Hero Stories: My Knight Would Never!

*panting* ...I didn't know it was this far when I saw it on the map. But it's...so far! *panting*

You should have just stayed in the castle. Why did you follow us?

Are you okay? Shall we take a break here?

...I'm alright, let's go. Sir Krau will be waiting for us!

Today is the day when I finally get to meet Sir Krau!

He's the legendary knight who fought in the Archdemon War alongside Queen Diene. And in so many other battles!

He must be a great knight, right? I can't wait to meet him in person!

...There's a punk coming this way. Is that Krau?

Mmm? I said I don't need an escort, but apparently they didn't listen to me.

Still, you're an important guest visiting Ezera. We must do our best.

Of course, I'm not saying that you're weak enough to be defeated by some monsters or get lost. It's just our custom, you know.

Anyway, Sir Krau. I could recognize you even from miles away. I guess that's the kind of aura a legendary knight gives off.

Ahh, where's my mind. I even forgot to introduce myself. I'm Enott Forem of the Rose Apostles. Please remember me, sir.

Jena Maris of the Rose Apostles. And she's...

I'm so glad to meet you! I'm M-Montmorancy...no, I mean...of the Holy Order of the Blue Cross!

Sorry, let me try again. I'm Montmorancy, an apprentice sister of the Holy Order of the Blue Cross!

Alright, alright. You already know my name, so I guess I don't need to introduce myself, right?

Let's carry on to Ezera now.

He's the legendary knight Sir Krau! He seems much cooler than I'd expected!

Kyeeek!

*screaming*! M-M-M-Monsters! They're coming after meeeeee!

Noooooooo! Kyaaa!

Hahaha. If you keep running around like that, you'll only attract even more of them.

Why are you just standing there laughing? Help meeeeee!

I'm coming, Sister Montmorancy!

*sobbing* ...My books are all ruined because of their sap...

And your clothes, too. You'd better go wash yourself as soon as we go back to the castle.

Hmph. Don't be such a crybaby. They're merely a bunch of little monsters.

Enott, why didn't you go save her then? You were just standing there watching.

I only do as I'm ordered. And my orders were to escort Sir Krau, not babysit an apprentice sister.

Am I right, Sir Krau?

It's none of my business. Well, I'm kind of busy now. Jena, please take care of Montmorancy.

Come to think of it, you did seem preoccupied with something... May I ask what?

Mmm. Since I'm visiting a castle in a different country, I thought it'd be nice to prepare some kind of present for them.

A present? Is it even possible to get a present in a place like this?

There's something I can only get here. Anyway, since you're here, please take care of the monsters for me.

Huh? Sir Krau! Where are you going!

Kyaaaaa! M-Monsters again! Sir Krauuuuuu!

Sir Krau wasn't that much help in the end...

You weren't that bad, though. You got to beat them on your own.

Even though now you're covered in disgusting slime sap...

And most of the time she was just shooting magic...at me.

What were you thinking! You weren't supposed to heal those monsters!

S-Sorry! They looked so horrible that I couldn't even face them...

Well, we're all fine, that's all that matters. Let's move on now.

Ahhhh! He's here! He's here! Oh, my! It's him, Sir Krau! Whoaaaaa!

Wow, I'm so grateful for your warm welcome.

I have prepared a special gift. Now, open this bag.

Whoa! You even prepared a gift for me? What could it be? I'm so excited!

...And when Aither opened the bag, bugs flooded out from it. It was such a mess.

Though Aither liked it, I could see Sir Charles's face slowly turning white.

And Sir Krau...

Hahaha. I knew everyone would like it.

...Is he...really the legendary knight of Taranor, Sir Krau?

I had high expectations of him but it didn't take him too long to crush them.

Where did Aither and Sir Krau go...?

Over there! Get them!

...! You two, stop right there!

Hahaha, you're too slow to catch us.

Whoa! It's so fast! Exciting!

Of course, you're riding a horse!

You can't ride a horse inside the castle! Sir Krau, Aither! Please stop!

Make me, if you can.

Yes, if you can! Hahaha!

Hahaha, what a mess. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to get rid of Aither.

I'll pretend to stop and push Aither off the horse. If the royal family is gone, the nobles will gain more power. Through that, I can...!

Enott, stop grinning like that. Come help me stop Aither and Sir Krau!

