Yes, Brother

Brother Ethan, your complexion seems rather pale today. (What's with that face?)

Has something happened? (Is he not even glad to see me?)

Oh... yeah. Actually, I haven't been feeling well since yesterday.

I thought I'd be fine after a night's rest... but it seems to be lasting longer than I expected.

I'm sorry, Galahad.

Especially since you took the time to come see me...

Where are the others?

They went to work.

If we don't keep taking on requests, we'll run out of travel funds.

I see... (Hmph, leaving a sick person all alone? Are they insane?)

......

In that case, Ethan, I shall remain by your side today.

No, I can't... I can't ask a guest to nurse me...

I am a knight.

Now that you are in peril, Ethan, it is my time to step forward. (Hehe, perfect timing.)

Therefore, I shall protect you today. (I'll use this opportunity to score some major points.)

Galahad...

With your body in such a state, it must be difficult even to get out of bed.

Please let me know if there is anything you require.

......

In that case, could I get a bowl of stew?

I haven't eaten a thing since this morning.

...! That is a dire matter indeed. (Cooking? I've never done it before, but...)

I shall prepare it for you immediately. (A simple stew should be easy enough.)

......

Ugh...!

I followed the recipe exactly... So why...?!

It can't be helped... Let's change the menu.

......

E-Ethan... Would you perhaps prefer some soft bread instead of stew?

......

Ethan...? Why aren't you saying anything?

......!

Ethan!!!

......

This is clearly not a problem that can be solved with a single bowl of stew.

Ethan. Please wait for me just a little longer.

As Galahad, a knight, I swear upon my honor that I shall save you.

Do you still intend to fight?

I highly recommend you run before I break your left leg as well.

Ugh... Of all places, to run into a knight here.

......

You seem different from other thieves.

Why do you resort to thievery with skills like yours?

......

People like you wouldn't understand.

The war is over, but the lives of commoners are still trapped in a collapsing reality.

Scorched lands and dwindling food.

People killed by the war, and towns crushed to ashes.

In a situation like this... do you honestly think you could dream of a future?

......

I am no thief.

Because there is... nothing left to steal here anyway.

That excuse is not even worth listening to.

Why do you claim there is nothing left to steal?

Even now, you have not ceased your thievery.

What have I stolen?! I was always the one being robbed!

...The people's hope.

Believing that they can reclaim their peaceful daily lives,

are you not stealing the hope of those who spare no effort to rebuild their town?

What...?

It must have been the easiest way.

If you force everyone around you to give up...

then your own hideous nature will also be hidden in the brush, out of sight.

Shut up! What do you know to speak so highly of yourself?!

It seems you have no intention of reflecting on your actions.

I shall make you repent yourself.

Acting so high and mighty for a mere thief...

I spent more time here than expected. I must hurry.

What splendid shield mastery!

Hm? You are...

Hello there, beautiful blonde knight!

My name is Palamedes. I'm a martial artist from the Eastern Empire.

Right now, I'm traveling the world to become the strongest warrior!

...I am Galahad.

I am a knight who protects her most affectionate brother.

Nice to meet you, Galahad!

I knew you were a knight!

Executing attack and defense simultaneously with just a shield...

That was truly a splendid battle!

Thank you for the compliment, but... (Who is this girl?)

What business do you have with me? (Acting so friendly when we just met...)

Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing!

Galahad, would you mind sparring with me?

...Sparring?

As the successor of the White Tiger clan, my goal is to become the strongest warrior.

But... I felt that training alone has its limits.

That's why I'm traveling the world in search of new enlightenment!

Sparring with someone as strong as you will surely teach me a lot!

......

...I see. (What, is she just some airhead?)

I appreciate you recognizing my strength, but... (She looks like a real pain. I'd better refuse.)

I have urgent business to attend to. (Ethan comes first right now.)

Urgent business...?

My brother has... fallen ill.

......!

As a knight, it is my duty to protect him.

Therefore, I cannot halt my journey to Cornwall at this moment.

Regrettably, our sparring will have to wait...

In that case, I'll help you!

...Huh?

Hehe. I was actually on my way to Cornwall myself!

The area is crawling with thieves like those guys, who ambush merchants.

Traveling together and cooperating will be much faster than going alone!

