Holy Knight Lishua

Following Lishua, we entered the city area.

During my last visit, I stayed in a lodging house further away from here.

The reason being the strict status system employed by the late city lord Rudolph Lanchester. Only the residents were allowed to enter the city, while a visitor couldn't.

Back in the day, the city was run according to the rules that the Lanchesters set.

But it's different now. The gloomy feeling that covered the city had been fading away. The faces of the passers by were somewhat more brighter. But it's just superfluous feeling...

[I can see it, the residents are anxious.]

[Yes, it's beyond my power to fix it. There is still a lot of reserves left, so it's not a problem at all...]

[So the desert monster is the cause? I can tell because similar thing happened in the capital recently]

[I regularly received reports about what happened in the Capital... just what is happening to this world?]

[Well, we are going to stop whatever it is before it becomes even more disastrous.]

I pulled away my hand, which for some reason somewhat saddened Lishua.

[I'm just too inexperienced. To even trouble Fate-sama and the others...]

[As I said, it's not a bother. In any case, even if we managed to avert the disaster, it'll be no use if we lose what we are meant to protect. Of course, that includes everyone in this city, and Lishua as well.]

[Fate-sama...]

After I said so, Lishua then turned towards Roxy, Eris, and Mimir who were walking behind me.

She said to all three of them.

[Everyone... thank you very much.]

A short while later, we arrived at the mansion. It used to be the mansion where the Lanchesters lived, but now it's been turned into a dormitory for Lishua and her men to stay.

It's quite big for a mansion. A bit bigger and it could be considered a castle.

[This mansion really doesn't suit me. Anyways, please come in]

Accompanied by Lishua, we entered the mansion. She actually guided us to what seems like a welcoming banquet.

Maids had lined up in advance. Drinks and snacks had been prepared neatly on the tables.

Lishua chuckled when I thanked her.

[We are both Holy Knights, but Fate-sama is the head of Barbatos family, one of the Five Great Family. No need to be so humble.]

[I'm originally just a commoner. It was Aaron who adopted me into the family. Roxy here is a more amazing person than me.]

I turned to Roxy who sat next to me on the left.

[No no, it's not that much.]

[I don't think so. Even when I was still a commoner, I've always admired Roxy.]

[Fai, if you say something like that all of a sudden...]

Roxy started hitting my shoulder playfully. Her face was beet red.

Just when the atmosphere was about to become uncomfortable, I felt Eris elbowed my ribs from the right.

[Gah! What was that for!?]

[A~gain, you're the one who started it. Please do that kind of stuff when there is no other people around. Don't we need to talk about something more important, do we now~? Do you two understand?]

[ [ Pardon me ] ]

[It's just as Eris-sama said! The recent lovey dovey Fate-sama and Roxy-sama is too much for me!]

There was no way to refute when even Mimir said it.

I didn't even realize that I did such a thing, which is a problem. The same thing applied to Roxy as well, as we looked at each other in shame.

In any case, all we can do right now is,

[ [ Sorry ] ]

[Good if you understand!]

I saw Mimir smirked right away after that. And Eris sitting on my right looking smug.

Those two are... so hard to keep them in line! Seeing both me and Roxy sighed in defeat, Lishua laughed.

[Fufufufu, pardon me.]

[No, it's fine. It's always like this.]

[Is that so...? But I'm glad.]

[You mean?]

She looked at us in what seem like a brand new light.

[I thought... that Eris-sama, being the High Queen of this kingdom, was a scarier person...]

[No no no, I'm certainly a kind person. And I prefer peaceful solutions over conflict.]

Are you sure about that!? You've been shooting at me before we arrived in this city.

As I gave Eris' pretty face a look, someone stepped on my foot under the table.

[Ouch!]

[What's the matter, Fate-sama?]

[I'm alright, I'm alright, don't worry. Please, go on.]

[Yessir!]

Of course talking to Eris would give so much pressure for a regular person. Whenever Lishua spoke to Eris, at first she spoke nervously, but quickly regaining her confidence.

She's a good woman. As I thought so, someone stepped on my foot again.

Don't tell me... Although I doubt it, could it be Eris actually has Mind Reading skill?

[As Roxy-sama probably remember. We have met once before at the Royal Palace.]

[Oh, really?]

[Yes... it was my first day as Holy Knight, and I kind of got lost in the place... then...]

[Aaaah, from that time!? I remember.]

[Thank you for showing me the right way. And I'm sorry for leaving immediately. I was so embarrassed back then.]

[It is fine. So that young girl from back then... has grown up to be so big...]

While saying so, I noticed that Roxy's eyes were directed at Lishua's chest area.

Nn!? What's the meaning of this?

Roxy seemed to notice my gaze, so she immediately turned her reddening face elsewhere.

This...could it be? No, let's not pursue the matter.

As expected, I could already tell what is going on. If she truly has Aisha-sama's blood coursing in her veins, then it's only natural.

Un, un. While I was satisfied with my own conclusion, Roxy elbowed me in the ribs.

[Ouch! Roxy?]

[Muu~!]

Why is she sulking now!?

[Fai, I need to have a talk with you later. Is it alright?]

[Okay okay...]