If you refuse to do so, then I've got no other choice but to fight you.

Oh, are you trying to stop me? You're braver than I'd thought.

I guess it's only polite to accept since it's a fair match. Am I right, Aither?

Yes, Sir Krau! I'll do my best too!

Now, come on! This is my chance to get promoted!

Hmm? What's all this commotion?

Corvus! I'm so glad to see you here! Please stop them!

They'll end up destroying the meeting hall!

...I don't know what's going on, but it seems like she needs my help. It's only natural to lend a helping hand to those who are desperate!

I had sooooo much fun, Sir Krau! I've never had this much fun in the castle.

You're quite talented in horse riding, actually! I think you'll be a great knight in the future.

Whoa! Really? Am I? I can't wait!

You two, what are you doing?

Oh, no! Sir Charles is here!

...Sir Krau, let's have a talk in private. And Aither...

You should go back to your room. I'll get back to this later.

Yes...

And Sir Krau, what do you think you're doing? You should have stopped Aither.

Oh please, Charles. Kids need to have some fun! You're being overprotective.

He's all alone in this huge castle without any friends and he seemed lonely, so I hung out with him. Is there a problem?

Isn't it more like...you talked him into this out of your own boredom?

Haha, you're good! But I just wanted to let him...you know, breathe.

Breathe? What are you trying to say?

Aither said he didn't like how everyone treated him differently after the funeral and coronation.

Like the way people look at him and how everyone pities him. Even if Aither made a mistake, they'd just let him get away with it instead of scolding him.

Even now, you just sent him to his room instead, didn't you?

That's just because...since he's become the king of Ezera... I'm treating him accordingly...

Even though he's a temporary king, he's still a kid. Children learn through their mistakes.

...I see. I'll consider proper punishment for Aither.

Also, I won't just let you go either, Sir Krau. Help us train our apprentices. This is your punishment.

Ahh, I was hoping to get away with it. I guess that doesn't work for you.

You always use the same trick, Sir Krau.

You caused some trouble. You have to pay for it.

I mean, seriously? It's not that big of a deal. So much for treating me like an honored guest.

If only you didn't make the entire castle a mess...

Oh, and come to think of it...many knight apprentices have heard of your visit in Ezera and I'm sure they'd love to be taught by the greatest knight in history.

Why don't you attend their training tomorrow.

It'd be great if you can get rid of dangerous monsters and plants near the castle as well.

*sighing*... Alright, I get it. You want to take full advantage of this chance.

Ah... All I wanted to do was to help him loosen up a little and now I'm saddled with this tiresome job.

They might be expecting to learn some fancy skills, but...it'd be better to teach some practical skills they can use in an actual fight.

If they lack experience, they'll definitely get injured during their first battle.

Surviving without getting hurt is what really matters.

I've heard Sir Krau will be giving us training today! I-I'm so nervous!

Who would have thought we'd ever be trained by Sir Krau! I'm so excited!

Sister Montmorancy, you said you've already met him? What's he like?

...Don't get your hopes up.

The only reason he's training us today is because he caused some trouble and this is his punishment... *sighing*

Are you the apprentices that I need to take care of?

Y-Yes, Sir! My name is Elson, an apprentice in the Order of the Sword!

Lorina Lilin of the Order of the Shield!

Montmorancy Monza...

Alright, kids. Let's do this!

Krr...Krrrrr...

Ahhhhh, Sir Krau! There are too many of them!

I can't hold out any longer! Please, help!

Well you've got to trust yourself. You can do this.

You're just trying to avoid this situation by sounding cool!

Ah, you noticed? Not bad. Anyway, keep it up. I'm going to take a nap...

Sir Krau! Where are you going?! You can't avoid your responsibility like that!

Krrrrrrrrrrr...

Kyaaaaaaa, it's so slimy...!

Sir Krau, are you just going to stay there and watch?! Sir Charles sent you to train us!

I thought you'd show us some cool skills or at least give us a lesson about chivalry...

That's why you guys are still apprentices.

Leaders don't work. We only command. What did you expect from me? Hahaha.

...Honestly, I think Commander Crozet of the Order of the Shield is much cooler than Sir Krau.

I miss Lady Iseria...though she's strict when she gives us a lesson, at least I learn a lot.

Phew, that was tough. My job here is done.

But you didn't do anything.