Oh, no... I could not possibly impose such a burden on someone I have just met...

Oh, are you worried about my strength?

Don't worry!

I still have a long way to go, but I had no rivals in the Eastern Empire!

I-I see... (She broke a boulder that size in one go...?)

Come on, let's go, Galahad!

But once we're done, you have to show me a move or two, okay?

W-Wait a moment...!

Galahad, I have a question.

...What is it you wish to know?

Earlier... you said you were a knight who protects her brother.

So, is this "brother" your lord, Galahad?

That is correct.

I am his knight. However... ours is no ordinary master-servant relationship.

If it's not an ordinary master-servant relationship...

It means we share a bond that is far closer.

......!

Hm? Why do you look so surprised?

Ah... it's nothing.

Even though you two are siblings... you seem to have a really special bond.

...It seems there has been a misunderstanding.

He and I are not blood siblings.

Huh? Then why do you address him like an older brother?

...? Because he is older than I am.

......

So it's basically a pet name!

I-It is not quite like that... (Does she not feel embarrassment at all?)

Hehe. Now I understand.

I was wondering why you were being so desperate, Galahad...

but it's all for love!

...! W-What are you saying all of a sudden? (It is true, but hearing it directly like this is...)

Hehe. Don't be so shy!

And there's no need to worry anymore.

I'll make sure to get you to Cornwall before it gets dark, Galahad!

As I said, he and I are...

Oh, a troll has appeared!

Honestly... there's just no end to them, no matter how many we defeat!

I'll take the lead!

... (This is so exhausting...)

Galahad, I have another question.

...What is your question? (What is it now?)

Have you ever visited the Eastern Empire, Galahad?

I have traveled to various countries, but...

I have never been to the Eastern Empire.

...! I see. I naturally assumed you had lived in the Eastern Empire before.

Because...

Because...?

The way you speak is really similar to my grandmother's.

......!!!

Actually, I've been curious about it since we first met...

but I was hesitant to ask, worried you might be someone who dislikes the White Tiger clan.

...... (This big-breasted wench is really testing my patience...!)

Hehe. What a relief.

Palamedes, you are indeed... a very blunt person. (What about my way of speaking...? Grandmother?)

Do you not hear that quite often? (I will correct that tongue of yours once and for all!)

For example...

That you lack tact.

Exactly! My friend says the exact same thing to me all the time!

Of course. (What the... why does she seem completely unfazed?)

But I believe honesty is my greatest strength.

After all, there are so many things in this world that can never be conveyed unless you speak them aloud, right?

...Are there not also things that should never be spoken aloud?

True! But... I don't want to give up my strength just because of those worries.

Mistakes can be corrected,

but if you give up, that's the end of it. Hehe.

......

That is a fine attitude. (Fine... I lose, I lose!)

I, too, have a question...

A question from Galahad! I've been waiting for this!

Since I was doing all the talking, I was worried I might be making you uncomfortable.

How could that be? (I only asked because you wouldn't stop talking...)

Your company has made this journey far from lonely. (Is she incredibly perceptive, or just completely clueless?)

Hehe. What a relief!

Galahad! You can ask me anything!

If you want, I can even teach you the secret techniques of the White Tiger Clan!

... (You're not supposed to share those, you crazy girl...)

Your master...

Just what kind of person is he, that you sing his praises so incessantly? (Hmph, no matter how great, he's nothing compared to Ethan.)

...! Galahad, you've realized how amazing my master is too!

Hehe. Now I can fulfill my duty as his disciple.

Because I've succeeded in spreading my master's fame even further!

I only asked because I have no idea who he is...

My master... is the one who opened my eyes.

This might sound like bragging, but...

I've never once lost first place in the Eastern Empire!

So you have possessed exceptional talent since childhood.

That is truly impressive. (...So it was bragging.)

But after reading the records of Ran, the strongest swordmaster in the Eastern Empire...

I realized I was still far too inexperienced to call myself the strongest warrior.

So, I left my family and set out on a journey!

To gain new insights from dueling the strong,

and to reach even greater heights!

To never cease learning despite your formidable skills. (...Is there even anything left for you to learn?)

You are already a magnificent warrior in your own right. (Though you're really just a busty gorilla.)

And did you find your master during that journey?

