Seeking A Knight

Elaine? Where could she be?

We've looked all over. It's like she's not anywhere.

If you mean the Lady Knight, she brought in a woman with an injured leg, but then left immediately after.

You want to see Lady Elaine? Sorry, you're just a bit too late. Her patrol hours have just finished.

Hey, hey! You know Lady Elaine? She just said my smile was real pretty! Hee hee!

Huh? Where'd she go? I dunno. She's always real busy.

It seems that Lady Elaine is kept on her toes by her duties.

And everyone in the palace really likes her, too.

Definitely. You know, somehow... It kind of reminds me of Isuka.

Isuka? Who's that?

The president of IDEA, the group that I belong to, and a woman of talent, duty, and strength. Of course, all of us who wear this white uniform embody our own strong duties and ideals.

Oh, so that's a uniform? I was wondering about that. Does it have a special meaning to it?

Its purpose is the same as the uniform worn by the knights of this country. For others, to be instantly recognizable; for ourselves, to remind us of our duty. Clothes are an important way to present the self you wish to embody to the outside world.

You almost sound like an official, talking like that.

Hah. All of us, to some extent, play the role of our idealized selves.

Play the role... I wonder if Elaine is the same?

It would not to do blindly assume the innermost thoughts and feelings of someone else. That said... She does seem as though a knight of the old chivalric romances had stepped cleanly off the page.

Oh? You're a perceptive young man.

Who are you?

I'm sorry for intruding. I just heard you mention my dear granddaughter's name, that's all.

You're Elaine's granny?

It is an honor to meet you, madam. Indeed, we were just discussing your esteemed granddaughter.

We were saying how cool she is. She's like a knight from an old storybook, even.

Haha, she would be pleased to hear that, I'm sure.

She does seem the sort to value compliments on her bearing more than on surface-level qualities.

Oh, right. Sorry to interrupt, but we're actually looking for her. Do you know where she might be? It feels like we just keep managing to miss each other.

Let me think... Today is the memorial day for the former King, so she may be visiting his grave in King Claudio's place.

And where is that?

Just a little way from the palace. No one goes there anymore, with the pollution and the monsters.

It's worth checking out.

Are you sure? It will be dangerous, and I can't promise she's there.

Yeah. We need to meet with her, no matter what. We'll just have to take the chance, I think.

I see you have your reasons. Very well. I'll guide you there.

Into the Unclean Lands? Are you sure?

Yes. I once served the royal family as a tutor, long, long ago. I've always wanted to pay my final respects to the former King.

We thank you, good madam. Let us waste no time, then.

These flowers are fresh. Someone was just here.

But I don't see anyone. Did we really miss her again?

I'm so sorry to have wasted your time. And to have brought you to such a dangerous place, no less.

Think nothing of it, madam. I am honored to pay my respects at a great King's resting place.

And you wanted to pay your respects too, right, granny? Helping you do that wasn't a waste of time at all.

Thank you. You really are such sweet young people. You would surely get along well with Elaine and with His Majesty King Claudio.

You said you were a royal tutor. Did you know the King, too?

Oh, yes. My family has served the royal family for generations on end. Elaine has been the King's bodyguard since she was very small, too. She's always loved him like he was her very own little brother.

So they were more like childhood friends than a king and his knight?

Indeed, and I'm glad he has her. They were friends before they knew who they were in the world, before propriety and rank came into view. It's important to have someone you can talk to with no barriers, a friend before all else.

It must be hard being a king and an important knight. You can't ever worry or complain in front of others, and you might not really ever get to be yourself.

On that point, I would beg to differ. As we discussed earlier, all of us unconsciously act the part of our idealized selves. But this may also serve as a chance to improve upon the parts of yourself that you are dissatisfied with. What appears to be a burden may in fact be an opportunity for growth.

For example...

My ideal king remembers his noble obligations at all times...

And leads and protects his beloved people with all the wisdom and strength he may muster!

Where did they come from?!

Get back, granny. We'll take care of these monsters!

I think that's the last of them.

Are you okay, granny?

Just fine, thank you. You young ones are just as strong as you are kind, I see. I didn't even have to step in.

Huh?! You planned to fight too?

Of course. I may be old, but I was a royal tutor for decades. I've been trained in more styles of defensive swordsmanship than I can easily recall, hoho!

I'm told that my great-grandmother was fearsome with the blade. I see you are just as well.

The people of Kelkale are strong.

Yes. I know that well.

Ho ho. Shall we return to the palace? I'll make you some tea, to apologize for dragging you out here.

Mm, that was so good! So sweet and tasty.

It was really delicious. You said it uses syrup from flowers only grown here in Kelkale?

To think I would have the chance to taste this footnote from the history books with my own lips...

No amount of reading can truly replace direct experience, I see.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

I wish His Majesty could have some time to rest and relax as well... But the vestments of the King weigh so heavily on his young shoulders, the poor man.

You don't exactly get to choose whether you want to be King, after all...

Perhaps not...but nobility always carries with it responsibility. The strong must protect the weak, and the small. Such is the natural way of all things.

And he has accepted that duty. Even now, he fights to see it through to the very end. As a future king myself, I cannot and must not let his resolve be for nothing. As the inheritor of his will, I will see it through.

......

Yeah. And to do that, we need to find Elaine.

But where did she go?

Listen, listen! I heard that Lady Elaine has a purifier set up in the north side corridor.

Really? Why don't we go and see her? Even from a distance, she's so lovely.

The north corridor again? She really is diligent... Or maybe just obsessed.

The magic absorption from the Tower has been pretty bad lately. Maybe she's trying to help with that?

Sounds like you've found her.

Thank you very much for hosting such a lovely tea party for us, madam. It was delicious.

Thanks for everything, granny!

Thanks for the tea. We've got to get going. Take care of yourself, okay?

I will. I hope you find what you're looking for, talking with Elaine.

The north corridor, they said. Let's hurry so we don't miss each other again.