I told you, I've been watching you guys. I was going to save you if you were ever in any real danger.

But everyone was so outstanding, I simply had no need to.

If only you couldn't speak...

Shall we go back? It's getting dark. I'm hungry and we've completed our mission anyway.

Is he really the legendary knight who defeated the Archdemon with Queen Diene?

I mean, that's what we've heard. But we never actually saw it, so who knows.

I bet he made his subordinates do all the hard work and then took all the credit for himself.

Anyway, let's go back now. You two did a wonderful job today.

It feels good to have completed the mission on our own.

I just want to go back and wash the sap off my body...

Phew... It's been a long day. Now, it's time for a bed time prayer...

H-Huh?! Where did my rosary go?

Did I lose it during the mission? What should I do... I don't want to burden anyone...

...There aren't any dangerous monsters near the forest. I can do this alone! I'll quickly find my rosary and return, it won't take too long!

Where is it... I was sure it was nearby...

Grrrrrrr...

W-What should I do! There's a monster!

No...I must stay calm. I can do this. Go, Montmorancy!

*growling*

Kyaaaaaaa!

Mmmm...?

What are you doing here alone?

S-Sir Krau...

What were you thinking? Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't seen you.

I know...but... I thought everything would be okay if I could find my rosary quickly and get right back to the castle...

A rosary?

Yes, I received a rosary as a gift when I first joined the Holy Order of the Blue Cross...but then I lost it today...so... *sobbing*

...Alright, alright. I'll help you find it. Let's be quick and return to the castle.

I'll deal with the monsters, you go find your rosary.

Okay...! Thank you so much, Sir Krau!

*sobbing* ...If I had known there were strong monsters like them, I wouldn't have come out alone.

She thought she would be fine by herself because she only fought weak monsters during her training.

Maybe I shouldn't have gotten rid of all the stronger ones before the training to teach them how dangerous they really are...

Anyway, I don't see any kind of metal here...not to mention a rosary. I wonder if we can find it today...

Ah! Sir Krau, over there! It's inside the slime's body!

...! That seems like a Lava Slime. It'll melt if we don't take it out as soon as possible. Let's get rid of it and take your rosary back.

*sobbing* ...My rosary melted... What should I do... Goddess, I'm sorry...

...Well it can't be helped. I'll give you mine instead, it's old but it'll do.

This...is a rosary that's only given to the sisters of the Holy Order of the Blue Cross! How do you...

Well...Diene gave it to me when she was still a nun.

What!? Queen Diene?! I-I-I-I can't take this!

It's alright, just take it. I can't give it back to her now anyway. Wouldn't it be better in the hands of someone who knows how to pray?

But... I'm sure it must be meaningful to you as well...

Sometimes you have to learn to let go of precious things in your life.

When you live for so long as a knight, you end up with too many untold truths, irretrievable memories, or things you cannot return to their owners.

You need to let them go, otherwise you'll be drowned by them.

So please, take it for my sake.

I-If you say so, thank you so much...

Look at that big smile on your face. You really wanted it, didn't you?

Hehe... Queen Diene is our pride and symbol of the Holy Order of the Blue Cross!

It feels like...with this rosary, I can become a great nun like her!

I don't think just having Diene's rosary will make you great. Being a great nun requires a lot more than that.

...I knew you'd ruin it.

Don't worry, you'll become a decent nun if you try hard. Focus on training. Keep up your hard work, live up to the rosary I gave you.

Of course! Thank you, Sir Krau!

...Diene. Everything that you've left in this world has found its own place. Ezera, Aither, and even your rosary.

Now that I kept the promise we made... I hope you can find your peace too.

Sir Krau! You'll visit us again, right? Please? You promise?

Haha, yes, I promise. I hope you've become a great king by the next time we see each other. Sir Charles, stay healthy until then.

I'll make sure to live longer than you, Sir Krau, so don't worry.

Haha, now then. See you again, my friends.

It's been quite a commotion...while he was staying in Ezera.

But he really was a great knight indeed, just like the legend.

Huh? Sister Montmorancy, didn't you say you thought he made his subordinates do all the hard work and then took all the credit for himself?

It's very suspicious. I can smell some kind of bribery here.

...Heh, umm, I mean...

I-I just think he's a great knight, that's all!

I'll do my best to live up to the rosary you gave me. I hope we can meet again when I become a great nun, Sir Krau!