Yes, that's right!

Not only did my master easily block the secret technique of the White Tiger Clan...!

But in that split second, he found an opening and counterattacked!

It was an absolute defeat, leaving no room for excuses!

... (Defeating this busty gorilla in one go...?)

But my master took me in as his disciple, even though I was the loser.

He taught me the secrets to becoming stronger,

And sparred with me whenever I asked.

Meeting my master... made me realize.

The world is vast, and there is no end to learning!

You have found a wonderful master. What a beautiful tale.

I knew it! I knew you would understand, Galahad!

He is the strongest warrior in Britannia whom I've vowed to surpass one day,

And my proud master!

The strongest warrior... (...Who decided he was the strongest?)

Is that not a bit of a hasty judgment? (My Ethan is far greater than your master.)

As you said, the world is vast, and formidable opponents are as numerous as the mountains.

My master is the one most deserving of the title 'strongest warrior'.

Even Ran, the Swordmaster, was afraid of him!

I do not mean to boast, (Hmph, only that much?)

But my brother also possesses extraordinary swordsmanship. (He is a hero who saved the world, you know.)

Whenever we set out on an adventure together,

My shield feels utterly insignificant beside him. (Your master is not even in the same league.)

...! To overwhelm Galahad's shield techniques!

Once our sparring is done, I would love to meet him!

It would surely be a meaningful encounter.

But I'm sure my master is still stronger.

He is the hero who saved the kingdom, after all!

...Pardon?

I don't know the details, but I heard my master played a massive role in a kingdom's war.

An achievement like that requires not just exceptional swordsmanship,

But also an incredibly strong mind!

Galahad's brother is certainly impressive too, but...

I think my master is slightly stronger!

Wh-What a coincidence... (There's no way...)

My brother also holds a similar title.

But his strength does not end there.

Though he has already amassed ample wealth and honor, he never turns down the requests of the people.

That is how deeply he cares for the common folk.

His chivalrous spirit, always acting for the sake of others,

...is a quality truly worthy of the title 'strongest warrior'.

What a coincidence! My master can't ignore someone in trouble either.

The day he jumped into the lake without a second thought to save a drowning child...

...I couldn't help but deeply respect him as his disciple.

Th-That is not all!

Beside him, there are other magnificent companions who stand with him.

That is a testament to how highly respected he is!

My master won't lose to that!

My master is always surrounded by beautiful companions!

He is the strongest warrior, possessing popularity, looks, and skill!

Hmm... This is quite a predicament.

Since both are so exceptional, it is impossible to determine who is superior.

No, there is still one way!

And what might that be? (...I have a bad feeling about this.)

We settle it... with a duel between us!

...Excuse me?

Huh? I recall mentioning it earlier.

That once you obtained the potion for your brother, you would teach me a thing or two!

Ah... Now that you mention it, we did have such an agreement. (...Though it was a promise you made entirely on your own.)

Galahad, you are the knight who protects your brother,

And I am my master's disciple.

We've both spent time by the side of the person we respect,

And that time has surely become the foundation of our strength.

So if we prove it through our results,

Won't we reach a conclusion that satisfies us both?

So you wish to duel, with you staking your master's honor,

And I staking the honor of my lord.

Yes, exactly! Isn't it exciting?

...

Very well. I accept your proposal.

As the knight Galahad, I shall do my utmost for the honor of my brother.

Hehe. I will do my best for my master as well!

When shall this duel take place?

Hmm... I have some business in Cornwall, so I need to stay for about a day.

Since you have to head back soon, how about tomorrow night?

As for the location... tell me a place that is convenient for you, and I will meet you there!

Understood. Then pray find me in Aldbourne Town tomorrow night.

Do you truly intend to carry this out...?

We have no time.

Now that Vivien has vanished,

Must we not protect the will of the Church of Tiamat ourselves?

...

Understood. Everything is...

...for the salvation of Britannia.

Thank you! Please come again!

(...I am glad I arrived before nightfall.)

(I must return quickly, before Ethan is put in any more danger.)

(And then... I shall protect Ethan's honor with my own hands.)

E-Everyone, run!!!

...?

C-Cockatrice is coming!

If you don't want to turn to stone, run for your lives!!!

...!

