Chapter 15 (1/2)

Without incident, we reached White Sword Castle after a few hours.

The castle walls are built on top of several of the gently sloping hills sprinkled all over the open plains, and tower at least 15m in height. Punctuated by numerous guard towers of proportional scale, its entire length is dyed pure white. This is definitely a white sword.

According to Sedam, whenever a monster causes harm within Yuule or its surrounding lands, the residents would almost always turn to the Carbanera Knight Order for help.

To the west of the white castle stretches a reddish-brown wilderness.

This place is the border between the territories of man and monster.

The Carbanera Knight Order is apparently an offshoot of the Order of Shulendal. Having played a major role in a great anki vs. human war that had occurred several centuries ago, the Carbanera Knight Order has ever since been tasked with protecting the peace in western Liuus. Therefore, they are indeed powerful. However, Sedam did express worries about their morale being low after 10 whole years of minimal anki sightings.

♥♦♣♠

I am feeling that worry firsthand at the moment.

After pa.s.sing through two pairs of castle gates, Sedam, Claura, and I requested an audience with the Grand Cross. So far as it goes, we were treated with respect and, in short order, escorted to what seems to be a conference room.

(T/N: According to Wikipedia, the top person of a chivalric order is called the Grand Cross. Captain Commander, which people might be more familiar with from Bleach, is not so apt here because later on, at least one of the lower ranks is t.i.tled as Company Commander, which is higher than Captain Commander.)

However, the person who was waiting there was not the Grand Cross, but a middle-aged man who identified himself as a staff officer.

“Being the highly regarded adventurers that you two are, I don’t think you are lying, but……”

The staff officer, whose name is Espine, is looking at me with a blatant “that's gotta be a lie” look on his face.

Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect such a reaction.

“I don’t know about Sedam, but are you possibly doubting me, the 5th Seat of the Lelis Magician Guild?” (Claura)

If I remember correctly, there are 12 official magicians in Lelis, right? How big a deal is the 5th Seat? The staff officer is totally panicking, though.

“Of, of course not! It’s just that, um, turning a magician into stone, and calling down a meteor…… It all sounds so absurd.” (Espine)

“Apologies, but may we meet directly with the Grand Cross himself? If he is not available, the 1st Company Commander would suffice.” (Sedam)

“The Grand Cross Sir Amrand gal Saadishu is of ill health. And the 1st Company Commander Arnogia-dono is out on patrol……” (Espine)

Such complete rejection is, to be honest, beyond what we had expected. I steal a sideways glance at Sedam.

“...... If that is the case, then we shall wait until Arnogia’s return.” (Sedam)

“Unfortunately, without express permission from headquarters, outsiders are not allowed to stay overnight at this castle.” (Espine)

“...... Tch” (Sedam)

He clicked his tongue?! I see, so Sedam is the type that can’t communicate with headstrong people.

“Don’t we simply have to force our way to the Grand Cross’ room?” (Claura)

…… Claura is clearly out of the question.

Am I the only left to do any proper talking? I myself don’t mind long negotiations, but I think Sedam or Claura might blow their fuse before I make enough headway.

“Excuse me, you really ought to check this man’s ident.i.ty once again.” (Sedam)

“Are you trying to say that this personage is a swindler?!” (Claura)

I’m glad that you guys are getting angry on my behalf, but……

I hold Claura back and am about to speak to the staff officer when suddenly……

The door violently bangs open. In its wake, a large-bodied man sluggishly enters the room.

That huge body of his…… the most apt simile that I can think of is ‘like a sumo wrestler.’ He looks like he weighs maybe even 200kgs. I find it hard to believe that he has on knight armor, but his suit is most likely custom-made. His face tells me that he’s only in his twenties, but I wonder if he’s suffering from some adult disease……?

“Whaaat are you guys making a ruckus about, in my castle?”

That was the first thing he said. Don’t tell me, he’s the Grand Cross?!

“...... Gillion-dono, this castle is under the owners.h.i.+p of the entire Order as a whole.”

Sedam’s and Claura’s stares being below zero, I can understand. But for some reason, even the staff officer’s response is cold. My worry for him also melted within the next second.

“HAH?! I’m a direct descendant of the founder of that Order! My esteemed name is Gillion gal Carbanera! And this is the Carbanera Knight Order! Which means it belongs to me, all of it!” (Gillion)

“Such a thing is not stipulated within the Order’s regulations.” (Espine)

I see. It probably wasn’t his intention, but still, thank you for the easy to understand introduction. I’ve seen this kind every once in a while back in my company. If I fan his self-conceit as a man, I can easily bring him to lend us an ear.

“Nii-san! What are you doing in front of outsiders!”

A new character has come onstage.

Entering the room by pus.h.i.+ng aside the huge shouting man blocking the door is a female knight with a wild red mane. Her armor looks simpler than what Gillion and the staff officer is wearing, so maybe her position is not so high.

…… Wait a second. Did she just say “Nii-san”?

“Sedam, Claura. I’m so sorry about the unsightly display.” (female knight)

“...... We don’t mind.” (Claura)

“Rio, nice timing. Listen to us. Anki have appeared. We believe there is a large nest.” (Sedam)

“What did you say?!”