Chapter 71, Prospective Members

Translator: Lizz

 

“Edward! I found the squad you requested!”

“Seriously? You’re way too competent!”

 

Edward cried back in response to Beffa’s report, overflowing with joy.

 

“Mr. Calogero’s evaluation is gray, but since they’re former mercenary group members and currently help out as an informants, I explained that we should take that into account! There are some conditions, but I think it’s not bad!”

 

Beffa answered promptly. Edward furrowed his brow slightly at “Conditions…?”, but he quickly recovered and said,

“Well, fine. Lady Sylvia can judge them with her magic.”

“Exactly!”

Beffa nodded vigorously.

 

The group was in the square that had recently been renovated.

They were scattered around, looking at everything with admiration.

Edward thought they were a bit too free-spirited, but figured that’s just how commoner mercenary groups are, so he didn’t reprimand them.

The time to reprimand them would be when they safely accepted Lady Sylvia’s magic and came under his command.

Thinking that, he put on a smile.

 

“Is there a representative?”

“Yes, that would be me.”

 

One man raised his hand.

He looked to be in his late thirties to forties, seemingly gentle at first glance.

But Edward could tell he was well-trained.

The man also seemed to instantly recognize Edward as a strong warrior.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled.

 

“Are you the one who serves as the cornerstone of this defense?”

“I am Edward, Lady Sylvia’s knight escort. I also serve as acting Lord. So, is it correct that you wish to join the castle’s defense—Lady Sylvia’s private knight order?”

 

When Edward asked that, everyone looked at him.

Then they gathered and knelt.

The representative spoke.

 

“I am Nomani, the representative of those standing behind me. If our wish can be granted, we would very much like to join the knight order.”

“And that wish is?”

“We would like to make the request directly to the Lord.”

 

Edward thought for a moment.

Then he noticed that Calogero had somehow appeared at his side.

 

“…Every one of them has a past of deceiving or tricking someone. Murder… well, they’re mercenaries, so of course that’s to be expected. But they seem to be quite conscious of their crimes of false testimony.”

Calogero whispered this to Edward, who then asked him,

“…Bring Lady Sylvia here under a protective barrier spell. If it comes to it, I’ll cut them all down.”

Calogero nodded and turned on his heel.

 

After a while, Gina appeared in riding clothes, armed with a dagger and ready for battle, and Sylvia arrived escorted by Calogero.

For some reason, she was huffing heavily.

 

“………?”

Inwardly, Edward was confused, and Gina slid up to him to explain.

“…Since she’s in front of a large group of knight order applicants, she’s trying to appear dignified as the Lord.”

Edward barely held back from bursting out laughing.

 

Beffa seemed to have overheard as well.

“Our lady is too divine…!”

He writhed in admiration.

Then, brimming with enthusiasm, he declared.

 

“Here she is! Our Lord, the ruler of this fortress, Lady Sylvia Hughes! She is the one you will stake your lives to protect!”

“Beffa, calm down. She doesn’t expect that much.”

 

Edward admonished him.

Beffa, and for some reason Calogero as well, looked displeased, so Edward cleared his throat.

Then he addressed Nomani and the others waiting.

 

“You said you wished to make your request directly to Lady Sylvia. Very well, speak it. —But only this once. Whether you end up serving Lady Sylvia or not, from now on you must go through either myself, Calogero, or Beffa.”

 

Edward lowered his voice slightly, speaking with authority.

“Lady Sylvia is the daughter of a Ducal house and the castle Lord. Normally, for someone without title or even status as a subject to make a direct petition to her is utterly unacceptable. Keep that in mind.”

 

Nomani and his group bowed their heads.

Edward knelt before Sylvia and spoke.

“…These men are applicants wishing to join the knight order, but they seem to have a request they wish to present directly to you, Lady Sylvia.”

“Mm!”

Sylvia answered in high spirit.

 

Edward rose and spoke to Nomani and his group.

“Lady Sylvia has granted permission. State your request to her.”

Nomani glanced at Edward for a moment.

Edward appeared to be looking at him kindly.

But Nomani felt that if he made even the slightest suspicious move, Edward would draw his sword and cut him down. There was not a single opening.

 

Nomani shifted his gaze to Sylvia and began to speak.

“…Then, this may take a little time, but please listen to our story.”