“Escort Knight, let’s not make a big deal out of this.”
The decision came swiftly, rendering five years of conflict meaningless.
“When did you start living with so much thought?”
Let’s think simply. Just as always.
With that change of heart, I felt a lot more at ease.
“There’s no longer a reason to distance myself from Eliya.”
The reason I tried to flee from her was one.
I feared she might kill me.
Just like that tragedy she showed me five years ago when Eliya might choke the life out of me.
If it were the Eliya I knew, she could do that.
The infamous villainess, Eliya.
But right now, Eliya isn’t that kind of villainess.
I still find it hard to read her inner thoughts, but she’s not a murderous maniac or arsonist indulging out of hobby.
Furthermore, in the current relationship between Eliya and me, it seems nearly impossible for any such tragedy to unfold.
In other words.
The tragedy has been averted.
Not by timing, but by a change of relationship.
At least, that’s how I see it.
“If I were to commit a major error, she might strangle me.”
So, I need to be as careful as possible to prevent that.
“But… what on earth do I need to do for Eliya not to strangle me?”
No matter how I think about it, I just can’t figure it out.
I can’t even dare to imagine what kind of mistake I might make, or how Eliya might strangle me in the future.
“Whatever it may be, I need to be careful to avoid any annoying situations. I’ve been living like that anyway…”
Suddenly, a question she asked when we were young comes to mind.
How do I think of myself?
To that, I replied.
One’s birth does not determine existence.
I may have viewed her as inherently problematic all along.
“The one closing their eyes was me.”
Quickly accepting reality made everything feel so much lighter.
Since the tragedy has been averted, staying by Eliya’s side is the most beneficial choice for several reasons.
The land I bought called Jericho.
It’s still in the initial stages of development and restoration.
The public order is a mess, and it’s not a convenient place for living.
In contrast, how is the position of Eliya’s escort knight?
I get paid regularly, receive good meals, and even live in the luxurious Eliya’s mansion.
I’m overflowing with confidence that I can do my job well.
“Increasingly, the more I consider this, fleeing would actually be a loss.”
It’s not only that.
Personally, there’s so much I’m grateful to Eliya for.
At first, it seemed like she was toying with my life, but in no time, she became my benefactor.
All the foundations for securely training and growing came from Eliya.
“She’s not exactly a friend… nor a family member. But it’s not just a simple contractual relationship… Hmm…”
It’s probably just my one-sided gratitude, but still, what’s important is that I feel that way.
Her neatly cultivated appearance can sometimes make my heart skip a beat, but that’s my problem. Really.
Be it those feelings or not, that doesn’t matter.
“Anyway, that’s not the important part.”
I abandoned my plans to escape.
The land I bought in Jericho can be used for something eventually.
“I can sell it once the land value goes up later.”
What remains is the final test.
Since I’ve decided to become an escort knight, I must take it seriously and pass.
“But honestly, I have no idea what the test is.”
Not a single person has passed so far.
Besides, the content of the test changes every time.
Whatever task they throw at me, I’m confident I can pass, but curiosity is unavoidable.
“I guess I’ll find out on the day.”
With a light heart, I sat on the bed.
My gaze fell on the flowerpot on the windowsill.
Anemone.
For five years, it has been blooming and wilting repetitively.
Looking at it now, I noticed a sprout.
There wasn’t one even just yesterday.
Eliya always seemed to spot the sprouts first, but this year, I noticed it first.
“If I tell her tomorrow, she’ll be so happy.”
Every time it sprouts and the buds grow into flowers, Eliya would smile like a child.
That bright smile flashing her teeth remains pure even after five years.
And when it’s time for the flowers to wilt in winter, she noticeably becomes gloomy.
The diverse emotions that are hard to catch from Eliya.
Just recalling that made me smile unknowingly.
“Is it cute or not?”
Then, the next morning, Eliya’s reaction exceeded my expectations.
“It grew before mine?”
Our flowerpots always sprouted on the same day.
In contrast, this year, only my pot has grown, while Eliya’s sprout isn’t up yet.
“This has never happened before!”
I’m not quite sure if it’s that happy of a thing.
But seeing Eliya so delighted and laughing somehow felt good.
*
The day of the final test.
There are exactly three participants.
Me, Richard.
And Hazle, an eighth-year student.
He’s ranked first in the training facility.
Our record against each other is 21 wins and 19 losses.
In other words, I lost two more times.
It’s always been close like this.
Including unofficial duels, the count would be much higher.
With losses that many… well.
