333 330. It started from this day.txt (1/2)

The mansion of the lord in the village of Sidoa.

It was midnight in that garden.

Just like Kanami, 'I' was also training without sleep.

However, unlike him, it is not diverse. I no longer have the responsibility of being a maidservant, and my attractiveness as a woman is not important.

As long as he wanted me to be 'the best' as a knight, the only thing I can hone is my knightly power.

While learning the cultivation of a knight, he continues to refine his magic power and body single-mindedly.

And the same words are spoken.

''To the 'best' ....... If you don't become the 'best' better than anyone else, you have to be ......

Although the roles I was aiming for were different, the obsession lurking in their heads was exactly the same.

In order to become a better knight than anyone else, I abandoned all indulgences and kept swinging my sword. I will continue to knead my magic until I feel dizzy. No matter what the pain, I will not slacken off.

I trained my two talents of ”swordplay” and ”magic manipulation” thoroughly.

As a Levantine knight, I also dabbled a bit in 'Sacred Magic', but I didn't feel like I could overwhelm other knights in this field, so I quickly withdrew from it.

I was determined to keep winning, and I aimed only at my one and only power.

From midnight until the morning sun climbed, I would continue to train insanely.

Then, during the day, I would learn under an instructor prepared by the Kaikwola family.

Next to him was his fifth son, Riel, who was also there.

After all, he was the only one of the Kaikwola family's children who aspired to become a knight.

It wasn't that the other children didn't have talent. In the early days, besides Riel, there were other students who tried to learn from their instructors.

Some of them were gems in terms of both magic and qualities. But due to the fact that Rielle and I, who were studying together, and my talents as knights were outstanding, we couldn't keep the motivation to continue training.

Partly because of the region's distance from the war, the other brothers, including my heir, chose a path other than military service.

I felt like I could see my mother's shadow behind them, but I continued to focus on my role.

My goal was not to be the strongest in the village of Sidore, but the strongest knight in the country.

I didn't have time to think about anything else, not even for a moment.

Seeing me progressing on that tough path, Rielle may have been inspired as well, and he too trained to an excessive degree that was unthinkable for the son of a nobleman. No matter what day it is, he never takes a break, even if he is about to fall ill. Naturally, I try my best not to be outdone by that Riel.

We are conducive to each other, and we grow so fast that it's hard to believe we are country-born knight candidates.

As luck would have it, the instructors don't let up on that rapid growth either. Sometimes he would leave the village of Sidore to study the latest magic in the country's capital. Some of those studies included dueling for the unveiling of Rielle and me and playful dueling.

We fought real battles against candidates for knighthood from other countries in the nobleman's mansions and the country's academies.

I couldn't win all of them because of my position, but there wasn't a single match that didn't go my way.

I was strong. After all, I specialized only in winning.

Unlike the aristocrats who took their mission and pride in being a nobleman to heart, I only cared about winning from morning to night. They don't feel shame in their deception, and they don't forget to conspire at all times.

On top of that, by this time, he had already mastered the technique of 'magical power materialization', a technique that only a few people in the country had mastered. Although he hadn't yet become an official knight, he had reached a realm where he could beat even the most seasoned knights.

Thus, the two of us were doing well - over the course of a few years or so, we became promising candidates for knighthood that were rumored in the country.

The rumors of me coordinating wins and losses are slight, but Riel became so famous that the words 'the best gem in the history of the Walt State' were flying around among the nobility.

Things were really going well.

Life in the mansion was the most fulfilling ever.

My mama smiles all the time when she listens to me, and everywhere I go, I am pampered for my excellence.

There was never a time when I couldn't improve as much as I wanted to, even if it was a little bit of a bummer sometimes.

Everything was going so well that I sometimes wished that everything would stay the same for as long as it did and that I could just keep trying to be the best.

It was in the midst of this slackness that the story came.

''--Lagne, have you ever heard of the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights)?''

Two more people in the garden of the Kaikwola family's house - but a boy and a girl, both candidates for knighthood, who have grown a notch or two in comparison to what they once were, stand shoulder to shoulder and talk.

My body is cold from having just finished practicing, and as I wipe off my sweat, I think for a moment. The answer to that question was in the knight's cultivation that I had learned over the past few years.

''As I recall, you're talking about the knight-sama in the Levantine Prophecy, right?　Seven people who protect the saints who will be 're-born' in a thousand years ...... is a bit of a dubious lore

'Yeah, that. When I first heard about this, I thought it was one of the many fairy tales too: ...... Apparently, it's actually not.

What do you mean by ”different”?　Could it be that the saint is really going to be 're-born'?