(A Cockatrice is not a beast that ordinary adventurers can handle.)

(If left alone... this town is doomed. But...!)

...

Ethan.

You surely would not have abandoned either.

I am the knight sworn to protect Ethan.

I also have a duty to protect this town that he saved.

Please, wait just a little longer...!

Is... a-anyone there?!

P-Please... please help me!!!

I shall hold this place.

Please, get to safety quickly.

T-Thank you, noble knight!

I will never forget your kindness as long as I live!

Kieeeeeeek!!!

You're xxxking noisy for a damn chicken.

Grit your teeth. Today, I'm turning you into chicken stew for Morgana...!

Kieeeeeeek!!!

...!

(This bastard... hiding on purpose to launch a surprise attack...!)

(Monsters shouldn't be this intelligent... Why...?!)

Galahad!!!

P-Palamedes...?

Didn't you say you had business in Cornwall...?

I rushed here after hearing that the town was under attack.

I knew that if it was Galahad, who serves someone as wonderful as my Master...

...you wouldn't give up on either!

...!

Now, leave this place to me and go quickly!

Wasn't today's entire journey to save your brother?

But... by yourself...!

Heheh. Don't worry, Galahad.

These monsters are no match for me!

...

Palamedes. I, too, am looking forward to our duel tomorrow.

...!

So please, make sure to survive.

...

Heheh. Yes, Galahad.

On my Master's honor, I will definitely show up for tomorrow's spar!

...

The potion's effect is pretty amazing.

His breathing has stabilized, and he should wake up by tomorrow morning.

I shall go and protect Ethan's honor.

When you wake up tomorrow... please praise me with all your heart.

I am glad to see you safe.

Heheh. Of course! I made a promise to you!

...Are you truly alright?

A Cockatrice is no easy opponent.

If you are not feeling well, we can postpone our match...

I'm fine! To surpass my Master, I can't afford to waste a single day!

...

Then... let us begin.

I, Knight Galahad, look forward to our match.

Me too! Let's have a good match!

Aww, I lost...

The secret techniques of the White Tiger Clan are certainly powerful, but...

...relying too heavily on specific techniques in combat is not ideal.

Yes, thank you, Galahad!

Thanks to you sparring with me, I learned something new today.

I think I'll have a wonderful dream tonight!

...

I am the one who should be expressing gratitude.

Palamedes. Thank you so much for saving my life.

I would like to repay you... Is there anything you desire?

Hmm... Let me see.

I've already gained so much from sparring with you.

I ask because my conscience would not be at ease otherwise.

Please, tell me what you want.

...

Hmm...

Hmm...

Hmmmm...!!!

I-If it is that difficult, you do not have to force yourself...

Ah! I have a great idea!

My Master's lodging is near here!

If you happen to run into him in town, please tell him about my heroic deeds!

I want him to know how hard his disciple is working!

...

Fufu. You are in no position to talk either.

Huh?

I mean... you two do not seem to have a normal master-disciple relationship either.

...

Wh-What?!

N-No, Galahad! It's a misunderstanding!

I really...! I really didn't mean it that way!

Hmm...

Galahaaaad!!!

By the way, which lodging is your Master staying at?

There are not many inns in Aldbourne Town.

Ah, the White Whale Inn.

The White Whale Inn...?

Yes, you know it too, right Galahad?

My Master is staying at that inn, which is known to be frequented by the Holy Swordbringer.

Because...!

Because...?

Because that Swordbringer is my proud Master!

...

Whaaaat?!!! (What kind of bullshit is this!!!!!!)

Thank you so much, Galahad.

I don't even want to imagine what would have happened without you.

As a knight sworn to protect you, Ethan, it was only my duty.

What are you talking about? You saved my life.

Of course I have to repay this kindness twofold.

Is there anything you want?

...

Just say the word. Whatever your wish is, I'll grant it!

Are you truly certain?

Of course. I'm a man of my word.

So don't hesitate to tell me.

...

I would like... to go see the sea.

Huh? That's a much simpler request than I expected...

Are you really sure that's enough?

To explain in a bit more detail...

Wearing the clothes Ethan chose for me... (...)

I wish to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the beach. (Ethan... is mine.)

Just Ethan and I, alone together. (I won't let anyone take him.)