346 - Familiar Faces at Virup Fortress 1
Virup Fortress lies to the east of the capital, Provall. In terms of sheer distance, it is about as far as going back to Grenore, but the journey to Virup Fortress is incomparably shorter. The town of Grenore near the border cannot have its roads too extensively developed, as it must account for the possibility of the border being crossed by enemies, but Virup Fortress, which does not have its back to the border, is different. The roads are well-maintained, both for sending knights trained at the fortress to the capital and conversely for bringing together knights gathered from various regions to the fortress. To add to that, compared to the capital-Grenore route, there is more flat terrain. The distance is not much different, but there is a difference in how easily the journey progresses.
The trip to Virup Fortress involves traveling by horse as far as the town of Monbrune, and from there switching to a well-ventilated covered wagon. This is a consideration for the strong desert sun, not overprotectiveness toward me.
At the town just before entering the desert, the horses pulling the wagon are changed to animals called Azukara, similar to camels. On flat ground, horses have more horsepower and speed, but on sand, it seems the Azukara have better traction and are faster on foot. They are said to be reliable companions for travel through the desert.
The road to Virup Fortress, being through a desert, has dry air, and the sunlight is so strong that even stepping out from under the canopy makes my skin tingle, but the roads were at least maintained, so we proceeded smoothly. We arrived about two weeks after leaving the capital, but the scenery is completely different from Grenore Fortress.
...Even though it is a fortress in the same country, the appearance is quite different.
First of all, there is no greenery around. That is only natural, given the desert location. Next, the walls surrounding the fortress are lower compared to Grenore. I wonder how that works in terms of enemy infiltration, but Virup Fortress is a place aimed at training those with knightly potential, so apparently it does not place primary importance on intercepting enemies. If the walls were raised higher than they are now, the wind would hit them harder, causing the walls to deteriorate faster. There also seems to be a philosophy that for building a knight's body, a slightly harsh environment is just right.
...I do not think I could ever become a knight.
Deliberately creating a harsh environment is something I could not do. Even traveling in a covered wagon, my throat gets so parched that speaking becomes a chore, yet they deliberately keep the walls low enough for sand to blow in, and breathing is a little stifling due to the swirling sand. I do not think I could exercise for physical training in a place like this.
From inside the covered wagon, I watch the exchange between Leonardo, who is sitting in the driver's seat, and the gatekeeper. Since this is a knight order facility, ordinary people are prohibited from entering. Even Leonardo, a Black Knight, cannot enter without permission. When he shows the pass issued in Timon's name at the capital, the gatekeeper peers inside the covered wagon. It seemed he was checking the number of people, so I put on a charming smile. I intended it as an appeal that I am just a clingy little sister tagging along with her brother, and certainly not a spy from an enemy country.
Whether my charm worked or not, we were invited from the covered wagon into a waiting room inside the gate. The pretense was that we should rest while the documents were being checked, but fruit juice was served to me and Giselle, while water was given to Leonardo and the others. The gatekeeper who brought the water found Leonardo's face scary. The gatekeeper, whose expression went beyond smiling and into gooey adoration, was being glared at by Leonardo, but it seemed like water off a duck's back. Whether he does not notice or has thick skin, it is probably the latter. This might be the first time I have seen someone who does not cower when glared at by Leonardo.
"Is this fortress indulgent toward girls?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. There are a lot of unmarried knights here, so they are especially soft on women."
Even though there was a difference in treatment, like juice versus water, Leonardo says that since even water was served, it is not that we are unwelcome. Water is precious, he says, in a fortress deliberately built in the desert.
Once the documents and wagon inspection were finished, we were immediately permitted to enter the fortress. Passing through the gate, the main building of Virup Fortress that looms before us is not so different from Grenore's. Grenore Fortress was also a building with little ornamentation, but Virup Fortress has even less. Decorations would just get buried in the sand or be constantly battered by strong winds mixed with sand, causing them to deteriorate quickly. The main building is the only tall structure. Buildings other than the main building, such as barracks and stables, are built slightly lower than the walls. With all the buildings being this low, perhaps the main building also serves as a watchtower.
"The atmosphere is quite different from Grenore Fortress."
"Not just the buildings, but first of all, the people working here are different."