They say they will. And I hear that the day of his 're-birth' isn't far off.

Ho, is it true: ......?

I open my mouth to surprise him.

The innocent Ragne acts like a habit, taking everything Riel says ...... seriously.

The ”Seven Celestial Knights” appear in the world a thousand years after the mythical millennium.

Honestly, it sounded like a made-up story to fool the women and children. However, no matter how long it had been, Rielle's expression hadn't changed and she was still serious.

''It's true. ...... The reason why I know that is because that 'Celestial Knights' invitation to join the 'Seventh Knight of Heaven (Celestial Knights)' came to me. I was really surprised. I've been told that the criterion for being chosen for this is neither performance nor competence, but 'qualities'.

I've known him for years and I can tell.

Rielle is not telling a lie.

Indeed, Riel is invited.

And the mechanics of that 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights) are also faintly understandable. It won't be as authentic as the lore. However, I can sense the intent of the Levantine religion to use that lore to do one big thing. It's not that unlikely.

As long as we use the words 'Celestial Knights' in the Levantine lore, those seven will get one of the greatest honors as knights. To me, the story of the 'Seven Knights in Heaven (Celestial Knights)' is an opportunity that cannot be ignored.

When I guessed that much, mixed emotions swirled in my chest.

'Just lagne ....... Once I get this story, I might not be able to come back here again. So--

It could be the fear of a fulfilling time crumbling, or it could be the confusion of my own inability to accept what's next. When more than just joy and anger was born in me, I saw a figure in the crosswalk facing the garden.

'Ah, ......,'

It was the head of the Kaikwola family, the husband and his mom.

Nowadays, it is not unusual to see the two of them walking together. The master is completely trusting of his mama, the head chamberlain, and always keeps her by his side. Over the past few years, Mama has done her job well, just like I have done mine with Rielle.

The deep friendship between the master and the chamberlain is an open secret in the Kaikwola family. Furthermore, anyone with good instincts would be aware of her relationship with her eldest son, her legitimate son.

Mom has successfully penetrated deep into the Kaikwola family.

However, I feel that the distance between Mom and I is farther away because of that.

Maybe it's because things have been going too smoothly lately, but there are times when we don't have our monthly secret mother-daughter meetings.

'Excuse me for a moment, Miss Rielle: ......!

I was in the middle of an important conversation, but my body was moving on its own.

The name in my head was a consultation about the 'Seven Knights of Heaven (Celestial Knights)', but in truth, the loneliness in the back of my mind pushed me to run to the crossing corridor and call out to him.

''Um--''

Mom noticed my approach before anyone else.

Then she smiled and threw praise at me before my words.

'Huh, you're working out today. Splendid, Ragne. Keep up the good work and you'll be the best knight you can be to protect Riel-sama. ......

...... yeah. ...... is, yes.

Stopping, I nodded back.

Mom confirmed this and quickly returned her gaze to her husband.

'Excuse me, sir. Let's go.

”Mm.

They left with a word of encouragement and left.

In the midst of it all, Mom was happily chatting with her husband. She let out a hearty smile, not only about her work at the mansion, but also about her private chats.

It was a completely different kind of smile than the one she was giving me.

I didn't want to disturb the two of them and I didn't chase after them.

Mom is doing well now. I've seen her really come alive over the past few years. She has become an indispensable part of the mansion, not only with her husband, but also with the heir apparent of the Kaikwola family, and she has become an indispensable part of this house. He's become so valuable that he doesn't need my little help anymore--

'Ragne, don't you think you could be more honest?'

As I kept watching my mom's back as she left, she called out to me.

'Huh?'

He turned with surprise and looked at Riel, who had thrown the words at him.

There was a look on his face that I didn't know I had.

'You like the head chamberlain, don't you?'

Rielle continued to speak with conviction. The seriousness in his eyes seemed to put everything into perspective, and my performance shuddered a little.

'Well, I don't like you, I just respect you ....... I owe you a debt of gratitude for picking me up .......

...... It's hard for me to watch Ragne delude himself like that.

Rielle took a step closer and grabbed both my shoulders.

'Gosh, are you faking it?　Me?

My expression was almost twitching.

This is the first time Rielle has ever stepped in on me like this.

'To me, it looks like Ragne is pushing himself too hard. Lagne always stands up for people and compliments them at all times. Even the duel with the knights is well beaten ...... but that's not really Lagune, is it?　I'm just trying to imitate that chamberlain, trying to get everyone to like me.

What ......?

It continues to amaze me from the heart.

Rielle, who I had always thought was in the palm of my hand, goes beyond me.

