In the Hero's Shadow

If we deploy our troops like this...

I see. But in this case...

Then if we move here...

Good, that's settled. The Order and the Tilberg Alliance may have taken our first steps toward unification... But it's still early. Both sides are trying to feel each other out.

They say that the beastfolk are planning to launch a huge attack in order to rattle us. But as long as we demonstrate that we're on high alert, they're unlikely to do anything stupid.

Having bested every trial and tribulation that came our way, our morale is higher than ever. If the beasts dare attack us, they won't know what hit them!

We aren't the only ones with high morale. The nobles are feeling it, too.

Some of the nobles would even like to join our order so that they can fight the beasts themselves. Representatives of this group will be coming to visit us later, so we must be sure to treat them well.

They want to fight? As knights? But do you think they're prepared to actually fight on the front lines?

We're talking about people who've never seen battle before.

I think they are. They said they'd been motivated to join after hearing of Lancel's efforts for the Order.

And that's enough to convince you?

Of course it is! You remember how we felt when we saw Lancel. Don't you want to believe that the nobles feel the same?

Then, even the nobles can see how great Captain Lancel was?

Yes, but maybe that's just an excuse to get them through the door. They could be after something else entirely.

I know...

But I'd like to try believing them first... (But I wonder what Lancel would do in a situation like this...)

Very well. I'll leave the decision on the nobles up to your discretion, Eleanor.

Me? But you're the acting captain here, Anne.

Maybe, but you're our representative. Our relationship with the nobles should fall under your purview. But don't forget. I will abide by your decision, Eleanor. No one else's.

Wha?! Uh...Yes...

My...decision...

(Not Lancel's... It's my decision...)

And here we have the knights' guardroom. Acting Captain Anna...

Our knights use this as our day-to- day base to deal with the ongoing beast threat. If you are truly ready to fight as knights, then you would be joining the other knights here... Where, on top of the obvious daily training, you would be expected to participate in the actual fighting.

My, this new captain of yours certainly is scary. I heard the old captain was such a friendly, smiley person.

I am the acting captain...

I'm just saying, a captain should come across as more relaxed if they want to bring their troops together.

I'll have you know, Anna does a great job bringing everyone together!

Apologies, I see I've offended you. It's just that we've heard how truly remarkable the old captain was.

Oh, stop being so snarky!

I'm sorry about him. I'm sure you're more than capable in your posts.

However...everybody knows how incredible your old captain was. It must be hard to follow in such footsteps.

Well, I... I guess it's hard not to compare oneself to him from time to time...

It must be so difficult to try to fill those shoes alone. I'd really like to help you with that.

......

By the way, I'd love to tour the abbey's, what do you call it again?, Inclusive Institution. Is that okay?

Of course. I'll take you there.

Eleanor... No, she'll be fine. I believe in her.

Now tell me, young ones. What kind of troubles do you children face here?

Troubles?

I wish I'd gotten to play with Eleanor more! But she's been so busy these days, she never has time to come play...

Oh dear, we can't have that now, can we? Perhaps she needs someone to help her with her work.

How it must break your heart, Eleanor, to see the children so sad and lonely.

Well, I...I wish I could see them more, yes...

Yes, there are many ways in which you could use our help. And believe me, we would love to lessen your load.

Once we have finished the tour, why don't we discuss how to divide up your workload?

Huh? But I never said anything about dividing up workloads...

Ah, but it must be so hard to succeed Captain Lancel alone. That is precisely why I came here today.

But you can't just...!

Now, who wants some candy? I have some prepared just over there.

Yaaay! Candy!

Hmph. What a transparent way to try to earn some brownie points.

I'm sure you've realized by now anyway, but allow me to state our intentions clearly. He and I are fighting over which of us shall join the knights and take command.

I do hope that you will ignore his obvious attempt to suck up when you make your choice.

I'm sorry, am I missing something? You only said you wanted to join the knights, not take command of them.

Yes, but once nobility join your ranks, it naturally raises the question of who takes command.

But we already have someone in command. Acting Captain Anna.

Excuse me?

Anna is the one the knights have chosen to accept as my father's... As Captain Lancel's successor. Some green nobleman, such as the likes of you, would never do.

How dare you! It takes some nerve to...

Wait...did you just say "father"? So that makes you the old captain's son, eh?

Now, I wouldn't expect a child like you to understand, but there are some things that only a nobleman can do.

Such as?

For one, we can drum up support from the rest of the nobility. You see, with us joining the knights, it can only serve to strengthen the relationship between our two groups.

Choose me, Eleanor, and I will be sure to make it worth your while.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I shall go check on the children. I can't let him be the only personable one.

