Chapter: 352
“Of course it’s possible! How could we refuse our Lucy bringing a friend to the mansion!”
Benedict raised his voice as soon as I spoke.
Uh… I didn’t expect it to be that easy to get permission.
Is it really okay for someone else to join the Knights’ training?
Wouldn’t there be a problem if internal knowledge leaks out?
And seriously, shouldn’t we at least ask the Knights if it’s possible?
“Haha! What are you worried about! If it’s Lucy’s friends, Possell will welcome them!”
That’s still not a solution!
Benedict, shouldn’t the head of the family be a bit more responsible?
“And Lucy, do you really think those from other houses can keep up with our training? If they could, they’d already be in our Knights and not elsewhere!”
I tilted my head at his overly proud tone.
Is the Allen Knights’ training that intense?
I mean, it’s definitely tough, but can’t all knights handle it at least?
According to others, I’m already at a decent knight level now, but I’ve managed to keep up with the knights.
<...Girl, you’re really quite unique.>
“Really?”
[Yes. I don’t know how current knights train, but based on times of war, the Allen family’s training is incredibly harsh.]
I realized I had a huge misunderstanding when they explained that an average knight might collapse out of exhaustion.
I just thought it would be a light hell training during vacation, not an actual trip to hell.
“Ugh! My daughter who was always alone finally has a friend!”
But I couldn’t take back the words I had said.
How could I make a joke in front of a tearful daughter-doting parent?
Hmm. I’m not sure, but I guess Possell will handle it well.
I mean, he’s been teaching others for a while, so wouldn’t he adjust to his friends’ levels?
[If I may offer one piece of advice, it would be best to prepare an apology gift for your friends in advance.]
‘…I’ll think about it.’
*
“Are you saying I can train with the Allen family’s Knights?! Really?!”
Arthur shot up from his seat, his eyes shining as he stretched his lips wide.
His expression of uncontainable excitement was such that it showed even the usually mature Arthur is still just a teenage boy.
“Yes. I got permission.”
“I’d love to call you an immature pitiful prince, but unfortunately, it’s true. I’ve got permission too.”
“Thank you so much! Lucy Allen! Oh my! Training with the Allen Knights!”
He couldn’t sit still and was pacing around the room, while Joy looked at him, tilting her head.
“Is training with the Allen Knights really that amazing?”
I wanted to ask that too.
When it comes to training with the Allen Knights, it just seems like endless exhausting drills. Why are they so excited?
I completely don’t get it.
“You wouldn’t understand, the wizard Joy! You don’t know what Allen Knights mean to those who train hard!”
Arthur pounded his fist on the table and started to share various stories with intensity.
It was about the Allen Knights’ past achievements.
Starting from how the founder of the Allen family was awarded a title after single-handedly conquering a dungeon known to have an A-level threat.
To how during a war decades ago, he maintained the frontline by himself, turning the tide of battle.
Without a moment’s pause, Arthur suddenly turned towards me and raised his voice.
“Understand this, Lucy Allen! The Knights you will lead one day are part of this rich history! You must carry pride in your name and write a new history!”
I feel like I’ve seen someone similar to Arthur before.
Ah, right.
An otaku.
Those who are fans of idols or anime have that vibe.
So Arthur is a knight otaku.
…It’s one thing to admire knights, but I never imagined he’d take it to such an obsessive level.
Kind of cringey.
“What’s with those expressions! It’s natural for a man to admire knights!”
No. Even if that’s true on the surface, I’m also a man, you know?
I think armored knights are cool and all, but you take it too far.
Normal people aren’t that passionate about it.
“Listen! The reason I admire knights is—”
“Third Prince, that’s enough. The longer you talk, the weirder you look.”
When Joy pointed at me, Arthur coughed awkwardly and shut his mouth.
“More importantly, Lady Allen. What kind of training does the Knights’ training typically involve?”
‘You want to know?’
“What, you’re curious? Do you really want to hear?”
“I’d like to participate in training with you, so I want to know what it entails.”
Hearing Joy’s words, I recalled the trainings I had in the Allen family.
Hmm. It’s hard to say exactly what kind of training since it changes from time to time.
But if I had to find a common point?
‘You might as well give up on sleep.’
“It’s best to give up on sleeping. That clueless Possell may smell like a bad uncle, but during training, he’s ruthless.”
“…So we give up on sleeping?”
‘Yes. Isn’t that obvious?’
“Right. Knight training is all like that, isn’t it?”
The incredulous gaze that had just been directed at Arthur was now turning towards me.
Wait, isn’t this the case for everyone?
Since I got my stamina up, I’ve been training like that all the time!
As I looked around, Joy facepalmed.
“Sigh. I finally understand why your training suggestions are so out of touch with common sense. The entire Allen family is like this.”
Then with a cold stare, she continued her explanation.
“Lady, typical knight circles teach how to sleep efficiently, not how to overcome sleep. After all, as long as you’re human, you can’t fully overcome sleep.”
Eh?!
Really?!
You sleep during training?!
You don’t train night and day for a week or what!?
“Our church’s knights also do the same, Lady. Giving up sleep causes greater negative effects.”
