The Royal Knights had at least one member from every race except for humans. There were even cases in the past where humans were part of the Royal Knights.
The purpose of the Royal Knights’ founding was to unite their strength to uproot the evil that threatened the continent. However, considering that, there were also deep-seated conflicts between the races.
A typical example of this is the conflict between elves and dwarves. First, their values are entirely different. The elves believe in preserving nature as it is.
On the other hand, the dwarves see it as right to excavate and use precious stones hidden in the earth. Hence, they regard nature as just another resource meant to be utilized.
In short, this racial conflict can be described as the clash between veganism and industrial disaster.
Clank! The carriage shook violently. It seemed the wheel trod on stones of the poorly maintained dirt road. Outside the window with no glass, trees were passing by quickly.
We were now in the carriage heading to the capital. Next to me, Helia was sticking close like a glutinous rice cake and could not bear the boring conversation, ultimately falling asleep.
I silently offered my shoulder to Helia. Her beautiful red hair covered my shoulder and arm like fine silk. At that moment, Clarence, who was sitting across from me, spoke up.
“Is it okay if I continue explaining?”
“Please.”
“The conflict between elves and dwarves has been famous for ages. Usually, it’s the dwarves who irritate the elves with reckless expansion, but…”
“Of course, there are many instances where elves provoke dwarves.”
In reality, in games, elves are depicted as beings who love and feel the need to protect nature as it is. The problem is that this love can become dangerously extreme.
To the extent that if you even slightly touch the elven territory, you’ll instantly face a declaration of war, even when more than half of the continent has fallen to demons!
This game, unlike typical eroge, even had management elements where you manage territories. The problem is that the only nearby place to gather one of the early important resources, wood, is the elven forest.
Ignoring any circumstances, the elves, who would angrily declare war with just one tree being cut down, was so notorious that players nicknamed them “Servicing Elves.”
[Why are you tormenting us?]
[This is an intolerable outrage.]
[We can’t forgive this. We will start a judgment.]
[Seriously, what’s wrong with these guys? Just for touching one tree?!]
Thinking back to that time makes me want to commit murder again. On top of that, I’m the type that heads into things without a guide, and thanks to that darn elf, I had to redo the early game 12 times.
“How much longer until we reach the capital?”
“We’ll arrive soon.”
“We got here earlier than I expected.”
“This road is a hidden path only for the royal guard.”
“This uncle can finally take a breather.”
I bit my tongue right then. With a slight rip sound, a bitter taste of blood filled my mouth. If I relax, that Time Stop Breeding Uncle’s tone will pop out again. It’s one thing in a refugee camp.
This carriage is warm, and the food is tasty, causing me to unknowingly loosen up. In fact, I had used the Time Stop Breeding Uncle’s tone several times inside the carriage.
The panting horses kept running without rest. As we dodged the disaster of the ancient trees along the rough dirt path, the capital soon revealed its grandeur in the distance.
“Did you say the Royal Knights are currently in the capital?”
“Yes, they are. His Majesty summoned them directly. That’s why they’re fighting less at the moment.”
“That’s a relief. Have you tried to stop them?”
“They listen to no one. Once they start fighting, they charge in without caring for anything.”
Lucky for us, it’s the capital, which is considered human territory. If it were anywhere else, there’d be no way to mediate or convince them. The moat surrounded by the massive castle walls was filled with muddy water.
Crossing the bridge over the muddy water, our carriage entered the castle gate. We were stopped for inspection, but once Clarence stepped out, we were given a free pass.
The capital looked much different from what I had imagined. While the refugee camp was truly a den of beggars, the capital resembled a typical medieval fantasy kingdom.
“It’s a paradise compared to the refugee camp.”
“However, the financial situation of the capital isn’t very good.”
“Really? And it looks like this?”
“It’s due to the nobles’ extravagance. At least His Majesty has enforced strict prohibitions…”
Apparently, the nobles didn’t want their living conditions to plummet to beggary, so they personally invested their wealth to beautify the capital. And they took that tax from the commoners.
I was dumbfounded. Until now, I had been cursing the Royal Knights who perished fighting amongst themselves, but now it seemed they didn’t even have the right to complain. Humans are all the same, after all.
