Chapter 20

#20 Chapter: The Tin Knight and the Bloodline of Lions (3)

That night.

The girl sought out her mother.

“…”

Lying on the bed, the face of the Lady looked incredibly peaceful.

Perhaps she was dreaming, the girl thought.

A dream where neither her father nor her older brother had died, and the whole family was blissfully smiling together.

The reason her mother didn’t wake up might be out of fear of returning to the cruel reality, leaving such happiness behind.

The girl understood her mother.

If she were in the same situation, she wouldn’t want to wake up from that dream either.

Even if it meant leaving the girl all alone in reality, it would be better than seeing her mother cry in suffering.

An hour passed, then two, then three.

Holding her mother’s hand, the girl sank into deep thoughts.

“Just handle the rest. If you’re going to make a serious challenge, try acting as a knight here and put in the effort. If that doesn’t seem feasible, just talk to Gisel. That guy would prefer a scenario where the heir actively collaborates with the new lord rather than having the current lord’s heir dismissed. He’ll create a situation where people around nod approvingly.”

That was the last piece of advice left by the witch.

Having created an opportunity for the girl, she seemed entirely indifferent to whether the girl seized it.

She simply said she had indulged in the knight’s unnecessary meddling after receiving her payment, without any signs of hiding that fact.

As for the knight, when he saw the girl, he merely gave her a thumbs up and left it at that.

The witch and the knight were scheduled to leave the territory the next day.

Since they had been rewarded by Gisel, there was no reason to stay any longer.

It was then that the girl realized that they had no great interest in her.

No matter what choice the girl made, or what trials she overcame, the two wouldn’t care.

In the future, while they strolled the streets, they would casually chat about her.

“Speaking of which, that silly girl back then. I wonder if she succeeded in the end? Probably gave up, right?” And they’d forget again.

It wasn’t malice. It wasn’t wrong. It was simply the most natural thing in the world.

For they weren’t characters prepared in a fairytale for the girl, but adventurers with their own objectives.

Tears began to flow from the girl’s eyes.

It hurt to acknowledge her weakness, the one who had unilaterally relied on others, expected too much, faced disappointment, and felt despair.

Even in this moment, the thought that it might be easier to just leave everything to Gisel made her resent her own weakness.

Everyone was chattering about her, yet she felt pathetic for being unable to voice a proper rebuttal.

So, the girl rose.

She wiped away her tears and cleared her throat.

She wanted to say farewell to her mother properly.

“I’m sorry for leaving you all alone, Mother. But please wait just a little longer. As the daughter of my brave father, I’ll become an heir of whom I’m no longer ashamed. I’ll prove that I’m worthy of carrying this family’s legacy. I promise to return after achieving that.”

Nothing miraculous happened, like her unconscious mother waking or her hand twitching slightly.

But that was fine, the girl thought.

She didn’t need any “wonderful miracles” right now.

She left the room.

By the door, Roni stood there as if it were obvious.

As if she had guessed the girl’s resolution, she spoke resolutely.

“Miss, if you command it, I will accompany you anywhere.”

The girl smiled wryly.

Roni had become the knight she had always wanted to be.

Though her pure skills were still deemed lacking, she was acknowledged for the courage and achievements of having chased down those atrocious criminals in the city, rescuing the vassals and lord alike.

If she stayed in the territory, her prospects for advancement were guaranteed, yet she was throwing it all away to follow the girl. The gratitude she felt was hard to put into words.

However, the girl shook her head.

If Roni followed her, she knew she would just end up leaning on her again.

Relying, whining, and speaking weakly.

Because she was someone the girl trusted more than anyone else, it wouldn’t do for her to go along with Roni.

“Is it okay for you to protect my mother until I return? The new lord, no, the acting lord is caring for her, but still, the person I trust most is Roni.”

Roni’s eyes shook with emotion.

With a determined expression, she replied.

“I will protect the Lady with my life. So please, return safely, Miss.”

“Thank you. But don’t overdo it. You are just as dear to me as my mother.”

Suppressing her desire for a longer conversation, the girl turned her back.

There was much to prepare before the sun rose.

***

The next morning.

As the sun began to rise, you twisted and turned, doing stretching exercises.

Squeak, squeak, your metal body made sounds as you stretched. Dorothea watched you with a gaze that seemed to say, “What the heck is this idiot doing?”

“What are you doing?”

[“For a ‘Tin Knight’, morning exercises are essential for a pleasant day!”]

“That only applies when you’re alive. What kind of exercises does a tin can like you even need?”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ insists that if Dorothea can do it, so can she!”]

“I don’t want to. Too much trouble.”

Regardless of Dorothea’s grumbling beside you, you continued your exercises steadfastly.

While it had no physical recovery effect, mentally, it was refreshing.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ is curious about what choice the girl will make!”]

“Oh, that kid? I bet she’ll just dither around and end up getting sucked in by Gisel, right?”

What a cold evaluation.

While you didn’t have a solid rebuttal, boredom made you feel compelled to carry on the dialogue.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ argues that she could at least put in a proper effort!”]

“Who knows? ‘Cooperating together is for the future of the territory.’ ‘I genuinely care for this land too.’ ‘I’ll create a plausible story that even your vassals cannot deny.’ It seems she’d easily fall for these things.”

You thought for a moment.

Then reached a conclusion similar to Dorothea’s.

It felt a bit regrettable.

While Dorothea seemed to be underestimating the girl, you—more specifically, ‘your body’—had somewhat perceived the girl’s outstanding potential.

