Episode 23.11-12 (1/2)
”Lecan-dono. What do you mean by great.”
”I'm really not good with all this longwinded talk. So I'm very much on board if this can be settled with swords. If this vice commander win, I'll give it my everything to go look for Shira and make sure she'll see Skalabel when he's here. If I win you guys go back to the royal capital, pronto. Forget about Skalabel ever coming here.”
”Bastard, have you gone mad?”
”Stand back, Zaifad-dono. You too Lecan-dono, please do not instigate Zaifad-dono. Zaifad-dono is an escort Royal Knights dispatched as ordered by his majesty, I have no right to command him directly.”
”What. No duel huh. Boring.”
The town lord groaned with his hands on his head.
”I'm telling you not to incite him. Zaifad-dono as well, calm yourself. There is no way I could report to his excellency prime minister about how Zaifad-dono dueled and killed Shira-dono's pupil. Think about how guide Skalabel would react to that.”
This seems to have hit the nail on the head, Zaifad forcefully suppressed his swelled up fighting spirits.
Vouka town lord, Crimus Ulban let out an incredibly deep sigh.
”I see you must have it hard too town lord-dono.”
”I truly feared it would turn into a duel for a moment there. If a gold rank adventurer of Vouka town were to duel and kill a vice commander of the royal knights, I wouldn't know--”
”What did you say.”
Zaifad looks at Crimus with an awfully sharp gaze.
”Vouka town lord, what, did you say.”
”Wha?”
”You said a Vouka town's adventurer would kill me in a duel, did you not.”
”N-no, that's not what I”
”Underscretary-dono.”
”What is it.”
”I hereby challenge Lecan to a duel.”
”You cannot.”
”I cannot abide by that.”
”And why wouldn't you.”
”Vouka town lord has spoken that a town adventurer could kill a vice commander of the Royal Knights. Royal Knights are the highest absolute force of might that protects this kingdom's public order. The existence of Royal Knights is precisely why the populace could live in peace knowing they would be protected from foreign invasions or domestic riots.”
”Well yes, that may be so.”
”Royal Knights cannot be allowed to fall behind noble knights. It can never be compared to an adventurer under a rankless lord of some remote region. Permitting that would disturb the kingdom's harmony”
”Let's think calmly now.”
”A mere Vouka town lord dares doubt the capability of Royal Knights, this is truly a grave matter. Pardoning this would result in more remote lords having the wrong idea. This problem concerns the significance of Royal Knights' existence. I cannot simply overlook it.”
”Zaifad-dono, you might end up killing a fellow disciple of guide Skalabel.”