Due to its nature, Virup Fortress has retired Black Knights working as instructors. Aside from that, there are a few Black Knights who happened to be assigned as gatekeepers, and the rest are mostly young men who are knight candidates. It is only natural that the impression differs from Grenore Fortress, where active-duty Black Knights are stationed.
"...By the way, how does it work that commoners can become knights?"
From my previous life's knowledge, a knight is either a cavalryman or a noble military officer. In the latter case, the White Knights correspond to that, but the Black Knights, who make up the majority of knights in this country, are a bit different.
"In the Saenard Kingdom, knights are the same as the White Knights in this country. They are mostly made up of nobles' sons."
"Hearing that, I can understand the stories about Leonardo Big Brother doing great deeds on the battlefield."
A fight between ornamental White Knights and the kingdom's finest Black Knights... there is no need to think about who would win. I would worry if I heard my brother was going to the battlefield, but in terms of advantages and disadvantages, there was no need to worry.
"To become a knight in this country, you first start by volunteering as a soldier in the annual recruitment. You can apply from age twelve, and I also applied when I was twelve."
While it is possible to apply from age twelve, normally a twelve-year-old would not be hired. Since Leonardo was large for his age even then, his hiring was truly rare.
Once it is determined that a candidate has a sufficiently developed body or shows promise for growth, a physical test is conducted next. The White Knights are exempt from these two screenings, which is why there are apparently many White Knights who are useless in combat.
Once potential is recognized in the physical test, the candidates are then split into knights and soldiers. Those with ambition and potential become knights, while those who wish to work as vigilantes in their hometowns or villages learn the necessary martial arts and group coordination as temporary soldiers who can be called up in times of war. I have not often seen soldiers in my daily life, but it seems that those assigned as soldiers are not sent to Virup Fortress but are trained at fortresses in various regions. Apparently, they learn martial arts while being trained at fortresses, work as soldiers at the border for several years, and then return to their hometowns to work as vigilantes.
And when war breaks out, they are called back to the fortresses as soldiers. It is a bit different when one becomes a knight. Knights are stationed at the fortress and are considered part of the fortress until they retire from being a knight. Marriage is permitted, but basically, as long as one is a knight, they do not leave the town where the fortress is located. Leonardo, who travels around to each fortress every winter, is an exceptional case.
"Only those recognized as having knightly potential are sent to Virup Fortress, undergo three years of training in the harsh desert environment, and those who pass are granted the title of knight and assigned to border guard duty at various fortresses."
Leonardo said three years, but technically it should have the qualifier 'at minimum' attached. The White Knights, whose tests are practically nonexistent, do indeed leave the fortress in three years, but the Black Knights, where actual skill matters, are not so lucky. The youngest age one could theoretically become a knight is fifteen, but aside from the White Knights, no one really became a knight at such an age.
...Huh?
"Leonardo Big Brother, how old were you when you became a knight?"
In the lessons at Menhishumi Church, I was taught that Leonardo became a knight at the youngest age in history. For a title where fifteen is supposedly the theoretical youngest, how old was Leonardo when he achieved it? A random question occurred to me and I asked, but he just replied with, "How old do you think?" His slightly smug face annoyed me, so I decided to make an unreasonable demand right back.
"I was taught that Leonardo Big Brother became a knight at the youngest age in history, so since it is the minimum... fifteen?"
"That is right. I became a knight at fifteen."
I had expected a response like 'even that is impossible,' but the unexpected declaration of fifteen made my eyes go wide in surprise. His smug face is annoying, but this is indeed surprising. I never thought someone who achieved something so theoretically unlikely would actually exist.
"I-I have a feeling I will still be living a comfortable life under Leonardo Big Brother's care when I turn fifteen..."
It seems that by the time I am fifteen, two years from now, Leonardo was already working as a knight. And if he applied in the twelve-year-old soldier recruitment, that means he started working a year before I am now.
"It is not that unusual for commoners to start working at fifteen, you know?"
"Still, becoming a knight at fifteen is rare, is it not?"
I think once again that my brother is a ridiculous person. Being the master of four fortresses, also being a Silver-White Knight... his titles are too many. It just seems like the cheats that would normally belong to a reincarnator are attached to Leonardo.