I’ve known him for quite a while, and due to the rankings, we crossed paths often, but we’re not on good terms.
“I hate to say it, but his personality is a bit….”
He’s not overly extroverted and rude like others I’ve fought before.
In fact, he speaks very little.
He’s never directly insulted me.
But somehow…
It feels like he has a strange air that suggests he’s different from everyone else.
Leaving the personality aside, I find Hazle somewhat unsettling.
“Well, that guy is originally part of the Royal Knights.”
That’s definitely the case in the future, as far as I know.
Yet currently, he holds the first place in Eliya’s escort knight training academy.
What could be going on…?
“Could today finally be the day the first escort knight is born?”
Richard poked me in the side and said.
“Why are you looking at me like that when you say that?”
“Isn’t it only natural that the one who monopolizes the young lady’s favor becomes the first escort?”
“Anyone who does well in the test would become it. It’s not determined by the young lady’s attention.”
Hazle, standing next to me, glanced over and let out a noise close to a snicker, shaking his head.
Yeah, it always feels like this.
There are no friends within the training facility.
While I was idly chatting with Richard, Gawain walked in.
We all promptly fell silent.
Gawain gave a nonchalant nod of greeting.
He looked at me for a noticeably long time.
“This guy is subtly obvious.”
Five years of continuous individual training.
By now, it would have made sense to end, yet Gawain continued to teach me without question or objection.
In fact, it was I who had the questions.
Now I understand the reason.
This guy genuinely seems to like me as a disciple.
He pretends otherwise, but it’s clear he takes pride in me.
Especially how proud he looks every time I pass a test.
“If I fail this time, I wonder if he’ll almost cry.”
I doubt that would happen.
“Congratulations.”
Gawain said solemnly.
“It’s been tough to get here. Once you pass the final test, you’ll earn the qualification to become the young lady’s escort knight. It’s a glorious thing. Do your utmost until the end.”
“Yes!”
“The details of the test will be explained by the young lady herself.”
At that, the door opened.
In walked Eliya, wearing a black coat with a red scarf.
Originally a blanket, but now it looks like a genuine scarf since she has grown.
With the graceful steps of a cat, she entered, carrying a black cat doll that contrasts oddly well with her appearance.
Following behind her is Ria, the red-haired maid.
Eliya locked eyes with me and smiled gently.
She’s the one I’ll be serving from now on.
I see her often….
“Wait. I shouldn’t be getting ahead of myself. I haven’t even passed the test yet; I’m getting too excited.”
I mustn’t confuse confidence with arrogance.
Standing before us, Eliya spoke.
“The conditions of the final test are simple.”
Straightforward, with no niceties.
“You all must go to the location I tell you and find a hidden specific item. Only those who bring it back will pass.”
As she nodded, Gawain distributed pieces of paper one by one.
“I don’t know the exact location where the target item is hidden. The only clue is that it’s somewhere within the area drawn on this map.”
I received a seemingly enlarged map of a specific area.
“This terrain feels oddly familiar.”
Memories on the edge of recollection.
“I definitely knew this place back then, before possessing this body….”
Struggling to trace back, it suddenly hit me.
I knew where this is.
What is hidden there.
As the memories rose, Eliya continued.
“The location is roughly near the border of the demon world. The exact name of the item is the ‘Sun Symbol of Support,’ a holy relic from the mythic age.”
A holy relic that showcases the power of the gods.
If used correctly, any wish or miracle can surely be realized.
I clearly remember the location of this holy relic.
Unless there’s an unusual reason, the location hasn’t changed.
“If you use it, once it will grant any request without fail.”
As it’s such a rare item, I only managed to procure it towards the end of the game.
In the future, the royal court will identify the location of this holy relic and commence an investigation.
And I will intervene and snatch it away.
I even managed to use it.
Right around the time of possession.
“I just need to remember the item’s location…”
As I delved deeper into my thoughts, I found myself frozen in place.
The more I thought about it, the more I felt lost in a maze.
I certainly used that item.
I remember the status window that popped up, letting me write any wish I desired.
And at that moment…
“…I can’t remember.”
What wish I made completely escapes me.
“How strange….”
I clearly recall the Sun Symbol.
It looks like a round sun, held up by tree roots.
I know the conditions for using it as well.
I had successfully met them perfectly and used it.
“That time was Christmas, and the status window popped up, prompting me to input something….”
I remember insignificant details but can’t recall what I wished for at all.
“This is strange.”
It likely wasn’t an important wish.