''Indeed, the head chamberlain is a really great guy. I can understand why your father and brother like you so much. I just don't like that kind of eight-way person. ......

I don't know when.

But there is no doubt anymore. Rielle is firmly able to see what is really going on without being confused by our acting.

'--so (...), Ragne!　Come with me to the Great Holy City: ......!　I'm going to get away from that chamberlain and find a new identity in the Great Holy City!　That's definitely better!　I just want Ragne to be Ragne!

Rielle's grip on my shoulders increases.

The pain that rushes through my shoulders and the words ”to the great holy city” tell me disgustingly the reality that it's over.

The reason why he's stepping into me now, even at the risk of destroying our relationship to this day, is probably because of the invitation of the Seven Celestial Knights of Heaven (Celestial Knights). Before we part ways, he has confessed to me. Even if everything up to today is going to collapse, I'm going to have the courage to--.

Watching Rielle, I am painfully aware that I only thought I was being smart and strong. The really smart and strong would be someone like him, someone who is aware of my performance but is willing to go along with it.

The distortion in my face deepens.

In response, Rielle piles on the words.

'...... No, no? What I just said was probably a construction. I just want to be with Lagune. I just want to be with Lagne all the time, so I want to get you away from the head chamberlain ......!　That's all there is to it!

Yeah, straight up: .......

Not like me, who somehow manages to say mindless words to try to get them to hate me and somehow get them to like me.

And I don't know.

Now, without a doubt, I'm not becoming Riel's 'ideal'. He has seen through my performance and his shallow and stinky personality has been exposed. He wants to be with that creepy me and he wants to be with me. I can't get to the reason for this and I'm baffled.

'......su, let me think about it for a minute.'

I needed some time.

Anyway, I want to talk to my mom about everything I'm having right now.

If I haven't been able to be Rielle's 'ideal', then I may be far from my mom's 'ideal' as well. I'm sorry for him, but that's more serious for me.

My face becomes even more contorted as I consider the implications of Mom's earlier response to me.

Seeing that troubled face, Rielle steps back.

'...... Okay, I get it. However, in a few days, the people from the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights) will be coming to the mansion to pick me up. If possible, I hope you'll decide before then. I want Ragne himself (・・・・・・) to decide (・・・・・・). ...... Sorry this is so short notice.

It's short notice, but it looks like I have a few days to think about it.

I'm relieved at that reprieve, and I bow heavily to Rielle before hurrying out of the yard. I hurry to my room so that no one can see me now.

It's an empty room. It's the room I've been given since I became a candidate for knighthood, but honestly, it's too clean and uncomfortable. I'm tempted to go back to the dirty hut I once had, but I gulp down and begin to contemplate on my bed.

Successfully I grew up to be a knight.

If I follow Rielle and train in the Great Holy City, I don't think I can dream of becoming a knight who can be called 'the best' in the world. However, would that really make Mama happy? These days my mom only looks at the men of the Kaikwola family and doesn't pay as much attention to me as she used to. Perhaps I have misunderstood the knight's words to be the 'best'. That anxiety interferes with my decision.

That day, I continued to worry and for the first time, I neglected to train.

And after much deliberation, I finally gave up trying to come up with an answer on my own.

It's just a few days before the ”Seven Celestial Knights” or whatever they are called, come to the mansion, and the moon will come full circle. There will come a time when I can talk to my mom alone.

That's when I decided to listen to Mama's decision.

I'll ask Mom what I should do, and then I'll re-consolidate the values and priorities of my ”ideals”.

Otherwise, there are too many things we don't know and we won't get anything done. I'm not sure what I'm doing right and wrong. I don't know how to deal with Rielle, who sees right through my act.

'Mum, tell me ....... You can tell me what I'm going to do .......

It's the bedtime murmurings before bedtime for what feels like the umpteenth time now. In bed, I close my eyes and let go of my consciousness, thinking only of my mom's face.

--and that night. Riel Kaikwola, the fifth son of the Kaikwola family, died.

The next morning, when I woke up, the house was in a state of turmoil.

The running maidservants told me that a monster had appeared in a nearby village last night. Rielle went to take care of it and they fought each other.

At the end of that all-too-brief end of life, I--I intuitively knew who did it (・・・・・)!

It's not uncommon for a monster to appear from time to time to harm the village. It's not strange for knights or knight candidates to head out in a fire hurry. It is also reasonable that the good-natured Riel acted alone in a hurry for the sake of the people. He had gained that much competence and pride over the past few years. No matter what kind of monster came out of this region, he would never fall behind.

'Ma, mama ......?'

I'm used to seeing that deftness.

The information gleaned from the maidservants' every word of conversation backs up their assumptions.

