Chapter 251

#251 The Tin Knight and the Imperial Banquet

After defeating a rather unimpressive sea monster that was supposed to bear the grand title of the Sea Dragon, and receiving a nod of approval from Camilla, the island’s ruler, who said, “Don’t worry about me at all, just rest easy and go,” the Tin Knight and his companions expected a relaxing time… but that didn’t happen.

“Of course, we took all the breaks we could while ignoring the distractions, so it’s not like things are going to change just because the distractions are gone. Isn’t that obvious?”

Gale, who had been listening to the saga so far, responded incredulously.

“So, what brings you here? Did Alingd ask you to relay something?”

“No, it’s unrelated. To be precise, I came here deliberately before Alingd Goodwitch could arrive.”

“What?”

At Dorothea’s question, Gale calmly said, “My master has awakened. And she wishes to meet you all.”

“Just because she wants to meet us… does that mean we’re supposed to go back to the Tower of Guardian or something?”

The answer came not from Gale’s mouth but from deep in his chest.

《Don’t worry about that. I have no intention of making you come to a benefactor.》

Dorothea’s gaze shifted toward the source of the voice. A pendant hanging from Gale’s neck glowed softly, and a hologram of a young girl emerged from the light.

《Hello. This should be my second proper greeting, right?》

North Witch Olin.

She said this while bowing her head slightly.

***

《Before anything else, I should say this first. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. And thank you for your help.》

The atmosphere changed.

That was the first impression the group felt when facing North Witch Olin.

She wasn’t the well-meaning but somehow clumsy and unstable figure they had seen before, but rather a calm and intelligent demeanor.

Compared to this change in atmosphere, the fact that her body was a translucent spirit rather than flesh and blood felt trivial.

Did she sense their embarrassment? Gale shrugged and added an explanation.

“This is the original version of my master. The last time you met was when she was at her worst.”

The original master.

Olin in her complete state, unperturbed by the turmoil caused by sealing Witch Mombi.

Her appearance, unchanged and still resembling a young girl, made her look more like a sister than Gale’s master, but the natural authority felt in her expressions and actions was leagues above before.

However, the group wasn’t the sort to cower or act deferentially either.

“Enough. We’ve already smashed the mastermind and received our due reward, so there’s no need for you to be overly thankful or apologetic now. More importantly, what’s the matter?”

Dorothea asked, straightforwardly, with a tone that some might consider rude.

She was in a hurry, just like Gale, who skipped the pleasantries. Or maybe she had been influenced further by traveling with them.

Olin smiled wryly.

《You do resemble your master.》

“…If you’re looking for a fight, I’ll gladly accept.”

Dorothea’s expression hardened.

It wasn’t just talk; she gripped her staff tightly, ready to spring into combat at any moment.

Seeing her react as if she had just received a far worse insult than any curse made the others question.

Is it really that frightening to be told you resemble your master?

Amused by their reactions, Olin chuckled.

《If she heard it, she’d probably be annoyed, or maybe not care at all. I’d love to tease a bit more if not for being in someone’s debt, so I’ll hold back.》

After meeting each gaze directed at her, Olin said,

《I came to offer a bit of gratitude and advice. It might be too late by the time Goodwitch arrives.》

“Didn’t I just say we’ve received our due?”

《The balance of scales is important. But how much of a price one considers equal varies from person to person. You might think what you’ve received so far is enough, but to me, it seems lacking.》

Dorothea narrowed her eyes and stared at Olin, but Olin calmly met her gaze.

In the end, it was Dorothea who clicked her tongue first.

“Fine, as long as it’s not something I owe to you.”

《I won’t do anything so petty. For now, could you hand me your staff and the book I made for you?》

Dorothea and Adelheid hesitated for a moment but then handed over their staff and gamebook.

The moment the translucent Olin’s hands touched the objects, an enormous number of magical symbols floated in the air and were soon absorbed into the items.

《I’ve strengthened the barrier magic a bit. The output itself should be getting stronger on its own, but I focused on preparing against attacks that don’t involve physical force like poison or curses. And it also has a function to protect its owner, even if you don’t consciously use magic.》

“What?”

At the seemingly simple statement, Dorothea’s face went blank.

《It seems like the gamebook has a slight bug thanks to accepting the information of treasures, so I fixed that and enabled it to accept information from treasures besides the belt. But don’t use it too often. Those who possess a treasure are extremely powerful. Even mere shadows that merely replicate information can threaten real lives if not careful.》

“Uh, okay.”

Adelheid, not an expert, was slow to react, but she instinctively felt, ‘Isn’t this a big deal?’

Only then did the group fully realize just who they were facing.

Guardian Witch Olin.

Just as the East Witch symbolizes necromancers, she represents the school of Enchantresses.

Essentially, the strongest manual laborer of this era.

Olin’s eyes shifted toward Sophia.

《I’d like to offer you some advice before gratitude.》

With a markedly polite tone compared to when addressing Dorothea or Adel, Olin said this.

Sophia nodded, signaling her willingness to listen.