After all, one could hardly make meaningful wishes in a game.
“Maybe it’s just a meaningful memory from the moment I entered the game.”
“There are no time limits for this test.”
Eliya finished explaining.
“You can bring it back whenever you want.”
Having no time limit means it’s uncertain when I can bring it back.
In truth, the hidden location of the Sun Symbol is exceedingly dangerous.
Both the ruins housing the relic and the pathways leading there.
But I know a safe way to approach.
“The route, methods to navigate through mazes. Unless there’s been a natural disaster altering the landscape, it should all be the same.”
After explaining, Eliya surveyed the cadets.
“I’m looking forward to what you all will accomplish.”
She spoke with a completely unimpressed expression.
A dull, emotionless face.
“Yuda.”
She beckoned to me.
“Yes, my lady.”
As I approached, she gazed up at me intently.
Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and her lips curved just a bit.
Seeing her pouty lips, she seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
“What’s this about? Did I do something wrong?”
Or could it be?
Is it displeasing to her that I am becoming an escort knight?
I don’t know what else could be behind her reaction.
“Hmm.”
Eliya sighed through her nose.
She then handed me something.
“Take this.”
The cold object in my hand.
A hard metal.
“…A bracelet?”
A golden chain bracelet.
In the center, there’s a red gem embedded.
I was baffled and asked.
“What is this about…?”
“Just take it. You’ll need it for the exam.”
Eliya didn’t seem inclined to elaborate.
“Is this some sort of prank?”
It’s not like she’s giving me a bomb or anything; if she says to take it, I’ve got to take it.
“Thank you.”
As I was about to put it in my pocket, Eliya suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“What are you doing?”
“Why aren’t you wearing it?”
Well, you did say to take it, but you didn’t say to wear it, did you?
Besides, I’ve never worn jewelry on my arm in my life.
If it were just a rubber band, that wouldn’t be a problem, but it looks pretty complicated to put on.
If I showed I couldn’t wear it, it’d be embarrassing, and I planned to put it on later in private.
“I’ll wear it later, I—”
Eliya wouldn’t allow my excuse.
She snatched the bracelet from my hand.
“Put your hand out.”
I hesitated for a moment but had no choice but to extend my wrist.
Eliya skillfully fastened the bracelet on me.
Her small, warm hands moved adeptly.
“It doesn’t really suit me….”
The size fits comfortably.
However, a bracelet with a red gem on a golden chain on my thick, muscly wrist isn’t exactly an ideal combination.
“It’s done now.”
“…Thank you.”
Eliya didn’t let go of my hand.
She held on while looking up at me and sighed.
“Do well and come back.”
It’s not that she dislikes me; she’s merely apprehensive?
…But I’m second in the training academy!
“I won’t let you down.”
At last, Eliya released my hand.
The warmth fades away.
As I turned to leave, I froze.
“…….”
Richard wore a gentle smile and nodded.
As if to say, ‘I understand.’
His expression slowly shook his head, as if to imply there’s no need to say more.
“Why are you just standing there? Come on, go ahead of me.”
“I still haven’t received permission to depart.”
“…….”
Gawain’s voice came like a savior.
“Everyone should set off now. Trust in the skills you’ve trained for.”
After saying goodbye to Gawain and Eliya, I exited quickly as if fleeing.
*
“The Sun Symbol of Support….”
Balak’s third child.
Jezebel muttered to herself.
She looked at the map.
A map recording the areas likely to house the sun symbol.
“The selection process for the escort knights, that final test is being used by Eliya to pinpoint the sun symbol’s location.”
Information Ria had taken straight from Eliya, who is closest to her.
Ria, who once leaked information to her mother, Narcissi, has now aligned with someone else.
Jezebel.
Along with her eldest brother Cain and second brother Levi.
“I can’t stand bats, but information itself isn’t wrong.”
Even bats must have their own ways of living.
“This information must have also been relayed to Cain and Levi.”
Will they act?
Or will they not?
Jezebel thought lightly.
She ranked lower in the main family competition compared to the two.
Even if reckless, she needs to act radically.
To seize an opportunity.
Without taking risks, she can’t close the gap.
“Ria mentioned this would be a good opportunity, so I’ll believe it.”
Jezebel immediately called in her people.
“Send secret agents to the vicinity to discreetly follow those sent by Eliya. Try to avoid confrontation if possible….”
Jezebel grinned.
Her red eyes glittered with excitement.
While brushing her golden hair, she continued.
“If necessary, feel free to kill those escort knight candidates.”
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