“Same for us. Sleep is for resting.”
“…Even the monastery knights agree. After Taboll caused a ruckus, it became certain that overcoming sleep is impossible.”
Since it would be one thing if it was just the Partlan family, but with other people testifying, it’s clear which side is common sense.
In normal knight training, they let you sleep.
[Isn’t that obvious?]
‘How was I supposed to know that?!’
I thought all knights in a fantasy world trained like this!
That’s why I thought they were so amazing!
“Lady Allen? I know you’re flustered, but could you explain the other aspects as well?”
I was frightened that what I thought was common knowledge wasn’t actually so, but I couldn’t ignore the gazes of the other four people, so I reluctantly had to explain the common points of the training I did with the Allen family.
“Marching in sync with the words? While moving?!”
“Are you insane? That’s not a human thing to do.”
“That sounds boring.”
“…I’m sorry, but I think that’s weird too, Lady.”
So you don’t do that?!
Isn’t mobility vital for knights? That’s what Possell always says!
“If you collapse from exhaustion, they force you to take potions and keep going.”
“That’s already in the realm of torture, isn’t it?”
“That’s absolutely boring.”
“…I’m sorry, Lady.”
Is that training that was enforced despite the crisis not even normal?!
I thought that was just a given for knights!
“Amongst each other, swinging swords as though trying to kill each other. That might be a bit fun.”
“That’s not fun! There’s no way that’s fun!”
“I’m starting to feel like the Allen Knights are getting scarier.”
“…I’m sorry.”
With each of my words, the faces of my friends became paler, making it clear how abnormal the place I grew up in was.
…Thinking back, my grandpa used to detest the knights’ training too.
[Not just thinking back, he absolutely detested it. It was questionable if they were even human.]
‘Well, couldn’t you have just told me it was strange beforehand?!’
[I thought knights nowadays were like that. I had been in dungeons for so long.]
While I was correcting my sense of common knowledge, the four people at the table exchanged subtle glances.
“I finally understand why Lucy Allen is so strong. It’s because everyone in the Allen family is extraordinary.”
“Doing such training repeatedly means they can respond to any situation.”
“Once heard from a holy knight, but the reality is worse than the rumors.”
While their words varied, the meaning within was similar.
“…Third Prince, are you really going to do this?”
“Why are you asking me first?”
“Well, the one most excited about receiving training is the prince!”
“At the time, I had no idea the Allen Knights were such crazy people!”
No. Calling them crazy is a bit harsh.
Yeah, they might be a little eccentric, but they’re all good and fun people.
If they weren’t, would they train with the likes of me, a weirdo like me?
“And what about you? Didn’t you say you would gladly participate if you could train with Lucy Allen?”
“I didn’t know it would be this kind of training! No matter how I look at it, it’s not training needed for a wizard!”
But it is necessary for wizards too, right?
Don’t wizards know tiredness? Aren’t they in danger? Don’t they have to fight for survival in extreme situations?
The Knights’ training is necessary for everyone.
Just then, the one who interrupted their bickering was Frey, who had been resting her chin indifferently.
“It may not be fun, but it seems I could get stronger. I’ll join.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Don’t do it, Prince. After you get strong, I’ll just break you and call you sloppy.”
Imagining the scene of victory, Frey smiled a sly smile, and Arthur bit his lips.
“Damn it! Then let’s just do it! No matter how tough the training is, I won’t die!”
Ah. That part’s okay. It’s really tough, but you won’t actually die. I can guarantee that because I’ve gone through the training so many times.
“Me? I’ve already decided to receive magic training separately from my father.”
“Where do you think you’re running off to?! Joy! It’s the Third Prince’s command! You have to join too!”
“No way! I’m not a knight, I’m a wizard!”
“Hmm♡ I thought you were a silly friend, but you’re not?♡ I didn’t expect you to ditch me so easily♡ I’m so disappointed♡ Guess I have to start treating you formally again♡”
“I’ll definitely do it! I really want to join!”
Hah, Joy. Where do you think you’re running off to?
I already have plans for training just for you.
Now that you’re in my hands, you can’t escape.
“Ugh! I never thought I’d walk into hell willingly.”
“If not dying in hell means I can get stronger, it sounds like a myth.”
“Why does it feel like an assumption that we might die?”
“If Lucy Allen’s words are all true, then it wouldn’t be strange to die at any moment.”
“…I really hate that I can’t deny that.”
“If I’m going to die, I just hope it’s a fun death.”
While the three people who decided to visit the Allen Knights complained, I turned my gaze to the last person left.
Phoebe. The one who follows me wherever I go wanted to go. She avoided my gaze and fidgeted with her hands under the desk.
“Sorry, Lady. I don’t think I can participate.”
“Phoebe! Are you trying to run away by yourself?!”
“Saintess! That’s so cowardly!”
If it were her usual self, Phoebe would have smiled and dealt with their teasing.
But today was different.
Instead of brushing off their teasing, Phoebe stood up, looking fierce.
“Do you think I want to be away from you by choice?! If it weren’t for the church’s matters!… Ah.”
Phoebe hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands, but the words had already slipped out.
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