It's a chain of 'bad intentions' that only I, knowing Mom and Rielle well, can understand.

Everything was against Rielle. Time of day, physical condition, location, communication of information, type of enemy, affinity with the enemy - you can read a lot of 'artificial misadventures' in the stories of human biographies alone.

The biggest misfortune among them would be the fact that somehow the story did not enter my ears as the second knight candidate of the Kaikwola family.

''Ah, ah, ah, .......''

Of course, there were rumors of other deaths, not accidents, but rumors of other deaths. However, suspicions had begun to turn to Riel's brothers. The motive is jealousy of my brother who is a great knight.

I have only a small amount of suspicion because my usual rapport with Riel is well known.

-- It's definitely mom's doing.

She must have been coordinating their relationship for years now, timing it and planning the accident called last night.

'So now Ragne is the best knight in the Valtics.

Just as I had that certainty, I heard a voice behind me.

I turned around and saw my mom standing in the empty corridor with no one else in sight.

I consult with her ahead of schedule.

'Mama ....... Why ......, why ......, would you ...... Rielle-sama?

However, the content of this is not what I had in mind yesterday.

''Lagne, this has been decided a long time ago. Not only the head of the Kaikwola family, but also his heir, has already been captivated by me. So it's not a problem if one of my five sons or so is no longer with us. Rather, the problem was that that man had 'qualities' that rivaled Lagune's. And that he had enough eyes to close in on us.

It was a simple motive.

It was like clearing out a room, and I would be able to answer that Rielle was in the way of this Kaikwola family, so I asked her to disappear. Furthermore, Mama would continue and whisper to me.

''Tomorrow, there's a knight of the Fuzzyards to welcome the new 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights) in the sky. You know what that means, if you're smart enough to know what that means, Ragne?

It's a short exchange, but I'm beginning to understand what Mom is trying to do.

I'm sure that Mama must have known more about the 'Celestial Knights' for a long time. She used Rielle as bait to lure the messenger of that invitation.

By the time I understood the true meaning of this, Mom had already shown her back.

She didn't want to talk about it for too long and leave a gap in her plans. Mom hurried to deal with the accidental death of Rielle, the sudden death of Rielle, as the head of the chamberlain.

I couldn't move an inch as I saw it off.

As an act, I must let go of my beloved Rielle, as I lost my beloved Rielle.

It's because of the deep friendship I have with Rielle to this day that everyone in the mansion is concerned about me instead of doubting me. That's the groundwork for my brothers in the Kaikwola family to be suspicious. I can't let this act go down for my mom's plan.

I walk around the mansion without thinking, asking around about Rielle.

'Why ....... Why, Rielle is .......

Unable to accept reality, I paled and pretended I didn't know what to do with myself as I went about my day.

And that night.

At the hour when the sun was beginning to set, the knight who had been entrusted with the invitation of the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights) arrived.

The knight was received at the main gate by the Lady of the Kaikwola family. Then she was told the meaning of the dark air in the mansion and expressed her surprise.

''---So, funeral ......!　Is Riel Kaikwola dead!

Yes ......

I watched from the back as my wife squeezed out a response.

I had been confused by Rielle's death all morning, but that didn't mean I was going to lose my job.

Since noon, I had been entrusted with guarding my wife and taking care of her personal affairs. The reason for this is simple. It seems that when the Mistress welcomes the knights of the capital, she decided that it was better to have me, a knight's cultivated man, than to have an ordinary maid next to her. --is this also the plan?

I observe the young man who appeared behind his wife.

He is Hein Helvirshain, the heir of a great nobleman who is called 'a knight among knights' by some people.

His appearance and deportment are more graceful and knightly than anyone I have met to date. He has pure gold hair and a well-defined nose. A dazzling radiance seems to radiate from his body at all times.

He's a big man.

He's not the kind of person who would normally come to this country.

Speaking of Helvirshain, I'm sure he was counted among the four great nobles.

From the emissary's high status, one can see how serious the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights) thing is. At the same time, it also shows the high value of Rielle who was invited to join it.

I can also see how the value of that life should not be wasted--.

The Mistress and Hein exchanged the standard greetings between the nobles in front of the main gate, and then immediately began to lead me into the mansion.

Along the way, Hein politely repeats his condolences to the Mistress, but once I overhear him muttering in a whisper that no one can hear.

'--I'm troubled. According to the prophecy, the knight who will fill the last slot is in the Kaikwola family ....... This means that the seventh person won't be able to line up--

Despite his mourning for Riel's death, he never seems to forget his work as a knight.

In that sense, he certainly seems to be a 'knight among knights'.