Incongruity.
When a person is asleep, only the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems are activated and functioning.
So, we can never perceive our five senses or the instinctual sixth sense.
However, highly developed martial artists sometimes sensed an approach even in their sleep and would wake up to subdue their opponent in an instant.
I’m not claiming to have reached such a level as those martial artists, but one thing was certain: if I didn’t wake up immediately, something significant might happen.
Yeah, ‘incongruity’.
It was just as it sounded.
As I stretched my arms as a defensive mechanism and rose from my seat, I tightly grasped the soft sensation I felt in my palm.
After fully raising my upper body and opening my eyes to check…
“…Asti.”
“You coughed, Master.”
Asti was once again wielding her sword high, about to swing it at me.
And she was doing it with a blank expression!
But unlike before, I didn’t feel the bitterness or annoyance anymore.
The large white hand I had seen before.
I thought Asti was undoubtedly involved with that, and it seemed she couldn’t do anything about it.
Judging by her not using and controlling that power but rather collapsing, the possibility of it not being her own strength was very high.
Above all, the words she had said at that time.
“Just… please don’t hate me.”
It could have been a high-level tactic, but those sorrowful eyes didn’t seem like they were lying.
Thinking about it that way made sense.
If the door could be opened even if locked, then there was no need to wait for me to wake up before launching an attack; she could ambush me while I was asleep.
It felt like a sort of show to deceive someone, or something like that.
…I didn’t know what it was, but one thing was clear: this burden was far too heavy for such a young child to bear.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes.”
So, I smiled and patted her head.
With her expressionless face holding the sword, Asti relaxed her arm and lowered it, quietly staring at me, seemingly focusing on the sensation of my hand, and then closed her eyes.
Look, how can this be the attitude of someone trying to kill someone?
Not saying anything and just staying still made me lose my timing to stop, and I ended up continuing to stroke her head.
…It felt like I was handling a cat, and I found it somewhat addictive.
How wonderful would it be if I could spend my days like this, relaxed and warm?
Then I could live even in a dark fantasy world, thinking, “Oh well, it is what it is.”
Unfortunately, today I had a lot of things to do.
I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing.
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“The black lion you mentioned earlier asked me to pass on a message.”
“What did he say?”
Still keeping her eyes closed, the way she just conveyed the message was simply adorable, as if her rationality and instinct were separate.
“There’s something to discuss regarding the defeat of the Dragon Slayer, so the Deputy Director has asked for you to come out.”
Hah.
So much to do.
I’ll call later.
“Ugh.”
Well, what can I do?
If he’s asking me to come, I guess I have to go.
Stopping my busy hands, I prepared to get up from my seat to go meet the Deputy Director.
Oh? What’s this?
I felt a prickling, tingling sensation in a specific part of my body.
I looked around to find the source and caught eyes with Asti.
She was staring at me with a gaze that, for some reason, felt unbearably intense.
What was the cause?
Could it be that she was planning how to attack again?!
While I was thinking that, I realized her gaze was strangely directed not at my face but downwards.
So, I absentmindedly raised my hand.
Whoosh.
“Hmm?”
I directed my hand to the right.
Whoosh.
“Ah.”
So, that’s what it was.
I sat back down on the bed and placed my hand above Asti’s head.
“…!”
It felt like an exclamation mark was going to pop up right above her head, as her eyes lit up with life before she closed them.
As I removed my hand again…
Zii—
Asti was once again looking at me with what felt like a burdensome gaze.
And when I placed my hand back on her head, she closed her eyes again.
“Hmm.”
This is problematic.
It seems I would have to make excuses about sleeping in late to the Deputy Director.
#
“Yes, I understand. You’ve probably accumulated a lot of fatigue over time. After all, you’ve already dealt with two Outsiders.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
…I genuinely didn’t expect him to be so agreeable, and I was a bit taken aback by how casually it passed.
Perhaps it’s true that good things bring good things.
“Anyway, the matter I wanted to discuss with you today relates to the Outsider defeats. It was awkwardly brushed off during my meeting with the Princess, but if we let this slide again, it would tarnish the Knights’ reputation.”
Hmm, is it really that serious?
I would have been willing to accept it if it was said that way, even if I felt a little dubious.
“…I didn’t play such a significant role.”
“The credit for taking down the Dragon Slayer is said to be 90% yours, according to the White Mask. You should take more pride in that.”
Ninety percent?
Hmm.
If engaging with such a beautiful girl and sending her back to her own world counts as accomplishments, then I suppose it is.
“So, according to the Princess’s opinion… it has been decided to grant you a particular title.”
“…Huh?”
This was quite surprising.
I had only joined the Knights for less than two months.
“You don’t need to decline it. You’ve earned such honorable recognition. Just diving into the danger to protect the citizens of Rondan was already deserving of the title of ‘Honorable Knight.'”
…This certainly seems like something the White Mask consciously avoided discussing.
Perhaps it wasn’t worth mentioning since most people wouldn’t gain anything from it.
After all, if I stayed active in the Knights, I would likely be exposed sooner or later.
“What position is it?”
“Shinbikan (神比官). It’s a noble title given to those who defend Rondan from Outsiders. In some ways, your authority might even surpass mine as Deputy Director.”