"I met Alf and Alfred-sama at Virup Fortress."
"Memories? Speaking of which, Alf did not become a White Knight, did he?"
"As the son of a noble, he could have become a White Knight, I suppose... but Alf had the skill."
Alf, who was at Virup Fortress before Leonardo, apparently refused to become a White Knight during the three-year training period, aiming to gain the strength to become a Black Knight instead, and continued training until he had the skills recognized as a Black Knight. He was two years Leonardo's senior in terms of stay, but he left the fortress at the same time as Leonardo. The fact that three Silver-White Knights, of whom there is perhaps one every five years, appeared in the same year was likely part of a plan to assign them as guards for Prince Alfred. Fortunately, through Alf, Leonardo and Alfred had been acquainted even back then. Even if Alfred had been ordered to take Leonardo as a guard, Leonardo would not have refused.
However, for some reason, King Christoph took a liking to Leonardo, Alfred's younger sister the Seventh Princess caused a commotion, and the Eighth Princess became a stalker. And then, heartbroken from the series of incidents, Leonardo wanted to leave the capital, Christoph permitted it as a temporary measure, and Alf was assigned to assist Leonardo.
"Originally, Alf's role was supposed to be not my assistant but the one to keep Alfred-sama in check..."
Leonardo gazes into the distance, saying he might have done Alf wrong, but from Alf's perspective, it was probably the best possible outcome. He was able to leave the capital (away from Alfred) with the king's seal of approval. For Alf, the days in Grenore must be fulfilling and liberating. This certainly would make his feet reluctant to return to the capital.
As I walk through the fortress corridors attached to Leonardo, I flash charming smiles at the passing knights. Watching the knights get softened and captivated by a smile from a thirteen-year-old child, I feel a little sorry for them, truly living in a fortress with no tenderness.
...No, wait. It was like this at Grenore Fortress too.
The Black Knights of Grenore Fortress would also smile and offer me sweets whenever I showed my face. This must be the sad nature of the male species. Regardless of age, they are happy when a little girl smiles at them.
...Oh, Jean-Jacques.
There should be knight trainees here, but within a gathered group clearly over twenty years old, I spotted familiar red hair. Leonardo, who was supposed to be looking for new Silver-White Knights, was led to a room where the Silver-White Knight candidates were gathered, yet for some reason, Jean-Jacques is here.
...Because he already left the fortress as a Black Knight, so there is little to learn by being grouped with the knight trainees?
As I was thinking such things, Jean-Jacques seemed to notice us too. He excused himself from the young men he was chatting with and strode over to us.
"Long time no see, Commander! What's up? What business you got in a place like this... ah, you came to call back this reliable yours truly to prepare for the war with the neighbors..."
"The war with the Saenard Kingdom was already over by summer. There is no need to drag you out now, and besides, Lugmilama Fortress has Rumeel and Evraul."
Told outright that he is not needed, Jean-Jacques droops his shoulders. I had thought he would bound over like a puppy at seeing Leonardo after so long, but he was brushed off coldly. My condolences.
"You seem to be doing... well, I do not even need to ask, do I."
"The trainin' at Virup Fortress is all stuff I already learned once, so it makes me yawn."
Jean-Jacques, making a show of a big yawn, lowers his gaze, and it meets mine directly. It was amusing to see his eyes widen slightly in surprise, so after a moment's thought, I decided to put on the mask of a lady to startle him, since it had been two years.
"It has been a while, Jean-Jacques-sama."
I had been taught that knights should normally be addressed with '-sama,' so I incorporated that too. Then, as Hermine taught me, I made a conscious effort to create elegant movements down to my fingertips and wore a graceful lady's smile. At that, Jean-Jacques froze, taken aback, while the young men peeking at us from behind crouched down clutching their chests. I had tried imitating Felicia's smile when she restrains her followers' behavior, and it seems it is effective even when I do it. There is no doubt that a smile can be a weapon.
"...You surprised me, Tina kid."
...I would think so. I have studied properly, after all.
How about that? Lady-like, is it not? I tensed the muscles of my face that wanted to form a smug grin and maintained an elegant smile. Come now, praise my efforts, I thought as I waited for what he would say next, but what came out of Jean-Jacques's mouth was not praise for my newly acquired ladylike behavior.
