Chapter 17 (1/2)

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-s.h.i.+. 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-s.h.i.+’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.