kscans

Chapter 9 - What the Ring Summoned Was the Strongest Knight

Mireille held her breath at the sudden appearance of Leonhard.

But even though I was being suspected because of my master, he didn’t attack me right away. Instead, he was handling the situation sincerely, even as he himself was caught up in an unexpected problem.

...For some reason, I found myself grateful for his attitude.

"I hear the captain of the First Knight Order is really wonderful." She often heard such rumors at the shop.

His face was like a prince from a story. His swordsmanship was faster and more brilliant than anyone’s. He didn’t womanize and was a model of good conduct.

Indeed, seeing him before her, she could only agree.

Moreover, he was a gentleman, and despite being a knight, he was smart, not rugged. Just as the rumors said.

...Could it be.

What Darius-san and Master were trying to give me wasn’t the ring, but this person himself? When I’m in trouble, this ring brings Leonhard-san to me.

Was that the trick? If so....

"Those two really are... beyond troublesome."

Though she sighed, the fact was, in a life where she couldn't even manage to start a fire, his presence was a blessing.

She had no experience with survival.

In that case, I’ll have him teach me, consult him about how to earn a living... and repay him with alchemical items. And then, I’ll have him forget our connection here.

--That’s what she decided in her heart.

*

Leonhard began by confirming their current location.

Even to test the sword he had received, he needed to check the safety of the surroundings.

The entrance to the tower was secure. The heavy wooden door was a special creation, given a hardness greater than iron through alchemy. Ordinary force wouldn’t break it.

Letting in an unknown man was dangerous, but Mireille unhesitatingly added Leonhard’s name to the security list.

The magic barrier glowed faintly, trembled quietly, and the door opened.

"If Master and Darius-san summoned you... I’m sure what they wanted to give me wasn’t the ring, but you."

Her voice was weak but sincere.

"But I can’t trouble you any further. However, if you would... could you at least give me some advice on my life from now on?"

He was certainly being troubled.

But she, like him, was just a victim caught up in all this.

Her earnestness made his chest ache a little.

*

At the top of the tower.

When he opened the window, he could see the clock tower in the distance.

"...You’re right. I can see the town. That means this is to the south."

Further south from here was Sacred Peak Mountain, which, as its name suggested, was said to possess spiritual power and was the tallest in the country.

And from the foot of the mountain to near the town stretched the demonic Tree Sea, which disoriented one’s sense of direction.

In fact, the road from the town to the Tree Sea was sealed off, and even had recognition-inhibiting magic placed on it.

This area was a free-for-all of monsters, dungeons, and magical fluctuations.

In particular, the foot of Sacred Peak Mountain was a dangerous zone where monster stampedes frequently occurred, and on moonlit nights, packs of wolves would sometimes attack.

(...Why evacuate to a place like this?)

No matter how much it allowed her to escape prying eyes, it was no place to leave a young girl alone.

Darius must have seen through his inability to be irresponsible.

Just as she said, he, summoned by this ring, was the gift to her. How should he tell this girl, who was still unaware of the dangers of this place?

Leonhard quietly held his head in his hands.