《Beware of the South Witch, Glinda. She despises the heavens. It wouldn’t be wrong to say she nearly hates them. And she has been searching for ways to fight against the skies for a very long time.》

“Does that mean her showing interest in me has something to do with that?”

《I think so. So, please remain vigilant.》

After saying that, Olin gestured to Gale.

Gale presented a small bracelet to Sophia.

《This bracelet holds the power of neutralization. It will prevent the divine power you use from burning your body. Just be warned, it’s close to a consumable item, so it will lose strength and eventually break the more divine power you use.》

Each of the three received their own gifts.

Only the Tin Knight was left.

However, in front of him, Olin hesitated for quite a bit before finally speaking up.

《…Strengthening the doll’s body seems to be something my disciples can already handle entirely. So, I’ll just leave you with this.》

《You, who bear the strength of a great knight. You, an outsider from an unknown land.》

《That body is the only landmark linking you to this world.》

《Just like a ship that has lost its course wanders the sea aimlessly, you who have lost your body will similarly stumble in an unfathomable void I can’t even begin to imagine.》

《To reconnect a thread that has once been severed is exceedingly difficult.》

《I don’t know if it would be possible, even for you nor her from the East.》

《So, please, cherish your body.》

These were words laden with deep concern and compassion.

The Tin Knight scratched the back of his head as if pondering how to respond before eventually nodding in understanding.

Seemingly satisfied with his reaction, Olin smiled gently and then distanced herself.

As they looked at the pendant that had dimmed and remained still, Dorothea skeptically asked, “Why does she vanish mid-conversation?”

“Because she pushed herself too hard. Normally, she’d need to rest much longer, but she sneaked away to greet you and repay her debt before you headed down to the Empire.”

“Sneaked?”

“Yes, sneaked.”

Dorothea placed a hand on her forehead.

It wasn’t hard to imagine how the concerned parties would have turned upside down after realizing the facts a bit too late.

“Well then, it seems like I’ve done my part, so I’ll be off. I may look like this, but I have pressing matters to attend to.”

“Pressing matters?”

“I need to bring my master back to the tower and then go after the next treasure.”

A smile graced Gale’s lips.

With a face that blended mischief and competitiveness, she tapped her silver shoes against the ground.

“I’m calling for a rematch, and it feels a bit off to ask for all the other treasures with just this one, don’t you think? While Dorothea struggles to get Lilium’s pouch, I’ll be aiming for something else.”

“Aha.”

Dorothea too wore a mischievous smile.

“Well, if you’re doing the hard work in our place, that’s not a bad thing. Work hard and bring it back. In the end, we’ll collect it all.”

The rest looked at one another and began to whisper.

[They evaluate that the ‘Tin Knight’ is slated to be the antagonist rival for the protagonist!]

“Is that so? It does seem like Gale and the White Knight would fit much better as the main characters of the story.”

“They look like they’re getting along well; isn’t this just Dorothea’s way of communicating?”

“Hey!! We can all hear you, you know!?”

Dorothea shouted, and the companions acted like a flock of pigeons startled by a loud noise.

In other words, they fluttered away for a moment before nonchalantly gathering back to their spots.

Seeing the veins popping on Dorothea’s forehead, Gale chuckled. It was a laugh reminiscent of her master.

“Well then, next time let’s meet again, not as companions but as rivals.”

Tap, tap.

As soon as those silver shoes hit the ground, the silhouette of the white girl vanished without a trace.

After watching for a moment, Dorothea walked back to her companions.

“Hey, Tin Can.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ asks why is she being like that!]

“…We don’t know what kind of chaos will unfold in the Empire next, so don’t act too recklessly. Don’t just get excited about fighting, and sometimes take care of yourself, alright?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ replies that no one reads the atmosphere better than him!]

“Yeah, sure, you talk a good game.”

Dorothea clicked her tongue and then turned her gaze to the sky.

From a distance, she spotted a shadow approaching them.

Rest was over; it was time to dash once again.

***

─Nobles who uphold the great Empire, and the common people, listen carefully.

In response to the ominous energies drifting across the continent, the royal family recognizes the need to implement more proactive and bold policies.

Stagnation will eventually rot. To breathe new life into the Empire’s rigid personnel system, a large-scale recruitment of talent will take place.

Whether knights, wizards, or those of other professions and specialties, all are welcome to pass the tests given.

Those who excel among those who pass will gain the privilege to join the newly established Lydia Imperial Knights, which will serve as the direct battalion under the newly ascended Emperor, meaning no department under the Empire will have command over them, excluding the Emperor himself.

Loyal soldiers and knights of the Empire, step forward to claim this glorious position, proving that your names are not mere empty titles.

Unnoticed talents drifting through society, show your skills against renowned warriors and earn your very own fame.

Additionally, as soon as the examination concludes, there will be an official coronation ceremony for the Prince, who will rule this country from its throne, so the Empire’s literate and martial nobility must send at least one member of their family to participate.

-Empress Meridia Heidern Arcturus-

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