Sheesh. After all that complaining, he's only interacting with the kids to gain brownie points himself... Ellie...you're not seriously gonna let them join the Order, are you?

I haven't given them an answer yet. At least, I didn't think I had...

Well, they're talking like they expect not only to be allowed to join, but to lead the whole Order. I guess they're not of the same stock of nobility as those leading the Tilberg Alliance.

If they can't lead the nobles, their only way to gain military power is to worm their way into the Order.

*sigh* So that was their plan... I guess Anne was right, the whole Lancel story was just an excuse to get their foot in the door.

Still...I bet Lancel could have found a way to use them to his advantage, even knowing their true intentions.

I mean, probably...

Then I should...

No, no, no, stop that right there.

You're not my father, nor do you need to be. You're just you.

But...

Anyway, I should get back to the tour. They said they wanted to see how our people were doing next.

Their quality of life appears much better than I expected.

Yes, and thank goodness for that. When the common man's life gets tough, he takes it out on noblemen like us. Such an inconvenience...

Indeed, indeed.

......

Ah, don't take that the wrong way! I only mean that it increases our workload.

Lancel wouldn't have found that an inconvenience.

N-No, I'm sure he wouldn't have. That is to say, no average person could be up to the task.

Now, um, if you will excuse me, I have to go see over there!

I think I'll join him...

*sigh*... I shouldn't have brought up Lancel...

Turn that frown upside down, or you shall doom yourself to failure.

Bishop!

You are acting as representative of the Order in your dealings with those nobles, right? Then act like it, will you?!

Ngh...I know that...but... I guess I'll have to act like Lancel after all.

Who told you that?

Huh?

Who told you to act like Lancel? Tell me who said that to you, and I'll set them straight.

Wait, you're mad? Why?

Come on, Eleanor! I want a name!

R-Right... It was...um...

...Wait? I don't remember anyone telling me so. I guess it was just...me?

Ah, I see. Looks like you're the one who needs a good lecturing, then.

B-But! Lancel's always been the very model of a leader to me! Whenever I'm stuck, it's Lancel's face that comes to my mind. And that's never going to change! And I'm sure everyone else feels as I do!

It's one thing to have a role model; it's quite another to attempt to imitate them. Think of it like a master and their apprentice. They may be similar, but they are ultimately different people. As is evidenced by you and me. I may be your master, but you and I are nothing alike.

Oh...

Honestly... Sometimes I wish you were a little more like me...

But you have your own merits, Eleanor. Which is why I would never want you to be anyone but yourself.

No imitating, just being myself...

Okay. It sounds difficult, but I'll give it a try.

...Hm?

Was I...dreaming?

Regardless... I really needed to hear that.

I believe we've seen enough here. Shall we move on to the next location?

Next up would be...outside the walls.

We'll accompany the knights on their patrol.

Turn that frown upside down, or you shall doom yourself to failure.

Bishop!

You are acting as representative of the Order in your dealings with those nobles, right? Then act like it, will you?!

Ngh...I know that...but... I guess I'll have to act like Lancel after all.

Who told you that?

Huh?

Who told you to act like Lancel? Tell me who said that to you, and I'll set them straight.

Wait, you're mad? Why?

Come on, Eleanor! I want a name!

R-Right... It was...um...

...Wait? I don't remember anyone telling me so. I guess it was just...me?

Ah, I see. Looks like you're the one who needs a good lecturing, then.

B-But! Lancel's always been the very model of a leader to me! Whenever I'm stuck, it's Lancel's face that comes to my mind. And that's never going to change! And I'm sure everyone else feels as I do!

It's one thing to have a role model; it's quite another to attempt to imitate them. Think of it like a master and their apprentice. They may be similar, but they are ultimately different people. As is evidenced by you and me. I may be your master, but you and I are nothing alike.

Oh...

Honestly... Sometimes I wish you were a little more like me...

But you have your own merits, Eleanor. Which is why I would never want you to be anyone but yourself.

No imitating, just being myself...

Okay. It sounds difficult, but I'll give it a try.

I believe we've seen enough here. Shall we move on to the next location?

Next up would be...outside the walls.

We'll accompany the knights on their patrol.

We aren't really going on patrol, right? Aren't there beasts around these parts? If we have to do this, I pray you won't keep us out here too long.

Such talk would never be permitted were you to join the knights. Fighting the beasts is kind of a big part of being a knight.

Come now, fighting on the front lines is hardly the only way to fulfill one's duty. In order for the knights to work effectively, they need someone to command them. Everyone has their own place, right?

