One knight per knight corps.
To be a true knight, one must become a knight corps leader.
It was an adage that one could not become a knight just by holed up in a room practicing swordsmanship alone. In other terms, to be properly recognized with honor in noble society, one must lead a knight corps.
Now, however, that meaning has deteriorated to become a derogatory term implying that even if one is a knight level, they are not a true knight unless they come from a wealthy and powerful noble family, even if they are a bastard or a commoner.
Conversely, if a noble family is so excellent and wealthy that they can acquire a knight corps leadership position without even being at knight level, they are regarded as a respectable knight.
Gilberto, the bastard vice commander, was not at all pleased with this reality.
In his youth, he had petitioned the royal family to change the archaic structure of the knight corps by gathering fellow members in similar situations.
In the past, knight levels could only operate with other knight levels; thus, for efficiency, the numbers had to be divided, but technological advancements meant that such strict divisions were no longer necessary, so it wasn’t essential to assign only one knight level.
Openly speaking, it was a petition pleading for the expansion of positions available for bastards like him when they reached knight level.
Still, it was an appeal made with concern for the future of the Empire, which was only retreating since the demon realm’s complete downfall. He was in his prime, after all.
But as one could see from the current state of affairs, nothing had changed. If anything, it was a relief that the tyrant emperor did not find it bothersome enough to pull out the execution platform.
His fellow knights had scattered, and Gilberto was relying on his weak connections as a bastard, moving from place to place.
Then, by chance, he demonstrated talent in administration and managed to secure a position, eventually climbing to the vice commander role.
It was quite a notable career for a bastard. Gilberto was well aware of this.
Despite that, his skills stagnated, and he could not reach knight level. His family remained weak, and becoming a knight corps leader was still unattainable, but realistically, it was the highest position a bastard could achieve. Pride filled his heart.
However, that was not the case in recent years.
If it weren’t for the masses of commoners.
If they hadn’t been coveting positions with their insignificant skills, it would never have come to this.
He wouldn’t have been tempted by the Duke of Bellevue’s offer to recommend him for the knight corps leadership of Sky Island.
He wouldn’t have formed ties with the cult to cooperate in the suppression of Alesia Bellevue.
If he hadn’t commissioned an assassination that led to a violent terrorist act, the Duke wouldn’t have been so horrified that he cut ties and became a wandering soul.
If only those commoner scum hadn’t been dissatisfied with positions that matched their status and hadn’t been envious. If the knight corps leader hadn’t quietly favored the commoners and prevented them from being suppressed, none of this would have happened.
A cult member on a bird flew sideways.
“Vice Commander, once this chaos is over, you’ll have to pay for your inability to properly control the knight corps. You shouldn’t be handling matters this way.”
“Shut your mouth! This isn’t something a mere messenger can evaluate!”
Gilberto hurried the bird. He flew past the commoner cult member and headed toward the cult’s command center.
As he passed through the wealthy islands, he could see a building that served as the command center coming into view.
The guards were nowhere to be found; a red chaos unfolded. A girl covered in blood chased after a fleeing group of cult members. A silvery sword had cut through the air, slaughtering individuals. Blood was streaming down from her pink hair.
“Craft’s clan leader is already here?!”
Instinctive feelings of threat surged.
Gilberto hurriedly pulled on the reins. The bird that was about to land climbed back up hastily. The wind roared around.
Did Craft truly have a hand in this?
As usual, the knight corps was organizing ruins when Camerott and Bellevue arrived openly, accompanied by a giant chick.
Melissa Camerott declared with a cold expression.
“Hand over command. I will execute immediate orders per military decree.”
“I agree. I don’t have the authority, though.”
This was abuse of military power guaranteed to Camerott as an official successor by royal decree.
“What military decree am I violating?”
The knight corps leader asked, bewildered.
“Communicating with the cult, which was designated as a primary enemy by the former emperor.”
When was that military decree issued?
“This bird is a messenger sent by Craft. It’s been sent to inform us of the cult’s base located beneath these ruins.”
“Chirp? Chirp.”
“It seems to be true. Craft initially intended only to investigate, but sending a messenger indicates a plan to swiftly deal with any infiltrators and raid the cult.”
“Chirp? Chirp.”
“Knight corps leader, surrender command to Camerott. This place will be managed by the southern command for the time being.”
Melissa Camerott proceeded as she said.
An inquisition by the Camerott family began. Magic bullets mercilessly killed those who violated military ranks.
Gilberto fled immediately when the inquisition came to him, the vice commander, passing over those of the same faction.
Has Craft’s influence already reached this far?!
It was hard to believe, but he had to accept it.
As the pink-haired girl was currently in the midst of slaughter on the ground.
The last opponent fled. Bloodied panting followed. A scream occurred, then fell silent.
