015 | Failure of a Knight

Rowan and Patricia came back. Nothing happened to them, but something did in Naskac. Rudif, Calamno, the Rabbit on my head, and I went to the front gates to greet them. The two got off of an especially fancy carriage. Another Dark Elf, presumed to be a knight, escorted the two to the doors.

The old man greeted them first.

"How is Leo?"

Patricia pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Elder brother is fine, father. He IS your successor for a reason."

Rowan waved at Rudif and me, "Hey guys, we just had to sort some adult problems."

Rudif easily accepted that answer and nodded his head firmly.

You dumb mutt, clearly something else is going on. "Adult problems" is just the cover of a bigger situation. I might have to discipline this dog later on. I guess it takes someone with a brain to ask what's going on.

"What really happened? It took you guys so late."

Patricia's face lit up when she looked at me, uh oh, "Awh~ Were you worried about me?"

Rowan nudged Patricia, "I don't think that's the case-"

"Shut it," says Patricia as she elbows Rowan in the stomach. Ouch.

The escort was probably a knight of high authority. Decorated shoulder pauldrons and shiny steel armor with a helmet donned. He was about the same height as Rowan and had a sword at his side, which he just drew and pointed at me.

"Silence. A mere human dares talk informally against royalty? Show your respect!"

"Respect?", I scoffed, "Who is the one pointing their sword at a guest of these..."

I paused and looked at how Rowan and Patricia both really didn't dress like royalty. They were really casual. I understand Rowan since he's not originally from the royal Delevoid bloodline, but Patricia is always relaxed in her dress.

"These...royals?", I barely managed to mutter that word. It was NOT an accurate term to describe the married couple.

Maybe I should have shown a bit of respect to the knight for doing his job but he really lashed out.

"For the honor and pride of the royal family, as their sword, I will not stand by these rude remarks coming from a human! I let it slide the first time because you are a mere child, but you have crossed the line for doubting royalty!"

The Knight made a stance where his sword was around his chest and pointed to where he was facing. His knees were slightly bent.

He stabbed to the right and I weaved to the left, I guess I'll give him some pointers, "Too obvious. Fewer chest movements will actually increase explosive power as well as contributing to a more discreet attack."

I had no idea why no one decided to help me. Though I guess they already trust that I can dodge something so obvious. Perhaps they were just waiting until the very last moment. I'm sure all three Dark Elves could have stopped the blade before it did any harm. Actually, I'm sure even if I got stabbed, Patricia can instantly regenerate my wound.

The Knight raised the sword up and grasped it with both his hands. This time, he was aiming for a diagonal cleave. How cruel, on a child? on me? This plebian dares?!

Pathetic.

I simply sat down quickly and the blade went over my head, "Try looking at where you're going to hit."

"You dare belittle a knight?"

No REAL knight has your temper tantrum problem. Grow up already. A bit ironic since I'm still technically a child.

The Knight strafed to the side and slashed horizontally. Seems like he was anticipating decapitating me while I was sitting down.

I sighed and simply put my head back before the blade connected with my neck. I looked up at the Knight's helmet and stared through into his eyes.

I pointed up, "Be cautious of your surroundings."

The Knight turned his head to the side just to meet face to face with a ball constructed out of Earth Magic. I created it from a few feet away and made it a smaller size than usual. That way, with a boost from generating a quick gust using Wind Magic the clump of Earth will surely hit hard.

The Knight fell onto the ground from getting hit. I'm surprised his helmet is still on. I stood up and patted my pants.

"Are you done?"

The Knight held his head while he was struggling to stand, "Y-you disgusting human using dirty tricks!"

"Tricks? Do you want to DIE?"

I made sure to exert my murderous aura and killing intentions. The Knight shivered and shook as I slowly walked towards him. He dropped his sword and fell on his back. He tried crawling away but he couldn't take his eyes off me.

"Say that again you utter FAILURE of a knight."

"I-I-"

Fortunately for the knight, Rowan stepped in.

"Alright, alright, enough playing around, Asher. This guy is merely an escort. In fact, he's only just begun as a knight apprentice. They say he was one of the most promising candidates but...from his armor you could tell he's just a spoiled noble brat."

The Knight zoned back in as I released my hostility. He picked up his sword and stayed wary of me. Rowan went and put his arms around the knight like they were good friends that just got back from drinking.

"Let's get you back into the carriage. I won't tell the Viscount about this, save yourself from the embarrassment."

Even I could tell that the Knight gulped and accepted the only option presented to him. He walked back with Rowan while the rest of us went inside.