At that moment, I heard a muted sound of music from outside.
Was there a concert held in the domain?
“To put it simply, you could consider it similar to the conductor of an orchestra.”
“And that means…”
The Deputy Director displayed a subtle smile.
“Yes, you will have the authority to select members from Rondan’s apprentice and regular knights to accompany you, giving you command over the Outsider hunts. In essence, while the orchestra is directed by the composer’s instructions, the conductor can perform according to their own style without needing the musician’s input. This means you can act based on your judgment without our orders.”
“…Yes.”
“As you know, all the spoils and accolades earned from the hunt will be rewarded to the Shinbikan. A position befits someone as noble as you.”
For a moment, my heart wavered slightly.
The ability to operate independently of the Deputy Director and Commander?
That in itself was already a significant merit.
If I obtained the title of Shinbikan, it would undoubtedly make clearing this game and protecting the world much easier.
There’s also a chance I could safely acquire past information on ‘Leydan Tanton.’
The Deputy Director probably gazed at me with the same eyes one would have on a child accepted into a prestigious university.
But…
“Deputy Director, I’m sorry, but could we postpone that matter for now?”
“…Again? Is it all you can do to decline?”
It felt like the “instincts” unique to ‘Leydan Tanton’ were crying out.
Not only that, but there were numerous reasons why I shouldn’t choose this position just yet.
The information I needed to uncover—Asti, the Record Keeper, ‘that lady,’ and the Dragon Slayer’s horn—could be secrets that the title might become a shackle instead.
Thinking about how our branch head was struggling made me not want to seek a higher position, either.
However, I couldn’t say that out loud, so I decided to come up with a more plausible excuse.
“It’s not a rejection, Deputy Director.”
I took a pause before speaking clearly.
“It’s about chivalry.”
Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what chivalry was.
Since the very essence of chivalry is so ambiguous, it could mean one thing here and another thing there.
“Perhaps I should say, ‘A knight is a guardian, not a holder of power.’”
“Chivalry, huh…”
I was prepared to elaborate further if I was going to oppose it again, but the discussion didn’t continue.
The Deputy Director turned his chair, showing me his back.
I thought I could hear a muffled sob from somewhere.
What is that?
Is he crying?
“…I’m really starting to wonder how your chivalry will shine in the future, Tanton. A knight who has only transferred here is already shining so brightly!”
“…No, that’s not true.”
The Deputy Director spoke in a choked voice, then sniffled.
“I understand your point. I will find a way to reward you, even if it means using my position as Deputy Director, Leydan Tanton.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Accept it, no, please allow it. Otherwise, it seems you will soil your name.”
…His voice sounded so choked, it seemed he was truly moved.
Well, I just talked casually.
There is a saying that a single word can repay a thousand favors, and it might just hold some truth.
“…Well, I’m sorry for making you wait while you must be busy. Go on.”
“Yes.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I hurriedly headed outside.
I felt overly tense, as if all my nerves were in turmoil.
#
After Tanton left, silence filled the Deputy Director’s office.
He pondered.
How could there be such a true knight?
What kind of reason was it that someone so righteous would temporarily fall into the underground prison?
Feeling melancholic, the Deputy Director approached the firewood.
Soon, a crackling fire erupted, and the voice of the Princess echoed in the air, prompting the Deputy Director to quickly lean in closer.
“…Yes, Your Highness. Leydan Tanton has declined the offered title. …Yes, that’s right. He claims he still has unfinished business…? …What? You are to personally offer him a reward? Oh, you will handle it yourself…? Understood.”
The Deputy Director scratched the back of his head with a perplexed expression as he stepped away from the firewood.
The reward coming directly from the Princess.
Certainly, as it is a noble’s reward, he had no choice but to accept, and that might make it even more meaningful.
But perhaps it was due to the Deputy Director’s feelings; he sensed that the Princess’s voice felt a tad giddy.
He thought.
#
Stepping out of the hearth, I began to plan how to spend the rest of my day.
So, what should I do?
First, I should head to a nearby market or library to gather information about the Outsider known as ‘her.’
And…
“Hey, Tanton!”
As I was lost in thought, Muyun approached me with a cheerful voice.
Was she out for a walk?
“Oh, Muyun.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah, it’s just that the Deputy Director was talking about rewards, but I declined and came out.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well, I thought to myself, what have I done to deserve such a thing?”
After briefly explaining the situation, I saw an expression of admiration on Muyun’s face.
“…It’s rare for someone to be so modest. Truly an exceptional knight…”
“Huh?”
“N-Never mind!”
What is she mumbling about?
Lately, it seemed like Muyun often spoke to herself when she was around me.
Oh, speaking of which, I should also visit the blacksmith.
Since it turned out this way, why not head to the blacksmith and the market at the same time?
“Hey, Muyun.”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to join me?”
“…Ah, you mean to the blacksmith?”
“Yes, exactly.”
For some reason, Muyun looked quite cheerful.
“Sure! We can go right away!”
“Um, let’s do that. Oh, wait a moment.”
I remembered that there was something I should grab to avoid regrets later.
…Just in case something big happens the next morning.
After telling Muyun to wait a moment, I dashed to my branch.
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