What will we talk about this time around? But seeing Roxy smiling gently at me, I can only imagine that it's something important, which in turn thrilled me.

While I was mulling over it, I heard Lishua's laughing once more.

[You two are really close to each other, aren't you?]

[ [ Ahahaha ] ]

In response to that, me and Roxy looked at each other, then laughed.

Seeing the situation, Lishua went in to confirm something.

[Fate-sama, can I ask you one thing?]

[I don't mind, what is it?]

[Is it true, that you killed Tenryu on your own?]

[U~n, I wonder. It's half right, half wrong.]

[What do you mean?]

Lishua asked while tilting her head. So I put my black sword on the table and explained.

[It's not just my power alone. I wouldn't be able to defeat it without the power of this Black Sword Greed. There was also some circumstances after Tenryu was defeated. On which I needed Roxy's help... So honestly, I can't defeat Tenryu on my own.]

[I see. But it is true that Fate-sama was the one who defeated it.]

[Guess so.]

[Fufufu, you are really humble, aren't you?]

[I'll consider that as a compliment, thank you.]

It may not be much, but Lishua's words genuinely made me happy.

She then sighed and began speaking about the main topic.

[Everyone, I will need everyone's attention, as I will now explain about that monster appearing on the eastern desert. It started appearing approximately two months ago. It has two large pincers, and even my attack couldn't scratch it. Perhaps... it's on the same level as Tenryu. Also, wherever it passed, the sandmans nearby would change form and become aggressive.]

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Yet another Area E enemy... If it's really an extinct ancient monster, then it'll be no wonder if it's that strong.

In that case, only me and Eris could hope to defeat it, since both of us are of the same realm.

[When does the monster usually appear?]

[Usually late at night. It spend the daytime by lurking under the sand. It appears when the sun has gone down and the temperature falls. Its size is quite huge that it can be seen even from this city.]

[We still have some time until then.]

Looking out from the window, I saw the sun had only began to set.

There is still a lot of time until midnight to make preparations.

Eris also said while I was looking out.

[In that case, I will be sleeping then. Being well rested before battle is important.]

[Myne also said similar things.]

[I know right? It's the basic of battles after all. Why don't Fate take a rest as well?]

[I'd rather walk around the city to distract my mind.]

[Well, to each their own. Then call me when the time comes. Mimir, let's go already.]

[Yes.]

Mimir would not be participating in this subjugation. Despite her capability as a Holy Knight, the rules forbade her from fighting. The only time she's allowed to draw her sword was when her Lord was in danger.

In the battle against the ancient monster goblin shaman, she went out and broke the rule to save me. Despite not getting too harsh of a penalty, the White Knights probably still scared the hell out of her.

What's done is done, from now on, if she were to use her holy knight abilities, she would definitely regret it. Therefore, for me and Mimir too, it must only be used as a last ditch effort.

That leave me and, I took note as I looked around, Roxy who were still staying in the room.

[What about you? Do you want to walk around the city with me?]

[No. It is an important battle, so I would like to be alone for a while.]

[Understood.]

Roxy is about to challenge yet another Area E opponent. I couldn't find the right words to encourage her, so I decided to leave quietly.

As I left the meeting room, I heard Lishua calling out to me.

[Can I ask you to watch over Roxy for me?]

[Yessir. I may not look dependable... but I'll do my best!]

Roxy understood. That her low stats might end up hindering me in this battle.

I tried to not think about it too much... but her situation right now reminded me of before I awakened the power of Gluttony.

My stats were so low, that a holy knight like Roxy felt like they were so high in the sky. I sensed a gap that I would never managed to cross no matter how hard I tried.

Perhaps, it's similar to how Roxy felt at the moment.

In that regard, I'm not the right person to encourage her, because it would only remind her of the gap in our power. This is where another Holy Knight like Lishua comes in.

[Thanks, Lishua.]

I left the mansion, and walked towards the city.

Greed then spoke to me via "Mind Reading".

『I thought that you are going to stay by Roxy's side just now.』

[I don't need to. She's a strong girl... If she said that she wants to be alone, then there is nothing I should do to change that.]

『But you are still worried nonetheless, so you asked that Lishua girl to help.』

[Well... I guess that's the case.]

Greed knew me really well. Perhaps because of our long lasting relation.

[I'll be strolling around the city until midnight. Is there a street stall that sells delicious food around here? When I visited this city back then, I didn't get to look around the city area, so I'm kinda looking forward to this.]

『My bad if I just crushed your hope, but have you forgotten one thing?』

[What is it?]

『Right now, with the monster you are about to defeat still running rampant, wouldn't the supplies of the city became stagnant?』

[Ha...? Aaaaaaaaaah]

『Still a long way to go. Fate still cannot think properly without this me after all.』

[I just forgot that small detail.]

『Sure sure.』

[Oi, listen to me!]

Good grief... Greed being the usual Greed.

Even if I'm worried about Roxy right now, I still had no idea what should I do to help her out. The only thing I can think of, is that the upcoming battle against the desert monster might be her chance to reach it.

However... the girl herself was hesitant about entering Area E.

Greed said it best. From that point on, it's outside the realm of regular humans.

Perhaps that's why. Between Roxy and me, I can't create the same bond I had with Aaron...