* * *

We were sitting at the dinner table. The Dark Elves were on one side while Rudif and I were on the other. Speaking of Rudif, all he could do was stare at me.

"What do you want, mutt?"

"You were so cool!"

"Yeah yeah~ That's like the sixth time I've heard it today."

Calamno poked his steak, "I won the bet."

Rowan and Patricia groaned. The two reached into the air and plopped a few gold coins onto Calamno's palm. I see they like to show off that they can use an inventory spell and I can't. I'll beat you guys up one day and you won't even see it coming.

Of course, that was a joke. There shouldn't be any reason to resort to violence against my friends.

"What kind of bet happened?"

Calamno laughed proudly, "Haha! It was the easiest bet I'd ever made!"

Rowan sighed, "Father communicated with Patricia and me telepathically. We made a bet to see if you could take on the Knight. To our surprise, you won."

Patricia nodded in agreement, "Truthfully, I thought father was up to some mischief again. I was going to break that knight's neck if he even dared harm a child."

"Well, I'm glad to know you value me so much."

Patricia smiled widely.

"Of course~"

Looks like none of them are going to openly say it so I might as well ask myself.

"What were you two doing."

"Stuff", Rowan says.

Patricia smiled, "I'm stuff."

Rowan and Patricia giggled together like children.

"Guys..."

The two sighed simultaneously.

"I guess we can't hide it from you. There were some...problems brewing up that required the attention of Patricia and me to attend."

"I thought politics weren't your thing?"

Patricia took over the conversation, "They're not. We didn't come to be royalty, we came to be soldiers."

"S-soldiers? There's going to be a fight?"

Rudif asked that question as he was trembling in his seat. He usually finishes his meal before anyone else but today, it was half-eaten.

Calamno stood up and left with Rudif until it was only the three of us in the room. Excluding the rabbit sleeping somewhere. Funny how Rudif is almost double my current age but they worry over him more than me. Though, that's how it should be.

Patricia resumed, "There is a rebellion soon led by one of the most powerful and influential figures in Naskac."

I see, in that case, it makes sense for such powerful individuals, such as Patricia and Rowan, to be called for help. From what I can infer, Patricia's elder brother is most likely the current King of Naskac. Despite granting her wish to be left out of politics, what can she do when her family is in trouble? Besides, Patricia and Rowan are righteous people. Whatever rebellion is forming, they must be a real pain in the butt.

"Duke Wilfred is currently the leader of such movements. We can't just simply kill and replace the leaders either."

"That's right, nobles are essential to the economy of the nation. Without them, Naskac will be in an even deeper hole.", I added on.

The two simply looked at me. I feel like they were shocked but they've gotten so used to it that they just had a neutral expression nowadays.

Rowan was the one to break the silence.

"Duke Wilfred is currently causing troublesome problems. Though they're currently minor issues, he's simply showing that he has the capability to control more than that. Patricia and I had to go clean up for the King."

"What kind of troublesome problems did this duke cause?"

"It's not officially confirmed yet but, he's the prime suspect for the main cause of citizens near the outer reaches of the capital facing water shortages, infestations, raids, and even a wave of beasts. The royal guard isn't enough and they can't be dispatched everywhere."

"Don't tell me he also has control over the army."

Patricia put one leg over the other as she gave a firm nod, "Duke Wilfred can probably pull some strings and have guards of specific regions turn a blind eye when problems arise. He could also refuse the requests for reinforcements."

"This is hard to tackle. What does this Duke Wilfred want from the royals anyway?"

There wasn't an answer from either of them for a brief moment. Again, Rowan was the one to break the silence.

"Right now it's unclear what his motives are. However, there's speculation that he's been holding in a deep grudge against Leo."

Leo? I heard the old man mention that name this morning. I already know that this "Leo" is in all likelihood the king. I guess I could feign ignorance to get more information out of this.

"Who's Leo?"

This time around, Patricia answered my question.

"Leonardo Delevoid, the current King of Naskac, and my elder brother. In the past when Leo was only the crown prince, father was the King of Naskac, however..."

Patricia glanced around the room and edged closer to me. Looks like this precious daughter of Calamno was anxious about talking behind the old man's back.

"He really hated politics and handed everything to his subjects."

Ah, I can clearly see how you inherited your hate for politics from him as well. Like father, like daughter. At least Patricia's brother, Leonardo, seems like a competent king. When visiting Naskac, it was quite a happy place with no secret alleyways where people are beat up.