Chapter 352

Upon arriving at Asha’s workshop, Damien and Milia exchanged brief greetings before immediately taking measurements and explaining the desired armor design.

Damien ordered armor similar to Nigel’s, with black iron plates partially layered over tanned leather. He reasoned that while full plate armor would increase defense, it would be too heavy and hinder movement in the air.

…That jumping mad grasshopper. He needs to get smacked down like a bug hit by a fly swatter to come to his senses.

Milia requested a lightweight leather vest to wear over her shirt, a black iron shoulder guard for her right shoulder, along with leather pants, gloves, and boots. She said that since she fights from a distance, there’s no need to be fully armored.

Well, even without metal reinforcement, leather like Ryu-rik’s should perfectly block blind arrows or mediocre spear strikes.

Still, has she decided to just stick to archery now?… I tried to stop her, but weren’t you originally aiming to be a swordsman?

The lonely sword hanging at your side seems to be crying.

—

It was late evening by the time we returned to the residence.

Since Isabella’s mansion won’t officially become mine until after the award ceremony, Damien and Milia, who had nowhere to stay tonight, followed me back.

It was fine to let them stay at my place for a night.

“Is this Hasalleur’s new home? It’s my first time visiting a professor’s house, but it’s cozier than I expected.”

Milia looked around in admiration. If she’s this surprised, she might flip out when we go to the mansion later. That place is likely to be incredibly extravagant. I haven’t been there yet either.

Oh, and there’s something I need to say in advance.

“…Don’t do it here. Rana’s here too.”

I whispered softly into Milia’s ear.

Letting them stay is fine, but using my house as a motel is a bit much. If I wake up to moaning sounds, I might have to cut off Damien’s legs.

Not that they’d do such a thing in someone else’s house… but you never know. Lately, Milia seems to have decided not to care about time or place.

“Huh? Don’t do what… Oh.”

Milia’s face gradually turned bright red.

“Uh, uh, ah…! Did, did you hear…?”

“Of course I heard. In the carriage…”

A late-learned thief doesn’t know when to stop, huh? It’s no joke. Even if the original game was a bit risqué, how can you do it over ten times a day? And it’s not just simple stuff either.

“Ahhh-! Stop! I get it, so stop talking…!”

Milia, red as a broken stove, frantically covered my mouth.

Did she not think I’d notice? Well, if she knew her friend was listening, she wouldn’t have said such embarrassing lines.

What was it again? “See? I’ve got Damien tightly in my grasp? I won’t let go now.” It was really something.

—

I brought the tomato-red Milia and Damien, who was avoiding eye contact as if he knew nothing, inside.

“Welcome back, sister!”

Rana, who had been waiting for me, ran over and hugged me as soon as I entered.

Why does she cling so much?… It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s a bit overwhelming. Did she develop a need for affection while I was away?

“Ah, uh, yeah, nothing happened, right?”

“Nothing except Leonor returning!”

Rana smiled brightly and leaned her head against me. As I chuckled and patted her hair, I noticed Damien and Milia staring at me with the expressions of sailors who had just spotted a giant mermaid through the window.

…Why are you making that face?

Did you think I was going to break Rana’s neck? Why would I do that to Rana? It’s not like Damien. She’s like a cute little sister now.

“Rana, remember Milia and Damien? They’ve decided to quit the academy and become my knights. Since they have nowhere to stay, they’ll be spending the night here. Say hello.”

“Long time no see! Have you both been well?”

Rana, finally letting go of me, greeted the two with a smile.

“Yeah, long time no see, Rana. Have you been well?”

“Yes! I’ve been well. It was a bit lonely without Hasalleur sister!”

Judging by how she clings, it seems it was more than just “a bit” lonely.

“Uh… You and Hasalleur seem really close. It’s the first time I’ve seen Hasalleur smile like that.”

Well, Damien, it’s not like I have a reason to smile warmly at you, right? If you want to see my smile, go achieve something like a heroic tale. Then I’ll smile for you.

After the introductions, I showed them to their rooms. There are only four beds, so Damien will have to sleep on the sofa in the living room.

It’s fine to let Milia sleep in Nigel’s bed, but letting Damien sleep there would be a bit much, right? That’s just not proper.

—

While the two borrowed the bathroom to wash up, I discussed future plans with Leonor.

Things like the future operations of the Rose Cross Knight Order, the award ceremony tomorrow, and the personnel to bring along when we head east due to Marquis Ludwig’s letter.

Rana, who had been listening curiously, eventually fell asleep with her head on my thigh. She’s sleeping soundly. My legs aren’t that soft, though.

I gently stroked Rana’s head as I continued talking with Leonor.

“As the master of the Rose Cross Knight Order, there are only three things I want from them: loyalty to me, the ability to take down a master-level opponent when working together, and not dying recklessly. As long as they follow these, I won’t worry about other issues.”

With their current strength, they’d all die if they followed me into battle. So, I can’t take them with me until they get stronger.

It would leave a bitter taste if my subordinates died meaninglessly.

“So, just keep that in mind, and you, Leonor, as the captain, handle the operations. You can go on monster or bandit hunts, or focus on training at the Rose Hall.”

“Not dying recklessly is a bit of a tough condition for a knight… but if that’s what you want, I’ll comply as a knight.”

Leonor grinned. She said it was tough, but she was clearly pleased.

Originally, the Rose Cross Knight Order was her order, so Leonor must care deeply for each member. That’s why my conditions must be satisfying to her.

With that, I left the operations of the Rose Hall and the Rose Cross Knight Order entirely to Leonor. She had quite a few officials under her, so she wouldn’t mess things up.

“Ah, and. I’m thinking of creating a small elite group like the Landerburg Swords, composed of master-level or higher members. What do you think? It’s just you, Damien, and Milia for now, but we can add more over time. I’m also considering adding Ophelia.”

“Hmm… The problem will be where to find more master-level fighters. Your connections are obvious, but Sir Nigel is part of Landerburg, so he’s out… Princess Freide is also unlikely.”

That’s the issue.

Even for a small elite group, four is too few. We need at least seven.

I’m not sure when I’ll be able to gather the remaining three.

—

Through Leonor, I also heard about the academy. News like the new recruits not blending well with the existing students, or the survival rate of dispatched missions gradually decreasing.

After asking the staff to clean my armor, I found out that Leonor had been gathering quite a bit of information while I was away.

“…By the way, rumors of your return have already spread throughout the academy. Everyone’s wondering when your lectures will start. Some are already excited, thinking you came back specifically to teach.”

“Lectures… I guess I’ll have to do them eventually…”

Thinking about actually giving lectures, nothing came to mind.

Wait, first of all, what do they expect me to teach? How to kill people effectively?

“What am I supposed to teach these knight wannabes…”

I sighed involuntarily.

“Try doing it like when you trained Damien?”

“…That would kill them all.”

Damien could handle it, but training ordinary knight candidates like that would leave corpses to clean up within two days. Even Damien’s heart nearly stopped when I focused my killing intent on him before he reached master level.

“…You knew that, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I thought you might not know the standards of ordinary people since you’re so strong.”

…Of course I know. It’s common sense.