spread out before our eyes, in an enormous explosion.
Light and thunderous noise dominates the s.p.a.cious hall, after which the shockwaves shake the walls and ceiling, causing them to shake off clouds of dust.
“Uwaaahhhh!”
“Hiiii-----!?”
“Fire came down from the sky?!”
“What the heck was that explosion?!”
“Uoo…… Awesome! AWESOME!!”
“............”
The knights’ reactions are all within my expectations. Most everyone is either stock still with fear or cowering on the ground while cradling their head.
The bra.s.s are also standing dumbfounded with both eyes and mouth wide open. Actually, no, Gillion alone is, for some reason, swinging his arms around rather excitedly.
The Grand Cross and Arnogia are about the only ones who didn’t show any visible reaction.
“Apologies for riddling your parade ground with holes. If needed, bill me the repair cost later on.” (Gio)
I’m glad I asked ahead of time and learned that the areas around White Sword Castle are wilderness with nothing in them that are normally used only for military drills. But with that said, it was wrong of me to create eight gigantic holes in it. When I look at the Finance Minister’s eyes, it seems like I really might get that bill.
“...... Wha-...... wha-......”
“Is something like this even possible……?”
“So this is wizardry……”
“The holes are real…… the land is scorched black……”
The knights are still greatly unnerved, occupied with either looking at me with dread or pressing against the balcony railing and confirming the terrible spectacle outside.
“We now understand fully. Please forgive us for any distress we might have caused, Wizard-dono. It is clear to us that your strength knows no bounds. We offer our apologies.” (Amrand)
A low and refined voice rings out, almost as if to slice through the commotion. It was the Grand Cross. It seems that he really isn’t unnerved. What an impressive man.
“I mind not, Grand Cross-dono. I, too, may also have been a slight bit immature.” (Gio)
My reply was delivered along with a cool nod. To be honest, it is only now that I’ve been able to make eye contact with the Grand Cross.
“Our…… Great Wizard-dono’s story no longer needs any further proof, I hope?” (Sedam)
In response to Sedam’s question, the knights nod absentmindedly, as if they had all just woken from a dream.
“Very well, then allow me to say it again. I have faith that the Carbanera Knight Order will come up with a most appropriate method to resolve this problem. However…… if my a.s.sistance is needed, I will gladly lend a hand.” (Gio)
“Your aid would be equal to a million men. From today onwards, Great Wizard Margils-dono has become our Order’s greatest and most powerful ally.” (Amrand)
“Let’s do it! Everyone! The Great Wizard is our ally! Victory to the White Sword! Ruin to the anki!”
“VICTORY TO THE WHITE SWORD!”
“RUIN TO THE ANKI!”
With perfect timing, Arnogia draws his sword and brandishes it aloft while shouting a battlecry.
Almost all the rest of the knights draw their swords reflexively and cheer in chorus. This pretty boy indeed seems the charismatic type. Gillion, who is beside him, looks vexed, but still follows suit without uttering a complaint.
However.
Right before Arnogia drew his sword, his father pinching the back of his hand as a signal did not go unnoticed by me.