If we were to solely consider hardware performance, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a prodigy.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ laments missing out on new trainee content!”]

“…This idiot keeps finding ways to sound stranger every day. The fact that I can make some sense of it is even more annoying.”

Dorothea shook her head.

“Even if we concede a hundred steps that the kid challenges for the lordship seriously, there’s no way she’ll be hanging out with you. She’ll either be partying with the knight squad or veering toward administrative or social duties. Why would a noble lady go traveling?”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ states that the essence of an achievement tale is through adventures!”]

“Yeah, yeah. Enough with the nonsense. Now that my magical power is topped off, let’s get going.”

Just as Dorothea was about to open the door and exit the room, a knock was heard.

“Excuse me. I have something to discuss briefly.”

It was the girl’s voice.

Your and Dorothea’s gazes briefly met, and Dorothea blinked a few times in surprise.

When Dorothea opened the door, the girl’s figure came into your sight.

You were a bit taken aback.

She wore practical clothes made from leather and fabric, focusing on mobility and durability. A backpack bulging with various equipment. Though still a bit awkward in appearance, she had even brought a sword, full of determination.

Wearing no traces of elegant dresses, the girl stood there, dressed like a rookie adventurer, gazing steadfastly at you and Dorothea.

“Please, I’d like to join you two on your journey!”

Dorothea, who rarely showed genuine surprise, soon cleared her throat and said.

“W-What on earth are you talking about? You seem a bit overly excited, so you might want to calm down a bit.”

“No, I’m serious. And it’s not an impulsive decision either.”

The girl’s gaze was resolute.

“I want to prove that I have the right to follow in my father’s footsteps.”

“Well, you don’t really need to follow us for that. You could accomplish it here, right? It’d be easy to let everyone know about the effort you’re putting in.”

“No, if I stay in this territory and fight on the same stage as Acting Lord Gisel, I will never surpass her. Everyone will cheer for me. They’ll say I’m trying hard, making an effort. But that’s how they see a child. Adults observe a child’s growth with fondness, but they won’t acknowledge them as a peer. Especially when a fully capable rival is nearby.”

They recognize her effort, they know she struggles, they find her pitiable and cute, but that’s all.

The girl said she didn’t want such evaluations.

To be truly recognized, she firmly asserted the need to build her skills and accomplishments elsewhere.

“At first, I considered leaving on my own. But with my lack of experience and foolishness, I’d only reach a dismal end before long.”

“So, you think being around us, who seem capable of wandering around and doing stuff, would help you gain experience and not get easily killed? Well, fair enough, considering only your perspective.”

Dorothea folded her arms.

With an arrogant look, she looked down at the girl and said.

“But what’s in it for us? What benefit do we get from dragging along a burden like you?”

The girl stepped outside for a moment, then returned holding something from the corner of the wall and presented it to you both.

“This is all my personal belongings left behind in the territory, along with the support funds I received from Acting Lord Gisel. I’ll give it all to you.”

Swish.

As the bag hit the ground, revealing its heavy presence, Dorothea’s eyebrows twitched.

Not stopping there, the girl knelt down on the floor, bowing her head.

“You don’t have to treat me as a comrade. You can regard me as a servant. So please, help me.”

Silence fell.

Dorothea didn’t speak, and the girl didn’t rise.

So, you decided to step forward.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ insists this is the perfect opportunity to become a mentor!”]

Dorothea raised an eyebrow, looking at you with disbelief.

“What do you mean?”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ honestly asks if you wouldn’t want to have fun applying mentor duties like you used to!”]

“Uh, not really… um.”

Dorothea’s expression changed subtly.

“Even so, she’s not a pupil. There’s not much I could easily teach, plus she seems about the same age as me if we’re just going by looks.”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ argues that if it’s possible to exploit her due to her noble status, then wouldn’t that be better?”]

“…….”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ is whining because she wants to raise a pupil too!”]

“Argh! Fine! I get it, just be quiet already!”

Kaang!

After swinging your staff at your head with all her might, Dorothea let out a deep sigh and lifted the girl to her feet.

With a tense expression, she asked the girl, “What’s your name?”

“Huh?”

“Your name. I can’t just keep calling you kid forever.”

In other words, it implied that there would likely be more occasions to call her in the future.

The girl’s expression visibly brightened.

You, determined not to lose, pulled out the brooch hanging at your waist.

With a confused look, the girl gazed at you, and Dorothea interjected.

“Can you wield magical power?”

“Yes, yes! At least on a basic level!”

“Then try to put it into this brooch. I don’t know if it will work or not, but just give it a shot.”

Though the girl tilted her head in confusion, she placed her hand on your brooch and poured in her magical power.

The brooch glimmered brightly, glowing with a vivid golden light.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ asks if you can hear this!”]

“Uh?”

The girl looked startled and turned to you with wide eyes.

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ requests you to raise your right hand if you can hear this!”]

“Y-Yes? Ah, yes! I can hear it! It feels like it’s ringing directly in my head… Is this magic? It’s amazing!”

“Amazing? You’ll soon think that not hearing it would be a blessing within a day.”

After your blunt remark, Dorothea resumed her interrupted self-introduction.

“I’m Dorothea Aschengard. My profession is witch.”

[“The ‘Tin Knight’ asserts itself as a knight!”]

The girl replied.

“I’m Adelheid von Lenart! Please call me Adel! My profession is, um, apprentice adventurer…? Either way, I look forward to working with you in the future!”

And thus, the cowardly lion joined the party.

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