Even that strict prohibition from the King allowed this much. If it weren’t for that… ugh, I don’t even want to imagine. In the meantime, our carriage had entered the royal castle.
There were three spires covered with blue roofs, and these three were supported by white walls connected to each other. I sighed in admiration. Truly, a castle is a castle.
“Welcome to the capital, Sir Hans.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Let’s unpack and rest inside…”
As soon as we entered the castle, armored knights kindly greeted us, seemingly having received prior notice. The original plan was to rest today and proceed starting tomorrow.
Boom!
If it weren’t for the explosive sound that echoed through the courtyard! It was such a massive noise that it nearly gave the impression of an ambush. However, neither Clarence nor the knights showed much reaction.
“I’m deeply sorry for the long journey, Sir Hans, but is it alright if I ask you something right now?”
“Don’t tell me they’re actually fighting right now?”
“We’ve gotten used to it by now.”
“…”
If even the knights guarding the royal palace reacted this way, I had no idea how much fighting had occurred in such a short time. I followed the knights’ lead to the courtyard.
Boom! Crash! Just stepping forward created cracks in the ground. A hammer swung down like lightning, hitting the earth. Pieces shattered and flew out around.
I silently stared at the debris that came flying toward me. The massive shard that shot at an incredible speed now hovered right in front of me. I turned my head to survey my surroundings.
Fortunately, there were no shards that hit Helia or Clarence, but the courtyard was a complete mess. It was like it had been hit by a bomb. I shouted in horror.
“I almost died from a single shard?!”
Indeed. Time Stop was activated at this moment. And it wasn’t even because of a direct attack on me but rather collateral damage from their own fighting. I realized the difference in levels here.
No matter how much the Royal Knights perished like fools, they were still the Royal Knights. If I tried to intervene carelessly, I could genuinely end up dead.
What do I do? Should I make a run for it now? But if I don’t intervene, the Royal Knights will be disbanded. And if that happens? I’d have to endure those hellish seven years…
I clenched my teeth. When pushed to the extreme, people tend to show the opposite traits. Forcing down the fear boiling in my chest, I stepped forward.
[They listen to no one. Once they start fighting, they charge in without caring for anything.]
Based on what I had heard from Clarence in the carriage, it seemed these guys wouldn’t listen to anyone weaker than themselves. Plus, they were absolutely furious.
So, what should I do here? Would they listen to my words? The answer, in a way, was quite simple. I just needed to appear strong. Even if it’s fake.
As long as the result is good, it doesn’t matter how. However, this posed a significant risk for me as well. If I’m not careful, I could end up with issues forced upon me just like in the refugee camp.
“But it’s better than hell.”
I had seen countless hells while playing games. Back then, it was just a game, so I bypassed it casually. But now, it’s reality. A reality I might have to directly experience.
No matter how much I have the absurd ability of Time Stop, I didn’t think I could endure that hell. After all, didn’t I almost die just from a single shard earlier?
But surviving in a world where the protection of the Royal Knights is gone? Against countless monsters? Is that even possible? I should just get through this now, even if it means suffering later.
Huff!
I gripped the dwarf’s hammer, hanging like a pull-up bar. Slowly but surely, the hammer that had been raised above my head began to descend towards the ground. Finally, with a thud, it touched down.
I turned my head again.
“Seriously, how much strength do they have…?”
The elf was also gripping her sword with both hands, lifting it overhead. It seemed they were both prepared to clash at full power. I reached out to move the elf’s arm.
Like a puppet, I shook her arm this way and that. Once I confirmed that the elf’s strength had weakened, I merely used one hand to hold her slender wrists. Alright, now we’re set.
At first, I considered wedging the sword between my fingers, but I decided against it. What if I accidentally got my fingers cut off? Having roughly prepared, I collided my middle and index fingers together to create a sound.
Finally, time began to flow again. As time resumed, they could finally see. The elf realized for the first time that her wrists were being held.
In contrast, the dwarf noticed her hammer being stepped on with one foot. Their blurred vision filled with rage shifted towards me, the intruder. I swallowed hard.
“How pathetic. And you still dare to call yourselves knights?”
The die had already been cast.
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