Euphy and Gilbert-san said that they’d gather the knights and leave the room.
Since there was no point in staying and so Nia and I left the mansion and came to the corner of the garden where the knights used for training.
Several knights are wielding their weapons half-naked in the morning as well.
Everyone bowed lightly to my appearance, and their training resumed immediately.
The knights here aren’t so different from each other in this world, but there’s one pink-haired guy who stands out
His expression turned grim when he spotted me, but he returned Nia’s greeting when she raised her hand.
Oh, they’re friendly?
While I was waiting, Nia sat on the ground and leaned against me like a chair, and then she began to groom her tail so I helped her.
She hums happily as I brush her with my regular brush.
The fact that the song was from a Vocaloid game which I have been playing recently made me feel like she’s becoming more and more familiar with Japanese culture.
When the grooming is over while she hums and sings in a good mood, Nia puts her weight on me and rubs the back of her head to them.
We haven’t been communicating recently, so she’s getting spoiled.
As I was playing with Nia, the knights of Adicilton began to gather one after another, and when Euphy and Gilbert-san arrived, I stood up and saw that there were enough female knights and a lot of men to fit around us, slightly crooked but they formed a line.
Gilbert-san saw that and stepped forward.
「 Quiet. Euphilite-sama’s about to speak 」
Ooh, now this mood is different.
I thought it would be just a light match, but I sensed the solemn atmosphere
However, I don’t feel deflated from it.
The knights who are usually in their normal clothes, were half-naked because they gathered in a hurry while they were training.
However, the atmosphere still turns tight when Euphy raises her voice.
「 Everyone, I’ve gathered you all here for one thing. I have someone I want to formally introduce to you 」
Euphy looked at me.
「 This gentleman sitting here is Kotori Daiki-sama. As everyone knows, he’s the one who freed me from slavery in the Kingdom of Nyhied, and not only did he let me visit this place after becoming his follower, he gave me a great deal of cooperation. Daiki-sama’s personality is wonderful, he’s a man of character who cannot overlook not only me but also the unfortunate ones he sees behind him. 」
Upon introducing me, the knights look at me at once.
They all have a serious and somewhat doubtful look.
I’m not feeling any malice, is probably because the feeling isn’t hostile.
Even they understand that I was the one who brought Euphy back to them.
However, since Euphy is here, they think that she has to be the flag bearer.
I mean, those eyes are asking “Hmm, you? We’re obeying you?”
I gave the knights a fake smile, I also saw on the other side Manos-san1 and the four nights who dove into the dungeon with us looking accustomed and mixed in with the others.
They return a troubled, comforting smile when their eyes meet mine.
I know what they want to say.
They’re saying “You must have it hard”
It’s a negligent smile, but it’s a little comforting.
While I was thinking that, Euphy’s solo performance, in which she kept praising me so much that I thought of pinning her down, she reached the peak, and the conversation turned to the assistance she received.
「 -And we’re grateful for the generous support we received from Daiki-sama, which embodies his philosophy of helping the weak and crushing the strong. When we asked for support earlier, he offered 300 gold coins without hesitation and told us to spend them as needed. Everyone knows how much this can help everyone, right? 」
「 Ooh, that’s a lot of money… 」
「 Can we also arm ourselves with that? 」
You say?
No, it’s pointless to keep it a secret, so it’s better to show gratitude.
Euphy-chan’s quite nasty.
But, the knights are pleased…
It’s probably because they know very well that they can’t do anything without money.
Seeing that the knights have a good reaction, Euphy smiled.
After a pause, she resumed speaking.
「 Well then, Daiki-sama in his magnificence will be guiding us in our fight today. Anyone who wants it, please raise your hand 」
「 Huh? Princess, what are you… 」
「 Guiding us? 」
So that’s what she meant?
Hey, a few of them looks pissed off.
Some look like they think they’re looked down on!!
「 H-Hey, Euphy. You say it like… 」
I know I shouldn’t do it here, but when I was about to tell Euphy, the pink-haired dude shouted…
「 Let me do it! 」
「 Chris? Hmm, I know your strength, but… 」
「 I’ll test myself how good Kotori Daiki is! 」
「 Chris, it’s Kotori Daiki-sama. Also, Daiki-sama’s giving his guidance. If you make more mistakes, I might have to reconsider 」
「 Ugh, I-I’m sorry. I-I-I’ll take Kotori-sama’s, g-guidance… ugh!! 」
Chris’ attitude changed when Euphy glared at her, and he turned pale.
Even I would be freaked out if I saw those eyes, I get you.
But you know, why hate on me so much?
「 Calm down Euphy. If he wants to, I won’t refuse. I also want to try out something 」
「 If Daiki-sama says so. Please do. I don’t think you’ll need it facing Chris, but Daiki-sama, would you like to wear armor? 」
「 Oh, getting a good look? Okay 」
I took out my leather armor from the magic bag and Nia helped me out putting it on.
I’ve been wearing it every day until recently, so I feel like it’s been a while.
While I was adjusting the fit of the beautiful leather armor that Euphy and Nia tend together, Chris seemed to have finished putting on his armor as well.
He’s not wearing full armor, but still, that’s a metal armor that would be heavy for a guy of his size.
I wondered how he would move, but he seems to have no issues with movement as far as I can see.
He’s jumping around with armor on, probably to check the fit.
We’re wearing our usual armor, but we only have wooden weapons.
Gilbert-san approached me as I received the wooden spear that Nia brought to me.
「 Chris is gifted and talented with sword arts and medium armor skill level two. In a few more years, he’ll be able to compete with me on equal footing 」
「 He’s at the same age as Euphy, he must be a genius. Are you sure you about telling me about his skills? 」
「 Kotori-dono’s fine. Whether you know his skills or not will not make any difference. If there’s anyone not convinced after you fight Chris, then just take them down 」
「 That’s harsh 」
「 He often rushes into things without reading the situation. I can understand how he feels, but it’s better to let them have a painful experience 」
「 Don’t use me for that 」
「 Haha, you’re going to be our leader sooner or later, so you better learn how to discipline your men 」
He’s now intent on putting me on the seat.
「 That’s reassuring but also scary. I went to the center of the circle of knights where Chris was waiting for me, and he grabbed the two-handed sword and pointed the tip at me 」
- Manos got miswritten as Mars, I’ll keep Manos ↩