Gilberto hurriedly drew his bow. He pulled back the string above the command center and focused his mind.
After finishing the battle, the girl appeared dazed. As she blankly looked around, she directed her gaze toward somewhere above and waved her hand, seemingly greeting someone.
The arrow left the bow. The arrowhead curved smoothly and flew silently. The girl’s back was coming closer.
The girl’s hand moved back from gesture of greeting. Grasping firmly, the arrowhead struck.
A tension hung momentarily. The arrow was caught in her hand.
The girl turned completely around. Her gaze lifted toward the sky where Gilberto was.
Her pink eyes stared vacantly with a playful smile. Her moist lips shifted.
“Are you the leader?”
Gilberto felt a chill run down his spine. Information about Craft’s clan leader flashed through his mind. The bird’s reins shifted.
“Higher!”
Gravity pressed down. Arrows were drawn from the quiver and set on the string. Sounds of leaps followed in quick succession. As he aimed at the ground, the pink form that had already approached filled his field of vision.
“Hello.”
The girl leapt from the knife, creating a shockwave. A silvery slash sparked. A red line appeared across Gilberto’s neck as he evaded. A thin stream of blood sprayed.
The bow aimed at the target. The string released, and an arrow was shot.
The arrowhead spiraled as the wind wrapped around it. The arrow, covered in magic stone powder, ignited into flames. It formed a column of fire intertwined with a vortex.
The massive flaming arrow passed straight by the girl, striking the magic stone knife that had been aimed at her feet. A tremendous explosion erupted. The knife ricocheted away.
An arrow was pulled from the quiver.
“Humans.”
The bowstring aimed at the falling girl.
“Cannot fly.”
The arrow was shot. Flames surged, and the essence shifted. The flame vortex twisted, transforming into a dragon’s shape. A fire dragon writhed.
The girl stared vacantly and reached her hand toward another place. Flames raged and obscured her vision. A strong wind tousled her hair.
Suddenly, a relaxed voice echoed.
“Brooms.”
A white figure sailed into view from one side.
A broom?
“Can fly.”
Gilberto hurriedly aimed his bow. He belatedly recognized the identity of the figure. It was a white handkerchief.
As he quickly turned his head, he saw the girl who leapt out of the flames. A magic stone pepper shaker used for jumping fell at her feet.
The pink eyes smiled playfully.
A fake.
A decisive slash swept across his field of vision.
Blood spurted forth.
#
Pastel stepped slowly down after stepping on the pepper shaker. The magic stone powder inside supported the girl’s weight.
“This is the power of magic stone control, not equipment control.”
She rubbed her eyes as if she had just awakened fully. With hazy eyes, she looked up at the air.
“Knife friend, where did you fly off to?”
Not in sight at all.
Must look for it after this.
Once she landed on the ground, she shook out the pepper shaker. The magic stone powder, which had lost energy and turned unpalatable from a brief use, scattered everywhere.
What a shame.
“Oh, young lord. You sure fight well! At this rate, you might become the youngest knight level! Will my name be included in that epic?”
There was a man calmly facing the demon amidst the slaughter, holding a dagger in hand.
Pastel blinked slowly. Memories came rushing back.
Oh no.
This man was the knight-level villain who toyed with her during the first semester terror!
A knight level!
Oh dear! Oh dear!
Pastel, seeking the demon, realized that this particular demon was confronting that man and calmed down.
Oh yeah.
The demon opened his mouth.
“If you’re going to challenge me, then go ahead. I’ll grant you the first move.”
Such utter leisure of a powerful being.
Is this the dignity of a great demon?
“Hmph.”
The man scratched his head with the point of his dagger.
“Great Demon, even if it’s a holy land, didn’t you not fully unseal?”
The condition of the young lord being alive and well says otherwise.
Oh no.
The great demon’s bluff was caught.
An extreme crisis.
“Haah.”
The demon frowned and stepped forward.
“This is truly a disgrace.”
“Whoa, whoa.”
The man hastily took two steps back.
“I’m not saying I’ll challenge you.”
Both hands were raised.
“It’s a proposal for the status quo. I’ll just stay here, great demon, so you’ll remain here too. The young lord is the exception.”
Oh dear.
“What are you trusting? That building seems to only house high-ranking civilians who don’t know how to fight.”
“I’m there on a guarding mission for that person.”
With his hands clasped, the man strolled around casually.
“If the target of my guard isn’t in danger, there’s no need to obstruct you. Oh, wait!”
His gaze turned toward the girl.
“Young lord, do you perhaps enjoy fratricide?”
Pastel was left dumbfounded.
“No…?”
“Then I can leave.”
He gestured toward the building.
“It’s an opportunity to talk to your father.”
Oh dear.