Well... I mean, they do, but... ......

(I want this to go well...but I shouldn't imitate Lancel.) (But at times like this, I never know what to do off the top of my head!)

Pfft! No matter how you attempt to justify it, it's obvious that you simply want power for yourself. Stop beating around the bush. Admit that you also want to take command. You're hardly being subtle about it.

Ah... That was unexpected...

Sometimes it's better to be indirect. It's a little thing called diplomacy. I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Oh, I understand perfectly well. I understand that it's a total waste of effort. It's not like she's nobility.

Cut it out, both of you! This is hardly the place for an argument.

We encountered a beast scouting party over yonder! We engaged the enemy, but we're at a disadvantage!

If they're just scouts, there can't be that many of them.

No, but there are civilians caught in the crossfire. Our knights are having to protect them while fighting.

Understood. I'll be right there. You go call for backup!

Um... We wouldn't want to get in anyone's way. We should evacuate.

I-I agree. We should leave the front lines to the fighters. Like Eleanor here...

This is an emergency, gentlemen!

Shame on you!

Huh?!

If you refuse to accompany me now, you can kiss your plans to join the knights goodbye!

B-But...

I'm sorry, I think I hurt my leg. I can barely stand...

Don't worry, we'll protect you!

Bold talk for a dead man!

I wouldn't be so smug if I were you! We got you outnumbered now!

You want to get them, you'll have to go through me!

I'll make you regret this!

Dammit... Let's get outta here!

Phew... That's taken care of.

Thank you so much!

My word, what an incredible fight! We tried to follow you in the hopes of helping, but you never even gave us a chance!

It is all too plain to see that the front lines are where you belong, Eleanor! While we clearly belong in the rear, commanding the troops from behind.

......

Do you...disagree?

I-Is there something...you wish to say?

Captain Anna is in command of the knights. Kindly stop attempting to make our decisions for us. No, forget about the "kindly." Just stop.

Oh...

My, my, taken aback by a little bluntness? I really have been letting you walk all over me, haven't I...

Acting Captain Anna told me that I could decide whether or not to allow the nobility into our ranks. Let's return to the guardroom and discuss it there.

Of...of course... (What is the meaning of this? Her whole demeanor has suddenly shifted!)

Now, regarding the matter of allowing the nobles to join the knights...

I would like to approve their request.

You can't be serious!

Eleanor. Tell me your reasoning.

I would like to take advantage of their influence on the nobility.

Oh...

That was...surprisingly honest.

Tact isn't my strong suit. In that regard, I'll never be like Lancel. But I can learn from his flexibility. Even an untrustworthy ally has their uses, in the right circumstances.

Wow, you really are being blunt...

And so, if you are willing to help us navigate the nobility in times of trouble, I will allow you to join.

However. You will only enter as humble soldiers. You will have no subordinates, no right of command. If you wish to rise in the ranks of our Order, you shall have to provide the results to match.

But that is outrageous! We are noblemen!

And?

Huh?

What does your birth have to do with anything? Anna is acting captain of the knights. And as such... If you join up, you will be under her command, nobility or not. That is all there is to it.

Ugh... (It's no use. She doesn't look like she can be talked out of this...)

(This sudden burst of confidence in her is ruining everything.) (I'll have to reconsider this now...)

Per...perhaps I should give this matter a little more thought first.

I-I agree. Why don't we end the tour here...

Very well. I'll escort you out.

So, now we know what your decision was...

I was a little unsure of myself at first, but that was the only answer that felt right to me. No, that's a lie. I was VERY unsure. I kept thinking about what Lancel would do in my shoes.

But I'm not Lancel, and I never could be.

That's right. You will always be you, Eleanor.

That's what Gal said.

(And the bishop I saw in my dream...)

Yet I still couldn't let the idea go.

That's what Gal said. And the bishop. Yet I still couldn't let the idea go.

But then, when I saw the nobles grumbling about having to fight the beasts...

Yes?

It made me so angry! And just like that, I let it go. And that's when I realized. They were only acting so complacent because I was acting so unassured.

So, I decided to use Lancel's methods where I wanted to and do my own thing where that wasn't possible.

Hence, that blunt proposal you made to them. And see, it wasn't so bad. It made it abundantly clear that joining our ranks would be no easy ride when they're so focused on power. I'd find it hard to fight along such people myself. You made the right decision.

Y-You really think so? That's such a relief...

I really do. It looks like I made the right decision in letting you make the decision!

Hey! That's more a compliment to yourself than it is to me!

Lancel casts a great shadow...

But I will continue to find my own way of doing things. Together with you and Gal!