"Did you shrink?! You haven't grown at all, have ya?!"
I delivered my signature heel attack to Jean-Jacques's foot, who said that even with cat ears added, I would have been taller before. With my weight, simply stepping on him would not deal much damage.
"...Ow."
"Jean-Chack, you are just as ever, I see."
"How rude," I said, pressing my heel into Jean-Jacques's foot. Unfortunately, the first strike has some impact as a shock, but since he is wearing sturdy military boots, pressing down with my heel does not seem to deal much damage.
"It ain't Chack! It's Jean-Jacques-sama! ...Your special move changed from shin kicks to heel drops, huh."
"No, that is not it. I have grown in the two years in the capital, so I simply do not have custom-made shoes."
I look up at Leonardo beside me and ask him to make me shoes again when we return to Grenore. As for Leonardo, he had a somewhat troubled expression. He wants to grant my request, but he is probably aware of who the primary target of those custom-made shoes would be.
"If it's Grenore, that means you got thrown out of the capital or somethin', Tina kid? What'd you do?"
"I was not thrown out! I was properly told by Christoph-sama that I could go back."
"How rude," I protested, puffing out my cheeks. Jean-Jacques has not changed at all from two years ago, so my cat disguise of ladylikeness has completely come off. On top of that, I have even reverted to the overly childish gestures I had recently been correcting. I feel like there is no fixing this now, but fortunately, Hermine is in the capital. Even a failure of no small scale will not lead to a review session.
"Anyway, why's a Tina kid even come to Virup Fortress?"
"As a condition for returning to Grenore, the number of guards had to be increased, so Leonardo Big Brother came to see who might become a new Silver-White Knight."
Right? I looked up at Leonardo, and his gaze was directed toward Jean-Jacques. Since he was among the Silver-White Knight candidates, Leonardo probably thought Jean-Jacques would be useful as a source of information.
"...Jean-Jacques, from your perspective, is there anyone who stands out?"
"From yours truly's eyes, I'd recommend... well..."
As Jean-Jacques slowly swept his gaze around, the surrounding young men began raising their hands one after another, selling themselves. Being here as Silver-White Knight candidates means they already have enough skill to become Black Knights. Not a single one of them shows any lack of confidence in selling themselves.
"Hmm. My recommendation is... me! Right here!"
Ignoring the young volunteers, Jean-Jacques looked around and pointed at himself with full confidence. His full-power smug face irritates me, but feeling the gazes of the surrounding young men piercing into Jean-Jacques, I did not feel like stepping on his heel either.
...Is he not going to have to show the ability to back that up, or lose his standing later?
Then again, maybe that is irrelevant now. Having once left Virup Fortress as a Black Knight, being sent back to Virup Fortress is apparently a dishonor. For such a Jean-Jacques to declare himself the most suitable among the many Silver-White Knight candidates would certainly earn him some resentment.
"The guards assigned to Tina must be Silver-White Knights. If you want to become Tina's guard, you will have to become a Silver-White Knight first."
...Oh, Leonardo-san's voice dropped.
It seems Jean-Jacques has triggered some strange switch in Leonardo. Leonardo, now seemingly oddly motivated, began taking off his jacket.
"The classroom stuff's done. It's just my skills are a little short, seems like..."
"Then let me take a look."
"Huh? For real? A match with the Commander?!"
Jean-Jacques howled with joy as I took Leonardo's discarded jacket. He told me to wait somewhere safe since it was dangerous, so I replied cheerfully.
...Huh?
While moving to the square where the match would be held, word apparently spread throughout the fortress that an active Silver-White Knight and Jean-Jacques were going to have a match. As knight trainees hoping to watch gathered one after another, I spotted yet another familiar face.
...Why is Lusio here in the fortress?
The familiar brown hair, though he has grown taller in two years, is unmistakably Lusio. He was supposed to have chosen the path of continuing his studies while tending to the scholars at Menhishumi Church in Grenore. Lusio, who should have been aiming to become a scholar, was at Virup Fortress aiming to become a knight.
I feel like I have been resting a lot lately, but I have things to do tomorrow, so the update will be skipped.
Will fix typos and errors at a later date.